Gibraltar (H) - Sat, 11th Oct. / Germany (A) - Tues, 14th Oct.

[Stuttgart88]

I think its funny how Hoolahan is criticised for giving the ball away whereas a collective failing of the whole team is giving the ball away a lot, and probably more so when he is not involved. What I like about him is his availability to receive balls. Without that we get our full backs playing 40 yard chips up the line and everyone else struggling to see a pass anywhere.

The standard argument - not made here yet - against Hoolahan is that old straw man "all of a sudden he's Lionel Messi, is he?". I want to make it clear that I don't think he's some supreme talent but I do think we are a better team when he plays because he's good at what he does.

Fear of giving the ball away is straight out of the Charlton and Trap manuals. No wonder our national style of play is repressed and riddled with neurosis.

Less than a year ago the Gillette Soccer Saturday guys to a man agreed that Hoolahan should start for Norwich and they specifically queried the notion that he's a luxury player. Given how badly Norwich did last season and given how infrequently he played, I'd bet anything Norwich fans wish he started more.

[Kingdom]

He's had two sub appearances for Derby and an U21 game. He wasn't out for very long so he's surely a starting possibility at least. Why do you think he would be better in a midfield two?

I'll try and not sound like I'm making it up. What I mean is a traditional Irish 2-man midfield, or traditional 4 man midfield such as the Keane-Kinsella axis, or Townsend-Keane, it sounds like he has what would be required. In a Trap 2-man midfield I don't think it would suit his discussed skillset.

In a three man midfield with 1 sitting and 2 attackers, he might just be edged out. In a 3-man with 1 sitting, 1 scavenging/marauding and 1 playmaker, then he probably would fit like a glove. The issue there is whether any of those possibilities are to be employed by the management, and if so, fitting them with the right personnel.

A few examples:

(2 sitting/1 offensive) ------ (1 sitting/1 roving/1 offensive) --- (3 sitting, with 1 slightly more withdrawn)
----JMcC -- DG ---- or ---- JMcC ---- or --- DG -- JMcC -- JH/SQ ---
-------------------- ---- JH ----
--------Wes-------- ----Wes---

or

(base of 2 sitting and 1 more traditional central midfielding playmaker)

--- JMcC -- DM---or----JMcC --- JH ---
------ DG --------------- DG ----

I think the traditional 442 is redundant, so I won't waste anyone's time with that. The thing about the above formations, is they require good attacking fullbacks. We have 1 in Coleman, and I think we could have another in McClean. It also means that you can be liberal with the interpretation of your wide forwards. They can be more central, where I think McGeady could be most effective, and would allow McGeady, Hoolahan, and potentially Grealish in the same team.
Obviously, that is ignoring Whelan, Quinn (largely) and Meyler (almost totally). I think Wes' time may have come and gone tbh, and I feel sorry for him for that.

I'll finish with (all things being equal) what I think could be our best team (excluding centre-backs) for Euro 2016 were we to reach there. I take a huge liberty in Grealish, but I think the boy is going to become a superstar, I really do. Naturally if someone such as Harry Kane declared, it would be a huge fillup, or if Joe Mason pushes on a bit. I also think it would be really prudent to look at Lukas Jutkiewicz, I think he's the kind of workhorse up front we could do with from time to time, even moreso if the Kane angle doesn't bear fruit.<sorry real tangent there!>


--------------------Westwood------------------

----------------CB1 --------- CB2---------------

--Coleman-----------------------------McClean--

--------------------McCarthy--------------------

------------Gibson ------------ Hendrick---------

-------------McGeady-------Grealish------------

----------------------Long---------------------

[DeLorean]

In a three man midfield with 1 sitting and 2 attackers, he might just be edged out. In a 3-man with 1 sitting, 1 scavenging/marauding and 1 playmaker, then he probably would fit like a glove.

I suppose the latter would be similar enough to the formation against Italy, with Meyler and Hendrick taking turns of sitting & scavenging/marauding and Hoolahan playmaking. The former is the role he plays very well for Derby. I wouldn't have an issue with him starting in either of those roles, but would worry slightly if he was in the more traditional two man midfield of a 4-4-2, but then I worry regardless of who's selected in that system.

[TrapAPony]

Cyrus Christie, the right back of Derby on the verge of a call up according to Sky Sports

[DannyInvincible]

Cyrus Christie, the right back of Derby on the verge of a call up according to Sky Sports

Pete O'Rourke of Sky Sports is making the claim: https://twitter.com/SkySportsPeteO/s...61080010129408

Derby County's Cyrus Christie set for a call-up to Republic of Ireland squad. #dcfc #ROI

That's kind of come out of leftfield. I've never even heard of the guy before, although he did provide an assist for Jeff Hendrick on his Derby debut against Rotherham. Derby won the game 1-0. How does he qualify? Is he even eligible for us in Football Manager?

