Ireland v Switzerland - Pre-match discussion

[thejollyrodger]

Well we got the three points tonight by hook or by crook as Brady would say. Hardly a convincing win by any strectch of the imagination. Still Cyprus didnt lie down for any side that went there and it was only a factor of match fitness that got Switzerland those two late goals. We never did well away from home so Im just glad for the three points.

Israel have just beaten the Faroe Island 2-1 and France have just taken the lead against Switzerland. So it looks like we are fighting for a play off place next wednesday unless switzerland make a big come back which seems unlikely.

I think a defeat with the Swiss would be a bigger boost for ireland than a win for them. I dont think we could ever beat them by more than 2 goals to top the group. A one goal victory would be enough to hope for. The play off's are a complete lottery though.

Our main concerns for Wednesday are Duff and maybe Kilbane but hopefully the swiss have a few booking and they dont have Hakin Yakin.

[Baker]

I understand the Swiss didnt pick up any suspensions this evening. Is this correct?

[Colbert Report]

Ireland are currently -150 at the bookies to win the match. Unreal. I think we'd be lucky to beat the top beer league team from Switzerland after todays performance.

[Colbert Report]

Assuming Kilbane and Duff are out


Irelands line up will probably look like this:

Shay Given

S Carr K Cunningham R Dunne I Harte

S Finnan G Kavanaugh A Reid J O'Shea

C Morrison R Keane


subs: M Holland, S Reid, G Doherty, S Elliott, D Connolly

[tricky_colour]

Ireland are currently -150 at the bookies to win the match. Unreal. I think we'd be lucky to beat the top beer league team from Switzerland after todays performance.


I haven't got a clue what -150 means I doubt anyone else has either.

[skbio_toronto]

Sorry man. Don't think the midfield four will look anything like that. For my money both Holland and Steven Reid made cases for their inclusion on Wednesday. Not saying they were outstanding. But they certainly competed alot more than messrs Finnan and Duff. Kilbane is out for the game. Did I miss something. Assuming he is out Kerr may well go with.

Given

Carr Dunne Cunningham O' Shea (Would dearly love to see him replaced personally, but can we really trust Ian Harte:eek:)

S. Reid Kavanagh Holland A. Reid

Keane Morrison

I for one, reckon Holland was an improvement in midfield there today.

[Qwerty]

Yes Holland did make an impact, the slating of Holland on this board has been over the top. I was disappointed with Kavanagh today but I know he can do better on Wednesday, so Holland-Kavanagh is the most probable line-up.

I'm disappointed that Alan Quinn is not in the squad, I don't think there is much between Steven Reid and Quinn, though Quinnis definitely a more positive and creative player. Reid's passing has always been too square but I do like his physical style.

[Colbert Report]

-150 is the same as 1.66 or 2/3

it's american style pricing, much more convenient than decimal or fractional odds. one of the few things the americans have gotten right.

[Colbert Report]

a draw is 5/2 or +250
a swiss win is 10/3 or +333

kapiche?

[Fergie's Son]

Even if fit, Kilbane should not play on Wednesday. He was atrocious. Reid can compensate for him on kick-outs.

We're going to lose to the Swiss on Wednesday and lose badly.

[oconghc2]

Even if fit, Kilbane should not play on Wednesday. He was atrocious. Reid can compensate for him on kick-outs.

We're going to lose to the Swiss on Wednesday and lose badly.

thats the spirit!!!!

dont think we'll lose badly - would predict a draw more than anything - the swiss are no great shakes. this has been discussed to death i know!!

youll watch the game then Fergies son??? enjoy it!

[Fergie's Son]

My mood or attitude (good or bad) won't make a difference.

Of course I'll watch the match! I've been at 3 of the matches in this qualification series despite living in the US.

It just that I have seen nothing to suggest that we are good enough to beat the Swiss or even score on them.

Kerr insists on playing Kilbane. We have little to no creativity. Where are the goals going to come from? We can't defend so the Swiss are likely to sore. It just does not augur well. I tend to trust the money-people as well, the bookies and they are not at all positive.

