QuoteSlightly surprised that Finnan doesn't make the starting line-up.
O'Shea in midfield?
3 up front, and 3 in the middle?
Haven't seen it posted here.
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?h...es+starting+XI
Slightly surprised that Finnan doesn't make the starting line-up.
O'Shea in midfield?
3 up front, and 3 in the middle?
Finnan has a big game for Liverpool soon so that may have somthing to do with it.Originally Posted by JimmyP
It'll be interesting to see how they line out.
Given
J'O Brien Dunne A O'Brien Harte
Reid O'Shea Duff
Doyle Keane Elliot
Looks something like this I think.
one shot... Bang Bang!!!
Finnan's gone back to Liverpool with a neck problem apparently
I'd imagine he'll probably start Elliot on the right side of midfield
very interesting selection...
looking forward to the match now!
Sweden will cut right through that midfield!
The pressure on the defence won't be long telling.
Have Boot Disk, will travel
Wouldn't be surprised to see Doyle or Keane dropping a bit deeper.
I'm happy to see that type of midfield but would have preferred Kav to O'Shea. His simple, composed passing game is more likely to get players involved than O'Shea.
Good luck to O'Shea though. I think he needs a confident start to his new role.
In Finnan's absence it's good to see O'Brien get a start & for the sake of balance alone Harte is worthy of a place, though I'd have far preferred to see Kilbane tucked in behind Duff.
Bolton full-back Joey O'Brien is one of two new faces
Bolton full-back Joey O'Brien and Reading striker Kevin Doyle will make their Republic of Ireland debuts against Sweden on Wednesday.
New Republic boss Steve Staunton revealed: "I was going to play Joey even if Steven Finnan had been fit.
"Kevin's got a great chance to come on to the next level and he's well able to handle it. They've got an opportunity and we'll see what happens."
Staunton handed the captaincy to Tottenham striker Robbie Keane.
Liverpool full-back Finnan was not considered because of a "little" neck injury while Clinton Morrison sat out training with a tight groin.
Doyle, who was included in the squad for Brian Kerr's final two games in charge last October, has scored 15 goals for Reading this season, while O'Brien has become a regular at Bolton in his first full season.
Staunton is excited by the flexibility of his side and has no concerns over pairing Steven Reid and John O'Shea in central midfield.
"It's a great test for our lads," Staunton added. "It's an opportunity to see what top-class teams are like.
Keane awarded Republic captaincy
"I've got two or three games to get people a few caps and some experience.
"We'll be trying out different things so we know we can play 4-4-2 and we can change to help us and give us an advantage.
"I've always seen John O'Shea in that role and Steven Reid has come on in leaps and bounds - he's been fantastic this season.
"We look very flexible and we've enough bright players who can go and express themselves and that's what I want to see. I want them to enjoy it."
I reckon this could be the formation
Given
O Brien O Brien Dunne Harte
Reid O Shea Duff
Keane
Doyle Elliot
In Trap we trust
I have to disagree with you there. Sweden's midfield and defense is individually very weak. Its their strikers and our left-full I'd be worried about.Sweden will cut right through that midfield!
The pressure on the defence won't be long telling.
Our midfield is very lightweight but its only a friendly. Its good to see the likes of Doyle and O'Brien starting instead of getting 20 mins as a sub.
Sweden's midfield is likely to be the following:
N. Alexandersson (former Everton player - hardly sets the world alight)
T. Linderroth (ex Everton - rarely got a game when he was there - again average player)
A. Svensson (ex. Southampton - I don't know how this guy gets a game at international level)
C. Wilhelmsson (good technic but very lightweight and easily knocked off the ball).
I think our midfield is individually much stronger but it remains to see how well they play as a unit.
Fair play to Stan. I dont really agree with the starting line up. But that doesnt really matter - its only a friendly - at least hes prepared to try new things in friendlies unlike kerr
Hope Lawrence gets at least 20 mins
I didn't expect Finnan to play much anyway as he has a good deal of club games. That does not apply to Duff, I hope he runs his socks off for the 90mins. Is Kavanagh injured?
I have to agree with loscherland I think it will be 4-4-2 with Elliott on right at some stage. However, hopefully he will give the 4-3-3 a shot for the first 30 mins or so and if it doesnt work out then drop Elliott back to RB. Elliott can't have much match fitness after being out for so long and only playing 45 mins of first team football since his comeback. So I can see Lawrence coming on at half time or early in the second half and then we will play a more conventional 4-4-2.
Or maybe Staunton has something clever up his sleeve with Doyle playing as the out and out striker and Robbie and Elliott swapping around the RMF and deep striker role in an attempt to confuse their markers
I'm not really a fan of the "it's only a friendly" attitude. I'd rather start with a fairly settled line up, go for the result and start building a winning mentality. According to Staunton "We'll be trying out different things so we know we can play 4-4-2 and we can change to help us and give us an advantage." We don't know we can play 4-4-2 under Staunton, not yet anyway. We've lost a number of players and if 4-4-2's going to be his prefered formation then he should start with a strong 4-4-2 and not be messing around from the start. And I'd prefer a more solid midfield too.
That said, good luck to him - don't want to sound to negative before we even start.
"...and it's Charlie Chaplin on the wing..."
Congratulation Stan ! A brave and Adventurous Line-up, With plently of little Sub-plots to keep the Keen Observer of Irish Football very interested, in these largely depressing months leading up to the World Cup!
From what little I saw of Elliott at the weekend he looked surprisingly sharp. But I doubt he'll be given a full game.
I'd hate to see Elliott play anywhere other than as a forward, be it as part of a 3 which is where he started the season at Sunderland, or preferably as a proper striker alongside Doyle or Keane, who I expect will alternate dropping deep as both tend to do anyway.
If Staunton plays Elliott at RHM in a 4-4-2 I'll think it an astonishingly bad decision, especially when we have a player at the same club as him who is a specialist in that position. In my opinion Elliott has nothing to offer from wide-midfield.
The way he listed the team it looked like a straight 4-4-2
Given
O Brien O Brien Dunne Harte
Elliot Reid O Shea Duff
Doyle Keane
Anyway looks like an attacking side with three strikers
anyway we will see tomorrow.
They sometimes release the starting line up to sell tickets. Will this be a sell out?.......... and if not...what does it say about stan?
Last edited by onenilgameover; 28/02/2006 at 3:15 PM.
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