How has he not found a club? Must have the worst agent ever.
I forgot to let ye know. I got a job writing for the Independent.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30526054.html
"Robbie Keane is still Ireland’s best finisher and will get goals, particularly against the so-called weaker countries. While I would start Shane Long against the stronger nations, Keane gets the nod for the Georgia game."
Strange, I could have sworn you were Roy Curtis!Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks
I forgot to let ye know. I got a job writing for the Independent.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30526054.html
"Robbie Keane is still Ireland’s best finisher and will get goals, particularly against the so-called weaker countries. While I would start Shane Long against the stronger nations, Keane gets the nod for the Georgia game."
Still, it's not an unreasonable opinion to suggest that - if we're playing with one striker - Long would be a better option in games against technically superior opponents, where we're trying to press high up the pitch and harry the opposition's defence. Also not unreasonable to say that Keane would be more suitable up top in games where we're expected to have the majority of possession and create chances.
If Long were up front on his own, we'd need to ensure that one of the criterion for picking the midfield 5 would be that they can score a goal. Looking at the squad, the goalscoring midfielders are McGeady 3, Whelan 2, Reid 4, Walters 5, McClean 1, Brady 1, Hoolahan 1 and Gibson 1. A midfield 5 of Whelan, McCarthy, Hoolahan, McGeady and Walters would be quite likely. They have 11 goals between them from 190 games (fag packet maths, not considering games any of the 5 have played together).
They've made it pretty clear they can't afford him and have to get rid of himDoyle doesn't even a squad number
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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New blog if anyone's interested - http://loihistory.wordpress.com/
LOI section on balls.ie - http://balls.ie/league-of-ireland/
If we were picking the midfield based solely on goalscoring ability (i.e. finishing, set-piece threat, long-range shooting, making runs into the box), Reid and Gibson would get in ahead of McCarthy, and both Brady and Pilkington would start ahead of McGeady. It's a pity that two of our technically better midfielders don't score more often.
Things must be bad for Kevin Doyle, there's not even Doyle to Celtic rumour floating about.
So much for new recruits
"We lost because we didn't win"- Ronaldo
If Everton ever flies Malaysia Air we are screwed.
Or 'Ull...
Big squad, but no major surprises.
No word on Naughton or Kane then?
Multiple factors can drive a dual national footballer's decision-making to varying degrees. Just because his career might be a significant consideration doesn't mean he cares nothing for his Irish identity other than it being a tool for him to cynically exploit to the benefit of his career.
No, or McGoldrick. Naughton and Kane are presumably still looking for an England call-up, and both have realistic chances.
Hmm, you missed a certain post a mere 14 hours earlier...
Though tbf, it didn't draw the usual banal comment.
It's a wet bank holiday Monday here in Jack Grealish Land.
Who'd be people's first XI from that lot? I'm struggling, but I'll have a go.
Westwood
Coleman O'Shea Delaney Wilson
McCarthy Hendrick
McGeady Hoolahan Reid
Keane
I only have high conviction over about 4 of those selections. In the others I was caught in several minds. I'm pretty sure O'Neill will stick with 442 and there'll only be one of Reid and Hoolahan (if any) while Keane and Long will start together.
Forde
O'Brien, O'Shea, Delaney, Wilson
McCarthy, Hendrick
Coleman, Hoolahan, McGeady
Long
Last edited by TheOneWhoKnocks; 25/08/2014 at 12:54 PM.
Forde
Coleman, O'Shea, Delaney, Wilson
McCarthy, Quinn
McGeady, Hoolahan, Brady
Keane
Had a good think about centre-half. Wilson showing well there this calendar year for Stoke and brings a touch more pace than O'Shea and Delaney do so could be deemed a good partner to either. But then there's the conundrum of which to leave out and who to play left-back (O'Shea probably doesn't have the legs anymore but was a decent left-back in his day).
Toss-up between Quinn and Hendrick for my preference. Just thinking about it there, Hendrick deserves a competitive start and Georgia is a good side to give it to him against. Quinn has showed well for Hull so far this season and is playing to prove a point. I think he deserves the opportunity to do likewise for Ireland too.
I've gone for Brady on the wing. Hasn't got the opportunities at Hull thus far this season but is raring to go and, like Hendrick, I think he'll be an integral player over the next 10 years. Still only 22. I'm really hoping this is his season. I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see McClean there either.
Hoolahan is my pick for number 10, just on the basis that MO'N likes him there. Reid is a very viable alternative in that spot and I'd rather him there than on the flank.
Keane up front ahead of Long. Critics say he scores his goals against weaker opposition. That's perfect then- he must be destined to score against Georgia.
I think O'Neill said something quite firm about denying the merit of Coleman as anything other than a full back, although I don't see it myself. I think he could easily be a right sided midfielder in TOWK's lineup.
Quite a lot of players could argue strongly for inclusion: Hendrick, Meyler, Quinn, Gibson when fit, Hoolahan, Whelan, Brady, Pilkington, McClean, Long versus Keane versus both. O'Neill says he is close to knowing his best XI. I hope he is because Im nowhere near knowing mine!
I hope O'Brien makes the trip and is fit to play for a change. I'd prefer to see him take Kelly's squad place.
There is a bit of healthy competition. Hopefully, some players can get their seasons up and running and we'll have even more competition for the following round of qualifiers. On the other hand, there'll be further casualties due to wear and tear but, as it stands, the likes of Brady, Gibson and McClean would all be in contention to start once they had competitive games/form behind them. They don't have either, at present.
My personal choice -
Westwood
Coleman - O'Shea - Wilson - O'Brien
Brady - McCarthy - Reid - McGeady
Hoolahan
Keane/Long (depending on the latter's form)
What I suspect O'Neill will pick -
Forde
Coleman - O'Shea - Wilson - Ward
McGeady - McCarthy - Whelan - McClean
Hoolahan
Keane
Lack of goals from midfield is a problem.
Gibson, Hendrick
Coleman, Reid, Brady/Pilkington
Long/Keane
If we are including players based on their goalscoring threat..
No player in my opinion encapsulates the malaise of the Ireland national team more than Glenn Whelan. I don't know what he brings to the team other than experience. Any player could fill in and do his job. For all the stereotypes about Hoolahan, he has shown more bite and energy when he has played in midfield.
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