Republic of Ireland V Switzerland 25th March & Slovakia 29th March 2016 - Friendlies

[SkStu]

I had thought that Given was now excluded and was quite relieved but now been told it may be down to injury?

[TheBoss]

The fact that Chris Forrester is included is yet another kick in the teeth for the League of Ireland. He only left the league last July and now 8 months later he is good enough to be included in an Ireland squad. So on that logic he has dramatically improved so much in that 8 months to be worthy of a call-up, which is complete and utter nonsense. He was same player 8 months back as he is now. It was the exact same situation with James McClean, he joined Sunderland in August 2011 and made his Ireland debut in Feb 2012, there is just no way that you could improve that much in that short period of time. The simple fact is that both players played at the same level in their respective new leagues as they did in Ireland.

[DeLorean]

MON said he's only seen Forrester play once (not sure if he means in person) but has got some good reports. He said Barry Fry rang him raving about him as well! The West Brom cup game probably put him on the map big time.

Yeah SkStu, Given is still out with his knee.

A lot of Irish starters in this F.A. Cup quarter final this evening - McShane, Quinn and Cox for Reading, Delaney for Palace.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I'm amused by the fact Jack Byrne isn't called up despite putting in MOTM shifts against teams like Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven this season. And the big Dutch teams aren't as good as they used to be, granted, but the rest of the league is stronger than it used to be. It's a decent standard.

Kick in the teeth for Cillian Sheridan not to be involved. He's one of the top scorers in the Cypriot League and has put in decent shifts in Europe.

How on earth Paul Green and Simon Cox are more worthy of a call up is utterly beyond me.

Just goes to show that if you don't play in Britain, you are not on their radar.

Aside from that, Samir Carruthers can count himself unlucky. He has been decent for MK Dons. Joe Mason is another glaring omission. Far more talented footballer than Simon Cox. Alan Browne too..

[Fixer82]

Mason and Sheridan have cases alright. I think Rooney would be there if he wasn't injured. Probably at the expense of Cox or Doyle.
Forrester has proven he can hold his own in England. Towell was the best player in the league last year and has not proven he can hold his own over there yet. Unfortunately, the league is a long way behind the UK still. I do think a compulsory LOI player or two per squad would be a good idea though. Although it could be just seen as tokenism

[DeLorean]

I'd definitely prefer to see Sheridan in the squad too over at least two of those striker options, namely Cox and Stokes and probably Doyle too at this stage.

[Stuttgart88]

Good to see Cunningham, Forrester, Hayes, Gleeson, Doherty, Duffy etc all being included. I'd say Rooney would have been included if fit. No big issue with Green and Cox. It is quite a progressive selection by and large.

[osarusan]

The fact that Chris Forrester is included is yet another kick in the teeth for the League of Ireland. He only left the league last July and now 8 months later he is good enough to be included in an Ireland squad. So on that logic he has dramatically improved so much in that 8 months to be worthy of a call-up, which is complete and utter nonsense. He was same player 8 months back as he is now. It was the exact same situation with James McClean, he joined Sunderland in August 2011 and made his Ireland debut in Feb 2012, there is just no way that you could improve that much in that short period of time. The simple fact is that both players played at the same level in their respective new leagues as they did in Ireland.He has proven himself against a higher standard of player since the move.

It's sometimes hard to gauge just how good somebody is in LOI.

[DeLorean]

Pretty sure I heard on the radio that despite being called up for the U-21's, Jack Byrne will be given the opportunity to train with the senior team also. Best of both worlds really if I heard correctly.

[paul_oshea]

Ya it's confirmed in today's independent. Jees that site is getting worse and worse.

[DeLorean]

Just read it there - Alan Browne too I see. That's a very good plan. He dismissed any notion of negotiation with Delaney, saying he's 35 and Shane Duffy isn't! At least he's off to Wembley.

[SwanVsDalton]

Not a bad squad selection, even if it an O'Neill 100-man special.

