Squad for the Brazil game?

[Superhoops]

I like Lee a lot but he's in the Championship because he lacks mobility & athleticism. Very game player and a handful for defenders - certainly at 3rd & 4th seed international level - but mobile, alas not

I remember Lee coming on as a sub for Morrison in friendly against Czech Republic in Dublin in March 2004 and looking very mobile and a handful. He almost scored with a header and made the winner for Robbie Keane with a great run down the right and a good cross. Never understood why he did not get more chances after that.

[Stuttgart88]

I remember that, a run not dissimilar to Michael Robinson's against Russia all those years ago but the cutback for Keane was missed by a falling defender. I watched him up close at The Valley in 2004 and he was just lacking in pace, but certainly not effort. I think he's worth a place, probably ahead of Murphy.

[irishfan86]

Watched the Ipswich-Portsmouth match earlier, and Lee came on as a late sub and looked very dangerous, nearly scoring with a powerful header.

He's not Cisse, but he's not as slow as advertised here.

In any case, with his physical attributes, speed isn't absolutely necessary.

Campbell was having a very hard time dealing with him for those final minutes he was on the field.

I'd definitely have him in the squad, we don't have another player like him at that level.

Garvan had a decent enough game as well- Ipswich were down a man for the majority of the match, so it's hard to comment on his offensive abilities, but he looked confident on the ball, and was full of running.

Also seems to take most of Ipswich's set pieces.

Alex Bruce had a solid enough game at the back, and is comfortable on the ball.

Ipswich are a really good footballing team though, kept it on the floor quite a bit considering they were down a man, before resorting to long ball near the end when they brought on Lee.

[the doc]

Watched the Ipswich-Portsmouth match earlier, and Lee came on as a late sub and looked very dangerous, nearly scoring with a powerful header.

He's not Cisse, but he's not as slow as advertised here.

In any case, with his physical attributes, speed isn't absolutely necessary.

Campbell was having a very hard time dealing with him for those final minutes he was on the field.

I'd definitely have him in the squad, we don't have another player like him at that level.

Garvan had a decent enough game as well- Ipswich were down a man for the majority of the match, so it's hard to comment on his offensive abilities, but he looked confident on the ball, and was full of running.

Also seems to take most of Ipswich's set pieces.

Alex Bruce had a solid enough game at the back, and is comfortable on the ball.

Ipswich are a really good footballing team though, kept it on the floor quite a bit considering they were down a man, before resorting to long ball near the end when they brought on Lee.

Both Lee and Bruce lack the pace to play at a higher level, Nugent as he did yesterday for the goal always exploits Bruce for his lack of pace.

[Stuttgart88]

More Championship players that merit a look: Jay Tabb and Michael Doyle. I'm not just saying this because Coventry had a good win yesterday, it's more because I had forgotten about them when I posted on page 1!

Tabb is a properly talented footballer. Doyle is a competent enough central midfielder with a good left foot. By all accounts he did very well in the recent B international in Scotland.

The more I think of it the more I cringe at Andy Keogh being played wide right against Germany and Cyprus when there were / are players playing well at the same club level but actually in that position.

[livehead1]

Both Lee and Bruce lack the pace to play at a higher level, Nugent as he did yesterday for the goal always exploits Bruce for his lack of pace.

Great pace isn't generally needed at international level. It is played at a slower pace but this term "lack the pace to play at a higher level" is always banded about.

An international needs to be relaible, good positional awareness (good pace is only needed if this is lacking) and very comfortable in possession of the ball with regard to touch and ability to find a man with a pass.

[Stuttgart88]

Pace is great asset at any level thouigh. Only this morning Roy Hodgson was writing (Sunday Telegraph interview with Patrick Barclay - a big fan of his obviously) what has been obvious to many for ages: that the standard of athleticism in the modern game is much higher than before. Can you get away without pace? Yes, of course, but I think that if Lee, given his other assets, was pacier than he his he could do well in the Premiership. John Carew is an example of a a guy who doesn't appear to have any great speed - good technique though. Chris Sutton wasn't overly quick - no slouch - but was really good with his feet and was very clever.

I think Lee is the kind of player that could trouble the 3rd, 4th and 5th seeds but Italy and teams of their standard would cope with him in their sleep.

