Irish team v France

[Slash/ED]

I can't believe anybody would suggest we drop our top scorer ever. If his rubbish decision making has got him 21 goals for us so far than long may it continue. And not only do you drop him, you put Duff up front, even worse.

[eirebhoy]

If he does play 5 across midfield, then he has to play with two wide men, which will be Duff and Reid\Kilbane. If Reid doesn't cop on to himself at Forest, he won't be playing in Paris due to lack of match practice - he's fat enough as it is. John O'Shea and Kenny Cunningham are big liabilities at the back against the French as well. O'Shea is rubbish, while Cunningham is past it and has about as much pace as Matt Le Tissier. Carr is also not performing for Ireland, while Roy Keane needs to improve dramatically in the coming weeks. Then we have the problem of Duff and Morrison not playing enough games for their clubs. Seriously lads, France might be under-strength, but we're in big trouble as it stands.

My team would be the following, even though ideally I would drop O'Shea, Carr and Kilbane. I'd also drop Cunningham, but there's no cover. I reckon Henry\Cisse could destroy him on the night.

Given
Carr Cunningham O'Brien O'Shea
Finnan Kavanagh Keane Kilbane
Duff
Clinton Morrison

Morrison ahead of Robbie Keane cos he holds up the ball better and is a better option away from home. Robbie does too much messing on the ball, plus his decision making is the worst i've ever seen in a top flight striker.

Thats some slating you gave the players.

[Lionel Ritchie]

Thats some slating you gave the players.

It is isn't it!
Tell me is there anything you like about this team?
The only thing I fully agree with you on is that Reid is carrying too much weight for a professional athlete.

Kenny Cunningham -whatever his shortfalls in speed over five yards or reaction - did not get to being one of the most experienced and respected center halves in the premiership by being "a serious liability" to anyone.

John O'Shea -while running a serious risk of becoming a utility man at his club -doesn't get to pull on a ManUre shirt every week because he's a nice lad who does his best. That said, I do think he'll miss out to finnan at LB in paris.

Roy Keane is still on the comeback trail and -deeply, deeply flawed individual as I may believe him to be -I reckon his heart is in it, that he'll be right as rain for it and I'll go further and predict that he'll play a friggin' blinder in Paris ...I acknowledge that's not sticking my neck out hugely as he's "due" a big performance for us.

Carr is settling in nicely at a new club and fingers crossed he'll be at RB for the france game ...hopefully we might see him pop off one of those exocets like against the saints too

Robbie Keane -yes indeed Robbie "over elaborates"/ fannys around with the ball too much. That's a fact. But let's say a French defender makes a mistake and we take possesion 30-35 yards out -who do you want that ball to run to? Robbie? or Clinton? One answer and no disrespect to Clinton intended.

[eirebhoy]

There is a lot more to judging a centre half than his physical ability. Whatever about Cunningham's lack of pace, he certainly makes up for it through his organisational skills, leadership, etc. I rate Dunne up there with Kenny when it comes to heading, marking, tackling, etc. but I wouldn't take Cunningham out of the team for any Irish player that we have available. ATM, if O'Brien was out injured Kerr would probably go with Doc but if Cunningham was out I think Kerr would go with Breen (we are really lacking in cover for an organiser in defence, Breen is the best we've got after Kenny).

[stickyjoe]

how can anyone slate kenny? he has been superb for us in the last 5 or 6 years. and he was badly missed in basle last year. cunningham and o`brien are as solid a pairing as there is around.

admittedly robbie can take too much out of the ball and argues/moans with the ref far too much, but he is our top scorer and certainly a player i`d never even think of leaving out of the side. still the top man by far for me

[4tothefloor]

When I said "serious liability", I was talking specifically against the French. If the French are on song they'll leave Cunningham for dead. As for Robbie Keane, it wouldn't matter if the ball fell to him from 35 yards out 'cos he'd mess it up anyway. Robbie is only effective when he doesn't have time to think about what he's going to do. Give him time though, and he'll make a mess of it 9 times out of 10. I would pick Morrison purely on the basis that we're away from home and we need a striker who can hold up the ball because it will be backs to the wall stuff at times. I didn't pick Duff up front either, I'd have him playing in midfield with the freedom to play off of Morrison on the counter attack.

I stand by what I said about O'Shea and Carr - they simply don't perform for Ireland. When was the last time that any of these two stood out for Ireland? As for Roy Keane, I said he needed to improve, he even admitted that himself, and I expect him to.

Hardly a slating, there is truth in every point I made. Mark my words on Cunningham, he's going to struggle this season because he's too slow.

[Slash/ED]

As for Robbie Keane, it wouldn't matter if the ball fell to him from 35 yards out 'cos he'd mess it up anyway. Robbie is only effective when he doesn't have time to think about what he's going to do. Give him time though, and he'll make a mess of it 9 times out of 10.