Guys like Green and Cox are not going to the Euros barring a major injury crisis, but it keeps things interesting for younger players coming in who do have a chance to impress. They may not make the Euros but Forrester, Doherty, Hayes et al have a chance to set down a marker. Clearly they've impressed when he's seen him, and that's why they get a call up.

And if a Carruthers, Mason or anyone else feel hard done by, at least they know there's a manager keeping an eye out who will call on those who impress. Ditto Jack Byrne, who I think was involved in training with the squad previously too.

Decent balance between exposing some to the international setup and focusing minds ahead of the tournament.

[SwanVsDalton]

Just read it there - Alan Browne too I see. That's a very good plan. He dismissed any notion of negotiation with Delaney, saying he's 35 and Shane Duffy isn't! At least he's off to Wembley.

Too late for Delaney - I've a certain amount of sympathy over the lack of opportunity, but you can't retire for the qualifiers and un-retire for the tournament. Talk about cynical.

[DeLorean]

I agree totally SvD but has he actually un-retired? Or is that just based on Pardew & Dann's comments?

Maybe he's just being polite with Cox and Green inclusions, guys who were included in these squad/extended squads since the start, and will probably be dropped totally after this campaign.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I don't see what he had to lose in calling up any two of Mason, E. Doyle or Madden. Keane, Long, Walters and Murphy are the realistic striking options, one of whom might not even travel. Doyle, Stokes and Cox are the other three called up for this trip, one of whom also may not travel from US, one of whom is desperately short of match practice and playing in an atrocious league, and one is Simon Cox.

McGoldrick & Rooney would have been the ones in the frame to capitalise if places up front were to become available. Why not give the shot to Mason, Red Doyle or Madden?

They'd have plenty of chance to impress. Keane, Murphy and Walters are all well in to their thirties and you don't want to overexpose Long.

Ridiculous too calling up Forde when Stephen Henderson has been playing regularly for Charlton.

http://the42.ie/martin-oneill-damien-delaney-excuses-ring-hollow-2655864-Mar2016/

Critical opinion piece on Delaney situation.

I don't get the people saying Delaney's ability is being overemphasized just because he's been left out or he shouldn't be considered because he didn't play in qualification.

You pick your best players. O'Shea, Clark and Wilson are having dreadful seasons. He is better than Keogh. Duffy hasn't participated in qualifying. Nor has McShane.

He is the only PL defender emerging with any kind of credit. If O'Shea gets injured before summer, you want Delaney in there leading beside Keogh or one of the other two.

[Olé Olé]

I agree totally SvD but has he actually un-retired? Or is that just based on Pardew & Dann's comments?

Maybe he's just being polite with Cox and Green inclusions, guys who were included in these squad/extended squads since the start, and will probably be dropped totally after this campaign.

Big time. For all we know these lads are the David Mays of the squad and they pull extremely well with everyone and I'm not sure what would be gained by calling up someone equally unlikely to make the cut. Are they that much worse than the alternatives? OK, Green is in there. But Gleeson and Forrester are being afforded extended squat spots too. Rooney's injury gives Cox a mention in the extended squad but what are the alternatives? There are no young strikers or consistently good Championship performers to take his spot.

Re Delaney, SvD summed it up above. And, I don't think he's un-retired himself at all. Presumably, he'd have sought some reassurances to un-retire himself and then we're going around in roundabouts, are we not?

[SwanVsDalton]

I agree totally SvD but has he actually un-retired? Or is that just based on Pardew & Dann's comments?

Maybe he's just being polite with Cox and Green inclusions, guys who were included in these squad/extended squads since the start, and will probably be dropped totally after this campaign.

Maybe not, though it seems it was being suggested he would by others. Sound like a bit of a fishing expedition.


I don't see what he had to lose in calling up any two of Mason, E. Doyle or Madden. Keane, Long, Walters and Murphy are the realistic striking options, one of whom might not even travel. Doyle, Stokes and Cox are the other three called up for this trip, one of whom also may not travel from US, one of whom is desperately short of match practice and playing in an atrocious league, and one is Simon Cox.

