Ireland squad vs Holland

[eirebhoy]

Shay Given
Paddy Kenny
Wayne Henderson

Ian Harte
Steve Finnan
Stephen Carr
Stephen Kelly
Andy O’Brien
Richard Dunne
John O’Shea

Liam Miller
Steven Reid
Graham Kavanagh
Stephen Ireland
Kevin Kilbane
Alan O’Brien :eek:
Aiden McGeady
Damien Duff

Terry Dixon :eek:
Kevin Doyle
Clinton Morrison
Alan Lee
Stephen Elliott
Robbie Keane

I'm shocked with the inclusion of Alan O'Brien. He rarely made the U21 squads and has yet to start a competitive game for Newcastle. Terry Dixon is also a shock but not as much considering he was in the last squad so must have impressed.

Where are the central defenders? Surely O'Shea won't be considered for that position since he has very little experience there over the last 2 or 3 years.

Notable exclusions:
Gary Breen
Joey O'Brien
Paddy McCarthy
Andy Reid is injured afaik
any more?

[DeNiro]

I can't understand why Alan O'Brien is there either. He must have seen or heard something about him. Jason Byrne omitted, makes you wonder why he even had him in the Chile squad - obviously not in long term plans. Central defence is very light. We've got problems there!

[drummerboy]

Hmm 3 right full backs. Alan O’Brien is a left winger and with Duff and Kilbane already in the squad it seems a stange selection. I thought Liam Lawerence would have been given a chance. Looks like curtains for Breen.

[Irish_Praha]

A squad of 24 with only 7 defenders - Dixon and Alan O'Brien brought along for the experience?

I'm glad to see that Colgan is not our 3rd choice keeper anymore.
Looks like O'Shea is going to play in defence and if so it better be LB although I'd prefer to see Kilbane play there. Hopefully he will stay on the bench.

Surely J. O'Brien should be in the squad before Kelly? We have enough cover for RB with Finnan and Carr, at least O'Brien can also offer something in MF if needed.

I know there's not many coming through but we need to blood a few more CB's. I really worry about if either of Dunne or Andy O'Brien get injured. We have nobody else apart from Breen with expereicne in that position. O'Shea has played there a few times but he's not a natural CB. McCarthy is still a bit raw but at least he plays in that position week-in-week-out.


The rest of the squad is as expected.

Our striker options look half decent if you consider Keane, Morrisson, Doyle and Elliott as our top 4 strikers.

Oh yeah - Jason Byrne is missing, he's on a run of form at the moment it might have been better to have him in there instead of Lee or Dixon.

[drinkfeckarse]

Dixon's is a strange one alright and if he's looking at blooding young guys in just for the experiance then he should have included Long as Dixon was involved the last time out.

Can't help but feel Stan makes his decisions based on other people's opinions a bit too much for my liking...

[NeilMcD]

Some strange decisions by Staunton. Joey O Brien should be in the squad in my view. You cant be a years Premiership experience of playing well week in and week out and decent debut also.

[Dodge]

Not to mention he's already way way better than Carr.

Where's this lad Nolan I've been hearing so much about?

[eirebhoy]

Gary Breen has retired from international football, just on Sky Sports News there.

[NeilMcD]

To be honest I think it was time for Breen to go but it should be Mc Carthy who is in the squad unless he think Kelly can play there as that is where he plays for the U21s but we do lack cover at centre back

[gustavo]

Does look a bit short in the centre backs . Surely a striker could have been sacrificed for one.
Bit of a kick in the teeth to Byrne that he can be on great form since his last game where he done pretty well and still get dropped in favour Lee.

[CraftyToePoke]

SSP are reporting Gary Breens retirement from the international game.

Stan seems to like surprises, some real eyebrow raisers in this one, and a few more equally surprising omissions.

[pete]

As long as Staunton continues to pick Terry Dixon he will be a laughing stock. The guy hasn't even played a reserve game for his club.

