The team / squad for san marino

[NeilMcD]

Terry Dixon is out with a bad knee injury so he wont be in the frame for a while. Just signed professional terms with Spurs the other day.

[Four Eyes]

Gibson, he's playing regular in Belgium so arguably deserves his spot.

Gibson, although playing regularly is playing in the Belgium second division which is hardly anything to write home about

[charliesboots]

I've heard good things about Gibson, he's playing regular in Belgium so arguably deserves his spot.

ridiculous statement - because you're playing regularly in the Belgian Second Division you're worthy of a place in the Ireland squad, f*cking rubbish.

Is Gibson or Jonathan Douglas for that matter better than Joe Gamble or Barry Molloy? Is Randolph better than Barry Ryan or Darren Quigley? Is Keogh better than O'Donovan or Farren?

This squad annoncement also makes a mockery of the B international from November. Joe Gamble and Stephen McPhail were easily the best players on the pitch and yet neither are in the squad. Shane Long played a few minutes and Stephen Quinn wasn't even picked. Both are admittedly in the squad on merit, but what sort of a message does it send to players for future 'b' internationals?

[tetsujin1979]

what sort of a message does it send to players for future 'b' internationals?
If I had to guess, I think it would be "if you impress in the eircom League, we will take a look at you, but if you are out of season, not match fit or match sharp then you'll have to wait"

[Soper]

In Quigleys case, at least, he has been abroad pimping himself for the last few months and training.

Also, Jason Byrne was 'out of season' yet managed to score the winning goal in a championship match and play well by all accounts.

[shakermaker1982]

I'm happy enough with the squad - hoping for Stokes, S Quinn and Long to get a call up and he has done that. Gibson is a bit of a mystery to me but hey beggars can't be chooses.... farewell St Ledger - Big Ron strikes again!

[charliesboots]

If I had to guess, I think it would be "if you impress in the eircom League, we will take a look at you, but if you are out of season, not match fit or match sharp then you'll have to wait"

Do you think it would have been any different had the squad been announced in July/August when the foreign based players were out of season and our home based players were in full swing?

[tetsujin1979]

Do you think it would have been any different had the squad been announced in July/August when the foreign based players were out of season and our home based players were in full swing?

don't the foreign based players have at least one round of fixtures, as well as european games in some cases, out of the way before the august internationals?

[kingdom hoop]

the decision making criteria at least should have been different, what the result would be is really anyones guess. stan, at his inauguration, said he'd keep an eye on the eL so we'll have to take him at his word for now. andy o'brien being left out is a point worth making, no match practice etc.

[Qwerty]

St Ledger appears to have lost his place in the Preston team at the moment, so that explains his absence along with Morrison who is also out of the Palace term. Andy O'Brien is not even getting into the match day 16 most of the time.

Randolph is very highly rated and he is along for the experience only I would think.

All of the others are pretty much playing first team football.

Long scored again tonight amd started ahead of kitson.

Harte is there on merit, can people point out to me the goals he is responsible for? He was injured during the last World Cup finals, he was not at 100%. O'Shea has not made that position his own af far as I am concerned. If he played aginst Cyprus we might just have done better.

The surprises like Hunt and Stephen Quinn are refreshing. If it is Stephen Quinn versus Alan O'Brien I'll take Quinn every time. Hunt is aggressive which is something this Ireland team needs more of.

Keogh is the only name that doesn't work for me.

I am curious about Alan Lee not being in there, maybe it's a horses for courses but I think Lee can do a job for us.

[theworm2345]

Can anyone explain how you can call up Andy Keogh (7 goals in League 1), Shane Long (hes not a terrible choice, but he has only 2 league goals, both against teams who are damn near the relegation zone), Darron Gibson (who?), Stephen Elliott (5 goals in league), and Anthony Stokes (too early to judge, I can't really tell, he was much more deserving last time around) over Alan Lee (12 goals!), David Connolly (7 league goals and was hurt for a month), Clinton Morrison (6 goals, but hasnt been in form) and Martin Rowlands, Liam Lawrence, or Martin Devaney even goddamn Alan O'Brien deserves it over a few of them (if we are going by international form). Getting the young kids ready, how about building some team chemistry so we dont lose to Slovakia and Wales. I'm not even maddest about Connolly, what about Lee, 12 goddamn goals and he chooses Elliott, Stokes, Long, and Keogh over him? If it is you guys what about Daryl Murphy he has 5 or so goals and not in League 1 or Scotland? I have absolutely nothing against any of those fellows, but they dont deserve to be in the squad half as much as the others. Do the European Championships mean nothing anymore? Get the hell out Staunton before you embarass Ireland an yourself.

[charliesboots]

Just realised who Keogh's agent is....it all makes sense now. No doubt there are bonuses following an international appearance!!

[Irish_Praha]

The squad includes our best available 11 and subs. The only real surprises are Keogh and Gibson but they probably won't even get anywhere near the team and at least they are young lads who learn from the experience. Maybe another CB should have been included. The argument for and against other players to be included is just a matter of opinion IMO. As had been said different squad players could have been chosen but there would be no major difference in their quality.

