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I'm not saying that the Eircom League is drippin' with talent, but there are a few there that would be good enough for international inclusion - when Doyle moved to Reading, there wouldn't be too many fans of the eL that would have even classed him as the best player in the league.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fergie's Son
I think it would be a good idea for Stan to organise a 'B' international some time before the summer. It would be the fastest way of looking at a big number of potential players, a few in the eL a few in the lower english divisions (& the SPL) and a few youth players in the english reserve league.Quote:
Originally Posted by dancinpants
Would go along with that with possibly only one exception (if we are looking towards the future) that is Stephen Kelly for Alan Maybury. Maybury is solid enough and Kelly has a lot to learn but if he can get a good game or two under his belt at Spurs, then he is worth a shout.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Lets agree to disagree about Saturday's performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
I have expressed a view here before that John O'Shea is filling the role that Philip Neville played for years at Man.U., jack of all trades and master of none. MU pay his wages and can use him how they like but using him like they do does nothing for his place on Ireland's team.
O'Shea has played RB, LB, central defender, central midfield and left midfield for MU this season. If our full squad was available, IMO O'Shea would not be first choice in any of those positions and until he nails down one regular position at United or somewhere else, then he wont be a first choice choice for us in any position. If he ends up playing regularly in central midfield for MU then that is the place he should be considered for with Ireland and not just stuck in at Left Back for the sake of it. We should be looking for better than 'steady Eddies'.
One of Brian Kerr's mistakes was that he made a place for O'Shea regardless, as evidenced in the last game against Switzerland.
I want to see O'Shea doing well for us, but his performances for us have been generally disappointing.
Id agree with ya there. Danny Murphy is definately in the top three wing backs we have but because he plays eL, **** him!:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by dancinpants
Didn't get to see the news conference but I did see this in the Guardian about the eL front:
"I want someone within the eircom League scouting for me, keeping an eye on things. They will be looking at individuals and I will be coming over to see games under the recommendation of a trustworthy source over here.
- this sounds a bit more than the usual tokenism? Lets start the counter and see how many games he attends :)
I agree. And I should have clarified the long post earlier with a list of players in "contention": I'd expect a "B" international squad to be taken from this list too which was my main thinking when I put that list together over Christmas on a spreadheet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bald Student
What would people think of Steve Carr or Gary Kelly returning? Wasn't Kelly a close ally of Staunton's?
Less of a problem with Kelly than Carr, but should we really be looking to bring either back when we have Finnan and Stephen Kelly looking to nail down the full back slots?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
If either did come back, I would hope they would play at right full, with Finnan given the left full slot.
I think that under Kerr we had two years where there was no serious effort to have a look at upcoming talent, he wasted friendlies IMO.
I'd actually play a relatively inexperienced side in the upcoming friendlies. Losing them doesn't matter a fcuk, seeing what we have at our disposal does.
I'd pick a big squad so that everyone gets a chance to meet up, but I'd talk to the more senior players and explain to them that I was giving some of the more inexperienced players a chance.
The TEAM I'd like to see starting from this point of view is....
Kenny
Kelly O'Brien Dunne D.Murphy
O'Brien Ireland S.Reid McGeady
Elliot Doyle
As I suggested in a thread a few months ago, I think now is the time to introduce a squad similar to the Scottish Futura squad. It is fairly easy to dismiss straight away but think of it this way: too many of our underage players disappear off the radar after the U21's. This would be a squad where those uneligible for the U21's and some of the eL players (Heary, Danny Murphy) that need/deserve a run out could be selected without the fear of making a hames of it.
Also I'd stick with Maybury ahead of Stephen Kelly for the moment, purely on the amount of playing time each gets currently, while I'll be honest I'd forgotten about McGeady. I'd have himself there or thereabouts.
Nothing to say Staunton will go for the tried and tested formation. There's no point in Ireland playing a 4-4-2 if we've got a sh1te right winger and no left full. As we all know its about balance.
Given the current players available to Staunton and those coming through in the Premiership/Championship, it looks as if full back and up front is where the only possibility of Eircom league players being chosen is.
