Happy with this team, although maybe not so much with McShane at RB, but he has done well for Hull there so worth his place. If I were Hector Cuper, I would be looking to exploit his weaknesses however.
Very much looking forward to the partnership of Whelan and Andrews, this is crucial, we really need this partnership to work until at least S Reid is available again. Im pretty confident of a win with this team and wouldnt be at all surprised if Andrews puts in a big performance.
Very surprised he went for Andrews over Gibson but the team does look a bit stronger because of the decision.
fair enough, magnificent is a bit strong, but both wingers have been involved in the build up to the goals so far in the qualifiers, McGeady crossed for Doyle in the Georgia game, Duff ran through the Cyprus defence to cross for Keane to nod into the net.
McGeady hit the outside of the near post against Montenegro when he should have aimed for the far post, he aimed for the far post against Cyprus and lifted it over the crossbar, if nothing else he is learning! Trapattoni has already spoken of how he's worked with McGeady on simple things to improve his overall game, like how to stand when receiving a ball.
Compare and contrast the performance of both players under the previous two managers and there's a clear sign of improvement.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
eh possibly to do with form in champions league etc and how english teams have been competing the last few years.
I cant really think of any other barometer.....
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Not a big fan of McShane but he has been a Premierhsip regular. I thought when Andrews came on against Poland he changed the game. I am hoping that he is one of those players who seems to excel in international football. Really looking forward to tomorrow night.
overall technical quality, skill, overall competitiveness etc etc... the comparator you use confines the quality of the premiership to 4-6 teams max.
anyhoo, the premiership hasnt exactly benefitted the English national team so i wouldnt expect it will do much for us in the grand scheme of things. How many of our team benefit from participation in the Champions League? One?
Anyway, sorry, im dragging this off topic.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
Good news about Andrews. I hope he makes his mark. Gives the team a bit more of a confident and offensive look about it.
Gibson would need more 1st team football before assuming such an important role in our team.
This season has shown a greater competitiveness in the Premiership than previous years. Man City are probably as good as the majority of Champions League group teams.
Premiership hasnt done a lot for england but then that is equally to do with a woeful manager. (I have a horrible fear that under a top manager like Capello they could win the next World Cup).
...no need to apologise. It'll be of high relevance if we actually manage to qualify for SA as pretty much our entire squad play in the same football culture and system as the English.
They'll have a better chance with Capello I don't doubt. But I reckon the pace and relative physicallity of the way the game is played in these islands just isn't condusive to winning a round-robin and knockout tournament involving seven games in a month at the end of the season. Too much luck needed when it comes to avoiding injuries and suspensions.
" I wish to God that someone would be able to block out the voices in my head for five minutes, the voices that scream, over and over again: "Why do they come to me to die?"
I share your fear. The pace of some of their younger players is scary and they have more balance in midfield than in recent years. They have potential match winners all over the place. Goalkeeper is still a worry for them at this point in time. I don't think the traditional big countries are at the top of their games right now and Sth Africa in June will be a lot cooler than the usual June temperatures at a major tournament.
By and large I'd agree with Stu's post, but that said, how many leagues in the world have great depth?
I'm hoping for a nice comfortable victory tomorrow. I'm happy with the team selection overall but would prefer Kelly or Foley to McShane at RB but the rest picks itself. McGeady needs a big game because Hunt will be breathing down his neck & hopefully Duff stays on the left - he is much more effective on that side.
I'm off to bed now to catch the 6.30am flight to Dublin......
Come on boys let's top the group and move a step closer to Africa 2010.
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