Squad announced for Czechs and Cyprus

no Shay Given, Colgan is brought in as 3rd keeper, still no Paddy McCarthy.
Andy Reid, Duff in despite being injured at the moment. Paul McShane promoted from the U-21s
Republic of Ireland Squad to play
Cyprus (October 7) & Czech Republic (October 11)

Paddy Kenny (Sheffield United)
Wayne Henderson (Brighton & HA)
Nicky Colgan (Barnsley)

Andy O’Brien (Portsmouth)
Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
John O’Shea (Manchester United)
Steve Finnan (Liverpool)
Stephen Carr (Newcastle United)
Sean St Ledger (Preston North End)
Paul McShane (West Bromwich Albion)

Jonathan Douglas (Leeds United)
Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers)
Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletics)
Aiden McGeady (Celtic)
Stephen Ireland (Manchester City)
Liam Miller (Sunderland)
Graham Kavanagh (Sunderland)
Andy Reid (Charlton Athletic)
Stephen Elliott (Sunderland)
Damien Duff (Newcastle United)

Alan Lee (Ipswich Town)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Kevin Doyle (Reading)
Clinton Morrison (Crystal Palace)
Alan O’Brien (Newcastle United)

Interesting quote from Staunton:
"We are developing a team for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign and I want players like Paul battling to be part of that. While we want to win every game and will be trying hard to qualify for Euro 2008, the main priority is building a squad capable of mounting a serious challenge in two years time."

Do you reckon that's because he wants to tone down people's expectations so that if we do qualify / look good it'll reflect well on him ... or because he genuinely believes we haven't really got a chance of getting out of this group?

You can interpret Staunton's remarks in a number of ways, but I'm prepared to take it as follows: the immediate objective is qualification but a further objective is morphing the squad.* Having the likes of Henderson, McShane, St. Ledger, Ireland & O'Brien included is more part of the second objective.

However, I wouldn't be at all disappointed to see Ireland making an appearance and I scared to death of us having Henderson involved. Please God may Paddy Kenny resume fitness asap.

Andy Reid is an odd one. Left out when fit, included when injured. Bizarre.

Very disappointed there's no Carsley.

Preston were on TV on Friday. Anyone get a glimpse of St. Ledger?

Edit: maybe not, sorry, just read it again. "main priority" is 2010. That's a bit scary. Main objective should be 6 points in October, secondary objective 2010 rebuilding. Taking some risks with youth in your squads isn't incompatible with winning now anyway.

Just taking the heat off himself incase we do crap , Its like what Don O Riordan used to do with us , always using youngsters so that if we played crap he could say its a team for the future thus removing himself from blame for farcical performances

I though Carsley would get in there.
Alan Lee couldn't have scored two goals at a better time though.

Tets, you'd think he'd name a squad for Cyprus at the same time too :)

disappointed not to see Carsley called up.

What a ****ing joke, Stephen Elliott is in there and he wont even be able to play for a month or two. Reid is also supposed to be out till after these games. No Carsley, McCarthy, Shane Long. :( Not good

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Preston were on TV on Friday. Anyone get a glimpse of St. Ledger?

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I have only seen a little of SSL on that Sky show where Ron Atkinson goes in at the end of last season to Peterborough, fly on the wall documentary thingie. SSL features a bit on it, seemed to have an attitude TBH in the clips that I saw. Obviously good enough to jump 2 divisions and put in quality performances though :eek:
Its an old chestnut but surely there are some boys at Derry,Cork or Shelbourne that could do an equally good job:confused:

geez just noticed Elliott got called up (listed as a MF in list), like the worm states that is stupid. We have 4 strikers already why not call up McCarthy?!

Staunton knows he's out of his depth, hence the time buying 2010 strategy. A proper manager would be talking up our chances and our desire even if he knew we were going to get tonked. Obviously, psychology is not Steve's strong point.

Bit ridiculous including elliott in fairness.
Alan OB stays in the squad, dont get me wrong, the guy has done well but hes not getting any first team football, although he could be very useful against Cyprus.

Agree that Carsley should be there, did a good defensive role in midfield for Everton yesterday.

Biggest joke is no Carsley in my view. Should be in the squad no doubt

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Andy Reid is an odd one. Left out when fit, included when injured. Bizarre.

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I'm resigned to the fact that Staunton is clueless now and I have no doubt that someone is having a big input into his decisions as well.

Having St Ledger in there is a joke and a slap in the face for McCarthy. Unfortunately I fell Stan will dig his heels in in that regard. Having basically said that he is not ready for it he'd look pretty stupid (or more stupid depending on your regard for Stan) to include him now so it could be along wait for Paddy.

The worldclass replacement for Brian Kerr is a spoofer.If he makes the fans feel he picks the team by putting the names in a hat, think how the players feel, RESPECT?...I don't think so.I know its early days, but this appointment stinks.Granted the players aren't available as before, but when I think of Staunton, I see the rabbit in the headlights look[ V Holland] acting the langer while Houghton is being interviewed[ V Germany] totally dilusional re Stuttgart performance in post match comments, and getting excuses in early after one game in the group.5th in the group is where this man is taking us, just great for subsequent seedings.:(

No McPhail?? :confused: Watched a bit of the Cardiff match on Sunday and he looked very comfortable on the ball. Defo think himself and Carsley should be in there.

Also agree on Elliott, isn't he out for at least a couple of months???

I'm worried - our target should not be 2010 it should be 2008. With Robbie Keane, Given, Dunne, Finnan, Duff and Doyle in a full strength 11 without injuries then Staunton must get us results. If he starts with O'Shea and Kilbane again then I really have lost all faith in him.

Must be the worst Irish squad EVER (since the last one of course)

I think we can go over the top on this. But I think Carsley shoudl have been in as our midfield of Kilbane and O Shea needs to go. Who do we replace it with. I think for now we should go with Carsley and Stephen Reid with Mc Geady and Duff on the wings. Over time as he gets fitter etc Andy Reid can come in either as a central player or on the wing. I fear that he is going to go with O Shea and Kilbane again or at best O Shea and S. Reid.