:rolleyes:

Very harsh on Jason Byrne as Alan Lee has shown nothing to warrant a squad place.

[centre mid]

Oportunity missed here, Joe Gamble could have been brought in, Jason Byrne, Mick Devine, even as part of training squad

[beautifulrock]

i like surprises and there is no doubt there are a few in this squad selection. Time will tell and there will be a few dissapointed players out there but this is the squad for a friendly, nothing too say they cannot force their way into the Germany selection.

[Irish_Praha]

Gary Breen has retired from international football, just on Sky Sports News there.

So if Dunne and/or O'Brien get injured or lose their place in their club team (more likely to happen to O'Brien) the only player, with any international experience at CB, we have to replace them is O'Shea :eek:

Stan should have seen this ages ago and given McCarthy some time in all 3 friendly games. Graham Coughlan (eventhough he's 31) was Sheff Wed's player of the season last season. He only got 1 yellow card and no red cards in neary 40 games last season. Which shows he's not prone to making dangerous fouls like McCarthy. He should have been checked out in the last few games considering our shortages. He's not one for the long term future but he could have filled a gap for a year or two until the younger lads come through.

Hopefully these players will be given half an hour at the end of the games against the smaller teams when we are already 3-0 up :D

Maybe it's a cunning plan by Stan for him to come out of retirement and play alongside an inexperienced 21 yr old like in the Portugal and Holland games in 2001 :D

[DeNiro]

Breen's retirement seems strange because only a few months ago Staunton was saying how important he was going to be. I wonder if this morning's squad precipitated that decision. I think we're beginning to see Staunton for his true worth - a rookie in making key decisions. Germany game is less than a month away - he's going to have to change his mind on that squad IMO.

[Dr. Ogba]

oh jaysus after all my previous optimism regarding the qualifiers in general I'm starting to get very worried if Staunton, as stated during the week, believes that this is as close as possible to his squad for Germany.

Worrying selections:

No backup CBs as mentioned: Surely McCarthy or McShane should have been brought in??
Stephen Carr: At this stage he should be surplus to requirements with Finnan deserving to be first choice RB and Kelly/Foley/J O'Brien as young replacements.
Alan O'Brien instead of Andy Reid :eek: : this just completely baffles me. Yes, Reid isn't settled at the mo but surely offers more than a man that will not get anywhere near the Newcastle first team???? Even Liam Lawrence should be given a chance instead of him????
Terry Dixon instead of Jason Byrne/Shane Long/Darryl Murphy: Nuff said

Very worrying indeed but on a positive note I think he'll probably try a S. Reid/Ireland combo in the centre which could be interesting.....

[Dr. Ogba]

I agree with most of what you say in your post Dr Ogba, but I think Andy Reid has been left out because he is injured at the moment. Having said that, Staunton for some reason doesn't seem to rate Reid, so maybe I'm wrong. I hope not.

Ooops, didn't know that, cheers! :o

But again this doesn't mean that O'Brien warrants a place in the squad, we have enough cover for left wing and it might have been more use in bringing in someone like Lawrence as he can play either side and has a full season of premiership experience under his belt...

[gally]

If i remember correctly, didn't Kevin Kilbane move from left back to centre half in our last game, and i also think Stan mentioned how well he played there....

i have a feeling this is where Stan might play zinedine, you heard it here first...

[Irish_Praha]

Where's this lad Nolan I've been hearing so much about?

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=405671&CPID=88&clid=116&lid=&title=Nolan+has+Dutch+option
:rolleyes:

[eirebhoy]

Breen's retirement seems strange because only a few months ago Staunton was saying how important he was going to be. I wonder if this morning's squad precipitated that decision. I think we're beginning to see Staunton for his true worth - a rookie in making key decisions.
Come on now. :D I doubt Breen seen the squad and as soon as it was announced he phoned Sky Sports News with his decision to retire. ;) Breen obviously decided this beforehand and he would no doubt have been in the squad otherwise.


