Denmark vs Ireland - Match Thread

[shakermaker1982]

Who cares if its lightweight its a friendly. Carsley will be back for the other two games so give Potter another chance to impress.

if we get stuffed 3 or 4 nil I think it would affect the confidence within the team/squad.... which would in turn probably have a negative bearing on the two crucial games next month. If we get a positive result in Denmark I think the players themselves will believe they have a chance of nicking 4 points over in Eastern Europe. That's why I'd want our strongest starting 11 in this friendly so close to an important double header. No point messing round with the team now - Stan had that opportunity in the States.

Don't get me wrong I rate Potter and A Reid as players (especially Reidy) but think they would be better off with Carsley at their side.

That's why Stan will probably go with Douglas. I have to admit our options are limited until S Reid returns.

[youngirish]

Potter is pants. Nowhere near good enough against decent opposition. We need some decent holding midfielders to come through quickly.

[Closed Account]

Potter is pants
Connolly is utter pants
Murphy is absolute pants
Lee Trundle is pants
O'Brien should keep well away from Hibs and see if he can get a move to the Championship if there are seriously 5 clubs interested (which I doubt) though he's pants anyway
Caleb Folan is pants
Everyone is Pants

[geysir]

It's a good squad even if it's light in numbers at the back.
Luxury with 6 strikers and another busload of them not picked. Good to see Elliot back.
It's a squad for the next 2 qualifiers, future plans postponed and quite rightly.

[youngirish]

Everyone is Pants

Not everyone that's only a small proportion of all our players. Don't you agree many of them are pants though?

JOS is pants also and Andy O'Brien. McGeady is overrated pants too though he's still young enough to improve.

[IsMiseSean]

Douglas and O'Brien should not be in the squad!
How unfit is s.reid, will he be fit come sept?
Glad to see Murphy in there, i thought he done well in america!

[eirebhoy]

O'Brien should keep well away from Hibs and see if he can get a move to the Championship if there are seriously 5 clubs interested (which I doubt) though he's pants anyway
Why is that? I thought Hibs was by far and away the best move for O'Brien.

[geysir]

I guess "pants" isn't complementary?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Stan was at Dundalk-UCD tonight looking at Darren Quigley.

[Sligo Hornet]

can we all please stop using UK slang words like pants.

No probs Guv!;)

[Stuttgart88]

yer aving a larf aren't ya?

(hence my disdain at the "Thierry Henry..." chants from the Irish in Paris '04).

[shakermaker1982]

Easy Easy Easy!!!

[Wolfie]

yer aving a larf aren't ya?

(hence my disdain at the "Thierry Henry..." chants from the Irish in Paris '04).

One of the funniest chants I heard in Paris 04 was "Who'll knock the Frogs Out!" to the tune of Who let the Dogs Out.

Although it doesn't seem that funny any more :confused: :( .

Damn alcohol!

[geysir]

Stan gets in a bit of a dig at the press conference, only reported in the Examiner.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=40121-qqqx=1.asp

“You were clamouring for Robbie not to be picked last season and then he ends up top goalscorer for Tottenham,”

“Robbie is a clever, inventive player that we haven’t got too many of. His influence around the squad is also invaluable, especially seeing as Shay’s not here. There’s only a handful of players with more than 10 caps in this squad and even someone like Kevin Doyle, who is now seen as a seasoned pro, has only nine. He’s still on a learning curve, like so many.”

[zenokelly]

You really think that playing against Chile got Breen a move to Wolves?
AFAIR he signed a few days before Mick took over there. What a happy coincidence that was....


And if Carsley gets injured, we'll only have Potter as experienced backup.


Hibs won the Scottish Legue Cup last season, and are in the UEFA Cup this season,


from http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2280

you sure you did?
From http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_city/c/1013598_ireland_steps_into_spotlight.html?page_siz e=50
I could keep going.
BTW if anyone's wondering about the "hair" references, check out Stevie's new appearance: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid=&rmasiteinstanceguid=&pagegid={439A001B-9F18-408E-BD8E-8466AB3C97FD}&bioid=12809&siteid=502 (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid=&rmasiteinstanceguid=&pagegid=%7B439A001B-9F18-408E-BD8E-8466AB3C97FD%7D&bioid=12809&siteid=502)

If I knew how to quote individually I would so here it goes:

NO.1. It was widely talked about that the reason why Breen was in the starting line-up versus Chile was to put him in the shop-window as he had no club at the time. That doesn't mean I thought he got his move to Wolves because of it.