[youngirish]

Squad is very poor IMO both down to the number of injuries and also some dodgy decisions by Staunton though I'm hardly surprised by that.

I'd have Supple and Logan before both Randolph and Colgan (and possibly before Henderson if we're going on club form though he was admittedly decent in the last international).

Also Gibson shouldn't be in there at the expense of Garvan by any stretch of the imagination. Not too sure about Douglas either though the alternatives (Miller and Potter spring to mind) don't exactly get me excited either.

Keogh shouldn't be in there yet though. I'd still have Morrison as he is experienced and has been playing at a higher level then Keogh until recently. He's also a different sort of player to our other strikers in the squad and can be brought on to throw his weight about if our smaller more skillful strikers aren't getting much change out of the defence.

On a positive note Staunton seems to be heading towards phasing out some of the drivel we've put up with for years (Connolly and Doherty spring to mind) and the inclusion of Hunt and especially Stephen Quinn is promising.

We should be able to get a decent enough first 11 anyway.

I'd have personally:

Henderson
Carr
McShane
Dunne
Finnan
Duff
Carsley
Ireland
S Quinn
Keane
Long

Subs:
Randolph
O'Shea
Hunt
McGeady
Stokes

[tetsujin1979]

I think the inclusion of Keogh and Gibson, and to a lesser extent Hunt and Stokes, shows that the B international did have some meaning and inclusion in a B game does bode well for your future at senior international level.
On the other hand - where's Paddy McCarthy, Stephen McPhail or Kevin Foley?

[youngirish]

On the other hand - where's Paddy McCarthy, Stephen McPhail or Kevin Foley?
Wouldn't have McCarthy or McPhail personally. McCarthy has been dodgy this season for a poor side while McPhail has never shown that he's up to the task at the highest level. I'd much rather give a younger similar player such as Garvan or Potter the go ahead instead of the ageing McPhail.

Foley needs a move away from Luton who are in freefall at the moment ( I reckon they'll be relegated).

[tetsujin1979]

Fair enough.
I have to say, despite the lack of central defenders, I'm relatively happy with the squad.
The exclusion of Alan Lee, and David Connolly is puzzling, but if Staunton had brought them in, he'd be accused of not taking advantage of experimenting in a game which we clearly can.

[republicofwhite]

The inclusion of Keogh is a bit hasty I think, maybe its just because he's suddenly become a Championship Striker instead of a League 1 striker.. In this case Bennett warrants a call up due to his sudden transition...;) I'm really surprised O' Dea isn't in the shake up, especially considering he's now a regular first teamer for Celtic, and can play left back and centre back, areas we are desperately short on... Surely the most glaring omission. I know its insignificant because its 3rd choice keeper but Supple has to be there ahead of Randolph. Supple has had plenty of first team action for a decent Championship side and can count himself unlucky not to be more of a first team regular because of injury. Rqandolph has only played a few games for Accrington Stanley last year, and is Charlton(pure sh*te) 4th choice I think?! If Long scores in his next match I'm backing him to start up front with Robbie... he's doing very well now, 2 in 2. Stokes has lost a bit of momentum with that injury.

[DotTV]

Gibson is young and is meant to be the next best thing at Man U. He was the cause of a lot of controversy when he opted for us instead of NI(He's born in Derry). I was talking to a few people from the north who followed his progress up the ranks and they wee ripping that he didn't play for them.
Staunton spoke to Feguson about him and he said bringing him into the squad will be good for his development but he's not ready to play.I'd say it's one way of Staunton saying that we have not forgot about him.
I think the rest of the squad is good and it's positive that Staunton picked some in form young players(S Quinn, Hunt, Long and Stokes)

[ChrisRed]

I'd personally have

Henderson

Finnan
Dunne
McShane
Harte

Duff
Carsley
Ireland
McGeady

Keane
Stokes

Subs:
Colgan
Carr
O'Shea
Elliot
Hunt

But I cant see Stan dropping the likes of Kilbane and O'Shea, think Stokes should be given a chance, he did the business in Scotland for a below average team in that league, scored against Celtic. Harte should also get the nod due to what he brings attacking wise to the team. Given the current state of the group if we are to qualify we will really need to boast our goal difference especially against the likes of San Marino.

[youngirish]

Given the current state of the group if we are to qualify we will really need to boast our goal difference especially against the likes of San Marino.
Goal difference is not a factor. It's head to head against the team you're equal on points with.

[fergalr]

But I cant see Stan dropping the likes of Kilbane and O'Shea

He should but I can't see it either.

Can I start an official "stop Kilbane from getting 100 caps campaign?".

[Wolfie]

He should but I can't see it either.

Can I start an official "stop Kilbane from getting 100 caps campaign?".

Should supplement it with a "Clear out the dead weight" campaign. Kilbane, O'Shea, Kavanagh, O'Brien.............

