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I remember Lee coming on as a sub for Morrison in friendly against Czech Republic in Dublin in March 2004 and looking very mobile and a handful. He almost scored with a header and made the winner for Robbie Keane with a great run down the right and a good cross. Never understood why he did not get more chances after that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I remember that, a run not dissimilar to Michael Robinson's against Russia all those years ago but the cutback for Keane was missed by a falling defender. I watched him up close at The Valley in 2004 and he was just lacking in pace, but certainly not effort. I think he's worth a place, probably ahead of Murphy.
Watched the Ipswich-Portsmouth match earlier, and Lee came on as a late sub and looked very dangerous, nearly scoring with a powerful header.
He's not Cisse, but he's not as slow as advertised here.
In any case, with his physical attributes, speed isn't absolutely necessary.
Campbell was having a very hard time dealing with him for those final minutes he was on the field.
I'd definitely have him in the squad, we don't have another player like him at that level.
Garvan had a decent enough game as well- Ipswich were down a man for the majority of the match, so it's hard to comment on his offensive abilities, but he looked confident on the ball, and was full of running.
Also seems to take most of Ipswich's set pieces.
Alex Bruce had a solid enough game at the back, and is comfortable on the ball.
Ipswich are a really good footballing team though, kept it on the floor quite a bit considering they were down a man, before resorting to long ball near the end when they brought on Lee.
Both Lee and Bruce lack the pace to play at a higher level, Nugent as he did yesterday for the goal always exploits Bruce for his lack of pace.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
More Championship players that merit a look: Jay Tabb and Michael Doyle. I'm not just saying this because Coventry had a good win yesterday, it's more because I had forgotten about them when I posted on page 1!
Tabb is a properly talented footballer. Doyle is a competent enough central midfielder with a good left foot. By all accounts he did very well in the recent B international in Scotland.
The more I think of it the more I cringe at Andy Keogh being played wide right against Germany and Cyprus when there were / are players playing well at the same club level but actually in that position.
Great pace isn't generally needed at international level. It is played at a slower pace but this term "lack the pace to play at a higher level" is always banded about.Quote:
Originally Posted by the doc
An international needs to be relaible, good positional awareness (good pace is only needed if this is lacking) and very comfortable in possession of the ball with regard to touch and ability to find a man with a pass.
Pace is great asset at any level thouigh. Only this morning Roy Hodgson was writing (Sunday Telegraph interview with Patrick Barclay - a big fan of his obviously) what has been obvious to many for ages: that the standard of athleticism in the modern game is much higher than before. Can you get away without pace? Yes, of course, but I think that if Lee, given his other assets, was pacier than he his he could do well in the Premiership. John Carew is an example of a a guy who doesn't appear to have any great speed - good technique though. Chris Sutton wasn't overly quick - no slouch - but was really good with his feet and was very clever.
I think Lee is the kind of player that could trouble the 3rd, 4th and 5th seeds but Italy and teams of their standard would cope with him in their sleep.
I think a slow defender would be found out at international level.
Actually Viduka is an example of a guy with no pace but who does OK.
I watched a lot of Stoke vs Newcastle. Liam Lawrence did fine, full of running, good awareness, takes a good dead ball and is physically imposing. Probably a better player than Kilbane with similar attributes. I'm surprised both Keane and staunton disgarded him so quickly.
We've better wide options if they're all fit (Hunt, Duff, McGeady...) but he could be worth a look in the middle. Anyone agree? I really think this is our problem area.
I thought Lawrence put some very good crosses in from set pieces and he looks a tidy player overall. I'd like to see him included in the Brazil squad - no harm in the new manager having a look. His 'infamous' homemade video probably didn't do him many favours with Keane and he was quickly sent on his way after that
I think Keane and Lawrence had a punch up on the training ground before that video came to light - he'd already been shipped out to Stoke by thenQuote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
Anyone know when the tickets go on sale for this one? I presume they will be on general sale. No details on the FAI website.
Clinton's goal at Wolves was a beauty.
We could fill the squad with premiership players. 23 Irish players involved in the premiership this weekend, 18 of those started. About a quarter of the amount of English involved which is pretty amazing considering the population of England and the fact it's the English premiership.
Funny thing is I'd prefer not too. Some of our better "cover" players play in The Championship while some of the Premiership players are perpetually ineffective for Ireland (Miller stands out for me). And of course there's McGeady.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
Hmmm, good thread. Joey O'Brien played in central midfield for Bolton yesterday, which if he can continue to do so will be good for Ireland. Andy O'Brien too is playing regularily now and doing well, which will stand to us too.
Here here!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Givens has told the Sunday Times that he's pretty much been assured he'll be responsible for picking the squad , and will be in temporary charge for the Brazil game.
Ya see quotes like that worry me, and has worried me for a while. It is imperative that the 3 stooges pick the new manager as quickly and correctly as possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bondvillain
Yet I've always believed Givens wanted to manage the team against Brazil. The new manager should have as much time as possible in charge and if he's available for the Brazil game, then he should be.
