The people that didnt make the squad

[bwagner]

People what about the poor guys who were left out ahead of a 16 year old boy ( quality or not)

David Connolly
Glen Crowe
Kennedy
Carsley
ARE THEIR INTERNATIONAL DAYS OVER??????

[FarBeag]

if you are referring to these four i would say yes and by some distance as well.

[frankbrett]

Lee Trundle
Micky Evans
Wille John Boland
Owen Coyle

[joema]

Lee Trundle
Micky Evans
Wille John Boland
Owen Coyle

Micky Evans!!!! - you must be joking
Owen Coyle!!! - Are you for real???
Willie Boland is nowhere near good enough either

[cavan_fan]

Would be disappointed if Carsley was finished. We have a real shortage of his type of player, tough central midfield ball winners. (Always liked Moyes' comment that when Real Madrid signed Gravesen as a ball winner, they must have got him mixed up with Carsley) He's probably got 2 yeas left in him and he is a fairly regular premiership starter when fit. If he can fill in for the next few years then we can give the likes of Garvan etc time to grow into the role. I for one would not object to a Carley-reid Central Midfield.

We only have 20-30 players to realistically choose from, each should be protected as much as possible. There's a great temptation here to jump onto the latest bandwagon assuming these players to be world beaters, then when we are disappointed we turn against them (e.g. O'Shea, Connolly, Andy Reid) etc). Hard to blieve but there was a time when these boards woudl have been full of people saying we must pick Kilbane/Breen/Carsley/Holland etc (though that may have been before electrification, never mind the Internet)

[frankbrett]

If Barnsley go up then McPhail could come back into the reckoning

[pete]

I for one would not object to a Carley-reid Central Midfield.


Good job you are not the manager thewn :eek:

[frankbrett]

Stephen Carr is on holidays, right?

[OwlsFan]

Stephen Carr is on holidays, right?

He was told by Stan he's see him for the Dutch game.

[frankbrett]

He was told by Stan he's see him for the Dutch game.


Do we really need him when we have Finnan & O'Brien
He was poor in the last qualifying campaign and hasn't been the same since his serious injury.

[drummerboy]

What about Rory Delap?

[frankbrett]

What about Rory Delap?


too old, too much of a journeyman

if players outside the premiership are to be included it is better that they are up and coming

[cavan_fan]

Good job you are not the manager thewn :eek:


SO which players that are available would you play this year in Central Midfield?
Reid +
O'Shea?
Kavanagh?
Kilbane?
Miller?

[pete]

SO which players that are available would you play this year in Central Midfield?
Reid +
O'Shea?
Kavanagh?
Kilbane?
Miller?

All of them ahead of Carsley.

[cavan_fan]

So you'd pick Liam Miller (lightweight, incapabale of tackling, considered one of Fergies worst buys and there is real competition there) ahead of a player who most people believe was a large part in Everton's 04/05 season and could actually install a bit of bite?

[pete]

So you'd pick Liam Miller (lightweight, incapabale of tackling, considered one of Fergies worst buys and there is real competition there) ahead of a player who most people believe was a large part in Everton's 04/05 season and could actually install a bit of bite?

Yes. I am sure i could find another few players ahead of Fester if i wanted to. he offers nothing we don't already have & youth not on his side.

[pineapple stu]

Did Carsley ask not to be considered because he missed most of the season through injury and wanted to concentrate on getting fit before returning to the international fold?

Wouldn't have a problem with him in central-mid myself. Though at the moment, I'd prefer Reid and Kavanagh.

[frankbrett]

So you'd pick Liam Miller (lightweight, incapabale of tackling, considered one of Fergies worst buys and there is real competition there) ahead of a player who most people believe was a large part in Everton's 04/05 season and could actually install a bit of bite?


his woeful penalty concession against Turkey, his sabbatical from the international scene and his lack of creativity would be the reasons I'm happy to see him out of the squad

[pineapple stu]

Oh no - he conceded a penalty!!! Heaven forbid.

Surely he's more of a holding mid rather than a creative mid? You may as well get Given out of the squad because he's not creative.

[frankbrett]

Oh no - he conceded a penalty!!! Heaven forbid.

