Euro 2008 - Is there any hope?

[geysir]

I think we should consider that Leeds United plan, to get rid of some of our squad members.

[Paddy Garcia]

so are you ready to be wrong...again....this coming season??

What are you talking about ? That you misunderstood Sylvo on the Emelka Onwubiko thread

[Noelys Guitar]

I like the look of O'Halloran. Saw him play last week against Toronto and he looked good. Good distribution and has pace. I hope Carr is not playing. At least one major mistake every game now. Has no pace anymore and can't get up to head the ball. We might end up with some surprises in the team. Carsley and Kilbane have both been in the news recently via moves away from their clubs to championship clubs. Ireland might not get a look-in at City. Same for O'Shea and Carr at their clubs. Long should keep his place at Reading and in pre-season games has looked excellent. Andy Reid might end up back in the premiership through a transfer(just a hunch). Stuttgart's team might be the right one yet especailly if O'Halloran is playing regulary.

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland might not get a look-in at City.
In the 5 games under Sven so far, Ireland has started every one, not even Dunne has done that.

[billybunter]

would love to see this team line out in slovakia/czech games:
given, finnan, mcshane, Dunne, O'halloran, mcgeady, S Reid, Carsley, hunt, Doyle, Keane.

[Noelys Guitar]

In the 5 games under Sven so far, Ireland has started every one, not even Dunne has done that.

True. But Sven is bringing in at least 6 more players. I rate Ireland Highly and it would be great to see him start for City when the real stuff starts.

[Stuttgart88]

It'd be a shame if Ireland gets overlooked by Sven. I was reading in today's UK Independent Sven's possible XI if all his signing targets come through. I've barely heard of any of them. Now maybe he knows what he's doing & has spent his time looking at players across Europe but it looks to me as if he's spending for the sake of spending, and he's not alone. It really does show how difficult the landscape is for young players to come through the ranks at Premiership clubs.

I suppose you could argue that it throws down a challenge to Ireland to make the place his own, but I'm not so sure.

We really need Ireland to be playing regularly and be match sharp for the upcoming games.

[bellavistaman]

Watch Ireland carefully cause hes from Cobh, but honest to god, havent seen somebody with the vision and passing ability from Ireland in a long time. Class act when hes on his day and with a team that want to play football, Micah Richards said on Soccer A.M, hes the most skillful, which doesnt blend in with irelands(team) style of play admittedly but still not a bad quality to have.

As for O"Halloran, still early but hes flying. Working hard for everything, and is starting to get what he deserves, when Stephen Henderson Jnr, the U-19 keeper, was in Cobh last summer, he was tellin us that without doubt he was the fittest in Villas youths and reserves, and did alot after training aswell ,and really looked after him self off pitch, health wise. Twas great to hear.

[Dr. Ogba]

would love to see this team line out in slovakia/czech games:
given, finnan, mcshane, Dunne, O'halloran, mcgeady, S Reid, Carsley, hunt, Doyle, Keane.


I like that team but there's still a lack of creativity in the midfield...I think Ireland has (deservedly) played himself into the first XI so it would have to be either Hunt or McGeady to make way...Also think it'll be too early for Reid so you could expect Kilbane to be there instead of him (unfortunately!)...

[citizenerased]

I want this team to play..

.......................Given

Finnan.....McShane.....Dunne.....O'Shea

................S Reid........Ireland

McGeady............Keane.............Hunt

........................Doyle


This formation works for us..we should stick to it..

[paul_oshea]

too lightweight in midfield citizen.

[Wolfie]

Joey O'Brien in the reckoning?

[shakermaker1982]

John O'Shea has to fit in somewhere. He had a good couple of games against Slovakia and Wales at full back so if he is kept there then I'm happy enough. Centre MF and I'd panic.

[livehead1]

would love to see this team line out in slovakia/czech games:
given, finnan, mcshane, Dunne, O'halloran, mcgeady, S Reid, Carsley, hunt, Doyle, Keane.

That's hilarious, you would have a player who has about 5 senior CLUB games under his belt, O'Halloran, to come in and play in two of the biggest games in Irish football's recent history, one of them being against one of the best sides in Europe over the last 5 years!

[Stuttgart88]

I'd be tempted to too. We are in desperate need of a natural left back. It'd be a bold move but if O'halloran plays well against Denmark and gets games for Villa I don't see why not. It's not as if the alternatives are that compelling.

