Ireland-Bolivia Match Thread

[Wolfie]

All being fit apart from Duff
this would be my squad of 23

Given
Henderson
Colgan

Finnan
O'Brien
McShane
O'Shea
Dunne
O'Halloran
Kelly S
Carr

Reid A
Reid S
Kilbane
Carsley
Miller
McGeady
Potter
Hunt

Keane
Doyle
Long
Keogh
Stokes

I'd include Stephen Ireland instead of Miller. Despite fading in and out of games, Ireland has delivered two crucial goals in the campaign so far............

[tetsujin1979]

another question would be who in the current team would you be looking to replace?
Assuming everyone is fit, O'Shea is the most likely candidate to be replaced.
Carsley and possibly Finnan will likely retire after this series of qualifiers, Finnan maybe after the net World Cup so we should at least be looking for replacements for their positions - Potter, Whelan, Kelly, Garvan, O'Brien, etc

[RogerMilla]

definitely ireland for miller

[gustavo]

I'd include Stephen Ireland instead of Miller. Despite fading in and out of games, Ireland has delivered two crucial goals in the campaign so far............

Oops my mistake , I knew i was likely to make one glaring error.:o

[lionelhutz]

All being fit apart from Duff
this would be my squad of 23

Given
Henderson
Colgan

Finnan
O'Brien
McShane
O'Shea
Dunne
O'Halloran
Kelly S
Carr

Reid A
Reid S
Kilbane
Carsley
Miller
McGeady
Potter
Hunt

Keane
Doyle
Long
Keogh
Stokes

I'd agree with leaving out the likes of Harte, Douglas, Folan but i think Ireland, Murphy and O'Dea should def be in the squad. Murphy is def a better option than Keogh IMO.

Oh ya, thats a squad of 24 instead of 23 aswell!! You'd have to take out a striker or a keeper

[theworm2345]

I'd agree with leaving out the likes of Harte, Douglas, Folan but i think Ireland, Murphy and O'Dea should def be in the squad. Murphy is def a better option than Keogh IMO.

Oh ya, thats a squad of 24 instead of 23 aswell!! You'd have to take out a striker or a keeper
Stokes over Murphy is crazy too, we shouldn't be builiding for the future during qualifiers, we should field our best squad, one that I don't think Long, Keogh, Stokes, or O'Halloran should be in.

[NeilMcD]

Colin Doyle in instead of Colgan in my view.

[eirebhoy]

Yeah we know...
http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=694202&postcount=98

;)

[carloz]

I think we need to have O'Halloran in the squad. Yes its pretty premature but he looked quality in a problem position for us. If he is good enough he is young enough. Take the example of Jonny Evans in the the North, he started for them before he even moved to Sunderland on loan

[dr_peepee]

Stokes over Murphy is crazy too, we shouldn't be builiding for the future during qualifiers, we should field our best squad, one that I don't think Long, Keogh, Stokes, or O'Halloran should be in.


why not O'Halloran? We have a bit of depth in the other positions to let Keogh stokes and long develop a bit, but at left full it's a different case.

[theworm2345]

why not O'Halloran? We have a bit of depth in the other positions to let Keogh stokes and long develop a bit, but at left full it's a different case.

I'd take Kilbane over him at left-back. He has a grand total of 0 senior apperances for Villa. At least Kilbane has experience and could perform under pressure (like, say against Germany or the Czechs) Same thing with the strikers.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I'd take Kilbane over him at left-back. He has a grand total of 0 senior apperances for Villa. At least Kilbane has experience and could perform under pressure (like, say against Germany or the Czechs) Same thing with the strikers.
Kilbane played at left back against Holland and was absolutely rubbish. He's not a left back, O'Halloran is, so it's obvious who is better. And just because somebody doesn't have any senior appearances in the Premiership doesn't mean he can't handle pressure. It's all about the individual.

[theworm2345]

Kilbane played at left back against Holland and was absolutely rubbish. He's not a left back, O'Halloran is, so it's obvious who is better. And just because somebody doesn't have any senior appearances in the Premiership doesn't mean he can't handle pressure. It's all about the individual.
The guy has never played against (besides in training) anyone better than Clive Platt or Izale McLeod or Richard Walker (those are League 2 players if you are wondering). If he goes up against Klose and Podolski he'd be ****ed, at least Kilbane would know what to expect and know how to handle the situation.

