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I'm a big fan of Kilbane but Trap has gotta do whatever gives us the best chance of qualifying for SA. Whether or not Finnan would improve the team is debatable, I think his best days are behind him but he would probably be an improvement on Kilbane.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
think it has more to do with whether or not Trapattoni thinks a back four including Finnan is better than one without him VS FranceQuote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
Right now, it's four players from five (Dunne, St Ledger, O'Shea, Finnan, Kilbane) to populate the defence, and the whoever fills the left full back position is still going to be a round peg in a square hole
I couldn't agree more. I think we'd all agree that Finnan is most likely a better player than Kilbane. The question is, is it worth disrupting the team chemistry for what is likely only a small upgrade over Kilbane? I don't think so. Trapattoni has shown already (with his constant selection of Liam Miller) that he is a loyal manager.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Barring injury, the starting team for both legs against the French will be:
Given
O'Shea-St.Ledger-Dunne-Kilbane
Duff-Whelan-Andrews-Hunt
Doyle-Keane
I reckon he will play Hunt away and McGeady at home
Utmost respect for Kevin Kilbane but If I was sure (and I am pretty sure) that a fit Finnan at right back and J O'Shea at left back would give us a better chance of qualifiying then I would go for it. Kevin would be a sub and would be most likely to come on in the event of injury for almost any of the back four with Kevin coming on at left fullback and the rest of the defence playing in the best variation possible under the circumstances.
I think he will probably go with Lawrence instead of Hunt, Lawrence had a good game against Italy and tracked back well which I think will impress Trap, he is also more likely to be able to exploit Evra's lack of height.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
You're probably right with this one. Id still say McGeady would be ahead of Hunt in Traps mind regardless of the Lawrence decision.Quote:
Originally Posted by Morbo
I wonder has the thought crossed Traps mind to play Kilbane on the left of a five man midfield for the game in Paris .. with Finnan slotting in at right back and O Shea on the left. Keane playing deep. It would be an ultra defensive move .. I guess it would hinge on us getting a result in Dublin. It would be a bit of a similar move as to when Mc Carthy used to slot in Finnan onto the right of midfield. Or Charlton sticking Staunton and Mc Grath into the middle.
i can't imagine anything other than a 4-4-2 in both legs, unless we won maybe 2-0 at home. even then in the away game i think it would still be a nominal 4-4-2 with keane dropping back or doyle going wide. i just don't see him tinkering with the system now.Quote:
Originally Posted by macdermesser
I agree, Trap is not a fool.However you are oneQuote:
Originally Posted by Emmet7
And there is no chance Trap would drop him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
Probably an improvement on Kilbane??!! Are you serious? Liam Miller at left full would be an improvement on Kilbane. Lets be honest here, Kilbane is a nice guy and all but he's an awful footballer. Steve Finnan was, and still is, a class act at full back. There's no question in my mind that Finnan should start at RB and O'Shea at LB.Quote:
Originally Posted by Morbo
Finnan has been back for three games for Portsmouth and they've kept two clansheets and have got their only 4 points this season. Thats no coincidence.
out of interest has anyone got Finnans player marks in those 3 games?
Agree that.Quote:
Originally Posted by lionelhutz
Yes I'm serious, I think you are exaggerating how bad Kilbane is, yes he has made a couple of blunders this campaign but in fairness to him LB isn't his natural position. I think O'Shea is competent at LB but he is better at RB or CB so you are losing something from O'Shea by moving him, Trap also has to take into account the effect of breaking up a settled back four would have at this stage. I personally probably would start Finnan but I don't think its as clear cut as you make out.Quote:
Originally Posted by lionelhutz
Finnan used to get stuck playing LB to accomodate O'Shea at RB.
Not trying to be pedantic, but Finnan played left-back or right-mid to accommodate Carr playing at right-back, not O'Shea. When O'Shea emerged as an Irish international, he played for us predominantly at left-full, and then in centre-midfield.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
No, I'm sorry, you're mistaken. I'll get the match reports up on here. Finnan definitely had to play left back to make room for O'Shea at RB one many occasions, I'm sure of it.
O'Shea broke through at Man United as a left-full during the Kerr era, and that's where he played for us primarily as well. He played central midfield, centre-half, and left-full during Stan's reign.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
As far as I'm aware, Trap is the first Ireland manager to use O'Shea as a right-full.
You're right that Finnan had to play left-full, but that was so Carr could play at right-full (during Mick/Kerr era), not O'Shea.
It happened with O'Shea at right full under stan as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86