Denmark vs Ireland - Match Thread

[theworm2345]

We don't have one (unless you count the "Starting 11" thread), and as its 11 days away I figure we should have one.
I guess the squad will likely be out on Monday

[billybunter]

i can tell you one thing. Both dunne ad stephen ireland were good today. (Dunne was man of the match in my opinion). Paul mcshane got a good write up after sunderlands win - for marking berbatov. i sincerely think we are entering a good period for irish soccer. we will beat the danes. We will beat the slovaks, and we will beat the czech's - and fook the begrudgers.

[sligoman]

i sincerely think we are entering a good period for irish soccer.Isn't Steve Staunton still our manager?

[Irish_Praha]

Well, put it this way - Stephen Ireland is doing well in a team that has just spent tens of millions, Dunne is starring, McShane looked v good against a striker that Man Utd were after. Plus there are loads of other positives. I think we have reason to think we are turning a corner.

Encouraging though it may be that's all at club level. I have no worries about Dunne and McShane carrying their form onto the international scene but if Staunton uses Ireland in the wrong way he can look very poor e.g. against Cyprus and a lot of the game against Wales. It's time for some more players to show their club form when playing for Ireland. I think Alan Lee should be given more of a chance as it looks like he's continuing where he left off from last season. Some might argue he is only a decent championship level striker but IMO he offers us something that our other strikers don't. An awkward 6ft3 battering ram to come off the bench and hassle a tired defence. He scored two and set up one yesterday. Maybe Murphy or Keogh will eventually develop into the target man role but Lee is already there and he can play a bit on the ground too. Until now he only has 10 caps and, correct me if I'm wrong, most if not all were as a sub and he has improved a lot since moving to Ipswich. He should get a half against Denmark to see if he's up to it at international level. I think it's still too early for Stokes.

My starting 11 for the Denmark game:

---------------Doyle-----------------

Finnan----Dunne----McShane---O'Shea

A.Reid----Carsley----Ireland-----Hunt

----------------Keane--------------

----------------Doyle--------------

That MF looks a bit lightweight but it might work. If we are being overrun in the centre I'd take Ireland off early and move A.Reid into the centre and bring Elliott on for RMF.
If Given is fit and in need of match practice I'd give him a half.
Of course if Duff wasn't injured he would start ahead of Hunt.
O'Halloran is not ready yet but maybe a half would be of benefit to him.
Lee on for Doyle in the second half.

If all players were fit I would like to see something like this as an experimental side in a friendly.

Given
Finnan Mcshane Dunne O'Shea
Doyle A.Reid S.Reid Duff
Keane
Lee

If not working then move Doyle back up front and bring Stephen Elliott on for RMF, I think that worked well against Sweden.

[stojkovic]

Hope they don't let Alan Lee drive the bus in Copenhagen - lots of bicycles over there ;)

[DeNiro]

Squad is being announced on Thursday according to the papers.

[NeilMcD]

Well, put it this way - Stephen Ireland is doing well in a team that has just spent tens of millions, Dunne is starring, McShane looked v good against a striker that Man Utd were after. Plus there are loads of other positives. I think we have reason to think we are turning a corner.



You ok there Tuff, is that a bit of optimism I sense.

[Irish_Praha]

Hope they don't let Alan Lee drive the bus in Copenhagen - lots of bicycles over there ;)

Alan Lee Driving School :D
www.dalgetybaydrivingschool.fifetiler.co.uk/

[tetsujin1979]

U-21 squad for Germany friendly announced: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2263

Darren Randolph (Charlton Athletic)
Eddie Nolan (Blackburn Rovers)
Tony Kane (Blackburn Rovers)
Richard Keogh (Bristol City)
Darren O’Dea (Glasgow Celtic)
Stephen O’Halloran (Aston Villa)
Conor Powell (Bohemians)
Darron Gibson (Manchester United)
Stephen Quinn (Sheffield United)
Michael Collins (Huddersfield Town)
Stephen Gleeson (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Patrick Cregg (Falkirk)
Keith Treacy (Blackburn Rovers)
Adam Rooney (Stoke City)
Billy Clarke (Ipswich Town)
James O’Brien (Glasgow Celtic)
Anthony Stokes (Sunderland)
Will Stokes stay in the U-21s when the squad for the Denmark game is announced?

