TheJamaicanP.M.
03/10/2005, 2:25 PM
I know we've had threads on the same topic in recent weeks but on current form the following is the team that I think Brian Kerr should select against Cyprus:
1. Shay Given
2. Steve Carr 4. Richard Dunne 5. Kenny Cunningham 3. John O'Shea
(captain)
7. Steve Finnan 6. Graham Kavanagh 8. Kevin Kilbane 11. Damien Duff
9. Stephen Elliott 10. Robbie Keane
I think we all agree that the Cypriot team could provide a huge banana skin on Saturday. However, realistically Ireland should be good enough to beat them. The team I named above is comprised of 11 Premiership players. We may have some very ordinary players but I feel that Konstantinou is probably the only Cypriot player that would get into our team. The aforementioned team is one which is based on a combination of current form and experience.
Shay Given: Has been probably the most consistent Irish player so far this season.
Steve Carr: Beginning to find his form again at a club that has been less than convincing.
Richard Dunne: Despite some mistakes recently he is emerging as the the no. 1 Irish central defender. Should have the physical capabilities to mitigate the threat posed by Konstantinou.
Kenny Curringham: He might be slowing down but he will provide the leadership on Saturday. His importance is accentuated in the absence of Keane.
John O'Shea: Has played plenty of football this season, but needs a big performance in the green jersey.
Steve Finnan: Has been struggling in recent weeks but he has tended to play well alongside Carr on the right flank. Will offer additional protection to Graham Kavanagh in the centre of the midfield.
Graham Kavanagh: It is no surprise that Kav's return to action has coincided with Wigan's surge up the Premiership table. Kavanagh will relish a place at the heart of the Irish midfield on Saturday. Flawless passer of the ball, good vision and real aggression, Kav has for many years been the Nationwide League equivalent of Roy Keane. While he may be stepping into the boots of a man who is irreplaceable, Kavanagh offers additional qualities such as his set-piece delivery. Furthermore, the pace with which the Cypriots play at is tailor-made for Kav to dictate the pace of the game.
Kevin Kilbane: Like most of his Everton team-mates, Kilbane's form has been poor this season. He looks somewhat jaded after the exertions of last season. Nonetheless, Kilbane has huge international experience and has rarely let Ireland down. Even if Kilbane can run himself to exhaustion for 70 minutes, we can replace him with Steven Reid to contribute a similar high-energy game from midfield.
Damien Duff: Some may be casting doubt over the Duffer's flair but this is a game that Duff may cut loose in. Away from the public glare of Lansdowne and on a large pitch, Duff may find the space to take Cyprus to the cleaners.
Stephen Elliott: I've never been convinced by Elliott. As far as I'm concerned the jury is still out on him. Nonethelesss, I have been quite impressed with him this season. He's played more football for Sunderland than I thought he would. On Saturday evening against West Ham I thought he put in a very good performance. He worked very hard and held the ball up well. Indeed he was unlucky not to score. I also thought he provided an excellent cameo performance against Italy when he was sprung from the bench in the August friendly. Physically, I've often felt that Elliott appears to be a boy amonst men. However, the Cypriot defence tends to be quite loose-marking. Elliott could take advantage of this and run them ragged.
Robbie Keane: Hasn't played enough football this season but should be quite confident after scoring twice in recent weeks. One common denominator in all his games since the France match is his hunger and determination. Even away to Grimsby and despite the criticism he received, I felt that his mind was on football. It may be that Keane has a point to prove after the criticism he received in the aftermath of the Lillygate episode.
1. Shay Given
2. Steve Carr 4. Richard Dunne 5. Kenny Cunningham 3. John O'Shea
(captain)
7. Steve Finnan 6. Graham Kavanagh 8. Kevin Kilbane 11. Damien Duff
9. Stephen Elliott 10. Robbie Keane
I think we all agree that the Cypriot team could provide a huge banana skin on Saturday. However, realistically Ireland should be good enough to beat them. The team I named above is comprised of 11 Premiership players. We may have some very ordinary players but I feel that Konstantinou is probably the only Cypriot player that would get into our team. The aforementioned team is one which is based on a combination of current form and experience.
Shay Given: Has been probably the most consistent Irish player so far this season.
Steve Carr: Beginning to find his form again at a club that has been less than convincing.
Richard Dunne: Despite some mistakes recently he is emerging as the the no. 1 Irish central defender. Should have the physical capabilities to mitigate the threat posed by Konstantinou.
Kenny Curringham: He might be slowing down but he will provide the leadership on Saturday. His importance is accentuated in the absence of Keane.
John O'Shea: Has played plenty of football this season, but needs a big performance in the green jersey.
Steve Finnan: Has been struggling in recent weeks but he has tended to play well alongside Carr on the right flank. Will offer additional protection to Graham Kavanagh in the centre of the midfield.
Graham Kavanagh: It is no surprise that Kav's return to action has coincided with Wigan's surge up the Premiership table. Kavanagh will relish a place at the heart of the Irish midfield on Saturday. Flawless passer of the ball, good vision and real aggression, Kav has for many years been the Nationwide League equivalent of Roy Keane. While he may be stepping into the boots of a man who is irreplaceable, Kavanagh offers additional qualities such as his set-piece delivery. Furthermore, the pace with which the Cypriots play at is tailor-made for Kav to dictate the pace of the game.
Kevin Kilbane: Like most of his Everton team-mates, Kilbane's form has been poor this season. He looks somewhat jaded after the exertions of last season. Nonetheless, Kilbane has huge international experience and has rarely let Ireland down. Even if Kilbane can run himself to exhaustion for 70 minutes, we can replace him with Steven Reid to contribute a similar high-energy game from midfield.
Damien Duff: Some may be casting doubt over the Duffer's flair but this is a game that Duff may cut loose in. Away from the public glare of Lansdowne and on a large pitch, Duff may find the space to take Cyprus to the cleaners.
Stephen Elliott: I've never been convinced by Elliott. As far as I'm concerned the jury is still out on him. Nonethelesss, I have been quite impressed with him this season. He's played more football for Sunderland than I thought he would. On Saturday evening against West Ham I thought he put in a very good performance. He worked very hard and held the ball up well. Indeed he was unlucky not to score. I also thought he provided an excellent cameo performance against Italy when he was sprung from the bench in the August friendly. Physically, I've often felt that Elliott appears to be a boy amonst men. However, the Cypriot defence tends to be quite loose-marking. Elliott could take advantage of this and run them ragged.
Robbie Keane: Hasn't played enough football this season but should be quite confident after scoring twice in recent weeks. One common denominator in all his games since the France match is his hunger and determination. Even away to Grimsby and despite the criticism he received, I felt that his mind was on football. It may be that Keane has a point to prove after the criticism he received in the aftermath of the Lillygate episode.