Ireland squad announced!

[Billsthoughts]

Doherty back in squad for germany game.....wonder what tactic they will use....

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=983

[NeilMcD]

epublic of Ireland International Manager Stephen Staunton has welcomed back squad members Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Stephen Ireland from injury to join his squad for the first of the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Germany on September 2nd next.

All five players missed out on the recent friendly against Holland through injury but are all included in the 23 man squad, which also sees Gary Doherty returning to the International squad. Levante's Ian Harte is out of contention through injury.

At the announcement Staunton said he was happy to have the injured players back. "I'm delighted to have the boys available to me after their recent injuries, they are regular members of the squad and it's vital that we have everyone we can available to us for this tough test", Staunton said.

The squad will depart for Stuttgart on Thursday 31st August and the match will take place in the Gottlieb-Daimler Stadion, Stuttgart on Saturday 2nd Sept, kick off 2045 local time.

Republic of Ireland Squad to play Germany - September 2nd 2006
Name Date of Birth Caps Goals

Shay Given (Newcastle United)
20/04/1976
76
0
Wayne Henderson (Brighton)
16/09/1983
2
0
Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United)
17/05/1978
6
0
Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth)
29/06/1970
24
1
Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
21/09/1979
29
4
Stephen Carr (Newcastle United)
29/08/1976
42
0
Steve Finnan (Liverpool)
20/04/1976
39
1
Stephen Kelly (Birmingham)
06/09/1983
2
0
Gary Doherty (Norwich)
31/01/1980
34
4
Kevin Kilbane (Everton)
01/02/1977
71
5
John O'Shea (Manchester United)
30/04/1981
31
1
Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers)
10/03/1981
19
2
Graham Kavanagh (Wigan)
02/12/1973
16
1
Liam Miller (Manchester United)
13/02/1981
13
1
Jonathan Douglas (Blackburn Rovers)
22/11/1981
2
0
Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
22/08/1986
1
0
Damien Duff (Newcastle United)
02/03/1979
59
7
Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
04/04/1986
5
0
Stephen Elliott (Sunderland)
06/01/1984
8
1
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
08/07/1980
66
26
Kevin Doyle (Reading)
18/09/1983
3
0
Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace)
14/05/1979
35
9
Alan O'Brien (Newcastle United)
20/02/1985
1
0

[NeilMcD]

I would have had carsley in the squad by the way.

[joema]

I wouldnt have O'Brien in there

EDIT: Alan

[pineapple stu]

I would have had carsley in the squad by the way.
Someone corrected me a while back on this - apparently he retired again after coming out of retirement from retiring the first time...

[joema]

Gutted that Andy Reid isnt in the squad. Id have him in our strongest team - in CM - lots of creativity - badly needed for us as we are predictable as it is.
Massive mistake by Staunton IMO

[pineapple stu]

Good spot. Must be injured? He's pretty much a squad regular at this stage.

[eirebhoy]

Good spot. Must be injured? He's pretty much a squad regular at this stage.
He came on for the last half hour on Saturday.

Interesting to see that only 4 players have reached the 50 caps mark. Keane the only play to make it into double figures in the scoring charts.

[NeilMcD]

Only Carr and Joey O Brien and Finnan are in the list of injured players on Physio room it says Carr is very doubtful for their next game. I would be worried if Finnan misses out though. Strange that Reid is not in the squad. Does Staunton not rate him I wonder.

[DeNiro]

Why does Staunton perceive Doherty to be a better option than McCarthy? Could he not include him as an extra man a la Dixon to gain experience? It makes you wonder what Dixon original inclusion was about?:confused: What about Alan Quinn, is he injured?

[Dublin12]

This must be one of the weakest squads we've had in a long long time and with the managment to go along with it we won't even be in with a shout in this campaign.Hope I'm wrong but have a funny feeling this is where it all goes badly wrong.

[Dr. Ogba]

Why does Staunton perceive Doherty to be a better option than McCarthy? Could he not include him as an extra man a la Dixon to gain experience? It makes you wonder what Dixon original inclusion was about?:confused: What about Alan Quinn, is he injured?

