Ireland's 23 man squad for Euro 2012

[Murfinator]

We can be optimistic can't we? :D

If we get into this kind of situation what kind of squad can we expect? Who are the frontrunners and who are the fringe players with it all to prove or the potential bolters? I remember doing something similar on Munsterfans 6 months before the rugby world cup and it was remarkable to see the number of changes to the expect squad lineup then and what actually happened even injuries accounted for.

Anyway if the squad was chosen today I'd expect Trap to pick something along the lines of: (going with a standard 3 goalkeeper, 8 defender, 8 midfielder, 4 forward split)

G Shay Given
G Keiran Westwood
G David Forde

D Stephen Ward
D Kevin Kilbane
D John O'Shea
D Stephen Kelly
D Kevin Foley
D Richard Dunne
D Sean St.Ledger
D Darren O'Dea

M Glenn Whelan
M Keith Andrews
M Darren Gibson
M Keith Fahey
M Damien Duff
M Aidean McGeady
M Stephen Hunt
M Liam Lawrence

F Robbie Keane
F Kevin Doyle
F Simon Cox
F Shane Long

Backups:

G: Joe Murphy, Randolph, Brian Murphy
D: Mcshane, Clark, Wilson, Cunningham, Delaney
M: McCarthy, Coleman, Green, Treacy
F: Walters, Best, Folan, Stokes, Keogh

Unlikely to be considered:

G: Paddy Kenny
D: Andy O'Brien, Alex Bruce, Steven Reid, Ian Harte, Stephen Carr
M: Stephen Ireland, Andy Reid, Rory Delap
Grannygate people of any description.


Major decisions in the above squad may be if Lawrence still has a strong claim in Traps eyes, I think he should but hes unquestionably slipped down the pecking order to probably be the weakest of the 8 listed. The question is more if Coleman or McCarthy have done enough internationally to warrant displacing him.
In defence its hard to know where Trap stands on Kilbane, I would imagine with him starting as recently as last month he still feels he has a job to do although hes appeared increasingly motivated to move him on. Ward or Kelly at LB has hardly impressed in his absence and his experience may well be vital.
The striking situation in Traps mind right now would appear to be Keane - Doyle and Cox - Long as preferred backups. Walters should get an opportunity to shine in the meantime to prove to Trap he has something different to offer. The chance may be gone for Best and Stokes.

[4tothefloor]

Kilbane, Gibson and Lawerence won't make it. McCarthy, Coleman and Walters should and will I think.

[Yard of Pace]

Down with this sort of thing.

Christ.

[IsMiseSean]

Lets try and qualify first, then have this discussion...

[swinfordfc]

closed this quick

[Murfinator]

A more comfortable line of discussion now perhaps? :)

[tommy_c12000]

Meyler (if he continues to make a successful return from injury), McCarthy (if he re-discovers his form), Brady (looks like a superb talent), Coleman (still not convinced but good option off the bench):

These are the only "new" players I can see challenging for starting places for the Euros

[Noelys Guitar]

Expect two or three players to come through that are not even on the radar. Added to Mayler, Pilkington, Hoolahan, MacCarthy and possibly Brady. As Liam Brady said last night it will be up to whoever comes in to take their chance. Turning up when selected will be a requirement! A neutral such as Bobby McMahon the Scottish football analyser for Fox Soccer believes we will do very well at 2012. "Nobody wants to draw a team that concedes very few goals and rarely loses".

[Eirambler]

Right, I think its safe enough to talk about this now.

Here is a list of everyone who has gotten a game or been a sub for Ireland since the start of last season.

