Squad named for double header

[carloz]

We tried that against Wales and it didn't really work out, he was far more effective when he moved into the middle, where he started against Slovakia.

At the end of the day we were far from creative against Slovakia. Andy reid is a much more creative player than Ireland and IMO should definly be considered ahead of him in the centre. I would play Ireland on the left. Id start McGeady even though i think it would be a bit risky...it was interesting to notive that Spartak last night were lauchin every attack down McGeadys wing, they had it picked as a weak spot

[tetsujin1979]

I'm not saying Ireland should start ahead of Andy Reidin the centre, I'm just saying Ireland is more effective in the middle than on the wings. There are wingers in the squad that can do a better job there than Ireland, and I don't think they should be dropped in favor of him.

[NeilMcD]

If Johnny Giles had his way we woulld have a midfield of Ireland and Reid.

[paul_oshea]

there was some word giles kept using the whole time the last day after denmark whatever he was saying.

[DmanDmythDledge]

If Johnny Giles had his way we woulld have a midfield of Ireland and Reid.
That could work. Play 4-3-3; Carlsey in front of the back four, Doyle up top with Keane and McGeady/Hunt supporting, with the possibility of making it 4-5-1 if we want to hang onto a lead. Still I very much doubt Stan will change from a 4-4-2.

[NeilMcD]

Well he has played 4 5 1 for our last 3 home qualifers against half decent teams.

[geysir]

there was some word giles kept using the whole time the last day after denmark whatever he was saying.
moral courage ?

[dr_peepee]

That could work. Play 4-3-3; Carlsey in front of the back four, Doyle up top with Keane and McGeady/Hunt supporting, with the possibility of making it 4-5-1 if we want to hang onto a lead. Still I very much doubt Stan will change from a 4-4-2.


Has he ever played a 4-4-2 in a traditional sense really...

[Billsthoughts]

I dont know too much about hoookers bill, care to tell us more.

am sure after a week in Brazzerslavia you will.....:D

[NeilMcD]

Nah not my thing.

[HolylandsMan]

While its disappointing to see any player get injured, espciailly given how short we are for numbers at the back, I think Carr's absence mightn't do us any harm in the long run as Finnan will get to play at Right Back.

Think we'll need Given fully fit and on top form to get 4 or 6 points - if we do well over this double header I'd say we'll be looking back at a save Shay made that he had no right to make.

Starting Kilbane in midfield is unjustifiable - there are at least 6 better midfield options but I can't be too confident Stan won't try it.

I'd like to see a team along these lines.

Given

Finnan - RB
Dunne - CB
McShane - CB
O'Shea - LB

Hunt - RB
Carsley - CM
Ireland - CM
Reid - LM

Doyle
Keane

Tight call to leave McGeady out but he's done less than the other 3 (Carsley's a cert) competitively so I think he should start on the bench. Only problem is Hunt on the wrong side but its difficult to fit everyone in their right positions.

[gustavo]

Not a bad team but I'd have A.Reid in the centre over Ireland if you were going that way and also McGeady over Hunt on the other wing

[Stuttgart88]

There's no way I'd consider Hunt as a right sided option. It'd be depriving us of his best asset, his crossing. Reid is a far more accomplished footballer and has been effective on the right in the past, in a mirror-image of how Pires was effective for Arsenal from his "wrong" side.

Either way, I'd have Reid in the middle anyway.

I'm inclined to go for a right side of Finnan and McGeady at the moment.

It's funny, Ireland has been the most important player for us in this campaign (3 goals, 2 winners, 4 points) but I have doubts still about playing him.

Tough decisions & good luck to Stan making them. I really do think that configuring the most effective XI from current resources takes a real understanding of how a football team functions, which waeknesses are potentially most fatal, which strengths should be played to.

Maybe Ireland should start in the middle with Reid to replace either him or a wide player as the game goes on and opens up a bit.

[stojkovic]

I think its madness to play Andy Reid in the centre of a four man midfield AWAY from home. At home, yes, to unlock a stubborn defence.

If Reid does play, Stan will start the game with a 4-5-1 (or 4-3-2-1) and see how things pan out from there.

[tetsujin1979]

What about playing Carsley and Potter together with a creative midfielder in a 4-5-1?
The only thing is we really are lacking a striker who can lead the line by himself.
I think Ireland might work better in that sort of formation, it's not too dissimilar to where he plays for City on occasion. Still it's a nice headache to have, what creative midfielder to pick. Could be a case of horses for courses

[Paddy Garcia]

Not a bad team but I'd have A.Reid in the centre over Ireland if you were going that way and also McGeady over Hunt on the other wing

Agree, McGeady has the ability to unlock the best defences around & therefore to win a game. A different class to Hunt.

