Squad for Brazil game

[Munster Saint]

David McGoldrick is only a sub for Forest... is he eligible for us? Simon Cox is now only a sub for WBA & Dave Kitson isn't getting a look in at Stoke. We badly need new strike options but who else is out there that we can get does anyone know?

Kitson will never play for us, basically said as much the last time he was approached - no loss tbh. McSheffrey has gone to Leeds so that's the end of his Ireland hopes anyway.
I wouldn't mind seeing Stokes back in the set-up, he's still young and is doing fairly well up at Hibs. I hope McCarthy gets a run out to lay down a marker and shut the Scottish press up. I'm getting tired of this kind of thing:
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/scot...nd-switch.html

[backstothewall]

He offers the physical presence of a wet paperbag blowing around in the wind at the moment - He is tall but that is a different thing altogether.

He did ok at Celtic when he got those few games under Strachan and showed that he knows where the goal is and can work hard and also has reasonable pace for a big fella. However he showed plenty of shortcomings also, poor first touch, getting easily muscled out, going missing, running around headless chicken like. He's since gone on loan to Motherwell and Plymouth without too much success (hardly featured at Plymouth) lets hope he gets more game time at St. Johnstone.

At this stage in his career, it would be absolutely pointless bringing him in to the senior fold, when players like Folan, Morrison, Stokes, Best, Doyle are playing regularly Im not sure what it would bring other than perhaps a smile to his face?

Billy Mehmet plays regulalrly for St. Mirren, tall & strong causing a problem for defences in the SPL and scores a few (if not massive amount) of goals. He is nowhere near the International setup and nor should he be but he is doing more to justify a claim than Cillian Sheridan is at the moment.

I am not trying to knock the lad, He is v young and has loads of time to develop and I want him to succeed but International Squads should be for players who have earned the right to train and play in that arena - It needs to mean something. I think we have all seen that Trap wont be dishing out caps willy nilly and I dont think he will be dishing out squad places like that either.

Find it hard to disagree with much of your analysis of the kid at the minute. He isn't the strongest, or at least wasn't back when he got a run of games under Strachan. But that will come with age. I'm sure Big Quinner looked like Bambi on ice when he was a spotty faced 19 year old at Arsenal.

But the reason I would call up the likes of Sheridan and perhaps the likes of Darren Randolph/Shane Redmond (we will need a new keeper before this decade is over) is that being about that squad for a friendly can aid their development in my opinion.

Back in June the north called up a host of youngsters for their friendly in Italy, and since then Niall McGinn has burst onto the scene as a senior player at Celtic, Shane Duffy has made his debut at Everton, and Little has scored his first goal at Rangers.

Now I'm not suggesting for a second that they made the breakthrough because of that game, but it certainly didn't do them any harm. Nor am I suggesting we should call up anything like as many youngsters as the north did for that game, or that they should be anywhere near the first team, but it can't harm their development to see how experienced pro's like Keane and Kilbane prepare for a game against probably the best side in the world.

We are a small nation with a limited pool of players to call on, and are likely to stay like that. I think anything we can do to maximise that pool in future has to be a good thing.

[shakermaker1982]

IN: Foley, McCarthy, Ward, Andy Reid, Coleman

OUT: Kilbane, Miller, McShane.

[carloz]

IN: Foley, McCarthy, Ward, Andy Reid, Coleman

OUT: Kilbane, Miller, McShane.

Miller will 100% be in the squad. He was in our squads when he had no club, so he is obviously going to be in our squad when he is playing consistently well in the SPL

[Junior]

Find it hard to disagree with much of your analysis of the kid at the minute. He isn't the strongest, or at least wasn't back when he got a run of games under Strachan. But that will come with age. I'm sure Big Quinner looked like Bambi on ice when he was a spotty faced 19 year old at Arsenal.

But the reason I would call up the likes of Sheridan and perhaps the likes of Darren Randolph/Shane Redmond (we will need a new keeper before this decade is over) is that being about that squad for a friendly can aid their development in my opinion.

