The 10 musts if we're to qualify for the World Cup

i agreed with you up until the last point which borders madness

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

7) No nonsense call ups. We need a sense of team spirit so token call ups for players far below the standard like McCarthy or Fahey would be exactly the type of thing Stan would do and exactly the kind of thing Trap should avoid..

---

Token, me bolox. He's a quality player who should be given at least a chance in a friendly to prove it. It's Irelands loss otherwise...

I'm sure you would.

We should call up Delap for his throw in instead...

to be fair Ciaran, i thought your post was actually well thought out even though i disagreed with you regarding a few matters (your SI obsession and Carsley/Delap) but you have got to see past the blinding lights of the Premiership/English footie and realise that there are Irish born players playing at a lower level who may be good enough to get in the squad. Fahey is one of these players. From what i have seen of him he is a class act and deserves his chance.

Take the blinkers off man.

[QUOTE=Ciaran;1062724]
9) As the season ticks on players not playing regularly will start to suffer and theres an alarming number of those at the moment. Whelan, Folan, Long, McGeady, Kilbane, Gibson and O Shea are all lining their clubs benches week after week and are good shots at starting for us. They need to secure a regular club place.

As far as I can remember, he's first choice for Celtic....

Otherwise, some good points. Especially about centre midfield. I don't expect Ireland to be back for this qualifying campaign. However, I'd like to consider Carsely, Rowlands, Delap, Andrews and Whelan at the moment as our CM choices. Maybe add in McCann or Garvan pretty soon.

Reid can't play with two wingers. If we have Reid then we drop either Duff or McGeady.

Ireland does not want to play for us. End of story. Enough. I don't care how good he is he is not bigger than the team or what the team represents. Go away Stephen Manchester until you want to play for your country.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

I've seen Fahey and he's great but so was Roy O D, Byrne, Murphy and to a lesser extent Hoolahan who were all exposed to be average or worse in a better league. Fahey might be the real deal but until he proves otherwise at a higher level I'd be sceptical that he's just another average fish in a small pond.

---

Fair enough but it's all if's and but's until he's given a chance. I honestly can't see what harm it would be to call him up for a friendly. Isn't that what there for?

I'd like to see Scannell given a shot too. Hows Ward getting on with Wolves? Maybe give him a chance at left back aswell.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Despite Bulgaria being awful yesterday and looking increasingly trash, reality is that despite them we still have a playoff match to win against a likely much better team. Either that or conquer Italy. Neither will be an easy task or likely at that.
But I think we've got a solid grounding under trap so unlike with Stan its minor things that need to be changed rather than pigs requiring wings.


1) Bring Carsley back. Neither Whelan nor Andrews can do a single thing as well as Carsley, this is a proven player on great form who desperately wants to be a part of things and he's not even making the squad. Pure nonsense.

2) Given and Dunne to stay fit. Say what you like, if either of these guys croak before a big game we're done before we set foot on the pitch. They're too important with too little cover to lose.

3) A midfielder who can pass the ball. Gibson shouldn't be on the squad, let alone the first team. I wouldn't play him on the B side even, likewise with Whelan. What they're doing on the team god only knows. Steven's gone and thats a crying shame but we still have the man to replace him.

4) Andy Reid needs to be brought on side. Disruptive or not, if I was in his shoes and two scrubs were playing in midfield I'd feel the same. Wether Trap wants him or not having him as a bench option is invaluable if we go behind.

5) Finnan or Kelly need to get back into action. McShane is a disaster waiting to happen all too often, the less we see of him for the rest of the campaign the better.

6) Stephen Ireland. Last season he was considered our alternative to Andy Reid, this season? Kaka. Given that the man he's keeping on the bench for Man City is a starter for Brazil this is no stretch of the imagination whatsoever. Ireland has been magnificent this season, carving teams open week in week out bagging 7 goals already and not only being the best Man City player but also one of the leagues best. He's quickly becoming world class and right now is unquestionably the best Irish soccer player. With him increasingly becoming more and more confident stating that his troubles are behind him a return in my view is getting more and more likely. I don't think we could top the group without him.

7) No nonsense call ups. We need a sense of team spirit so token call ups for players far below the standard like McCarthy or Fahey would be exactly the type of thing Stan would do and exactly the kind of thing Trap should avoid.

