European Championships - France 2016

[DeLorean]

Emotions, form etc. aside, which type of player do you think the squad needs? A shorer-upper or a more attacking player? A guy who does his best work deeper, or a guy who does his best work further advanced?

Answering your question directly, probably a guy who does his best work deeper. That's pretty much what I've been basing my comments on anyway really, the balance of the squad.

I'm presuming Whelan and McCarthy are going to start the games so I do think we need cover for those, whether it's to bring in fresh legs, cover for potential injuries or even replace one of them completely if they're really struggling. I think Gibson or Meyler would add a bit of insurance here. All of the other midfielders that we'd consider 'unofficially confirmed' are of a more attacking nature, as well as having the 'switching Brady' option available.

Obviously there could be a situation where it would be better to have Arter in reserve, if we're really chasing a game, but I think we have more to work with in that situation than we do if McCarthy pulled his hamstring in the first game.

There's also the reliability factor, I have no doubts that Meyler (or Gibson) would have the temperament to just slot in. Arter might too, but he just looked like a guy that was trying too hard against England. It will be interesting to see how he performs tomorrow, hopefully he starts as it's tougher coming off the bench and feeling you need to impress straight away. If he's as good as he looks at times for Bournemouth then it might change my mindset some bit.

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, I agree with all that. You saved me having to use my own brain. A strong Arter showing could change things.

I think O'Neill was also alluding to Gibson in his "lack of game time" comments. Gibson is versatile he can play from deep but also more advanced and there is the Brady option as you and (Ole Ole?) said.

I need to check back old posts, but are we largely expecting only one of Arter, Meyler, Gibson and Quinn?

Edit: Sorry, just saw your post 235 again. You reckon two of that lot plus Doyle & McGoldrick. I think Doyle is nailed on.

So, only one of Arter, Meyler, Gibson, Quinn and McGoldrick. That'd make me drop Murphy.

McGeady is a very very lucky boy.

[tetsujin1979]

some insights from Wales manager on their qualification campaign: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/f...ealed-11375075
On their results against Belgium:

Belgium 0-0 Wales

(4-2-3-1)
Hennessey
Gunter Williams Chester Taylor
Allen Ledley
Robson-Kanu Ramsey Cotterill
Bale
CC: Suddenly we had a real belief in the camp and we thought we could go to Belgium and win.
Belgium are a top team and would have lots of the ball but we worked really hard on stopping them playing quick passes around our box.
To be honest this was one where it was more about rolling our sleeves up than formations or tactics but we started with a back four solely because we had success playing that way against them previously.
Our plan was to get Gareth Bale as high up the pitch as possible to expose Jan Vertonghen, expecting him to surge up the pitch as usual.
But he played with Gareth at Tottenham and knew he could be devastating, so Vertonghen paid us a huge compliment by staying back for the whole game.

When we looked at the stats we found that Gareth only touched the ball 18 times that night, which is very low.
We had to admit that we didn’t get the best out of him. It was a great result but the plan didn’t really work for us.

Wales 1-0 Belgium

(3-4-2-1)
Hennessey,
Gunter Williams Chester
Richards Allen Ledley Taylor
Ramsey Bale
Robson-Kanu
CC: Things had to change a bit for this game because Belgium are a quality team but the system was really starting to take shape.
They were always going to dominate possession but after 20 minutes Aaron Ramsey complained he had too much ground to cover.
It wasn’t Aaron’s fault, he’s incredibly fit but the centre backs and full backs were staying too deep and that was causing him a real problem.
Jazz Richards started coming out of his comfort zone and putting pressure on their left back. You have to be quick and bold to do that but he was brilliant on the night.

We’ve got clips of him leaving Eden Hazard to go to Vertongen at full back. It looked as though he was leaving Hazard on his own but the ball never got that far.
That night we executed the plan brilliantly.

[Stuttgart88]

They got so lucky around about the 95 minutes mark in Brussels. Belgium missed a sitter from 3 yards combined with a great Hennessy save! A draw was fair overall though.

Football is crazy like that. Muller's miss in Dublin...

[Closed Account]

I like the honesty from Chris Coleman. Sometimes we over defend our gaffers with opinions that that they've player x because of reason y. His comments echo basic football talk. We'll put the quick quy up there, or 4 solid guys back. Top level football has top level tactics but sometimes its just my guy is better than your guy.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Steven Reid would bring Meyler, Quinn and Doyle over Christie, Arter and McGoldrick.

Plus, that point I made - about having bubbly lads in the dressing-room - is reinforced by Meyler and also Stephen Quinn, who I have selected ahead of Harry Arter.

Ultra-positive

Having coached Quinn at Reading this year, I have seen his attitude in and around the group.

When he is dropped, he is ultra-positive, slapping fellas on the back before they go out to play, vocally encouraging those around him. When he is half-fit, he makes himself available.

He is the epitome of what a manager wants: the perfect pro.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-34756216.html

[DeLorean]

Hopefully we won't take any more knocks tonight but I think it's starting to look like...

1	Randolph	4	Coleman	12	McCarthy	19	Murphy
2	Given	5	Christie	13	Whelan	20	Walters
3	Westwood	6	Brady	14	McClean	21	Keane (Doyle)
		7	Ward	15	McGeady	22	Long
		8	Keogh	16	Hoolahan	23	McGoldrick
		9	O'Shea	17	Hendrick
		10	Duffy	18	Arter (Meyler)
		11	Clark

[Stuttgart88]

It's certainly getting interesting.

