Article on Bulgaria's Coach...

To be honest, I can't say I know too much about Bulgaria's new manager, but the fact that he is considered stubborn and conservative may be a blessing. Berbatov comes across as a prima donna and there could be a personality clash between them. Also, I believe this could be a group where there are alot of draws. If he is conservative, then you would hope that Bulgaria could drop points to Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro.

On the subject of Duff, I believe he is past it. He is living on his reputation right now. Even if he did put in great performances for Newcastle until the rest of the season, what are the odds on him being injured pre-season. He's an Irish version of Michael Owen.

Right now, we simply have to go with Hunty. A very good player with the heart of the lion who would take a bullet for Ireland.

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Originally Posted by Bungle

Right now, we simply have to go with Hunty. A very good player with the heart of the lion who would take a bullet for Ireland.

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No arguments here.

What about Stephen Reid.

Ireland Reid Carsley Duff/McGeady/Hunt

Thats not a bad midfield

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Originally Posted by Kingdom

Indeed. The key to this campaign is getting a manager capable of fixing our weakness, midfield. In theory that should be simple finding someone to work in tandem with Carsley in the middle, and perhaps the Duffer on the right.
In short finding a system to suit our players. Could a traditional British manager do this? Of those touted I don't believe so but a continental could I've no doubt.

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Originally Posted by irishfan86

If given the option I'd trade Keane and Duff for Berbatov and Martin Petrov, no question.

There's no doubting Keane's ability, but we need a physical, aerial presence.

No manager in their right mind would choose Duff over Petrov at this point.

I'm not denying Duff has class, and the ability to deliver a killer cross, but his utter lack of pace now has really taken him from a great player to a good player.

Basically his only weapon is the ability to cross, and we don't have any big men in the box for him to hit it to, making him a bit useless.

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Nothing wrong with low crosses in between the on rushing striker and the goal keeper. Also Doyle is very good in the air.

Central Midfield is the main problem IMO. Stephen Reid will do a job but Carsley is gettting on a bit.

How is Gibson doing at Wolves? Garvan?

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Originally Posted by kingdomkerry

How is Gibson doing at Wolves? Garvan?

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Gibson is being used primarily as a winger for Wolves, and isn't performing well there. But he's being played out of position so I don't blame him, I blame McCarthy.

Garvan is a regular starter at Ipswich and is one of their key players.

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Originally Posted by kingdomkerry

What about Stephen Reid.

Ireland Reid Carsley Duff/McGeady/Hunt

Thats not a bad midfield

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It's lacking too much of an Andy Reid. ;) Seriously though, Croatia outclassing England has really shown how lacking the British style of football is these days. That midfield is just a poor version of England's. Andy Reid would change that imo because he's a proper playmaker which is what England really lacked.

The Carsley / Reid combo did very well at home to Germany. Reid makes up for his lack of height & athleticism by having a quick brain and quick feet.

I can see Garvan featuring in the second half of the campaign. Personally the first 5 games are each individually so important I'd take no chances with youth unless we have to.

Could Richie Dunne play as a defensive central midfielder? has he played here for his club's at all?
could be the "ball winner" we need in the middle?

Now, now BGR, that's Staunton-speak. Dunne is arguably the most in form player we have and to consider playing him anywhere other than CB would be criminal. If anyone of our defenders has the attributes to play a defensive midfield role it's O'Shea but, despite not being as bad there as many here have made out in my opinion, I think he's been found lacking in midfield.

It's not just a "ball winner" we need it's someone who knows what to do with it once he wins it too, someone with a midfielder's awareness and instinct. In fact "ball winning" itself isn't so much the crucial part, mainly the presence to stop the opposition using the ball creatively.

In any event I don't think Dunne has ever played anywhere other than CB or FB.

Dunne played at right wing-back under Keegan once against Arsenal. The Gunners were 4 up at half time and he was promptly substituted for Shaun Wright-Phillips. He played at left full against Greece for Ireland under Don Givens between Mick and Kerr's reigns. Other than that I've only ever seen him play at right full and centre half.
Almost certain he hasn't played anywhere other than centre half for City in the last 3 years

The manager who moves Dunne from centre half should never be let near a touchline again.

Carsley should never put on the green jersey again. He's finished God love him.The last campaign he was the ball boys worst nightmare, having to retrieve all them balls from the upper tiers of the stands.

I hear all this talk about him being a holding midefielder and I cringe. He was so outclassed in the last campaign, even I was embarrassed for him and I am fairly unrepentant in my views. Time to look to the future I think.

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Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

Carsley should never put on the green jersey again. He's finished God love him.The last campaign he was the ball boys worst nightmare, having to retrieve all them balls from the upper tiers of the stands.

I hear all this talk about him being a holding midefielder and I cringe. He was so outclassed in the last campaign, even I was embarrassed for him and I am fairly unrepentant in my views. Time to look to the future I think.

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We don't have the depth to dismiss him so easily.

He is an absolutely vital part of a very successful Everton squad, and when used effectively can be very useful.

In addition, we have a fairly young squad, and we need all of the regularly playing top flight veterans we can get.

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Originally Posted by irishfan86

We don't have the depth to dismiss him so easily.

He is an absolutely vital part of a very successful Everton squad, and when used effectively can be very useful.

In addition, we have a fairly young squad, and we need all of the regularly playing top flight veterans we can get.

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We said the exact same last year. He was playing great for Everton and we took him back. Then he proceeded to hoof every ball that came his way into oblivion. The guy is simply finished at this level.

I'd be willing to take my chances with two younger lads who are more mobile and have the presence to do a defensive job aswell as be creative in midfield.

Whoever said we would be favorites in both games against Bulgaria, forget it. Look what they did in Euro 2008 qualifiying in Holland's group. Then look at what we did in our last group. We are going to need to play as well as we have done in 6 years to beat them.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

The flipside of course is that if we're at our best we can beat them too.

We have 10 games to play. In all but 2 of these I'd say we are at least marginal favourites. Learning to win ugly may be necessary. A goal from a corner or a free and a dogged clean sheet like in Lithuania all those years ago.

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Which 2? I'd say there is 3 games where we aren't favourites, the 2 Italy games and the Bulgaria away game

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Originally Posted by Block G Raptor

Could Richie Dunne play as a defensive central midfielder? has he played here for his club's at all?
could be the "ball winner" we need in the middle?

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I'd only consider that if we had 2 other very good CB's, playing Dunne in central midfield would probably improve our midfield slightly but we would be an awfully lot weaker in defense so the cons definitely outweight the pros here I think

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Originally Posted by Morbo

Which 2? I'd say there is 3 games where we aren't favourites, the 2 Italy games and the Bulgaria away game

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True, the point still stands though...

The only way we will gain away victories is if the defenders are aware that the manager is allowed a shoot to kill policy against the culpable who give away goals/penalties in the last 5 minutes.