Graham Coughlan (eventhough he's 31) was Sheff Wed's player of the season last season. He only got 1 yellow card and no red cards in neary 40 games last season. Which shows he's not prone to making dangerous fouls like McCarthy. He should have been checked out in the last few games considering our shortages. He's not one for the long term future but he could have filled a gap for a year or two until the younger lads come through.
Couldn't agree more and I keep forgetting about him. He's unproven at the highest level but he is exactly the type of player we're looking for, someone that can lead the line at the back. He spent 2 seasons at Livingston and got Player of the year in both seasons. He got promoted twice with Plymouth and again won 2 player of the year awards with them. One season with Sheffield Wednesday and he gets player of the year with them too. He also scores his fair share of goals. He can certainly be regarded as a succesful ex-LOI player. Wasn't he Brays record transfer?

He's certainly worth a spot in this squad but unfortunately I can't see him ever getting a cap unless the media get his name mentioned a bit more. Most fans probably wouldn't have even heard of him.

[DotTV]

We look a bit light at centre back.If O'brien or Dunne get injured we'll be in trouble.
On the upside Mceady had started the season well for Celtic, Ireland is included and on of those two may partner Steven Reid in the middle.
There is a few to choose from up front but I'd guess Lee was put in there because of his height.

[NeilMcD]

Mc Geady wont be in the centre. I reckon it will be O shea and Reid, but possibly Kavanagh and Reid.

[sligoman]

No token gestures this month anyway.

[drinkfeckarse]

If i remember correctly, didn't Kevin Kilbane move from left back to centre half in our last game, and i also think Stan mentioned how well he played there....

i have a feeling this is where Stan might play zinedine, you heard it here first...

We're fcuked if this is Stan's masterplan...anyone know when there is a press conference on to explain the squad decisions? Seems to me he's got a lot of answers to come up with.

[Soper]

No token gestures this month anyway.

Terry Dixon?Alan O'Brien?Alan Lee?

[BrayUnknowns]

So Roddy was right, No Jason Byrne in the squad......

Which makes you wonder why he was inthe squad to play Chilie whenhe was bang out of from yet now he's playing superb and banging them in very regularly but isn't ni the squad. IMO he deserves to be in there ahead of Lee and probably Elliott as he's just back from injury.

Alan O'Brien and Terry Dixon are just silly decisions.

[sligoman]

Terry Dixon?Alan O'Brien?Alan Lee?Eircom league ones.
Which makes you wonder why he was inthe squad to play Chilie whenhe was bang out of from yet now he's playing superb and banging them in very regularly but isn't ni the squad.That's exactly why it was a token gesture in the first place. Stan doesn't have a clue about the EL obviously!

[geysir]

How anyone can justify including Dixon?
Maybee SGE could.

I read it as a 23 man squad plus Dixon is invited along, I see no problem with that.

[Don Vito]

Love to see us start with this line up:


Given GK
Finnan DR
Dunne DC
O'Brien DC
Kilbane DL
McGeady MR
Ireland MC
Reid MC
Duff ML
Keane FC
Doyle FC


Quite inexperienced and all that but that's the team I'd pick.

Jesus just looking at the date's of birth of some of the players on fai.ie, starting to feel old! Dixon's is 15/01/90:eek: - that looks weird!!!

[sligoman]

Jesus just looking at the date's of birth of some of the players on fai.ie, starting to feel old! Dixon's is 15/01/90:eek: - that looks weird!!!I'm only 18 and that's making me feel old. Ridiculous decision to have put him in the squad.

[jjppc]

[QUOTE=]McGeady MR Ireland MC Reid MC Duff ML[QUOTE]

Midfield a bit lightweight, ok for a friendly, but looking towards Germany ??

[BaZmO*]

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=405671&CPID=88&clid=116&lid=&title=Nolan+has+Dutch+option
:rolleyes:

How does his Great Grandfather being Dutch make him qualify for Holland?