Keepers: Given, Westwood, Forde, J Murphy, B Murphy, Randolph

Defenders: Kelly, O'Shea, O'Dea, Cunningham, Foley, St. Ledger,
Dunne, Clark, Wilson, Kilbane, Delaney, McShane,
Ward

Midfielders:Lawrence, Fahey, Whelan, Duff, McGeady, Hunt,
Coleman, Gibson, Green, McCarthy, Andrews, Treacy

Forwards: Long, Doyle, Walters, Keogh, Keane, Cox
Stokes, Sheridan, Best

So with 40 players there already added to Traps well known reserved nature of squad choosing, there won't be much room for new additions. Even in 2001/2002 under McCarthy all of the initially chosen squad were players that had been on the scene during qualifying, a newcomer in Steven Reid was later added to the squad when Mark Kennedy pulled out. So I would expect a few new players to be tried out but at most one or two (and maybe none at all) in the final 23.

As a long range punt I'll go with:

Given, Westwood, Forde

O'Shea, Kelly, Dunne, O'Dea, St Ledger, McShane, Ward

McGeady, Duff, Hunt, Coleman, Whelan, Andrews, Fahey, McCarthy

Keane, Doyle, Walters, Long, Cox

That would leave the likes of Foley, Wilson, Lawrence, Gibson and Best relying on injuries to get in (as well as the ever present Keogh) and that's before you even consider the likes of Meyler, Pilkington and some of the others that may get capped in the spring. It will certainly be competitive.

[Scooby Doo]

Centre midfield is just too threadbare. We really need somebody to emerge over the next few months that can fill in for (or maybe even replace??) one of Whelan or Andrews. I'm happy enough with both of them at this stage but if one picks up a suspension or an injury, then what? Does Fahey fit the bill for the job that Trap sends Whelan and Andrews out to do over 90 mins? I'm not sure.

Not a fan of the man at all these days but imagine the influence a fit Roy Keane would have on our midfield.

*Ducks for cover*

[Eirambler]

I'm not a fan of him either but there is no denying that there's been a Roy Keane sized hole in the Irish centre midfield for years now. I don't see anyone ready to step up to the plate between now and the Euros. Best hopes are McCarthy or Meyler if they put in good consistent seasons in the EPL but either or both of them might not even make the squad in the end.

[Adrianovic]

As a long range punt I'll go with:

Given, Westwood, Forde

O'Shea, Kelly, Dunne, O'Dea, St Ledger, McShane, Ward

McGeady, Duff, Hunt, Coleman, Whelan, Andrews, Fahey, McCarthy

Keane, Doyle, Walters, Long, Cox

That would leave the likes of Foley, Wilson, Lawrence, Gibson and Best relying on injuries to get in (as well as the ever present Keogh) and that's before you even consider the likes of Meyler, Pilkington and some of the others that may get capped in the spring. It will certainly be competitive.

I agree with your selection, I think that's the squad Trap would take if he had to name a 23 tomorrow morning.

It's definitely worth taking five strikers at the expense of a specialist cover left back because of the lack of quality we have in that position.

Should Best keep his starting place for Newcastle until the end of the season then I think he could be difficult to ignore, especially as he gives us physicality. At the opposite end of the scale, despite being useful when he's played for us, can Cox keep his place in the squad without featuring for WBA?

I was all set to analyse each position and debate who might and might not go, but I am still hungover from last night's celebrating.

[Closed Account]

A long shot, but I hope the management are keeping an eye on Chris McCann.

[John83]

I agree with your selection, I think that's the squad Trap would take if he had to name a 23 tomorrow morning.
I'd have thought Gibson is ahead of McCarthy, though of course there's time for that to change.

[Metrostars]

Ah come on now lads....

http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/truey.jpg

[Kingdom]

I can see there being a few changes. All things being equal, all players fit and available and the bald Pele still being mental:

Given, Westwood, Forde
Foley, Kelly, Dunne, O'Shea, St Ledger, Cunningham, Ward, O'Dea
McGeady, Coleman, Meyler, Whelan, Andrews, McCarthy, Fahey, Duff,
Keane, Doyle, Walters, Long

Means Cox, McShane, Gibson, Hunt, Cox, Keogh, Best all missing out.

[mark12345]

What. No Wes Hoolohan?

