I take your point EB but he has not exactly set the world alight in an Ireland jersey so far but yes he seems to have a great attitude and we dont have many other options.I think I would still go for same midfield that played against Sweden.
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I take your point EB but he has not exactly set the world alight in an Ireland jersey so far but yes he seems to have a great attitude and we dont have many other options.I think I would still go for same midfield that played against Sweden.
Do you really see John O'Shea setting the world alight any time soon? :) If O'Shea gets through a game doing the basics and not making a mistake it's a great game for him. At the moment Kavanagh is a couple of levels above O'Shea when it comes to playing the holding role.Quote:
Originally Posted by cheifo
I just don't see the point in playing O'Shea ahead of Kavanagh. Kavanagh can do everything O'Shea can except he does it better.
Emmet Malone summarised Kavanagh's abilities well in a recent "state of the union" type article in the Irish Times. Rougly speakling he said he was a very accomplished footballer but he struggled to turn the tide in each of Wigan's games against the top 4 or 5 sides this season, suggesting he's up to it at a certain level (probably mid-Premiership) but no higher.
I must admit I'm in two minds about him now, having previously been a strong advocate. I think he should have played against Switzerland but that said, despite an excellent start in Cyprus where he dictated everything, he was simply swamped for the last 80 minutes. Maybe having Steven Reid's mobility to complement his composed use of the ball would help though. Kavanagh is a far better user of the ball than O'Shea and like any natural central midfielder is always aware of his options and protects the ball well. Taking and giving simple passes is a very under-appreciated ability, especially if those passes ultimately "add value" by releasing players in good positions.
I think we're going to have to arrive at our optimal central midfield combo by iteration DURING the next campaign. Two more friendlies may not be enough.
Question: can Liam Lawrence also play centrally?
Never really thought Kavanagh was more than a decent championship player. He is too slow and not mobile enough for international football.
I don't agree with that at all. It depends what role he plays. Sometimes he can be a real workhorse, other times he could be sitting there doing a Neil Lennon type job.Quote:
Originally Posted by drummerboy
Against Leeds he was up and down the pitch all day and played 120 minutes. If Wigan had the ball he'd regularly be up there along with the strikers, if Leeds had the ball he was regularly the furthest player back harassing them. :) Stuttgart's point is very valid but maybe he's just told to sit tight against the likes of Arsenal. He actually played very well against Arsenal in the Carling cup match. Here's a clip I had a while:
http://media.putfile.com/kav-cross
It shows how much of a leader and how much he's looked up to even without the captains armband. We need that type of leadership and if it's a choice between him and O'Shea, it isn't really a choice imo. :)
He definitely does play better against the weaker teams. Against China he was like a man in with a bunch of kids. ;)
Morrison and Lee out injured accordung to eleven-a-side.com
from www.fai.ie
Quote:
Senior International Manager, Stephen Staunton has announced the
Republic of Ireland team to face Chile at Lansdowne Road tomorrow,
Kick-off 7.30 pm.
Republic of Ireland Team
Shay Given (Newcastle United)
Stephen Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur)
Gary Breen (Unatttached)
Richard Dunne (Manchester City)
Kevin Kilbane (Everton)
Steve Finnan (Liverpool)
John O’Shea (Manchester United)
Steven Reid (Blackburn Rovers)
Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Damien Duff (Chelsea)
Kevin Doyle (Reading)
and the point of giving him another cap is ..... ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ash
Why play Finnan right midfield, if he plays there in a qualifier we havent go a hope
O'Shea centre mid, kavangh is the better player
and Gary Breen, career for ireland is over.
pointless....
Should be Lawrence or McGeady right side
Kavanagh, centre
Called a younger central defender in.
Putting him in the shop window for another club to have a lookQuote:
Originally Posted by fergalr
Breen must be setting some kind of record for appearances at senior level while not at a club? 4 games at the World Cup and now another?
What a joke. If there was ever a case that Ireland are still going nowhere at international level then seeing Gary Breen play for any team is just that.Quote:
Originally Posted by fergalr
Joke of player for a joke of a team.
Well the team that Stan has picked would suggest that he won't be.Quote:
Originally Posted by totalfootball
Probably something to do with the fact that Kav is 33 and JOSH is only 25.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirbhoy
Only by those who don't have a clue about football tbh!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Not sure what you mean there ....further experimentation may be required during the group games ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I know it's early days but I get the sense that Stan has made more than provisional decision about O'Shea over Kavanagh.
Kilbane at LB ? he better not let you down.
Does anyone know who the subs are?
That's exactly what I meant, trial & error basically. If O'Shea impresses in next 2 games the job is his for a further few games. I think this is very much what Stan is thinking, as you say. But if O'Shea slips up in next 2 games Stan may be forced to chnage his mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Surprised to see Finnan RHM. I see the point in trying Kelly but equally I'd like to see Lawrence, McGeady or Andy Reid tried first. Maybe Stan will give Finnan a different role than Kerr though. I've said this before, but at Fulham I saw Finnan give Ashley Cole a torrid time from RHM & I think he made his Ireland debt there at home to Finland, scoring in a 3-0 win. Maybe he's there to cover a bit for Kelly, easing him into his debut?
Folks, looks like we're playing 433/451 formation. e.g.
Given
Finnan Breen Dunne Kelly
Reid O'Shea Kilbane
Doyle Keane Duff
just like we played against Sweden.