[DannyInvincible]

Christie won Coventry City's 'Young Player of the Year' award two years on the trot; for 2011-12 and 2012-13: http://www.coventrycity-mad.co.uk/ne...23/index.shtml

Brief write-up on him here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...er-League.html

It’s thought Derby picked up him for a fee of around £100,000 after he ran his contract down – it’s a real bargain and I find it hard to believe no Premier League club took him. Makes you wonder how hard their scouts work.

On his debut on the opening day of the season he provided the cross for the Rams’ winner against Rotherham, and four of the five Derby goals against Fulham on Saturday were started on the right.

His attacking qualities are matched by his defensive ability. This kid is only 21 and on the evidence so far, he has got a massive future. At his current rate of progress he will be in the Premier League next season, either with Derby or somewhere else.

[gastric]

Was a bit if a talent at Coventry, and from memory, has represented England at underage level. While not probably ready yet for the senior side, I think he is one for the near future.

Edit: In fact he didn't represent England underage! Also a tall player at 6' 2, might yet develop into a very mobile CB.

[Olé Olé]

A very, very new one on me also. I will note he's form Coventry so it's conceivable that he has an Irish grandparent on this basis, for sure.

It's interesting to note that Brian Lenihan was called in ahead of Christie so O'Neill isn't willing to let this type of player jump the queue that quickly ahead of an under-age stalwart like Lenihan.

[Kingdom]

A very, very new one on me also. I will note he's form Coventry so it's conceivable that he has an Irish grandparent on this basis, for sure.

It's interesting to note that Brian Lenihan was called in ahead of Christie so O'Neill isn't willing to let this type of player jump the queue that quickly ahead of an under-age stalwart like Lenihan.

Isn't one of the facts that Lenihan hasn't actually played underage for Ireland?

[Stuttgart88]

Meanwhile Matt Doherty scratches his head in anguish.

[Olé Olé]

Isn't one of the facts that Lenihan hasn't actually played underage for Ireland?

http://www.thescore.ie/brian-lenihan...12935-Oct2014/

"“I’ve played with the U15s, U19s, U21s so I’m kind of used to an international setup.”

The Matt Doherty point from Stutts is true though!

[Kingdom]

Meanwhile Matt Doherty scratches his head in anguish.

He is injured currently, isn't he? He definitely should be seeing some action soon for us though.
I wish the FAI/MON would see the value in B games. We really have a huge number of players that we know little about outside the current squad, while a number of the current squad that are persisted with just will never be good enough.

Cheers for that link Olé Olé, I don't know much about the kid, I thought I'd read somewhere that he hadn't featured underage. My bad.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Agreed.
Except most club managers would go rancid at the prospect of 'B' internationals...

Yet ano. reason why MO'N could/should have used these two fixtures more like 'training games'.

[DeLorean]

My Derby buddy thinks Christie is class. He says that he and many other Derby fans rate him higher than Andre Wisdom, who was their right back (successful loan spell from Liverpool) last season. Not as good as Coleman, obviously, but great backup.

[Wangball]

Meanwhile Matt Doherty scratches his head in anguish.

I wouldn't feel too sorry for Matt, he knows what he has to do to make the step up to the senior squad.......move to Derby.

[DannyInvincible]

So has he actually been called up yet or what's happening? Has he definitely played under-age for England? There's no mention of it on his Wiki (often, the profile will indicate if a player has played under-age internationals; being a Championship player, it's not as if he's all that obscure so such info should be readily available) and I can't find mention of England call-ups elsewhere having checked Google and some stats sites.

Roy will like him though. He doesn't suffer fools gladly...

[the doc]

http://www.thescore.ie/brian-lenihan...12935-Oct2014/

"“I’ve played with the U15s, U19s, U21s so I’m kind of used to an international setup.”

The Matt Doherty point from Stutts is true though!

Good luck to the lad, someone who is truly honoured and thrilled to be in the senior Ireland squad.

Unlike the fake Paddys out there who only declare once England deem them not good enough.

Then again, the days of England being able to compete with the worlds elite are long gone, only a matter of time before they are picking loyd of players from outside the Premiership.

Read Barmy Brooking the FA gimp claiming that England could win the World Cup again with all the talent they have coming through.

He talks up the new elite St George's but this is just another Lilleshall and that too failed to deliver what was expected.

He also forgot to mention that only around 25% of the current Premiership squads contain English players.

Dream on!

[Kingdom]

One on of the links, it makes reference to another player being called up to this squad before Friday. Is it that Christie is this player, or are the two unrelated?

[ArdeeBhoy]

I wouldn't feel too sorry for Matt, he knows what he has to do to make the step up to the senior squad.......move to Derby.

Or Ull...

[paul_oshea]

If christie is being called up then surely he must have an irish passport? or if he doesnt make the day squad i assume he can still train.

Perhaps he could be moulded into a left back if he is that good.