The bloke is worth his place in the starting eleven. He will be there.

[cavan_fan]

Id say the following are definite (injuries permitting)

Given, Westwood
Dunne, O'Shea, St Ledger, Kelly, Ward
McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff
Keane, Doyle

10 other places

One goalie; take your pick, completely irrelevant as wont play
2 or 3 defenders - O'Dea, McShane, Foley, Kilbane, maybe Cunningham, Wilson or Clark. My guess would be Kilbane, McShane and O'Dea (I know this is light on Full Backs )
3 or 4 midfielders - Central roles - Fahey, Gibson, McCarthy. Meyler could come into this. Wide roles - Hunt, Coleman, Keogh, Lawrence. Hunt and Fahey will go. Seems a choice between Gibson and McCarthy and another between Keogh, Coleman and Lawrence. Keogh may go if they only take 4 strikers.
2 or 3 forwards - Long, Cox, Walters or Best. Hard to predict. Assuming no injuries I think he will take Long, Cox and Walters. That means only 3 of the MFs above or 2 of the Defenders. McShane would seem the obvious one to drop.

[Charlie Darwin]

It's amazing to think we could go into the Euros with 4 strikers starting in the Premier League and Robbie in MLS. How times change.

[TrapAPony]

Lonergan, McCarthy, Kenny

Naughton, Stearman, Pearce, Ferdinand, Chambers, Gerrard, Connolly, Tierney

Pennant, Ambrose, O'Hara, Noble, Maguire, Ireland, Shelvey, Hammill

Wickham, Campbell, Pilkington, Jutkiewicz

[boovidge]

Bit harsh putting Kenny in there. Also it's funny how about a year ago we'd be desperate for someone like Campbell to come in and now we have too many good strikers in the prem!

[geysir]

It's amazing to think we could go into the Euros with 4 strikers starting in the Premier League and Robbie in MLS. How times change.
On Newstalk this afternoon, it was mentioned that stubborn and all as Jack was, he was still flexible enough to change his system to a 5 man midfield at USA94.
What they neglected to consider was, that Jack had little option with only Tommy Coyne and Aldo available.

[Colbert Report]

On Newstalk this afternoon, it was mentioned that stubborn and all as Jack was, he was still flexible enough to change his system to a 5 man midfield at USA94.
What they neglected to consider was, that Jack had little option with only Tommy Coyne and Aldo available.

John Sheridan, Roy Keane, and Andy Townsend - not a bad three-man central midfield. If Niall Quinn hadn't been injured then of course he would have played every minute of every match. The question is, who would have played up front with him? I still think that Charlton would have gone to the five man midfield anyway.

[Sullivinho]

Lonergan, McCarthy, Kenny

Naughton, Stearman, Pearce, Ferdinand, Chambers, Gerrard, Connolly, Tierney

Pennant, Ambrose, O'Hara, Noble, Maguire, Ireland, Shelvey, Hammill

Wickham, Campbell, Pilkington, Jutkiewicz


Bit harsh putting Kenny in there. Also it's funny how about a year ago we'd be desperate for someone like Campbell to come in and now we have too many good strikers in the prem!

I'm surely having one of my more denser moments here but for the life of me I can't place who this fella might be..

[Irwin3]

@Sullivinho

http://foot.ie/threads/153401-Irish-Abroad-2011-2012?p=1551898&viewfull=1#post1551898 (http://foot.ie/threads/153401-Irish-Abroad-2011-2012?p=1551898&viewfull=1#post1551898)

[Sullivinho]

Christ.. Must be a joke going on between the two of them or something. Sure didn't Meyler 'tweet' something sarcastic when Pennant's eligibility was being touted a while back?

[Murfinator]

How many friendly games total will we have between now (excluding tuesday) and the squad announcement in May?

Don't really see there being time to bring guys out of nowhere. I think the experimenting will involve the likes of Coleman, Mccarthy. Even potentially important players like Ward, Gibson, Fahey, Walters, Westwood etc are relatively inexperienced and could do with the gametime.

