Tommorow's Starting 11

[Eh Weh]

From the Independent:
"Ireland manager Brian Kerr is facing a midfield headache ahead of tomorrow's World Cup qualifier against Cyprus at Lansdowne Road. Roy Keane, Matt Holland and Liam Miller have all be ruled out of the match, the opening game in Ireland's qualifying campaign. Kerr has indicated that Kevin Kilbane will anchor the midfield tomorrow, with Graham Kavanagh his likely partner. Andy Reid and Damien Duff are expected to complete the midfield line-up, with Clinton Morrison and Robbie Keane expected to start up front. Shay Given is also expected to start after recovering from a foot injury."

Well basicly have a ful strength team except for Keane who would have taken Kavanaghs place. I saw the Cypriot team arrive in last night when i was in Dublin airport they got in at eleven in the evening.Thought they would have gotten here earlier.

[concanta]

If that is the team I will be happy we CANNOT play Duff up front - it will be a waste. I am not a fan of Morrison but does do a lot of donkey work for Robbie and with Duff and Reid on the flanks we should be ok

[One Brian Kerr]

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/04/09/03/SOCCER_Republic_Maybury.html

From the thread above 'Maybury has since become a regular under manager Brian Kerr and can expect to start at Lansdowne Road on Saturday for the opening World Cup qualifying clash against Cyprus'

There's no way Maybury will start tomoroow surely, also can't believe Ian Harte not in the squad.

[koneinc]

Ian Harte is not in the squad as Kerr is giving him time to settle in in Spain.

[eirebhoy]

Kerr has indicated that Kevin Kilbane will anchor the midfield tomorrow, with Graham Kavanagh his likely partner.
That is definitely going to be the midfield pairing but I'm pretty sure Kavanagh will anchor the midfield and not Kilbane.

A lot of papers are saying Finnan will start at right back.

[Beanie]

I hope Carr starts instead of Finnan he is far more gifted on the Ball, and offers more going forward, plus Finnan is prone to the odd c****** e.g away to Russia in last campaign he was at fault for first goal!!

[thejollyrodger]

Given in goal for certain.

The back four seems to be Finnan, O Brien, Cunningham, O Shea. The only one there I am certain about is Cunningham. O Shea is never in the wide away club and O brien has the tendency to ball watch. I defintely rate Carr over Finnan, and as someone said elsewhere it must be a person rift between him and Kerr. Cyprus is not known for scoring a lot of goals when they travel so we may well get off tomorrow night.

Seems as though its a certainty for Kavanagh and Kilbane in the centre of the park. Seeing that Cyprus will be crowing out the centre of the park the best bet is to have Duff on the left and Reid out on the right. Two wingers should work very well, it should bring a bit of balance to our side, something I havent seen in a while.

Up front, thank god for Robbie !! I think he will do the business for us and score 1 or maybe 2. Clint does well, it has to be said. He doesnt score (ever:P) but defintely works hard and provides space for Robbie.

It probably going to be hard to score against them and Im predicating most likely 1-0 or maybe even 2-0 win for us.

[Slash/ED]

I'm delighted he's not putting Duff up front anyway, but I have to say I'm suprised he's chooseing Finnan over Carr. Carr was the Newcastle captain whereas Finnan hasn't played right back for Liverpool at all this season, he's been on the right wing. Not to get into conspiracy theorys but that is a baffling decision, maybe there's something in the reports that Carr and Kerr don't see eye to eye. Or maybe the reports on the team selection are just wrong.