[tricky_colour]

a draw is 5/2 or +250
a swiss win is 10/3 or +333

kapiche?

Well thanks for that, I didn't mean to be rude but I have never understood
how such prices work, seems to be the winnings from a 100 point stake,
where the 100 is figure plucked out of the air.
Also the -150 is particularly obscure, 66 would have made more sense (I think).I can't say its any better than fractional odds like 7/4 5-1 4/5 rtc..
Anyway regardless of their merits most people here will simply not understand them. I didn't and I am more familiar with such things tthan most.

[Kevin77]

Assuming Kilbane and Duff are out


Irelands line up will probably look like this:

Shay Given

S Carr K Cunningham R Dunne I Harte

S Finnan G Kavanaugh A Reid J O'Shea

C Morrison R Keane


subs: M Holland, S Reid, G Doherty, S Elliott, D Connolly

That's what the team will probably look like or what u would like the team to look like?

I've can't remember Kerr ever playing O'Shea as left midfielder. It's highly unlikely he'll play Andy Reid in the centre too. Let's assume that we go with your train of thought and Kilbane and Duff are unavailable. Let's also follow the usual Kerr selection policy (conservative) and this is what I' would expect:

Given
Carr Cunningham Dunne O'Shea

Finnan Holland Kavanagh A.Reid


Keane Morrison


Subs: Kenny, O'Brien, S.Reid, Elliott, Connolly

[Colbert Report]

the only difference in our two teams is you have holland in instead of Harte.

you're probably right though

[thejollyrodger]

thats really bad odds for us at home. I dont think the Swiss will beat us Wednesday but I can really envisage a victory for us either. We are so crap its incredible. A draw is probably a more likely outcome. I really dont know how we are going to grap all three points at home :S

Personally I am thinking of dropping O Shea for Hearte. I used to think Josh was the better option but the more I see him the more I realise he is useless and a liability. At least hearte can pick out a man with a pass and can score from set peices.

[brine3]

I'd go for:

Given

Carr - Dunne - O'Brien - Finnan

S Reid - Kavanagh - O'Shea - A Reid

Robbie - Clinton

With Elliott coming on for the knackered Clinton after 60 mins or so.

I think we missed O'Briens calmness in defence (he almost always plays the ball along the ground out of defence instead of lashing it) and to be honest Kenny C looks increasingly past it.

[shakermaker1982]

I agree Brine, I'd drop Kenny. He looks old and out of form. My ideal team would be this.....

Given

Carr O' Brien Dunne O Shea

S Reid Holland Kavanagh A Reid

Clinton R Keane

[B1977]

Ireland will win,there was alot of pressure on ireland against cyprus.cyprus had nothing to lose.
wednesday will have 2 teams needing to win playing against each other and france needing to win.
ireland will do it

[thejollyrodger]

I wouldnt drop kenny until after this world cup, wherever we end up, be it next wednesday or next July. Dunne and O Brien are incredibly bad at making mistakes. At least Kenny tries to give some leadership.


Should Elliott get the start instead of clinton with clint coming on later ? Elliott is playing at a higher level and has scored in the last game and seems to work ok with robbie. Plus Eliott runs all afternoon.


I would start with the following : -

Given

Carr Cunningham Dunne O'Shea

Finnan Holland Kavanagh A.Reid

Keane Elliott

With Morrision coming on if things dont work out or Connolly. Finnan to start since Duffer is injured. S.Ried coming on for him if things dont work out there.

Ive slated Mr Invisible for being Mr Invisible on so many games but he did seem to bring a slight semblences of stability to the midfield so he should start instead of either Kavanagh or Kilbane.

