Originally Posted by thejollyrodger
I agree with you to a certain extent. I think we need to bring in players to freshen the squad up. I don't see the point of playing 9/10 regulars and only introducing new/fringe players for a half or 10 or 20 minutes (less than a minute in some cases).
I think you're right about a tour.
I have doubts about Doherty myself but if Dunne/O'Brien are suspended/injured at the same time we're going to have to play 2 out of Doherty, Breen, O'Shea, McCarthy, McShane.
Holland as centre half. That's interesting. Worth a try there.
Miller, Barrett and Quinn deserve to be dropped from the squad for a short time to send the message that they need to up their club performances; Doherty and Kilbane have not been good enough for a long time and should now have played their last games for Ireland.
Who to call up?
Ronnie O'Brien - lighting up the US and has been on the team of the season for two years running. Attacking right midfielder, surely worth a good look at over the space of 4 or 5 games.
Stephen Ireland - echoing what was said beforehand.
Kevin Nolan - would be a fantastic coup if he decides to declare!
Joey O'Brien - as extra defensive cover for Finnan who will now finally be first choice, as well as for centre mid (his natural position).
Lee Trundle - give him three caps or so, see what he can do. No harm in it - there are too few options for us upfront otherwise to say that he would be 'blocking young lads coming through'. He is on form and high on confidence. Kevin Doyle should also get a string of 2 or 3 games and make his case, as well as Elliott being kept involved either as a sub or strike partner.
I agree Paddy Kenny should start both friendlies. Given could even be dropped from the squad.
I think Andy Reid should be given a role in centre mid. He doesn't have the pace to trouble full-backs, but is our best passer of the ball, has fantastic vision, excellent delivery and a superb shot (egs: Cyprus goal, France effort that hit the post, first goal for Spurs). A playmaker whose creative influence would prosper alongside a grafter like Kavanagh or even Ireland to an extent. Showed in the home France game that he is well capable of getting stuck in and putting in the tackles (he, Given, Dunne and Keane were our outstanding players that night I thought), so centre mid is an option. Had his best moments in an Irish shirt (eg: Brazil, Israel home, Cyprus) when he appeared in a more central role, reducing the need to cut in onto his left. This would free up the right wing to a more specialised player eg: Ronnie O'Brien, Steven Reid, Aiden McGeady. I think there's a very strong case to be made here; I only hope he gets back into the Spurs team.
Everyone being fit then, I my squad for the Sweden game would be:
Kenny
Stack
Finnan
Stephen Kelly
Joey O'Brien
Dunne
Andy O'Brien
Harte
O'Shea
Paddy McCarthy
Ronnie O'Brien
Andy Reid
Aiden McGeady
Kavanagh
Ireland
Steven Reid
Kevin Nolan
Duff
Doyle
Trundle
Morrison
Elliott
Keane
What say ye?! This player-manager gig in Otago is doing wonders for my managerial insight...
Kevin Nolan? Think you could slip that one through without us noticing eh?
"...and it's Charlie Chaplin on the wing..."
Looks good to me but I'd have Given, Miller and Quinn in as well. Don't think we'll get Nolan though.
I don't think A.Reid is a viable CM option in a 4 man midfield.
Kevin Nolan is not eligible to play for us so let him go.
Its only a matter of time before Andy Reid is moved into the centre permanently. He has all the attributes to be the supporting midfielder. Definitely not partnering Ireland though. Ireland is also an attacking midfielder and that would leave us too exposed. Ireland and Reid would actually be quite similar players. Both not afraid of a tackle but wouldn't be renowned for it and have a top class passing ability.
Good topic btw. Building me up a little as I've been down since the Swiss game. Telly off while the WC is on and I'll be fine.
Yes, i don't think we are as badly off as some make out.Kevin Nolan is not eligible to play for us so let him go.
Its only a matter of time before Andy Reid is moved into the centre permanently. He has all the attributes to be the supporting midfielder. Definitely not partnering Ireland though. Ireland is also an attacking midfielder and that would leave us too exposed. Ireland and Reid would actually be quite similar players. Both not afraid of a tackle but wouldn't be renowned for it and have a top class passing ability.
Good topic btw. Building me up a little as I've been down since the Swiss game. Telly off while the WC is on and I'll be fine.
I think we could do very well with the right manager.
the only two players I would like to see start is Stephen Reid in midfield and macgeady.I think MacGeady is the sort of creative player we need to open up things a bit more and take some of the pressure off duff who we seem to be looking to in every game to produce something.its ridiculous he has been playin as little as he has for ireland.
doherty should be gotten rid of he hasnt played well in a long time.i wouldnt be throwing players in who are just getting a start in the premiership now. it takes a while to up the standard to international football and might do more damage than good at the moment.
people seem to rave about players that havent played cause they get a couple a good write ups in the paper and then when they have a couple of games at lansdowne were they make a few mistakes then everyone is sayin they are crap.
cant understand the get rid of morrison comments. i thought he played alrite for us in the last qualifiers. i wouldnt be overly keen to jettison anyone who could do a job for us as we have such a small pool of players but deffo think doherty has just not been up to the standard of international level.
Alan Quinn just has to be in the squad in my opinion. I can't understand how Kerr was leaving him out.
joey o'brien had another good game yesterday in defence for bolton, especially against arsenal. im sure i heard that allardyce wanted to take him out the side to protect him but he seems to be getting stronger each game, if he holds his place then he would certainly be in the squad come the friendlies in march
Who to call up? Just a few from the list
Ronnie O'Brien
Stephen Ireland
Joey O'Brien
Mac Geady
Doyle
*Paddy Kenny (for a few full matches)
*Trundle
*Connolly
*Elliott
*Although old or not getting enough games. We might as well properly experiment in case we have any injuries.
The rest of the players are young and have been proving themselves over the water. The national team needs a new dynamic like what Duff and Robbie did a few years back. They cant produce that dynamic anymore and we need a new way of playing.
ireland on the bench for city today, has he lost some form? kiely has started and possibly on an even better note, so has matt holland and he sounds like hes in the thick of things for his 5 min spell!
Ireland might be going through that same phrase that affects all player around that age. Mac Geady being a prime example. He might have to rest on the bench for a while. Or maybe its just down to experience.
"Kevin Nolan - would be a fantastic coup if he decides to declare!"
Obviously as I said before like... there was no slippage or sneakage there at all!
Posting Permissions
Quote
Bookmarks