8) Return to form of our attacking players. Duff, McGeady and Keane have been on mixed (awful in McGeady's case) form in recent months scoring only 4 league goals between them in 3 months. They need to fix that and hit form.
Doyle needs to move to a higher level.

9) As the season ticks on players not playing regularly will start to suffer and theres an alarming number of those at the moment. Whelan, Folan, Long, McGeady, Kilbane, Gibson and O Shea are all lining their clubs benches week after week and are good shots at starting for us. They need to secure a regular club place.

10) Delap. An average midfielder but with an awesome weapon that can be used greatly to our aid. Given that Whelan and Gibson are mere stop gaps anyway why not give Delap one of those roles and benefit on the side from it as well? At the very least he gives us a different option which is something we need on a bench consisting of tryhards like Keogh or Bruce.

---

1] Unlikely to happen now, this game was the ideal opportunity to draft Carsley in. Bit harsh to write off Andrews after 20 mins in an Irish shirt. Whelan is been asked to play a role that he isnt really cut out for. He needs someone strong beside him like Reid. The loss of Reid is the biggest issue here.

2] I would add Keane, Finnan, Duff and S Reid to that list. We've already lost one of them, cant afford another.

3 & 4] I dont really understand this obsession that A Reid is going to solve all our problems, he isnt. There is a reason why Jol and Keane didnt/dont have him as a first team regular. He doesnt fit into Traps system, like it or not, im willing to respect Traps decisions for now, 7 points from 9 is pretty good.
Reid has never really dominated a game for us so dont understand the growing group in the media that think hes the answer to all our problems.

5] See point 2 re Finnan

6] Irrelevant. Doesnt want to play for us. Build a bridge people

7] Who has trap called up that were token call ups? He had a summer camp and a b international to have a look at all our options.

8] Obvious enough point. I would argue that a player playing well and regularly in the championship is better than a token sub in the premiership. Doyle is banging in the goals for reading and full of confidence.

9] Same point as 8 really. We need our players playing regularly, obvious enough.

10] He may be worth a look, but would you really have him starting for us?? He has come to the fore because of his throw ins but does his all round game merit a call up.......

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

I've seen Fahey and he's great but so was Roy O D, Byrne, Murphy and to a lesser extent Hoolahan who were all exposed to be average or worse in a better league. Fahey might be the real deal but until he proves otherwise at a higher level I'd be sceptical that he's just another average fish in a small pond.

---

BINGO!


as fine a player as Fahey is - he needs to make the move to a more competitive league b4 he can be considered for an international call up

its nothing against the eircom league or the players abilities ...its just an unfortunate fact

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

1) Bring Carsley back. Neither Whelan nor Andrews can do a single thing as well as Carsley, this is a proven player on great form who desperately wants to be a part of things and he's not even making the squad. Pure nonsense..

---

No point bringing Carsley back at this stage. He will probably only play until next year at least playing Gibson now will give him the experience for later in the qualifying. Gibson should ask to go out on loan when Scholes gets back. Stoke, Hull maybe even Sunderland would aid his developement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

2) Given and Dunne to stay fit. Say what you like, if either of these guys croak before a big game we're done before we set foot on the pitch. They're too important with too little cover to lose..

---

I'm seriously worried about Dunnes form of late he has been completely off the boil I think he was at fault for the third goal last night got caught in no mans land. Joey & Andy O Brien need to be brought back.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

3) A midfielder who can pass the ball. Gibson shouldn't be on the squad, let alone the first team. I wouldn't play him on the B side even, likewise with Whelan. What they're doing on the team god only knows. Steven's gone and thats a crying shame but we still have the man to replace him..

---

Hold on a minute name our gifted midfielders willing to play for us. Whatever about Whelan Gibson has genuine talent. He needs to be used correctly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

4) Andy Reid needs to be brought on side. Disruptive or not, if I was in his shoes and two scrubs were playing in midfield I'd feel the same. Wether Trap wants him or not having him as a bench option is invaluable if we go behind. ..

---

I agree totally but Trap doesn't want to play that way its worked so far and long may it last.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

5) Finnan or Kelly need to get back into action. McShane is a disaster waiting to happen all too often, the less we see of him for the rest of the campaign the better..

