First Squad

[Qwerty]

Clarke's move to the Hammers was ill-advised with Konchesky having a lock on that LB spot.

SilentBob said he thought LB was our main problem at the moment...if only this were so. We have bigger problems in midfield and at center back.

Duff is the only definite starter in midfield, the loss of Keane leaves a huge black hole in the team, youngsters like Ireland, O'Brien, McGeady and Garvan and maybe Whelan show potential but realistically it is going to be 2 to 3 years before they really begin to deliver on that, if 2 of the 5 make the grade at international level that would be a success.

More immediately Steven and Andy Reid and Kavanagh need to really step up now, I'm surprised that Matt Holland hasn't retired.

I think with Elliott and Doyle we have some options up front but would like to see Alan Lee ( bit of a donkey, but hoping for some Royle magic ) succeed at Ipswich as we need the option of a physical presence up front. The new management needs to trawl the leagues for a big fella to lead the line.

I think we wil be comptetent at the back but Dunne and O'Brien continue to show problems with concentration but McShane looks a good option. I'm doubtful about McCarthy ability to step up.

Staunton would not have made my top 10 list but of all the former players we could have chosen Stan is probably the best, he doesn't take any crap and always knew what he was about. He has played at top clubs and has seen it all at international level, and he won't over-complicate thing like Kerr. He is a Liverpool player ( pre-Souness management ) and I think that background of keeping this simple, working hard and not making mistakes will be an asset to the team, he also knows the Irish setup very well and will know what needs to stay the same and what needs to change, he also knows what has worked for Ireland over the years. I think he will succeed.

[robbie_B]

Stan gets Trundle boost

January 15, 2006

New manager Steve Staunton received a boost with the news that Swansea’s Lee Trundle has declared himself for Ireland.

The prolific frontman has been in fine form for the League 1 side this season netting 17 times in 22 starts. Liverpool born Trundle qualifies through his Irish grandparents and would relish the chance of international football.

He said “Maybe the chances are greater now that Brian Kerr has gone. It would be a dream come through. When I was younger I used to wear an Ireland shirt in the kick-arounds when all of my mates were in England ones. I feel I’m as good as anything Ireland have in attack. Ireland will have a few friendlies coming up and I’d love to be involved.”

Staunton who took over the reigns on last week has confirmed he will be keeping a close eye on Trundle. He said “There’s always the possibility and it doesn’t matter what level you are at. Lee has already scored plenty this season- he’s on fire. He is a proven goal scorer and it is never too late.”

[Superhoops]

Always though Clive Clarke would male a go of it with West Ham but he seems to be down the pecking order there. Still think he's a good prospect at left full.

What age is he BTW??

He was 26 yesterday, so hardly 'a developing talent'

[Superhoops]

Stan gets Trundle boost

January 15, 2006

New manager Steve Staunton received a boost with the news that Swansea’s Lee Trundle has declared himself for Ireland.

The prolific frontman has been in fine form for the League 1 side this season netting 17 times in 22 starts. Liverpool born Trundle qualifies through his Irish grandparents and would relish the chance of international football.

He said “Maybe the chances are greater now that Brian Kerr has gone. It would be a dream come through. When I was younger I used to wear an Ireland shirt in the kick-arounds when all of my mates were in England ones. I feel I’m as good as anything Ireland have in attack. Ireland will have a few friendlies coming up and I’d love to be involved.”

Staunton who took over the reigns on last week has confirmed he will be keeping a close eye on Trundle. He said “There’s always the possibility and it doesn’t matter what level you are at. Lee has already scored plenty this season- he’s on fire. He is a proven goal scorer and it is never too late.”

FFS, Lee Trundle is 29 and has only become a 'profilic scorer' over the last couple of years at Swansea. Before that he was at Wrexham and Rhyl!!!

What has that got to do with Brian Kerr? If he was that good and 'as good as anything Ireland have in attack' why was he not around in McCarthy's day or even before that?. Is he better than Robbie, Clinton, Elliott or Doyle?? I don't think so.

Good 1st divison striker, not international class.

[robbie_B]

I think trundle will be in the first squad. I don't think he will be any worse than Clinton. Staunton was at the Reading match, do you think he will be asking Kitson about the Irish grandparents??

[Superhoops]

I think trundle will be in the first squad. I don't think he will be any worse than Clinton. Staunton was at the Reading match, do you think he will be asking Kitson about the Irish grandparents??

Kitson will be 26 next Saturday. I don't remember when he was plying his trade at Cambridge expressing any great interest in playing for Ireland. I think he is another one of those 'not good enough for England, so Ireland will do' brigade. If Kitson or Nolan were called up for England tomorrow (and the chances for either are unlikely!), there would be no mention of any Irish connection.

