Starting 11 V's Israel

[carnstien]

PS Carnstein, still not proof that O'Shea is a better passer than Kilbane??

How would you suggest I go about providing such "proof"?

Football is a game of opinions and it's my opinion that Kilbane is a woeful passer of the ball and that O'Shea is a very good passer with a particularly good range of passing, ie. he can hit an accurate 40 yard pass whereas Kilbane cannot.

There is no way that I can see that I can prove this.

[tetsujin1979]

How would you suggest I go about providing such "proof"?

Football is a game of opinions and it's my opinion that Kilbane is a woeful passer of the ball and that O'Shea is a very good passer with a particularly good range of passing, ie. he can hit an accurate 40 yard pass whereas Kilbane cannot.

There is no way that I can see that I can prove this.

Stats my boy! Plenty of stats sites on the net (e.g. Opta). Find stats to show that O'Shea has more completed passes (or a better completed pass percentage) than Kilbane and I'll believe you. Until then I wouldn't let him near midfield.

[Tired&Emotional]

How would you suggest I go about providing such "proof"?

Football is a game of opinions and it's my opinion that Kilbane is a woeful passer of the ball and that O'Shea is a very good passer with a particularly good range of passing, ie. he can hit an accurate 40 yard pass whereas Kilbane cannot.

There is no way that I can see that I can prove this.

Surely to God there's more to a good midfielder then passing a ball and those other qualities put Kilbane above O'Shea (putting my International Manager's hat on )

[carnstien]

Stats my boy! Plenty of stats sites on the net (e.g. Opta). Find stats to show that O'Shea has more completed passes (or a better completed pass percentage) than Kilbane and I'll believe you. Until then I wouldn't let him near midfield.

I did actually try to find such stats but I couldn't.

I honestly think its slightly pointless though because it's not going to change either of our opinions on the matter, as well as the fact that O'Shea having a higher pass completion percentage does not necesseraly make him a better passer than Kilbane and Visa-Versa, especially when you consider that neither of them actually played any significant proportion of the season in central midfield.

[elroy]

Only realised now that the kick off is half 7 on Sat. How come not the usual 3 o clock?

[NeilMcD]

I think this will be the team on Sat


Given

Finnan Cunningham O Brien O Shea



Reid Kavanagh/Holland Kilbane Duff


Keane Morrisson



So far Kerr has not sprung any major suprises with team selection in the group.so far and I dont expect that to change. I think people are trying to become managers here on this forum rather than just predict what the team will be. THe only decision to be made is between Kavanagh and Holland. Everything else is a forgone conclusion. I think Duff and Reid will be swapping wings throughout the game. If Finnan is not fit, I think he will go O Shea at right back and Harte at left back or he might gamble with Stephen Reid. It depends on how they are performing in training etc.

[Tired&Emotional]

I think this will be the team on Sat


So far Kerr has not sprung any major suprises with team selection in the group.so far and I dont expect that to change. I think people are trying to become managers here on this forum rather than just predict what the team will be. THe only decision to be made is between Kavanagh and Holland. Everything else is a forgone conclusion. I think Duff and Reid will be swapping wings throughout the game. If Finnan is not fit, I think he will go O Shea at right back and Harte at left back or he might gamble with Stephen Reid. It depends on how they are performing in training etc.

Agree that Kerr isn't one for surprises & to a large extent the team picks itself. Kav/Holland is the only real decision for Brian, thoughnot sure about brining back Hartey at this stage...

Asfor "people... becoming managers" sure isn't it all just a bit-a-craic

[eirebhoy]

Just reading an Eamon Dunphy article he said he'd choose Holland over Kav because Holland can score goals. He really hasn't got a clue. If Holland was to play on Saturday he will not be scoring a goal unless it comes to him from a set piece. He would be playing the holding role and Kerr doesn't really like the holding player to get forward too often. I doubt Dunphy has even seen Kav play partnering the holding midfielder and given more freedom.

Roy Keane has 1 goal in his last 60 or 70 games. He scored 50 goals previous to that. He can score goals, its just that he is playing a different role now. Dunphy probably thinks he's lost his shooting ability.

[JimmyP]

Some good news:

"Ireland’s hopes were today further enhanced by the fact goalkeeper Dudu Awat is rated very doubtful after sustaining an arm injury in training,"

Breaking News article

[pete]

Given
O'Shea Cunningham O'Brien Harte
A Reid Holland Kilbane Duff
Morrisson Keane

Could also play Kilbane at left back & Kavanagh in midfield.

I don't like Holland & Kavanagh together as they sit back too much & neither brings the ball forward well. Kavanagh looks good but too slow with ball for home game.

[Littlest Hobo]

Given
S Reid (if Finnan out), Cunningham, O'Brien, O'Shea

A Reid, Kavanagh, Kilbane, Duff

Robbie Keane, Morrison.

I think Kerr may go with Holland instead of Kavanagh.

Much prefer Stephen Reid and O'Shea, rather than O'Shea and Harte.

Harte unable to get his place at the end of the season in a team relegated from the Primera Liga, any surprised?

With Carr and Roy Keane suspended, but available for next Wednesday, and Stephen Kelly, who would have been my preferred choice at RB suffering a groin strain. Options are fairlly limited for Saturday.

Yep agree with you here

[Littlest Hobo]

I expect Grant to opt for the same formation he played in the goalless draw against France in the opening game of Israel's campaign in Paris last year - a five-man defense with a two-man midfield and three up front.

Reckon Grant will favor the following starting lineup, injuries permitting:

Awat in goal,

Avi Yehiel, Arik Benado, Shimon Gershon, Klemi Saban and Adoram Keisi at the back,

Idan Tal and Omer Golan in midfield, and

Avi Nimni, Benayoun and Yaniv Katan up front.

[tricky_colour]

Given
O'Shea Cunningham O'Brien Harte
A Reid Holland Kilbane Duff
Morrisson Keane

Yup that how I would start.

[tricky_colour]

Why should their Sabbath have anything to do with when WE play our football matches?

The matches are less one sided if both teams play at the same time.