---

Joey O Brien needs to be brought back, CM,RB and center CB vital to any squad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

6) Stephen Ireland. Last season he was considered our alternative to Andy Reid, this season? Kaka. Given that the man he's keeping on the bench for Man City is a starter for Brazil this is no stretch of the imagination whatsoever. Ireland has been magnificent this season, carving teams open week in week out bagging 7 goals already and not only being the best Man City player but also one of the leagues best. He's quickly becoming world class and right now is unquestionably the best Irish soccer player. With him increasingly becoming more and more confident stating that his troubles are behind him a return in my view is getting more and more likely. I don't think we could top the group without him..

---

Coincidently his best form has come while out of the Ireland picture. He doesn't want to be back end of story.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

7) No nonsense call ups. We need a sense of team spirit so token call ups for players far below the standard like McCarthy or Fahey would be exactly the type of thing Stan would do and exactly the kind of thing Trap should avoid..

---

No nonsense call ups? Trap is his own man and if his men think a fella is good enough then I'd trust his judgement over your my friend.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

8) Return to form of our attacking players. Duff, McGeady and Keane have been on mixed (awful in McGeady's case) form in recent months scoring only 4 league goals between them in 3 months. They need to fix that and hit form.
Doyle needs to move to a higher level..

---

Duff has been playing well for Newcastle and Ireland. Still coming back from injury another few games and he will be flying it.
Mc Geady has played his best stuff in an Ireland shirt since Trap came along. He too has had a stop start season with injury come back to me in May and tell me has been "awful".
As for Keane he ain't no "Big 4" player I think he is out of his depth. He has lost something from his game. He isn't as involved as he was at Spurs. Big fish in a small pond suits him down to the ground IMO.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

9) As the season ticks on players not playing regularly will start to suffer and theres an alarming number of those at the moment. Whelan, Folan, Long, McGeady, Kilbane, Gibson and O Shea are all lining their clubs benches week after week and are good shots at starting for us. They need to secure a regular club place..

---

O shea will get enough games to keep him ticking over. Long may only ever be a "super sub". Mc Geady will be back in the Celtic 11 when he is fully fit. Kilbane will move down a division at least. Gibson needs to go out on loan. Folan is middle tier in the Championship at best. Whelan also falls into that catagory.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

10) Delap. An average midfielder but with an awesome weapon that can be used greatly to our aid. Given that Whelan and Gibson are mere stop gaps anyway why not give Delap one of those roles and benefit on the side from it as well? At the very least he gives us a different option which is something we need on a bench consisting of tryhards like Keogh or Bruce.

---

Thats a joke about Delap? :) Your a comedian. Did you see him against United Saturday he was awful completely out of his depth. Only reason he is starting for Stoke is his throws and mark my words he will be on the bench very soon once teams get used to his throw ins. We should have capped Dave Challinor and changed our name to Tranmere.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

6) Stephen Ireland. Last season he was considered our alternative to Andy Reid, this season? Kaka. Given that the man he's keeping on the bench for Man City is a starter for Brazil this is no stretch of the imagination whatsoever. Ireland has been magnificent this season, carving teams open week in week out bagging 7 goals already and not only being the best Man City player but also one of the leagues best. He's quickly becoming world class and right now is unquestionably the best Irish soccer player. With him increasingly becoming more and more confident stating that his troubles are behind him a return in my view is getting more and more likely. I don't think we could top the group without him.

---

Good lord, HE DOESNT WANT TO PLAY!! People need to get over this. I can say:
6.) We need Totti. We need to get Totti on the team.
But he isnt playing for Ireland either! How can we have to have something that isnt going to happen? By definition should they just stop playing games b/c everyone's favorite pink range rover driving Man City man says in plain English that he does not want to play for Eire?
Yeeesh.
The only other addition I would make would be:
11.) A partridge in a pear tree.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elroy

Reid has never really dominated a game for us so dont understand the growing group in the media that think hes the answer to all our problems.

---

He's probably been our most influential player in close to 10 of his games so far. Some people don't understand the Reid obsession, I don't understand the people forgetting how good he has been for us in a lot of games.

