Despite looking shaky at club level I think O'Brien has been consistently good for Ireland. I think he's more of a continental style centre-back which is useful to have. He'd complemenent Dunne well in my opinion. I'd only consider O'Shea as first choice in that position if he was playing there regularly at club level, which I'd like to see.Originally Posted by dmandmythdledge
I think that whoever is picked at the centre half pairing, at least one will have to show some sort of leadership abilities. Having lost Kenny, we need to replace the organisational qualities he brought to the side. Right now I'd go with Dunne, he's captained Man City on several occasions this past season and I've watched him order around the younger players, telling them where to stand and who to mark etc. With any luck he could develop into a future captain of the national side.
I can't see that title being taken away from Keane and he's about the same age. So only if Dunne goes on to play a few years longer or if 2 superstar strikers come along in the near future and displace Keane from the starting 11. Dixon and Stokes maybe?
Off topic but I was very very surprised to see Keane get the armband. I thought for sure it would be either Given or Dunne, my preference being Dunne. He looks like a more vocal Paul McGrath out there.
GK: Given
RB: Finnan
CB: Dunne
CB: O'Brien
LB: Kilbane
RM: McGeady
DCM: Kavanagh
ACM: S. Reid
LM: Duff
S: Keane
S: Doyle
Also think that Mahon and A. Reid should be tried out in CM for the last half-hour.
Ye Dunne would have seemed the more logical choice. I don't really like having strikers as captains as they are less involved in the game.
I'd agree that defenders and central midfielders make better captains. However, from what I can remember of the game against Sweden, Andy O'Brien was the one organising the defence. One of the flaws in Dunne's game is that he's often not vocal enough.
"Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe." Dillo
On the basis of their 2 matches so far in the World Cup, the Dutch are a very dirty team. Van Bommel practically broke Boka's (Ivory Coast) ankle in the second half. Van Persie and Robben roll around all over the place, the look Robben gave when he got a yellow the other day for diving was priceless. We need to watch ourselfs against this shower in August, they could well try and get our players sent off and Van Bommel is a dirty player.
That wouldnt matter, would it? If you red-carded in a friendly, does it affect the Euro or WC Qualifiers?
When was the last time an Ireland player was sent off in a friendly. Not going to happen.
In Trap we trust
Roy Keane against Russia?
What's the exact date of the Dutch fixture?
16th August I think.
Who'd take Kevin Nolan now? (I'll put on my helmet)
Not sure, but I thought that it did have effect in qual. games. Any definite answer?
I wouldn't be too worried about Dutch players diving in a friendly.
I haven't seen Germany play yet, i'd say it will be a fair enough indicator for our game to see them play Sweden.
ATM I think our Euro hopes are resting on how O'Shea performs for us as most seem to think that he will be selected.
I have to say this is the key question that can make a significant difference to our time.
The decider would seem to be if McClaren will pick him and I suspect if he's not in their first squad he wont ever be. After this we we shoudl all get very drunk and holding our noses beg Nolan to play for us. Watching major tournaments with the Swiss rather than us is crap
How about Liam Daish and Niall Quinn who were sent off against Mexico in the US Cup later that year?
"Love many, trust few, always paddle your own canoe." Dillo
Dutch very dirty again tonight
I'd be critical of John O'Shea in the middle of the park against Germany. No footballing brain. I reckon in the short term, Kavanagh is the better option because he can pass better and dictate the game more. So I'd go with
GK: Given
LB: Harte
CB: Dunne
CB: O'Brien
RB: Finnan
LM: Duff
DCM: Kavangh
CM: Steven Reid
RM: McGeady/Reid (depending on club form of either)
CF: Keane
CF: Doyle
That's EXACTLY the line-up I'd go for....Definitely the most balanced team that we could put out with the players at our disposal and a few handy players on the bench also....Morrison, Reid/McGeady, O'Shea, Miller (despite being much maligned I still think he has a bit to offer)....
I think we could have a fighting chance to qualify from this group if all of the above stay fit and playing...
The only change I'd consider from the team above is Kilbane maybe playing LB. He played well against Chile and impressed me for once. McGeady has to start, plenty of tricks when he came on and offered something different.
Kavanagh and S Reid MUST play from the start. O'Shea will be rolled over against the Germans.
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