[Wolfie]

That's hilarious, you would have a player who has about 5 senior CLUB games under his belt, O'Halloran, to come in and play in two of the biggest games in Irish football's recent history, one of them being against one of the best sides in Europe over the last 5 years!

McShane, albeit with a bit more club experience, did alright in similar circumstances.

As posted earlier, I'd like to see how O'Halloran slots in with the established back 4 against Denmark.

[livehead1]

I'd be tempted to too. We are in desperate need of a natural left back. It'd be a bold move but if O'halloran plays well against Denmark and gets games for Villa I don't see why not. It's not as if the alternatives are that compelling.

Yeh, i would be more accepting if that was the case, but currently, as the situation stands, and his experience, I cannot see how it is viable to include him!

[citizenerased]

i think its silly to be mentioning o halloran, what the hell ahs he done to warrant a starting place. too much of a big occasion for hi to start...

"too lightweight in midfield citizen."

I considered that, but reid is a tough tackler and has alot of presence on the ball, and doesnt give the ball away as often as carsley or kilbane, ireland also is a competent passer and rarely concedes possesion...we are going to have to keep the ball, we cannot let either the czechs or slovaks get us on the break as a result of an overhit ball by kilbane..We have to go aiming to win both these matches..

[tetsujin1979]

i think its silly to be mentioning o halloran, what the hell ahs he done to warrant a starting place. too much of a big occasion for hi to start...

"too lightweight in midfield citizen."

I considered that, but reid is a tough tackler and has alot of presence on the ball, and doesnt give the ball away as often as carsley or kilbane, ireland also is a competent passer and rarely concedes possesion...we are going to have to keep the ball, we cannot let either the czechs or slovaks get us on the break as a result of an overhit ball by kilbane..We have to go aiming to win both these matches..
Ireland is too lightweight to play that deeply, a lot would fall on reid to play the defensive ball winning role by himself.
other than that, looks promising

[citizenerased]

possibly agree about ireland, but if you leave him out and add carsley or kilbane, we will have no creative edge in midfield , which will be in two very tight away games..

[Noelys Guitar]

i think its silly to be mentioning o halloran, what the hell ahs he done to warrant a starting place. too much of a big occasion for hi to start...

"too lightweight in midfield citizen."

I considered that, but reid is a tough tackler and has alot of presence on the ball, and doesnt give the ball away as often as carsley or kilbane, ireland also is a competent passer and rarely concedes possesion...we are going to have to keep the ball, we cannot let either the czechs or slovaks get us on the break as a result of an overhit ball by kilbane..We have to go aiming to win both these matches..

There are 5 games in the premisership befre the Slovak game. Everything can change in that period. O'Halloran plays well for the first 5 games. O'Shea is benched by United. Who plays then? Many Irish players have been thrown in at the deep end. If he is good enough he should play if O'Shea is not getting his game at UTD.

[Metrostars]

There are 5 games in the premisership befre the Slovak game. Everything can change in that period. O'Halloran plays well for the first 5 games. O'Shea is benched by United. Who plays then? Many Irish players have been thrown in at the deep end. If he is good enough he should play if O'Shea is not getting his game at UTD.

I dunno but with Hargreaves currently injured and prone to injury, I suspect O'Shea will get his fair share of games at utd.

[tetsujin1979]

I dunno but with Hargreaves currently injured and prone to injury, I suspect O'Shea will get his fair share of games at utd.
I mentioned it elsewhere, but in United's preseason games that I've seen so fa (including last night's loss to Inter) O'Shea has played in central midfield, rather than defence.
Not sure how that helps or hinders us

[billybunter]

That's hilarious, you would have a player who has about 5 senior CLUB games under his belt, O'Halloran, to come in and play in two of the biggest games in Irish football's recent history, one of them being against one of the best sides in Europe over the last 5 years!

even better. I have seen a player who has already played for ireland in that position, and himself and potter were the 2 best players in the Boston game against bolivia. He as very good for Villa last week in toronto, and if givent he choice of o'shea, finnan at left back, kilbane at left back, ian harte etc, i would take a chance with o'halloran. Also, while i think Slovakia are a decent side, they have hardly been one of the best sides in europe over the last 5 years. : )

[tetsujin1979]

That's hilarious, you would have a player who has about 5 senior CLUB games under his belt, O'Halloran, to come in and play in two of the biggest games in Irish football's recent history, one of them being against one of the best sides in Europe over the last 5 years!
Actually he has about 18 senior CLUB games under his belt. But lets not let the facts get in the way of a good rant.

