Team to play Israel

[Condex]

Given

Carr
Finnan
Dunne
Cunningham

Reid - Not tearing up trees at Spurs
Kilbane
Keane
Duff

Keane
Morrison - not getting alook in at Brum(but who else do we have)

Subs
Kenny - Great displays
McGeady - Form dip[ of late
Elliott
Kelly - Playing great stuff for Spurs
O'Brien - not getting alook in at Newcastle
O'Shea - not playing regularly enough

[dynamo kerry]

reid- didn't play in the two games against forest- may have ben part of the sale agreement - other than that he's started 2 and been a sub once. no bad.

can't see how you'd drop kenny for richie. richie don't open his mouth and AFAIK the king is still captain. now I can understand if thats the team you want to see but it ain't going to happen unless kenny is injured. reckon andy will keep his place for consistency sake. depends how they train when they get together too mind you.

mcgeady = agreed. the local press here are nice enough about him but are hopeful he'll bounce back while coming from the bench for bellamy.

[Colbert Report]

John O'Shea is simply too good a player to leave on the bench. I'd put him in for Reid.

[Hibs4Ever]

John O'Shea is simply too good a player to leave on the bench. I'd put him in for Reid.


I think O'Shea is the weak link on the team. I'd play Harte ahead of him

[stickyjoe]

Reid was cup-tied for the 2 Forest games, besides that he has been playing the premiership games for spurs

[Stuttgart88]

reid- didn't play in the two games against forest- may have ben part of the sale agreement

He was cup-tied as he played for Forest earlier in the FA Cup. Unfortunately he can't play in the FA Cup again this season.

Edit - sorry, didn't see sticky joe's post!

[drinkfeckarse]

John O'Shea is simply too good a player to leave on the bench. I'd put him in for Reid.


What?? As a winger!!?? :eek:

[Stuttgart88]

I think the only position open to debate at the moment is whether Finnan or Reid starts RHM. As a consequence left back could be between Finnan & O'Shea.

I don't buy into the theory that playing Finnan at RHM is necessarily defensive. He's a fine player who enhances an Irish team wherever he plays. I'd be inclined to pick Reid RHM and Finnan LB, though Reid's performance in Basle has left a nagging doubt in my mind.

[thejollyrodger]

_________________________Given


_________________Dunne________Cunningham

Carr_____________________________________________F innan



___________________Keane________Kilbane



Reid______________________________________________ Duff



____________________Keane


_______________________________Morrison

I would go with the above also. Lack of first team football rules a lot of the players out.

[Hibs4Ever]

And there is NO reason whatsoever to drop Andy O'Brien. He's played all the qualifiers so far and is having great tournament

[cullenswood]

And there is NO reason whatsoever to drop Andy O'Brien. He's played all the qualifiers so far and is having great tournament
I dont think there is any way that Kerr will drop him, but I do believe that himself and Dunne will be the centre back pairing in Germany if/when we qualify.

[eirebhoy]

I'd agree with the opening team except O'Brien-Cunningham have been rock solid for us and I'd keep them together.

Finnan at left back because he is playing first team football at full back for one of the top teams in the premiership as well as the Champions league. While O'Shea hasn't played at full back in at least 5 months and isn't getting regular football at all.

Reid on the right wing because I'm a big fan of wingers and the only other option in my mind is Finnan, who I'd prefer at full back. Reid's performance against Switzerland was no worse than Duff's against Barcelona the other night IMHO.

Subs - There's no need for Kelly to be wasting a space on the bench as O'Shea can play right back if needed, not to mention Finnan. We obviously need at least one central midfielder on the bench and I'd give it to Kav. You only chose 6 subs so Breen for the other spot.

[stickyjoe]

agree with eirebhoy. finnan at left back instead of oshea. and in this game id go with Reid as a winger instead of re-shuffling and putting finnan in midfield and oshea at full back.

its about time we went away from home and had a decent go at a team. we should be looking to win this game not get a draw.

[NeilMcD]

I think the only decision that kerr has to make is whether to play Finnan or John O Shea at left back the rest of the team picks itself.

Given
Carr
Cunningham
O Brien
Finnan/OShea

Reid
Keane
Kilbane
Duff

Keane
Morrison



Subs
Kenny
Dunne
Holland
O Shea
McGeady
Elliot
Kavanagh

I think it is between Kavanagh and Holland for a place on the bench.

[Stuttgart88]

My small doubt about Reid on RHM is based on Basle but God knows how many players were bad on the night. Steve Carr's performance in that game didn't help matters & he was lucky not to be sent off. But Carr seems to be playing much better now and Reid has started well at Spurs. Regardless of whether it's RHM or LB Finnan has to start though.