NO.2. Gretna also got into the Uefa Cup last year and who knocked them out? O ya some league of Ireland side - Derry City -Remember??;)

NO.3. I didn't see the article on the FAI website.

NO.4. I didn't say that Stevie Ireland was given all bad reviews on the City forum I said it was "mixed".
i.e. All quotes from the City website on comments on Ireland:

"4-4-2 tonight methinks with the same defence but Bojinov and Geo to replace Johnson and Ireland"

"Irelands problem is not lack of strength, that can be sorted with diet and weights, but his lack of pace gets him trampled and caught in possession.If Sven selects him we will not win tonight put your house on it. just like the 24 out of 27 Premiership games he has featured in the past."

"Ireland, like Mpenza looked good in Pearce's squad last season, however only time will tell whether they are upto playing in a team with the quality we now have. He needs to be playing his very best every single single game because we now have strong competition for places in the midfield and we also have a lot of very good youngsters like Johnson, Gelson Fernandez and academy boys who are all looking to take his place."

"In my honest opinion. Steven Ireland is not premiership material, I have already seen more from Johnson and he's been on the scene a lot less time than ireland has."

"He'll fit in at Oldham or somewhere, but NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE PREM!!!"

[Stuttgart88]

Tets, add Dean Brill to your list!

[paul_oshea]

staunton must have taken PR lessons, he is definately more forthcoming in interviews and seems to have more general "cop on" now also. He is definitely talking more sense than before. maybe it was extreme case of the nerves or something. I am talking in relation to the examiner and two previous recent interviews i read.

[paul_oshea]

Obviously, Shay, being the big player that he is, you always want him there but ask the other goalkeepers and they’re itching to get their chance. I think Wayne Henderson, apart from the mistake in San Marino, has done well. All three (Henderson, Colin Doyle and Nicky Colgan) did very well out in America and that’s why they’re still there. And there’s good competition behind them, including Dean Brill at Luton who we know is available and wants to play.

stutts that answers your question btw, in fairness to him, how else can he judge a player other than how he has seen them perform and how they have performed for US.

[DeNiro]

Tets, add Dean Brill to your list!

Who is this guy? I heard his name being mentioned in the interview last night. Where are Lewis Emanuel and Lee Frecklington these days?

[paul_oshea]

Who is this guy? I heard his name being mentioned in the interview last night. Where are Lewis Emanuel and Lee Frecklington these days?

according to good aul wiki -"make it up yourself/change it if you are the cia"-pedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Brill

he is an english* footballer born in luton and is 21

*not anymore :D

[bellavistaman]

If I knew how to quote individually I would so here it goes:

NO.1. It was widely talked about that the reason why Breen was in the starting line-up versus Chile was to put him in the shop-window as he had no club at the time. That doesn't mean I thought he got his move to Wolves because of it.

NO.2. Gretna also got into the Uefa Cup last year and who knocked them out? O ya some league of Ireland side - Derry City -Remember??;)

NO.3. I didn't see the article on the FAI website.

NO.4. I didn't say that Stevie Ireland was given all bad reviews on the City forum I said it was "mixed".
i.e. All quotes from the City website on comments on Ireland:

"4-4-2 tonight methinks with the same defence but Bojinov and Geo to replace Johnson and Ireland"

"Irelands problem is not lack of strength, that can be sorted with diet and weights, but his lack of pace gets him trampled and caught in possession.If Sven selects him we will not win tonight put your house on it. just like the 24 out of 27 Premiership games he has featured in the past."

"Ireland, like Mpenza looked good in Pearce's squad last season, however only time will tell whether they are upto playing in a team with the quality we now have. He needs to be playing his very best every single single game because we now have strong competition for places in the midfield and we also have a lot of very good youngsters like Johnson, Gelson Fernandez and academy boys who are all looking to take his place."

"In my honest opinion. Steven Ireland is not premiership material, I have already seen more from Johnson and he's been on the scene a lot less time than ireland has."