[theworm2345]

We have to be positive in both games. None of this "a point is a good result away from home" ********.

4-4-2 with Hunt on the left and a Doyle/Keano partnership is a must IMO. If we somehow beat the Slovaks then confidence should be at a high and I'd imagine the Czech's will start to have some doubts themselves about their ability going into the game. Like Carloz says this Czech side is not the same side that tormented decent sides a few years back, it's an ageing team that still relies on Baros and Koller to dig them out of holes.

4 points is a MUST if you ask me. 6 points and I'll be in dream land!!!

I disagree with the Doyle/Keano partnership. I've never been a big fan of it, and if you look at the stats, besides San Marino, they haven't scored when together (which I think is 3-5 times). I'd prefer to see something like this (which, I believe is what we had against Slovakia and Wales)
----------Given------------
D----D---------D--------D-
M---M-----------M------M-
----------Duff-------------
---------Keane/Doyle (or Connolly ;))-------
I'm not filling in the Mids and Defenders because I don't know who will best at the time, also, I have my doubts about Doyle this season, he wasn't as effective after he got hurt last year. For those of you who are annoyed with this post, I will respond to your retorts on Sunday when I return (The Connolly thing was a joke, just because I know Staunton wouldn't pick him).

[shakermaker1982]

well Duff's out till the end of the year so I imagine you'd want S Ireland behind the front man. With a Doyle/Keano partnership you have Doyler who is excellent in the air leading the line and Keano who drops deep looking to get involved. That 4-4-2 formation can easily transform into 4-4-1-1.

On the O'Halloran issue.......If he gets a few starts for Villa early on and does well then I'd have no qualms in picking him at LB. If he is stuck on the bench/or in the reserves then I'd go with JOS.

[livehead1]

Actually he has about 18 senior CLUB games under his belt. But lets not let the facts get in the way of a good rant.

Twelve of which were for Wycome Wanderers in League 2 last season, don't be so pedantic! You knew what I meant.

[tetsujin1979]

Twelve of which were for Wycome Wanderers in League 2 last season, don't be so pedantic! You knew what I meant.
Actually, all of which were for Wycombe, he didn't play for Villa last season, 9 starts in the League, 2 appearances from the bench in the League, 4 times on the bench in the League, 2 starts in the League Cup and one start in the Football League Trophy,

[livehead1]

Actually, all of which were for Wycombe, he didn't play for Villa last season, 9 starts in the League, 2 appearances from the bench in the League, 4 times on the bench in the League, 2 starts in the League Cup and one start in the Football League Trophy,

Well, my point still stands. How a player can be picked for two games of the upmost importance whilst having no relevant experience is ridiculous. Eighteen club games at League 2 level in England, and all of a sudden people are saying he should be playing for the national side against the Czech Republic. Where is the grip on reality?!

[eirebhoy]

I disagree with the Doyle/Keano partnership. I've never been a big fan of it, and if you look at the stats, besides San Marino, they haven't scored when together (which I think is 3-5 times).
They've played together 3 times excluding San Marino, Keane scored 1 against Sweden.

[RogerMilla]

They've played together 3 times excluding San Marino, Keane scored 1 against Sweden.

for the few minutes they were on the park together against wales they looked a threatening partnership , we can afford to bench neither of these players and this partnership is the future of the Irish team.

[Noelys Guitar]

Well, my point still stands. How a player can be picked for two games of the upmost importance whilst having no relevant experience is ridiculous. Eighteen club games at League 2 level in England, and all of a sudden people are saying he should be playing for the national side against the Czech Republic. Where is the grip on reality?!

David O'Leary (England FRD), Liam Brady (Russia EUQ), Frank Stapleton (FranceWCQ) and others should not have been capped until they had established themselves at their clubs? This is were a top manager makes the call. Go with the usual suspects who we all know are not good enough ie O'Shea, Kilbane. Or throw in somebody who has something to prove. Is hungry. And who has broken into their Premiership clubs first eleven. Martin O'Neill has the money to go out and buy a left back. But so far has not. I trust his judgement. And if O'Halloran starts for Villa in the first few games and plays well then Stan should be watching closely and make the call.