There have been plenty of 2G and 3G Irish playing over the last few years in our U15, U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 squads, lads who although born in England, and places like Jersey and Germany have elected to play for Ireland at an early age. These are the guys we should be encouraging, not the Kitsons, Trundles and Nolans of this world.

[livehead1]

lets try and lay a couple of points to rest
number one:
KEVIN NOLAN will never play for ireland unless the rules change. He is ineligible, he has played for england under 21's and under fifa rules he missed the year amnesty when players like jon macken were able to change their country of choice, so lets FORGET HIM.

number two:
I have followed LEE TRUNDLES progress over the last 3years and he has always said that he is irish and i can remember an interview ages ago and he said that he considers himself irish and goes over there all the time.

[robbie_B]

Kitson will be 26 next Saturday. I don't remember when he was plying his trade at Cambridge expressing any great interest in playing for Ireland. I think he is another one of those 'not good enough for England, so Ireland will do' brigade. If Kitson or Nolan were called up for England tomorrow (and the chances for either are unlikely!), there would be no mention of any Irish connection.

There have been plenty of 2G and 3G Irish playing over the last few years in our U15, U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 squads, lads who although born in England, and places like Jersey and Germany have elected to play for Ireland at an early age. These are the guys we should be encouraging, not the Kitsons, Trundles and Nolans of this world.

Superhoops i agree, but it will be interesting to see whether Staunton goes looking for 2G and 3G players. Im fairly sure Kitson said he doesn't consider himself Irish but sure Townsend was supporting England one year and the next playing for us.

[dancinpants]

Keepers:
Given, Kenny, Devine

Defence:
Finnan, O'Shea, A O'Brien, Dunne, Kelly, Danny Murphy

Midfield:
Ireland, J O'Brien, A Reid, S Reid, Kavanagh, Duff

Attack:
Keane, Doyle, Morrisson, Elliott, Jason Byrne

I'm not tryin' to stir up an already flogged to death argument here. Surely after, what can only be described as, Kevin Doyle's seemless transition from eL to Championship football, people should be looking closer to home for players for the squad?

[Fergie's Son]

I'm not tryin' to stir up an already flogged to death argument here. Surely after, what can only be described as, Kevin Doyle's seemless transition from eL to Championship football, people should be looking closer to home for players for the squad?

I don't agree. For every Doyle there is an endless stream of Glen Crowe's. The EL simply isn't good enough and Doyle is just the exception that proves the rule.

[Plastic Paddy]

The core group of newcomers simply has to be Kevin Doyle, Joey O'Brien and Stephen Ireland.
I would say to the likes of Liam Miller and Aiden McGeady: "it's a new slate now lads and it's time for you two to start showing that you are worthy of the jersey."

Come on TP, Aiden McGeady is 19 ffs. I'd hardly lump him in with Liam Miller in the "we're so desperate you can have a second chance" category.

PP

[shakermaker1982]

You must have been watching a different game to me. He was playing midfield and looked lost. Did hardly anything apart from two decent crosses in the second half.

If Ferguson rated him as a left back he would play him there, instead he goes and signs another full back, Evra, who was the only MU player worse than O'Shea yesterday IMHO and I suppose you could allow for the fact it was Evra's debut.

If O'Shea is not good enough to a MU's first choice defender then why should we play him anywhere in our defence?

O Shea was one of Man Utds better players Saturday, he looked more composed than Fletcher in the centre of midfield. Fergie likes his versalitilty, he can play in 4 or 5 positions for the team and he doesn't let the team down. Ok he's no world beater but if you want a steady Eddie he is your man.

To conclude, I'd have O'Shea over that Everton waster every day of the week. Kilbane should not even make the bench.

[FarBeag]

O Shea was one of Man Utds better players Saturday, he looked more composed than Fletcher in the centre of midfield. Fergie likes his versalitilty, he can play in 4 or 5 positions for the team and he doesn't let the team down. Ok he's no world beater but if you want a steady Eddie he is your man.

To conclude, I'd have O'Shea over that Everton waster every day of the week. Kilbane should not even make the bench.

Did you see the game on Saturday? O'Shea may have been one of Man Utds better players but they were horrendous.IMO I think O' Shea is lucky to be playing at all in their first eleven and i am sure he would not be there if there were not so many injuries. Kilbane is not a whole lot better but i still rate him higher than JOS

[as_i_say]

yeah O'sheas days as a regular with united are surely numbered, though i thought he had a decent game against city but could have been best of a woeful bunch. Alan Smith, what a waste of space.