Eoin Heary and Jason Byrne could well be the ELs best chance of players in future squads.
IMO Danny Murphy is the best left back currently eligible for Ireland.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tenderloins
I'm sure I'll get slated for that, but he should definitely be getting a shot.
Heary should have gotten the nod 18 months ago
As for not having a right winger, Doyle (and Roy O'Donovan at CCFC) would offer a very good option in that position.
I think the B Team is the way to go (ref BaldStudent) as it gives the mgt a free rein to bring in plenty of new faces and experiment. I think senior intl.s are not the place to mess around and make wholesale changes (a lá Eriksson, making 9/10 changes at half time:confused: ).
The senior team needs to be prepared like a well-oiled machine with only a minimal number of changes (injuries & introducing new players serious contenders for a position). They don't get together enough to mix it up too much for friendlies - these should be used to develop tactics and cohesion in the side so when the big games come the players do what they've done in the friendlies but now step in up a gear, or two!
I think you should be cautious about introducing the young players. By all means get them involved and in some case quickly but they need to be introduced alongside experienced players too.
A few of us have been bankging on recently about "future squads" or "B" internationals. We've so many players of a similar standard, i.e., good but a bit off the standard required by the senior squad, who we should keep involved & motivated, as well as seeing who stands out.
I know people will say i'm biased but every City fan knew Doyle was a special talent. He was definitely the best eL player in the country when you consider his potential & age. He had excelled at every level he'd played at & was already proven quality U21 player. I think the way he was unaffected bt transfer rumours showed his professionlism.Quote:
Originally Posted by dancinpants
Jason Byrne would be on list of forwards but not in top 4. He would certainly offer more than people such as Macken & Lee. Heary is quality right back but few players ahead of him. Danny Murphy was quality last season especially in Uefa Cup so be interesting to see if can continue - he'd be worth a go as few quality left back options.
I don't think eL players can really be considered until proven in European club competitions...
I've maintained this all along but got slated by several posters!Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
I think we're OK for right midfielders. Andy Reid and Duff both play well there and can alternate. Steve Reid, though I prefer him as a CM. Liam Lawrence could be useful on that side if he is picked. I think in due course Roy O'Donovan could get a shot but not necessarily immediately. McGeady can play there too.
Left back has been more of a problem so, as you say, why use one?
As I said earlier, we have an awful lot of players who could conceivably play the "behind the front two" type role: Ireland, A. Reid, McGeady, Duff (in a totally free role) to name a few. If we had a very solid midfield we could enhance our attacking options in this manner. How do we get this solid midfield? Either by playing a narrower 3 man midfield (so 4-3-1-2) so Kav and S. Reid are obvious options. Bolder would be 3-4-1-2 with say, Duff, Kav, S. Reid, A. Reid (or Finnan) with Ireland ahead of them. Dunne, O'Brien and Finnan, or O'Shea, in a 3 man defence. It makes semnse to me anyway!
I thought that any time I've seen Steve Ireland play he gets the front two involved like no other Irish midfielder I've seen in ages. But he is "protected" in a sense by the currently excellent Joey Barton who has the legs to genuinely cover box-to-box efficiently. Steven Reid is the only guy who I think can do this for us. Possibly O'Shea who I think has been good in CM recently.
If you're struggling to break down a stubborn minnow at home (Israel, Albania) or need somethging extra (France, Switzerland) it's a credible option, if even only for 20 mins, which should be practiced IMHO.
Edit - Adding: I suspect the introduction of youth and possible new caps will add to the options this squad has. No longer will the likes of Miller be guaranteed a squad place and others like Quinn should get more of a shot. WRT Doyle as RHM option, I think he's fast becoming a first-choice starter upfront with Robbie. Hopefully Elliott will return to fitness soon. If we can plug the left-back difficulty we should have enough to make a well-balance effective team from what we have.
I think the flat 4 in midfield is almost unheard of now in favour of the dare i say diamond system where have back & forward central midfielders...
Who uses the diamond formation?Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Quote:
Originally Posted by colster
Didn't Eriksson use it and change back after a "players revolt" on the issue?