Line up for the Games

[bwagner]

Guys your opinions on the teams for both games barring injury of course??
Would you go with a moe attack mind team against wales ??

My team would be

Given
Finnan Mc Shane Dunne O'Shea
Kilbane Ireland Carsley Duff
Keane Doyle (Folan) ...folan if doyle is out , and for the surprise factor

[colster]

Guys your opinions on the teams for both games barring injury of course??
Would you go with a moe attack mind team against wales ??

My team would be

Given
Finnan Mc Shane Dunne O'Shea
Kilbane Ireland Carsley Duff
Keane Doyle (Folan) ...folan if doyle is out , and for the surprise factor

I'd have Douglas instead of Ireland and maybe Harte instead of O'Shea

[bwagner]

Also I would use both Mc geady and Hunt as impact players

[ifk101]

Given,
Finnan, Dunne, McShane, Harte,
McGeady, Ireland, Carsley, Duff,
Keane, Doyle.

It's a toss-up between Harte and JOSH for who starts at left-full. Both are equally useless.

[passinginterest]

I'd have Kelly at left back ahead of Harte or O'Shea. Other than that agree with bwagner.

[eirebhoy]

--------------Given----------------
Finnan----Dunne--McShane----O'Shea
McGeady--Carsley---Douglas---Duff
-----------Keane---Doyle----------

[gustavo]

--------------Given----------------
Kelly----Dunne--McShane----Finnan
McGeady--Carsley---Ireland---Duff
-----------Keane---Doyle----------

[tetsujin1979]

--------------Given----------------
Finnan----Dunne--McShane----O'Shea
McGeady--Carsley---Douglas---Duff
-----------Keane---Doyle----------
I'd go along with that

[LFC in Exile]

If all fit and available

Given
Finnan, McShane, Dunne (because of lack of alternatives), Kelly
McGeady, Miller, Ireland, Duff
Doyle, Morrisson

Subs: Douglas, Hunt, O'Dea, Keane, Henderson

[colster]

--------------Given----------------
Finnan----Dunne--McShane----O'Shea
McGeady--Carsley---Douglas---Duff
-----------Keane---Doyle----------

I'd go along with that.

[livehead1]

-----------------Given---------------
--------McShane Dunne O'Brien-------
Finnan Harte
Carsley Ireland
Duff
Ward Keane

[tetsujin1979]

If all fit and available

Given
Finnan, McShane, Dunne (because of lack of alternatives), Kelly
McGeady, Miller, Ireland, Duff
Doyle, Morrisson

Subs: Douglas, Hunt, O'Dea, Keane, Henderson

Erm, neither in the squad
Why would you only include Dunne because of a lack of alternatives?

[colster]

If all fit and available

Given
Finnan, McShane, Dunne (because of lack of alternatives), Kelly
McGeady, Miller, Ireland, Duff
Doyle, Morrisson

Subs: Douglas, Hunt, O'Dea, Keane, Henderson

Very light weight midfield!!! Miller and Ireland are tiny.

[stojkovic]

The team I think Stan should pick

Given
Finnan-McShane-Dunne-Kelly
Duff-Carsley-O'Shea-Hunt
Keane-Doyle

*** NEWSFLASH ***
IRISH MANAGER PICKS FINNAN AT RIGHT BACK SHOCKER.

Kelly at left full is important for his pace as Bellamy will drift that side with Giggs on left unless Giggs plays centre for Wales. Stevie will cope with either.

Carsley and O'Shea for work-rate. \Douglas will be playing 3rd Division nxt year, so no. Hunt will buzz like Houghton and should be first choice on the left in place of Duff. If Duff not doing it on the right, get McGeady on double quick. If Keane won't stay up and keeps dropping, drop him and get Stokesy on, he's got alot to prove lately.

That team will win 3-0 assuming they don't listen to their manager and captain.

But Stan will pick a totally different team, maybe Finnan on the left wing.

[The Legend]

i might be crazy, but i'd start O'Dea over McShane. I think O'Dea might turn out to be the better prospect, only reason i'd have McShane in over him is that he's had a few caps.

Given
Finnan-O'Dea-Dunne-Kelly
Duff-Carsley-Ireland-Hunt
Keane-Doyle


I like Stephen Ireland's passing ability even though he's lightweight. O' Shea is just pants.