Somebody mentioned Liam Lawrence back there-is he Irish-has he declared for us?I didnt think so.

[Tenderloins]

According to todays Indo Lawrence has an Irish Passport!

[pete]

I'm not tryin' to stir up an already flogged to death argument here. Surely after, what can only be described as, Kevin Doyle's seemless transition from eL to Championship football, people should be looking closer to home for players for the squad?

Not its much easier to looking for Football League players who were seen drinking Guinness once.

How can someone suggest a lot of Championship players & SPL player & then dismiss Harte because he playing 2nd tier in Spain?

[Stuttgart88]

Doyle, McGeady, Ireland, O'Brien, Lawrence, Kennedy, Quinn & Paddy McCarthy are all players I'd like to see involved. I think Glenn Whelan should be close too. Trundle if there's an enlarged squad which I expect there will be. Kevin Foley is very close too, probably ahead of Kelly in my view.

Steve Reid to start.

[Stuttgart88]

This isn't very elegantly presented but here's an approximate list of players who I think have any kind of claim on a senior call up. Some kids in here as I think the likes of O'brien & Ireland need to go into the senior squad. I'm sure I've left out loads. 3 eL players (Byrne, Kearney & O'Donovan are the ones I think are closest from what I've seen, but I don't see any eL over here so what do I know?). I'm sure there are others I've forgotten. I've left all the U19s (Garvan etc. out).

Nmaes in bold are those I'd pick for the first squad assuming everyone is fit. I think this totals 26. The likes of Glenn Whelan, Ronnie O'Brien, Rowlands, Miller & McShane could be added if the first squad is to be a larger squad. Coughlan's not far off. Better defender than Doherty.

[eirebhoy, remember the UEFA co-efficient ranking list you posted ages back ? How did you post it as a s'sheet with filter arrows etc.?)

Of the list below many are playing very well (e.g., even John O'Shea in my opinion) and several are pretty good prospects. I've maintained all along that a good manager has plenty to work with. Step up Steve Staunton, let's see what you can do.


1 Kavanagh MID Y
2 Duff MID Y
3 Andy Reid MID Y
4 Steven Reid MID Y
5 Glenn Whelan MID
6 Quinn MID Y
7 Kilbane MID Y
8 Ireland MID Y
9 McGeady MID Y
10 Miller MID
11 Holland MID
12 Ronnie O'Brien MID
13 Alan Mahon MID
14 Martin Rowlands MID
15 Potter MID
16 Douglas MID
17 Partridge MID
18 Thornton MID
19 Liam Lawrence MID Y
20 Mark Kennedy MID Y
21 Roy O'Donovan MID
22 Liam Kearney MID
23 Given GK Y
24 Kenny GK Y
25 Stack/Murphy/Henderson/Doyle GK Y
26 Robbie Keane FOR Y
27 Morrison FOR Y
28 Doyle FOR Y
29 Trundle FOR Y
30 Elliott FOR Y
31 Daryl Murphy FOR
32 Jay Tabb FOR
33 Connolly FOR
34 Heffernan FOR
35 Burgess FOR
36 Jason Byrne FOR
37 Joey O'Brien DEF/MID Y
38 Finnan DEF Y
39 O'Brien DEF Y
40 Dunne DEF Y
41 O'Shea DEF Y
42 McCarthy DEF Y
43 Coughlan DEF
44 McShane DEF
45 Stephen Kelly DEF Y
46 Kevin O'Connor DEF
47 Foley DEF Y
48 Delaney DEF
49 Geary DEF
50 Doherty DEF
51 Harte DEF
52 Painter DEF
53 Delap DEF
54 Gary Breen DEF
55 Alan Maybury DEF
56 Alan Sheehan DEF
57 Tierney DEF

Also: 58 Alan Lee FOR
59 Stephen Hunt MID

[livehead1]

people were raving bout how impressive lee carsley was last season for everton, he will be fully fit my march and has made himself available again so he should be in the squad ahead of certain other players.

[pete]

4 Steven Reid MID Y I don't rate have long memory but probably deserves on current club form.
14 Martin Rowlands MID - where does he play?
17 Partridge MID - no hope.
18 Thornton MID - no hope
20 Mark Kennedy MID Y[/B] - still useless.
29 Trundle FOR - plastic paddy
31 Daryl Murphy FOR - this a joke?
32 Jay Tabb FOR - no hope.
33 Connolly FOR - still useless
34 Heffernan FOR - League One, no thanks
45 Stephen Kelly DEF Y - reserve football, no thanks
Also: 58 Alan Lee FOR - useless

Hows about picking a 22 man squad with best 2 plays per position & let say not include players that won't be around for 2008 qualifiers.