McGoldrick & Rooney would have been the ones in the frame to capitalise if places up front were to become available. Why not give the shot to Mason, Red Doyle or Madden?

They'd have plenty of chance to impress. Keane, Murphy and Walters are all well in to their thirties and you don't want to overexpose Long.

Ridiculous too calling up Forde when Stephen Henderson has been playing regularly for Charlton.

http://the42.ie/martin-oneill-damien-delaney-excuses-ring-hollow-2655864-Mar2016/

Critical opinion piece on Delaney situation.

I don't get the people saying Delaney's ability is being overemphasized just because he's been left out or he shouldn't be considered because he didn't play in qualification.

You pick your best players. O'Shea, Clark and Wilson are having dreadful seasons. He is better than Keogh. Duffy hasn't participated in qualifying. Nor has McShane.

He is the only PL defender emerging with any kind of credit. If O'Shea gets injured before summer, you want Delaney in there leading beside Keogh or one of the other two.

The problem generally with this type of thinking is that it suggests picking a squad is simply a case of picking who's been in good form for the past month, and sticking them in, or just throwing caps/opportunities out - but that says nothing for the art of building a united, well-oiled squad who understand the motivations/instructions of the manager and can respond to them almost intuitively.

This squad has slowly come together after grafting through the qualifiers, growing in confidence and spirit throughout. Martin O'Neill's challenge is to enhance that confidence and spirit with fresh, deserving players while also balancing loyalty to players he trust. This process is even more crucial when it comes to picking 23 players who'll be travelling together in the intense environment of tournament play.

I fear your approach would risk dismantling that spirit entirely. Players need to trust the manager and vice versa, trust earned through hard work on the training ground and in games. That trust gets damaged when you lose someone for a young player who likely won't go to the Euros or (worse) a guy who wasn't bothered turning up at all.

This isn't about Cox or Green - I'm talking about the likes of Clark, Keogh and McGeady even, guys who've made big contributions and have proven themselves to be crucual for Martin O'Neill, even if their club situation isn't ideal.

And, while I would argue all day that Delaney's ability is a bit overstated, the fact that he wasn't willing to fight for a place and knuckle down like everyone else automatically rules him out. What would it say to the players if a manager was willing to overlook someone like Clark or Keogh for a guy who wasn't up for scrapping on the training ground for a place like everyone else?

You might argue it's tough cheddar, form wins out - but, like I say, it's not a simple, analytical choice. Personality, spirit, confidence and trust are all key factors here too. Bringing Delaney on board at this late stage would be a kick in the teeth for almost everyone.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't see what he had to lose in calling up any two of Mason, E. Doyle or Madden. Keane, Long, Walters and Murphy are the realistic striking options, one of whom might not even travel. Doyle, Stokes and Cox are the other three called up for this trip, one of whom also may not travel from US, one of whom is desperately short of match practice and playing in an atrocious league, and one is Simon Cox.

McGoldrick & Rooney would have been the ones in the frame to capitalise if places up front were to become available. Why not give the shot to Mason, Red Doyle or Madden?

They'd have plenty of chance to impress. Keane, Murphy and Walters are all well in to their thirties and you don't want to overexpose Long.

Ridiculous too calling up Forde when Stephen Henderson has been playing regularly for Charlton.

http://the42.ie/martin-oneill-damien-delaney-excuses-ring-hollow-2655864-Mar2016/

Critical opinion piece on Delaney situation.

I don't get the people saying Delaney's ability is being overemphasized just because he's been left out or he shouldn't be considered because he didn't play in qualification.

You pick your best players. O'Shea, Clark and Wilson are having dreadful seasons. He is better than Keogh. Duffy hasn't participated in qualifying. Nor has McShane.

He is the only PL defender emerging with any kind of credit. If O'Shea gets injured before summer, you want Delaney in there leading beside Keogh or one of the other two.
Henderson won't be within an arse's roar of the senior squad as long as Seamus McDonagh is there.

[DeLorean]

What's that about CD?

