Imagine this Team

[ChrisRed]

I heard a rumour that Phil Bardsley is eligable to play for Ireland, could be a usefull back up for the squad, especailly given the Finnan situation.

However I couldn't imagine the Rangers ties going down to well.

[irishfan86]

I heard a rumour that Phil Bardsley is eligable to play for Ireland, could be a usefull back up for the squad, especailly given the Finnan situation.

However I couldn't imagine the Rangers ties going down to well.

Bardsley would be just as good an option as any of our alternatives (bar Finnan at full fitness)- I think he's a very good player.

Don't care who he plays his club football for- I remember Maybury saying that he dreamed about being the first RoI player to play for Rangers, didn't bother me then.

[tetsujin1979]

It so very nearly could have been Joe Lapira!

[galwayhoop]

don't know how anyone could think r. keane as a lone front man is even an option. we have two options for that now and they are k. doyle and c. folan. doyle would get the nod (form and fitness permitting) for me.

with that in mind (assuming everyone fit and making themselves available/available):

..........................Given
Finnan Dunne (capt) St. Ledger* O'Shea
...................Andrews S.Reid
Ireland..................................McGeady
.........................Keane
.........................Doyle

subs: 1. GK??, 2. Kilbane/McShane/AN Other, 3. Hunt,
4. Whelan??/Fahey??/McCarthy??/Gibson??/McCann??,
5. Folan, 6. Duff/a.reid, 7. s.long



*if he is as consistent as he looked good the last time out

[Brendan 82]

I like that team galwayhoop. I think you're right about Keane being better when he is dropped off a bit more. I'm really looking forward to the Premiership next season because there is going to be a lot more Irish players on view than last season. Fahey will hopefully have a cracking season and force his way into the squad, it will also be interesting to see what happens with Gibson and James McCarthy. There could be some surprises too.

Actually, anyone want to make an educated on guess who will be the surprise packages next season?

[youngirish]

I like that team galwayhoop. I think you're right about Keane being better when he is dropped off a bit more. I'm really looking forward to the Premiership next season because there is going to be a lot more Irish players on view than last season. Fahey will hopefully have a cracking season and force his way into the squad, it will also be interesting to see what happens with Gibson and James McCarthy. There could be some surprises too.

Actually, anyone want to make an educated on guess who will be the surprise packages next season?

I usually start a new thread on such a topic before the season kicks off and attempt to guess which young Irish players will stake a claim for the senior squad due to their performances during the season. I think personally McCann is the one to watch this season if (and this is the big if) Burnley don't turn out to be the cannon fodder many are expecting them to be.

Others to watch are Doran and Judge at Blackburn. Gibson and McCarthy as you already mentioned. Fahey at Birmingham has been mentioned by other posters. Seamus Coleman could make an appearance for Everton. Foley at Wolves could have a decent season. Marc Wilson might force himself into a starting berth at Portsmouth and finally its a big year for Joey O'Brien. If he gets over his injury problems and Megson continues to play him in his preferred midfield position he easily could become a viable alternative to Andrews and Whelan. I see the former in particular struggling to nail down a starting spot in midfield under Allardyce this year.

[Oink]

Just to throw something into the mix.


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

----------------StLedger-- Dunne -- O'Shea---------------


Hunt-----------------Andrews -- Reid-------------------Duff

---------------------------Ireland---------------------------

------------------Keane------------------------------------
--------------------------------Doyle-----------------------

[the doc]

I'd go further than that and say St. Ledger is actually a very good player, not just a better option than McShane, and I expect he'll be important for us in the next few games & next few years.

Makes you wonder why it took Trapp so long to realise it, Trapp and Tard were full of praise about St Ledger, after seeing him in training and matches.


From what I'm hearing in Preston, is that Celtic are preparing to bid £2.5m plus £2m in add ons.

But they will face competition from WBA, should Alan Irvine take the managers job there. In addition to the likes of West Ham, Everton and a few Italian clubs.

[Closed Account]

Makes you wonder why it took Trapp so long to realise it, Trapp and Tard were full of praise about St Ledger, after seeing him in training and matches.


From what I'm hearing in Preston, is that Celtic are preparing to bid £2.5m plus £2m in add ons.

But they will face competition from WBA, should Alan Irvine take the managers job there. In addition to the likes of West Ham, Everton and a few Italian clubs.

Sean, will ya relax, your in the team now. Stop questioning the management. Just enjoy your holidays.

[galwayhoop]

Just to throw something into the mix.


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

----------------StLedger-- Dunne -- O'Shea---------------


Hunt-----------------Andrews -- Reid-------------------Duff

---------------------------Ireland---------------------------

------------------Keane------------------------------------
--------------------------------Doyle-----------------------

terrible formation. 3 centre backs went out with the flood.

especially in this part of the world. our players aren't able to play in anything other than a back 4. it's all they ever played from day one.

invariably with 3 at the back you end up compensating by pulling back the wingers (or wing-backs as they more accurately are) and/or one or both of your midfield players sit in. it usually ends up as a back 5 or 6 so the same numbers end up with defensive duties as with the 4-4-2 we currently play (and are comfortable with) - and at least in our current formation we use players more suited to defending than in that christmas tree you drew!!!!

as john giles says it is players than win matches not formations (or tactics) - he's right of course but i think formations can help you lose games.

[Oink]

terrible formation. 3 centre backs went out with the flood.

especially in this part of the world. our players aren't able to play in anything other than a back 4. it's all they ever played from day one.

invariably with 3 at the back you end up compensating by pulling back the wingers (or wing-backs as they more accurately are) and/or one or both of your midfield players sit in. it usually ends up as a back 5 or 6 so the same numbers end up with defensive duties as with the 4-4-2 we currently play (and are comfortable with) - and at least in our current formation we use players more suited to defending than in that christmas tree you drew!!!!

as john giles says it is players than win matches not formations (or tactics) - he's right of course but i think formations can help you lose games.

It's not a massive leap from what we are playing now, if you look at our right and left mid in any game under Trap they play as full backs when we don't have the ball and we do end up with a 5/6 defenders at those times. The formation works with one commanding centre back calling the shots and playing the sweeper role(Dunne). It also accomodates for our best 11 playing in their natural positions, albeit with slightly more emphassis on one role of that position. Our best form of attack is on the ground through the middle, at the moment this only happens with our wingers cutting inside... wingers who are told to defend first and so this is a rare occurrance. This formation satisfies the defensive approach Trap likes (2 defensive CM and Wide men) but also gives us great potential for agressive counter attacking through the centre.