Back in June the north called up a host of youngsters for their friendly in Italy, and since then Niall McGinn has burst onto the scene as a senior player at Celtic, Shane Duffy has made his debut at Everton, and Little has scored his first goal at Rangers.

Now I'm not suggesting for a second that they made the breakthrough because of that game, but it certainly didn't do them any harm. Nor am I suggesting we should call up anything like as many youngsters as the north did for that game, or that they should be anywhere near the first team, but it can't harm their development to see how experienced pro's like Keane and Kilbane prepare for a game against probably the best side in the world.

We are a small nation with a limited pool of players to call on, and are likely to stay like that. I think anything we can do to maximise that pool in future has to be a good thing.

I know the point you are making. Much like England bringing Theo Walcott to Germany in 2006, obviously involving players in squads helps to mature and develop them. Its just how big do these squads become and we have plenty of players that are already falling in to that category in my opinion.

Interestingly Mehmet scored the winner for St Mirren in the LC Semi-Final and they are now in the final for the first time in 20 odd years I think. Sherdian was live on TV last night (BBC Scotland) In St Johnstones Semi-final with Rangers. I didnt get to see the game but he played for 67 minutes, though they were beaten 2-0.

[Deckydee]

Squad will be announced on February 22nd.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...263811700.html

If Trapattoni does decide to bring new blood into the group, he may make a start with the process on February 22nd when he is scheduled to name his squad for the friendly game against Brazil at the Emirates on March 2nd.

[drummerboy]

Somebody mentioned Randolf and Redmond. Surely Murphy who has gone to Ipswich is a far superior goalkeeper than these two.

[tetsujin1979]

at least, I don't expect it until around the 20th February

close enough, according to today's Independent, the squad will be announced on the 22th February

[tetsujin1979]

Somebody mentioned Randolf and Redmond. Surely Murphy who has gone to Ipswich is a far superior goalkeeper than these two.

Isn't Murphy injured?

[Jacky08]

Miller will 100% be in the squad. He was in our squads when he had no club, so he is obviously going to be in our squad when he is playing consistently well in the SPL

Both Miller and Stokes are playing with great confidence at the moment as well

[Yard of Pace]

After watching Stoke v Arsenal recently, I have to admit that I'd love to see Rory Delap involved at some point in the next campaign. If any of our opponents have a keeper who's not fond of crosses (and there's usually at least one), or a dodgy centre-back pairing...

[Nagger]

Dunga announced his squad to play Ireland in London

Goal Julio César (Internazionale), Doni (AS Roma)
Defence: Maicon (Internazionale), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Juan (AS Roma), Lúcio (Internazionale), Luisão (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan)
midfield: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Josué (VfL Wolfsburg), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Kaká (Real Madrid), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Julio Baptista (AS Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon)
Attack: Robinho (Santos), Adriano (Flamengo), Nilmar (Villarreal) en Luis Fabiano (Sevilla

No Ronaldinho...he's been playing verry well last few games for Milan

[twoenz]

This is the last squad before the World Cup, and they're only picking 2 keepers? If they're going to name a top squad then there's not much point in us sticking Cillian Sheridan and Billy Memhet up front.

[Supreme feet]

I think the return of the two Reids is essential. Trap has had a tendency to pick four central midfielders, five wide players and five strikers, and in that context Steven Reid would have to replace Miller, with Andy Reid coming in for the injured Keogh, who was (inexplicably) included as a wide player in previous squads. I'd be very disappointed if Miller was to keep his place, but not entirely surprised given his form.

Of the defenders, dropping Nolan and bringing in Ward should be a no-brainer for the left-back position, I've been surprised at Tardelli mentioning Greg Cunningham - one appearance for Man City in the FA Cup is hardly good grounding for international level, and the U-21s would be more appropriate for him. I'd like to see Coleman included, but Trap might take the view that in McShane and Kelly, he has two right-backs in the squad already to cover O'Shea. Wilson may come in, as we are bereft of good, young, back-up centre-halves. Up front, beyond Keane, Doyle and Best, it's much of a muchness. Long, Stokes, Folan, Murphy and Noel Hunt will be fighting it out for two places. Not too bothered about it, as we rarely need more than three-four strikers in a campaign anyway, and if Andy Reid comes in, Trap could switch to 4-5-1 if Keane gets injured. Talk of Sheridan, Mehmet, Daly, etc is fairly pointless unless there's an outbreak of the Ebola virus during our summer training camp.