[DmanDmythDledge]

My starting 11 for the Denmark game:

---------------Doyle-----------------

Finnan----Dunne----McShane---O'Shea

A.Reid----Carsley----Ireland-----Hunt

----------------Keane--------------

----------------Doyle--------------

That MF looks a bit lightweight but it might work. If we are being overrun in the centre I'd take Ireland off early and move A.Reid into the centre and bring Elliott on for RMF.
If Given is fit and in need of match practice I'd give him a half.
Of course if Duff wasn't injured he would start ahead of Hunt.
O'Halloran is not ready yet but maybe a half would be of benefit to him.
Lee on for Doyle in the second half.
I'd go with the team above except swap Reid and Ireland and start McGeady on the left.

[Dr. Ogba]

U-21 squad for Germany friendly announced: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2263

Will Stokes stay in the U-21s when the squad for the Denmark game is announced?

Same with Gibson and O'Halloran, would have thought they'd be in with a shot for Denmark...

[finnpark]

------------------------- Given ------------------------

Carr ------------- Dunne -------- McShane -------------- Finnan

McGeady ------------ Ireland ---------- Carsely ----------- Hunt


------------------- Doyle ------------------ O'Donovan ----------


Subs
Duff
Keane
O'Shea
Kelly
Doyle (Gk)
A Reid

Why do people think we should have a left footed player playing down the right? :confused:

[finnpark]

U-21 squad for Germany friendly announced: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2263

Will Stokes stay in the U-21s when the squad for the Denmark game is announced?

Is he good enough for the U-21's?

Thought Quigely wa sin the U-21 squad too?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Thought Quigely wa sin the U-21 squad too?
:confused:He is.

[eirebhoy]

Why do people think we should have a left footed player playing down the right? :confused:
Reid is a playmaker, not a winger. He's best when played centrally and if he's on the right he has the license to drift inside and get involved. He's able to link up with the players, thread through balls, get a few shots on goal...

[Dr. Ogba]

Why do people think we should have a left footed player playing down the right? :confused:

well why do you have a right footer playing at left-full??

[dr_peepee]

----------------Given----------------

O'Shea----McShane--Dunne----Finnan

---------Carsley-----Potter-----------

---McGeady---Ireland---Keane--------

---------------Doyle-----------------

Not a big fan of venturing too far from 4 4 2 for international matches but we have to accomodate our best footballers as well as looking for alternatives to Kilbane.

I'd start with this team with O'Halloran coming on for the last 20 minutes regardless.

After that I'd like to see Gibson in the middle and anyone from Murphy, Keogh, Stokes, Folan, loong up front.

I'd keep the same formation going foward too. I think it offers the opportunity to use our best footballers as well as offering flexibility in terms of absorbing hits to personnel minimising disruption. For example if Ireland's out, Andy Reid slots straight in. Same for McGeady and Duff and so on.

[tetsujin1979]

----------------Given----------------

O'Shea----McShane--Dunne----Finnan

---------Carsley-----Potter-----------

---McGeady---Ireland---Keane--------

---------------Doyle-----------------


That's not a bad looking team actually, if we had a decent left full, Finnan on the right and we're sorted!

[Stuttgart88]

I prefer right footers on the right and left footers on the left. At full back we just have no decent options at left back so we have to adapt and put a right footed player there. Defensively this isn't as big a deal but going forward it takes away the overlapping fullback threat on that side as invaraibly he'll have to cut inside, losing momentum.

Andy Reid is quite good with either foot, can move both ways and has played on the right hand side in the past with good effect, just like Pires used to do playing on the left for Arsenal. I think there's a subtle difference between a wide midfielder and a winger. Reid can be a very good wide midfielder.

I agree that Reid's best position is central but I also think he's better than most we have who can play on the right.

He's better there than Ireland, and in my opinion better at RHM than McGeady played against Slovakia.

[Stuttgart88]

----------------Given----------------

O'Shea----McShane--Dunne----Finnan

---------Carsley-----Potter-----------

---McGeady---Ireland---Keane--------

---------------Doyle-----------------



I like your thinking but I think the left side is lacking. I really think Hunt has to play on that side, probably with Finnan behind him. Hunt brings a genuine attacking threat down that side, plus will bring a physical presence and a sense of tempo / urgency that we'll probably need to win.

