Squad for Cyprus? [Archive]

youngirish

21/08/2009, 4:56 PM

No changes whatsoever unfortunately. Same squad for both games Cyprus and South Africa. Surely McCann, Fahey or Ward should have been called into the squad for at least the South Africa game. Miller we've dicussed before but I'm also not sure how Nolan keeps his place in the squad when he can't even get a game for Preston thus far this season. He's played no football this season and can't be match fit. Ward must be livid. At least the injured lads (Doyle and Foley) are likely to feature for their clubs when they recover.

Shay Given Manchester City
Keiren Westwood Coventry City
Joe Murphy Scunthorpe United
John O'Shea Manchester United
Kevin Foley Wolves
Richard Dunne Manchester City
Stephen Kelly Fulham
Kevin Kilbane Hull City
Eddie Nolan Preston North End
Sean St. Ledger Preston North End
Aiden McGeady Celtic
Damien Duff Fulham
Darron Gibson Manchester United
Glenn Whelan Stoke City
Keith Andrews Blackburn Rovers
Liam Miller Unattached
Stephen Hunt Hull City
Andy Keogh Wolves
Liam Lawrence Stoke City
Caleb Folan Hull City
Kevin Doyle Wolves
Robbie Keane Tottenham Hotspur
Shane Long Reading
Leon Best Coventry City

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100257&catid=1&Itemid=8

SkStu

21/08/2009, 4:57 PM

its embarrassing that Miller is still in that squad. Theres loyalty and theres blind stupidity.

elroy

21/08/2009, 5:07 PM

its embarrassing that Miller is still in that squad. Theres loyalty and theres blind stupidity.

Remember how we used to give out about Mick McCarthy and is loyalty to certain players, but at least those guys had clubs!!

youngirish

21/08/2009, 5:16 PM

Remember how we used to give out about Mick McCarthy and is loyalty to certain players, but at least those guys had clubs!!

It's the only issue I have with Trap. There's no doubt his tactics work and he's got the best out of a very limited set of players thus far but his stubborness regarding bringing the odd new players into the squad sometimes is as ludicrous as when Staunton at the other end of the scale was throwing heaps of untried youth players directly into the team at once.

And before anyone pulls me up on this I have to say that I don't trust his judgement in these matters. He refused to replace McShane in the squad for what seemed like an eternity with the far more talented St Ledger yet once he had a look at St Ledger he threw him straight into the first team. He's listening to the likes of Brady and Givens too much I believe, 2 clueless mongs.

tricky_colour

21/08/2009, 5:19 PM

Ah but remember if we lose Trap (Italy) will qualify!!

jbyrne

21/08/2009, 5:20 PM

It's the only issue I have with Trap. There's no doubt his tactics work and he's got the best out of a very limited set of players thus far but his stubborness regarding bringing the odd new players into the squad sometimes is as ludicrous as when Staunton at the other end of the scale was throwing heaps of untried youth players directly into the team at once.

And before anyone pulls me up on this I have to say that I don't trust his judgement in these matters. He refused to replace McShane in the squad for what seemed like an eternity with the far more talented St Ledger yet once he had a look at St Ledger he threw him straight into the first team. He's listening to the likes of Brady and Givens too much I believe, 2 clueless mongs.

way over the top. what is the point in bringing in new players at this crucial stage and have to start them off from scratch in relation to tactics etc? theres no point in change for change sake

irishultra

21/08/2009, 5:22 PM

No Fahey? No McCann? No Morrison? I'm shocked! :rolleyes:

I mean Steven Reid hasn't recovered, we're gonna have Whelan and Andrews in midfield and we need a win in this game. Maby Traps wheels will come off in Nicosia?

Liam Miller, not with a club. Whelan is sub. Gibson is a sub. Andrews is the only midfielder who actually starts for his club. We're better than that. No exuses this is just idiotic.

youngirish

21/08/2009, 5:24 PM

way over the top. what is the point in bringing in new players at this crucial stage and have to start them off from scratch in relation to tactics etc? theres no point in change for change sake

Liam Miller has played no football for months now so how you can sit there and post the above without a smiley and imply that he will in some way add more to the squad than the likes of McCann or Fahey because he may or may not be more familiar with certain tactics (which change on a game by game basis anyway) borders on the surreal.

The squad is also for the South Africa match. By your logic we should stick with the exact same players through to the end of the next world cup and I can assure you we won't be getting there if the likes of Miller or Nolan are required in the qualifiers when they aren't match fit.

