Kevin Kilbane

Please explain to me what he brings to the team.

I still don't understand.

He is not an international class player and never has been, nevermind in central mid field. His reputation is based on a game where Frances mid field was all over the place. He cannot pass the ball 5 yards without putting it out of play, he hasn't the touch technique passing movement or intelligence to play at this level. Did you see his attempt to roll the ball to Duff who was 5 yards away? But we're Ireland, and he tries and battles well, puts himself about and all that, and that's more than enough for some people.

Beside Keane who does the holding role now we need someone with a clue how to pass the ball, move and get things going. Instead we have a donkey, but oh well, he trys hard.

Originally Posted by Slash/ED

He is not an international class player and never has been, He cannot pass the ball 5 yards without putting it out of play, he hasn't the touch technique passing movement or intelligence to play at this level. Did you see his attempt to roll the ball to Duff who was 5 yards away? But we're Ireland, and he tries and battles well, puts himself about and all that, and that's more than enough for some people.

You could use you quote to describe Robbie Keane just as accurately.

It was cringe worthy watching Kilbane get the ball in tight spaces and trying to lay it off to a green shirt, he is just not capable of this, Roy provided a masterclass in the simple midfield pass last night..although donkey pass of the night goes to Robbie Keane who came deep looking for the ball, only to recieve and pass straight to Zidane.. Nuff said.

He is not good enough for international football, end of story. Running around non stop should not be criteria for selection.

yes kilbane is not international class but who is now in ireland midfield (central position apart from roy keane) with roy keany out against cyprus ye have to relie on him now hes better than matt holland will steven reid come in?

one bad game and the knives are out for the lad again .. will you get a life ... he has been excellent in the centre for us and one bad game does not make him a bad player .... too many people on here come on to criticise or tell us how roy keane is the dogs ****** ....

Originally Posted by zinedineontour

one bad game and the knives are out for the lad again .. will you get a life ... he has been excellent in the centre for us and one bad game does not make him a bad player .... too many people on here come on to criticise or tell us how roy keane is the dogs ****** ....

But it isn't just one bad game. He is not good enough in central midfield. On teh wing if he loses possession little harm is done - but ina key area like centre field a cool head and composure are needed and he does not have that.

Originally Posted by LFC in Exile

But it isn't just one bad game. He is not good enough in central midfield. On teh wing if he loses possession little harm is done - but ina key area like centre field a cool head and composure are needed and he does not have that.

actually that is his first bad game in centre midfield ...

Originally Posted by zinedineontour

one bad game and the knives are out for the lad again .. will you get a life ... he has been excellent in the centre for us and one bad game does not make him a bad player .... too many people on here come on to criticise or tell us how roy keane is the dogs ****** ....

One good game doesn;t make him a good player either...

Originally Posted by Condex

One good game doesn;t make him a good player either...

he has played more than one good game for us ... best option for us at the mo ...

Kilbane is the best option of those available. Is someone going to suggest Holland or Kavanagh get in ahead of him. Kilbane has consistently been picked in the irish team by 2 different managers so are they wrong. He didn't have good game last night but same could be said of a few players. Kilbanes through ball for Duff almost got us a goal in the 2nd half.

Steven Reid is also in with a shout of the central midfield spot

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Steven Reid is also in with a shout of the central midfield spot

He shoudn't be in the squad let alone the team. Hes like a new version of Carsley, never passes forward.

I woundn't mind seeing Andy Reid in there with Steve Finnan out on the wings. Reid was linking up really well with Roy and could do a job for us. He's also not afraid to carry the ball forward. It might be one for Kerr to consider in the future.

Kilbane is useless, he's nearly as bad as Carsley. Good suggestion Rover, Reid in middle with Finnan on the wing would make me happy. We have nobody else but anything is better than Kilbane. He can't pass, shoot or tackle so what does he do?

Originally Posted by Rover 2 U

I woundn't mind seeing Andy Reid in there with Steve Finnan out on the wings. Reid was linking up really well with Roy and could do a job for us. He's also not afraid to carry the ball forward. It might be one for Kerr to consider in the future.

Good man Rover 2 U, I think that's an excellent option. Would certainly have provided a bit more penetration from our midfield last night as apart from being heavily marked, Duff had to survive on awful distrbution from Kilbane and O'Shea. Reid has excellent vision and a fantastic range of passing, and any questions over his defensive workrate and tackling were answered last night. Playing him in centre mid would not only allow him more scope for using his natural left peg, but he would flourish beside Keane. The unfortunate likelihood is that this pairing will probably only get one run out together. But I think it is definitely worth a try against Switzerland, because Kilbane has outstayed his welcome in the Irish starting XI, and Holland and Kavanelli don't contribute enough attackwise.

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Kilbane is useless, he's nearly as bad as Carsley. Good suggestion Rover, Reid in middle with Finnan on the wing would make me happy. We have nobody else but anything is better than Kilbane. He can't pass, shoot or tackle so what does he do?

no he cant pass , tackle or shoot but ran the show in paris with keane and was our best player at home against israel ... he tackles well , wins a lot of headers and spreads the play well ... finnan on the wing ?? oh great lets put a defender in midfield great call there ..

Originally Posted by Rover 2 U

I woundn't mind seeing Andy Reid in there with Steve Finnan out on the wings. Reid was linking up really well with Roy and could do a job for us. He's also not afraid to carry the ball forward. It might be one for Kerr to consider in the future.

Amen to that! And forget about the future, it's what's needed NOW! Hopefully we beat the Cypriots and then pit that midfield of Duff, Andy Reid, Keane and Finnan against the Swiss and in subsequent matches. Reid plays out of position on the right and still looks a class act - he'd be a revelation in a central role and needs to go in alongside Keane before the latter retires. In my opinion taking into account quality, experience and status of the clubs this quartet play for it is far and away our best midfield.

Originally Posted by zinedineontour

no he cant pass , tackle or shoot but ran the show in paris with keane and was our best player at home against israel ... he tackles well , wins a lot of headers and spreads the play well ... finnan on the wing ?? oh great lets put a defender in midfield great call there ..

Steve Finnan has plenty of experience playing right mid. It was playing this position in the lower leagues that persuaded Fulham to buy him.