Lee Carsley's impressive form.

[NeilMcD]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2008/10/carsley_the_championships_most.html#040141

[richieos]

just read this blog before coming on foot.ie, excellent blog and completely true, makelele had nothing that carseley didnt have bar a fancy foreign name

[back of the net]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2008/10/carsley_the_championships_most.html#040141

would be delighted to have him back on board

never let us down

everton miss him badly

[Fergie's Son]

Always liked him and loved his commitment to Ireland. Would welcome him back with open arms.

[mark12345]

For God's sake keep him away from the Irish team. He shouldn't be allowed watch international football let alone play it. He was the consummate shadow midfielder under Stan, who hid in many games and never took charge in midfield and never appeared able to. We need a leader and he doesn't have an ounce of leadership in him.

To pick Carsley would be a massive step backwards. Robbie Keane is the best option right now - let him drop back behind the front two and find a partner for Doyle in his place.

[SkStu]

To pick Carsley would be a massive step backwards. Robbie Keane is the best option right now - let him drop back behind the front two and find a partner for Doyle in his place.

wtf? do you even realise the formation Trappatoni is playing?

back on topic, Carsley is one of those underrated players, the sort that supporters will either love for wahat he brings to a team or hates for what he doesnt. Carsley under Stan is a bit of a strange one as Stan played him in a different role to the one that Moyes played him in, a role that he played to near perfection.

[Noelys Guitar]

Great attitude. And he still offers us a lot. Not a great passer of the ball but knows how to sniff out the oppositions attacks as they develop. And he can score the odd goal. I would be quite happy to see Carsley back.

[Qwerty]

Great attitude. And he still offers us a lot. Not a great passer of the ball but knows how to sniff out the oppositions attacks as they develop. And he can score the odd goal. I would be quite happy to see Carsley back.

Has he ever actually scored for Ireland? I think not. Nobody game him the time of day when we had greats :rolleyes: like Holland and Kinsella, now almost 35 he must be in the team? Isn't it ironic...

He has done very well at club level, I don't think he has ever really impressed at international level. His commitment is fantastic. But can offer stop gap for the remainder of this campaign.

[Topman]

Against 10 man QPR (for all of 2nd half) on Tuesday Night he was up against Irelands Martin Rowlands and Former Italian International Damiano Tomassi....and the QPR came out on top 1-0

Committment etc...is 100% but his Ireland days are over

[back of the net]

To pick Carsley would be a massive step backwards. Robbie Keane is the best option right now - let him drop back behind the front two and find a partner for Doyle in his place.

we are talking about a defensive midfield position , not an attacker playing in the hole behind the front 2

WTF are u on about??

if carso wants to come back - id have him back with open arms ... we need him back asap

[jbyrne]

we are talking about a defensive midfield position , not an attacker playing in the hole behind the front 2

WTF are u on about??

if carso wants to come back - id have him back with open arms ... we need him back asap

agree. some people forget that we dont exactly have too many midfield options. robbie keane in ctre mid??????????:rolleyes:

[mark12345]

"WTF are you on about?"

Are you watching the same Ireland team I am? As it stands right now there are only three players who can hold the ball in the opposition half of the field with any degree of success (a) Damien Duff (b) Steven Reid (c) Robbie Keane........ I probably should include McGeady but his strengths are not really holding the ball, more taking on players.

With Steven Reid injured we need a presence in midfield, and My God, Lee Carsley is certainly not that presence. Carsley is one of the least effective midfielders to ever pull on a green jersey. Are you lads going to sit there and tell me that Carsley can do more with a ball than Keane? I suggested that Keane should sit behind the front two - don't you recall him doing the same for Spurs with great success? And as for the formation Trap is trying to play, I'm sure he's looking for players who can hold possession, not give it away like snuff at a wake like we did against Cyprus.

Keane in the middle with Whelan or Gibson (Reid when he comes back) and McGeady and Duff on the wings. It may have to be slightly more defensive when we play Italy but Carsley should not be in anyone's plans.

[Razors left peg]

"WTF are you on about?"

Are you watching the same Ireland team I am? As it stands right now there are only three players who can hold the ball in the opposition half of the field with any degree of success (a) Damien Duff (b) Steven Reid (c) Robbie Keane........ I probably should include McGeady but his strengths are not really holding the ball, more taking on players.

With Steven Reid injured we need a presence in midfield, and My God, Lee Carsley is certainly not that presence. Carsley is one of the least effective midfielders to ever pull on a green jersey. Are you lads going to sit there and tell me that Carsley can do more with a ball than Keane? I suggested that Keane should sit behind the front two - don't you recall him doing the same for Spurs with great success? And as for the formation Trap is trying to play, I'm sure he's looking for players who can hold possession, not give it away like snuff at a wake like we did against Cyprus.

Keane in the middle with Whelan or Gibson (Reid when he comes back) and McGeady and Duff on the wings. It may have to be slightly more defensive when we play Italy but Carsley should not be in anyone's plans.