SkStu

21/08/2009, 5:29 PM

he doesnt pick Brian Murphy (understandable to an extent) because he is not playing at a "higher level" (not necessarily the most valid of excuses for a goalie).

Yet he picks a player who does not even have a club.

That stinks.

Razors left peg

21/08/2009, 5:30 PM

Im all for keeping a settled squad and even though Im not surprised about Millers inclusion, it really does smack of laziness on the management teams part.He cant be properly fit, he has no match sharpness therefore there is no way he will be considered for selection in the match.So is he only in the squad to keep his training up before he signs for a new club? I know its not the time to be gambling with blooding new players but we should only be selecting players in the squad that have a genuine chance of making some sort of impact in the game if they are needed

Jicked

21/08/2009, 5:49 PM

Whelan is sub.:rolleyes: Just started against Liverpool in Anfield.

The Miller inclusion is strange, the only thing I can think of is that Miller has a deal lined up and is going to sign with someon in the next week. If so and he plays a game or two before Cyprus then fair enough, he's fourth choice central midfield. People going on as if Trap was planning on building the side around him. Miller's experience in domestic football, as well as being a member of almost every single Trap squad means he'd be the better option then throwing in someone like McCann ala Stan the Man would do. If he doesn't have a club by the end of the transfer window then that'd be the end of Miller for Ireland (of course that would co-incide with Reid's return, and so Miller would be bumped as the fourth choice CM anyway).

Lets say we get hit by a wave of injuries before Cyprus, I'd consider it more of a gamble to throw in a debutant who's never played a big game in their life, and has no prior experience of how the Irish system works, then playing Miller who has a lack of match practice this season. Hopefully it won't be an issue either way, and in the future we have Gibson/Whelan/Andrews/S Reid as our CMs. Then let Miller find a club and battle it out amongst the rest for 'back up' spot not in the squad.

Good to see Doyle's been named in the squad too.

geysir

21/08/2009, 6:02 PM

Looks as if some of you have no experience of how qualifying groups and their squads develop over a campaign.
All a manager can do is guess what will work. Traps guess is based on a wealth of experience which he can apply to the needs of present day international football.
Trap brought in plenty of new faces before the June qualifier. He has his sense and his logic about the squad he thinks will play the game we need to qualify.
A manager is judged on performance and results.
It's the results that prove competence.
There is no perfect manager.

If we do make it to the play offs, Trap is the manager I�d want with our team in that situation.

cestlavie

21/08/2009, 6:05 PM

Crazy, not surprised but Names that spring to mind Fahey, Ward, B Murphy, O'Dea????????

cestlavie

21/08/2009, 6:06 PM

Not forgetting Morrison

cestlavie

21/08/2009, 6:12 PM

Stephen Carr done rightly last week also

rebelmusic

21/08/2009, 6:23 PM

stephan carr is retired. I'm not surprised about miller at all, to be honest, i'm just surprised it's the same squad for the south africa game - seems to me that was a perfect match to blood a couple of more options.

Jicked

21/08/2009, 6:28 PM

Stephen Carr done rightly last week also

This is the sort of thing that drives me mad. People just pick the names of people in the squad and say they should be in there regardless of the multitude of reasons that go in to naming a squad.

Firstly, Carr has retired from international football and so is unavailable. Secondly, who would you drop? Foley, O'Shea and Stephen Kelly all play right back. If Trap dropped Foley to put Carr in, and Carr gave one of the shocking performances he so often gave, this place would be full of posts saying its a disgrace how Foley wasn't picked as I read that he's a good player and sure we all know Carr is rubbish.
You argue for O'Dea to be called up, and yet if he did, it would have to be in the place of St Ledger, and then you'd moan that St Ledger is the next Paul McGrath, and that your grandad lost his marbles when he was 70 so what does Trap know about football.

Trap has built a core squad of players, and is going to the World Cup with them. I'm sure one or two may well break through over the course of the season, but it'll be the same core as it is now. That doesn't make his squad selection unadventorous. If he was as unadventurous as you all say what's Foley, Nolan, Gibson, Best, Lawrence, St Ledger and Folan doing in the squad?

Razors left peg

21/08/2009, 6:46 PM

Good post Jicked, but I still think the selection of someone that hasnt got a club is wrong

Jicked

21/08/2009, 6:52 PM

youngirish

21/08/2009, 7:23 PM

Like I said, I don't think it's a great choice by any means. Still though, if it came down to it I'd rather a Miller without match fitness play instead of a debutant who's never been involved before. Either way, its unlikely that he'll be needed, thankfully.
My guess is that Miller has a club lined up, will sign in the next couple of weeks, and then go back to being 5th choice CM and not in the squad (once S Reid returns). Obviously if he doesn't find a club then it's a different story and we'll need a new 5th choice as back-up.