"He'll fit in at Oldham or somewhere, but NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE PREM!!!"

i visit that website really to see how hes gettin on, some of the members are ridiculously foolish, like last year the same people would talk about joey barton as being the worst player at the team, next minute the same people say hes one minute team, its shocking. From a honest point of view i think hes a fantastic passer of the ball, and if he was with a team willing to play soccer, he would really stand out, on Soccer AM, Micah Richards spoke very highly of him, but mocked his intelligence :D:D

[geysir]

The Reading lads don't lack in confidence.
Doyle only has 9 caps.
Such is his talent and ease at looking the part that people already took him for granted as experienced after his first ones.

[geysir]

staunton must have taken PR lessons, he is definately more forthcoming in interviews and seems to have more general "cop on" now also. He is definitely talking more sense than before. maybe it was extreme case of the nerves or something. I am talking in relation to the examiner and two previous recent interviews i read.
He could have tripped over this comment
"No door is closed for anybody"
but managed to avoid the double negative.

[zenokelly]

i visit that website really to see how hes gettin on, some of the members are ridiculously foolish, like last year the same people would talk about joey barton as being the worst player at the team, next minute the same people say hes one minute team, its shocking. From a honest point of view i think hes a fantastic passer of the ball, and if he was with a team willing to play soccer, he would really stand out, on Soccer AM, Micah Richards spoke very highly of him, but mocked his intelligence :D:D

Ya agree he's a great passer of the ball and I was really impressed with how he has started the season. Last season I thought he was too lightweight and he wouldn't make it in the premiership but now I've seen him play 2 outstanding matches for City and he could become the finished article if we give him time with Sven.

BTW, I was just quoting what I saw, does not mean I have that opinion on the boy.

[bwagner]

By Stan mentioning henderson colgan and doyle and then even this Luton guy Brill = slan paddy kenny for sure .......STAN IS TAKING NO S**T

[shakermaker1982]

That is the last we see of Paddy Kenny.

[tetsujin1979]

Tets, add Dean Brill to your list!
Will be on the next update

[tetsujin1979]

By Stan mentioning henderson colgan and doyle and then even this Luton guy Brill = slan paddy kenny for sure .......STAN IS TAKING NO S**T
Really does look like Stan doesn't have time for any of the lads who opted out of games for "personal" reasons

[geysir]

Are there more?

[Stuttgart88]

Elliott opted out, didn't he?

Miler certainly did.

[HolylandsMan]

Might naming 6 strikers suggest that one of the forwards is likely to play in midfield? Robbie Keane was the right for Spurs on Tuesday and Doyle played a bit on the wing last season for Reading?

Personally I'd love to see Andy Reid get a run in the team but he may seem too much of a luxury with 2 othodox strikers, stick 1 on the wing and maybe then let Andy Reid play off the main front man.

Big hole in the midfield without Carsley and S Reid though.

[paul_oshea]

id agree with those last two points holylands man, i honestly think reid would be better than ireland in that position, his left foot is generally extremely accurate, and very incisive something i think would suit keane and doyle, keane to lay off to doyle after making a run that was created by a pass by reid. Honestly think that would be a savage attack force, if it came off and the players built up an understanding.

[passinginterest]

My team:

Doyle

Finnan Dunne McShane O'Shea

Potter Kilbane

Keane Ireland Reid

Doyle

[Stuttgart88]

Might naming 6 strikers suggest that one of the forwards is likely to play in midfield? In the press conference Stan cited Elliott as an option on the right I think.

[shakermaker1982]

S Ireland has been playing right midfield at City. Would you guys prefer him there or behind the striker(s)? I know a few of you (especially Celtic fans) rate McGeady so them two could be in contention for those two slots. I'd personally prefer an out and out winger. Hunt is surely a banker for left midfield........unless Stan goes with Kilbane.

[Wolfie]

Doyle
Finnan
McShane
Dunne
O'Shea
Ireland
Kilbane
A.Reid
Hunt
Keane
Doyle

Introduce Murphy, Potter, McGeady during the game.

Might be interesting to see Keane drop deeper and leave Doyle / Murphy as the out and out strikers.

[bellavistaman]

S Ireland has been playing right midfield at City. Would you guys prefer him there or behind the striker(s)? I know a few of you (especially Celtic fans) rate McGeady so them two could be in contention for those two slots. I'd personally prefer an out and out winger. Hunt is surely a banker for left midfield........unless Stan goes with Kilbane.