I think McGeady & Andy Reid should play a half each in Denmark on the RHS.

Ireland is hard to accomodate without giving something up, but he's been our best player in this campaign I think so is hard to leave out.

[dr_peepee]

I see what you're saying but I'm gonna stick my neck out and admit that think Hunt is over rated.

He's a spoiler alright and I can see the logic of his inclusion against the like of Germany and the Czechs but in Footballing terms i've seen nothing from Hunt that I haven't seen from Kilbane at some stage or other.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think Hunt has any great finesse in terms of beating players - it's head down and go for it, just like KK alright - but I do think he delivers a super ball with his left. Do you remember that excellent cross for Long against Slovakia, as well as at least one corner against Slovakia (Long header off the line)?

The Long miss from open play against Slovakia reminded me of Galvin's cross for Aldo against Russia in '88. If Long had scored that it'd have been right up there with our best ever I think.

[Mayo_Bhoy]

Somehow i can see McGeady and Finan pulling out of the squad with Champs League the following week.

[neville neville]

Dont think Given will be fit, and Colin Doyle had a complete Mare yesterday.stan will not be picking Kenny again from what i hear. Maybe we should look at another keeper just in case. maybe give henderson another game or i hear Murphy has been getting great reviews a scunthorpe.

[dr_peepee]

Murphy should have been in at Colgans expense since last year!!

[NeilMcD]

Just cause Colin Doyle made a couple of mistakes for Birmingham at the weekend does not mean he shoudl not be given a start against Denmark. What sort of society do we live in. Should Martin Jol now be sacked for losing against Sunderland at the weekend. Should Pat Scully get the boot for losing to Bohs in the League Cup semi .

[shakermaker1982]

Just cause Colin Doyle made a couple of mistakes for Birmingham at the weekend does not mean he shoudl not be given a start against Denmark. What sort of society do we live in. Should Martin Jol now be sacked for losing against Sunderland at the weekend. Should Pat Scully get the boot for losing to Bohs in the League Cup semi .

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jol get the push before xmas if Spurs struggle to reach the top 6. Look at the chap who got the boot after 1 game at Carlisle.....a game they drew away from home!

I think Henderson has always done well for us so would imagine he is our 2nd choice keeper.

[Sligo Hornet]

Just cause Colin Doyle made a couple of mistakes for Birmingham at the weekend does not mean he shoudl not be given a start against Denmark. What sort of society do we live in. Should Martin Jol now be sacked for losing against Sunderland at the weekend. Should Pat Scully get the boot for losing to Bohs in the League Cup semi .

Of course he should be sacked!......as the Carlisle manager was shown the door and they managed a point!!;)

[Stuttgart88]

The lad's only 21!

Hopefully he'll recover quickly cos Bruce will have no hesitation bringing back Taylor, a very good keeper. It's testament to Doyle's ability that he kept such a good keeper out of the team in the first place.

If he stabilises his form quickly then great, otherwise he could be on the bench for a while.

[delabonnuchi]

The lad's only 21!

Hopefully he'll recover quickly cos Bruce will have no hesitation bringing back Taylor, a very good keeper. It's testament to Doyle's ability that he kept such a good keeper out of the team in the first place.

If he stabilises his form quickly then great, otherwise he could be on the bench for a while.

In fairness to Bruce (who I don't particularly like myself) he was asked about Doyle in the interview and the first thing he said was about him (Doyle that is) being a big reason that Birmingham were in the Premiership and in particular pointed out some penalty save he made. His hands were far too soft for two of the Chelsea goals at the weekend but I'm that doesn't make him a bad keeper over night.

[NeilMcD]

Of course he should be sacked!......as the Carlisle manager was shown the door and they managed a point!!;)

A bit of topic but I reckon there must have been more to that Carlisle manager getting the sack. I think the fact his name sounded a bit like mine did not help him one bit.

[Ordinary Fan]

Simple solution give Doyle one half and Henderson the other half. He should also give O'Brien (Andrew) a half because Mcshane will be suspended after the Slovak game otherwise it will be O'Shea and Carr.

[cavan_fan]

Who do you think is our 3rd choice Central Defender at the mo.