The question of who to throw on against Cyprus - Miller or a debutant is not the issue I have the most problems with it's that Miller will still be in the squad for the friendly against South Africa a perfect opportunity to try some new midfielders and look for solutions to solve undoubtedly our weakest position.

Jicked

21/08/2009, 8:00 PM

Well I'd rather the squad was built around the Cyprus game that could all but guarantee a play-off place for the first time in eight years.

Denis The Red

21/08/2009, 8:49 PM

Clinton Morrison should be considered, always gave a hundred per cent and is more experienced than say Folan. He's also in great form.
Have to agree with youngirish:

He's listening to the likes of Brady and Givens too much I believe, 2 clueless mongs.

I don't think Trap is doing his homework as far as picking the right players for the right job and is getting bad advice.
I wouldn't be one to disrupt a settle squad so late into the campaign but to persist with Miller is a mystery.:confused:

Jicked

21/08/2009, 9:33 PM

Folan was superb for us in Italy, has just got even more game time with Robbie under his belt, and has started the last two games in the Premier League.
Morisson scored 10 league goals playing up front all season for Coventry.
But since he scored a brace on the telly on opening day you think he'd be a better option :confused: Another thing worth considering, imagine what it would do to confidence/squad morale if you were to drop Folan for someone like Morisson. Then in the new year when Morisson has stopped scoring dropping him for Jon Macken who got a goal in a televised FA Cup 3rd round game.

You could argue that you should put Morisson in for Best (though personally I'd much rather Best in the squad), but then people would be whinging about Trap not developing new players. No?

Crosby87

21/08/2009, 11:50 PM

Folan was superb for us in Italy,

I agree that he has to be picked but superb? Come on. He was OK.

irishfan86

21/08/2009, 11:53 PM

I agree that he has to be picked but superb? Come on. He was OK.

He won every ball in the air and absolutely bullied Italy's centre-halfs. His hold up play was excellent as well, and helped us hold possession in the final third.

Before he came on, we never looked like threatening, and if you're going to point at one player who changed the game in our favour that night in Bari, it was big Caleb.

MeathDrog

22/08/2009, 12:17 AM

I have a bad feeling that the pendulum is going to turn against Trappatoni after the Cyprus game.

Jicked

22/08/2009, 12:21 AM

I have a bad feeling that the pendulum is going to turn against Trappatoni after the Cyprus game.
I've a good feeling we'll go to Cyprus, scrap out a dour 1-0 or 2-1 win and have people bemoan that result, style of football and the fact Shane Lowry made his first team debut for Aston Villa recently and what the hell is Trap doing not building around him, he's probably brilliant.
Meanwhile we'll be three points closer to the play-offs.

MeathDrog

22/08/2009, 12:24 AM

I've a good feeling we'll go to Cyprus, scrap out a dour 1-0 or 2-1 win and have people bemoan that result, style of football and the fact Shane Lowry made his first team debut for Aston Villa recently and what the hell is Trap doing not building around him, he's probably brilliant.
Meanwhile we'll be three points closer to the play-offs.
I'm not so sure. I'd love to be though. The Australia game was a massive shock to me. I know it was a meaningless friendly and all that, but that doesn't mean that basics have to go ot the window.

3 points against Cyprus is a must. However we do it. I just feel that Trap isn't helping himself with his squad selections.

Jicked

22/08/2009, 12:26 AM

Jicked

22/08/2009, 12:30 AM

I'm not so sure. I'd love to be though. The Australia game was a massive shock to me. I know it was a meaningless friendly and all that, but that doesn't mean that basics have to go ot the window.

3 points against Cyprus is a must. However we do it. I just feel that Trap isn't helping himself with his squad selections.
I think the Australian friendly was a little closer to Staunton's Sweden friendly then the friendly against Netherlands.

Our whole style of play at the moment is not going to suit a friendly like that where half fit players don't really have any reason to bust a gut in midfield like they would, and have done, in places like Sofia, Bari and Podgorica.

tetsujin1979

22/08/2009, 12:33 AM

I think the Australian friendly was a little closer to Staunton's Sweden friendly then the friendly against Netherlands.
How exactly? We beat Sweden and got played off the field by the Netherlands

Jicked

22/08/2009, 12:41 AM

From the point of view of Sweden being completely unrepresentative of where that team was, whilst the Netherlands game was a little more like what would have happened if we had to play Netherlands in a competitive game/an ominous glimpse of what would ultimately happen under Staunton.