I'm sorry, but that's complete and utter horse manure. He's our record scorer at the age of 24, he's scored well at club level despite playing for a poor Spurs side and not being an out and out goal scorer. How much time did he have to think about the goal in Holland? Or the penalty(s) against Spain? To leave one of the finest strikers in the history of this country out of the side is complete madness. It's just typical of the fickle nature of support, he's had a poor couple of games for Ireland now it's fashnoble to call him rubbish. He'll score away to France and people will wonder how he's not world player of the year. Same thing happend to Staunton, Duff, Finnan and many others besides.

I didn't pick Duff up front either, I'd have him playing in midfield with the freedom to play off of Morrison on the counter attack

same difference, he'll still be as ineffective as he always is in the middle or when given floating roles or whatever. He's a left winger, end of story.

[eirebhoy]

Robbie was king after the World cup but he seems to be every fans target these days. A player that will go down the same road is Milan Baros, his playing style is the mirror of Robbie's and he'll try to live up to his Euro reputation and be too selfish.

[4tothefloor]

I'm sorry, but that's complete and utter horse manure.

Well i'm sorry if my opinion upsets you, but I don't give a balls about reputations or records etc. I'm only interested in picking a team purely on current form, and at the moment Robbie Keane is not up to scratch. I have nothing against Keane, or any Irish player for that matter, but consistant bad performances from a player merits that player being dropped, and that includes Robbie Keane. It might be the kick up the arse that he needs because he's scoring record isn't all that hot of late in competitive games. I have my reasons for picking Morrison, as I outlined above. But Robbie will probably play, and if he does i'll support him 100%, and if he plays a stormer, it'll be about bloody time!

I think too many fans are viewing this team with rose tinted glasses. We are actually not all that great, and this was proved out in Basle. It is even more worrying when our so called better players are out of form, or not performing. That's all I was saying. Out of all the players that I "slated", only one or two acquitted themselves well in our last two games, so i'm under no illusions that we face a very difficult task against a wounded animal in Paris. Some people on here though would nearly tell you that we're going to win the world cup.......

He'll score away to France and people will wonder how he's not world player of the year.

I won't be one of those people. I like to judge a player on current form and current form alone. The fickle supporters will have him go from zero to hero though

[Condex]

I'm only interested in picking a team purely on current form, and at the moment Robbie Keane is not up to scratch.

Totally agree hes playing absolute crap for Ireland, losing the ball, falling down a lot moaning at the ref.

Can't remeber the last competetive game he played well in, definetly should be dropped only problem being we have no alternatives.

[Superhoops]

only problem being we have no alternatives.

Wot about Stephen Elliott?

[Slash/ED]

I'm only interested in picking a team purely on current form, and at the moment Robbie Keane is not up to scratch.

He's not been match fit ffs, of course he's not going to perform well. You can't judge someone in 'current form' when those two games he's played in game before he'd played a full 90 minutes all season. Before these two games his last game for Ireland was Holland away, unless I'm mistaken? Yeah, I think he did fairly alright in that game. He's far and away our best striker, he's out best goal scorer which is amazing considering his game is about so much more than scoring goals. His goals record at Spurs, despite that, is amazing too. In his first season with them he only scored three less goals than Van Nistelrooy if you don't take penaltys into account. Afaik, he's been their player of the year both years he's played for them. You don't drop a player like that for two bad games because he wasn't match fit, not unless you have a top replacement, and we quite clearly do not. Him and Morrison have consistently scored goals together for us and need to be kept together.

[eirebhoy]

He's not been match fit ffs, of course he's not going to perform well. You can't judge someone in 'current form' when those two games he's played in game before he'd played a full 90 minutes all season. Before these two games his last game for Ireland was Holland away, unless I'm mistaken? Yeah, I think he did fairly alright in that game. He's far and away our best striker, he's out best goal scorer which is amazing considering his game is about so much more than scoring goals. His goals record at Spurs, despite that, is amazing too. In his first season with them he only scored three less goals than Van Nistelrooy if you don't take penaltys into account. Afaik, he's been their player of the year both years he's played for them. You don't drop a player like that for two bad games because he wasn't match fit, not unless you have a top replacement, and we quite clearly do not. Him and Morrison have consistently scored goals together for us and need to be kept together.

Great post. I like a man who backs up his post with facts (I never stop doing it ).

[wallis]

People, people , people !

This is not about 'how good our team is' or whether we are world beaters. We play two matches next month. Three points from the Faroes is a must. Anything from the French game is a bonus.

Tell me another time in the last eight years when you would have seriously thought that Ireland could get a result in Paris against the former World and European champions !?!?

Its not whether Robbie is on form , RK has an attitude problem , Duff isnt playing enough at Chelsea etc etc. Its about us having a chance to not only draw with France but maybe , just maybe beat them. Who is in more disarray at the moment us or them ?? Who has come off the back of a 0-0 with Israel ? a 1-1 with Bosnia ?? Which team has their players retiring left right and centre ? Which one has their main midfielder banned for the match ?? Who is the pressure on ?? Did you know that their win against Faroes was their first win in 4 ??

Think back to the Portugal and Holland games . Think to the World Cup and how it was all over before a ball was kicked. All the same old rubbish was spewed out before those games. This is our best chance. 6 points out of 6 and we are odds on to be in Germany and its very very possible !