There's no reason yet to change Cunningham & O'Brien, especially as O'Brien is at least getting UEFA Cup action. But at some point a lack of first team football for O'Brien could force Kerr's hand here.

I really think the Israel game could be a watershed for this team. We're a better side than 18 months ago IMO and Israel away is no tougher than Albania away was, despite what the stats might say.

This team is still developing and they need to get used to winning tough away ties if we're to step up to the level I think we're well capable of.

A draw, however respectable a result it may be, will postpone this development. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that a win would be significant for more reasons than the 3 points we'd get.

[Eirambler]

To be honest I don't think theres any chance of finnan playing LB against Israel. We'd have to have seen him in a few friendlies playing there first. (I'm not saying its not a good idea, I'm just saying it won't happen.)


If everyone is fit the only decision is reid or finnan, I think he might go for Finnans experience for a tricky away game like this.

[Havelock Squire]

There's about as much chance of Finnan playing left-back as there was when we were in Basle last September...

[OwlsFan]

Finnan is right footed - I wouldn't play him at left back. I'd play O'Shea (warts and all).

Kerr won't drop O'Brien so it's O'B and Kenny

Kilbane has gone off the boil at Everton - saw him on the box against Blackburn (awful game and Killer was poor enough). However, Kerr would never drop him. Don't be surprised if you see Holland and Keane midfield with Kilbane on the left with Duffer floating and Robbie up front alone. Kerr usually adopts defensive tactics when away from home.

[cullenswood]

Finnan is right footed - I wouldn't play him at left back. I'd play O'Shea (warts and all).

O'Shea is right footed as well isn't he?

[thejollyrodger]

Kerr should go out to win it at the start, try to get an early goal or maybe even two then tighten everything up and slow the whole game down.

To start : -

_________________________Given


_________________O Brien________Cunningham

Carr_____________________________________________O Shea



____________________Keane_____Kilbane



Reid_____________________X________________________ Duff



____________________Keane


_______________________________Morrison


From my earlier post, maybe O Shea should be given a start at left back, O Brien to start and leave finnan, Dunne on the bench. Ried to start as well. O Shea and Carr are very good going forward leaving O Brien and Cunningham back all the time. Maybe Robbie might be more sucessfull playing in the hole X.

Morrison although lacking a few matches is a great target man for duff. I think they partner up very well. Ried and Keane likewise.

Once we get the one or maybe even two goals I would make 2 subs and change to 4-5-1.

_________________________Given


Carr___________O Brien________Cunningham________O Shea


Finnan_________Kavanagh_____Keane_____Kilbane_____ _Duff


__________________________Keane

Finnan on for Ried. Morrision off, Kavanagh on in at midfield to hold things up and throw his weight around. Kilbane and Duffer should give O Shea plenty of cover and 5 across midfield should really kill the game off.

[Stuttgart88]

Finnan played at left back in Basle and along with O'Brien was the only outfield player who played to the required standard.

[Eire06]

Given
Carr
Finnan
Dunne
Cunningham
Reid - Not tearing up trees at Spurs
Kilbane
Keane
Duff
Keane
Morrison - not getting alook in at Brum(but who else do we have)
Subs
Kenny - Great displays
McGeady - Form dip[ of late
Elliott
Kelly - Playing great stuff for Spurs
O'Brien - not getting alook in at Newcastle
O'Shea - not playing regularly enough

Get O'Shea off that bench on on to that pitch, throw finnan off and O'Brian in for Dunne..
Also Kavanagh on the bench, never know when you might need a strong midfielder :D

[Dotsy]

Finnan over O' Shea for me. Everytime I've seen O'Shea play for Ireland he has been very loose with his passing, tentative going forward, and prone to loosing his concentration to easily. His displays for Manu when he does manage to get on the team have not been great IMO.

Finnan has been one of the only players at Liverpool to play consistently well over the last few months. He had a great game last night. He is more solid defensively than O'Shea and is a better attacking treat as well. All round a more solid player who very rarely hits a misplaced pass.

[eirebhoy]

This team is still developing and they need to get used to winning tough away ties if we're to step up to the level I think we're well capable of.
Aye, look at England. They went over to Azerbaijan, were the 2nd best team from start to finish but still managed to sneak a goal and get out there with the 3 points.