I think a slow defender would be found out at international level.

[Stuttgart88]

Actually Viduka is an example of a guy with no pace but who does OK.

I watched a lot of Stoke vs Newcastle. Liam Lawrence did fine, full of running, good awareness, takes a good dead ball and is physically imposing. Probably a better player than Kilbane with similar attributes. I'm surprised both Keane and staunton disgarded him so quickly.

We've better wide options if they're all fit (Hunt, Duff, McGeady...) but he could be worth a look in the middle. Anyone agree? I really think this is our problem area.

[shakermaker1982]

I thought Lawrence put some very good crosses in from set pieces and he looks a tidy player overall. I'd like to see him included in the Brazil squad - no harm in the new manager having a look. His 'infamous' homemade video probably didn't do him many favours with Keane and he was quickly sent on his way after that

[RiffRaff]

I thought Lawrence put some very good crosses in from set pieces and he looks a tidy player overall. I'd like to see him included in the Brazil squad - no harm in the new manager having a look. His 'infamous' homemade video probably didn't do him many favours with Keane and he was quickly sent on his way after that

I think Keane and Lawrence had a punch up on the training ground before that video came to light - he'd already been shipped out to Stoke by then

[ShelsLimerick]

Anyone know when the tickets go on sale for this one? I presume they will be on general sale. No details on the FAI website.

[Stuttgart88]

Clinton's goal at Wolves was a beauty.

[eirebhoy]

We could fill the squad with premiership players. 23 Irish players involved in the premiership this weekend, 18 of those started. About a quarter of the amount of English involved which is pretty amazing considering the population of England and the fact it's the English premiership.

[Stuttgart88]

We could fill the squad with premiership players.

Funny thing is I'd prefer not too. Some of our better "cover" players play in The Championship while some of the Premiership players are perpetually ineffective for Ireland (Miller stands out for me). And of course there's McGeady.

[Kingdom]

Hmmm, good thread. Joey O'Brien played in central midfield for Bolton yesterday, which if he can continue to do so will be good for Ireland. Andy O'Brien too is playing regularily now and doing well, which will stand to us too.

[danonion]

Rory Delap is tall, athletic, playing well in an in-form team and a central midfielder. Woefully under-considered in the past and frequently played out of position.

In the old soccercentral.ie days, just after WC02, Delap was my shoe-in CM option. Funny thing is, we haven't come up with anyone really better since. Have we been wasting our time with the likes of Douglas, Miller, Gibson etc. when there's a cpmpetent option right under our noses all along? Maybe we were too proud, i.e., unlike Northern Ireland we wanted a "name" in kudfield or failing that, a potential "name"?

Why not try Delap to fill the gap until the younger tyros are properly ready?

Here here!

[Bondvillain]

Givens has told the Sunday Times that he's pretty much been assured he'll be responsible for picking the squad , and will be in temporary charge for the Brazil game.

[Kingdom]

Givens has told the Sunday Times that he's pretty much been assured he'll be responsible for picking the squad , and will be in temporary charge for the Brazil game.

Ya see quotes like that worry me, and has worried me for a while. It is imperative that the 3 stooges pick the new manager as quickly and correctly as possible.
Yet I've always believed Givens wanted to manage the team against Brazil. The new manager should have as much time as possible in charge and if he's available for the Brazil game, then he should be.

[backstothewall]

I think Lee is the kind of player that could trouble the 3rd, 4th and 5th seeds but Italy and teams of their standard would cope with him in their sleep.

Absolutly agree. Italy probably will deal with him easily. But he is the kind of player who can offer an alternative to our similar strikers in Georgia or Montenegro. We have to beat them to.

[carloz]

What about Scanall at Crystal Palace. Only 17 but has been playing great for Crystal Palace and the fans hav been singing his praises. Hell its a pointless game why not call up Jamie McCarthy. Dont think Long deserves a call up to thiis squad, getting 5 minutes Premiership action each week as a sub simply isnt enough(though the same could be said about O'Shea). Morrison certainly deserves to be called back up and i think Hoolahan and Glenn Whealan(who was excellent in the Sheffield derby) erit a place in the squad