Trap excludes Steven Reid, Andy Reid, Finnan and Morrison for play-off squad.

[geysir]

Ignore them.

[Royal rover]

i went to watch Hibs V Aberdeen yesterday - people at Hibs really rate Stokes - he showed some great touches and movement yesterday and looked by far the best player on the field - likewise i know rangers fans that said the same thing to me after last weeks performance in ibrox - i also understand that he is playing in the SPL and not EPL and there's a massive difference in standards. Hibs fans would rate him higher than any striker they have had for the last few years - Riordain , Fletcher etc, the lad needs to be playing up front week in week out not in midlfield or as winger. People on here should also remember that he's 21, i honestly believe a good season will see him progress to bigger and better things and if we make it to SA he could be are suprise package

miller played in centre midfield yesterday played well worked hard - Hibs were helped by the ref sending off 2 aberdeen players, which gave him an opportunity to control the game -

Curtis Byrne - played right side of midfield for roughly 70 min - he looks a very good prospect - and any hibs fans will tell you he's rated very highly

Graham Stack - looks like a solid keeper as well - didn't really have alot to do

[brine3]

Really annoyed that Finnan isn't in the squad. Kilbane has been fairly shocking as a full back and has only played because we have nobody else. He does his best, in fairness, but you have to put a fit Finnan back in the first XI straight away, let alone the squad...

Beggars can't be choosers!

Only explanation is that he's not fit yet...

[elroy]

[QUOTE=Cosmo;1262583]Fair enough, we went through the campaign unbeaten - but we have to remember that the fact is that we only beat 2 teams throughout the whole campaign (the mighty cyprus and georgia!! Theyre the only 2 teams we could beat ffs!!).

Im baffled by some of his decisions. While were tough to beat, if we go a goal behind against france, how can he change it? QUOTE]

I think we wouldve beaten Monte in the last game if we needed to.

The two games where we went behind in the campaign against Georgia and Italy, we managed to pull it back. The Italian game in particular was rescued by good tactics and decent performances from players like Folan and N Hunt, who none of us wouldve put on that night if we're honest. I dont think we have any reason to doubt Trap to date, so why start now.

[Razors left peg]

Darron Gibson back from injury and on the bench for United tonight

[Brendan 82]

People calling for Finnan just don't really keep up with their football do they? Injured again at the weekend and proving as unreliable as ever

[tetsujin1979]

People calling for Finnan just don't really keep up with their football do they? Injured again at the weekend and proving as unreliable as ever

before his recent injuries, I don't think anyone had ever described Finnan as "unreliable"

[ifk101]

Exactly, Finnan is boring because he's so consistent and what's the word I'm looking for - reliable, perhaps .

[Brendan 82]

before his recent injuries, I don't think anyone had ever described Finnan as "unreliable"

His "recent" injuries are not recent. That is my point, just ask Espanyol

[tetsujin1979]

His "recent" injuries are not recent. That is my point, just ask Espanyol

Go back more than 14 months and Finnan was rarely injured. Before that he was one of the most reliable full backs in the Premiership.

[mjpcc]

Trap will bring back Finnan, S.Reid and A.Reid after the French Games - win or lose - he has been proved right to leave S.Reid and Finnan out of the squad. They are not ready to come back yet, Steven Reid is not match fit and Finnan is injured again.

I fully expect Andy Reid - to me his only contentious ommission - to be back in after these games when their is time to experiment and develop a different system.

Given that we made the playoffs and the fine display against Italy it's hard to argue with Trap.

[Brendan 82]

Go back more than 14 months and Finnan was rarely injured. Before that he was one of the most reliable full backs in the Premiership.

The defense rests.

[irishfan86]

I think there are two different arguments going on here.

Brendan is saying that Finnan is unreliable because of his health, not because of his level of performance, which really can't even be judged because he's only played a handful of matches over the last year or so.

[Razors left peg]

Neither Finnan or Steven Reid even on bench for their clubs today.Trap definately knew what he was doing when picking the squad

[FarBeag]

Not when it comes to leaving Andy Reid out he doesnt.

[irishfan86]

Not when it comes to leaving Andy Reid out he doesnt.

I don't think there's ever been a manager in history that has always picked "the best XI" or "best squad" according to the supporters. As long as there are alternatives with positive attributes, there will be an argument for that player's inclusion made by somebody.

At the end of the day, I only have one major disagreement with Trap, and it is over a player that I feel should be on the bench (A. Reid). All of my other gripes are minor in comparison (I'm not going to get upset about Trap picking Shane Long over Morrison, although I'd consider Clint myself).

I'm with Trap on 90% of issues, and although I'm willing to criticize decisions at times, and listen to alternative viewpoints, I have to respect what he's done with our team so far.

At the beginning of the campaign I was hoping for a central midfield of the two Reids, as I think they'd complement each other very well, but when S. Reid got injured, I wasn't sure that a midfield of say Andy Reid and Carsley would have the legs to keep up with the athletes in international football.

None of us were putting forward Whelan as an option, and Andrews was playing in League 2 at that point.

Now many of you may say that you have been proved right by Whelan and Andrews and their "basic" midfield performances, but I think they have fulfilled their role to the best of their abilities, and that they have been the correct choice for Ireland's midfield given the injury situation and our opposition.

Bottom line, Trap has worked wonders with a limited bunch of players, and I can live with one big omission from the squad if it means we are more functional and effective as a result.

[Razors left peg]

Irishfan that post pretty much summed up own thoughts exactly

[Stuttgart88]

I agree with Irishfan86 except for the having "worked wonders". I think he's done very well.

Am I right in thinking that in 7 of the 10 games we've been ahead at some point in the game? Ok, we only won 4 of them but it shows that with a bit of improvement there's more out there for us.

[elroy]

Trap will bring back Finnan, S.Reid and A.Reid after the French Games

Unfortunately unless we make the WC, I dont see Finnan in an Irish shirt again. Considering his difficulties with injuries the last couple of years and as he is in the twilight of his career, i think he will call it a day after this campaign.

[Emmet7]

Trap has made a valid point about including players prone to injury such as Finnan and S. Reid.

He says he needs options and doesn't want to have enforced substitutions.

Can we depend on S. Reid and Finnan for 90 minutes? If not it would limit tactical substitutions. I am willing to go with Trap's experience on this one. I am sure he has been in games before where players had to come off injured in less important positions and it may have cost him the game.

Fact we need everyone 100% fit and playing at 110% of their ability against the French.