L37Ultra

22/08/2009, 1:12 AM

I agree that he has to be picked but superb? Come on. He was OK.

Come on he was more than okay in fairness. He changed the game when he came on resulting on.

MeathDrog

22/08/2009, 1:24 AM

I think the Australian friendly was a little closer to Staunton's Sweden friendly then the friendly against Netherlands.

Our whole style of play at the moment is not going to suit a friendly like that where half fit players don't really have any reason to bust a gut in midfield like they would, and have done, in places like Sofia, Bari and Podgorica.
True, but it is important to remember that we are actually in a very poor group, proably the easiest one we've ever been in. I would expect us to be challenging for 1st, no matter who the manager is (Ok, maybe with the exception of Stan). Trappatoni's reign seems conveniently timed.

Wexford Delboy

22/08/2009, 2:27 AM

irishfan86

22/08/2009, 2:38 AM

anyone else think we should be looking for a replacement for kilbane he has been brutal in the last 3games and no one can deny that..nolans natural position is centre back and has been played on the right for club?? so technically we have no decent replacement for lb other than o shea..i know all the people on this site love him but kilbane is a liability at this stage and has shown as much in his recent games so we should seriously look into dropping him as every team is going to target him

Nolan was the starting left-full for Preston during the second-half of last season, so while he is right-footed (as John O'Shea is), he does have experience in that position.

I think Ward at Wolves is the logical choice to try out at some stage, and the South Africa friendly would have been an ideal time to test him out.

Colbert Report

22/08/2009, 2:46 AM

We simply don't have a left back available. Kilbane is a better option than O'Shea because we don't have anyone to cover for O'Shea at right back with McShane out for three months.

irishfan86

22/08/2009, 3:27 AM

We simply don't have a left back available. Kilbane is a better option than O'Shea because we don't have anyone to cover for O'Shea at right back with McShane out for three months.

Ward is a left-back for Wolves, and could be an option.

At right-full we do have options worth considering (all of which are superior players to McShane at right-full in any event): Nolan, Kelly, Wilson, Foley (possibly will miss Cyprus through injury), Carr (retired, but if he felt he had another shot to get into a World Cup Squad I think he'd answer the call), Delap (plays midfield for Stoke but played a good chunk of his career at right-full).

SkStu

22/08/2009, 6:38 AM

We're too defensive and boring, yet Miller should be dropped for flamboyant players like Lee Carsley.
Trap never takes a risk on young players, yet Morisson should be in ahead of Best.
We need more experience, get Stephen Carr in for Foley.
Whoever's not in the squad is the answer, St Ledger out, O'Dea in.
etc. etc. etc.

When listening to Irish fans talk about squad selection I'm always reminded of the immortal words of Roger Myers Jr: "So, you want a realistic, down-to-earth show... that's completely off-the-wall and swarming with magic robots?

Millers inclusion is embarassing and anything else is just an excuse for you to be loud. I have to say i have noticed that the only time you rear your head on this site is when someone questions or criticises a Trappatoni decision.

The post i have quoted is an example of you just posting for the sake of it - one poster mentioned Carsley and Carr, maybe a few have called for Morrisson to return, the rest is just childish garbage. Youre using this Miller issue to have a go at "Irish fans"? :rolleyes:

Miller should not be in that squad.

irishfan86

22/08/2009, 6:48 AM

Razors left peg

22/08/2009, 8:48 AM

Trap bases his squad selections on performances for Ireland. Club form may get you a call-up to the squad, but ultimately whether you stay or not is usually down to what you do for him.

Love him or hate him, Miller was very impressive against Nigeria.

Personally, I probably wouldn't have him in the squad as he doesn't have a club, but I think we're making a bigger deal of this than is necessary.

I dont think this has been made that big a deal of at all, as fans we have every right to question why a player that cannot be fit let alone match fit is in the squad. Can you imagine what the media reaction would be in England, Spain or Italy would be if their manager picked a player that wasnt able to find himself a club

FarBeag

22/08/2009, 9:22 AM

Millers inclusion is embarassing and anything else is just an excuse for you to be loud. I have to say i have noticed that the only time you rear your head on this site is when someone questions or criticises a Trappatoni decision.