[DmanDmythDledge]

The guy has never played against (besides in training) anyone better than Clive Platt or Izale McLeod or Richard Walker (those are League 2 players if you are wondering). If he goes up against Klose and Podolski he'd be ****ed, at least Kilbane would know what to expect and know how to handle the situation.
Kilbane doesn't have a clue how to play at left back. O'Halloran would know how to handle the situation because he is a left back.:rolleyes:

[bellavistaman]

The guy has never played against (besides in training) anyone better than Clive Platt or Izale McLeod or Richard Walker (those are League 2 players if you are wondering). If he goes up against Klose and Podolski he'd be ****ed, at least Kilbane would know what to expect and know how to handle the situation.

Id reckon (although i would not be the ultimate football genius) marking Dennis Rommedahl who is lightning quick and Shawn Wright-Phillips, likewise, totally out of games proves he loves the spotlight and DOES know how to handle "the situation". And also Ballack, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Mikel,ashley Cole etc are better players than Clive Platt and Izale McLeod..
Yet again not a football genius but my opinion!!:mad::mad:

[theworm2345]

Id reckon (although i would not be the ultimate football genius) marking Dennis Rommedahl who is lightning quick and Shawn Wright-Phillips, likewise, totally out of games proves he loves the spotlight and DOES know how to handle "the situation". And also Ballack, Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Mikel,ashley Cole etc are better players than Clive Platt and Izale McLeod..
Yet again not a football genius but my opinion!!:mad::mad:
What the hell are you talking about. That was two matches...if he was so good why didn't he play at Villa?

[geysir]

O'Halloran did very well. I'd say he is a squad reserve pushing hard for a squad place. Left back position is waiting for him. I doubt that there is any national team manager would play a league reserve teenager in an important qualifier ahead of an experienced player.

Right now its Finnan with one of Carr,O'Shea and Kelly. I've seen Kilbane at LB for Everton, it appeared that he had no positional sense at all but probably as his team were behind his job was to get forward, not defend.

[pineapple stu]

Kilbane doesn't have a clue how to play at left back. O'Halloran would know how to handle the situation because he is a left back.:rolleyes:
Kilbane played left-back during the last World Cup and steadied the team immensely when he moved back there. Granted, he was replacing Ian Harte, but still he did well and knows something about the position.

[eirebhoy]

What the hell are you talking about.
You said he has never played against anyone better than Clive Platt. bellavistaman proved you wrong. No need for the aggressive reply.

[theworm2345]

You said he has never played against anyone better than Clive Platt. bellavistaman proved you wrong. No need for the aggressive reply.

I didn't realize that was aggresive, perhaps it is more harsh in Ireland than America

[eirebhoy]

I didn't realize that was aggresive, perhaps it is more harsh in Ireland than America
Ah come on.

"What the hell are you talking about."

Fair enough if the guy was talking rubbish but it was a very fair post.

[theworm2345]

Ah come on.

"What the hell are you talking about."

Fair enough if the guy was talking rubbish but it was a very fair post.
If I am upset I usually say "What the ****ing hell are you talking about" or "what the **** are you talking about". Hell for me isn't that bad (as you can say it in church, though perhaps in a different context)

[eirebhoy]

OK, that's fine. I personally don't see the point in saying it at all (as it could easily result in a flame war) but let's get back on topic. btw, I hope you never get "upset" then. ;)

[bellavistaman]

What the hell are you talking about. That was two matches...if he was so good why didn't he play at Villa?

He played pre season tournaments, and being honest you need a lucky break in England we all know that, he was kept out by their player of the year Gareth Barry for most of it and Bouma for the other bit, Bouma has a massive reputation, but realistically he should get in next year. You Said a point which wasn't true i only brought the facts to your attention. And minor little point here kind of tied in to Ireland, Villas last game of the season against Reading he was CB marking Doyle and Long and they didnt get a sniff, and he went up and scored a header beating Bennett in the second half, so against the big boys of Chelsea and one of Irleands rising stars(Doyle not Long) he has proved himself.

[theworm2345]

Villas last game of the season against Reading he was CB marking Doyle and Long and they didnt get a sniff, and he went up and scored a header beating Bennett in the second half, so against the big boys of Chelsea and one of Irleands rising stars(Doyle not Long) he has proved himself.
He didn't play in Villa's last game and Doyle maybe but I don't think Long is that good

[eirebhoy]

He didn't play in Villa's last game
Villa reserves I think he means.