[Charlie Darwin]

What's that about CD?
They had a run-in at some stage. He's been overlooked for squads when playing regularly and no other Irish goalkeeper was getting a game.

[Stuttgart88]

Wasn't he on the bench for Bosnia?

[DeLorean]

Indeed he was, for both legs. Think Charlie may be wide of the mark on this one? :D

South London Press - (http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/article.cfm?id=114753&headline=Stephen%20Henderson%3A%20Republic%20of%20 Ireland%20spot%20at%20Euro%202016%20would%20be%20m assive%20for%20me&sectionIs=sport&searchyear=2015)Stephen Henderson: Republic of Ireland spot at Euro 2016 would be massive for me (http://www.southlondonpress.co.uk/article.cfm?id=114753&headline=Stephen%20Henderson%3A%20Republic%20of%20 Ireland%20spot%20at%20Euro%202016%20would%20be%20m assive%20for%20me&sectionIs=sport&searchyear=2015)


I got a good response from the goalkeeping coach [Seamus McDonagh]. He rang me when I got back and told me to keep doing what I’m doing.
He said that by the time Ireland go to France you never know - because I’m the only one playing at the moment.
It is a good chance to kick on this season. In the last three years they have had goalkeepers they have stuck with all the time. Regardless of my performances I wasn’t really getting called up.

[geysir]

Charlie can read between lines.

[Charlie Darwin]

Or I can read what his father and uncle say.

[geysir]

Or I can read what his father and uncle say.
Or both, don't play down your potential.

and fwiw, if one does have a regard for synchronicity, I'm just about to watch Rectify S2 Ep03 entitled Charlie Darwin.

[Charlie Darwin]

Paul O'Shea always said I was an episode of Rectify waiting to happen.

[DeLorean]

Or I can read what his father and uncle say.

I'm confused (nothing new there says you)... was it before or after B&H that they said he wouldn't be within an arses roar of the senior squad while McDonagh is there? Do they post on a forum or something?

[DannyInvincible]

MON said he's only seen Forrester play once (not sure if he means in person) but has got some good reports.

Was Martin referring to the 2014 FAI Cup final in which he saw Forrester play or has he seen him since then for Peterborough?

[DeLorean]

He didn't elaborate really, but I get the impression that it was a Peterborough game, possibly even on TV. I reckon it was probably either that West Brom game or maybe he went and watched him on the back of that. The first audio link here (http://www.98fm.com/Barry-Fry-Has-Told-Me-How-Brilliant-He-Is--Martin-ONeill-On-Chris-Forrester) is what I heard.

[DannyInvincible]

If that is the case, he's watched him play at least twice and not even realised it.

[Closed Account]

https://scontent-lhr3-1.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/e35/12328140_1667974750134582_982647939_n.jpg?ig_cache _key=MTIwOTU1MDY4MTE0NTYzNjk3OA%3D%3D.2



Goalkeepers





Rob Elliot (Newcastle United)
Started




Darren Randolph (West Ham United)
Unused Substitute




David Forde (Millwall)
Unused Substitute




Defenders





Shane Duffy (Blackburn Rovers)
Started

Goal, Clean Sheet
Yellow


Richard Keogh (Derby County)
Started
Clean Sheet
Yellow


Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Started




Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
Started




Paul McShane (Reading)
Started




Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Started




Stephen Ward (Burnley)
Started

Yellow


John O'Shea (Sunderland)
Sub (73)




Cyrus Christie (Derby County)
Sub (90)




Alex Pearce (Bristol City*)
Unused Substitute




Midfielders





Jonathan Walters (Stoke City)
Started

Goal, Assist
Yellow


Robbie Brady (Norwich City)
Started (76)
Goal



James McCarthy (Everton)
Started




Jeff Hendrick (Derby County)
Started




Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
Started




Stephen Gleeson (Birmingham City)
Started




Alan Judge (Brentford)
Started




Jonathan Hayes (Aberdeen)
Started




Anthony Pilkington (Cardiff City)
Started

Yellow


Stephen Quinn (Reading)
Started (78)