[SwanVsDalton]

G - Given, Westwood, Forde
D - Dunne, St Ledger, Ward, O'Shea, Kelly, O'Dea, Foley
M - Whelan, Andrews, Duff, McGeady, Hunt, Fahey, Coleman, Gibson
F - Keane, Doyle, Long, Walters, Cox

I have a feeling Trap will go without an out-and-out LB cover, plump for five strikers and stick with Gibson over McCarthy but bring Coleman over Lawrence. Still eight months for these guys to play themselves in or out of the squad.

[Razors left peg]

just looking through the squad lists people have put up here has made me realise that no matter what squad is picked there will be controversial exclusions. The squad really has improved in Traps time

[dr_peepee]

I sincerely think that if Meyler can manage 15-20 starts between now and then that he'll make the squad.

[Yard of Pace]

How many games did Steven Reid play for us before WC2002? Did he ever start for us in that World Cup? How many games did he appear in? It was nearly all of them, right?

[geysir]

John Sheridan, Roy Keane, and Andy Townsend - not a bad three-man central midfield. If Niall Quinn hadn't been injured then of course he would have played every minute of every match. The question is, who would have played up front with him? I still think that Charlton would have gone to the five man midfield anyway.
Jack had gone for Quinn and Aldo against Spain and home/away against Denmark.
In the home game against Spain he played 5 at midfield and started Quinn on his own, Aldo was injured.
If both Quinn and Aldo had been fit at USA 94, it's not likely that Jack would have started with 5 at midfield.
It was when circumstances dictated, then Jack would appear flexible.

[tetsujin1979]

Did that 5 man midfield + Coyne make its first appearance in the 1-0 friendly win over Holland?

[nigel-harps1954]

It's pretty silly to be making guessed at the squads at this stage. What about Leon Best? Flying at the minute, if his form continues until the end of the season Trap would be a fool to leave him out, putting in Cox who is getting no game time and looking like getting very little for the season.
Seamus Coleman is one of the most promising young Irish players in a long time, him along with McCarthy have very big seasons ahead of them with the Euros in mind.
Could yet see the likes of Jamie O'Hara making himself available for Ireland after realising he won't get into the England squad.
The likes of Enda Stevens could force his way into the Villa first team, leaving the option for Trap to bring a decent left back.

There are so so many options, and to stick with Championship players and journeymen ahead of these players playing week in -week out in the premiership would be fairly criminal if we have any aspirations of getting somewhere in the Euros. Sure it would be nice to stick with the starting 11 that got us there in the first place, but you have to draw the line somewhere. Theres 8 months to sort out a good starting 11. There is a game on Tuesday worth experimenting with a few players and it should start from there.

[Stuttgart88]

G - Given, Westwood, Forde
D - Dunne, St Ledger, Ward, O'Shea, Kelly, O'Dea, Foley
M - Whelan, Andrews, Duff, McGeady, Hunt, Fahey, Coleman, Gibson
F - Keane, Doyle, Long, Walters, Cox

If the tournament was next month I'd say that'd be substantially right. I have a sneaking suspicion Andy Keogh would find a place though.

Of course I reckon not everyone will be fit.

Others who'll be in with a shout are:

- Hoolahan
- Best
- Meyler
- McCarthy
- Clark

(those 5 being those with the most to play for I reckon)

Then:

- Cunningham
- Stokes
- Treacy
- Delaney
- Lawrence

I think Trap will be in charge for WC14 campaign so will have an eye on youth, so favouring Coleman over Lawrence for example, and Clark or Cunningham over Delaney.

[liamoo11]

G - Given, Westwood, Forde
D - Dunne, St Ledger, Ward, O'Shea, Kelly, O'Dea, Foley
M - Whelan, Andrews, Duff, McGeady, Hunt, Fahey, Coleman, Gibson
F - Keane, Doyle, Long, Walters, Cox
.