Surely he's more of a holding mid rather than a creative mid? You may as well get Given out of the squad because he's not creative.

The argument was whether to select Carsley or Miller.
Since 1 midfield slot will surely go to S Reid/Killer or John O'Shea it would make sense to have a player who can pick a pass as another midfield option.

Both Carsley and Miller have had average enough international careers but I'd have the latter in the squad due to his greater long-term potential and the fact that he is one of the few relatively experienced 'creative' central midfielders we have.

[pineapple stu]

Would have thought Reid would have met your bill for someone who can pick out a pass?

Don't want to see O'Shea anywhere near centre-mid - we're not that stuck. Suppose playing Carsley will depend on who he's playing alongside.

[frankbrett]

Would have thought Reid would have met your bill for someone who can pick out a pass?

Don't want to see O'Shea anywhere near centre-mid - we're not that stuck. Suppose playing Carsley will depend on who he's playing alongside.

I presume O'Shea won't be starting many games at OT next year so unless he plays at left back he could struggle to make the Ireland team

I think S Reid should start in the middle as he can tackle, shoot and get around the pitch though he touch isn't great.
His partner would depend on the formation and the opposition.
Not Carsley though!!

[pete]

All midfielders need to be able to run, pass & tackle. Saying 1 players role is to tackle & others to pass is naive.

[frankbrett]

yes but can they do all these skills at a high level?
player A may be better at passing and shooting while player B may be better at tackling and breaking up play.
Gerrard and Lampard haven't always functioned as a partnership as neither are willing to sit in a holding role.
The Liverpool midfield of the mid 1990s were all good ball players but lacked bite in the tackle, whereas the Houllier era Liverpool midfield was strong but lacked creativity.
A midfield of two Fabregas' or two Makalele's would not be as ideal of a combination of the two.
It is rare that midfielders are proficient in all areas of the game so if you are picking two in the middle you should ensure that at least one of them provides defensive cover and one is creative.

[cavan_fan]

It is rare that midfielders are proficient in all areas of the game so if you are picking two in the middle you should ensure that at least one of them provides defensive cover and one is creative.


Agree completely and in terms of the defensive midfielder I can only suggest Carsley or Kavanagh at the moment. O'Shea oddly for a defender is not a great ball winner and I'd like Reid (S) to have the ability to go forward.

[youngirish]

I'd give O'Brien, Ireland and Garvan all a go in a friendly to see how they do ahead of both Miller and Carsley in Central Midfield who we all know are very average at best. These players look like they at least could turn out to be top players - the other two never will be (I'd throw O'Shea into the Miller Carsley bracket aswell though I know I'll get a load of stick because he's got a few games for United recently and people seem to forget how sh*t he's been for Ireland).

[frankbrett]

I'd give O'Brien, Ireland and Garvan all a go in a friendly to see how they do ahead of both Miller and Carsley in Central Midfield who we all know are very average at best. These players look like they at least could turn out to be top players - the other two never will be (I'd throw O'Shea into the Miller Carsley bracket aswell though I know I'll get a load of stick because he's got a few games for United recently and people seem to forget how sh*t he's been for Ireland).

but for Ireland he has mostly been s*it at left back or centre back

[Fergie's Son]

I doubt O'Shea will get his game next year at United. With Smith back and at least one new midfielder coming through I doubt O'Shea will hold his place.

[jbyrne]

I doubt O'Shea will get his game next year at United. With Smith back and at least one new midfielder coming through I doubt O'Shea will hold his place.

have heard this for about 3 years now but he just keeps getting his game. some people will never let go though

[youngirish]

have heard this for about 3 years now but he just keeps getting his game. some people will never let go though
The problem I have with O'Shea is just because he gets his game for United he seems to be an automatic choice for Ireland no matter how s*it he plays (and he always plays sh*t).

[Dr. Ogba]

The problem I have with O'Shea is just because he gets his game for United he seems to be an automatic choice for Ireland no matter how s*it he plays (and he always plays sh*t).

Can't say this with a huge amount of authority cause I haven't seen enough games this year but surely O'Shea must be doing something right if he's been anchoring a United midfield that went on an 11/12 game winning run towards the end of the season???