Trapattoni's first (extended) squad announced!

[NeilMcD]

Liam Brady said: “A preliminary squad of 40 players has been selected with the the help of Don Givens..."

Why would they name a squad now for a training camp a month and a half away without the full attention needed from Trap and with the help of that *****. A waste of time in my opinion, don't think there was any point to this act.

The first squad should be picked by the manager, not the U21 manager, that falls out with everyone under the sun.

It's nonsense that Lawrence isn't there, although he didn't play the other day for one reason or another, and McCarthy whereis he? And defenders are what we have a shortage of.

Why is Connolly there? He is finished, if he ever started, thats just annoyed me!

Do you think that if Don Givens picked the squad that,

Ireland

Stokes and Connolly would be in it.


I agree that there was no need for it to be picked now and that Lawrence and Mc Carthy should have been in it.

[NeilMcD]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0408/ireland.html

[Razors left peg]

It has been said all along that Givens was going to nominate 4 or 5 players from the under21 squad to be involved, there is no big deal there.
Connolly is a surprise but the rest of the squad is fair enough. I dont think there will every be a squad that everybody it 100% happy with, but some people always jump on the negatives straight away.There is a lot to be excited about in that squad

[youngirish]

I agree that there was no need for it to be picked now and that Lawrence and Mc Carthy should have been in it.

I'd have Tabb in it also possibly at the expense of Miller, Potter or one of the forwards (Connolly).

[JimmyP]

I notice Alan Lee doesn't get a look in either.
11 goals this season. Surely merits a place more than Connolly?

[colster]

I'd have Tabb in it also possibly at the expense of Miller, Potter or one of the forwards (Connolly).

We have a lot of wingers already. Miller + Potter can both play CM.

[NeilMcD]

Eh Garvan is a central midfielder and Lee is a striker. I dont think goals should come into it.

[Razors left peg]

I notice Alan Lee doesn't get a look in either.
11 goals to Garvan's 3. Surely merits a place more than Connolly?

Lee is a striker and Garvan is a midfielder so why are u comparing the two?
you are right that he could be in ahead of connolly though, but I really dont think Lee has any big future in the team for us anyway

[colster]

I notice Alan Lee doesn't get a look in either.
11 goals to Garvan's 3. Surely merits a place more than Connolly?

Lee is a striker. Garvan is a CM. Could be in there instead of Connolly but it's not too glaring an ommission.

[youngirish]

We have a lot of wingers already. Miller + Potter can both play CM.

Tabb can play a similar central midfield role to A Reid or Clark Kent.

[colster]

Tabb can play a similar central midfield role to A Reid or Clark Kent.

It's a no brainer as far as i'm concerned. Both Miller and Potter have International, Champions League and Premiership experience and deserve to be in ther ahead of Tabb.

[youngirish]

It's a no brainer as far as i'm concerned. Both Miller and Potter have International, Champions League and Premiership experience and deserve to be in ther ahead of Tabb.
Personally I don't go for this Champions League and Premiership League experience.

I'd much rather look at the important facts those being that Miller is sh*t and has been proven in the past to not be good enough for International (or Premiership) football while Potter has been a bit part player in a Wolves team this year in the same division as the infinitely more impressive and talented Tabb.

Actually that reminds me. EB you owe me money for betting Potter would be Wolves player of the season this year after the US trip last summer when I rightly stated he was rubbish.

[rambler14]

Great to see Stephen McPhail back and it's also nice to see Wes Hoolahan, Owen Garvan and Glenn Whelan in the squad. Even the likes of Martin Rowlands is welcome sight. It shows that the Ireland squad is finally being picked on form rather than merit.:D

Seán Scannell could be a potential superstar so they've made a good decision bringing him in at this stage.

But somebody please tell me why David Connolly is there???????:eek::confused: He hasn't played this season. Jay Tabb could surely have his place??????

[bellavistaman]

delighted for stephen ireland is back, hope he doesnt fook it up.

[colster]

Personally I don't go for this Champions League and Premiership League experience.

