European Championships - France 2016

I think we're taking around 4 players if not more who are out of form or offering nothing from a squad perspective.

I can easily see Arter (crocked I know), O'Kane, O'Dowda and Pilkington figuring in September.


Happy with the defensive options. Much as he frustrates me we need McCarthy to be fully fit. Alan Byrne seems to know his stuff so I assume he'll be fit. Meyler can on,y be justified if we're defending a lead.

Brady, Long, Coleman, Wes, McClean and Walters are going to be key players. There are about 4 or 5 passengers lucky to be making the trip.

In fairness, the point about picking fringe players all together is valid. Maybe McGeady, for example, would play better in our first XI.

Oh, and both goals would have been prevented by Whelan :)

Doyle's tweet was classy tonight.

Respect him even more.fair play to him.

I'm very happy with that. If it was me and I had a clean slate I would maybe have brought Jack Byrne in earlier and taken him in place of Quincy but otherwise I would have made exactly the same decisions.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Pilkington, Doyle and even O'Dowda more deserving of places than Murphy, McGeady and Meyler. Better players, simples.

Clark and Ward did well tonight I thought. Clark a real threat in the air. Felt for Gibson, I like what he tried to do tonight. I'd be surprised if more than 15 or 16 players get on the pitch in June.

I can see Westwood starting. I felt in real time that MON was putting Forde on as a gesture. Watched tha game on catch up as got stuck at work.

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I'd like to think that now Westwood is there, he'll get the shout, but do you reckon O'Neill would make such a call and simply drop Randolph?

I agree, I'd rather see Doyle in ahead of Murphy. Murphy was terrible tonight and hasn't done much in an Ireland shirt.

O'Dowda looked fresh and energetic whilst McGeady's career has nose-dived - poor again tonight - but would have been a major surprise to see O'Dowda make it.

Wouldn't have minded Gibson ahead of Meyler for something a bit different.

Man, seeing Forde left out and Given selected...I just can't get on-board with that. McGeady my only other major concern, though if Keane is even slightly crocked I question what purpose he'll serve, whether we're defending a lead or chasing a game.

Squad numbers are interesting....
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cj0Z4X4UkAAS7Cm.jpg

Keogh feeling the pressure after Clark's MOTM performance and emergence of Duffy.

http://www.the42.ie/richard-keogh-ir...99052-May2016/

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“Personally I’ve had a very good season, I was lucky enough to win Player of the Year at Derby, and I’ve got to make sure I take that form when I’m playing for my country.”

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Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

Man, seeing Forde left out and Given selected...I just can't get on-board with that. McGeady my only other major concern, though if Keane is even slightly crocked I question what purpose he'll serve, whether we're defending a lead or chasing a game.

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Gutted about that as well. I'll never forgive Given over 2012. By all means bring him to the tournament. But Forde's Ireland career is over now in such a horrible fashion. Rather like Killer's.

Depending on how things go in France, Forde could find himself back in the fold before too long.

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Originally Posted by Irish Examiner's Brendan O'Brien on Twitter

Fair play to David Forde who just stopped to sign a load of autographs minutes after being cut from the Euro squad. Tough night for him.

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Love his style. Bad season for him, can't have too many complaints but still would have taken him over Given. Keep the chin up big lad.

Edit: O'Neill made mention of Forde as the toughest decision as per the Irish Times.

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Originally Posted by Martin O'Neill

He kept us in the game in Germany and we got that great point which was hugely significant in our qualification. He’s been great around the place as well and that decision was very difficult because he’s been excellent. It’s just his lack of game time recently at Millwall obviously hasn’t helped but that was disappointing.

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Lads, Forde is a very average keeper. In any event sitting on a bench in League 1 gives you absolutely no right to be going to the Euros as anything other than a fan. I do not feel one little bit sentimental. Given is another one past it... If only Elliot was fit. The likes of McGeady can count his lucky stars we have very few wingers. Pilkington would have offered far more or even take a chance on O'Dowda who is young and has no fear. As for Murphy he offers zilch - 20 games and no goals. McGoldrick or even Doyle are better and it is a pity we did not tryout Scott Hogan beforehand. The only one I feel sorry for is Harry Arter.