[jbyrne]

i cant understand why o'brien was dropped from the team. he came on at ht against italy and our defence was miles better in the second half. what has he done wrong?? he should be brought in on wednesday. have to agree about cunningham looking off the pace but his leadership qualities, although not evident last night, would be badly missed

[bohysingreen]

here will be no need to drop Kenny Cinninghamh after this campaign
he has made it clear a long time ago that this will be his last campaign
the swiss game on Wednesday will very likely be his last for Ireland

[Irish_Praha]

It was obvious something was up with the CB pairing last night and I don't think it was all down to Cunningham. Although Dunne seems to be playing well for his club and is potentially a much better player I haven't heard much about O'Brien at Pompey, which has to be good because if he was making bad mistakes every week we'd know all about it. In the 3 recent games Dunne has played the Italians ran us ragged, he could of arguably closed Henry down a bit quicker for the goal in the French game and he gave away a clear-cut penalty last night. O'Brien has don't nothing wrong and our defence was much more solid when he came on against Italy. He and Cunningham have a great record together and I think he should be brought back for the Swiss game. In a 4-4-2, just like the striking pair, the CB pair work much better when they have a good understanding and does not always work best if you pair the best individual players. Dunne will get his chance again after Kenny retires.

[concanta]

when will there be news about duff although i am not holding out much hope

[superfrank]

I heard he has a jarred knee. And will miss the Swiss match.

[Baker]

Interesting article here about the mindset of both the Swiss and the French after last nights results:

From http://football.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,14546,-5332069,00.html

Faltering France now need a favour from Ireland
By Pierre Serisier
PARIS, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Frustrated France are relying on Ireland to do them a favour when the teams play their respective final World Cup qualifiers in the extraordinarily close European Group Four on Wednesday.
The French, held to a disappointing 1-1 draw in Bern on Saturday, now need to beat Cyprus in their last outing in Paris but will top the group only if the Swiss do not win in Dublin.
Ireland, beaten at home by France last month, can finish second with victory - or still take the group in the French unexpectedly slip. Even Israel are still in with an outside chance, though they need France to lose.
France led through a 51st-minute Djibril goal but were pegged back when Ludovic Magnin's free kick flew in off the head of French defender Lilian Thuram 11 minutes from time to spark a late Swiss surge that had the 1998 world champions clinging on.
Coach Raymond Domenech, visibly upset by the result, said that "nothing is over yet" but knows his proteges do not have their destiny in their hands anymore.
After failing to snatch the win they were chasing to secure a direct berth for the next year's event in Germany the atmosphere in the French camp is low.
"It was really gloomy in the changing rooms," said goalkeeper Gregory Coupet after the game. "It's obviously a bad result for us.
"We came here to win and we ended up with a rather lucky draw. This is frustrating," he said.
Infuriated defender William Gallas refused to speak after the game other than to say he was not in a mood to answer any questions.
"We hoped to play much better," Coupet added. "We were not good tonight. There is no reason for us to celebrate. Now we have to beat Cyprus, knowing that it may not be enough."
To finish at the top of Group Four France have to hope Switzerland do not repeat the feat they achieved when they qualified for the 2004 European championship.
TIRED ZIDANE
"We won there (in Ireland) two years ago," said defender Ludovic Magnin, who scored a late equaliser for his side on Saturday. "There is no reason that we can't do it again.
"We, the little Swiss, are not going to let us gobbled up easily. We don't even want to think about finishing second," he said. "We are only aiming at the top spot."
If the Swiss win at Lansdowne Road, France would have to score four more than their rivals to overhaul them on goal-difference after drawing both their head to head games.
Such a performance, even against Cyprus, seems very unlikely for a French team plagued by injuries and who are having to cope with a tired Zinedine Zidane and who have managed just 10 goals so far and five of those against the Faroe Islands.
France have not reached a World Cup finals via group qualification since 1986 when they were led by inspirational number 10 Michel Platini.
Now, they have only two days to recover and to prepare for the a do-or-die outing.
"We are going to rest for the next two days," Domenech said. "We will start to prepare for the game from Tuesday. We will have to be a good shape because we will need to score goals."
France, on an unbeaten run of 14 matches, are still to win at the Stade de France since Domenech was appointed in July 2004.
"The match against Cyprus is sold out," he said. "I hope that we will be able to count on a support like the Swiss were given by their fans."