On a positive note - Hunt, Stokes, Stephen Quinn and Shane Long are all welcome additions in my opinion. Hopefully O'Dea continues to develop along with a few notable others.

It may be early days and based on potential - but there are some of the younger players who should be phased in when more experience is gained and the "Dead Weights" phased out.

A knee jerk purge of the team would obviously be a rash move at this juncture - but there are some established names need to start performing or their numbers up. Only experience gained is keeping them there.

[Qwerty]

I do hope the O'Brien is the Alan model not the Andy.

[kingdom hoop]

the omission of o'brien and morrison from the squad would suggest a willingness by stan to drop kilbane or o'shea from the team.

excellent squad in my view, except for o'dea or mccarthy. an injury to dunne or mcshane before wales/slovakia would leave o'shea to fill the gap with no one else to fill the place on the squad. why bring in gibson or keogh when we are more needy in other areas? i think mccarthy(from seeing some tenacious underage performances) would plug the gap if needs be. while o'deas competent performances from nowhere hint that he would also have a case for inclusion.

[Fergie's Son]

Staunton will not drop either Kilbane or O'Shea.

Same old ****e really.

[Kingdom]

Its not as simple as just dropping JOS and Kilbane. Its not.

The small amount of posts with proposed lineups have generally gone as such:
Henderson, Finnan, Harte, Dunne, McShane, McGeady, Duff, Carsley, Ireland, KEane, Stokes/Long. Notice anything? Its a ridiculously small team. 3 players who would offer us something in the air. Thats why I believe one of O'Shea and Kilbane will be kept. Either O'Shea at left back, or Kilbane at left midfield. No I can't stand O'Shea and would tolerate Kilbane at left back, but regardless of who we play we have a very vertically challenged team. And I don't think talk of the "its San Marino we don't need to worry about set-pieces" sort is alid either.

One other point. I've heard people go on about how Henderson was decent against the Czech's. How was he decent? What did he have to do? Not a lot if I remember correctly.

[Fergie's Son]

While it's more than Kilbane and O'Shea both players typify Staunton's lack of ambition. Fact is, neither are good enough yet both get their games.

[eirebhoy]

Good to see Duff play the 90 minutes tonight. I think he set up the last goal too.

[Qwerty]

Its not as simple as just dropping JOS and Kilbane. Its not.

The small amount of posts with proposed lineups have generally gone as such:
Henderson, Finnan, Harte, Dunne, McShane, McGeady, Duff, Carsley, Ireland, KEane, Stokes/Long. Notice anything? Its a ridiculously small team. 3 players who would offer us something in the air. Thats why I believe one of O'Shea and Kilbane will be kept. Either O'Shea at left back, or Kilbane at left midfield. No I can't stand O'Shea and would tolerate Kilbane at left back, but regardless of who we play we have a very vertically challenged team. And I don't think talk of the "its San Marino we don't need to worry about set-pieces" sort is alid either.

One other point. I've heard people go on about how Henderson was decent against the Czech's. How was he decent? What did he have to do? Not a lot if I remember correctly.

Read the match reports to referesh your memory or pull out the ould tape, Henderson did well and made some good saves.

O'Shea may bring height to the team theorectially but he just doesn't use his body in a physical sense like he should. We have Carsley in CM, one workhorse is enough enough San Marino, I don't think we need the sliken skill of Kilbane for this one.

[eirebhoy]

Good to see Duff play the 90 minutes tonight. I think he set up the last goal too.
Just saw it there and it was a good assist. 93rd minute and Duff beats a Villa player for pace. 2 against 2 and he lays it on a plate for Sibierski to score.

[kingdom hoop]

Just saw it there and it was a good assist. 93rd minute and Duff beats a Villa player for pace. 2 against 2 and he lays it on a plate for Sibierski to score.

impressive given lack of match practice. i'm looking forward to seeing him back. he has a point to prove, or at least that what he has said

[eirebhoy]

I watched the extended highlights of the Newcastle match on Sky Sports to see how he did. He still looks like he's finding it difficult to beat a player. Anyway, here's the excellent assist: :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGihJghlzeY

[NeilMcD]

Andy O Brien turned down a loan to Man City, seems very strange.

[Wolfie]

Andy O Brien turned down a loan to Man City, seems very strange.

Cue mass sighs of relief at the council house..............

[Wolfie]

I do hope the O'Brien is the Alan model not the Andy.

Both!!

[Stuttgart88]

I don't agree with every name in this squad but it's the first that's consistent with Staunton's ''building for the future'' deceipt up until now. I'm largely in agreement with it. You could argue that maybe O'Dea, McCarthy and Geary could be in there but dropping Andy O'Brien is right, and Miller's ommission is overdue.

I've no difficulty with Keogh's inclusion and Randolph over Supple is a fair call. Both thes young keepers will play a big part for us in the next 12 years.

By and large this squad has enough experience and enough in-form youth for me to think that the balance is right, and for once, most of the names are right too.