[tetsujin1979]

Martin O'Neill has the money to go out and buy a left back. But so far has not.
And sold JLloyd Samuel, another left back.
I'm pretty sure I read that O'Neill said O'Halloran would have gotten some games after coming back from his loan spell, but the team was settled, and on a bit of a run, and he didn't want to upset that.

[geysir]

This is were a top manager makes the call. Go with the usual suspects who we all know are not good enough ie O'Shea, Kilbane. Or throw in somebody who has something to prove.
Top Manager? Stan has made progress:)
O'Halloran impressed with parts of his game in the friendlies other parts were clearly not up to scratch (losing possesion and out of position) it remains to be seen.
I'd trust Stan, our top manager, in this regard with assessing a young left full back's merits.
Couldn't see him going beyond a starting FB lineup from Finnan/O'Shea/Carr. There is no great dilemma in that considering what is available to chose from.
More important is to assess, in the context of any change to the team since the Slovakia game, the return of the 2 Reids, Duffs absence, has Killer any bite left, is Hunt ready?
Doyle and Keane are certain.

[carloz]

The thing is can anyone see Staunton actually having the balls and the courage of his own conviction to start with O'Halloran. I really dont think he will, this is the man that for some reason decides to play Finnan at left back and O'Shea at right in the last 2 qualifiers and who started with a central midfield of Ireland and Kilbane in Cyprus, a midfield that was so lightweight it was shocking. He will NOT take a single chance in the 2 september games IMO and that could prove to be his downfall. Out of interest how are S. Reid and J. O;Briends recoveries going???

Here is the team i would start with
Given
Finnan Dunne McShane O'Halloran

Ireland S. Reid Carsley Hunt

Doyle Keane

I know playing Ireland on the right wing is very dodgy but i feel he has to be accomidated in the team somehow because of his creativity, and i really wouldnt like the look of our central midfield if he were there.

Here is the team i feel Staunton will pick

Given
Carr Dunne McShane O'Shea

Carsley
Finnan S. Reid Ireland Hunt

Keane

It will bring back reminders of the away game to Croatia in the qualifying round for Euro 2000 where we played 4-5-1 with Cascarino alone up forward:(. The difference then was a draw would not have been a bad result there, its hard to see how a draw waainst Slovakia would be enough, that is the more winnable of the two

[citizenerased]

reid is back in full training now, and is a huge plus for us..a definite starter,,im not fullly sure about joey o'brien to be honest..i hope o'halloran gets a few starts under his belt for villa as it would be a blessing to have someone for that troublesome left back position

[geysir]

In the 2 friendlies against very weak opposition that we have seen O'Halloran play, in parts impressive in parts well below standard, it's nonsense to suggest that a manager needs balls/courage in order to pick him over O'Shea /Finnan/Carr, who are way ahead in experience, for the two important away games against infinitly better opposition.

[tetsujin1979]

The thing is can anyone see Staunton actually having the balls and the courage of his own conviction to start with O'Halloran.
The same balls and courage that made him start with O'Halloran in the States, or call up any number of uncapped players for the tour?

I really dont think he will, this is the man that for some reason decides to play Finnan at left back and O'Shea at right in the last 2 qualifiers
The same 2 qualiders we won

and who started with a central midfield of Ireland and Kilbane in Cyprus, a midfield that was so lightweight it was shocking.
And never played those 2 in central midfield again, and has only played Kilbane there if he isn't expected to play the holding/ball winning role

He will NOT take a single chance in the 2 september games IMO and that could prove to be his downfall. Out of interest how are S. Reid and J. O;Briends recoveries going???
From http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1083723,00.html

Another player who could get his first runout of the summer is midfielder Steven Reid who, whilst recovering from the knee injury that forced him to miss the latter half of the season, has struggled to shake off a calf injury in recent weeks.
O'Brien's been on the bench a few times for Bolton in preseason, but I don't think he's come on at all

[citizenerased]

[QUOTE=tetsujin1979;738810]The same balls and courage that made him start with O'Halloran in the States, or call up any number of uncapped players for the tour?
QUOTE]


Starting him in the US mickey mouse friendlies was hardly balls considering 25 players withdrew from the squad..He had no choice but to give new caps, if he wanted to field a team...
switching o'shea and finnan hardly resulted in us winning the games against wales and slovakia, it was hardly a tactical mastermind on stans part.