Am delighted Dohertys in the squad to be honest....Think he's a far better more experienced backup for Dunne and O'Brien and supposedly playing very well for Norwich (can't comment on this meself cause haven't seen him play in a while)...Think it would be a bit of a risk to throw McCarthy into the deep end like this, he should really have featured in the previous friendlies.

As for Reid I think this match may be a bit too soon for him maybe?? He has been looking a bit more portly than usual lately :D

[bwagner]

what a joke bout andy reid , alan o brien has yet to play for newcatle really ,carsley should be there and gavin mahon for a bit of chuck norris style If i see doherty come on up front with 10 mins left im killing myself

[NeilMcD]

I am going to reserve comment on issues like Carsley and Reid etc until I knwo the full facts.

Is Carsley retired

Is Reid not fully fit.

[drinkfeckarse]

WTF is Stan doing not including Andy Reid?? He is most definately fit and we are not that full of talent that we can afford to leave players of his calibre out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's a worldbeater but he can do some serious damage with that left foot of his and is potentially one of our most important players IMO.

[eirebhoy]

Am delighted Dohertys in the squad to be honest....Think he's a far better more experienced backup for Dunne and O'Brien and supposedly playing very well for Norwich (can't comment on this meself cause haven't seen him play in a while)

He was Norwich's player of the year last season. The fans think he deserves his callup anyway.

[DotTV]

Reid came on for the last 20 minutes on Saturday.
There is bound to be a few injuries in the next couple of weeks so I wouldn't be surprised to see him joining the squad at a later date.
We're very weak at centre back and it was a choice between McCarthy and Doc so I suppose Staunton went for Docs experience

[RogerMilla]

I'll put the ranch on the doc coming on as a striker if we are 1 down with 10 to go....

[Over the post]

I agree that Doherty is safer choice than McCarthy for this game. I haven't seen either play in a while but McCarthy would be better off debuting in a friendly or a less important qualifier.

The omission of Reid is surprising if he is fit. I realise we're not exactly spoilt for choice in midfield, but if you consider that Miller and Douglas are in the squad and neither are regulars for their clubs, surely Reid is better option. It might also be a good idea for Stan to use his charms trying to get Carsley out of retirement instead of wasting his time with Carr. The former is a first team regular in a side that will probably finish in the top six/seven in the Premiership.

[John83]

Only Carr and Joey O Brien and Finnan are in the list of injured players on Physio room it says Carr is very doubtful for their next game. I would be worried if Finnan misses out though. Strange that Reid is not in the squad. Does Staunton not rate him I wonder.
Carr was supposed to have hurt his hamstring against Holland. I was surprised to see it, but he played for Newcastle on the weekend. Anyone know what the story is there? Has he aggrivated it? Done something else? Or are physioroom wrong?

As DotTV said, Reid played 20 minutes for Charlton, so I guess he's still building fitness. I'm surprised to see him not selected though. Strange decision. :confused:

[DeNiro]

so it looks like a midfield of McGeady, Reid, O'Shea and Duff. Anyone reckon Duff is better on the right than the left? Charlton are live on Sky tomorrow night so we might see Reid in action. I'm sure there will be one or two drop outs and maybe he'll get back in!

[pete]

So Andy Reid effectively dropped for Alan O'Brien who cannot get on the Newcastle bench. :rolleyes:

Doherty recalled yet not deemed good enough for last weeks friendly. :confused:

[NeilMcD]

SOCCER NEWS No sick notes for Staunton, yet

Ireland captain Robbie Keane has returned to Steve Staunton's squad for the first Euro 2008 qualifier against Germany

Carl O'Malley

21/08/2006: There were a number of important additions to the Ireland set-up announced today, but Steve Staunton could hardly get excited about the arrival of 50 new Ford S-MAX people carriers that will soon ferry his suited superiors to face-stuffing functions around the country.

Stan's major concern was the fitness of the likely lads. He must surely have been on the phone ever since Ireland were spanked 4-0 by Holland at Lansdowne Road.