[The Legend]

Agree, McGeady has the ability to unlock the best defences around & therefore to win a game. A different class to Hunt.

Yeah? well he also has the ability to go missing for 90 mins, which Hunt doesn't do.

[carloz]

People are going down this ultra cautious road again, 4-5-1. Someone mentioned playing Potter and Carsley on the same team which i would be totally against. We should play our best system, a simple 442 against Slovakia. By playing one up forward we are only playing into their hands. This is a game we must win IMO. We might as well lose 5-0 as 1-0. I just feel that this is a game that we have to go for the jugular and i think sending out an attacking minded team will send a message to Slovakia and the Czechs. A major reason we havent beaten a decent team away from home since 1989 is because of this stupid cautius approach away from home. IMO we have to treat this like a home game and take some chances. Personally id want a central midfield of Carsley and Reid. Carsley can put in the donkey work and the muscle in the midfield. I fell Reid would be a lot less lightweight than Ireland. I still have nightmares from seing Ireland in the middle against Cyprus in Nicpsia

[carloz]

Yeah? well he also has the ability to go missing for 90 mins, which Hunt doesn't do.

Agreed, i was very impressed with McGeady against Denmark but i taught he was awful at home to Slovakia. Its a tricky choice and it depends on Stans thinking. You know what to expect from Hunt, not from McGeady. That can be a good thing or a bad thing

[Stuttgart88]

But you can have both if McGeady starts on the right, which is where he impressed last time out.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm watching DEN vs IRL again at the moment. I've been sticking by Carr recently, but even I have to admit he's been crap. Really careless, hospital passes everywhere.

McGeady looks even better on the right than I thought watching it live.

[kingdom hoop]

People are going down this ultra cautious road again, 4-5-1. Someone mentioned playing Potter and Carsley on the same team which i would be totally against. We should play our best system, a simple 442 against Slovakia. By playing one up forward we are only playing into their hands. This is a game we must win IMO. We might as well lose 5-0 as 1-0.

I wouldn't really agree with the correlation of 451 as a stupidly cautious approach. Similarly, you say that our best system is 442 but that might neglect the individual players' abilities, what suits our players and negates the opposition is best, not some Mike Bassett-esque infatuation with 442. I think we'd be better off playing Carsley and Kilbane in CM, giving far more freedom to four attack-minded players in front of them, as well as better covering for the full-backs as they hopefully bomb forward and against the Slovaks counter-attacks.

If you play Reid, or Ireland for that matter, in CM the whole team must be more defensively aware, whereas with Kilbane the players know they have more defensive security, as well as the usual Kilbane attributes that we are sick of hearing but can't escape from. Remember also that the Slowbacks will be gunning for victory so it would, in my opinion, be imprudent to be gung-ho , to not to start with a solid foundation and then trust our creative players to produce. So, then you pick two out of Ireland, Reid, McGeady, and Hunt to join Keane and Doyle as our attacking artillery. That selection will be for another post after I make myself a delicious toasted sandwich. :)

[geysir]

I'm watching DEN vs IRL again at the moment.
McGeady looks even better on the right than I thought watching it live.
It's what I thought too, but no matter what side, many parts of his game have improved, his positioning to receive the ball out of the centre of defence and lead a counter attack, better decision making, his awareness of not losing the ball, his tracking back. That perf. and the CLQ against Spartak with his superb ball control.
Though set pieces not up to scratch.
Now that Eirebhoy has dropped him :) somebody has to blow his trumpet.

[eirebhoy]

My arse have I "dropped" him. :) I never talked him up to begin with really. Just always gave my honest opinion on him. When he plays well I don't have to make excuses about his lack of confidence. I think he's a safer bet away from home, away from the 70,000 Irish fans atm.

As for Reid in the centre. It's a lot safer playing Reid in the centre than Ireland. Reid is a natural central midfielder. He'll sit in there and will rarely be caught out of position. Ireland is a less dominant player. He's not the type that'll come back, take the ball off the defence and distribute it. He's more of a Paul Scholes of 10 years ago. Reid is very similar to Emre of Newcastle imo. With Reid in the centre we're capable of controlling the game away from home. With Ireland in the centre (of a 4-4-2) we'd probably be playing a lot more on the break.

[Dr. Ogba]

That selection will be for another post after I make myself a delicious toasted sandwich. :)


Well don't leave us hanging... how was the sandwich?? :)

[brine3]

Liam Miller is a starter in the Premiership.