Aiden McGeady (Sheffield Wednesday*)
Started (45)




Harry Arter (Bournemouth)
Started (45)




Eunan O'Kane (Bournemouth)
Sub (46)




James McClean (West Bromwich Albion)
Sub (59)




Wes Hoolahan (Norwich City)
Unused Substitute




David Meyler (Hull City)
Not in Squad
Illness




Forwards





Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
Started
Goal



Shane Long (Southampton)
Started
Assist



Daryl Murphy (Ipswich Town)
Started




Kevin Doyle (Colorado Rapids)
Sunday








Dropped




Keiren Westwood (Sheffield Wednesday)
Started

Clean Sheet


Greg Cunningham (Preston North End)
Started
Assist


Chris Forrester (Peterborough United)
Started




Paul Green (Rotherham United)
Unused Substitute



Darron Gibson (Everton)
Not in Squad



Anthony Stokes (Celtic)
Started
Goal


Simon Cox (Reading)
Sub (78)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Baffling that Alex Pearce is in there. He's played 180 minutes all season and conceded 5 goals. Couple that with a few ragged cameos for Ireland...

Thought Cunningham would have edged Doherty. Came back in from the cold for a match against Poland and didn't look like he missed a step.

Baffling that Westwood isn't in there. You need his experience if something were to happen to Randolph (Given really shouldn't be going to the tournament).

Perhaps rather than giving Cox and Stokes any more token call-ups, opportunities should be afforded to Eoin Doyle, Mason or Madden next time?

[DeLorean]

A 36 year old League One sub goalkeeper ahead of the Championship goalkeeper of the season. Absolutely bizarre, and Westwood is easily better than Elliot too.

[IsMiseSean]

Thought Cunningham would have edged Doherty. Came back in from the cold for a match against Poland and didn't look like he missed a step.


I'm surprised Doherty got in ahead of Cunningham too.
Cunningham is a natural LB whereas Doherty as far as I know is mainly a RB and is filling a gap for Wolves at LB. Cunningham is also part of one the best defences in the Championship.
Might be my Galway bias though...

[SwanVsDalton]

Think it's pretty clear the Forde over Westwood decision has nothing to do with form, league position or gametime, and simply a desire to have Forde around for a combination of:

a) Because he wants a third-choice goalie who will be an optimistic presence and contribute to the squad spirit.

b) Because Forde is a particularly good character more suited to the role above, rather than Westwood.

I can't comment on Westwood's character, but I wouldn't blame him if he was surly or hesitant about being a third-choice keeper in a squad/at a tournament while Forde has been used before in squads simply because he's highly professional, and almost mentor-like in his role as third choice.

You can argue Westwood is more likely to challenge, but I reckon O'Neill's made up his mind that it's Randolph followed by Elliott and the other keeper might as well be a good dirt-tracker.

I don't think that's bizarre at all, pretty common in squad building.

It is, however, much more bizarre that Westwood isn't closer to the team, for which he has legitimate beef. I can't help but feel there's some level of distrust between management and Westwood, for whatever reason.

[DeLorean]

Yep... all pretty sh!te and highly frustrating reasons though in my opinion. Maybe there's more to it that we'll find out in time. He'll probably drop Forde on his ass anyway when the other 'great lad to have around the place' regains fitness.

[Fixer82]

I remember reading what a great presence Forde was around the group. I think that's as much a part of it as any. O'Neill seems to understand group dynamics. Also a reason I believe he hasn't called up Delaney. It wouldn't help the dynamic of the group. An unhappy group will not go out and do the business on the pitch. And football teams and players can be very fickle

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Clark has barely played all season. Wilson remains injured. Now O'Shea's rooted to the bench for Sunderland after a couple of high-profile gaffes.

I hope O'Neill knows what he is doing. I would be more comfortable with Delaney leading the team than anyone else in the event O'Shea were to become unavailable. And the fact that he is left-footed is a bonus.

Odd whatever way you put in when you consider he is our best PL performer in that position and Alex Pearce is ahead of him.