Anyway, this has been done to death. Dodge was merely takin the p1ss with his comment.

[Metrostars]

Has Dixon played at underage level for Ireland? He should start out there instead of training with the big boys. Makes no sense imo.

[eirebhoy]

We're fcuked if this is Stan's masterplan...anyone know when there is a press conference on to explain the squad decisions? Seems to me he's got a lot of answers to come up with.
Interview here:
http://www.fai.ie/audio/fai_august_2006_2.mp3

[youngirish]

Staunton worries me more and more with every passing day. He must have picked the squad in a blind panic when Bobby Robson was admitted to hospital. Surely Joey O'Brien should be in there instead of his namesake Alan. He was our most impressive young player last season by a distance.

Also I dont think Kelly is good enough (he's a kid no longer). I'd also have Long instead of both Dixon and Lee. Lawrence should be given a chance as he had a decent season in a s*ite premiership team last year. Supple should be in instead of Henderson. I could go on and on but there's so much wrong with that squad I'd just end up boring everyone more so.

PS Please Bobby get well soon and hit that ginger tosser a slap when you next see him for picking the squad without you.

PPS Come back Brian all is forgiven (almost).

[eirebhoy]

Has Dixon played at underage level for Ireland? He should start out there instead of training with the big boys. Makes no sense imo.
He has played at U-17 and earlier age levels. I believe he started his U17 career in the Nordic cup over a year ago. It was a 4 game tournament and Spurs restricted him to 90 minutes football. He still managed to score 3 goals and apparantly had a great game against England but failed to score.

In the U17 qualifiers he was again restricted to a certain amount of minutes but still scored against Italy and Latvia as Ireland topped the group. It was a bit strange that the even though he came off the bench in all 3 games, his latest substitution was against Latvia in the 49th minute (others 32nd and 41st - maybe Spurs said he should only come off the bench).

In the Elite phase he took part in 2 games. He came off the bench to score the only goal against Israel and started the 3-0 defeat to Serbia. I think that's his only ever start for the U17s but I'm sure he'd have started every game if Spurs weren't so protective (he missed a large chunk of his earlier career through injury).

He's had a good pre-season scoring 3 goals in 2 games for a Spurs XI and scoring for the reserves in a friendly. Staunton must have seen something in him in Portugal as he had to slim that squad down quite a bit.

[Dr. Ogba]

He has played at U-17 and earlier age levels. I believe he started his U17 career in the Nordic cup over a year ago. It was a 4 game tournament and Spurs restricted him to 90 minutes football. He still managed to score 3 goals and apparantly had a great game against England but failed to score.

In the U17 qualifiers he was again restricted to a certain amount of minutes but still scored against Italy and Latvia as Ireland topped the group. It was a bit strange that the even though he came off the bench in all 3 games, his latest substitution was against Latvia in the 49th minute (others 32nd and 41st - maybe Spurs said he should only come off the bench).

In the Elite phase he took part in 2 games. He came off the bench to score the only goal against Israel and started the 3-0 defeat to Serbia. I think that's his only ever start for the U17s but I'm sure he'd have started every game if Spurs weren't so protective (he missed a large chunk of his earlier career through injury).

He's had a good pre-season scoring 3 goals in 2 games for a Spurs XI and scoring for the reserves in a friendly.


It all smacks of just trying to tie him down to us at this stage. From what I've read/heard he defo seems to be one for the future but lets face it, if he was born in Ireland he wouldn't be anywhere near the squad (is he that much better than Stokes who is the same age??). I would be quite surprised/confused if he didn't get a couple of minutes towards the end of the match as it would mean that his call-up was pointless for all intents and purposes...

[eirebhoy]

It all smacks of just trying to tie him down to us at this stage. From what I've read/heard he defo seems to be one for the future but lets face it, if he was born in Ireland he wouldn't be anywhere near the squad (is he that much better than Stokes who is the same age??). I would be quite surprised/confused if he didn't get a couple of minutes towards the end of the match as it would mean that his call-up was pointless for all intents and purposes...
I still don't buy this at all considering it was McCaffrey who decided which U17 player deserved the callup. There's not a chance Dixon will play for England now, Stan knows that.

