Kilbane sees World Cup as spur to Irish

[Paddy Garcia]

Kilbane spoke to Everton TV about the world cup & how it will inspire Ireland for Euro 08. To be fair he had a very good game against Chile & could step up in this campaign as a leader - given the void.


"Kevin Kilbane believes that the frustration of not being involved in the World Cup finals can act as a spur as the Republic of Ireland ahead of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The Irish failed to qualify from a tough World Cup group that included France and Switzerland.

Both nations were placed in the same group once again in the finals, progressing in first and second spot to the knock-out phases.

Kilbane has been watching events in Germany this week at Everton's pre-season training camp in Exeter.

He admits it is frustrating not being a part of the World Cup party.

He told evertonTV: "Watching it does bring the disappointment home to you a little bit, particularly when I was watching the Switzerland and France game in the first week because they were both in our group.

It is disappointing that we just didn't get there. It came down to the French game for us where we lost to Thierry Henry's wonder goal."I have seen most of the second round games and quarter-finals - I have picked it up from there but it has been enjoyable, it has been a good tournament."

His own international experiences during the summer were restricted to a friendly against Chile at Lansdowne Road in May.

But he believes that extended action at the end of last term coupled with the hard work this week will stand him in good stead.

He added: "I had a game against Chile towards the end of May and so had a little extra time playing.

"But you need to keep ticking over otherwise it makes it really tough when you come back. It has been hard over the last couple of days and it is only going to get tougher, especially whilst we are down here in Exeter.

"It was boiling hot on the first night and we didn't sleep too well as a result.

"There is not too much free-time. Whatever free-time you get you use to put your feet up and prepare for the next session."

[theworm2345]

Kilbane spoke to Everton TV about the world cup & how it will inspire Ireland for Euro 08. To be fair he had a very good game against Chile & could step up in this campaign as a leader - given the void.


"Kevin Kilbane believes that the frustration of not being involved in the World Cup finals can act as a spur as the Republic of Ireland ahead of their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The Irish failed to qualify from a tough World Cup group that included France and Switzerland.

Both nations were placed in the same group once again in the finals, progressing in first and second spot to the knock-out phases.

Kilbane has been watching events in Germany this week at Everton's pre-season training camp in Exeter.

He admits it is frustrating not being a part of the World Cup party.

He told evertonTV: "Watching it does bring the disappointment home to you a little bit, particularly when I was watching the Switzerland and France game in the first week because they were both in our group.

It is disappointing that we just didn't get there. It came down to the French game for us where we lost to Thierry Henry's wonder goal."I have seen most of the second round games and quarter-finals - I have picked it up from there but it has been enjoyable, it has been a good tournament."

His own international experiences during the summer were restricted to a friendly against Chile at Lansdowne Road in May.

But he believes that extended action at the end of last term coupled with the hard work this week will stand him in good stead.

He added: "I had a game against Chile towards the end of May and so had a little extra time playing.

"But you need to keep ticking over otherwise it makes it really tough when you come back. It has been hard over the last couple of days and it is only going to get tougher, especially whilst we are down here in Exeter.

"It was boiling hot on the first night and we didn't sleep too well as a result.

"There is not too much free-time. Whatever free-time you get you use to put your feet up and prepare for the next session."
I think I speak for everyone here when I say lets hope he is right

[RogerMilla]

i hope he emerges as our first choice left full for the next campaign , he has all the qualites needed

[concanta]

I am the first to admit he has very limited abilities but I do like Kilbane's attitude and wish a few more were like him

I thin k he should be tried at left full - I think he deserves a place on the team

[Colbert Report]

We should keep him as a depth midfielder but O'Shea is too good to leave out of the team, and Harte is not really an option at left full.