He desperately needed some good news from London and Newcastle especially.

He got it with confirmation that captain Robbie Keane and winger Damien Duff have both panted their way into the squad having overcome niggly knocks (thigh and groin) that saw them rested ahead of the embarrassment inflicted by Marco Van Basten's side.

Also returning are Richard Dunne and Shay Given. Both of whom are as indispensable as the above duo at this stage. Dunne's Manchester City teammate Stephen Ireland is also in the squad, as is Gary Doherty, of, eemmmmm, Norwich City, that's it.

Spurs youth striker Terry Dixon is demoted to the under-21 squad.

"I'm delighted to have the boys available to me after their recent injuries, they are regular members of the squad and it's vital that we have everyone we can available to us for this tough test," Staunton said of the returning quintet.

"Fingers crossed we will have a full squad to choose from," he added. "Germany will be a tough test and we will need our best players fit and ready."

A more than significant omission however, is Ian Harte. His absence will mean that Steve Finnan may be required at left back and therefore Stephen Carr is again at right back. Anybody who witnessed the ease with which the latter was exposed by Arjen Robben and Tim De Cler last Wednesday will understand why this maybe a problem against Joachim Loew's side in Stuttgart.

Of course, Kevin Kilbane is another option for left-back and Finnan for midfield, but these are all moot points considering we have nearly two weeks before the game and therefore a fortnight for people, - key people - to crock themselves.

If that is the case there is little in reserve to take the 'A' game to Stuttgart on September 2nd. Alan Lee has been left in Ipswich. Namesake O'Brien of Newcastle is included, but will hopefully be slowed down to a walk before the game and introduced to his teammates.

The manager may have been better served with the more experienced Andy Reid instead, but the Charlton player did not get a mention despite 20 minutes of Premiership action at the weekend. 20 minutes more than O'Brien it must be said.

Staunton was left badly exposed last week after the withdrawal of Dunne, Duff, Given, Keane and Harte, so the return of four of the five will lift spirits - not as much as 50 new motors for the lads - but it'll lift them nonetheless.

Even if they remain fit though, there is little to suggest they will have enough to stop the well-oiled machine of Camp Loew.

Republic of Ireland squad to face Germany

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Wayne Henderson (Brighton), Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Stephen Carr (Newcastle United), Steve Finnan (Liverpool), Stephen Kelly (Birmingham), Gary Doherty (Norwich)
Midfielders: Kevin Kilbane (Everton), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Graham Kavanagh (Wigan), Liam Miller (Manchester United) Jonathan Douglas (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Ireland (Manchester City), Damien Duff (Newcastle United)
Forwards: Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Stephen Elliott (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace), Alan O'Brien, (Newcastle United)

[theworm2345]

Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Newcastle United), Wayne Henderson (Brighton), Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Andy O'Brien (Portsmouth), Richard Dunne (Manchester City), Stephen Carr (Newcastle United), Steve Finnan (Liverpool), Stephen Kelly (Birmingham), Gary Doherty (Norwich)
Midfielders: Kevin Kilbane (Everton), John O'Shea (Manchester United), Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Graham Kavanagh (Wigan), Liam Miller (Manchester United) Jonathan Douglas (Blackburn Rovers), Stephen Ireland (Manchester City), Damien Duff (Newcastle United), Alan O'Brien, (Newcastle United)Forwards: Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Stephen Elliott (Sunderland), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace)

O'Briens not a forward, and speaking on that, anyone know why we have so many mids and so few forwards and defenders (defenders maybe because O'Shea and Kilbane can double)? We barely have enough of either of them to bring on subs if we need them. Otherwise Im happy

[NeilMcD]

It does not say O Brien is a forward.

[theworm2345]

It does not say O Brien is a forward.

Not in my post, I fixed it, in your post it does. It also says McGeady is, when he almost always (if not always) plays in midfield

[NeilMcD]

Its just the www.Ireland.com website, I would not worry about it too much.

[theworm2345]

Its just the www.Ireland.com website, I would not worry about it too much.

Im not, I was just using to ask my question

[shakermaker1982]

shame about A Reid and McCarthy. No Nolan either.....(only joking :) !!! )

[pineapple stu]

Doherty recalled yet not deemed good enough for last week's friendly. :confused:
Presumably after the Holland game, Stan reckoned defensive changes were needed.

[4tothefloor]

I watched Staunton being interviewed on tv today, and also heard him on the radio, and he didn't impress me one bit. Maybe it's just his mannerisms, but he looks very unsure of himself and exudes no confidence at all. The amount of times he said 'hopefully' and 'I think...' was worrying to say the least. He's like a fish out of water if you like. I'm going to the German game, and have a horrible feeling about it. Something just dosn't sit right, and hasn't since Staunton was appointed.

Leaving out Andy Reid is crazy IMO. Reid still has two weeks of training and at least two more first team games before the German match so his fitness will have improved. With the squad being top heavy with midfielders, I can see a 5 man midfield already with O'Shea, S Reid and Kilbane in the centre, Duff and McGeady out wide. Alan O'Brien is probably the pacey wild card. So maybe Staunton feels he doesn't need A Reid on this occasion? More fool you Stan :rolleyes:

[DeNiro]

I watched Staunton being interviewed on tv today, and also heard him on the radio, and he didn't impress me one bit. Maybe it's just his mannerisms, but he looks very unsure of himself and exudes no confidence at all. The amount of times he said 'hopefully' and 'I think...' was worrying to say the least. He's like a fish out of water if you like. I'm going to the German game, and have a horrible feeling about it. Something just dosn't sit right, and hasn't since Staunton was appointed.

Leaving out Andy Reid is crazy IMO. Reid still has two weeks of training and at least two more first team games before the German match so his fitness will have improved. With the squad being top heavy with midfielders, I can see a 5 man midfield already with O'Shea, S Reid and Kilbane in the centre, Duff and McGeady out wide. Alan O'Brien is probably the pacey wild card. So maybe Staunton feels he doesn't need A Reid on this occasion? More fool you Stan :rolleyes:


Totally agree. He's even at more of a loose end now Bobby Robson isn't around. He could have armed himself with a better backroom. Kevin McDonald and Alan Kelly are hardly full of ideas. I remember reading an article before the Sweden game saying how much the players liked McDonald's training sessions. Ronald McDonald would probably be as good after last wednesday night! I reckon the FAI should do the wise thing and pay off Staunton and probably Robson. Robson is very ill and he shouldn't be in the game. How did the FAI not do a medical or something.

[Reddladd]

Listening to 'off the ball' tonight and Stan was basically saying that Doc was a defender but if we're one down with 10 minutes to go 'we'll try anything' or something along those lines...............don't suppose there's any chance of a satellite link up to Bobby Robsons hospital bed for the half time team talk! :eek:

[Colbert Report]

I'm as baffled as anyone else as to why Andy Reid isn't in the squad. What is the deal with Finnan not even on the bench for Liverpool last Saturday?

[tetsujin1979]

What is the deal with Finnan not even on the bench for Liverpool last Saturday?
According to football365, he had a muscle strain and was rested for the Champion's League qualifier against Maccabi Haifa

[NeilMcD]

Doherty back in the Irish fold again
Emmet Malone Soccer correspondent

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has recalled Gary Doherty to his squad for the European Championship qualifier against Germany in Stuttgart next week, but there is no place for Andy Reid, Newcastle's Alan O'Brien being preferred.

International Soccer: Steve Staunton has recalled Gary Doherty to his Ireland squad for next week's European Championship qualifier in Germany. The 26-year-old, who had appeared to be entirely out of favour with the new manager, is included in a panel of 23 players that, for the moment at least, has a reassuringly familiar look about it.

As expected, Shay Given, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane are all included, having come through games for their clubs at the weekend. And Jonathan Douglas, only drafted into the panel for the Dutch game after initially having been left out, has played his way on to the plane for Germany.

More surprising is the inclusion of young Newcastle United winger Alan O'Brien, who made his debut against The Netherlands and keeps his place in the squad, ostensibly at the expense of Andy Reid.