[Papa Zulu]

Was none too impressed at all last night, shocking perforamance, we were on the back foot all the time, didn't see the stats, but regardless of the score, we were hammered.
Fair play to Cyprus, they were on fire, God knows what might have happened had Shaybo not been on form..... The swiss held the French twice which was more than we could do, even the Israelis....I don't know that we are actually worthy of a place in the finals. If we beat the Swiss it'll be nothing short of a miracle, at the end of the day, if we can't we don't deserve to go to Germany.

The quality in the squad is dwindling big time, but from whats available I'd probably go with

Given

Carr Cunningham OBrien Harte

Finnan Holland OShea Reid


Elliott Morrison


As far as I'm concerned, Duff is no loss, he hasn't performed for Ireland as long as I can recall, and Keane is below par aswell, Have him as a super sub, if things aren't looking good at half time, switch to 4-3-3 with Keane also up front.

[thejollyrodger]

SIZE> small | medium | large

Duff injury a worry for Kerr ahead of final clash with Switzerland
09/10/2005 - 14:34:02

Damien Duff is a major doubt for Wednesday's final World Cup qualifier against Switzerland at Lansdowne Road.

The Chelsea winger hobbled off the pitch during Ireland's slender 1-0 win over Cyprus last night, and now needs a scan to determine the seriousness of the injury.

A win over the Swiss would see Brian Kerr's men gain at least a World Cup play-off place.

Meanwhile, England are automatically through as the best-placed European runner-up.

Togo, Angola, the Ivory Coast, and Ghana all qualified last night for their first ever World Cup.
http://breaking.tcm.ie/2005/10/09/story224587.html

They dont say whats wrong with him but i think its not good.

[The Bit O'Red]

Quick question guys, I'm a bit hazy on this one. Assuming that France beat Cyprus, if Ireland draw with Switerland who gets the play-off place, the Swiss or Israel? What I'm basically getting at is do the Swiss have to come to Lansdowne looking for all 3 points or will a draw do them? Thanks.

[Baker]

Quick question guys, I'm a bit hazy on this one. Assuming that France beat Cyprus, if Ireland draw with Switerland who gets the play-off place, the Swiss or Israel? What I'm basically getting at is do the Swiss have to come to Lansdowne looking for all 3 points or will a draw do them? Thanks.

This would see the Swiss in the play-offs

[Qwerty]

I would be tempted to make 3 changes in the back 4 but would hold off on replacing Carr with Finnan. The other option would be to replace O'Shea with Finnan, but Harte should be up for this game I think and his dead ball skills are a definite plus. Dunne loses out narrowly to O'Brien.

Given

Carr Cunningham O'Brien Harte

Holland made his case ( not a strong one ) against Cyprus and I have never understood Finnan playing in midfield for Ireland or Liverpool, certainly not in a home game - Reid is a better option and he could always thump in a goal. I am assuming Duff is injured, it is an uninspiring midfield, I feel Kerr has been remiss in not giving more time to Alan Quinn:

S.Reid Kavanagh Holland A.Reid

I feel like dropping Robbie but will stick with him

Keane Morrison


It is essentail to play up-tempo and take the game to the Swiss, if we score first we have to work even harder than before, we cannot give them time or space. We have to be physical.

[jbyrne]

and Keane is below par aswell, Have him as a super sub, if things aren't looking good at half time, switch to 4-3-3 with Keane also up front.

unfortunately he would most likely just sulk and make little impact when brought on. i cant believe that no-one has grabbed this lad by the collar and told him whats what long ago. seems to spend most of his time falling over and complaining to the ref. terrible waste

[mountie]

We need the win more than the Swiss as a draw will get them into the Play-offs. Therefore we should be the aggresive attacking side on Wednesday. My team would be Given
Carr Dunne O'Brien O'Shea
Holland Kavanagh A Reid
Keane
Morrison Elliott
Playing Keane in front of our midfield supporting the front 2 is his best position IMO. Its an attack minded formation and one Ireland should always adopt at home.