Absolutly agree. Italy probably will deal with him easily. But he is the kind of player who can offer an alternative to our similar strikers in Georgia or Montenegro. We have to beat them to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
What about Scanall at Crystal Palace. Only 17 but has been playing great for Crystal Palace and the fans hav been singing his praises. Hell its a pointless game why not call up Jamie McCarthy. Dont think Long deserves a call up to thiis squad, getting 5 minutes Premiership action each week as a sub simply isnt enough(though the same could be said about O'Shea). Morrison certainly deserves to be called back up and i think Hoolahan and Glenn Whealan(who was excellent in the Sheffield derby) erit a place in the squad
there's your answer right there. If Dixon didn't deserve a call up, then neither does Scannell. Playing at this level, at this early stage of his career would do more damage than good. Having said that, he'd be worth a run out for the u-21s the night beforeQuote:
Originally Posted by carloz
The difference is that Scannell is playing (and scoring goals from midfield) for Crystal Palace's senior side whereas Terry Dixon had barely (if he even had)broken into the reserves
Fair enough, Scannell is playing regularly. It would just be a hell of a jump to go from 6 starts in the Championship (and only 1 full 90 minutes) to playing Brazil. Especially ahead of the likes of Walters, Lee, Hunt, etc.
If I was picking the squad, the 4 strikers would be Keane, Doyle, Morrison and one of those three
Calling up Jamie McCarthy is an absolute must. We must cap him before Scotland do.
I thought a cap in a friendly doesn't mean that you can't switch?Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
A cap in a senior international is binding, friendly or not.
Talk of calling up Scannell is daft in my opinion no matter how great a prospect he is. Is he one of our 5 best forwards?
Unless the motive is to tie him to Ireland it's pointless throwing out caps willy nilly to kids to "build for the future".
We have underage sides for underage players and a senior side for senior players. Unless a young guy is clearly better in his position than an older guy then leave him in the underage teams. You can argue that some would benefit from the experience but this practice should be kept to a minimum.
It was a clear failing of Staunton's regime. The 23 man senior squad contained about 15 of our country's best players and about 8 chosen almost at random. Anyone over 26 was disregarded, as was anyone tall.
Tets, he needs actual playing time in order to be tied. The wording is, can change..'if he has not played a match in full or in part.'Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
I suppose all fit players will be turning up for this game.
Imo, Lee is too slow for any game in the WCQ campaign.
I would like to see more of Murphy, if he could head the ball he'd be allright.
But isn't it going to be Doyle and Keane starting upfront?
Openings are limited in a high profile friendly.
I know Giles has often said that players can be great in training but you can only tell what they're like in a match.
Who am I to argue with Giles but my intuition tells me that calling up Garvan, Liam Lawrence, Delap, Michael Doyle, Jon Walters and one or two others may be worthwhile if only to get a proper look at them up close.
This would be at the expense of people like Darron Gibson, Andy Keogh, Jon Douglas (injured I know).
It's not as if you'd be replacing Premiership quality with Chamionship journeymen.
Walters is versatile and along with Kevin Doyle is probably our best attacking header of a ball (maybe also Lee). Lawrence is a handy player and is athletic. Delap is a handy "nuts and bolts" central midfielder, is a natural athlete and has size in his favour.
You get the theme: natural players in their positions, each tall and athletic. OK, Michael Doyle ain't no giant! It's an absolute given now that international football is dominated by this type of player.
Grand, thanks for clearing that upQuote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Doyle, Keane, Clinton, Long (impressed whenever in an Irish shirt so I'd keep him in squad), D Murphy should be the 5 strikers picked. I'd ask the younger lads like Scannell, McCarthy and co along to the training sessions in an unofficial capacity (unless we can have a 35 man squad - as it's a friendly I cannot see the harm). No harm in bedding them in and putting names to faces.
It's way too soon to be considering Scannell and McCarthy at this stage. By all means though, give them a run-out in the under-21 squad.
Given the short period of time any new manager has to chose thier squad for the Brazil game I'd expect it to be very similiar to the last with the only changes being fit senior players. I wouldn't be expecting any unusual call ups this soon.
This whole situation is, as everyone states, a farce and the game against Brazil is setup to be a disaster because of it. Any manager that would be in place for this fixture should have been given at least 2 months to cast his eye over the talent at their disposal. This squad will be influenced largely by Don Givens and so will definitely not throw up any surprise inclusions.
................Given
Finnan Dunne O'Brien O'Shea
Hunt....Reid....Carsley....Duff
............Doyle...Keane(c)
do you mean Long? I think Hunt's a definite for the squad.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
I would like to see Garvan and maybe McCann in the squad to fill in that troublesome CM position. Although if Givens is the manager half the squad would have dropped out before the match! :rolleyes:
I think he meant Noel Hunt - his brother.
Boycott the game.
The match is merely a money-making racket which won't benefit the team in any sense.
^
^
oh of course! sorry! :o
Are you serious?Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrigaline
Playing against one of the best sides in the world won't benefit the team?
Making money is a bad thing for a small association with limited revenue streams?
This does seem like a typical FAI money grabbing glamour friendly. It could be useful if the Brazilians show up but surely it would be more beneficial to have a friendly against an above average euro side such as russia, croatia, romania etc?
grow up..Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrigaline