Team for Cyprus game

[Stuttgart88]

I'd pick KK at left-back this week. I think in the long term KK could be found out at left back as well, but against most teams he'd do a decent job there. I think Duff or McGeady would really appreciate his presence behind him.

[eirebhoy]

At least playing Duff and McGeady we have 2 wingers who'll always cover the full backs when the opposition have the ball. Kilbane shouldn't have too much trouble against Cyprus.

[Stuttgart88]

A World class striker creates Goals - Keane has to be handed them in the 6yd box! Just like his 20 yarder against Sweden not long ago. A good striker attacks space in the 6 yard space too.

And not even the most optimistic among us thinks he's world class! Best we have, along with Doyle, yes.

[Dr. Ogba]

Agree with putting KK at left back at least for the Cyprus match and see how he goes. He was shockin against the Dutch but I think O'Shea has more to offer in the middle than KK (he can actually pass the ball for starters!).

See how Kilbane goes at LB against the Cypriots and then make a decision for the Czech match based on that...

[NeilMcD]

Remember too that Kilbane played left back for against Spain the World Cup, not from the start but for all of extra time I think and some of normal time.

[Stuttgart88]

He practically played left back whenever Ian Harte played there under Mick :)

[kingp35]

]---------------Kenny-----------

Finnan----Dunne---O'Brien---Kilbane

McGeady--O'Shea--Douglas----Duff

------Keane---Morrison-----

Being a Leeds fan and having watched both Miller and Douglas play last season I can guarantee you that Douglas is the better player of the two. Miller is very lightweight and doesnt tackle and do his defensive duties, games pass him by and he doesnt get imvolved enough. He does have the ability to play a good pass but its not enough to cover up his lack of work. Miller only scored once for Leeds last season which was a huge disappointment.

Douglas is a true box to box player who will run for you all day. He comes up with some vital goals and loves to burst into the box at any opportunity. Ireland dont have a midfield player like that at the moment. Douglas also has a bit of bite about him and will win his fair share of tackles. Some might say he is not ready yet but thats just rubbish, he is a better player than Miller and will offer the Irish side alot more.

[NeilMcD]

Cheers for that King good insight to both players. I always have that fear about miller and I think O Shea may neeed someone beside him with a bit of agression so against a good side O Shea and Miller could be very lightweight.

[eirebhoy]

Right. Here is FM Genie's opinion on our best 11, excluding injuries:
Shay Given (http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/2866/givencb8.jpg)

Steve Finnan (http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/9390/finnalr8.jpg)
Ian Harte (http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/6056/harteyf6.jpg)
Richard Dunne (http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4128/dunneod0.jpg)
Andy O'Brien (http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3917/obrienjd0.jpg)

Aiden McGeady (http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6/mcgeadyhb0.jpg)
Damien Duff (http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/3534/duffos7.jpg)
Steven Reid (http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/451/sreiduf9.jpg)
Andy Reid (http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/668/areidxh4.jpg)

Robbie Keane (http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/3982/keaneiy7.jpg)
Kevin Doyle (http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5548/doylejw7.jpg)

;)

[RoversInn]

Stan is luckey in this match that Cyprus don't play tactics, because tactically, Stan hasn't a clue

[Billsthoughts]

Ah yes....this explains a hell of a lot.....

[eirebhoy]

RTE News reckon O'Shea will play left back.

[shakermaker1982]

If he plays O'Shea at left back then I'd be happy with Miller and Douglas in the centre.

[Qwerty]

Stan: "Clinton has played there a few times before. He will get hold of the ball; he has an eye for goal and has looked sharp in training," said Staunton. "There will be no problems if he plays, or Alan Lee. Who knows - even Damien (Duff) might be up with Robbie. We've got options."

Why would Stan even think for one nanosecond of playing our most creative midfield player out of position as a striker when we will need to break down a Cyprus wall? never mind the fact that he hasn't effective there in the past.

Gotta love Stevie Ireland saying that Carsley would add a lot to the team right now :)

[theworm2345]

Stan: "Clinton has played there a few times before.
So has Connolly, with the same results :rolleyes:

Why would Stan even think for one nanosecond of playing our most creative midfield player out of position as a striker when we will need to break down a Cyprus wall? never mind the fact that he hasn't effective there in the past.

Same thing I said
http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=547456&postcount=75

[Stuttgart88]

Gotta love Stevie Ireland saying that Carsley would add a lot to the team right now :)Kilbane said the same, and more.

Don't read too much into what Stan says about his forward options, he's just concealing his intentions from his opponents.

[ifk101]

Don't read too much into what Stan says about his forward options, he's just concealing his intentions from his opponents.

Totally agree. Stan is a mind-game and tactical genius.

[Dr. Ogba]

Kilbane said the same, and more.

Don't read too much into what Stan says about his forward options, he's just concealing his intentions from his opponents.

Hope you're right....playing Duff up top would be a disaster. As we've seen on several occasions with McCarthy it just doesn't work. I'd be happy with Clinton there for Cyprus and then bring Doyle back fresh for the Czechs...

[Stuttgart88]

Totally agree. Stan is a mind-game and tactical genius. Not quite what I said :)

[galwayhoop]

stan is multi-lingual, a member of mensa and can do the irish times crossword in eleven minutes flat

[eirebhoy]

So has Connolly, with the same results :rolleyes:

Connolly and Keane never have and never will work together. Morrison and Keane had a decent partnership.

[nedder]

Right. Here is FM Genie's opinion on our best 11, excluding injuries:
Shay Given (http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/2866/givencb8.jpg)

Steve Finnan (http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/9390/finnalr8.jpg)
Ian Harte (http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/6056/harteyf6.jpg)
Richard Dunne (http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4128/dunneod0.jpg)
Andy O'Brien (http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/3917/obrienjd0.jpg)

Aiden McGeady (http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/6/mcgeadyhb0.jpg)
Damien Duff (http://img384.imageshack.us/img384/3534/duffos7.jpg)
Steven Reid (http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/451/sreiduf9.jpg)
Andy Reid (http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/668/areidxh4.jpg)

Robbie Keane (http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/3982/keaneiy7.jpg)
Kevin Doyle (http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/5548/doylejw7.jpg)

;)

stay off the computer games eirbhoy!

Kevin Doyle has the potential to be as good as Fernando Balano! I bet he's thrilled..........

What a load of sh*te

[nedder]

Stephen Ireland seemed to be playing with the yellow bibs in training yesterday - along with the 'first - teamers' from the glimpse I saw on tv3.

I hope he plays, he could be the one to unlock defences from midfield

[shakermaker1982]

Ireland starting would surprise me - please tell me Kilbane wasn't wearing a bib?

[Condex]

If Keane does not score in Cyprus he should be dropped to the bench for Wednesday and Bling Bling and Doyle put up front. When is the Last time he had a good game for Ireland? Drop him- he needs to wake up! A World class striker creates Goals - Keane has to be handed them in the 6yd box!

He's not world class, hes barely international class...

[eirebhoy]

He's not world class, hes barely international class...
haha. :D It doesn't say much for the rest of our strikers when Keane is our best ever.

http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/robkeane-intlg.html

16 goals in 35 competitives. Excellent record. It's up there with Klose's 14 in 30 and I wouldn't say there's many strikers with a much better record.

[NeilMcD]

I find the writing off of robbie Keane simply laughable. Record goalscorer says it all.

[Stuttgart88]

Agreed. Clearly international class as his record shows. He's not without his faults by any means (moans too much for example, poor with his head...) but his record is good and he does a lot of other stuff as well.

[NeilMcD]

I think it was Mackey in the Examiner who said that he has a tendancy to direct traffic which I thought was a good description of his performance in Stuttgart.

[shakermaker1982]

I'd have him over Peter Crouch (Ing er land's saviour) any day of the week - Keano is due a big game and fingers crossed he has two in a row.

[Stuttgart88]

Ireland starting would surprise me - please tell me Kilbane wasn't wearing a bib? O'Shea played left-back, KK in midfield with Ireland. Miller was resting a knock.

[blobbyblob]

He's not world class, hes barely international class...


Kilbane - I wouldnt pick him in 4th class.

[Stuttgart88]

Who was central mid last year in Cyprus. Kav and KK? We were mullered in CM that day. Kav started really brightly but was subsequently swamped.

Was Keane injured or suspended, or did he play?

[eirebhoy]

O'Shea played left-back, KK in midfield with Ireland. Miller was resting a knock.
Jesus if he's planning that central midfield against Cyprus we're in trouble. We can debate about holding midfielders all we want but that partnership would be just taking the biscuit.

[Kingdom]

I posted on another thread (pre-injury mare!) what I thought the team would be. I genuinely haven't a clue what team he's going to pick. When Doyle got injured I figured he'd play Duffer up front with his little buddy Alan O'Brien on the wing.
Thought he might play one of the newbies (McShane or Ledger) at left back and keep the two boys for centre midfield. But now that I hear the rumblings of Ireland and KK in midfield I'm scared sh!tless.

[frankbrett]

Who was central mid last year in Cyprus. Kav and KK? We were mullered in CM that day. Kav started really brightly but was subsequently swamped.

Was Keane injured or suspended, or did he play?

Keane picked up an injury against Liverpool and didn't play
Kav and KK in the middle for that game

[Stuttgart88]

Thanks Frank.

Kingdom, I'd be very surprised if he doesn't pick Morrison, or maybe Alan Lee.

4-3-3 may be an option though.

[tetsujin1979]

Kavanag and Kilbane, with Finnan and Reid on the wings. Holland came on for Finnan, he had been playing right wing for Charlton in the weeks building up to the game.
http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=466901

[NeilMcD]

That was Finnans worst every performance for Ireland. Either he was injured or not feeling well but I we were all the same wing as him in the 1st half and he was not at teh races at all.

[kingp35]

Kilbane and Ireland should play in the middle of the park together. Neither can put in the tackles and play the simple pass. we will be overrun in there is thats the partnership played. I still think Douglas is the man to play in the centre. He has plenty of bite about him.

[Stuttgart88]

Yikes. Acc to an article just up on the Indo website, JOS & KK played the praictice match in the middle with Foley at left back.

Stan also had a couple of bizarre quotes.

[geysir]

I didn't see anything on the indo site. But on the sporting life site one headline " Staunton, draw not a disaster" preceded by "Staunton expecting victory"
next headline will be "Stan not prepared for defeat"

[shakermaker1982]

if Staunton still believes Kilbane and O'Shea make a good central midfield pairing then he needs help. Fast. I'd say 9999 out of 1000 Irish fans would agree that they are not compatible and should never play together. I'll reserve judgement until he names the team but if Kilbane's in I'm gonna be a little miffed.

[eirebhoy]

O'Shea played left-back, KK in midfield with Ireland. Miller was resting a knock.
Jesus if he's planning that central midfield against Cyprus we're in trouble. We can debate about holding midfielders all we want but that partnership would be just taking the biscuit.
I'd love to know what Billsthoughts thinks now. :) The reason we lost that game so miserably was down to the centre of midfield and I think Stan proved that someone sitting in front of the back 4 is vital. If he doesn't play a holding midfielder against the Czechs I would really worry.