Irl Vs Swiss -Ambition undermined by crushing fear of defeat

[Peadar]

so unsurprisingly,he's not the player he was,FFS!

I don't think anyone, including Roy himself, would argue with that but we don't have a better player in the squad for that position. He's as important to Ireland now as he ever was. If some of the younger lads can learn a thing or two from playing alongside him then his return will have been more than worth it. The fact that Man Yoo have failed to replace him is testimony to his ability, even now. He's still better than Gerrard even with his reduced ability.

[Adrianovic]

Christ that is some debate alright. Obviously the NFFC fans don't realise how lucky to still have Reidy. He was supposed to be allowed to leave during the Summer when he agreed to stay last Jan.

Cannot agree with anything you've said there. I'm confident I'm right in saying you haven't seen Reid in a Forest shirt this year, he hasn't been the quality you see in an Irish shirt. Maybe the Forest fans are a little harsh, but he is not above criticism.

Reid was allowed to leave when we got a £5m bid, what we saw as reasonable as that's what we got from Spurs in January. Forest aren't going to just let him go on a free, and why should we?

Ade

[Superhoops]

I'd be interested to know who Superhoops would have played in the number 6 position on Wednesday night, seeing as we were "accomodating" Keane against Switzerland.[/QUOTE]

Davros, who was also at the game last Wednesday, has it right - Kavanagh's the man, has done nothing wrong when he has played. Not the greatest talent ever but at least you know what you are going to get, unlike with RMK.

[John83]

But for the last 11 years or so he has been a defensive midfielder at Man Utd. Did you know that Edwin van der Sar was a striker when he was 17?

No, but I've heard O'Shea first signed terms for Man Utd as a right winger!

[thejollyrodger]

this thread isnt about roy keane FFS. Its about how ireland have gone to the dogs pish whether he is or isnt playing. I'm all for getting behind the team, but when they go out and play like that how could you appluade them??



Qualify 1990 WC
Qualify 1994 WC
Missed 1998 WC
Qualify 2002 WC
looks like going to miss 2006

[PaulB]

this thread isnt about roy keane FFS. Its about how ireland have gone to the dogs pish whether he is or isnt playing. I'm all for getting behind the team, but when they go out and play like that how could you appluade them??



Qualify 1990 WC
Qualify 1994 WC
Missed 1998 WC
Qualify 2002 WC
looks like going to miss 2006

Take a reality break FFS, we just got an away draw against one of the top 3 teams in the group, wasn't a great performance, but a points a point. How can you say we're going to miss 2006 after 2 games is beyond me. Just support the f***** team for FFS.

[thejollyrodger]

Im not going to start about the implications if Israel go to Switzerland and get a win or drawn or we dont get a point in Paris. Of course I support the team, but they need to come up with the good in paris

[wallis]

Whats going on here ??

4 points from two games . One tough one down and one to go. Our opponents (France ) are the ones in disarray not us ! We were the side playing in Green the other night. You know , the ones who took the lead ? the ones with the dubious offsides ? point blank header ? the team who only allowed one long range shot all second half ?? Whats the problem ? Did we get beat by the Faroes on the weekend and I missed it ? ? ? ? ?

RoyK - if he is fit he plays - end of story. Attitude ? ability ? - its not up for question. If he wants it badly enough we will see it in October when he puts Pires 6 feet in the air after kick off . When he is yelling at the defence and getting our house in order .When we are lining up in Paris I dare anyone to look at the starting XI and turn to your fellow supporter in the seat next you (or failing that , grab the poor human being near you in the pub ) and say:

' do you know what , we would have a much better chance without Keane in the centre midfield marshalling the troops against Henry , Pires , (keep adding top class international names from the starting line up until they get your gist) - What we really need is (select one of the following)

"a good championship player with zero experience like Kavanagh "
"a man whose selection is always questionable but hell why not play him out of position as well, he'll be alright (KK- dont laugh , we just did exactly that in Basle - and we STILL didnt lose) "

If your fellow supporter hasnt already begun administering the neccessary slaps you deserve then count yourself lucky !

No criticism intended towards GK or KK but come on , wake up and smell the Java !

ITs Holland + Keane - more than a match for the French contingent !. The french will be praying Keane doesnt make it. Perhaps we should drop him , then if we win the toss we can race downfield and score while les bleus are still rolling around on the floor laughing !!

When Israel draw at Switzerland (and dont say it wont happen or you will upset all our French readers !) we could be starting to record those Sprachen Sie Deutsch ? learning programmes at 3am on BBC2 !

JollyRodger - 'looks like we are going to miss WC 2006' ?? What the eff ?'

Paul B you sound like the man who could help Wallis cure these sick people - Get them prepped for brain surgery ! I want 300cc's of optimism in every one of them STAT !!

[eirebhoy]

"a good championship player with zero experience like Kavanagh "...
ITs Holland + Keane - more than a match for the French contingent !

With an Ireland shirt on I don't think you could even class Holland as a good championship player. I actually don't think you could class him at all as you'd be doing well to find him.

It has to be Kav-Keane for me anyway.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

With an Ireland shirt on I don't think you could even class Holland as a good championship player. I actually don't think you could class him at all as you'd be doing well to find him.

It has to be Kav-Keane for me anyway.

I agree with Wallis. Holland has to start alongside Keane. We need experience. Holland plays in the centre of midfield for a good Premiership club. That is too much to ignore. Keane and Holland have played together in the past and are more than a match for a new untested French midfield. We should play Finnan on the right side. He's playing there at the moment for Liverpool and doing well. He will give us defensive solidity required away from home and has a good understanding with Carr. Duffer to start on the left with Reid as an impact sub.

Team for Paris:
1 Given

2 Carr 4 O'Brien 5 Cunningham 3 O'Shea

7 Finnan 6 Keane 8 Holland 11 Duff

9 Morrison 10 Keane

The only inexperienced players in the team are O'Brien and O'Shea. Both have CL experience however.
Thnigs are not as bad as they seem.

[thejollyrodger]

When Israel draw at Switzerland (and dont say it wont happen or you will upset all our French readers !

If israel get a draw and we dont then that puts them ahead of us remember. They have already went to Paris and got one of the best results in the group so far !! If we get a draw or even loose its 3rd or maybe 4th for us.

i wouldnt start Reid either (bar injuries) he isnt up to it unless we are winnig 3-0 , i would give him 20 minutes at the end.

JollyRodger - 'looks like we are going to miss WC 2006' ?? What the eff ?'

I dont usually agree with Liam Brady but I have to agree with him on this. There isnt much in the side in basel that would suggest we can win the play off's or even win the group.

[Superhoops]

Team for Paris:

Andy Reid has earned his chance and should play.
Two options:
1) Finnan to LB. O'Shea has not played well enough for us recently or for MU. 2) Stephen Carr is also dodgy these days. Finnan to RB and Kilbane to LB.