We were awful against wales..playing Robbie Keane as a Lone striker...does he watch any football at all?? the only reason doyle started the next game was because keane was suspended..Stan is still a joke as far as im concerned.....that group we are in is shockingly poor!!

[carloz]

The same balls and courage that made him start with O'Halloran in the States, or call up any number of uncapped players for the tour?
You think that took balls....to play O'Halloran in a pointless match in America when the squad was desimated to the bare bones, stop being ridicoulous. In a crutial qualifier like the September ones, then we will see what Stan is made of


And never played those 2 in central midfield again, and has only played Kilbane there if he isn't expected to play the holding/ball winning role
Wow. so he learned from his mistake. A mistake that anyone could see was going to happen when you start with a midfiled like that



The same 2 qualiders we won
Wales and Slovakia at home.....hardly the most testing of games we will ever have. Because we won hardly means he was right to play or two full backs on the opposite wings than they play for their team

[eirebhoy]

Here is the team i would start with
Given
Finnan Dunne McShane O'Halloran

Ireland S. Reid Carsley Hunt

Doyle Keane

I know playing Ireland on the right wing is very dodgy but i feel he has to be accomidated in the team somehow because of his creativity, and i really wouldnt like the look of our central midfield if he were there.

Here is the team i feel Staunton will pick

Given
Carr Dunne McShane O'Shea

Carsley
Finnan S. Reid Ireland Hunt

Keane

No Andy Reid?

[billybunter]

i believe we can, and will qualify. Will need a bit of luck along the way, but for fux sake if there is one team that is due some, it has to be us.

[Lionel Ritchie]

i believe we can, and will qualify. Will need a bit of luck along the way, but for fux sake if there is one team that is due some, it has to be us.

Where do you think we've been unlucky? Injuries? Teams with less resources than we have manage to cope with injuries and get on with it. We were lucky we only lost 1-0 in Germany, we were lucky we didn't concede 8 or 9 in Cyprus, we were lucky to the point of criminal that we got a winner in San Marino....

[citizenerased]

true we have been the unluckiest foockers ever when it comes to qualifying...that last sec winner was a sign and a turning point for us...COMON Ireland!!!

[carloz]

No Andy Reid?
If he is fully fit then yes, i would probably fit him in, he has something that nobody else in our squad has and could prove to be very important with Duffer missing. However as usual with Andy, there is probably less than 50% chance he will be fit

[carloz]

i believe we can, and will qualify. Will need a bit of luck along the way, but for fux sake if there is one team that is due some, it has to be us.
I really wish i had your optimism, but with Staunton in charge i just cant. Excluding Macedonaia we have rarely be that unlucky. Israel's late equaliser in Tel Aviv a few years back in the last minute was the least they deserved. I remember in qualifying for Euro 2004 we had great luck when Albania done us a massive favour and defeated Russia but we did nothing about it. Plus you look at the Germany in the last world cup, and the cruel way we robbed San marino of a point, we have had our share of luck. After San Marino we dont deserve anymore luck. Having said that there would be something extra special if we scored a winner in the last minute against the Slovaks or the Czechs

[billybunter]

wim kieft, and the magic bounce in 88 against holland - where we were 8 minutes from the semi final's,. Disallowed goals and shiite referreeing for spain 82, (and mexico 86) - i think we have missed out on enough major tournaments where we deserved to go. the perfromances in the slovakia / and czech games at home gives me hope.... germany to win the group by a long way, but i genuinely feel we have a great shot at second. (czech's on the slide, slovaks are definitely in a worse place than we are. And i think the 2 wins in march, plus a (hopefully!) strong performance against the danes, will keep the little optimism and momentum going.

[citizenerased]

Bull**** about san marino, granted they are a small nation but we deserved the three points that was their only half attack...so let it go if that had of been any other team we would have said we deserved a win..so lets cop on with that ****..we deserved the 3 points, san marino aside they had 11 men behind the ball..we are very unkucky ala belgium 98 , turkey 00...less of the self deprecation please

[citizenerased]

were goin to quailify and i guarantee we will have a lot of luck along the way..we deserve it...