[concanta]

Fair enough to the swiss they got a good result against the french and they have a good record against us in the last few years....thats a fact BUT
they are missing their 'roy keane' hakin yakin who scored in the last 3 games against us.... I do notice they have got a few decent young players but decent at best not world beaters. I know we are missing our 2 best players on paper but as its been stated duff is NOT on form recently and I think he would of been marked out of the game anyway.

When they beat us before we were in a shambles - no direction and clueless.
After saturdays result we are like that BUT or performances so far in group have in general been good with the odd ( but expensive) lapses here and there. I think its very 50/50 for this game

In my opinion our one truly world class player has to have another stormer in goal......and the midfield needs to turn up, graft and fight for everything. It will not be pretty but f*ck pretty.....get stuck in from minute 1 and maybe just maybe miracles can happen....I have a feeling we might do it but i am an optimist

[Unreal Madrid]

I hope we do but I cant see us beating the swiss on Wednesday. It must be a case of us looking for a 1 0 win which would get us into the play offs where we have such a great record (cant we fix it so we get someone from outside Europe again :) )

I think, even though it wont happen, robbie should be on the bench.

Elliot has bags of confidence, has come off a good Faroes match with a match winner in Cyprus and should start. It makes since to have Robbie come off the bench. Clinton has played regularly at Palace and is match fit, unlike Keane who has played f**k all this season. Would like to see him come off the bench (which is practically what he has done this year and scored winners). I think he would be a big impact in the last 30 mins rather than over 90.

[brine3]

Mountie, I'd go with that team except I'd drop the invisible man for Steven Reid.

[mountie]

Brine3, glad to here it you can be my Chris Hughton anytime. HEH HEH

[Kingdom]

Well well well. Where to start? First time in God knows how long I watched a match without any booze in the system and that made things worse.

The back four were poor. There have been countless times on this board where Andy O'Brien has been slated over supposed lapses in concentration and the cause of Richard Dune championed to death. But tell me this: How many mistakes has Andy O'Brien made in this campaign? I don't think he has made any. Dunne on the other hand has played the last three games, has been brutal in two (incl being subbed at h/t in one) and was arguably at fault for Henry's goal (yes I know it was magic but he did back off and didn't close him down).

John O'Shea has been discussed to death. everyone knows he should be dropped. It's his position and who should replace him that should be debated. It's between Harte and Finnan and I'd like to see Finnan tried there. He is out of position on the RHM. People can say what they want about Harte's ability from the set-piece but we have Andy Reid and he is the best player ever to play for Ireland and he is left footed too so we don't need Hartey.

In midfield KK's time is up. He was brutal and its lucky that Reid is available. Kav was poor but then again he didn't have a partner for an hour. Hopefully he will improve against the Swiss.

I'd like to see Stevie Reid given a chance. He's a big pacy lad and he might be just what we need on Weds.

Can't believe I'm gonna say this but Holland really steadied the ship. I and many others had felt he was poor since the WC 2002 but he relaly held us together on Sat when he came on. To start in place of Kilbane imho.

As for the front two? Can you drop your best outfield player from Sat, a player full of confidence who scored our only goal and looked lively generally? I don't think we can.
I do think Robbie can and should be dropped but I don't see it happening.

Pick 2 from Elliot, Keane, and Morrison. I bet BK will pick the incorrect two.

Also, David Connolly looked exceptionally interested when he came on and made a mockery of Keane's efforts for the 8 mins or so he was on the pitch

[Dotsy]

My team would be


Given

Finnan Cunningham OBrien Harte

S. Reid Holland Kavanagh A. Reid


Elliott Morrison

Most contentious decision would be to drop Robbie. Elliott has to play and Morrison has more first team football lately than Robbie. Also I have never seen Morrison give less than 100% for Ireland.