[IsMiseSean]

Given
Kelly, Dunne, McShane, Finnan
Duff, Carsley, Ireland, Kilbane
Keane, Doyle if fit otherwise I'd go with stokes

[KevB76]

... and O'Shea for work-rate...

Are you serious ? !!

[ChrisRed]

i might be crazy, but i'd start O'Dea over McShane. I think O'Dea might turn out to be the better prospect, only reason i'd have McShane in over him is that he's had a few caps.

Given
Finnan-O'Dea-Dunne-Kelly
Duff-Carsley-Ireland-Hunt
Keane-Doyle


I like Stephen Ireland's passing ability even though he's lightweight. O' Shea is just pants.

I agree about O'Dea, if he is good enough for the San Siro surely he is good enough for Croker. I'd start McGeady tho ahead of Hunt, i know it may sound like i'm just going for them as they are Celtic players but I think that they are the best options. Although I would like to see Hunt introduced.

[galwayhoop]

bearing in mind lack of other options how about o'dea at left back?

excuse my ignorance but what formation do the welsh usually play... do they not play a 3-5-2 or something?

[liaml]

Given
Kelly-O'Dea-Dunne-Finnan
McGeady-Carsley-Kilbane-Duff
Stokes-Doyle

[Qwerty]

If all fit and available

Given
Finnan, McShane, Dunne (because of lack of alternatives), Kelly
McGeady, Miller, Ireland, Duff
Doyle, Morrisson

Subs: Douglas, Hunt, O'Dea, Keane, Henderson

Wow! how could you want to see a midfield like that after the Cyprus game? my granny could walk through those 4.

I'm surprised you didn't put Folan on the bench.

[dr_peepee]

McShane has to start. He brings a sense of conviciton to the team that's been missing since Keane retired.

Given
Finnan, McShane, Dunne, O'Shea
McGeady, Miller, Carsley, Duff
Keane, Doyle

I don't think Miller has to be carried in the team in the same way that Ireland would, plus in Douglas' case I think we'd be showing the opposition too much credit if we start him. He'd only excell for us in back to the wall situations against quality oppostion. Plus while McGeady and Duff will offer plenty of penetration down the flanks I think Keane will end up coming too deep in the centre to recieve the ball. I feel Miller will give us a happy medium of what we'd get from Douglas, Ireland, or even Andy Reid. Plus he has played in a similar midfeild four of two Wingers and an anchor at Sunderland.

But he's not in the Squad. Apparently Gibson is a better option. I'm in no position to argue as I've never seen the lad.

[macdermesser]

I cannot believe that people are suggesting Kelly and Harte. I think defence and strikers are the easy bit. Midfield is the difficult part .. think Carsley is the only automatic starter

Given

Finnan O'Dea Dunne Mc Shane

<midfield>

Doyle Keane



Personally, would love to see both Mc Geady and Ireland in the team .. but as we saw against Cyprus .. too many lightweight players including Duff is a recipe for a disaster. O'Shea has improved of late for Man U .. still no gauge of whether he will play well for us. Think Bobby fancies him in centre midfield though.

I'd go with

Kilbane O'Shea Carsley Mc Geady

with Duff and Ireland as supersubs .. Duff is only back from injury and is not firing on all cylinders. I'd have Kilbane ahead of him simply because we need more graft in these games .. with someone like Mc Geady being the creative channel. Of course, putting a lot of faith in O'Shea performing in the centre

[shakermaker1982]

Given

Finnan Dunne McShane Kelly

McGeady Carsley Douglas Duff

Keano Doyle

[NeilMcD]

I cannot believe that people are suggesting Kelly and Harte. I think defence and strikers are the easy bit. Midfield is the difficult part .. think Carsley is the only automatic starter

Given

Finnan O'Dea Dunne Mc Shane

<midfield>

Doyle Keane



Personally, would love to see both Mc Geady and Ireland in the team .. but as we saw against Cyprus .. too many lightweight players including Duff is a recipe for a disaster. O'Shea has improved of late for Man U .. still no gauge of whether he will play well for us. Think Bobby fancies him in centre midfield though.