Trap has already said that Andy Reid is too attack minded to play in his center midfield so to suggest that he would play Robbie Keane there is beyond ridiculous

[Colbert Report]

Whomever suggests that Robbie Keane should play in central midfield is absolutely clueless. You need to watch some match tapes to see what formation Trap has played in every game so far. A goalkeeper, four across the back, two deep-lying central defensive midfielders who sit WAY back and do nothing but tackle and break up attacks through the middle. All of our attacks are meant to come up the wings, not through the middle! Two strikers up top (Keane and Doyle) who are meant to finish off crosses from McGeady and Duff.

There is no one here that would suggest that Whelan is a better player than Andy Reid. However, he is a better tackler and much more defensive minded, which is what Trap wants from that position. Carsley would be my FIRST choice for this role. He is a very limited player who is losing his legs fast but all we need him to do is stand ten yards in front of Richard Dunne/John O'Shea and put his spikes into his tackles. Every time he gets possession, all he needs to do is a ten yard pass backwards to Finnan or Kilbane, who'll start the attack up the wings. He fits the system perfectly. Anyone who suggests his Ireland days are over is about as smart as the guy who suggest Robbie Keane would fit into the central midfield role in this team! Especially with Steven Reid out for the year.

[tommy_c12000]

Im all for a Carsley return. Please God it would be a straight swap for Whelan who isnt even making the Stoke bench these days

[Junior]

Our central strikeforce is not the biggest and all our attacks are expected to/will be coming from the wings. Ok Doyle gets a few headers, but hes not the strongest and a decent centre half should be able to muscle him out of the game.

I cant see us scoring too many in this campaign. we'll be relying on clean sheets. Its the Italian way of course...but is it the Irish?.............

[Razors left peg]

Our central strikeforce is not the biggest and all our attacks are expected to/will be coming from the wings. Ok Doyle gets a few headers, but hes not the strongest and a decent centre half should be able to muscle him out of the game.

I cant see us scoring too many in this campaign. we'll be relying on clean sheets. Its the Italian way of course...but is it the Irish?.............

who cares as long as we qualify, we are not like Brazil that expects fantastic free flowing football at all times

[Junior]

who cares as long as we qualify, we are not like Brazil that expects fantastic free flowing football at all times

I think you missed my point.

Its not Brazilian-esque football I am looking for. I was more concerned that Traps style will be reliant on clean sheets - something we havent been that great at in recent times!

[mark12345]

You are taking it all wrong. I never suggested that Keane play as a holding midfielder. I said he should play behind the front two as an attacking midfielder, like he did for Spurs (when he used link brilliantly with Berbatov and Lennon). Now Doyle is no Berbatov and McGeady may not be as fast as Lennon but it is the same concept.

I fully understand that Trap is trying to break up attacks with two hard men in the middle, but it clearly did not work against Cyprus. They played us off the park remember, and we can't have that happen when Bulgaria, Montenegro and Italy come to town. If you remember the Cyprus game (and it might sound a bit redundant but) we looked at our best when attacking. That is we weren't forced to defend in numbers for long periods.

I know our options are limited in midfield and in a perfect world Robbie would be up front with Doyle, but we have to make do with what we have and a player who can take a ball in the middle and find a pass behind the defence, like Robbie, is gong to be worth his weight in gold during the rest of this campaign. As I said Duff, Keane and Reid are the only ones who can hold the ball and make things happen, but good luck to you if you think Carsley is worth anything. You clearly have a different view of the game than me.

[Razors left peg]

You are taking it all wrong. I never suggested that Keane play as a holding midfielder. I said he should play behind the front two as an attacking midfielder, like he did for Spurs (when he used link brilliantly with Berbatov and Lennon). Now Doyle is no Berbatov and McGeady may not be as fast as Lennon but it is the same concept.

I fully understand that Trap is trying to break up attacks with two hard men in the middle, but it clearly did not work against Cyprus. They played us off the park remember, and we can't have that happen when Bulgaria, Montenegro and Italy come to town. If you remember the Cyprus game (and it might sound a bit redundant but) we looked at our best when attacking. That is we weren't forced to defend in numbers for long periods.

I know our options are limited in midfield and in a perfect world Robbie would be up front with Doyle, but we have to make do with what we have and a player who can take a ball in the middle and find a pass behind the defence, like Robbie, is gong to be worth his weight in gold during the rest of this campaign. As I said Duff, Keane and Reid are the only ones who can hold the ball and make things happen, but good luck to you if you think Carsley is worth anything. You clearly have a different view of the game than me.

They didnt play us off the park, the only real chances they created were in the last 5-10 minutes. We created a number of really good chances and should have scored at least 3.

[mark12345]

They didnt play us off the park, the only real chances they created were in the last 5-10 minutes. We created a number of really good chances and should have scored at least 3.