[Dr. Ogba]

I still don't buy this at all considering it was McCaffrey who decided which U17 player deserved the callup. There's not a chance Dixon will play for England now, Stan knows that.

But can you justify him being called up to the squad on merit as opposed to, say, Shane Long or (dare I say it!) Jason Byrne?

Is there any chance he'll be playing any type of senior football this year? A loan move perhaps?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Long and Byrne should have been chosen ahead of Dixon and Lee. Joey O'Brien should have been picked ahead of Alan O'Brien. I'd like to see O'Shea given a chance at centre-half. Whoever said it's not his natural position must be joking. Kelly or Finnan will probably considered for LB as there is hardly any need for 3 right-backs. Incidentally Dixon was listed as a midfielder on Sky Sports News- I presume that was a mistake?

[Slash/ED]

So Stauntons just as bad as the rest. Meah, I can't say I care eitherway about this team anymore. A joke of a selection.

[DeNiro]

Is Stephen Kelly an option at centre back? He doesn't need anymore right backs in that squad. So, either Finnan is really a midfielder in staunton's eyes or Kelly is a centre back! Staunton is acting the clown at the wrong time. I'd say Michael Ballack is really quaking in his boats looking at that squad.

[eirebhoy]

But can you justify him being called up to the squad on merit as opposed to, say, Shane Long or (dare I say it!) Jason Byrne?
Stan saw both Byrne and Dixon at first hand and obviously likes the look of Dixon.

[drinkfeckarse]

Is Stephen Kelly an option at centre back?

For me he's not even an option (yet anyway) at right back, never mind centre half.

[shakermaker1982]

I'm surprised Joey has been omitted from the squad, he can play at full back and midfield. If Nolan was ever gonna be in the squad then this would be the time - I think that puts the final nail into that coffin (we all knew he was ineligible anyway so no major shock). My main concern is our defence and the centre of midfield, I hope he starts with Ireland and S Reid and keeps O'Shea warming the bench. If he plays John we will be overrun before you can say Ruud Gullit.

[shakermaker1982]

For me he's not even an option (yet anyway) at right back, never mind centre half.

I'd agree with you. He needs to buck his ideas up this season at Brum.

[Slash/ED]

Stan saw both Byrne and Dixon at first hand and obviously likes the look of Dixon.

Yet chose to cap Byrne?

Stan is nothing but a token capping tosser like his predecessor. He brings an out of form Byrne into the squad, caps him, he sets up two chances and is one of our best players when he plays. He then goes back to his club and hits the form of his life. He's then left out, and in his place are proven utter no marks (Lee) or players lucky to be in reserve teams (Dixon).

It's typical of the joke set up and attitudes within the Irish camp. How can he justify leaving him out and including these players? Why did he cap him in the first place?

The more things change the more they stay the same. It's a joke.

[colster]

I don't see that much wrong with the squad. There are a few surprises but not major ones.
Dixon obviously impressed Staunton during the Summer training camp. It's obvious that he doesn't consider Byrne as an international player. No real surprise there. Shane Long has been played well for Reading but I read on their MB that he's picked up a knock.

A. O'Brien is a good call. With Reid out we haven't that many options on the wing. From what I've heard he's had a great pre-season and did well for Newcastle towards the end of last season.

Center Half is a worry but there are very few alternatives. McCarthy at Leicester is probably the only viable alternative.

I'm surprised that J.O'Brien hasn't been selected at either senior or U21 level. Maybe he's injured.

Stephen Carr brinngs some more experience to the squad and will provide good cover/competition for Finnan.

All of the debatable selections will not really effect the first team.

[DeNiro]

Does anyone know if the FAI website is working? Can't seem to access it.