I'd go with

Kilbane O'Shea Carsley Mc Geady

with Duff and Ireland as supersubs .. Duff is only back from injury and is not firing on all cylinders. I'd have Kilbane ahead of him simply because we need more graft in these games .. with someone like Mc Geady being the creative channel. Of course, putting a lot of faith in O'Shea performing in the centre




Oh God no Kilbane o Shea and Carsley would not be able to open a door left on the latch never mind an international standard defence.


I think Duff and Carsley are automatic starters and Ireland has been getting goals for us so I would play him on the right and I would play Douglas through the middle. I would have Mc Geady to come off the bech or Kilbane and O Shea depending how the game is going

Given

Finnan Mc Shane Dunne Kelly (played great against the Czechs, good form for Birmingham too)



Ireland(playing there for City) Carsley Douglas Duff



Keane Doylel




Subs Henderson O Shea, Kilbane, Mc Geady, Stokes

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland(playing there for City) Carsley Douglas Duff
Ireland is not playing on the right wing, he's playing in front of 2 defensive midfielders(Dabo or Hamann and Barton), and behind the striker, or strikers.

[citizenerased]

For the big pitch id start duff(left) and McGeady(right) on the flanks..There is no way he can start kilbane again with McGeadys form, also Hunt should be ahead in the pecking order also....I agree with folans inclusion, as his physical presence offers us a different dimension upfront..

[NeilMcD]

Ireland is not playing on the right wing, he's playing in front of 2 defensive midfielders(Dabo or Hamann and Barton), and behind the striker, or strikers.


Well we can play him so the same way as Liverpool Play Gerrard or the way Celtic play Nakamura as a player that cuts inside and gets involved in the centre from time to time. That would need Douglas to watch this happening and fill in for Ireland if needed. Another option would be to play Hunt on the left and Duff on the right.

[macdermesser]

Oh God no Kilbane o Shea and Carsley would not be able to open a door left on the latch never mind an international standard defence.


I think Duff and Carsley are automatic starters and Ireland has been getting goals for us so I would play him on the right and I would play Douglas through the middle. I would have Mc Geady to come off the bech or Kilbane and O Shea depending how the game is going

Given

Finnan Mc Shane Dunne Kelly (played great against the Czechs, good form for Birmingham too)



Ireland(playing there for City) Carsley Douglas Duff



Keane Doylel




Subs Henderson O Shea, Kilbane, Mc Geady, Stokes

See your point about the midfield .. but I would rather have three grafters and one creative than two. And not DOUGLAS .. Leeds United bottom of the Championship. Would rather Kilbane there and hes not a centre midfield player.

Haven't seen Kelly this season .. was not impressed though with him against the Czechs .. seemed very lightweight. At the same time, perhaps it is toss up though between him or Mc Shane .. for the full-back spot. If O'Shea could recapture some of his form as left back from a couple of years ago, nutmegging Figo etc. then he would be an automatic starter there

[NeilMcD]

Just cause Leeds are bottom does not mean anything. He played really well V Czech Rep and all Leeds fans reckon that he is has been on of their best players. He is strong in the tackle and gets forward too. I would rather him in central midfield than either O Shea or Kilbane neither of who can keep the ball and are not natural central midfield players. In my view O shea and Kilbane have had their chance in midfield and failed. Douglas has played there before and played really well.

[lionelhutz]

I think hunt and duff should start on the wings. I know they both play left wing but you could interchange them during the game and duff played gr8 stuff on the right against the czechs. How did you play a workhorse like kilbane who has no football ability instead of hunt who is obviously a better footballer and seems to have so much confidence.

The obvious problem area is centre of midfield. I'd like to see miller and carsley starting there. I think ireland is too much of a passenger there, he could come on with 30mins left and make an impact with his creativity when legs are tiring. Although i havent seen much of miller with sunderland, ive always he's got the ability to be top class. His passing, tackling and footballing brain make him our best midfielder when on form - which he is from reports.

O'shea and harte are soft defenders, kelly should start left back - at least he has a bit of bite and go about him.

[Over the post]

These are games we need to win and I don't thing we're going to do that playing two essentially defensive midfielders such as Carsley and Douglas. I'd go for Carsley and Ireland or Quinn, who tend to get forward more.

I think the Finnan, Dunne, McShane, O'Shea/Kelly defence would do fine. Harte has been very poor for Levante since he returned from injury and I don't think it's worth carrying him for his dead-ball prowess.