He should be in there.

Has more right to be there than O'Brien or Potter.

[kingdom hoop]

Well don't leave us hanging... how was the sandwich?? :)

Delish! Triple decker, mayo, Ballymaloe relish, rashers, lettuce, tomato, coleslaw and melted cheese. mmmm:)

It didn't give me inspiration for my team selection though. Dinner should sort that out! (I'll keep you posted - not sure what I'll have yet)


Liam Miller is a starter in the Premiership.



Newsflash; Liam Miller on bench for Sunderland today:D (your point stands, I'm just being an ass!)

[Stuttgart88]

How many times does Miller have to be ineffective for club & country before people stop clamouring for his inclusion? Not to mention not making the US trip when he had more to gain by making it than anyone else.

He doesn't always start in the Premiership, often gets taken off and gets physically dominated in almost any game he plays. He couldn't even make an impression against Luton.

I've grown tired of waiting for Miller to become the player he could have become.

In his debut for MUFC Radio 5 Live described him as "neat and tidy, no more". They were right.

Ireland and Reid play similar games and do it better in my opinion. O'Brien & Potter play totally different roles anyway. Gibson looks a better player already, and I'd say Garvan and Joey O'Brien will push him further down the order in due course.

[Bottle of Tonic]

mayo, Ballymaloe relish, coleslaw




Thats overdoing it IMO. Keep it simple. There's enough in the rashers and tomatos without three more flavours on top of it. One of them, sure, but not all three together. Earlier i had the same, but in a pitta bread, and only with mayo. It was savage. Typical saturday afternoon sambo.

AAAAAnyway....
I wouldn't have Miller near the team. Don't think he was what you'd call a certain starter in last years championship(feel free to prove me wrong) and I don't think the boy (sorry, man he must be 26/27 at this stage?)has played enough football in the last 3 or so years to be worthy of a spot in our CM.

[gally]

Is he injured...

I think this lad is getting better with every game played under his belt for both Wolves and ROI, and if Stan plays 5 in midfield, he could start if fit....

Whats the story...

[carloz]

and if Stan plays 5 in midfield,
:eek:, oh dear god i hope not

[Stuttgart88]

No chance of a formal 5 man midfield in my opinion but Robbie is always quick to drop deep and he did so again in Denmark. When needed we effectively play that anyway and have done for ages.

[tetsujin1979]

Stephen Henderson and Alan O'Brien out of the Slovakia game, still doubts over McShane and Potter, according to the Indo: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/henderson-ruled-out--of-qualifiers-1070282.html

Also, the list of players on yellow cards is in the article

Given, McShane, John O'Shea, Lee Carsley, Jonathan Douglas, Stephen Ireland and Kevin Kilbane have all been booked previously in the qualifying campaign.

[Billsthoughts]

How many times does Miller have to be ineffective for club & country before people stop clamouring for his inclusion? Not to mention not making the US trip when he had more to gain by making it than anyone else.


Miller managed to have a nitemare in 10 minutes versus man u on sat...

[Paddy Garcia]

And Potter is not impressing either.

[shakermaker1982]

looks like we need reinforcements already. Losing Henderson is a blow, I have faith in him as a replacement for Given. Doyle makes me nervous.

[Paddy Garcia]

I think Doyle is a good goalie & will come through this difficult period. Also believe he is a better long-term prospect than Henderson.

However agree confidence is all. Stan may yet regret falling out with Kenny, who I feel is our best no 2 today.

[youngirish]

Apparently McShane is a doubt for the Czech and Slovakia games. He picked up an injury on Sat.

[Wolfie]

Apparently McShane is a doubt for the Czech and Slovakia games. He picked up an injury on Sat.

If it transpires that McShane is out he'll probably go with O'Shea and Dunne as Centre Halves.

Finnan a deffo starter at full back. Just a question of whether he plays him on the left or right.

Who'll get the nod at full back?

Kilbane?
Kelly?
Achey Breaky Harte?

[eirebhoy]

McShane would be a massive loss.:(

[cavan_fan]

If it transpires that McShane is out he'll probably go with O'Shea and Dunne as Centre Halves.

Finnan a deffo starter at full back. Just a question of whether he plays him on the left or right.

Who'll get the nod at full back?

Kilbane?
Kelly?
Achey Breaky Harte?

Harte's not in the squad, guess he could be called up if McShane pulls out but I'm always suspicious when a late call up plays. Would think Kelly is most likely as I still think Stan will play Kilbane in CM or on the wing.