Just one example of the forgotten Reid performances. A game that I've mentioned a few times since it was played, the Holland away game in 2004. Holland were up for it. It was their last game before Euro 2004. After the match they were loudly booed off the pitch when it should have been a celebratory mood. A few players were dropped after the defeat. Only their 2nd defeat in the Amsterdam arena since it was built in '95. Just putting it into perspective for those that will say friendlies don't count. :) Anyway, we played fantastic football without about 15 players missing.

I have a few highlights of the match on my PC.

Presenter (in Dutch - got it translated a few years ago ;)): The best player is Keane, a formidable goal don't you think?
Louis van Gaal: Well, I think the best player was number 11, Mr. Reid. Keane is a good striker! But I think number 11 is a very good player.

Maybe some more B internationals....

11. the home crowd to create a great atmosphere with plenty of colour and noise at each match. i suppose s ireland coming back to play is more likely though

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

I'll gladly endure that "loss" :rolleyes:

---

Ciaran I don't generally beleive the hype from the EL Brigade, but this lad is class. He really controlled the away game against Hertha, away not at home where it really takes class. He was probably the best player on the pitch that night. Also saw the sweden game from online and he looked very good.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

He's probably been our most influential player in close to 10 of his games so far. Some people don't understand the Reid obsession, I don't understand the people forgetting how good he has been for us in a lot of games.

Just one example of the forgotten Reid performances. A game that I've mentioned a few times since it was played, the Holland away game in 2004. Holland were up for it. It was their last game before Euro 2004. After the match they were loudly booed off the pitch when it should have been a celebratory mood. A few players were dropped after the defeat. Only their 2nd defeat in the Amsterdam arena since it was built in '95. Just putting it into perspective for those that will say friendlies don't count. :) Anyway, we played fantastic football without about 15 players missing.

I have a few highlights of the match on my PC.

Presenter (in Dutch - got it translated a few years ago ;)): The best player is Keane, a formidable goal don't you think?
Louis van Gaal: Well, I think the best player was number 11, Mr. Reid. Keane is a good striker! But I think number 11 is a very good player.

---

Im not trying to be smart, maybe i just cant remember but can you outline a few competitive games where Reid was our best player. He had a good game and scored a good goal in the Cyrpus home game a few years back but i honestly dont remember any games where Reid was head and shoulders above the rest and our best player. Certainly not in the last campaign but that campaign was an out and out disaster.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

I've seen Fahey and he's great but so was Roy O D, Byrne, Murphy and to a lesser extent Hoolahan who were all exposed to be average or worse in a better league. Fahey might be the real deal but until he proves otherwise at a higher level I'd be sceptical that he's just another average fish in a small pond.

---

And so was Doyle and Shane Long and Noel Hunt amoung a few more so whats your point?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Reid can't play with two wingers. If we have Reid then we drop either Duff or McGeady.

---

I agree wholeheartidly with this, with 2 out and out wingers like we have we need two midfielders on the cautios side.
The 1 "must" we need is a manager who has the brains and experience to get the best from us and the balls to stick to it, not one that will pander to the sympaties of those that reckon an overweight unfit Spurs reject and presently 5th from last sunderland reserve is the player we should be building a side around.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by L37Ultra

And so was Doyle and Shane Long and Noel Hunt amoung a few more so whats your point?

---

I get very little exposure to the LOI, so I'm by no means an expert, but I was always under the impression that Long had hardly broken through with Cork when Reading signed him...as for Doyle, while he was good for Cork, I was never under the impression he was considered the best player in the league, as O'Donovan and Fahey have been labeled.

I find it interesting that players who are isolated by the best scouts often come from places where they are considered decent but nothing special.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elroy

Im not trying to be smart, maybe i just cant remember but can you outline a few competitive games where Reid was our best player. He had a good game and scored a good goal in the Cyrpus home game a few years back but i honestly dont remember any games where Reid was head and shoulders above the rest and our best player. Certainly not in the last campaign but that campaign was an out and out disaster.

---

He was brilliant in the Germany game in Croker. To me that is his best performance in a green shirt.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

He was brilliant in the Germany game in Croker. To me that is his best performance in a green shirt.