Duff and either Hunt or McGeady on the wings and Keane and Doyle up front.

[lionelhutz]

All this talk of douglas starting in midfield is craziness. He's a poor player with a sh**e team and he was just a stop gap solution against the czechs. I actually didnt think he played well against the czechs at all, he was losing his head at times - he certainly isnt the type of composed, natural footballer we need in midfield

[SeanieBoy]

Given,
Finnan, Dunne, McShane, Harte,
McGeady, Ireland, Carsley, Duff,
Keane, Doyle.

It's a toss-up between Harte and JOSH for who starts at left-full. Both are equally useless.

This is the best team I think.

[reder]

I hope Stan will pick the following (if fit) :

Given
Finnan McShane Dunne O'Shea
Mc Geady Ireland Carsley(holding) Duff
Keane Doyle

The defence pretty much picks itself. Finnan will be fine against Giggs like he always is. He knows Bellamy extremely well also. If giggs plays in to a more central role Mc Shane should have enough to control him with the help of Dunne/Finnan.

The central midfield partnership will be Ireland and Carsley. Would love it if Reid was available but alas thats not to be! Anyway Carlsey will play the holding role, he is a strong tackler and a scrap midfield v Wales will suit him. Irelands passing has been top notch this season and according to many Citeh fans I know. He is getting better all the time and is starting to get more shots on goal and score goals as the season progresses.

Duff will be left mid, end of story. Mc Geady right as it gives us a nice balance. Hunt will be an impact sub and a very good one at that in my opinion. He has had an excellent season.

Upfront, it will be keane and doyle. Keane is scoring and playing really well for spurs at the moment and doyle is my bet for first scorer (A goal against Pompey tomorrow would do no harm). Wouldnt even considered Stokes, he has done nothing since he moved to Sunderland and hasnt even had the professionalism to conduct himself properly off the pitch. I wouldnt even have him in the squad. Cant believe Connolly or Morrison are not in the squad. Stan doesnt call up 2 strikers who are actually scoring!!

If you look at that team on paper, we are far stronger than Wales. Given that we are playing in Ireland (not really home for the players I know) we should take them. Slovakia will be a tougher test and with a bit of luck we should sneak it against them (Head says a draw).

[LFC in Exile]

Erm, neither in the squad
Why would you only include Dunne because of a lack of alternatives?

Apolgies, misread the post - thought it was the team i'd pick not constrained to the muppet's squad selection. I would play Carsley instead of Miller base don players in teh squad and Keane gets in for the same reason - not because he is any good. He has to be the most over-rated player in the squad and has not been pulling his weight in years. He is not a leader.

Dunne is included for lack of alternatives becaus ehe is not an internaitonal standard centre half. All these last ditch sliding tackles and blocks are a sign of a bad centre half not a good one. Decenet centre halves read the game and rarely get called into scrambling defence. But at the same time O'Shea is rubbish and for the first time in many years Ireland is short decent centre halves.

[Dublin12]

Hunt should start.He has the right attitude on the pitch,reminds me alot of Ray Houghton,and hes proved he can play against much stiffer midfields than the Welsh one thats gonna be on show.Also if Keanes not pulling his weight I'd take him off and bring on Stokes,another player that looks like he actually wants to play for the shirt.

Given

Finnan
O'Dea
Dunne
McShane

Hunt
Carsley
Ireland
Duff

Doyle
Keane

[lionelhutz]

Hunt should start.He has the right attitude on the pitch,reminds me alot of Ray Houghton,and hes proved he can play against much stiffer midfields than the Welsh one thats gonna be on show.Also if Keanes not pulling his weight I'd take him off and bring on Stokes,another player that looks like he actually wants to play for the shirt.

Given

Finnan
O'Dea
Dunne
McShane

Hunt
Carsley
Ireland
Duff

Doyle
Keane

This is the best team from the squad he picked

[NeilMcD]

Does Mc Shane play left back or would O Dea play left back in those line ups.

[shakermaker1982]

He'll find a way of playing Kilbane and O'Shea so two players from our line ups will be missing. My guess would be Douglas and McGeady are the unlucky ones.

[Dublin12]

McShane at left back,I don't see why he can't play there,he's a good player and can do a good job there.O'Dea is much better in the centre,himself and Dunne would breath confidence along the back line.