[Superhoops]

We should keep him as a depth midfielder but O'Shea is too good to leave out of the team, and Harte is not really an option at left full.
Not a serious comment surely! :eek: Your tongue must be stuck so far into your cheek that it might take an operation to dislodge it ;)

[RogerMilla]

John o'shea actually needs to be dropped!! a stint on the bench might concentrate his mind. He has been in a comfort zone in a green shirt and his performances have reflected that. good player though and the whole country would like to see him give ireland his best

[zinedineontour]

John o'shea actually needs to be dropped!! a stint on the bench might concentrate his mind. He has been in a comfort zone in a green shirt and his performances have reflected that. good player though and the whole country would like to see him give ireland his best

oshea is nowhere near good enough in centre mid for us.. Thought kilbane in the early part of the last campaign was excellent in centre mid and hopefully he can reproduce that kind of form. Would still prefer him at left back to ian harte as well though !

[youngirish]

John o'shea actually needs to be dropped!! a stint on the bench might concentrate his mind. He has been in a comfort zone in a green shirt and his performances have reflected that. good player though and the whole country would like to see him give ireland his best
He's a s**te player. Surely that has been proven beyond all doubt by now considering he's never had a good game in a green shirt. Kick him out of the team give one of the young lads a go in CM (Ireland, O'Brien, Garvan). Surely they can only be better.

[RogerMilla]

He's hardly s**te if he is getting his game at united. He just hasn't done it in the green.

[eighties mullet]

He's been in the most consistently ****e player in the green jersey since his debut. The fact that he gets a game for united should not automatically mean he must start for us.... if/when united sign a half decent midfielder or two we wont be seeing him a united jersey for much longer either, he above all players must be dropped

[Sligo Hornet]

He's been in the most consistently ****e player in the green jersey since his debut. The fact that he gets a game for united should not automatically mean he must start for us.... if/when united sign a half decent midfielder or two we wont be seeing him a united jersey for much longer either, he above all players must be dropped

Agreed!.....who can forget his 'easy' miss in Paris, or his disasterous performance away in Cyprus!!

[livehead1]

He's been in the most consistently ****e player in the green jersey since his debut. The fact that he gets a game for united should not automatically mean he must start for us.... if/when united sign a half decent midfielder or two we wont be seeing him a united jersey for much longer either, he above all players must be dropped
your new to this forum, so your ignorance can be allowed but i must tell you that for the last 18months, maybe more, people say when united sign this when united sign that, that will be the end of o'shea. I really don't see it myself. They let Miller out on loan, now they have let Fortune go. O'Shea and Giggs were good for Utd in centre mid and i feel sure he will take part in 30-35 games next season with 20+ starts.

[youngirish]

your new to this forum, so your ignorance can be allowed but i must tell you that for the last 18months, maybe more, people say when united sign this when united sign that, that will be the end of o'shea. I really don't see it myself. They let Miller out on loan, now they have let Fortune go. O'Shea and Giggs were good for Utd in centre mid and i feel sure he will take part in 30-35 games next season with 20+ starts.
He's a very limited player. He has the odd good game for united but the majority of the time he's average to poor. He never has a good game for Ireland, at best he's average but he's poor most of the time.

I can't see Staunton having the balls to drop him to be honest but he should have long since been given the boot from the Ireland team if performances were anything to go by (and these should be the main criteria for selection). Good for him if he gets his game for united I don't really care how well they perform. It shouldn't automatically ensure his selection for the Ireland team but unfortunately it has in the past.

[The Legend]

He's a squad player at best... (or i would hope) but there's not much coming through .....

[FarBeag]

your new to this forum, so your ignorance can be allowed but i must tell you that for the last 18months, maybe more, people say when united sign this when united sign that, that will be the end of o'shea. I really don't see it myself. They let Miller out on loan, now they have let Fortune go. O'Shea and Giggs were good for Utd in centre mid and i feel sure he will take part in 30-35 games next season with 20+ starts.


So what exactly are you saying then? Even if he is new to the forum he has a right to an opinion just like you and i had when we joined ,even if its wrong or right.If you think that O'Shea is a good player then you are watching a different man to the one i watch.