[paul_oshea]

Stutts is Doyle still coming..:P

I think this proves that O'Neill really doesn't rate the American league, and his out of sight is out of mind. Doyle for the short time he was on when he got injured has done more than Murphy did in all his 20 appearances if you ask me.

I think O'Neill hasn't seen enough of what Doyle has done in the past, and doesn't know/realise he is actually a good footballer, certainly a better footballer than Murphy, and can do all the things that murphy does, and most better, along with somethings that Murphy can't do - the main one being scoring. I am a bit upset with O'Neill about this one - unless he doesn't bring Murphy either, but I really cant see that. He will not bring McGoldrick and drop murphy with only 3 strikers.

[ifk101]

I am a bit upset with O'Neill about this one ....

You are upset with the wrong person.

[DeLorean]

Agreed. I'd bring Doyle instead of Murphy and either Meyler or Gibson ahead of McGoldrick. I'm actually finding it a bit baffling that McGoldrick seems to be so close to going.

I wouldn't agree with Steven Reid leaving Christie at home either, especially with Coleman's injury troubles lately and how impressive Christie has been. Yeah, Meyler can fill in at right back, but it's far from ideal.

[sadloserkid]

I think this proves that O'Neill really doesn't rate the American league, and his out of sight is out of mind...

I think O'Neill hasn't seen enough of what Doyle has done in the past, and doesn't know/realise he is actually a good footballer, certainly a better footballer than Murphy, and can do all the things that murphy does, and most better, along with somethings that Murphy can't do - the main one being scoring.

Tbf he wouldn't be alone in rating the English second tier ahead of the MLS I'd imagine (rightly or wrongly). Doyle's goal record at club level is arguably no better than Murphy's (in the last few seasons I'd argue it's worse). I don't think Doyle has hit double figures in a single league campaign since he left Reading?

Obviously he's had a far greater impact for Ireland than Murphy (but then again so has Simon Cox). It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me which combination of Doyle/Murphy/McGoldrick is selected,

[paul_oshea]

Agreed. I'd bring Doyle instead of Murphy and either Meyler or Gibson ahead of McGoldrick. I'm actually finding it a bit baffling that McGoldrick seems to be so close to going.

Ya, I said the same on the other thread reviewing the Ireland game. And my overriding point from that was that so many people had differing views on who played well, or who was the best player on the pitch, from supporters, posters, "experts", journos, former players/managers that no one must have really stood out, otherwise we would have a general consesus on one or two players. I think everyone was just keeping out on certain players(those who they see as borderline, trying to push their way in or those who were trying to keep their places) and doing a player cam type analyses. That's why I actually thought Whelan was one of our best players!

[geysir]

If O'Neill rated leagues differently then Robbie would have been put on standby 18 months ago. There's no evidence that MO'N would think that way about the MLS.
Re Doyle, it's probably more a question of O'Neill sticking by the players who have been the mainstay of the team, unless there is an overwhelming compelling case to drop a player eg injury.
O'Neill has stated or alluded to that the players who have been there through the campaign would be foremost in his thoughts when it came to the Euro squad.

[Paddy Garcia]

Agreed. I'd bring Doyle instead of Murphy

Frankly I'd bring O'Dowda ahead of Murphy - If Murphy goes I'd hope he would not get any game time and I don't think he would benefit from the experience. Illustrates how light we are upfront.

[ifk101]

I'd bring Murphy - arguably best suited to Long's role in the team of those under consideration.

[jbyrne]

I'm actually finding it a bit baffling that McGoldrick seems to be so close to going.

couldn't agree more. I thought he was lost in the first half in particular last Friday. the ball rarely stuck to him when it was played up to him and his use of the ball poor. I would rather see doyle coming on if we need a goal in the last 20 mins than McGoldrick (who is highly unlikely to start a match if he travels)

[paul_oshea]

If O'Neill rated leagues differently then Robbie would have been put on standby 18 months ago. There's no evidence that MO'N would think that way about the MLS.
Re Doyle, it's probably more a question of O'Neill sticking by the players who have been the mainstay of the team, unless there is an overwhelming compelling case to drop a player eg injury.
O'Neill has stated or alluded to that the players who have been there through the campaign would be foremost in his thoughts when it came to the Euro squad.

O'Neill has been at pains to state robbies ambassadorial role, and captain and everything other than his football ability. He is in just as good a form out there, yet isnt getting his chance with Ireland.

[Stuttgart88]

I think this proves that O'Neill really doesn't rate the American league, and his out of sight is out of mind. Doyle for the short time he was on when he got injured has done more than Murphy did in all his 20 appearances if you ask me.
I think O'Neill hasn't seen enough of what Doyle has done in the past, and doesn't know/realise he is actually a good footballer, certainly a better footballer than Murphy, and can do all the things that murphy does, and most better, along with somethings that Murphy can't do - the main one being scoring. I am a bit upset with O'Neill about this one - unless he doesn't bring Murphy either, but I really cant see that. He will not bring McGoldrick and drop murphy with only 3 strikers.

The highlighted bits are the important bits for me. I don't think it's about the MLS per se.

I think it took O'Neill a while to understand what he had at his disposal. Lots of "nothing coming through" negative crap which really annoyed me. I think he has a much better grasp now.

I'd say O'Neill took a dim view of Doyle's attitude of seemingly being happy to remain frozen out at Wolves rather than take a pay cut and - as far as I can remember - saying that if his career choices impacted his international career then so be it, he wasn't that fussed.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Does Doyle really care about the money all that much though?

I read that he doesn't even have an agent.

I always believed that he - stupidly - was too loyal as a player.