The post i have quoted is an example of you just posting for the sake of it - one poster mentioned Carsley and Carr, maybe a few have called for Morrisson to return, the rest is just childish garbage. Youre using this Miller issue to have a go at "Irish fans"? :rolleyes:

Miller should not be in that squad.

I agree with you here. It was not so long ago that he was jumping down peoples neck when the name of St Ledger was mentioned for a inclusion in the squad.. Football forums are all about opinions and sometimes it would be nice to make a suggestion without some auld grumpy know it all accusing you of pulling a team off football manager cd. If its argued constructively then fine.

We have a very limited team and we have punched way above our weight to get where we are including a lot of luck. We have only one way of playing and teams have copped onto this as I am sure Cyprus have. We have no player to change the game. All our replacements are a like for like replacement to the first team. Keith Fahey or Andy Reid would be ideal in this role. Instead we have Liam Miller.Kilbane should not be playing. How many mistakes does this man have to make before Trapp see’s this? If a player is in form for his club i.e. Clinton Morrison he should be given an opportunity. He is a better option than Leon Best imho

We are very near to qualifying for the playoffs and we need as much help as we can to do so but I really can see us beating Cyprus unless we have one or two players who are capable of doing this.

boovidge

22/08/2009, 9:59 AM

I don't buy into this "limited team" stuff. Not that many international sides have the sort out talent pool we've got. The fact is we're limiting ourselves more than is necessary by not looking at players in our trouble positions. Look at the wealth of talent we've got coming through at CM. Yet, we're still picking a guy that's only impressed in one friendly in his entire Irish career and hasn't got a club.

Jicked

22/08/2009, 9:59 AM

The only jumping down people's throat around St Ledger I was doing was when the likes of thedoc was saying, and seemingly genuinely believing, the entire management team should be sacked because St Ledger wasn't in the squad. My point is that picking the likes of Morisson isn't wortwhile. He's not young, not a great player, doesn't offer anything different in particular. Yes he's in good form, but thats only three games. we should pick a settled squad and create a club type atmosphere instead of chopping and changing every squad beceause in the meantime someone has scored a hat-trick in the meantime.

And for what its worth from yesterday's press conference Trap made the point I've been making on here. People see a guys name on the teamsheet of Team X and automatically think he's the answer to all our problems. It's a little harsh on McCann, but you can see the point he's making.

Did they (Fahey and McCann) not have a case for inclusion? “You knows these players?” he asked his questioner.
“Yes.”
“Chris McCann? Which position would you play him in?”
“Centre midfield or on the left.”
“How many games have you seen these players? McCann, against Manchester United, he touched the ball four times in 90 minutes. Did you see the game?”
“Yes.”
“I saw the game two times. Maybe we look at it together? I am not focusing on him in particular, but this player, for example, does not have the same qualities or characteristics as, say, (Glenn) Whelan, (Keith) Andrews, Gibson, Reid or Miller.”So as Trap says you'd be taking out Miller and putting in a new style of player, so if we were forced to play him due to injuries, we'd have to change our style or carry someone. If it was Stephen Ireland we'd rightly do it and change the system, but I don't think McCann is worth taking that gamble for, Fahey either. If we make it to the World Cup we'd then have 8 months and 5 or 6 friendlies to try some things, right now we've got to keep clawing our way to South Africa.

Also, there goes the whole argument of Trap not knowing who the other options are or bothering to watch games, he thought O'Shea and McCann's performances against Burnley so mesmerising that he sat through it twice!

I have to say i have noticed that the only time you rear your head on this site is when someone questions or criticises a Trappatoni decision.Well I'm not in the LoI forum because I got a one week ban about a month ago, and since I travel to Ireland games a lot of the time I'm not always on to give my opinion of a particular game, so the biggest story when I'm online is usually the squad selection. I'm not going to Nicosia though so I'll be happy to be the grumpy old man on here for that one! You should see me at the games, scowling at everyone who hurls abuse at Robbie Keane for supposedly being rubbish...

Jicked

22/08/2009, 10:02 AM

Nolan was the starting left-full for Preston during the second-half of last season, so while he is right-footed (as John O'Shea is), he does have experience in that position.

I think Ward at Wolves is the logical choice to try out at some stage, and the South Africa friendly would have been an ideal time to test him out.

