team v Croatia

[Irish_Praha]

It could be a MF of:
Duff ----- Miller-----Kav------ Kilbane
I hope not though

[skbio_toronto]

I'm excited at the prospect of young Elliot's first run out in a senior international. He's a similar build to Robbie, but going on the admittedly limited visual evidence I've seen, he's a damn sight better at holding up the ball and linking the play. None of those useless step overs that Robbie (as we all know) uses far too much.

Kerr has also seen fit to give fiert choice reserve players such as Kenny, Dunne and Killer Kavanagh.

No complaints here. Kerr has chosen pretty much the same 11 I would have gone along with. As for Gary Breen begrudgers out there. Keeping in mind his general performance level for Ireland and the fact he's now 4th choice should be heeded.

SKBIO-TOR

[eirebhoy]

Kerr's going with the team I have up there. 3 in midfield with Duffer behind the front two. Should be interesting.

Kilbane is captain.

[iasc1]

Pretty poor game, thought Finnan, Miller and Duff played very well, Elliott did well on his debut. Thought Kavanagh had a poor game

[eirebhoy]

Thought Kavanagh had a poor game

Its pretty hard to be impressed with the holding midfielder in Kerr's team because he doesn't do much of note. We haven't been impressed with Holland or Keane in that role since Kerr took over. He did the job that was asked and that is all he can do. Also, you have to bare in mind that he never plays the holding midfield role for Cardiff.

[Slash/ED]

One thing is frustrating me about Kerr, why does he treat these friendlys like competitive games? Okay, he tried a new formation, but giving McGeady only around 2 minutes was stupid. It should be about blooding these players, now look what will happen come the next competitive match if McGeady is playing well at club level we wont be able to pick him as people will bemoan his 'lack of international experience'. Thought the formation, the way he laid it out, was odd too. Elliot on the right with Keane in the middle didn't make too much sense for me, Keane is the man who likes to drop deep and Elliot is an out and out goal scorer who at times was playing right back. It wasn't fair on Elliot imo, though he did well in spite of it, shouldn't have come off.

I also find it worrying how high up Quinn and Barrett are in the pecking order. Both have been rejects by poor first division sides and aren't exactly starring in the lower leagues as it is, they shouldn't be near the team and if we have a few injuries and have to rely on these, I wont be happy.

On the plus side mind you, Miller impressed me. Some superb passing, he's the best passer in our mid field and is very creative. Would have liked to have seen him be a bit more physical, but his technique is excellent. Finnan and Duff played well too, O'Shea was either poor or superb, his performance went so up and down, but it was mostly a flat and very poor game where neither side played near their potential. Still, we beat a decent team, so you can't complain too much.

[Condex]

Kenny - looked very dodgy in goals,callup Stack

O'Shea - Poor
Finnan - Excellent
Miller - Very good second half
Dunne - A few stray passes but otherwise very good

Kavanagh - like an Italian tank has only got a reverse gear
Keane - His usual scored scored a goal caught off side a lot, fell over a lot
no good one on one with the keeper.

Elliott - Ran around all night & good controol was much better than Keane

[thejollyrodger]

well it is a friendly in the middle of no where in terms of fixtures for either team so I dont think either team would would be really pushing the boat out.

I thought Miller did very well. He gave the ball away on a few occasions and had that "over awed" look at the start. But he looks very creative and set Duff up for his run. I think he just needs more games at the higher level.

Robbie was unlucky about the offside's . I think he could have got another one. Still needs to work on the 1on1 keeper.

Dunne played well, just his concentration is the problem.