Should McCarthy, Walters, Wilson and Gibson be given a future callup or ignored?

[geysir]

His daughter had a serious condition at birth but that was surgically rectified after some setbacks.
We are reasonably flush with forwards. Walters dropping out wouldn't explain why McClean would gain an advantage.
I doubt if Trap would go for a balance of 7 backs, 9 midfielders and 4 forwards.

[Murfinator]

I doubt if Trap would go for a balance of 7 backs, 9 midfielders and 4 forwards.

Why not? Thats the most common squad composition, its the composition we brought to the 2002 world cup (depending on how you classify Finnan and Duff). I would have said him bringing 5 forwards was the unusual decision but it was something he was willing to do given that he could use the likes of Walters as a backup wide player. If a forward backed out I'd say he'd go for an extra midfielder over someone like Best/Stokes/Sammon.

[geysir]

Fair enough point on McClean

The 2002 WC squad started out as a straight 8 8 4, then Keane left and McAteer got injured.
There is always a flexibility in different squads to move players around. That flexibility differs with each squad.
We have 5 front players who can play, unlike 2002 with Quinn (elderly and crocked), Connolly and Morrison. I think if one of the 5 pulled out, Trap would stick with the other 4 and choose a defender. Up to now Trap has regarded Walters as a forward option, that's where his main utility value lies.
I don't see him as a wide midfield option, anytime I've seen him defending he has looked cumbersome and he was certainly given the run around (when defending at RM) in his last game for Stoke.

[Stuttgart88]

If Walters was to drop out I'd imagine he'd pick Best if a like-for-like was sought. Trap likes a number 9 and Walters is competition for Doyle in that regard. Next in line is Best. Keane, Long and Cox are more in the style of English number 10s. Long & Walters have extra option value as they can conceivably fit in elsewhere - like wide right.

However, I also think Trap isn't immune to the popular clamour for McClean or ignorant of the logic of bringing him along so if it was JW to drop out he may just see it as an opportunity to bring him, without being disloyal to someone like Hunt.

[Murfinator]

I think trap sees Long as much more of a 9 than a 10. I don't think he'd go anywhere near best at this stage personally, if he was looking for an extra forward he'd take Keogh. Though a utility midfielder is where we have the greater strength and is where I think he'd go.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Best's ship might have sailed alright. Not enough pitch time.

[Junior]

I think Best's ship might have sailed alright. Not enough pitch time.

No less than Hunt I'd imagine but doesnt have the brownie points built up that Hunt has.

(I'm not anti Hunt by the way, toss of the coin between him and McLean for me)

[Murfinator]

Wilson and Gibson out of a friendly again, will be interesting to see if they stick to form and play 90 minutes for their clubs 3 days later as per usual. I think this is the 5th time out of 6 call ups Wilson has pulled out of a squad due to injury, an astonishing track record for someone who never seems to miss a game for Stoke.

[Irwin3]

Wilson and Gibson out of a friendly again, will be interesting to see if they stick to form and play 90 minutes for their clubs 3 days later as per usual. I think this is the 5th time out of 6 call ups Wilson has pulled out of a squad due to injury, an astonishing track record for someone who never seems to miss a game for Stoke.

Yeah it's not like Gibson came off last Wednesday after 19 minutes or anything and went straight down the tunnel. Moyes must be in on it too so. Btw, Everton don't play until the Monday. Please give an example of Gibson pulling out of a squad and playing 3 days later as you seem to think it is a regular occurrence.

[magicman]

Wilson and Gibson out of a friendly again, will be interesting to see if they stick to form and play 90 minutes for their clubs 3 days later as per usual. I think this is the 5th time out of 6 call ups Wilson has pulled out of a squad due to injury, an astonishing track record for someone who never seems to miss a game for Stoke.

Can you provide proof of all this or are they just stats taken from thin air? You must have some memory to be fair to you if it's true.

I just went back through a bit and this is the info I could find.

Wasn't in the Euro's Squad
Wasn't in the Czech Squad
Wasn't in the Estonian Squad
Wasn't in the Andorra/ Armenia Squad
Was named in the original 32 man squad for Russia/ Slovakia but didn't make the cut.
Was in the Croatia squad. Travelled over, Irish docs declared him unfit and was sent home
He did miss the Carling Cup games against Scotland & Northern Ireland(that's one pull out)
He was in the Macedonia/Uruguay squad but didn't play. Can't find any mention of him pulling out or being replaced. Just seems he didn't play.
Was in the Carling Cup Squad v Wales and played.


Now, maybe I've missed a couple of withdrawals, but I really just assume you plucked the figure out of thin air.