I'd much rather look at the important facts those being that Miller is sh*t and has been proven in the past to not be good enough for International (or Premiership) football while Potter has been a bit part player in a Wolves team this year in the same division as the infinitely more impressive and talented Tabb.

How is the subjective assessment of a player's talent a Fact? Give me an example of a fact that proves Tabb is better than either of these players.

[bellavistaman]

How is the subjective assessment of a player's talent a Fact? Give me an example of a fact that proves Tabb is better than either of these players.

Great post.

[bellavistaman]

brady just said on rte no conversation with him and stephen ireland, balls in irelands court now.Come on stephen we need you lad.

Hes meeting finnan soon to see if hes available.

[the doc]

The non selection of Sean St Ledger is a unbelievable, as St Ledger has been in outstanding form for Preston this season and tipped by many as Prestons player of the year and to move into the Premiership soon.

We could lose this player to the Northies if we are not careful, mark my words this player will be a top premiership player within the next few years.

How can you pick the likes of the out of form and limited McShane ahead of him? surely training squads are all about looking at new players to see what they can do.

[Carrigaline]

Sean Scannell [Crystal Palace], Roy O'Donovan [Sunderland], David Connolly [Sunderland].
It's pointless calling up this lot.

Scannell is a great prospect for the future he's only just turned 17 and is waayyyyy too young to be thrown in at the deep-end. For crying out loud, we only just gave him his first under-21 cap a few weeks ago and he looked out of his depth at times.

O'Donovan has a bit of skill, but simply put, he's an inferior version of Robbie Keane or Kevin Doyle. We need a different kind of player, Alan Lee could give an aerial threat that we badly need.

As for David Connolly, that call-up has to be the greatest waste of time. According to soccerbase, he's played a total of 3 Premier League games this season and scored no goals.

I would liked to have seen Leon Best included in the squad to be honest. He's done well for Coventry and looked impressive while playing with the Under-21's.

Not sure about how where we could fit Lawrence into the team though, even if he got in, I couldn't see him getting playing time.

[Diarmo]

I wonder if Brady is planning on giving himself a game - as playing competitive football doesn't seem to be required for this squad. Connolly, I mean, he's played 3 games all season. Harte has played more. I really think Delaney, Lawrence, St. Ledger and maybe even Caleb Folan (whose scored a good few goals lately after coming back from injury) deserved a look, at least for training. And pray tell, how much Premiership experience does Darren Potter have? Because he doesn't have a whole lot of Championship experience with Wolves, he's in and out of the team.

[rambler14]

I wonder if Brady is planning on giving himself a game - as playing competitive football doesn't seem to be required for this squad. Connolly, I mean, he's played 3 games all season. Harte has played more. I really think Delaney, Lawrence, St. Ledger and maybe even Caleb Folan (whose scored a good few goals lately after coming back from injury) deserved a look, at least for training. And pray tell, how much Premiership experience does Darren Potter have? Because he doesn't have a whole lot of Championship experience with Wolves, he's in and out of the team.

I'm dissappointed that Delaney and Lawrence havn't been given a chance. Also Noel Hunt should be worth a go instead of Connolly??????:confused:

[Blue-Army]

maybe even Caleb Folan (whose scored a good few goals lately after coming back from injury) deserved a look, at least for training.
Yeah I would have had Folan in ahead of David Connolly, he's hardly played all season.
Is this squad just based on opinions or what? because no way did Brady/Trap go to see Connolly play for Sunderland Reserves.

[topia]

Id give noel hunt a go ahead of connolly, no point in him being included with no games under his belt,
definately not enough defenders and too many keepers, they wont be able to even have a proper training match without playing everyone out of position!

[GavinZac]

Givens out

[eekers]

ffs lads do you not understand the point of a 40man squad.
Only 28 of this lot are going to the training camp even.
Naming the other 12 to saying to them you're still in our plans.
Now imagine you're a player with a few caps and you're not named, you'd be rightly ****ed off. Whereas a young up and coming player would still reckon he could break his way in. Thats why the likes of connelly are being named even though they have no chance of getting in the 28.

[the doc]

Givens out


Here, Here! this squad by and large has his name written all over it!