Villa secured a comfortable victory against top of the table Reading thanks to goals from Craig Gardner, Chris Herd and Stephen O'Halloran.

VILLA: Taylor, O'Halloran, Samuel (booked 30), Laursen, Lund, Hogg, Herd, Gardner, Angel, Moore, Stieber. Subs: Bevan, Earls (for Angel 88), Clark (for Moore 88), Bannan (for Stieber 87).

Reading: Andersen, Spence, de la Cruz, Karacan, Bikey, Benett, Seol, Oster, Doyle, Long, Bozanic. Subs: Church (for Doyle 62), McCarthy, Robson-Kanu (for Bozanic 62), Hateley (for Oster 76), Cox.

[bellavistaman]

Villa reserves I think he means.

Ya i did sorry bout that theworm, even though i think you point out enough he hasnt layed for villa seniors ha! :D:D Agree with you bout long too.

[lionelhutz]

Just wondering did o'holloran start any game fo villa this season?? Or did he make any subs appearances?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Just wondering did o'holloran start any game fo villa this season?? Or did he make any subs appearances?
He hasn't played any games for Villa.

[lionelhutz]

Cheers dman, i thought he didnt but when i read he played against wright phillips, lampard etc i wasnt sure. so that was in the villa reserves ya?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Cheers dman, i thought he didnt but when i read he played against wright phillips, lampard etc i wasnt sure. so that was in the villa reserves ya?
He played against Chelsea in the League Cup when he was on loan at Wycombe. They drew that match 1-1.

[tetsujin1979]

Cheers dman, i thought he didnt but when i read he played against wright phillips, lampard etc i wasnt sure. so that was in the villa reserves ya?
Played against Chelsea in the League Cup Semi Final: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=506676
Played against Charlton in the League Cup Quarter Final: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=504659

[dr_peepee]

I don't see what the big deal is... We're talking about a squad position. Finnan is the man in posession. O'Halloran, for me, is the man in posession of the next sqaud place as cover for left full over Harte and O'Shea.

[lionelhutz]

thanks for the info tets and dman

[carloz]

The guy has never played against (besides in training) anyone better than Clive Platt or Izale McLeod or Richard Walker (those are League 2 players if you are wondering). If he goes up against Klose and Podolski he'd be ****ed, at least Kilbane would know what to expect and know how to handle the situation.


O'Halloran marked Wright Phillips out of the game when they were up against Chelsea in the league Cup this season. Kilbane would be a disaster at left back IMO. I cannot see that working and dont see why we should play Kilbane so out of position simply because he has more experience

[ollie]

O'Halloran marked Wright Phillips out of the game when they were up against Chelsea in the league Cup this season. Kilbane would be a disaster at left back IMO. I cannot see that working and dont see why we should play Kilbane so out of position simply because he has more experience

hes played there before and has done a job there for Ireland. I would be a lot more confident of him there than Ian Harte.

[theworm2345]

O'Halloran marked Wright Phillips out of the game when they were up against Chelsea in the league Cup this season. Kilbane would be a disaster at left back IMO. I cannot see that working and dont see why we should play Kilbane so out of position simply because he has more experience
Hehe, that was a joke, I was overexaggerating...trying to show that I have little faith in O'Halloran at the moment

[geysir]

hes played there before and has done a job there for Ireland. I would be a lot more confident of him there than Ian Harte.

I can only remember that he played at LB for 1/2 a game V Spain. The quiet part of the game for the defence.

[Stuttgart88]

It's not saying much, but has anyone put in a better performance at left back than O'Halloran did in, say, the last 4 years, even only in friendlies?

Balance in a team is crucial. You need partnerships all over the pitch and players comfortable in the position they're picked for. O'Halloran took to his role effortlessly and I think it looks like he could be the solution to a problem position in the next year or so. I'd still go with the experienced players in the upcoming away games though.

O'Halloran's performances alone made the trip worthwhile in my opinion, but if you add Potter and Daryl Murphy, Wayne Henderson's performance, Colin Doyle and one or two other positives then it's definitely been a worthwhile trip.

[OwlsFan]

Gave Stan some managerial experience as well ;)