This is fun!I doubt Foley will make it which is a shame cause he has been unbeleviably loyal but Coleman has the advantage of been able to cover right back even if Trap does not fancy him so cant see logic in having foley. That frees up spot to take McCarthy. If clark can get starting at villa he might take O Dea s spot been more versatile although O dea has done great for us. Im not convinced Cox will be able to fight off best, stokes and maybe even Brady if he does not play a bit more. I think it looks a strong squad and hopefully Gibson is on the fone to his agent getting a move out of utd as we speak!

[backstothewall]

Given & Westwood + 1

Kelly, O'Shea, Dunne, Sledge, Ward
McGeady, Whelan, Andrews, Duff, Hunt, Fahey,
Keane, Cox, Long, Doyle, Walters

That leaves 4 places.

After that it's anyones guess. One place maybe between O'Dea, Clarke and maybe Marc Wilson as cover for left back. Another maybe as cover for McGeady, probably between McCarthy, Lawrence & Coleman, though Trap might consider Walters as cover for right midfield.

I can't get it out of my head that there is no obvious replacement for Whelan. I know there has been a bit of drama in the past but if bridges can be built in the next few months I think Marc Wilson could end up on the plane. His ability to play in midfield and right across the back 4 must give him a chance.

Trap took 6 strikers to both the Euro's and WC when he was Italy boss. So Best might have a chance.

It's a punt but I'm going to say Wilson, McCarthy, Coleman & O'Dea

[dr_peepee]

I don't really rate Best from what i've seen. I think he's on a Michael rickets/Marcus Stewart/Richie Humphries style scoring steak at the top level but that his level is actually below that..

[pineapple stu]

What they neglected to consider was, that Jack had little option with only Tommy Coyne and Aldo available.
David Kelly and Tony Cascarino too (both of whom made appearances in the tournament)

[Stuttgart88]

Best has no USP (unique selling point), in marketing terms. He's a good player but not as good as Doyle & Walters who play a similar role.

I think O'Dea is nailed on. He stepped up to the plate and delivered when it counted.

Foley might struggle, but I don't see how Liam can claim he's been "unbelievably loyal". I see what you're saying but turning up when selected is the least you'd expect. OK, some haven't even given that much but still...

I forgot that Joey O'Brien might have something to play for too, though I reckon he's 4th choice RB.

A B international would be very interesting & worthwhile.

[liamoo11]

[QUOTE=Stuttgart88;1552399
Foley might struggle, but I don't see how Liam can claim he's been "unbelievably loyal". I see what you're saying but turning up when selected is the least you'd expect. OK, some haven't even given that much but still..
A B international would be very interesting & worthwhile.[/QUOTE]

Fair point I just feel for foley on a human basis same goes for killer.Foley real irish lad been with us since 21 s real irish upbringin in england must have been in 20 odd squads and unlucky that he was physically bullied on his debut and trap does not forget. In another era he could have been a regular for us lovely footballer. Would love the B international idea give something like this a chance

Randolp
coleman Clarke O Dea Tierney

Pilkington Meyler McCarthy Brady

Stokes Best

Think a side like that gives lads with a realistic possibility of going to Poland a chance to push for place in friendly games later before the summer. Good prep for the world cup qualifiers for other lads who just wont make this tournament. For all those who say Coleman is not a full back maybe they should remember that he played for sligo and blackpool and ireland under 21s and made his premier league debut there for everton and really just took advantage of evertons weakness in wide midfield areas and comparative strenght at right full. Poor Wes just wont be a Trap player unfortunately so cant see him been involved even in a B game

[IsMiseSean]

Has Marc Wilson dropped of the radar altogether?
No one seems to have mentioned him, playing LB regularly for Stoke..
I think Ciaran Clark's versatilely would be an useful addition

[liamoo11]

True forgot about wilson he is right footed though so would rather see him have a chance in centre midfield. We do have good depth now