Finnan should also be back after the Cyprus/South Africa game and has played left back for us in the past. I'd be happy that Finnan, Kilbane and Nolan could see us through this campaign. And as I've already said it'd just be too cruel not to give Kilbane two more caps to make his 100!

youngirish

22/08/2009, 10:52 AM

Did they (Fahey and McCann) not have a case for inclusion? “You knows these players?” he asked his questioner.
“Yes.”
“Chris McCann? Which position would you play him in?”
“Centre midfield or on the left.”
“How many games have you seen these players? McCann, against Manchester United, he touched the ball four times in 90 minutes. Did you see the game?”
“Yes.”
“I saw the game two times. Maybe we look at it together? I am not focusing on him in particular, but this player, for example, does not have the same qualities or characteristics as, say, (Glenn) Whelan, (Keith) Andrews, Gibson, Reid or Miller.”
If Trap is seriously suggesting that McCann doesn't deserve a place in the squad over the likes of Whelan who's sh*t and Miller then I'm more worried than before and I'm starting to doubt his sanity. No doubt when he actually has a look at McCann and Fahey and brings them tentatively into the squad they'll suddenly become excellent players and replace two of the above in a similar manner to St Ledger.

What worries me Jicked the way you're talking you would think we are walking the group and have looked the part all the way through qualification. The truth of the matter is we've been for the most part lucky in a p*ss poor group and as soon as we get beaten and lose our hope of qualification (we've been lucky thus far on numerous occasions in this qualification) people like you jump out of the woodwork and only then and start slating the manager when the warning signs could be seen a mile off.

I for one cringe at the thought of fielding the likes of Whelan, Folan, Miller and Kilbane in a world cup game if we've a few injuries. They are poor players and anyone who knew anything about football can spot that a mile off.

We have players doing better for their teams in the same league as some of those players above and need to be looked at quickly. Miller is a waste of a number in the Irish squad always has been always will be and won't be match fit if called upon. Remember the game is still 2 weeks off an injury to Whelan or Andrews and he could be staking a claim for a start.

For my closing point have a little thought about this. Remember that shocking performance against Australia with Trap suggesting it was due to a lack of sharpness as our players hadn't played any football this season? Well by the same token Nolan, Gibson, Kilbane and Miller will still lack that same oh so important sharpness come our competitive Cyprus game because they will have still played no football by then.

the doc

22/08/2009, 10:55 AM

Finnan should also be back after the Cyprus/South Africa game and has played left back for us in the past. I'd be happy that Finnan, Kilbane and Nolan could see us through this campaign. And as I've already said it'd just be too cruel not to give Kilbane two more caps to make his 100!

When Finnan comes back he will play RB with JOS moving to CB with Dunne and KK at LB.

Thats a strong back four, all of whom have played in the Premiership, so you can't argue with that.

St Ledger will be seen as a long term replacement at CB as he gains more experience, but will have to wait for his chance, unless of course JOS is played at LB.

Getting to the World Cup Finals is what matters for now.

Either way it's good competition.

Jicked

22/08/2009, 11:06 AM

If Trap is seriously suggesting that McCann doesn't deserve a place in the squad over the likes of Whelan who's sh*t and Miller then I'm more worried than before and I'm starting to doubt his sanity. No doubt when he actually has a look at McCann and Fahey and brings them tentatively into the squad they'll suddenly become excellent players and replace two of the above in a similar manner to St Ledger.

Whelan hasn't been "sh*t" for us in this campaign, he's done his job pretty well. There's no way you could describe him as being 'sh*t' if he had been, considering he's played every minute of the campaign we simply wouldn't have picked up so many points.

What worries me Jicked the way you're talking you would think we are walking the group and have looked the part all the way through qualification.
There is no way, at all, that we'd walk this group. With the players we have, and the fact we're in a squad with the World Champions, the best anyone could have expected from us was to be where we are now. Looking very good to all but secure a play-off place with two games to spare, and with a shout of taking first place by beating Italy at home (as difficult as that may be). After the last 2008 qualifier in Cardiff, did you really expect us to be in a better position than that with three games to go in this campaign?

I for one cringe at the thought of fielding the likes of Whelan, Folan, Miller and Kilbane in a world cup game if we've a few injuries. They are poor players and anyone who knew anything about football can spot that a mile off.

Come on, if you think they're poor players then that's one thing. But if you can find me a replacement for each who is in a different class then I'd be amazed. Do you really think Whelan is poor, but Chris McCann (2 Premier League games for minnows Burnley) is in a different league?? I don't mean to have a go at McCann, but there's no way he or Fahey are a different class to someone like Whelan. If you wanted to argue that one would be a slightly better option than the other then that is one thing, I'd disagree and strongly disagree on the basis of how the squad should line out, but to suggest Whelan is a nothing player but McCann or Fahey is International class is ludicrous.