Our best current XI (no injuries etc)?
What would you pick as our best current 11 ?
Assuming:-
-No injuries (all players at 100% fitness)
-No squabbles (eg Garvan, Hunt etc)
I'd go with
GK-Given
--------
LB-Harte
CB-Dunne
CB-McShane
RB-Finnan
--------
LM-Duff
CM-Garvan
CM-Steven Reid*
RM-Andy Reid*
**Hunt - I'll explain this later
--------
ST-Keane
ST-Doyle
I think that is the best bet in terms of mixing ability/youth/experience. I don't think there can be too many doubts about Shay, he's a great keeper and even our subs and reserves (Colin Doyle, Stack, etc) are good young players.
I think central defence picks itself. Dunne is our best player IMO, and also a great center back. Since Gary Breen left the scene we've not really had a concrete center back. Andy O'Brien has been a bit dodgy, so I'd go for McShane who's looked assured at Sunderland and could become a good player for us.
Finnan aside, on the flanks is where we really struggle at the moment. I don't think we have good natural defenders there. We seem to have a lot of mediocre players who can play full back (St. Ledger, Kelly, Foley, Harte, Joey O'Brien etc). Carr hasn't really been the same for the last few years, he's good to have on the bench but I wouldnt start with him, and due to his age I'd be tempted to use younger players - he is no longer one for the future.
I would play Ian Harte, we are weak at left full back irrespective of who is picked. In international football set pieces are vital - being good at them can win you games and he is our best free kick and corner taker. Picking him leaves us open down that flank but I'd try to limit that using other players. I'd make sure Dunne and Garvan (or Carsley) took on the left-of-center central roles in defence and midfield, and would encourage Duff to track back regularly. Remember it's not really lack of pace that scuppers Harte, it's more innate lack of defending ability.
Central Midfield would be Garvan (just gets the nod ahead of Carsley) with Duff on the left wing. The next major problem is on the right flank and the second midfielder. In a tight match I'd have Steven Reid in the center (I've always thought he plays better in the center) and Andy Reid on the right. This would shut up shop in the center, but also keep Reid on the pitch allowing him to build attacks. Steven Reid is, IMO, versitile enough to be able to switch out with Andy Reid and play on the right if needed. In a more open game I would play Andy Reid in the middle and Steven Hunt on the right, I think Hunt is good down any wing and think Andy Reid would be more effective in the middle. Duff is best on left wing so should always play there. We do have solid options on the bench here, like McGeady, Carsley and Kilbane.
Upfront I'd pick Robbie Keane and Kevin Doyle, with Stokes and Long on the bench or maybe Alan Lee if we needed to mix things up with a big striker. As well as Stokes and Long being young we also have Billy Clarke of Ipswich as a good option in the near future.
In my opinion that is a fairly strong team, which should be in contention for 2nd place in most Euro2008 groups. Other teams of similar strength are in contention (Scotland, Bosnia, Finland, Russia, Romania all spring to mind although perhaps the latter are a degree stronger). Obviously it's a good distance behind the likes of France, Germany etc in terms of strength, but I don't think it's very far from the Czechs and it is stronger than the Slovaks or Welsh teams.