[elroy]

Tbh lads, we all know Kerr is neither going to drop O'Shea or Keane and in fairness Keane is our top scorer and is due a big game so prob right to leave him there. Kilbane prob should be dropped but bar an injury he wont, he's just not the same in midfield w/o Roy.
Kerrs team imo will be:
Given
Carr, Dunne, Cunningham, O'Shea
Finnan, Kavanagh, Kilbane, Reid,
Morrison, Keane

I for one think Stevie Reid should start on the right but i cant see Kerr making too many changes, also Harte should be worth a risk, even if just for his set piece deliveries.

[thejollyrodger]

Id say it will be

Given
Carr, Dunne, Cunningham, O'Shea
Finnan, Holland, Kilbane, Reid,
Morrison, Keane

Kerr is never going to drop keane on wednesday. Neither is he going to drop Josh. He will probably try to bring in some stability and go with Mattie holland. He did play well when he came on against Cyprus.

[finlma]

Id say it will be

Given
Carr, Dunne, Cunningham, O'Shea
Finnan, Holland, Kilbane, Reid,
Morrison, Keane

Kerr is never going to drop keane on wednesday. Neither is he going to drop Josh. He will probably try to bring in some stability and go with Mattie holland. He did play well when he came on against Cyprus.

I'd go with the same but put S. Reid in for Kilbane. He's lost his confidence and doesn't warrant a place on the team.

[Dotsy]

Tbh lads, we all know Kerr is neither going to drop O'Shea or Keane and in fairness Keane is our top scorer and is due a big game so prob right to leave him there. Kilbane prob should be dropped but bar an injury he wont, he's just not the same in midfield w/o Roy.
Kerrs team imo will be:
Given
Carr, Dunne, Cunningham, O'Shea
Finnan, Kavanagh, Kilbane, Reid,
Morrison, Keane

I for one think Stevie Reid should start on the right but i cant see Kerr making too many changes, also Harte should be worth a risk, even if just for his set piece deliveries.

I like the man but if he puts that team out on Wednesday he will rightly be slaughtered if we don't get a win. O' Brien hasn't let us down once so far and should be in for Dunne who has made a few costly mistakes.. O Shea has done nothing but let us down is every match played. At least Harte has scored. We have to stop playing players out of position. That means it's either Harte or O' Shea. No contest in my opinion. Finnan or Carr as right full. I would opt for Finnan but there is not much between them. I think Finnan offers more going forward but his position is not RM. S. Reid deserves his chance IMO. Kilbane is not a central midfielder and has been lost in that position especially without R. Keane alongside him. Holland is definately the better choice as evidenced on Sat night. As I said in a previous post Robbie should be dropped and Morrission to partner Elliott. He is getting more first team action than Robbie and has played better than him in the last few matches.

[Stuttgart88]

It'll be interesting to see how the Swiss approach the game. A 1-0 win for them will win them the group unless France beats Cyprus by 5.

Funny, but their big result at the start against faroes could well be the clincher for them.

Based on Saturday's performance we haven't a prayer. But as a fan I'm always optimistic & reckon there could be a big big night ahead on Wednesday.

[Stuttgart88]

Some things learnt from Sturday:

It looks like O'Brien works better with Cunningham than Dunne

Kilbane's time in CM must have gone by now. Having two central midfielders in central midfield made a huge difference I thought.

I maintain that Finnan at RB & Carr RHM would be a better use of the two. Contrary to Dion Fanning ("Ireland lost all creativity when Duff went off" - did we? I thought we never had any creativity) I thought Steve Reid did OK. At least he got stuck in on occasion.

[keenanboy]

Just back from Cyprus, an i'm an etarnal optimist...but I have a bad feeling about Wednesday that I can't shake off. Shay Given who was fantastic on Sat night can't keep them out forever, and said that we'd have the lansdowne roar behind them on weds. Funny that, the seemed to have it behind them in Nicosia and did nothing. Some changes must be made, we need to go for the jugular, none of this careful sh1te we're sick of it. Finnan was shcoking on saturday, Kilbane looks like he won't make it but thats not a bad thing as holland should start.