If it's a small squad, it'll be the same old, I'm afraid. I wouldn't be holding my breath for too many uncapped players in a 23-man squad, but in an extended (30-31-man) squad, Coleman, Wilson, Ward, Foley, McCarthy and the Reids should all get in, and given the propensity for injuries at this time of year, some of them may get a chance.

[Junior]

Lads, there was no talk of Mehmet or Daly being anywhere near the squad. There was one post which brought Sheridan in to the equation but I think most were in agreement that was a no brainer also.

Keep it in context.

[Manblue]

To be honest i dont wanna see anyone that is not near starting in September in the squad, there is no point in bringing in players who arent ready for the sake of it, most of the players are young so if good enough when they come of age then they should be drafted in but not now, we shouldnt bring anyone who we have no intention of playing in a qualifier, as the preparation starts now. There have been plenty of irish lads play a couple of prem/champ/first divison games who disappeared never to be heard of again, this will probably happen to a few of the players listed in this thread so why not wait til there further proven then just taking a punt on them.

[backstothewall]

I know the point you are making. Much like England bringing Theo Walcott to Germany in 2006, obviously involving players in squads helps to mature and develop them. Its just how big do these squads become and we have plenty of players that are already falling in to that category in my opinion.

Interestingly Mehmet scored the winner for St Mirren in the LC Semi-Final and they are now in the final for the first time in 20 odd years I think. Sherdian was live on TV last night (BBC Scotland) In St Johnstones Semi-final with Rangers. I didnt get to see the game but he played for 67 minutes, though they were beaten 2-0.

I know what you mean about how big does the squad get, and if we were playing Poland, Sweden or Serbia, where I would focus on looking at a couple of the likes of O'Dea or Foley I would go along with you. But in this game i can't see what there is to learn about Stephen Ward up against Kaka, I think we all know whats likely to happen. Far better playing Kilbane and not knocking the confidence of our fringe players. (just to avoid confusion, I wouldn't say Sheridan is a fringe player, he's not even fringe yet)

So if you will accept that there is a good possibility it will prove counter productive trying to throw someone in we are looking at for the next campaign, what can we take from this game?

All it has going for it is cash for the FAI, and the obvious glamour. I see no harm in giving the likes of Sheridan a glimpse of that glamour. Give them a taste of training in an international squad, with press everywhere and one of the best teams in the world coming to town. As I've said before, let him no where near the pitch, but why not let a few look inside the golden circle.

[Colbert Report]

With O'Shea out, who are the candidates to play right back for us? McShane clearly doesn't cut the mustard.

[TrapAPony]

Steve Finnan, Kevin Foley, Seamus Coleman, Stephen Kelly...

[Junior]

So if you will accept that there is a good possibility it will prove counter productive trying to throw someone in we are looking at for the next campaign, what can we take from this game?

All it has going for it is cash for the FAI, and the obvious glamour. I see no harm in giving the likes of Sheridan a glimpse of that glamour. Give them a taste of training in an international squad, with press everywhere and one of the best teams in the world coming to town. As I've said before, let him no where near the pitch, but why not let a few look inside the golden circle.

I take your point but we will be looking at the likes of Ward for the forthcoming campaign which starts in September. If you dont want to subject them to Kaka and co, I presume you wouldnt want do so against Messi and Co. also? Which would leave us with maybe 1 or 2 friendlies around June time. We dont have that many opportunites to blood these guys so I say just throw them in a see how they react.

Foley played against Nigeria at Craven Cottage, certainly no glamour tie and after all the good stuff I had heard about him I was very disappointed. Perhaps he would have had a blinder against Kaka