I was reluctant to do it myself Junior, but the chances of losing out on even a single "thanks" was too much!
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Too many on here have short memories, get off KK's back he always gives 100% so why this constant distain against him?
Out of order if you ask me!![]()
I think that goes without saying really and is hardly necessary to mitigate any criticism offered. No one in their right mind would argue against Killer's commitment or candidacy for soundest fella in the universe and role model extraordinaire. He is currently a weakness in the team though (not singularly, mind) and has been exploited. There's nothing wrong with discussing the need to replace him imo. It's the production line of Irish Left-backs that appears to be out of order right now!
What I've always maintained is that Killer is in the team because he's more of an asset in the air, defensively and offensively in a relatively small team, than he is a liability on the deck.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
I think people wildly overstate the extent to which opposition teams target Killer. Whenever Duffer and Kilbane play together we always look solid on that side. It's when McGeady or Hunt are partnered with him that we struggle and I would put a lot of that down to the defensive naivety of the wingers. Kilbane's weakness is that he can't get up and down the flank the way somebody like Cunningham (two legs intact) can.
My Guarantee
Am looking for old Irish matches on VHS, PM me if you have some and I'll upload them here
Starting against Arsenal at left back today. Chance for him to show he can still handle a big step up.
And the answer is... he can't. Just left Bendtner (playing on the right) in far too much space for the first goal.
Last edited by Supreme feet; 30/01/2011 at 11:24 AM.
few interesting comments from Kilbane in an interview in the Independent today: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...r-2516734.html
He looks back to the Russia game and the dissatisfaction that followed and tries to explain Trapattoni's approach.
"In that game, we probably went a bit more direct. He doesn't encourage us to go direct, he just wants us to be solid, he wants us to be hard to beat. Sometimes when you're solid you're not probably near your strikers so sometimes you go long and you're not getting up in support. I think we've done that throughout his time and then through goal-kicks or whatever we can press areas and then we play some football."
He hasn't encountered a manager who spends as much time working on team shape as Trapattoni. All week they will train with that in mind, with the idea of being hard to beat always being drilled into them.
In the times today that Trap made a balls of letting Killer know that he wasnt in the Irish team. Basically KK was making plans on getting from Exeter (where Huddersfield were playing this weekend) to Dublin, his manager got a fax to say KK wasnt in the Irish team. It was only on Friday evening that KK got a text from Trap to say he wasnt included this time around. Not a way to treat one of our best servants. Considering recent events with other players, Traps man management does not appear to be up to scratch at the moment.
Also reported in the Times that Keane is not happy with the current set up and mentioned during the week that he would retire at the end of this campaign.
That's the Sunday Times?
Correct.
Very poor altogether. This guy has played what like 80 times in a row for us? Never turned down an opportunity to play for Ireland when others were begging off. I hope this isn't the last we see of him. I know you all hate him but I love his heart and think he really brings something special to the team.
Can't help but feel it's a 'damned if he does, damned if he doesn't' moment for Trap. We drastically need a replacement for Kilbane. We've known that for over two years now, and by blooding Cunningham and now Clark, Trap is addressing it. There was plenty of moaning on here when Kilbane was selected for the provisional squad.
indeed there was SF. I believe Kilbane should have either retired or been dropped after the Paris game. He clearly hasnt been up to international LB for some time. There is a right way to do things however and maybe even more of a duty if Trap is thinking of this being a permanent thing.
Probably the most generous thing that can be said right now is that the communication within the Ireland management set-up appears to be absolutely atrocious. Especially in light of Kilbane, McCarthy in recent weeks and a number of other incidents in the last 2 years - Treacy's omission/withdrawal being the most recent to spring to mind.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
So if that article is right.keanes comments earlier last week could well be what he actually meant to say.
Agreed, and also to the outside world. They need an Alastair Campbell figure to tell the media what's what and to stop rumours and misunderstandings from gaining momentum. They seem to have no idea what appears to be controversial or not. It's not just McCarthy - for example, there should be some sort of quote explaining why a forward not on standby was picked over a player who was picked in the first 29, then placed on standby, then not even called up when a forward dropped out. When McCarthy was originally omitted there was no mention (until today?) that Noel King actually went to see him last week. This is just simple PR.
I'd have thought it's the FAI's job to communicate selection to the players though, not Trap's mobile phone's job. Good man management would be to explain personally why someone is omitted alright, but it shouldn't be the formal notification.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 07/02/2011 at 9:47 PM.
It was in the Herald last week: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/mc...b-2515057.html
"I spoke to James and he is very happy to come to Cyprus and play for us if he's fit and able," said King after including McCarthy in a 19-man squad for the away friendly, which takes place the day after the senior clash with Wales.
"Him not being in the senior squad wasn't even mentioned, he is keen to play for Ireland and that's not in doubt.
"I hope James will be able to play in Cyprus but we'll see how it goes.
"He played on Tuesday against Aston Villa, it's not clear if he'll be involved for Wigan in the Cup against Bolton at the weekend but he might be in for their league game next week."
OK, I stand corrected!
They have one.
http://www.tcd.ie/Italian/graduates1Sherrard.php
Then again, stopping misunderstandings from gaining momentum hasn't been his strong point.
Just to add to this: Both Fahey and Keogh came on tonight but wasnt even in the initial squad. Bizarre. Have no problem with Keogh not been in the initial squad because I dont think he is of international standard but Fahey has done well in recent times and shouldve been in the squad, no question.
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