Eh...sorry, but they did play us off the park. The only real chances they created were in the last 5-10 minutes? What about the one Given knew nothing about but saved with his chest in the first half. That should have gone in as should the one in the last seconds when the lad had a clear sight of the net from six yards! There were one or two other close calls midway through the game.

They should have got two, we should have got three. Whatever, but it wasn't the easy win you seem to be implying. And the bigger point is that we better get our act together before facing the stronger nations in the group. It's all going well now with results, but we have ridden our luck a bit and it could all go south with a loss or two.

[BigmanCas]

It is simple. Lee Carsley should be in the Ireland squad on merit. I am not sure his opinion on the matter though. I read the article on the BBC's website and he made some good points. He tells a story of the importance in the modern game, especially international football i must add, of the holding midfielder. We have not got one. I know the argument about his age but Maldini is still playing great stuff at 41? Stan made the fatal decision to leave Carsley out of the sqaud against Cyprus and the rest is History!!!

Another thought Keane is a No 10 and he should play nowhere else but off Doyles' shoulder. A point to note - Kevin Doyle is proving what a great player his is with his recent performances both with club and country. I really believe he will be world class!!

[Razors left peg]

Eh...sorry, but they did play us off the park. The only real chances they created were in the last 5-10 minutes? What about the one Given knew nothing about but saved with his chest in the first half. That should have gone in as should the one in the last seconds when the lad had a clear sight of the net from six yards! There were one or two other close calls midway through the game.

They should have got two, we should have got three. Whatever, but it wasn't the easy win you seem to be implying. And the bigger point is that we better get our act together before facing the stronger nations in the group. It's all going well now with results, but we have ridden our luck a bit and it could all go south with a loss or two.

Where did I say it was an easy win. What I did say is that we were the better side for most of the Cyprus game and we created by far the most goal scoring oppertunities. Yes we let them back into it in the last 10 minutes but we should have been out of sight by that point if we had taken our chances.It wasnt a brilliant performance by any means and our center midfield offered nothing going forward but to say we were played off the park is as ridiculous as your suggestion that Robbie Keane should be brought back in midfield

[Razors left peg]

It is simple. Lee Carsley should be in the Ireland squad on merit. I am not sure his opinion on the matter though. I read the article on the BBC's website and he made some good points. He tells a story of the importance in the modern game, especially international football i must add, of the holding midfielder. We have not got one. I know the argument about his age but Maldini is still playing great stuff at 41? Stan made the fatal decision to leave Carsley out of the sqaud against Cyprus and the rest is History!!!

Another thought Keane is a No 10 and he should play nowhere else but off Doyles' shoulder. A point to note - Kevin Doyle is proving what a great player his is with his recent performances both with club and country. I really believe he will be world class!!

I dont know about world class but he is a fantastic player and deserves to be playing for a club in the top end of the Premiership

[eirebhoy]

Cyprus didn't play us off the park but it was a long time since we gave the opposition so much possession at home. Over 56%.

[mark12345]

Guess we'll have to agree to disagree. We were played off the park for long periods against Cyprus, as far as I'm concerned (just to give some perspective - we were played off the park by Slovakia away and Cyprus home and away in the last campaign, and I know this is a new campaign and things look much brighter, but there have been a lot of similarities in us being dominated by other teams).

Like I said, put Italy or Bulgaria in that position at Croke Park and I think the outcome will be different than a 1-0 win to Ireland. Don't want to come across as a cup half empty type but it all stems from us failing to possess the ball with any confidence. Still believe Keane should be fitted in as an attacking midfielder to pick off passes behind the defence, but I guess we'll just have to wait for Trap to make his next team selection.

[RogerMilla]

carsley nowhere near good enough anymore, wouldnt be sticking robbie in midifeld though !

[Colbert Report]

carsley nowhere near good enough anymore, wouldnt be sticking robbie in midifeld though !

who would you start in central midfield then? Name two players please.

[third policeman]

I know the question wasn't addressed to me but, in terms of ability, form and long term potential - McCann and Garvan.

Would play them against Poland and I would confidently expect them to perform better that the Whelan, Gibson pairing or any other currenly available combination. They would do what Trapp wants from his central midfielders and make better use of the ball and contribute more going forward.

[tetsujin1979]

I know the question wasn't addressed to me but, in terms of ability, form and long term potential - McCann and Garvan.

Would play them against Poland and I would confidently expect them to perform better that the Whelan, Gibson pairing or any other currenly available combination. They would do what Trapp wants from his central midfielders and make better use of the ball and contribute more going forward.

I don't think Trap wants his central midfielders to contribute going forward at all. From the games so far, and the B game, it appears their remit is to protect the centre of defence, spray the ball out to the wingers, and the occasional (very occasional) long shot.
I haven't seen a lot of either Garvan or McCann this season, but I would think McCann would fit this system more than Garvan.