[co. down green]

I would still be hopeful enough that McShane will make the trip.

According to Keane "Paul has a little injury so we will need to look at him before we give him the green light to report for Ireland,"

[geysir]

If it's a "little injury" then Sunderland would have to handcuff him to the goalposts to stop him from going.

[geysir]

Did I hear right, at the end of RTE sports news, that Finnan is out?

[shakermaker1982]

independent have him as a major doubt.

[Wolfie]

Finnan a deffo starter at full back.

Why did I dare tempt the sporting Gods!!!!!!!! :(

Damn you cruel fate!!!! Damn you I say!!! :(

[gwhite]

No Finnan probably means McShane and Dunne at CB and Kilbane and O'Shea at left and right back respectively. Oh dear. His in explicable fondness for Kilbane probably means no place for S. Kelly.
I still think we're very lightweight up front if anything happens to Keane or Doyle.

[cavan_fan]

No Finnan probably means McShane and Dunne at CB and Kilbane and O'Shea at left and right back respectively. Oh dear. His in explicable fondness for Kilbane probably means no place for S. Kelly.
I still think we're very lightweight up front if anything happens to Keane or Doyle.

I'm wondering about Doyle starting. Firstly, he will be a great player, already is. But he's in no sort of form at the moment. The problem is we can't afford to try to play him into form. That's OK for clubs (esp mid table ones) not when you have 2 games whihc will define 2 seasons. I wonder if Keogh and Keane might be a better starting pair at the moment. Keogh strikes me a someone with a bit of physical presence.

[DeNiro]

That's a fair point about Doyle. This time last year he was scoring penalties against Man Utd, missing one against West Ham has hardly filled him with confidence. It's hard to drop him though, even on work rate alone he offers a lot. Playing Keogh might not be the best option as he would drift a little like Keane. If he was forced to drop Doyle, I'd go with Long in his place or at a push Stephen Ireland.

[NeilMcD]

Why Keogh is the king of assists
By Chris Bevan


Wolves striker Andy Keogh
Scoring is obviously that little bit better but I know when I've played my part and if I've helped when a goal has been scored then I am happy

Andy Keogh

Wolves frontman Andy Keogh has got used to seeing his strike partners hog the headlines but he does not mind one bit.

At his previous club, Scunthorpe, Keogh helped Billy Sharp score 44 goals in a season-and-a-half and now it is Freddy Eastwood who is linking up with him to lethal effect.

Eastwood has notched four goals in four Championship games since his £1.5m summer move from Southend to Molineux and the Republic of Ireland international has set up all of them.

It is a record Keogh is rightly proud of and he is delighted to see his latest partnership flourishing.

"Billy and I actually clicked a bit quicker together but it is going just as well with Freddy," Keogh told BBC Sport. "We will get better and better too.

"Scoring is obviously that little bit better than making a goal but I know when I've played my part and if I've helped when we've scored then I am happy.

"I have just tried to pick up where I left off last season. I've been setting them up - all I need to do now is catch up with Freddy and score a few myself."

Not that Keogh, a hard-working forward in the Robbie Keane mould, is a slouch when it comes to finding the net himself.


"It was a very proud moment to play for my country. I have got two caps now and hopefully I will be adding a lot more.

Andy Keogh

The 21-year-old got off the mark for the season in Wolves' Carling Cup defeat by Morecambe on Wednesday - his sixth goal for the club since joining for £600,000 in January - and found the net 23 times in his 23 months at Scunthorpe.

His form has been good enough to warrant a call-up by Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton - something that seemed unlikely when he left Leeds United, where he was a trainee, to move to Glanford Park in February 2005.

"It was a very proud moment to play for my country," added Keogh. "I have got two caps now and hopefully I will be adding a lot more.

"The way things have turned out showed my decision to join Scunthorpe was right and I am just looking at the next step now.

"I went there to kickstart my career and it worked. That next step for me is the Premier League.


606: DEBATE
I believe wolves will get promotion this season! Anyone else?

bb

"The Championship is a very competitive division but playing at a higher level would improve me as a player."

Keogh almost made it into the top-flight last season when Wolves lost in the semi-finals of the play-offs and he is confident that Mick McCarthy's team have what it takes to win promotion this term.

"Can we go up? 100% yes. We have to," he explained. "We have a new chairman who has come in and invested a lot of money and we have to get there soon.

"I am sure we can do it too. We have a good blend of young players and experienced pros.

"We have made a good start and now we have to kick on.

"Our only blip has been against Morecambe but if we get promoted then no-one will remember that game."