I'd agree. He's one of our better options there. Certainly as good as Kilbane, which would pretty much have him starting and he's an option on the right wing too.Originally Posted by greatbleddyman
You can't spell failure without FAI
I'd agree too. Did anyone see the Bellamy / Lehmann incident on Saturday? That all came from a surging run from Reid, carrying the ball at pace quite a long way, something he's been doing all season long for Blackburn. MOTD on Saturday highlighted Bellamy's contribution to the game, but nearly every ball Bellamy got was from Reid, and some were from long-range too.
Reid is most definitely not a donkey. Anyone who's seen him play this season will attest to that.
bloody delighted S Reid is starting tonight, a sign he might have a big part to play in us getting to Euro 2008. Wouldn't have minded seeing Ireland get his first cap straight away but I'm sure he will come on at some point. I'm optimistic we'll either nick it 1 nil or draw 1-1. The boys should be out to impress tonight and make a statement.
Reid is no donkey but I have been trying to work out Ibrahimovic's origions
from an article in today's Indo
"Born in Malmo, the son of a Bosnian father and Croatian father"
How long is it since Elliot has played a game for Sunderland?
about 4 days.
In Trap we trust
at least he was born in the country he plays for
aww that Old Chestnut.
In Trap we trust
thats a stupid handle for someone obviously living in fantasy land when they post that AOB and Reid are donkeys.
What a silly post. If anything in International games over the course of the last campaign Andy O'Brien has been our best defender. And I don't buy the fact that it was because he was playing alongside Cunnigham either. Dunne played alongside Kenny against Italy and was brutal. I've plenty of time for the Dunne - O'Brien partnership, esp. when there's little else.
As for Steven Reid, he has come on leaps and bounds and looks better now and is in a better position to be a regular than when he first came on the scene and lit the place up (pre WC 02).
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Good post Kingdom however If I remember rightly Dunne was playing his first game of the season and his lack of match practice was so obvious it was unreal.
In Trap we trust
That's a fair point too Neil; should have acknowledged that in my post. I think the two played together in the Cyprus game also, when Kenny had his worst game in an Irish jersey.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
O'Brien has been absolutley fantastic for Ireland since he broke into the team. I feel safer with O'Brien at the back then Dunne, although Dunne is the better of the two at club level.
Thats exactly my position on the situation. Pity I couldn't have typed that. Seems easy enough !
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Dunne has played particularly well against the better sides at international level, that combined with his club form, I'd have him in ahead of O'Brien, though we don't have to make that decision at the moment!!
I thought you were off the drink Ronnie?
"No, I drink to help me mind my own business....can I get you one? (c) Ronnie Drew
What I'm wondering now is with Cunningham gone, who'll lead the line? Neither O'Brien or Dunne seem to do it at club level and if neither are up to it the defence could be left seriously exposed. It reminds me of Celtic with the only player that is probably capable of leading the defensive line at the moment being Roy Keane and he doesn't even play centre half. I suppose it's another thing to look forward to tonight.
In fairness to Dunne, he was muck out in Cyprus but recovered really well & had a great game against Switzerland I thought. I've no worries about that pairing, but if either gets injured we're struggling. I wonder does Staunton, despite what he's been saying about O'Shea as a midfielder, view O'Shea as third choioce CB too.
I worry about both Dunne and O'Brien as I believe at best they are very average defenders though unfortunately I have to concede that they're our best options at present. Dunne can have good days but always seems to make silly mistakes while O'Brien is very mediocre. Both are severely short of pace. We need a decent new central defender coming through soon as I don't believe McShane or McCarthy wil prove any better than what we have already.
On the whole the team looks pretty good to me. At least Kilbane is nowhere to be seen.
The only problem I see is O'Shea being put in central midfield. I was hoping he would be booted out of the first team as a thank you present for all his dire performances in the Ireland jersey over the years but it looks like Stan hasn't the bo**ox to do this yet because he still gets a run out for united. Unfortunately he's even worse employed as a central midfield player than a left back for a number of reasons:
1. He can't pass the ball to save his life and I see this as more of a problem in midfield than in defence where he'll get more of the ball and will be expected to provide some creativity for the forwards.
2. He can't shoot to save his life so offers no goal threat.
3. He's keeping far more talented players than himself from playing in that position (Kavanagh, J O'Brien, S Ireland)
4. He only keeps Ian Harte out of the team when playing at LB so this is not such a waste of resources
Stan needs to give him the bullet. If he does we might go somewhere under him.
Last edited by youngirish; 01/03/2006 at 1:29 PM.
I think its a bizarre selection with keane, Duff, Elliot & Doyle in the same team. Reminds me od the Spurs 4-1-1-4 formation under Ossie Ardiles.
I could under stand 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 with 3 from those 4 players but Stan does not seemto be learning from Mick McCarthys sweeper formation gambles.
It is difficult to judge new players if playing a formation that you not likely to play competitively. New formations are fine to try (kerr did in a few friendlies & did not work out) but with very few friendlies before next qualifiers this is not the right time for it.
Dunne struggled in some games in the Irish team when he was clearly not fit and had not played enough club games. He is a type of player who needs more playing time than others to be at a sharp enough level. The Italy friendly game comes to mind.
I'll be very suprised if he doesn't start with a 4-4-2 tonight.I think its a bizarre selection with keane, Duff, Elliot & Doyle in the same team. Reminds me od the Spurs 4-1-1-4 formation under Ossie Ardiles.
I could under stand 4-3-3 / 4-5-1 with 3 from those 4 players but Stan does not seemto be learning from Mick McCarthys sweeper formation gambles.
It is difficult to judge new players if playing a formation that you not likely to play competitively. New formations are fine to try (kerr did in a few friendlies & did not work out) but with very few friendlies before next qualifiers this is not the right time for it.
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