To be honest I don't think theres any chance of finnan playing LB against Israel. We'd have to have seen him in a few friendlies playing there first. (I'm not saying its not a good idea, I'm just saying it won't happen.)
Finnan played at left back in Switzerland, as others have said. He also spent the best part of a season at left back with Fulham. There is a lot more reason to play Finnan there than O'Shea. 1. He is currently playing regular first team football at the highest level. 2. He actually is a full back, unlike O'Shea. 3. He's a lot more solid than O'Shea and your not on the edge of your seat whenever Finnan has the ball.


Finnan is right footed - I wouldn't play him at left back. I'd play O'Shea (warts and all).
O'Shea is also right footed...

[NeilMcD]

How can people come on here and be so strong in their views and then make basic errors , O shea is Right footed and so is Finnan. Our left footers include

Duff
Kilbane
Harte, (not in the squad though).

None of them should play at left back for Ireland so we need to pick a right footer there. Having played there many times and playing regular football Finnan would get my nod. But I can see O shea playing there as Kerr may not move him. It may depend on who plays right mid for Israel. If he is tall or fast or whatever. I would trust Kerr to make the correct decision in relation to this

[cullenswood]

culllenswood is that enfield london?? did i meet you in the inn on the green once??
Nope, and nope.

Enfield, Co Meath....and can't say I was ever in the Inn on the Green

[Ash]

I've always thought O'Shea was over rated.

I remember watching an Ireland game in Scruffy Murphys in Sydney
and when I said that to a mate, a Man U fan over heard and took
a swipe at me saying he was World Class and I only said that cos I
was a Liverpool supporting w@nker.

Bit odd seeing as I couldnt give a flying fcuk about Liverpool (or Man U
for that matter), hadnt even mentioned a team, and I was wearing an
Athlone Town jersey!

[stojkovic]

Debate all you want, the team ALMOST picks itself.

Only decisions to be made are ;

Carr or Finnan at right full

If its Carr then the next decision is ;

Andy Reid or Finnan for right midfield

I think it will be CARR and FINNAN as the game is away from home and Kerr will 'start' with caution.

And finally ;

If Andy O'Brien doesnt get a start soon for the Toon, Kerr will have to go with the Honey Monster.

[OwlsFan]

We know O'Shea is primarily right footed but he is also comfortable on the left - certainly more so than Finnan.

I thought Finnan was poor against the Swiss and is uncomfortable on the left. I also don't like right/left fulls playing on the right/left wing like Mick Mc used to do with Gary Kelly and Kerr does with Finnan. It's a very negative tactic.

[YoungHoop]

lads all teams are the same, but cant possibly have andy o'brien in, dunne is by far the better player, and having a better season.

Given

carr Dunne Cunningham O'Shea.



Killbane Reid Keane Finnan

Duffer


Keane


Subs,
Reid,
McGeady,
Morrision ,
Holland,
Kenny,
Elliot ,
Kavanagh


Enough said cant beat that team pure football will beat any team and pure football is what this team would play. :

[eirebhoy]

If Andy O'Brien doesnt get a start soon for the Toon, Kerr will have to go with the Honey Monster.
O'Brien will start against Olympiakos tonight since Boumsong is ineligible. They play Olympiakos again next Wednesday so O'Brien should have enough football behind him for the Israel game.

OwlsFan - answer this honestly. How do you know O'Shea is more comfortable at left back then Finnan.

BTW - Has O'Shea actually played at left back for United this season? Off the top of my head I can't remember seeing him player there.

[Stuttgart88]

We know O'Shea is primarily right footed but he is also comfortable on the left - certainly more so than Finnan.

I thought Finnan was poor against the Swiss and is uncomfortable on the left. I also don't like right/left fulls playing on the right/left wing like Mick Mc used to do with Gary Kelly and Kerr does with Finnan. It's a very negative tactic.

I just don't see how you can say "certainly"! I think Finnan is one of our 3 or 4 most important players and is a very accomplished wide midfielder and also looks comfortable at left back. He uses the ball better than O'Shea and will be less inclined to lose the ball cheaply. I just don't agree that Finnan playing RHM is an outright defensive tactic. Against France & the Faroes he did really well at RHM both in attack and defence. The guy is a quality footballer.

As I said above my inclination would be to pick Reid on the right and Finnan at LB. My expectation is that Kerr will stick with Finnan on the right and O'Shea at Left back. The only justification I can see Kerr using for changing things is that Reid is now starting in the Premiership and O'Shea isn't.

[carnstien]

Don't be surprised if you see Holland and Keane midfield with Kilbane on the left with Duffer floating and Robbie up front alone. Kerr usually adopts defensive tactics when away from home.
Jesus I hope not, as bad as Kilbane is in the middle, he is 10 times worse on the left, also, playing Duff out of position would be insane.