O'Dea (Not playing at Celtic but surely the long term choice)
O'Brien (experienced, has been OK in the past, used to playing with Dunne but also has no match fitness)
O'Shea (possibly his best position but lacks concentration and Staunton may want him at FB or in CM)

[Wolfie]

O'Brien would be a huge gamble following his rattled and shambolic showing against the Cypriots.

Can't lay all the blame at his door as it was a very poor team effort but I thought he was particularly bad.

[livehead1]

O'Brien would be a huge gamble following his rattled and shambolic showing against the Cypriots.

Can't lay all the blame at his door as it was a very poor team effort but I thought he was particularly bad.

that should have nothing to do with it, if he is playing for Bolton then he will get back in there

[Stuttgart88]

Who do you think is our 3rd choice Central Defender at the mo.

O'Dea (Not playing at Celtic but surely the long term choice)
O'Brien (experienced, has been OK in the past, used to playing with Dunne but also has no match fitness)
O'Shea (possibly his best position but lacks concentration and Staunton may want him at FB or in CM)
I reckon it's O'Shea because Carr can always come in at full back, or Stephen Kelly. Alex Bruce is probably next up in Stan's estimation.

I wonder if Gary Doherty will ever be considered again?

[Torn-Ado]

I reckon it's O'Shea because Carr can always come in at full back, or Stephen Kelly. Alex Bruce is probably next up in Stan's estimation.

I wonder if Gary Doherty will ever be considered again?

Stephen Kelly should be ahead of Carr.

Please Christ let Kelly be ahead Carr in the pecking order.

[tetsujin1979]

Stephen Kelly should be ahead of Carr.

Please Christ let Kelly be ahead Carr in the pecking order.
Carr looked solid, if unspectacular, for Newcastle at the weekend.
Kelly got forward more for Birmingham, but I thought this left them exposed on their right hand side when Chelsea broke forward

[geysir]

"Solid if unspectacular"
That quality in any of our defenders has raised in value and appreciation over the past 4 years.

[theworm2345]

Carr looked solid, if unspectacular, for Newcastle at the weekend.
Kelly got forward more for Birmingham, but I thought this left them exposed on their right hand side when Chelsea broke forward
Whenever I've seen him Kelly has been a bunch of ****e

[NeilMcD]

I am the opposite I have only seen him have one bad agame and that was Chile at home when he was played out of position in a three man defence that was all over the shop.

[Billsthoughts]

agree with above. hes usually been pretty good.

[theworm2345]

I am the opposite I have only seen him have one bad agame and that was Chile at home when he was played out of position in a three man defence that was all over the shop.

Have you ever seen him play in the league?

[tetsujin1979]

Have you ever seen him play in the league?
He was a regular in the side that finished second in the championship, and birmingham had a solid record when he started, winning 24, drawing 6 and losing only 9 games.
When he was a regular in the Spurs side, he scored a few crucial goals, but then Lee returned from injury and he lost his place.

[theworm2345]

He was a regular in the side that finished second in the championship, and birmingham had a solid record when he started, winning 24, drawing 6 and losing only 9 games.
When he was a regular in the Spurs side, he scored a few crucial goals, but then Lee returned from injury and he lost his place.
I've seen him play for Ireland a few times and for Birmingham a few times, as far as I can remember he's been pretty bad almost every time. He may have played, but did you ever watch the matches?

[tetsujin1979]

I've seen him play for Ireland a few times and for Birmingham a few times, as far as I can remember he's been pretty bad almost every time. He may have played, but did you ever watch the matches?
I've seen him play a few times, seems to try and get forward quite a bit.
Never really outstanding, but never really screwed up either - he wouldn't play that often if he did - but you don't really want your full backs to be the best player on the pitch.

[NeilMcD]

Have you ever seen him play in the league?

Yeah I would say most of his games for Spurs in the league and about 5 of his games of Birmingham. Good decent fullback in my view.

[Torn-Ado]

Whenever I've seen him Kelly has been a bunch of ****e

And what about Carr. When did he last put in a good performance for Ireland. Carr is dire. The amount of times he got roasted on that wing was ridiculous.

I'd take Kelly before him anyday.

[Dr. Ogba]

Talking about full-backs I think its well worth keeping an eye on Kevin Foley at Wolves now. I think he'll turn out to be a better player than Kelly anyway...

[bawn79]

Anyone know when the squad for this one is named?