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Dispense with Clint? Why? He's played well in an Ireland top; puts in a lot of effort; he's scoring well at club level and he's not that old. I don't get why people have a downer on him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clifford
Elliott on the other hand... well I suppose he's got youth on his side and can occasionally look quite good. Frankly I'd have Doyle much further in front of Elliott.
Stephen Reid and Liam Miller should be given a decent run-out. Other than the new manager's priority should be on getting stability in the left-full position and ensuring that everyone in the squad is a happy-camper so that we don't have more "earlier" retirements.
Does anyone know what's happen to Clive Clarke? Doesnt seem to be getting anywhere near West Ham's first-team squad.
I'd like to see a narrower midfield of Kavanagh central / holding, with Steven Reid RHS and Andy Reid LHS and Duff behind the front two.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101
The full backs can add extra width.
Dare I say it, it's a "diamond" but I thought Steven Reid added something when he came on against the Swiss and it'd solve the problem of the big gap we've had all last campaign between the midfield and the front two.
The morale issue is key too.
Not a lot to choose between Doyler and Elliott, but why would you have Doyler ahead of him when all Kev is doing is exactly what Steveo did last season (not as well in my book) and Elliott has carried on into the Prem in a woeful team? No logic there I'm afraid.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hither green
Clint has had his crack, gives it everything, smashing lad, but Brum showed what level he is at by letting him go, in my humble opinion.
Some truth in that I agree, but I also think Bruce is a poor judge and even when Morrison was showing form and benefitting Heskey he went for Pandiani who has repeatedly failed to show he's any better. I suspect there were some brown envelopes being passed in Bruce's direction around the time of the Pandiani transfer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clifford
I wouldn't go on what Brum does. Bruce makes such poor decisions that it's probably a compliment to Clinton that he was let go, afterall Bruce rates Heskey! I still think Morrison will make him regret that decision.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clifford
I know Elliott scored plenty last season and a couple of crackers this season but even if he is in a poor Sunderland side I can't see him as a regular topflight scorer. I guess there's plenty of time but going on what I've seen of him in a Sunderland and an Ireland jersey I'm just more convinced watching Doyle. Anyway I'd still put Morrison before both just because he's proved he can do it at that level.
I think we're getting off track here. Our forward options are fairly good. I can't remember having as many options there. I'd be happy enough with any 2 from the 4 mentioned. I think there are more pressing problems for the team i.e. left back, central midfield and right wing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hither green
I think left back is the biggest problem as we don't seem to have many options there. We have a lot of options for Central midfield and Right Wing.
P.S. On Doyle, i've heard he plays on the wing for Reading sometimes. Would he be an option for the right wing for us? Is he right footed?
Fairy muff, it will all unfurl itself in time. Both Doyle and Elliott will prob end up being a better option the Robbie and AN Other, due to Robbie's attitude.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hither green
I quite agree. I don’t desperately want to see any change up front - Keane and Morrison is fine with me, with Doyle and Elliott as backup. Priority has to be: consistency in central defence, who’s going to play at left back and who’s going to play alongside Kavanagh in central midfield.Quote:
Originally Posted by colster
o'brien has rarely if ever let us down so why dipense with a decent enough player in a position where we are hardly spoilt for choice? also, kilbane didnt have good 2nd half to the wc campaign but was rightly given our player of the year last year so hardly good idea to dispense with a player with such experience. he may come good again. finally, clinton is at least a good option on the bench in an area where we again hardly blessed with options.Quote:
Originally Posted by Clifford
think these lads are easy targets for some
Totally agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by jbyrne
Would it be worth giving Kilbane a go at left back?
Or a go in the stands...
I dont understand why people are saying central defence is a problem. O'Brien (as was said already) has never let Ireland down, and Dunne has been a revelation the last year or two. Obvious choice for our pairing i think.
However i agree that left back is a problem area. As for the right wing, surely one of stephen reid,mcgeady or andy reid can play there.
And noone seems to be mentioning Holland in the centre..
Holland can certainly do a job for us but he’d fallen a bit down the pecking order for us and has fallen out of favour at Charlton, so it would depend whether he can get sufficient club games and put in the performances. With all the youngsters around though he’s going to be under pressure.
Dunne’s having a great spell. I’m a bit concerned about the lack of pace in the central defence though with O’Brien there alongside him. I agree O’Brien hasn’t let us down yet although he’s not set the world alight either. Personally I was put off by his backward move to Portsmouth and am thinking about the future - by the time of the next competitive match he’ll be playing in the Championship.
Dunne + O'Brien are a good pair but after that we may be struggling if one gets injured. Breen(has he retired yet), Doherty, O'Shea, McCarthy and possibly McShane all need to be given a run out.Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbob117
Left back is a problem in that we have only 1 natural left footed contender in Harte. Kilbane might be an option there.
Right wing isn't a major problem area. We have options. We need someone to cement that spot down. I think we need a right footed player there so we need to try S.Reid and McGeady. I'd also like to see Potter given a go there. Whenever I've seen him play for Liverpool there he's done quite well.
I don't see who Andy O'Brien isn't at all rated by a lot on here. He is always as steady as a rock when not partnering someone like Titus Bramble. He has started every premiership game he's been available for this season. He doesn't seem to be having a bad season. I haven't been hearing rave reviews but then again, I haven't heard rave reviews for John Terry either.
Portsmouth signed 9 players in the summer (Robert, Westerveld and Vignal are the only names I recognise tbh). They seem to rate him as a good signing anyway. I thought he played very well against Newcastle and also before Perrin left he named O'Brien as one of the 3 players who would be a good candidate for captain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Portsmouth fan
I think O'Brien captained Pompey on at least one occasion this season? He was easily better than Bramble at Newcastle, but Souness (in his infinite wisdom) thought Bramble was a better option. O'Brien realised if he wanted first team football, he'd have to move. So he did. Fair fcuks to him, there's plenty of "better" players who are content with a spot on the bench
I’ve no issue to O’Brien moving on, was just disappointed it wasn’t to a better club.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
That’s a shock, Souness choosing another player over an Irishman. As it looks like he’s about to be sacked by Newcastle maybe he should offer him the Ireland job and truly test his discrimination skills.
I think I've agreed with nearly everything you've said on this thread so far. You've saved me the trouble of articulating my thoughts! Not sure I'd persist with Doherty but we are short options as CB cover. I expect McShane & McCarthy will emerge as credible candidates for cover in the next 12-15 months which is why they should be carefully introduced now in my opinion. I'd like to see Potter emerge as a midfield candidate but I think we've better options than him on the right.Quote:
Originally Posted by colster
I like O'Brien. He & Dunne will be a fine paring. It's just the back up that's an issue right now. O'Shea is next in line I'd say. Holland could be a short-term option - I think he's played there before.
I still think the new manager should give out as many caps as possible to all the fringe players. its a good way to build up loyality and clear the old slate so to speak.
At the end of the day, we all know what the likes of Robbie, Given, doherty and duff are going to produce so there is little point in giving them yet another run out in a meaningless friendly. Most of the first 11 have played with each other time and again and it all looks like we have ran out of new ideas.
We need to change the way we play so we arent so predicatble. Everyone in Europe knows who the first Ireland 11 will be and what we will try to do when kick off starts.
We can always organise a tour somewhere with some fringe players and try new ways of playing.