[NeilMcD]

Kilbane was man of the match against France away and one player of the year and played most of the games last yer in the centre so I dont think that he is that bad in the middle. In fact he has become a very important player for Ireland, he is the legs to Keanes experience in midfield. I agree Duff upfront would be stupid also, Morrison is great at holding the ball up and was fantastic for about 35 mins in Paris until taken off.

As has been said before the only decision is does he play Finnan or Reid or O Shea for 2 positions.

Everything else is a formality barring injuries.

[Eirambler]

There's about as much chance of Finnan playing left-back as there was when we were in Basle last September...


Can't believe I forgot about that :o

O'Briens after giving away a penalty against Olympiakos, not sure he touched the guy though

[Closed Account 2]

Andy O'B was unlucky, he did grab the players shirt but for less than half a second, sadly the ref saw it and gave a pen and yellow card, but I think much of that was down to the ref having just given Newcastle a dubious pen (and sending off an Olympiakos player) down the other end so I think he wanted to even it up.

[gustavo]

if i was picking the team id go for
given
carr
finnan
cunningham
o brien
reid
duff
kilbane
keane
morrison
keane

think it more or less picks itself these days which is good

[thejollyrodger]

I agree about the team almost picking itself at the moment bar the left back position possibly. Lets hope no one picks up any injuries and all the players are playing between now and israel.

The only other thing is Kerrs formation and will he be going out for a draw. I think we can get an win without too much trouble and I hope kerr goes for it.

[Littlest Hobo]

Going on present performances, the following lads should be picked.

Given
Carr
Cunningham
Dunne
O 'shea

Finnan
Keane
Kilbane
Duff

Keane
Morisson

Subs: Kenny, O'Brien,Reid, Elliott, Mc Geady

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone have a view on how O'Shea did on Saturday, or was it a non-event by the time he came on? I didn't see it but the papers say he replaced Heinze which suggests he played left-back.

[NeilMcD]

Israel manager Avraham Grant has claimed it will be an unfamiliar Israel team Brian Kerr's Republic of Ireland face on April 26.

Despite being joint-top of World Cup Qualification Group 4 along with Ireland and France, Grant believes that he will have to change his side's formation, and of course some personnel, to counter Ireland.

Although Grant could well have been playing mind games ahead of the game, he insisted that Israel will switch from their traditional 5-3-2 formation to a 5-4-1 formation for the game in the belief that Ireland will attempt to man mark star player Yossi Benayoun.

He also told Israeli press that Ireland’s style is: “a game based on long balls from the centre of the field.”

Grant was speaking after an international get-together for the Israel-based members of his squad on Wednesday as Israel continue their build-up to one of the biggest international games in their history as they look to qualify for the World Cup for the first time.

He will name his full squad for next week’s clash later this week. Kerr, meanwhile, will name his squad for the clash on Tuesday afternoon

[eirebhoy]

He also told Israeli press that Ireland’s style is: “a game based on long balls from the centre of the field.”
good good. :)

[byrnie20]

Yeah agree lets hope he is not using mind games and he belives what he said

[tetsujin1979]

I'd be surprised if the team is different from the one that took to the field against France. The only change that might come in is Andy Reid starting.

[Lionel Ritchie]

good good. :)

:D he rented a mouldy auld video cassette of "the team that Jack built" to get the low-down on us.
I wonder who he'll have marking Cas. :D

[Junior]

O'Brien seems ot have picked up an injury, was not in the squad for Newcastle yesterday. Not sure if he's out for long though.

[eirebhoy]

Aye, Newcastle have no fit centre half's but SSN described O'Brien as a doubt.

[4tothefloor]

I think he'll go for O'Shea at left back, with Finnan Right Midfield. Reid is a liability defensively away from home.

Given

Carr
O'Shea
O'Brien
Cunningham

Finnan
Duff
Keane
Kilbane

Keane
Morrison

SUBS:
Andy Reid
Richard Dunne
Stephen Elliott
Matt Holland
Paddy Kenny

[Green Tribe]

:D he rented a mouldy auld video cassette of "the team that Jack built" to get the low-down on us.
I wonder who he'll have marking Cas. :D


Ha ha, deadly :D

good ol' cas, hope he'll be watching the game, rubbing his old knees. reading his book now. very good read, i have to say.

[Stuttgart88]

O'Brien seems ot have picked up an injury, was not in the squad for Newcastle yesterday. Not sure if he's out for long though.

Interview with Souness said O'Brien's back was stiff getting off the plane from Greece but he should be OK for the return leg this week. If he is fit then Bramble's injury is well timed for us.