Definitly behind the striker, not as effective on the right, wales game proved that. Whats the one thing bartin, richards, and now the lad johnson had over over steve ireland, their nationallity its the only thing stopping him getting te credit he deserves over there. if Johnson scored the volley against preston he'd prob be on next squad. I know it was only quotes too zeno;)

[eirebhoy]

I think Ireland would be better on the left than the right since he'll naturally drift inside. Him on the left, A.Reid on the right with a solid central midfield could work very well. That means we've got no wingers but wingers are being wiped out of the game these days.

[tetsujin1979]

I think Ireland would be better on the left than the right since he'll naturally drift inside. Him on the left, A.Reid on the right with a solid central midfield could work very well. That means we've got no wingers but wingers are being wiped out of the game these days.
Didn't Ireland start on the right VS Wales? He was much more effective against Slovakia when he played through the middle

[bellavistaman]

Didn't Ireland start on the right VS Wales? He was much more effective against Slovakia when he played through the middle

ya thats what i mean remember he started on the right, was **** poor they moved him in central and he scored and played very well, he was centre mid then against slovakia, stan admitted he was wrong first time;)

[tetsujin1979]

Elliott opted out, didn't he?

Miler certainly did.
I took the original and eventual squads from http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=69
And the reasons are from articles on eleven-a-side.com

Original Squad Eventual Squad Reason for withdrawal

Goalkeepers Goalkeepers
Nicky Colgan Nicky Colgan
Wayne Henderson Wayne Henderson
Colin Doyle Colin Doyle

Defenders Defenders
Stephen Kelly Stephen Kelly
Paul McShane Play-offs
Sean St Ledger Injured in squad training
Alex Bruce Alex Bruce
Derek Geary Injured
Joseph O’Cearuill Joseph O’Cearuill
John O’Shea Injured
Alan Bennett
Peter Murphy
Stephen O’Halloran

Midfielders Midfielders
Kevin Kilbane Kevin Kilbane
Darren Potter Darren Potter
Stephen Ireland Family commitments
Stephen Hunt Stephen Hunt
Alan O’Brien Alan O’Brien
Liam Miller Family commitments
Stephen Gleeson
Joe Gamble

Strikers Strikers
Kevin Doyle Kevin Doyle
Shane Long Shane Long
Caleb Folan Injured
Daryl Murphy Daryl Murphy
Stephen Elliott Family commitments
Anthony Stokes Anthony Stokes
Andy Keogh Andy Keogh
Joe Lapira

[geysir]

So there is only a question around Miller, Elliott and Ireland have returned without any fuss through Stan's open door.

[tetsujin1979]

So there is only a question around Miller, Elliott and Ireland have returned without any fuss through Stan's open door.
At least with Ireland, Doyle and Murphy in the squad, noone can blame anti-Cork or anti-Sunderland bias!

[theworm2345]

Alan Lee has just scored his 4th goal in 3 games and is not in the squad. I wont rip on Stan today as I know he's going through a tough time, but I think you see what I'm saying

[Stuttgart88]

Colin Doyle cost Brum a point yesterday with a really rash decision to chase a ball that was going nowhere. All part of the learning process, I hope.

I hope he doesn't become another richard Wright: a physique any keeper would kill for, plenty of talent but poor decision making and not reliable enough. He is only 21 though, but it's been a tough introduction to top flight footy for him.

McShane off with a cut forehead - is he still available?

No Stephen Ireland today.

Best news yesterday was Hunt taking all the plaudits. I love seeing anticipation of an error being rewarded.

[tetsujin1979]

No Stephen Ireland today.
Ireland reported sick today according to the report on Man City's official site. With his replacement scoring, he might find it tough to get back into the starting XI, but I expect him to be part of the squad for the forseeable future

[shakermaker1982]

Dunne was in the wars as well.

[zenokelly]

Thought Dunne was outstanding, worked his ass off all day. Would have got MOTM if he was English and Richards was Irish!:(

[DmanDmythDledge]

Thought Dunne was outstanding, worked his ass off all day. Would have got MOTM if he was English and Richards was Irish!:(
Not a hope- Richards was head and shoulders above him and Dunne was the second best player on the pitch.

[dr_peepee]

Best news yesterday was Hunt taking all the plaudits. I love seeing anticipation of an error being rewarded.

In the immortal words of the Da from 'Dirty Dancing'.. "When I'm wrong, I say I'm wrong."... Hunt has to start for Ireland