Looking at that team, its becoming obvious what team Stan would prefer to put out if everyone was fit. For instance, I reckon he's playing Steve Finnan on the right side of midfield because Steve Carr will be right-back for the qualifiers. We might not like Carr but we all know he's not coming back to warm the bench. Also, I think he wants to find a place for Kilbane in the team and has decided that he might be able to do a job in the troublesome left-back position. Kilbane played there for the last 20 minutes against Sweden. Furthermore, its obvious he's going to persist with O'Shea alongside Reid in midfield. I know its early days and a lot will change between now and September. However, judging by Stan's selection policy thus far, I think his preferred starting XI is as follows:
1. Given
2. Carr 4. O'Brien 5. Dunne 3. Kilbane
7. Finnan 6. O'Shea 8. Reid 11. Duff
9. Doyle 10. Keane (C)
I'm not saying I agree with such a selection. In fact, I'd be worried that at least three players on that team are playing out of position - Kilbane, Finnan and O'Shea.
What makes you so sure he's going to play 442. He played 433/451 against Sweden. I think thats the way he's going to play for home games.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheJamaicanP.M.
You could be right there. Interesting.Quote:
Originally Posted by colster
Yea, that's a fair point and it may well be true. Indeed, I've noticed recently that the underage teams have been using the 433/451 formation which is something that generally didnt happen in the days when McCarthy and Kerr managed the senior team.Quote:
Originally Posted by colster
Bit of a head scratcher the team Staunton selected. Good idea picking Kelly and Kilbane as full-backs, certainly in the case of Kilbane as the left back area is a bit of a problem.
But picking Gary Breen, and Steve Finnan as a right-winger are stupid choices. I understand him maintaining the stance on Kav/JOS. He knows what Kavanagh can do. He doesn't know what Sheasy(!) can do yet. Lets continue with it for this game and if its a disaster then so what.
If, as it would seem, that he sticks with 4-3-3 and Finnan is at left back, then you'd have to believe that he's going to restore Carr(van) to right full. Which will p*ss many people off no end. And you've have to feel for Kav because he's basically being told "sorry mate, I've 3 central midfield positions but I'm not playing you".
But still if it makes sense to play the best right full in the Premiership at right wing or left back go ahead Staunton.
Finnan is the best right back in the Premiership ? seriously though :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Name one better. And none of this chimbonda sh!t-talk.
I had an e-mail conversation with Richard Williams of the Guardian two weeks ago & he agrees that Finnan is quality. A Liverpool regular at work here who absolutely loves putting me and anything to do with Irish football down, says Finnan is the best in the PL and that Chimbomba's selection was astonishing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roo69
Kilbane may play CM and Kelly as LB. Kelly has played a few times there for Spurs.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Breen, Dunne and O'Shea are the only fit CBs in the squad. Finnan will probably play FB.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Finnan could do well at LB. Irwin never had a problem switching between the 2.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
I don't think Kavanagh is up to it. I think O'Shea is a lot more mobile and has the potential to be a v. good DCM.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
I'm not saying that Finnan is'nt a very good player but i don't think he's the best right back playing in the premiership, personally i would pick Gary Neville (even though i hate the little dope) ahead of him every time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I left something out of my initial post that relates to gary Breen. Seeing as this is a nothing friendly, and Staunton of all people knows what Breen has to offer (which in my opinion is nothing more than experience), then why wasn't Paddy McCarthy called up or the McShane lad. If they were injured then fair enough, my bad, but I don't believe that for a second.
Ps Colster we'll just have to disagree over O'Shea :D
I think Stan had no choice but to pick Breen so I've no problem whatsoever with his inclusion. O'Brien & McCarthy are injured. And I think Colster's formation looks like it could be how they line up - good call that man. Makes sense on paper for a whole host of reasons. Would maybe like to see Andy Reid in Kilbane's position.
Kingdom, McCarthy & McShane ARE both injured!
Andy Reid would be a good call. I wouldn't mind seeing McGeady in on the right of the 3 man forward line as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roo69
id tend to agree with you there - reckon finnan has the potential to be the best and reckon hes a close second to neville
In fairness Roo69, I'd also have interpreted this remark as thinking you didn't rate Finnan.Quote:
Originally Posted by Roo69
I think he & Neville are both very good full backs, and both are underrated because they're not flashy players. Check out a post by jimbob110 recently, on a Stephen Carr thread.
As i said, my bad so! Under the circumstances then Staunton you had no choice. You win this time Staunton you ginger dastard.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Altogether now.....
"We all dream of a team of Gary Breens...."
Interesting to hear that there are a few stand and terrace tickets still available in Merrion square. Thats the first time that has happened in a while. Just wondering how good are Chile? Is it their best possible team and have they any players playing in Europe?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roo69
Dear Dear me:rolleyes:
It's actually you're a joke (as in you are a joke) unless of course you're (as in you are) referring to my poor sense of humour in which you really meant your joke, but then forgot to finish the sentence. Enlighten me. Either way I wasn't calling Staunton a Ba$tard. I don't know his parents situation so I've no reason to call him one. I called him a dastard. You may remember it from a Simpsons episode. I'm sorry that I didn't point that out. Either way cut out the insults you idiot. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by bwagner
I'd just like to share that JO'S is total shíte...
Hopefully Gamble and J. Byrne get a decent run out!
yeah i'd have doherty in the squad, by a nose.
Doherty's nose or Andy O'Brien's nose.:DQuote:
Originally Posted by as_i_say
yes the nose mark 2. think the ginger pele has broken his less times!