Doherty's return is a clear attempt by Staunton to broaden his options in defence, an area where he was left looking desperately short by the loss of Richard Dunne last week. The Manchester City defender came through Sunday's encounter with Chelsea without any serious problems and so looks likely to be available for the Germany game. Doherty - who, the manager says, is considered to be "ahead of Paddy McCarthy at this stage" - will add cover in a key area.

He reiterated his preference for playing John O'Shea in midfield but conceded the Waterfordman's versatility meant he was an obvious candidate to fill in elsewhere, as he did last Wednesday.

Indeed, the 25-year-old might yet find himself filling in at left back in Stuttgart, where Staunton will be without the injured Ian Harte.

Staunton could opt to start with Kevin Kilbane there or, as he did last week, with Steve Finnan, but on the evidence of the hammering by The Netherlands the Everton midfielder is a risk, and there must be a temptation to play the Liverpool defender where he is at his best, on the other side of the back four.

"I've had a good talk with Steve," said Staunton of the situation yesterday, "and there won't be any problem with him no matter what I ask him to do."

Finnan didn't play for Liverpool at the weekend, something Staunton reckoned was probably down to tactical considerations. But there were encouraging signs elsewhere, Duff, Kevin Doyle and Paddy Kenny among the Ireland players to have done well on the first weekend of the Premiership.

Douglas, said Staunton, had been "brilliant" against the Dutch after having been "unlucky" not to make the original squad. Certainly the 24-year-old made a positive impact in the second half.

Newcastle's O'Brien also performed creditably on his debut at this level, but it is hard to see how he did enough to displace the more established Reid from the squad ahead of such an important game.

Staunton said yesterday Reid's omission was based on his relative lack of fitness as a result of a severely disrupted pre-season. The winger, he said, "needs to get some games". But having come on after 70 minutes for Charlton at the weekend, Reid looks much more likely to feature in his new club's two games over the coming week than O'Brien, who after a couple of pre-season appearances failed even to make the bench for Saturday's defeat of Wigan Athletic.

The rest of the Ireland squad is much as expected, Stephen Ireland returning and Aiden McGeady and Liam Miller having retained their places.

Lee Carsley is overlooked, but only after, Staunton suggested, telling the manager he would prefer to be called up only if he stands a good chance of playing.

The manager expressed satisfaction with the players available to him but acknowledged that the obvious lack of depth within Ireland's pool of senior players would mean a nervous week or so until he gets to see who is actually fit to travel.

"I have full confidence in the squad," he said, "that we can achieve a whole lot more with the players we have. The hope now is that they all get a couple of games under their belts to sharpen them up but that none of them gets injured. I worry about that all the time because you could lose any one of them at any stage and, as last week showed, we can't afford to be without many of the senior lads. Obviously we're not blessed with the depth that the Dutch have, so we just have to do our best."

The effort required of his men during the early stages of the Germany game will, he believes, be particularly intense. Ireland's opponents, he says, are likely to try to establish a decisive advantage over the opening quarter of Saturday week's encounter.

"They try to win the game in the first 10 to 15 minutes," he remarked. "So we're going to have to be strong and brave because they come at you very quickly and we need to be ready for them."

[youngirish]

Staunton leaving Andy Reid out (who it must be said was one of our most impressive players in the last qualifying campaign) at the expense of either Alan O'Brien, Johnathan Douglas or Liam Miller clearly demonstrates to me that he is a clown and is way out of his depth.

Anyone who knows anything about football would have brought along Reid. Miller is a no-hoper. He didn't even impress at Leeds last year and will be stuck in the United reserves for the foreseeable future. Douglas while decent against Holland has never been a regular at the top level and at 25 it doesn't look like he will ever be. He definitely should not be keeping the younger, far more talented Reid out of the squad. Alan O'Brien is very one dimensional. I can't see him ever getting a regular look-in at Newcastle and at the very best I think he will turn out to be no more than a decent Championship player. He didn't exactly set the world alight on loan at Carlisle last year in league 2 so that alone should speak volumes. A decent winger at 21 should be already making his mark - it's not a position like Defense or central Midfield where experience is that important.

