Holland out of French clash!

[Bowsy]

Admittedly Holland has produced little for Ireland in recent times but how can people think it's a good thing that he's injured with a pool of players as shallow as ours. Personally I think Holland and Keane would complement each other. Holland's partners in recent times have been Healy, Kilbane, Kinsella and Kavanagh. Whatever you say a combination of any of those 2 is a very average International midfield. Holland at club level is a better central midfielder than anyone else in our squad bar RMK and playing with RMK will really help him I feel. Whether he would play or not, not having in the squad is a real blow.

[eirebhoy]

It doesn't bode well for Holland if he needs to be partnered with someone decent for him to play anywhere near half decent. He has probably been partnered with Keane 4 or 5 times in a competitive match [Andorra (a), Holland (h), Cyprus (h), Iran (h)] and you'd be doing well to even remember him in any of those games other than Andorra (a) when he scored.

BTW - Holland has never partnered Kav. Kavanagh's 2 starts under Kerr (he had 3 but 1 only lasted 11mins) have been with Kilbane.

Davros agree's with a post that mentions RMK in good light.

[Bowsy]

Holland has never partnered Kav. Kavanagh's 2 starts under Kerr (he had 3 but 1 only lasted 11mins) have been with Kilbane.

You're right there. I was thinking of Brazil but Holland played on the right if i remember.

I know where you're coming from Eirebhoy but I just don't agree Holland is that horrible a player that we don't need him even in the squad. Kav could be an option but he's yet to show me anything (admittedly he ahsn't had much chance) against decent international oppositon to suggest he should completely oust Holland.

[Slash/ED]

Kavanagh performed better against Cyprus and in the bit he played against the Swiss than Holland has for us in a long time. Lacking talent is one thing, and Holland does not lack the talent to play at this level, but his spineless invisible performences when we needed him were an absolute disgrace.

[eirebhoy]

I know where you're coming from Eirebhoy but I just don't agree Holland is that horrible a player that we don't need him even in the squad.

Its not that I don't want him in the squad. Against the Swiss I wanted Kavanagh to partner Keane, Kerr chose Kilbane and it failed. I'm just afraid Kerr would chose Holland over Kav against the French when he hasn't impressed in ages. You may say its a big risk playing Kav against the French but I honestly think its even a bigger risk playing Holland as (from his performances over the last 2 years) he's more likely to play bad than he is to play well. Kav has played well in every game for Ireland so far and would never be intimidated by playing away from home.

I don't think its much of a risk as to the quality of opposition he faces. He played full premiership games against the likes of Arsenal, Leeds, Villa (Houghton et al) at the age of 20.

[thejollyrodger]

I thought kavanagh played far better against the swiss even with the injury he picked up that holland every did. He was like one of the old type players for ireland (eg euro 88, italia 90). Lots of mental toughness, presence on the field, if not the best with skill. He was giving plenty of sh1te to those scummy swiss players on the sideline and on the field.

Holland on the other hand looks like a big girls blouse, a girl almost. Running away from any tackle on the pitch.