Watch out for Alex Bruce being called up next!

[GavinZac]

Now imagine you're a player with a few caps and you're not named, you'd be rightly ****ed off. Why would we care though? Because...
they have no chance of getting in the 28.

[theworm2345]

Theworm just soiled himself!!!


:D
I'm happy for Worm. It's a vindication of sorts for his years of unswerving belief in the wee mans ability.
We'll see if he make the cull down to 28 for the friendlies.
Of course this comes when Connolly is hurt :mad:...now where did I put my extra pair of boxers

[irishfan86]

Connolly's inclusion raises some eyebrows alright. The only thing I can think of is that Brady rates him highly.

I don't see the point of alienating him, as he is very lethal at a certain level. Against the minnows he may be quite clinical.

As we see time and time again, he is a consistent scorer at Championship level.

Personally I wouldn't have included him, but I'm not outraged by it.

Some positives in there for sure, McPhail, Hoolahan, Whelan, and Garvan especially.

A bit disappointed that Alan Lee isn't included, as we really do need a target man in the squad.

As many have said, the absence of St. Ledger, McCarthy, and Bruce is a bit disappointing as well.

More positives than negatives though- it seems this management group are bringing in the right kind of young players, ie ones who are playing for their clubs in key positions, not the likes of Alan O'Brien et al.

EDIT: Forgot Liam Lawrence! All I can think of is that we have so many wingers ahead of him (Duff, McGeady, Hunt, Ireland), that he'd never get playing. Wouldn't have picked Hoolahan ahead of him though...

[Chicago AOH]

Lawrence should be in for sure, whether or not we have enough wingers in the squad. He's scoring goals, and seems to play for his shirt, with passion which is what this team really needs. I'm really disappointed, especially as it's a 40 man squad.

Sean St Ledger and Jon Walters, I would have liked to be picked too. Maybe they'll be arrange another B international, to keep tabs on players on players that didn't make the 40....

[danonion]

David Connolly that is beyond a joke. When he was scoring in the Championship last season, he could have been the tonic our side needed then. But now? The next step for him should be retirement. He's missed a season, how many internationals miss seasons and retain their place let alone regain it.

[Wolfie]

Good to see Garvan and Whelan given the chance to stake a claim. Will be interesting to see how Rowlands gets on also.

Surprised St Ledger didn't get the nod.

The bould Daithi Connolly. More comebacks than Frank Sinattra. He might nab you a hat-trick against Liechtenstein but he'll never deliver in the big games.

[Drumcondra 69er]

I'd wonder more if Liam Lawerence is fully eligible.

Why? He's already got his passport and is undoubtedly eligibile.

Why he's not in the 40 is a mystery.

[tetsujin1979]

Sean St Ledger and Jon Walters, I would have liked to be picked too. Maybe they'll be arrange another B international, to keep tabs on players on players that didn't make the 40....
Walters is still out injured and isn't due back until the end of the month

[Bluebeard]

The bould Daithi Connolly. More comebacks than Frank Sinattra. He might nab you a hat-trick against Liechtenstein but he'll never deliver in the big games.

While I am not one who believes that Big Dave C is the man of the future, as Wolfie says, he will score against minnows. Like San Marino and Cyprus, for example, teams like that. As we saw last time out, we seem to have a chronic failure to score against these teams, so let him miss the Italy game, but have him in the squad for the double header in September.


Wow wow wow, I have just realised that there is no Alan O'Brien or Joe Lapeira. I detest this squad

Don't worry, the lads will be back. The squad session clashes with a surfing tournament in Strandhill and a greyhound meet in Edinburgh...

[ifk101]

I think Connolly inclusion is somewhat to highlight that everyone is starting with a clean slate - and what happened in the past, is in the past. That or Connolly is excellent at collecting training bibs and washing kits ...

[jmurphyc]

Overall, I'm relatively happy with the squad. There are a few weird inclusions (even for a 40 man squad) and a few players probably feel quite unlucky not to make the squad, most notably Liam Lawrence, but at least they've brought a fair few new faces in. I'm still a bit worried about the defence and hope that Trapattoni changes a few things once he's properly able to run the rule over our pool of players. The one thing that really puzzles me though is why the squad was announced so early. I really thought it would be announced when Trap was a few weeks into the job to decide the best set of players.