[DeLorean]

Total exaggeration to say Clark has barely played all season. He's been in almost as much as he's been out. Alex Pearce is ahead of Delaney because Alex Pearce isn't retired.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Clark has started 12 times and being an unused substitute 15 times so it was an exaggeration to say he's barely played, but it's still less than half of the games they have played (31).

And Delaney needs to come out and say if he is amenable to a come back instead of having Dann & Pardew do his talking but I think O'Neill should leave his pride aside and ask him if he would agree to come back with no guarantees.

Instead he's shut the door on the possibility.

[DeLorean]

Clark has started 12 times and being an unused substitute 15 times so it was an exaggeration to say he's barely played, but it's still less than half of the games they have played (31).

He's also played five cup games and obviously the internationals for us. I make that twenty full games this season and he'll probably play some more before it finishes.

[DannyInvincible]

I think O'Neill should leave his pride aside and ask him if he would agree to come back with no guarantees.

Instead he's shut the door on the possibility.

It's not about swallowing his pride. It's about consistency, team morale and the future. If you're going to take issue with O'Neill here, it should be on those points; not because you think he's being contrary. There's nothing to suggest he's just being stubborn. He has no reason to be that way, nor would there be any embarrassment for him in actually re-calling Delaney if he wanted to. There's a case to be made for Delaney's inclusion, sure, but O'Neill just doesn't favour it for a few reasons, which I think are perfectly valid.

[Murph 1]

Agree that Delaney should be in the Squad- but only if he approached it in the right manner. Firstly he should publicly withdraw his inferred criticism of O Neill given the success of the management team in securing qualification, Then he should not hide behind Scott Danns and Alan Pardew in testing the waters in relation to a possible return.

[tetsujin1979]

from https://twitter.com/SSEAirtricityLg/statuses/711924517539553280

.@DundalkFC (https://twitter.com/DundalkFC) goalkeeper Gary Rogers has been invited to train with the @FAIreland (https://twitter.com/FAIreland) senior team for the next two days.

[OwlsFan]

2414

See who I saw on my flight from Heathrow yesterday: Messrs McShane and Judge.

The omission of Westwood from the squad is Trapesque. He is now in to his second excellent season and is generally regarded as the best Championship keeper and, but for injuries, would have been a regular Premiership player. Perhaps this goes back to issues between MON and Westwood from Sunderland days. I don't know but to leave out from the squad someone who arguably should be starting, let alone a squad player, is disappointing and this is not just my blue striped bias talking here. I was away for the past few days. Was MON queried on this at the Press Conference?

[paul_oshea]

Trapesque? There was no such disquiet on your part with regards to Trap :P He was the best we had and we should have been very happy and lucky we had him... And now you say Trapesque :D

[tetsujin1979]

There was a post on the YBIG forum last year from a Sunderland fan theorising that Westwood blotted his copybook badly with Martin O'Neill when he was manager of Sunderland and he refused to play in a League Cup game because he was sick.

[OwlsFan]

Trapesque? There was no such disquiet on your part with regards to Trap :P He was the best we had and we should have been very happy and lucky we had him... And now you say Trapesque :D

I don't think you'll ever find I used those words. Just about everyone agreed that Trap never picked his strongest squad and made some bizarre selections. What I did think was he got the best out of the squad and made us very competitive, away from home in particular and I didn't care about the style of football. I just hope MON isn't going to stick to the same players like Trap used to do (i.e. become Trapesque and select Forde/Given over Westwood and further down the road the likes of other established midfielders over Arter etc).

[Fixer82]

League of Ireland keeper trained with the squad today. That's gotta hurt Westwood

[DeLorean]

There was a post on the YBIG forum last year from a Sunderland fan theorising that Westwood blotted his copybook badly with Martin O'Neill when he was manager of Sunderland and he refused to play in a League Cup game because he was sick.

The fact that he has played for Ireland under O'Neill kind of suggests it has little or nothing to do with his time at Sunderland though, doesn't it? I've a feeling he just got sick of him pulling out of Ireland squads.