Ireland's Next Holding Midfielder

**S�C** · 12/10/2007, 4:01 PM

Originally Posted by viagogo

Anybody consider Colin Healy, I think if he can prove his fitness then he is our best player in this position.

Ok I'll bite

Joe Gamble is a far better holding midfielder than Healy, although Healy is starting to find his form again.

**Torn-Ado** · 12/10/2007, 4:03 PM

Holding Midfielder

The biggest misjustice to a football position.

**Paddy Garcia** · 12/10/2007, 4:44 PM

Originally Posted by John83

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Jonathan Douglas. He's not great, but he's probably the best defensively minded midfielder we have who has any experience at all.

Hopeless at tracking back, was at fault for the last goal against Slovakia.

**eirebhoy** · 12/10/2007, 5:47 PM

Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

The biggest misjustice to a football position.

We've had loads of discussions on this site but I always consider a holding midfielder to be one that "holds" back. He sits in front of the defence and his job is to be in the best position possible to receive a pass. I love Pirlo and I regard him as a holding midfielder.

**viagogo** · 12/10/2007, 6:25 PM

Originally Posted by shanman2

He is only joking back of the net. You are only joking viagogo arent you?

Joey O' Brien playing his natural position as a def mid is a good option to have but only if bolton move him in there. Me thinks Garry Speed has to retire before we see that.

Well Colin Healy is probably the most unluckiest player to play for Ireland in the last few years. This time next year he will be probably be back playing in England (no doubt Wolves) and I think would be a better option than any player mentioned in this thread.

**John83** · 12/10/2007, 6:26 PM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

Hopeless at tracking back, was at fault for the last goal against Slovakia.

I'd mainly pegged O'Shea for that one, but possibly correct. He was on the right for that though, not in the middle.

**Kivlehan** · 12/10/2007, 7:17 PM

Originally Posted by ofjames

I dont agree entirely with that. Keano was football's 'mr. everything' (like LT in the NFL), it was only in his latter years that he was restricted to a holding midfield role.

Like at manchester united, ireland will never find one player to replace roy. United have signed two players (carrick and hargo), we'll probably have to find two also

I hope you mean Lawrence Taylor by LT in the NFL. I'm trying to talk to my buddies about starting a "There's only one LT" chant at Giants Stadium the next time LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers visit. Probably wouldn't go over but it would be sweet.

**rambler14** · 13/10/2007, 10:15 PM

Between Steven Reid, Jonathan Douglas and Stephen McPhail in my eyes. It'll probably be reid but will Reid be the same player when he comes back if he comes back?
Also Joey O'Brien.

**eirebhoy** · 13/10/2007, 10:42 PM

Andy Reid proved himself to everyone tonight. He's the future of the Ireland team. He's without doubt our nost intelligent player. He's without doubt the most technically gifted player we have. And he's certainly the best player we have, imho.

**rambler14** · 13/10/2007, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Andy Reid proved himself to everyone tonight. He's the future of the Ireland team. He's without doubt our nost intelligent player. He's without doubt the most technically gifted player we have. And he's certainly the best player we have, imho.

Not a holding midfielder though!

**eirebhoy** · 13/10/2007, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by rambler14

Not a holding midfielder though!

Why not? He'll be sitting in front of the back 4 spraying the ball around when he's 30, I've no doubt about that. Why not now? It's the most influential role in a team and we should give it to Reid.

**Closed Account 2** · 14/10/2007, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by John83

I'd mainly pegged O'Shea for that one, but possibly correct. He was on the right for that though, not in the middle.

I agree O'Shea was at fault for that one. He was caught between 2 players, and as a defender he should have taken the man.

**mattie** · 14/10/2007, 2:35 AM

I'm a Blackburn fan (god love me) and an Ireland fan (god obviosly doesn't love me).. by the way LOI comes first, but what it does mean is I have been intrepidly following the progress of Stevie Reid for a while. Lads this guy has got huge potential. He is a really good player.

His biggest problem is that he needs someone beside him who's gonna do the further up the pitch bit. Reid is comfortable as a stopper who sits behind, plays the ball around and then bursts forward when he sees a gap. That's how I see him, I think that's how i think he sees himself. I don't know how he would fit into the Irish team as it stands but I think if he got a few friendly games first (I know he has played before but not recently) it would help. He's been the kind of player who gets better the more he plays, hence his injury layoff has been even more frustrating!

If Andy Reid were next to him for the next World Cup I would in the words of Sven G.E. be "Wery optimistic"

**carloz** · 14/10/2007, 12:12 PM

The future of our midfield is the two Reids, simple as. If the two can remain fit then i would be very excited about the prospect of them

**geysir** · 14/10/2007, 5:53 PM

Originally Posted by mattie

I have been intrepidly following the progress of Stevie Reid for a while. Lads this guy has got huge potential. He is a really good player.
His biggest problem is that he needs someone beside him who's gonna do the further up the pitch bit.

His biggest problem is his injuries, injuries on top of injuries.

**dr_peepee** · 15/10/2007, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Why not? He'll be sitting in front of the back 4 spraying the ball around when he's 30, I've no doubt about that. Why not now? It's the most influential role in a team and we should give it to Reid.

Very talented technically, without a shadow of a doubt. But his limitations are the reason he was supported by 3 hard working midfielders (if you include Keogh) on saturday. He has to be carried. In his 20's his last 20 minutes of a game are a bit of a minefield. Tackles become very Scholes like, and we can't be conceeding those in our own third of the pitch if he's playing deep.

**eirebhoy** · 15/10/2007, 11:46 AM

Fair point. Pity we don't have a Gattuso to do the dirty work.

**backstothewall** · 15/10/2007, 5:29 PM

The two reids in the middle would leave our centre backs horribly exposed. Either Stephen has to go on the right, or Andy has to go on the left. I would prefer the former to be honest, with Carsley or Joey O'Brien in the holding role

**eirebhoy** · 15/10/2007, 6:13 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

The two reids in the middle would leave our centre backs horribly exposed.

It's worth a try. It'd be a similar partnership to Gerrard and Alonso. It's about the positions they hold more than anything. Then again, Benitez clearly doesn't trust that partnership. Actually, it's a lot more reliable than Gerrard-Lampard. That partnership didn't leave the defence exposed, it was just rubbish.

**mattie** · 15/10/2007, 7:47 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

The two reids in the middle would leave our centre backs horribly exposed. Either Stephen has to go on the right, or Andy has to go on the left. I would prefer the former to be honest, with Carsley or Joey O'Brien in the holding role

can't say i'd go along with that.
I think the two would compliment each other.
We need to go back to looking at playing recognised wingers out wide and not trying to fit whoevers in decent form but has competition for another position in there.