[Shedender81]

Not a whiff of an eL player in the 40 man squad. I guess that puts pay to any hope we had of Trap even considering the players in our League


Name a LOI player that is worthy of place ?

[Shedender81]

Lawrence should be in for sure, whether or not we have enough wingers in the squad. He's scoring goals, and seems to play for his shirt, with passion which is what this team really needs. I'm really disappointed, especially as it's a 40 man squad.

Sean St Ledger and Jon Walters, I would have liked to be picked too. Maybe they'll be arrange another B international, to keep tabs on players on players that didn't make the 40....


Has Liam Lawrence absence anything to do with his off field raps... also if we are talking about these guys... RORY DELAP..... all in all Liam and Marco looked good yesterday...Let the games begin

[jmurphyc]

Name a LOI player that is worthy of place ?

There are a few in the squad that you could argue aren't deserving of a place. Considering it's a 40 man squad it's surprising that there isn't at least one LOI player. Will Trapattoni really know how good they are until he sees them in training? Many people think Barry Murphy is good enough to be one of the back up goalkeepers.

[Dr. Ogba]

There are a few in the squad that you could argue aren't deserving of a place. Considering it's a 40 man squad it's surprising that there isn't at least one LOI player. Will Trapattoni really know how good they are until he sees them in training? Many people think Barry Murphy is good enough to be one of the back up goalkeepers.

would have thought that we could look at a couple of defensive options in the LOI. If Jason Gavin wasn't injured I think he would have been worth calling up.
Any left fulls worth considering?

[paul_oshea]

While I am not one who believes that Big Dave C is the man of the future, as Wolfie says, he will score against minnows. Like San Marino and Cyprus, for example, teams like that. As we saw last time out, we seem to have a chronic failure to score against these teams, so let him miss the Italy game, but have him in the squad for the double header in September.


I agree with that logic.

[RivaldoBabb]

Do they know that Liam Lawrence is eligible? 14 goals and 15 assists this season.

Hes too busy making 'Black cats do white chicks part two' porn movie to be bothered with Ireland

[Razors left peg]

would have thought that we could look at a couple of defensive options in the LOI. If Jason Gavin wasn't injured I think he would have been worth calling up.
Any left fulls worth considering?

Jason Gavin is far too slow to get anywhere near the national team

[Dr. Ogba]

Jason Gavin is far too slow to get anywhere near the national team

alternatives??

[hunt4the]

Do they know that Liam Lawrence is eligible? 14 goals and 15 assists this season.

exactly its a joke that he's not making a 40 man squad :confused::confused::confused:

[Razors left peg]

alternatives??

well in the Eircom League O Ceiluill isnt bad, but McCarthy and St Leger look decent players too and are playin at a better standard

[theworm2345]

While I am not one who believes that Big Dave C is the man of the future, as Wolfie says, he will score against minnows. Like San Marino and Cyprus, for example, teams like that. As we saw last time out, we seem to have a chronic failure to score against these teams, so let him miss the Italy game, but have him in the squad for the double header in September.
This is (sort of) what I have been saying all along!!!!! While I believe he can (and will) score against teams like Italy, there is no doubt he can score against teams like San Marino and Cyprus, especially when he was scoring 2 goals every 3 games in the CCC. Yet everyone just told me to **** off :mad:

[Bluebeard]

Yet everyone just told me to **** off :mad:

I didn't:(

[tetsujin1979]

S.Reid, Miller, Ireland, Duff, McGeady, A.Reid, Hunt, Hoolahan, Kilbane, Murphy

That's 10 wingers on the squad who are all more experienced than Lawerence and are likely to be chosen ahead of him. The only possible exception being Wes.

S.Reid is not a winger
Miller is not a winger
Ireland is not a winger
A.Reid is not a winger
Lawrence is probably level with Yeates, if he wasn't out injured