[Emmet]

I think one of the reasons United are so desperate to sign Carrick is because they see Centre Midfield as a problem area for them - and it would be O'Shea and not Fletcher who would make way for Carrick if he does sign. I personally have never seen him play well for Ireland in any position ... I do hope it is just down to inexperience and / or nerves and that in years to come he'll prove us all wrong but I think that may well be misguided optimism on my part!

[Superhoops]

I think one of the reasons United are so desperate to sign Carrick is because they see Centre Midfield as a problem area for them - and it would be O'Shea and not Fletcher who would make way for Carrick if he does sign. I personally have never seen him play well for Ireland in any position ... I do hope it is just down to inexperience and / or nerves and that in years to come he'll prove us all wrong but I think that may well be misguided optimism on my part!
He has 30 caps FFS and IMO there has not been a single game in all of those in which he has not been found wanting in one way or another.

Inexperience/Nerves: No
Inability/Incompetence: Yes
Will he prove us all wrong?: I doubt it

[livehead1]

So what exactly are you saying then? Even if he is new to the forum he has a right to an opinion just like you and i had when we joined ,even if its wrong or right.If you think that O'Shea is a good player then you are watching a different man to the one i watch.
i think he is good, but theres a big difference between good, and up to international standard.

[eirebhoy]

Does anyone attend Ireland training sessions regularly? If so, does O'Shea stick out head and shoulders? That's the only reason I can see for him to be still first choice with Ireland and Man Utd. I remember he always stood out at underage level and dominated matches.

[Emmet]

He has 30 caps FFS and IMO there has not been a single game in all of those in which he has not been found wanting in one way or another.

Inexperience/Nerves: No
Inability/Incompetence: Yes
Will he prove us all wrong?: I doubt it


He always seems really nervous whenever the ball comes near him ... I would like to see him becoming a top drawer player but - like most people here - I think its unlikely to happen

[DotTV]

If O'Shea is going to play in centre mid he needs to get a lot tougher.
At the moment he's too weak and doesn't win much ball.
Graham Kavanagh provides a bit more steel and would be more suited play alongside a more attacking midfielder.

[eighties mullet]

your new to this forum, so your ignorance can be allowed but i must tell you that for the last 18months, maybe more, people say when united sign this when united sign that, that will be the end of o'shea. I really don't see it myself. They let Miller out on loan, now they have let Fortune go. O'Shea and Giggs were good for Utd in centre mid and i feel sure he will take part in 30-35 games next season with 20+ starts.
regardless of whether or not im new to this forum ive seen o'shea play 15/20 times for ireland and every time he's been rubbish, no other player has ever stood out for me for all the wrong reasons as o'shea has...

[Stuttgart88]

I read on BBC teletext at the weekend that Fergie offered £10 million plus JO'S in exchange for Michael Carrick. The Guardian joked this morning that the deal was going well until the last bit was mentioned!

O'Shea is well short of the standard of player required by MUFC in central midfield if they're to challenge for the league & CL again, but he's good enough to keep them ticking over behind Chelsea and just about ahead of the rest in England. Gattuso is what they need in my opinion. Gattuso, Vieira (on loan), Carrick etc. all rumoured to be targets.

I still maintain that JO'S isn't as bad a player as many make out here but if you were to ask me how many times he's made a positive impact, rather than just doing OK, I'd struggle. He's made a negative impact quite a few times (debut vs Croatia, penalty conceded to Israel, late miss against Israel...). I think he was unlucky with that chance in Paris. It could just as easily have gone in :(

A move away and regular football in a fixed position (central mid or central defence) is what he needs. His situation at MUFC is hardly good for confidence. He knows he's not first choice so there must be constant doubts. Nobody performs well in that situation.

And Bobby Robson is right: if he just focuses on the simple things I think they can make a player out of him. He no longer has rookie's license though. He's a senior player now and needs to perform that way.