While you are mulling over how 'average' we might be, take in some of these quotes from the French manager , you know , the guy in charge of them ! Have a quick glance at their team sheet from the Faroe game and honestly say you recognise all of the names.

Deep Breaths everyone and prepare for another great Irish night !!

"There is a lot of hard work ahead of us, that's a certainty.The whole team must be more aware of that, they must show more determination."

"The Republic of Ireland will also be a huge battle for us but they have better technical qualities than the Faroe Islands," Domenech said.We'd better prepare well and try to improve our game."

France : Coupet (?) , Evra (?) , Gallas, Giuly (?), Givet (?), Squillaci (?), Pedretti,(?) Pires, Vieira, Henry (Dhorasoo 64 ?), Saha (Cisse 9).

Subs Not Used: Rothen, Landreau, Boumsong, Luyindula.

[4tothefloor]

Before these two games his last game for Ireland was Holland away, unless I'm mistaken? Yeah, I think he did fairly alright in that game. He's far and away our best striker.....

Ya, granted he played well there, but that's another friendly game your pointing to. Even Barrett had a stormer in that game. Robbie Keane has not impressed me in a competitive game in a long time. I include the entire Euro 2004 campaign in that. He has not delivered for us in the big games in a while now, actually since the World Cup if we are honest. So chew on that FACT.

He is far and away our best striker, of that there is no doubt, but only when he is on form. When he's not on form, he's as effective as Connolly. It's very bad for both him and us that even though he plays crap, he still makes the team. Sometimes you just need to drop a player, because a Robbie Keane with a point to prove would be better than the lethargic, moaning Robbie Keane that we have at the moment. Clinton Morrison has had a point to prove of late, due to unfair criticism from media and fans, and fair play to him, he has delivered. He is the form striker at the moment in my eyes, and that's why I would pick him. It might just wake Robbie Keane up as well

[eirebhoy]

Have a quick glance at their team sheet from the Faroe game and honestly say you recognise all of the names.

France : Coupet (?) , Evra (?) , Gallas, Giuly (?), Givet (?), Squillaci (?), Pedretti,(?) Pires, Vieira, Henry (Dhorasoo 64 ?), Saha (Cisse 9).

Subs Not Used: Rothen, Landreau, Boumsong, Luyindula.

Wallis, no offence but why in the name of god to you have question marks beside Coupet, Evra, Pedretti, Givet and Giuly? They are all well known players (I could forgive you if you didn't know Givet as you probably didn't see any of Monaco's CL matches last season ) and with the possible exception of Coupet they would walk into our team. I know Dhorasoo because I support Celtic and Lyon were in our CL group but I don't think he's well known (he's with Milan now though). I have to admit never hearing of Squillaci but he's the only player. The 3 players I'm shocked you have question marks beside though are Coupet, Evra and one of the best player in the world IMO, Giuly.

That is an excellent team mate.

[Bowsy]

[QUOTE=eirebhoy] I have to admit never hearing of Squillaci but he's the only player. QUOTE]

Squillaci is also a Monaco regular.

[Bowsy]

Ya, granted he played well there, but that's another friendly game your pointing to. Even Barrett had a stormer in that game. Robbie Keane has not impressed me in a competitive game in a long time. I include the entire Euro 2004 campaign in that. He has not delivered for us in the big games in a while now, actually since the World Cup if we are honest. So chew on that FACT.

He is far and away our best striker, of that there is no doubt, but only when he is on form. When he's not on form, he's as effective as Connolly. It's very bad for both him and us that even though he plays crap, he still makes the team. Sometimes you just need to drop a player, because a Robbie Keane with a point to prove would be better than the lethargic, moaning Robbie Keane that we have at the moment. Clinton Morrison has had a point to prove of late, due to unfair criticism from media and fans, and fair play to him, he has delivered. He is the form striker at the moment in my eyes, and that's why I would pick him. It might just wake Robbie Keane up as well

I'm sorry but this is a nonsense. We have one striker capable of pulling something special out of the bag whether he's playing well or not and we leave him on the bench?
I would agree if we were like England and had Defoe, Smith, etc to bring in but Macken, Connolly or the Doc?
During our last qualifying campaign Robbie had a lot going on in his life with his dad dying and all. IMO Robbie rarely gives a bad performance in green when he's fully fit and his goal tally proves that.

[eirebhoy]

Squillaci is also a Monaco regular.

I know now after looking him up but Givet is twice as famous as Squillaci and Squillaci only made the bench for the CL final. There are plenty of last years Monaco players I couldn't name TBH but Evra, Givet and Giuly are well-known.

[Bowsy]

I know now after looking him up but Givet is twice as famous as Squillaci and Squillaci only made the bench for the CL final. There are plenty of last years Monaco players I couldn't name TBH but Evra, Givet and Giuly are well-known.

Wasn't getting at you EB.

Agree about Giuly being top drawer. Was fantastic last season with Monaco and looks like more of the same with Barcelona this year. probably would be in the team on merit even without the retirements.

They also have my favourite player of last year Rothen on the bench.