[Noelys Guitar]

Wilson could yet play play himself back into things. I watched him recently and he seems to have stalled/gone backwards a bit. Was not impressed. Same goes for McCarthy at Wigan. Not happening at the moment but of course 4 or 5 good games and everthing can change. Loads of time for a couple of players to get into the team and prove their worth. If the opening game was tomorrow and everyone was fit the this would be the team.
Given
O'Shea Dunne, Sledge, Ward
Duff Whelan Andrews McGeady
Walters Keane

But I expect to see at least 4 ir 5 changes to that team come June 2012 due to injuries/loss of form/came in did a job/the opposition

[magicman]

I'd love to see us organise a B friendly around the same time as the senior game in Feb. I know its wishful thinking, but wouldn't it be great to see a big squad named and then split into two for both games. To see how players can play together.

I'd love to see something like these:

Given

Foley, Dunne, O’Dea, Wilson

Coleman, Whelan, Meyler, McGeady

Long, Keane

Forde, Cunningham, Kelly, Fahey, Brady, Pilkington, Best


*Westwood

O’Shea, St Ledger, Clark, Ward

Duff, Andrews, McCarthy, Hunt

Walters, Doyle

Randolph/2 Murphy’s, McShane, Kilbane, Treacy, Gibson/Hoolahan, Keogh, Cox

[Strongbow10]

Given, Westwood, Forde

Foley,Doherty, Cunningham, Ward, Dunne, O'Shea, St.Ledger, Clark

Coleman, Brady, McGeady, Duff, Whelan, Meyler, Andrews, McCarthy

Keane, Doyle, Long, Walters

The form squad come Summer 2012

The first XI

Given

Doherty
Dunne
O'Shea
Cunningham

Coleman
Meyler
Whelan
McGeady

Keane
Walters

[Charlie Darwin]

Your form team come next summer includes 3 defenders who can't currently get near their club's first team?

[Stuttgart88]

Here's Emmet Malone's opinion: (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/1114/1224307526087.html)

LIKELY/UNLIKELY LADS: The race to make the 23-man squad for Euro 2012

Racing certainties . . .

Goalkeepers
Shay Given and Keiren Westwood

Defenders

John O’Shea, Seán St Ledger, Stephen Ward and Richard Dunne

Midfielders

Damien Duff, Aiden McGeady, Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan

Forwards

Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle

On the rails . . .

Goalkeepers

David Forde

Defenders

Stephen Kelly, Darren O’Dea, Kevin Foley

Midfielders

Keith Fahey, Stephen Hunt and Darron Gibson

Forwards

Shane Long, Jonathan Walters, Simon Cox

Need a big finish . . .

Goalkeepers

Joe Murphy, Darron Randolph, Paddy Kenny and Brian Murphy

Defenders

Kevin Kilbane, Paul McShane, Ciaran Clark, Damien Delaney and Marc Wilson

Midfielders

James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman, Liam Lawrence, Keith Treacy, Paul Green, Wes Hoolahan and Noel Hunt

Forwards

Leon Best and Anthony Stokes

And the complete outsiders . . .

Marc Tierney and Anthony Pilkington (Norwich City), Anton Ferdinand (QPR), Richard Stearman (Wolves) and Alex Pearce (Reading)

[shakermaker1982]

The Trap will be very loyal to his squad. I'd be amazed if we had more than 1 or 2 new faces in the Euro 2012 squad.

Certs:

Given
Westwood
Dunne
O'Shea
St Ledger
O'Dea
Ward
Kelly
Whelan
Andrews
Duff
McGeady
Fahey
Hunt
Keane
Doyle
Walters
Long

That's 18 places locked in (if the players are fit).

[drummerboy]

Think back to the days of Italia 90, USA 94 and Japan, there is always a late withdrawal due to injury. As regards dark horses for inclusion what about David Myler if he gets a run at it. Another one could be McCann from Burnley, especially if he gets a move to a premiership team in January.