Staunton is a moron and everything he does seems to help to confirm this fact. The worst appointment for the Ireland job in living memory. I fear the worst for this campaign. Surely any rational person with even a basic understanding of football can see that Reid is more deserving of a place than all three of the aforementioned. John Delaney for the sack.

Oh yeah and Finnan has a thigh injury which will keep him out for the forseeable future according to this:

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

[NeilMcD]

I think if Staunton believes the 3 mentioned are better players than Reid he clearly is wrong. However if like a lot of people he believes that Reid needs to get a lot fitter before he can have any sort of impact at the top level well I can understand his call. Andy Reid can only show his ability if he is fit and at the moment he is not fully fit.

[tetsujin1979]

Oh yeah and Finnan has a thigh injury which will keep him out for the forseeable future according to this:

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

Finnan is expected to play for Liverpool tonight against Maccabi Haifa

[eirebhoy]

Robbie Keane's apparantly playing a stormer for Spurs in a deap role.

Some posts from a Spurs forum:


Keane is the difference, different class

---

Keane is the diamond in our team.

---

keano running the show appar - according to sky sports!

---

Keane is the best player on the field by a mile

---

KEANO HAS BEEN ****ING BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!! nothing else an descrbibe it...

---

What a difference. Keane has played out of his skin. You would rate him alongside the likes of Ronaldinho and Zidane with that performance. - :D

---

Everyone is working so hard, cant begin to describe how important Keane has been for us!

---

two words to describe keane, WORLD CLASS.

---

didnt see Keane to be in a key play maker role but damn ghis touches in the first half are killers. play making Keanoooooooooo..brilliant effort and touches in both gal

Goals:
1-0 (http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=F2DD70860D4EDEF0)
2-0 (http://www.yousendit.com/transfer.php?action=download&ufid=8E714EDF40DC435A)

/edit - Warnock after the game:
"But we battled really well and I'm very proud of them. We were beaten by a very good side and I thought Robbie Keane was absolutely fantastic - what can you say about players of that quality?"

Good to see he's in form, we need him.

[pineapple stu]

Finnan is expected to play for Liverpool tonight against Maccabi Haifa
Did so as well (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/5266050.stm). Started anyway; didn't see him come off (though wasn't paying that much attention).

[Dallasirish]

Keano ---- brilliant for spurs . Lets hope he can reproduce IN GERMANY. The confidence boost should do him good. Read the Spurs site and it sounded like they were describing Pele....... we need Pele Keane to get a result in Germany.

[Irish_Praha]

Paddy Kenny apparently had a decent game too. Good to see that he's not out of place in the EPL.

[Irish_Praha]

Well it looks like Staunton didn't make such a bad call on A. Reid. He's not even in the Charlton Squad for tonights game. Maybe he wouldn't have been fit for the Germany game. Perhaps Staunton was in contact with Charlton before he annouced the squad?

[shakermaker1982]

back spasm for Reidy - and before anyone makes a joke of it........ no it's nothing to do with his weight!

[tetsujin1979]

According to Dowie, he should be back for the weekend's game

[NeilMcD]

O Shea was very good for Utd. Kenny was Sheff Utds best player. Keane was spurs best player. Doyle scored. Kilbane played for Everton not sure how well. Finnan was not great for Liverpool by all accounts. Dunne played for Man City and they kept clean sheet.

[tetsujin1979]

Dunne played for Man City and they kept clean sheet.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Dunne organised the back line well, I think the Ireland defence is missing those kind of qualities since Kenny Cunningham has retired

[NeilMcD]

Well on Match of the Day I noticed he was dictating most set play both attacking and defensive. I agree we need leadership around the pitch and especially at centre back.

[eirebhoy]

Yeah, Dunne being appointed captain is fantastic for Ireland. He was hardly going to organise the defence when he's partnering the club captain so hopefully he'll learn a lot from leading the line. Good to see O'Shea playing well too as he seems certain to start in Stuttgart.