---

against an already qualified german team content to get a draw. he was poor the following wednesday against cyprus when he actually came up against a team willing to close him down

The Germany game was unreal. It was a pleasure to see an Irish midfielder with such quality on the ball. Picked the correct pass every time whether it be a simple one or the more difficult option. Showed for the ball all the time and his delivery was different class. He's a real player and I think Keane isn't doing him any favours at the moment either. Anytime I see Sunderland he's the one who makes things tick for them and Keane either substitutes him or leaves him out for the next match. His substtutions on Sunday bordered on lunacy. Down 1-0 and take off your only 2 creative players ie. Reid and Malbranque for Diouf and Murphy with a half hr still to play. Reid was excellent against Isreal at Landsdowne a couple of yrs back as well in that 2-2 game. Well first half anyway, unreal pass for Keanes goal if I remember right.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Home to Germany, the 5-0 win at home to San Marino. When Reid played last campaign he was pretty much the key player every time.

---

Im sorry but we cant use games against San Marino as evidence of Reids influence, he scored a deflected free kick that night fair enough.
Away to San Marino- disaster, didnt play
Wales at home - didnt play
Wales away - meaningless game, though did put in a decent performance.
Slovakia at home - didnt play
Slovakia away - didnt play
Czech away - played
Czech home - He played, in our best performance of the campaign
Cyprus away - didnt play
Cyprus at home - Played, ineffective, Only Given came out of this game with any credit
Germany at home - a meaningless game really and that was evident by how the germans played, where we had very few chances bar Keanes attempted lob.
Germany away - didnt play

The previous campaign (WC 2006) he featured in most of the games. However, didnt play in our best performance away to france.

For some reason in recent years we are obsessed with players that arent in the Irish squad as opposed to those in it. Dont get me wrong, I think Reid is a good player, but not half as influential as people are making out. IMO S Reid is far and above are more valuable player to us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BarelyLegal

Reid was excellent against Isreal at Landsdowne a couple of yrs back as well in that 2-2 game. Well first half anyway, unreal pass for Keanes goal if I remember right.

---

yes you are right, that was a great clip pass through for Irelands goal. Reid came off after about an hour that night. The team in general played great for a half hour that night and then it all slipped away when Keane went off injured.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elroy

I dont really understand this obsession that A Reid is going to solve all our problems, he isnt. There is a reason why Jol and Keane didnt/dont have him as a first team regular. He doesnt fit into Traps system, like it or not, im willing to respect Traps decisions for now, 7 points from 9 is pretty good.

---

Thats a great point. We are in a good position in the group right now... Until that changes we shouldn't be critising Trap.
I think it's ridiculous some of the comments and articles i've seen lately about Trap.... Esp that knob-head in the Sunday World (Curtis) I hate that man with a passion :mad:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elroy

The previous campaign (WC 2006) he featured in most of the games. However, didnt play in our best performance away to france.

---

He came on for Morrison in the first half and actually played very well in that game.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ciaran

Steven Reid has had even fewer influential games for us than Andy!

---

i still remain unconvinced of all these games where Andy was a key performer for us.

S Reid has already captained his country despite relatively low number of caps, he would have alot more only for injury. Reid has been a regular in a first XI in the premiership for a couple of years now. A Reid has never been able to say that.

any idea with Steven RED when he will be fit?!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elroy

i still remain unconvinced of all these games where Andy was a key performer for us.

S Reid has already captained his country despite relatively low number of caps, he would have alot more only for injury. Reid has been a regular in a first XI in the premiership for a couple of years now. A Reid has never been able to say that.

---

That captaincy point is completely irrelevant. It was a friendly against Holland with no Given, Keane, Dunne, etc. What does that prove exactly....that because a shrewd operator like Stan chose him to wear the armband it proves he's a more important player than his namesake!!!

In relation to naming games where either player were key performers for us...u could count them on one hand I would think. That doesn't matter though I'm sure both players would have a bigger lists if StevenR could have stayed fit and AndyR was selected.

Maybe I'm just too pragmatic but I'd take Steven over Andy any day.

I'd rather watch Andy play, from an aesthetic and entertainment viewpoint, but if I'm a manager trying to win a game, it's Steven every time.

At the end of the day though, Ciaran, however inaccurate his viewpoints may be on other points, is accurate on this one: "Steven Reid has had even fewer influential games for us than Andy!"