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Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Lads, Forde is a very average keeper. Sitting on a bench in League 1 gives you no right to be going to the Euros in any event. I do not feel one little bit sentimental. Given is another one past it... If only Elliot was fit.

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You got a heart of ice TAP, but Fordey would melt it no problem if he had the chance...

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I'd like to think that now Westwood is there, he'll get the shout, but do you reckon O'Neill would make such a call and simply drop Randolph?

I agree, I'd rather see Doyle in ahead of Murphy. Murphy was terrible tonight and hasn't done much in an Ireland shirt.

O'Dowda looked fresh and energetic whilst McGeady's career has nose-dived - poor again tonight - but would have been a major surprise to see O'Dowda make it.

Wouldn't have minded Gibson ahead of Meyler for something a bit different.

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No, I think Westwood being one of the three is as far as MON will bend on this.

I'd agree re Murphy / Doyle, he doesn't have the level in him and it's being exposed badly. Sammon offered more IMO, and that's saying something.

McGeady needs to reward MON for this, he is owed. Lets hope it arrives in the form of a spectacular memory for us all. But I have doubts it will.

Well Gibson didn't go and get game time in Jan, like MON suggested he & McGeady needed to. McGeady did, in a fashion. At least he tried to.

Surely would have been Arter over Quinn ?

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Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter

if Keane is even slightly crocked I question what purpose he'll serve, whether we're defending a lead or chasing a game.

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Someone has to lift the trophy...

For me, Marc Wilson despite being pretty out of form before his injury, is a big loss going into a major tournament. His versatility and experience will certainly be missed.

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But O'Neill has offered a glimmer of hope, particularly Arter who was forced to withdraw from the squad against Belarus because of a thigh injury.

“There is always going to be disappointment the minute you have more than 23 players, obviously. The players accepted that at the time.

“We made a decision based on a number of things, there is no point in me going into detail tonight but that is the squad I have.

“Harry’s definitely one. He has picked up this injury which is going to take a little time and I had to make an assessment on that, James McCarthy, obviously Robbie Keane. There is a stage where you have to say ‘well listen here, I want to make sure some players are going to be fit’.

“I think Harry is very much in my thoughts at this minute and who knows, if players don’t come through there is a possibility of things happening at the other end.”

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Ah here. This is beginning to just reflect badly on people now. If he isn't going to be fit, he isn't going to be fit. Get a full pre-season in and come back for the WC Qualifiers. His fitness isn't the be all and end all to our hopes.

Keane doubtful for Sweden game. Which is probably the only game I would fancy him to have any kind of impact in.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-34763165.html

I really thought Gibson would get in. Tonight was the first game Meyler has started since April 19th. Meyler has never started a competitive game for Ireland in midfield. And then when you compare both player's performances tonight, there was only one who was at least giving it a go even if it didn't really come off. Bad luck Gibson. No minutes at the last euros and now not in this one at all. And no club too.

P.S. I hate to be negative on a player (Meyler) and I know Gibson hasn't exactly pushed for inclusion but even so, I'm having trouble seeing this particular decision.

Why didn't MON just name Arter in the 23 and if not fit on time to then call up Quinn/Meyler instead of the other way around.

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Originally Posted by Irwin3

I really thought Gibson would get in. Tonight was the first game Meyler has started since April 19th. Meyler has never started a competitive game for Ireland in midfield. And then when you compare both player's performances tonight, there was only one who was at least giving it a go even if it didn't really come off. Bad luck Gibson. No minutes at the last euros and now not in this one at all. And no club too.

P.S. I hate to be negative on a player (Meyler) and I know Gibson hasn't exactly pushed for inclusion but even so, I'm having trouble seeing this particular decision.

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Agreed. In a direct comparison, I thought Gibson showed more on the night. I know some of his long balls didn't find the man but the pitch was tight and at least he tried them. Meyler's passing was very, very simple. Walked out the gate thinking Gibson had won that battle.

Very surprised by Murphy getting the nod. He did a job against Scotland at home. Last night he was just poor. With Hendrick playing off Murphy, we were completely unable to keep the ball up high. Different story when Long and Hoolahan came on. Hendrick improves when they're about, which worries me slightly about him going forward but there are no doubts about his selection.

And I agree- Sammon offered more. As did Caleb Folan, being brutally honest.