[NeilMcD]

Is Mc Shane right footed. As he ever played left back at any left. Does he have the mobility and ability to get forward that a left back needs. I think O Dea has played left back and is left footed. Just asking questions but I think Mc Shane would be a risk at left back whereas Stephen Kelly would not be as he has played ver well there.

[Wolfie]

Hunt should start.He has the right attitude on the pitch,reminds me alot of Ray Houghton,and hes proved he can play against much stiffer midfields than the Welsh one thats gonna be on show.Also if Keanes not pulling his weight I'd take him off and bring on Stokes,another player that looks like he actually wants to play for the shirt.

Given

Finnan
O'Dea
Dunne
McShane

Hunt
Carsley
Ireland
Duff

Doyle
Keane

Hunt could add a bit of urgency to our play that can be lacking at times. If he struggles, McGeady could be introduced with fresh legs.

Hunt's not afriad to mix it either and, (based on the line up above) he could compensate for Stephen Ireland's lack of physical stature.

An alternative midfield comprising of:

Hunt Carsley Douglas Duff

Its certainly got a bit of strength to it but not a lot of subtlty bar Duff (when in form).

[zenokelly]

Realistically you know Stan is going to fit O Shea in somewhere and Kilbane will be in there as well.

Stan's team
Given
Finnan O Shea Dunne Harte
McGeady Carsley Kilbane Duff
Keane Doyle

This is what it should be
Given
Finnan McShane Dunne Kelly
Hunt Carsley Ireland Duff
Doyle Keane

Kelly had a cracker in the first half against the Czechs at left back and wasn't really tested in the second half so he deserves his place.

[as_i_say]

kilbane rarely lets us down.

o'shea is consistently the worst member of the current squad. i can't believe honestly why anyone on this forum would have o'shea on the team in any position. am i being too harsh here?? the lad could not complete a 3 yard pass against san marino at home-i just dont get it really. He's absolutely awful for us.

[liaml]

Not one of the lot of you have any Balls.

Keane should be dropped. He hasn't scored against decent opposition since Germany in the WC. His whining attitude permeates the team. Unfortunately he _will_ get picked, he _will_ let us down again, he _will_ get slated after the game and yet he _will_ be the first name on everyone's list for the next game.

Personally I'd start with Doyle and Stokes.

[carloz]

Given
Finnan
Dunne
O'Dea
O'Shea
Duff
Douglas
Carsley
Hunt
Doyle
Keane


Personally i wouldnt have Ireland near the team. His confidence can not be great and for the last 4 or 5 games he has been woeful along with most of the city players. i feel we lack a bit of shape and backbone with Ireland in midfield. If only we had Joey O'Brien and Stevie Reid. I think Folan will be used as an impact sub.

[NeilMcD]

We could also go with a front three of Keane Doyle and Duff and a centre midfield of Carsley Douglas and Ireland. Our best performances so far under staunton have been Sweden and Czech Rep at home when in both games we played a mixture between a 4 5 1 and a 4-3-3.

Given


Finnan Dunne Mc Shane Kelly

Carsley
Douglas
Ireland

Keane Duff

Doyle


Keane and Doyle could be interchangable. Spurs do this with Berbatov Keane and Lennon.

[bmozza]

Definitly think our best back four at the moment is,

2.McShane
3.Finnan
4.Dunne
5.O'Dea

Midfield, Carsley has to play and I'd go with McGeady, Duff and Ireland to play with him.

Keane and Doyle up front, hopefully Doyle is fit, if not we might have to see just how good Keogh is cos he's banging in more goals than Stokes at the moment.

I know Stan will have a heart attack though if he doesn't play O'Shea and Kilbane:rolleyes: , so i'm not holding out much hope of seeing that side line out.

[drummerboy]

Given
Finnan Dunne McShane O'Dea
Duff Carsley Douglas Kilbane
Keane Doyle

Seen O'Dea play left full. While he is a bit slow, he reads the game well.

I haven't been impressed by Ireland lately, perhaps in the future. Its going to be a typical, physical “Premiership type game”. Will need Kilbane, Douglas and Carsley's battling ability to break down Welsh defence, perhaps with Duff in the hole behind the 2 strikers.