The reality is that Steven Reid has been injured for the majority of our qualifiers since breaking into the Irish squad, and when he initially played for us it was as a right sided midfield player.

As a right sided midfielder he's never really impressed me. He's not particularly pacy, not very tricky, and his crossing is not really the best.

I think he's fantastic in the holding or box-to-box central roles, but this has not where he has played for the majority of his time with Ireland.

It is only in this campaign that he has been used in the centre on a consistent basis.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Ciaran I don't generally beleive the hype from the EL Brigade, but this lad is class. He really controlled the away game against Hertha, away not at home where it really takes class. He was probably the best player on the pitch that night. Also saw the sweden game from online and he looked very good.

---

Correct!!

Fahey deserves at least a friendly call IMO, he can do exactly what gibson and whelan are doing in the prem league!! :eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bellavistaman

Correct!!

Fahey deserves at least a friendly call IMO, he can do exactly what gibson and whelan are doing in the prem league!! :eek:

---

Looks like Fats is gone to Birmingham now. Hopefully he can prove himself there and show the doubters what he's all about.

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]A lot of people seem to like looking at Andy Reid through rose-tinted glasses these days. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I’ve never seen Reid play brilliantly with any consistency. The Germany game stood out for me for 1 reason and that was the fact that a German team came over and without trying very hard, looked very comfortable in handling us, apart from Keanes chip into Lehman’s arms.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]He is without doubt one of the best passers of the ball we have but the way we are set up now with Duff & McGeady doesn’t leave room for him.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The system would have to change to accommodate Reid and I don’t think anyone could see Trap changing the team to accommodate one player. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I’m quite happy with 7 points from 3 games, with Bulgaria looking sloppy and taking a few points off Italy a possibility. It gets a bit tiring to hear player after player getting written of as “not up to this level” after failing to dominate games in their first few internationals. Who would have thought that we would ever be thinking that O’Shea was a key player for us?:confused:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Its very possible and probably very likely that if we continue with our solid if unspectacular performances we will qualify second. 1-0 home win in the playoffs and a 0-0 away. [/SIZE][/FONT]

Nicely typed:rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uncle_Joe

Nicely typed:rolleyes:

---

Got fairly dizzy reading that one Joe. Only made it half way down ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uncle_Joe

Who would have thought that we would ever be thinking that O’Shea was a key player for us?

---

Me? A few other of the less emotional types on this forum too.

Can I join that bandwagon? I thought years ago he would however not recently :D

John O'Shea is no more a key player than most of our team. We are fairly thin on the ground in most positions. The only area really that we can afford an injury really is on the wings as we have a small bit of cover there. We can also afford an injury or ten in the centre mid cos we're just basically gonna be replacing crap with crap by the looks of it anyway.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Uncle_Joe

[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]A lot of people seem to like looking at Andy Reid through rose-tinted glasses these days. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I’ve never seen Reid play brilliantly with any consistency. The Germany game stood out for me for 1 reason and that was the fact that a German team came over and without trying very hard, looked very comfortable in handling us, apart from Keanes chip into Lehman’s arms.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]He is without doubt one of the best passers of the ball we have but the way we are set up now with Duff & McGeady doesn’t leave room for him.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]The system would have to change to accommodate Reid and I don’t think anyone could see Trap changing the team to accommodate one player. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]I’m quite happy with 7 points from 3 games, with Bulgaria looking sloppy and taking a few points off Italy a possibility. It gets a bit tiring to hear player after player getting written of as “not up to this level” after failing to dominate games in their first few internationals. Who would have thought that we would ever be thinking that O’Shea was a key player for us?:confused:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Its very possible and probably very likely that if we continue with our solid if unspectacular performances we will qualify second. 1-0 home win in the playoffs and a 0-0 away. [/SIZE][/FONT]

---

10 Print "That post reminds me of the old Commodore 16"
20 Print Goto 10

To be fair I always thought it too:p , when he was buzzing up and down for Man U. Then after seeing him at Lansdowne over the years, he just looked so unsure of doing anything that generally he did absolutely nothing.

Having said that, he has been one of our consistant players over the last few years. I havnt seen the stats but he seems to be playing a bit more for Man U these days as well.