With no clark or mcshane are we looking at wilson as a definite centre half? I would like that. Then a toss up between o brien and ward for left full? Surprised OBrien has not retired given his knee tendonosis issues having the international breaks to rehab has been very good for him it seems for last few years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Delighted gibson is in I would give him a half against oman and start him in the qualifier along with mccarthy and wes in a three
I'd have liked another central defensive option in there. I'm surprised Keogh is ahead of Delaney in the pecking order.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
He has a suspected dislocated shoulder after an awkward fall against Ipswich today.Quote:
Edit: why no Hendrick? Injury?
Don't think he has returned yet.Quote:
Did McClean come back for Wigan yet?
If mcclean is in the squad he must be fit yet as you say he has not even been on the bench even when they put a weak side out in league cup. Is he out of favour?Will he have new club on Monday?Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
I would have liked doherty in squad. We have no attacking right back to replace coleman and doherty has the makings of a decent one
Hopefully Gibson, Brady and O'Brien get a chance to impress against Oman. The potential first eleven, with O'Shea and Wilson centre-back, Coleman and O'Brien at full-back, McCarthy and Gibson in midfield, Hoolahan at 10 behind Long/Keane, with McGeady and Brady on the wing, could be excellent. Especially when I think about the tactics deployed against Latvia and Italy, where we pressed high up the pitch, attacking and passing the ball with purpose and accuracy.
However, any more injuries in the back four between now and Tuesday week, and I'll be watching the Georgia match from behind the sofa.
I hope O'Brien makes it but I'm kinda expecting a withdrawal in the coming days...
I think this side gives us best chance of win in georgia.O brien makes us better defensively than ward. Gibson gives us ball retention and creativity that whelan does not. Pilks will let us keep possession which walters wont. Brady prob wood be a risk instead of pilks. Long to stretch them and have robbie to spring for 20 minutes if we need a goal when things have opened a bit.
Westwood
Coleman o shea wilson o brien
mcgeady mccarthy gibson pilkington
holohan
Long
Hadn't factored O'Brien into my thinking for a starting side but he definitely deserves consideration. Couple this with the facts that O'Shea is our number one choice and Wilson has started all 3 of a decent Stoke side's games at centre-half (helped keep Man City scoreless today), then it makes sense to move Wilson in beside O'Shea and start O'Brien at left-back.
I'm disappointed Damien Delaney hasn't been given the opportunity to be part of this squad and make an appearance. Didn't Roy Keane bring him to Ipswich in 2009?
Is that a joke?Quote:
Originally Posted by the doc
Squad selections should not be based on distant past performances.Quote:
Originally Posted by the doc
That's a Given :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Ha, I've questioned the merits of Given's return seeing as he isn't getting any younger/more agile and is bench-warming at the minute, but I guess Roy has been seeing quite a lot of him at Villa of late, so the management have that to go on at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Quick question. Why the hell have we 4 goalkeepers in a 27 man squad. Are things really that bad?
Roy Keane had a pretty severe falling out with Damien several years ago and I wonder whether this is why Keogh is in the squad ahead of him; because he (Keogh) certainly doesn't deserve to be in the squad on merit. Delaney's performances against Germany and Turkey have been better than Keogh's performances against Serbia, Costa Rica and Portugal and he's playing in the Premier League. We rue the lack of players playing regular football and then we leave them out for Championship journeymen?Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Alex Pearce looked decent against John O'Shea against Italy. I think he may be guilty by association because he played alongside Keogh in the Portugal game but with another defensive partner we probably wouldn't have conceded as many goals in that game.
Another reason I question Delaney (and McShane's) absence is because they are center backs by trade, unlike Keogh; and because Delaney can fill in at LB in the event of injuries. McShane also has vast experience playing CB and RB at this level of football.
I just hope Wilson and O'Shea don't get injured.
But hasn't Delaney featured 2 or 3 times under O'Neill? The falling out theory probably doesn't hold water in that context. Keane has fallen out with or had a pop at almost everyone.
I can see why McShane is omitted, simply because O'Neill has yet to get a look at home up close. Delaney and Clark both had a chance to stake a claim this summer, but injury affected chances and now both are on standby. I think Delaney was crocked anyway rather than just tired and needing a rest. Maybe O'Neill felt he could have made the trip? That's just as conspiracy theory-esque but I'm just putting it out there.
As usual someone who can't really be bothered to play for us is making ten times the headlines than the 27+ who do.
Not sure why they even need 2 considering Shay is guaranteed to play.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
This player, that player, conspiracy theories, falling outs?????Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks
It will be all academic once our best CB gets back playing regularly.😜😜
You have to admit he's done consistently better for Ireland than any of the current names being banded about on here.
The names being bandied about on here? As in the players selected in the squad by Martin O'Neill and those on the standby list? It's only natural they'd be discussed.Quote:
Originally Posted by the doc
Is O'Brien capable of playing against Oman & Georgia given his fitness struggles?
Yeah, the ones with clubs.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Completely irrational argument which shouldn't be entertained. I feel for St. Ledger but he can't come close to consideration until he gets a very prolonged period of regular club football at a minimum of Championship level. That could take a while and he's no spring chicken.