I know i might get shot down for saying this, but if i were Kerr i would start Ian Harte at left back. What we need is some quality balls whipped into their box regularly, and if a free kick within range is won there's no better man. I'm probably Hartes worst critic but for once Kerr needs to roll the dice or he'll be out on his backside.

[Donal81]

I couldn't believe how quiet Duff was. How many times did he touch the ball? He didn't seem interested, didn't seem to show for it, not that O'Shea was giving him much. Steven Reid seemed hungry, at least, when he came on. Himself and Elliot seemed the only ones that were up for it apart from the wonderful Shay, of course.

I don't know what has happened Damien Duff over the last few performances. He's a world class player, what's he afraid of? He could walk around those Cypriot players if he wanted to, what was troubling him? Fair play to the Cypriots but their defenders are several classes below Duff and they played him out of the game.

[Stuttgart88]

Given
Carr-Cunningham-O'Brien-Harte
A. Reid- Holland-S.Reid-Kilbane
Morrisson-Keane

I share everyone's dissatisfaction with Robbie's performances & attitude recently but it's not yet the time to drop him. There just isn't the quality or experience to take such a risk.

Dropping Elliott will be harsh but he can come off the bench if necessary.

Dunne & O'Shea were too careless on Saturday. Each deserves to be dropped. Dunne has made mistakes in each of his last 3 games now. Cunningham & O'Brien have been proven to be solid & composed together. O'Brien in particular was outstanding in the last game against the Swiss.

Kilbane's days as a CM have to be over. But he can offer something direct out wide in Duff's absence & can protect Harte on the LHS. With Harte you're always exposed to the diagonal long ball that caught O'Shea out in Cyprus, but my gut feeling is that despite his faults the side is better balanced with Harte. My only caveat in picking Harte is that I'm not sure he has played any football this season yet.

At least you'd expect S. Reid & Kilbane to offer something physical and committed to the cause.


I think I'd have Paddy Kenny, Finnan, Kavanagh, Doyle (Kevin, not Keith as Tom Humphreys called him), Elliott, Connolly & Doc (yes, for that obvious reason) on the bench, though I haven't given this much thought.

I wish Alan McLoughlin was still playing!

[elroy]

Im not sure Harte is the saviour that alot of saying here, although I do feel he is worth a shot on Wed.
Up front I would like to see a bit more movement from our strikers, its something that has being lacking since the Italy game.
in fairness to morrison he is usually quite good at making runs, albeit not often the right one. Connolly came on for 8 mins on sat and did more running off the ball than keane did in the previous 82. I think the substitution on sat might give Robbie the kick up the arse he needs. We are too predictable up front and bringing on GD is not the answer.

[Noelys Guitar]

I've changed my mind and now believe we are going to beat the Swiss on Wednesday night. We will never play as badly again as we did on Saturday night. Don't overlook the effects of the French game on the Swiss. Their arrogance doesn't match their football ability. I would stick with most of the starting line-up as Kerr chose on Saturday. Kavanagh is a better player than the lookalike who turned up in Cyprus. He has a big game in him. The Swiss out muscled us in the last game (just watched it again last night) and he has to play. A. Reid straight swap for Duff. S. Reid and Finnan. Kibane has to go. Finnan like Cunningham and Dunne are much better players than they showed on Saturday. o'shea and Carr are O'shea and Carr who knows? Keane will score and must play I don't care how many songs hes murdered or which hack hes ****ed off. Elliot or Morrison is the toughest one. I would stay with Elliot for this one..Score 3-1..I don't expect any nerves from this team as they have nothing to lose at this stage. The Swiss think they are already in Germany and have everything to lose. I believe the speech by Cunningham yesterday was the right one and showed some real leadership.

Team
Given
Carr Dunne Cunningham O'shea
Finnan S.Reid kavangh A.Reid
Keane Elliot