Ireland Team v Holland (and Germany)

**TerryPhelan** · 30/05/2006, 9:47 PM

Ladies and gentlemen, Terry is glad to be back!

Given that it's going to be basically an identical team lining out against the Dutch as the Germans, and going on the two friendlies and the likelihood of Irish lads getting first team football, who do people think Stan (and Bobby?!) will go with?

The most likely eleven to be picked will be as follows (i.e. not who I personally think SHOULD be picked, but who I think Stan will select anyway!):

Given

Finnan
Dunne
O'Brien
Harte

Miller
Reid
O'Shea
Duff

Keane
Doyle

With McGeady, Andy Reid, Carr, Joey O'Brien, Elliott, Morrison, Fabrizio Kavanelli (silver feather) and Paddy Kenny on the bench.

The team I would like to see line out would be as follows:

Given

Finnan
Dunne
O'Brien
Harte

Ronnie O'Brien/McGeady (trickery, speed, confidence - both these lads have it in abundance. All it needs is a bit of courage from 'd'gaffer')
S Reid
A Reid (the best place to deploy his excellent passing and vision: an old-style playmaker and, as in the last campaign, would take some of the creative burden off Duff. Also, his performance against France shows he has the engine, the aggression and the willingness to 'get stuck in' to succeed in CM)
Duff (praying for a move so he can rediscover his old swashbuckling self. Whoever said on an earlier thread that Chelsea have turned him into a wing-back was spot on!)

Keane
Doyle

With Elliott, Morrison, Kavanelli, Joey O'Brien, Carr, O'Shea, Kenny etc ar an b�nse.

What do you people make of it?

**Colbert Report** · 30/05/2006, 9:51 PM

Team I think he should pick:

Given
Finnan-O'Brien-Dunne-Harte
McGeady-SReid-Kavanaugh-Duff
Morrison-Keane

Team I think he will pick:
Given
Carr-O'Brien-Dunne-O'Shea
Finnan-SRied-Miller-Duff
Doyle-Keane

**Stuttgart88** · 31/05/2006, 9:55 AM

I'd pick the following:

Given
Finnan-Dunne-O'Brien-Kilbane
Carr - Kavanagh* - S. Reid - Duff
Robbie - Clinton

McGeady, Doyle, A. Reid. Elliott, Harte and O'Shea all bench options.

I really hope Stan tries Carr RHM and forgets any notion of playing one of Europe's finest full backs anywhere other than, eh, full back.

* I'd like to see a match fit Andy Reid tried alongside Steven Reid in central midfield.

**bawn79** · 31/05/2006, 10:09 AM

Team

Given
Finnan O Brien Dunne Harte
McGeady Kavanagh S Reid Duff
Doyle Keane

Seems to me to be the best players playing in there natural positions.

**CraftyToePoke** · 31/05/2006, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'd pick the following:

Given
Finnan-Dunne-O'Brien-Kilbane
Carr - Kavanagh* - S. Reid - Duff
Robbie - Clinton

McGeady, Doyle, A. Reid. Elliott, Harte and O'Shea all bench options.

I really hope Stan tries Carr RHM and forgets any notion of playing one of Europe's finest full backs anywhere other than, eh, full back.

* I'd like to see a match fit Andy Reid tried alongside Steven Reid in central midfield.

i like the look of this side by and large, possibly moving Finnan accross to l.b. with carr at rb, not ideal i know, but i dont think Carr would bring enough to the midfield, id like to see Lawrence tried there, at least its his club spot.

i like the bench though, guys there who may change a game for a change, better than having Docherty sat there anyway, with your game changing hopes pinned in him.

**bwagner** · 31/05/2006, 10:58 AM

My team for the dutch game.......test run

Given
Finnan Dunne O brien Harte
Lawerence S.reid Kavanagh Duff
Keane Morrison

**NeilMcD** · 31/05/2006, 11:00 AM

my team would be

Given

Finnan A. O Brien Dunne Kilbane

A.Reid S. Reid Kavanagh Duff

Doyle Keane

Subs Kenny OShea, McGeady, Morrison, J O Brien

**Donal81** · 31/05/2006, 11:12 AM

Given

Steve Finnan, Richard Dunne, Andy O'Brien, Kevin Kilbane

Aiden McGeady, Stephen Reid, Graham Kavanagh, Damien Duff

Robbie Keane, Kevin Doyle

We need to settle on a first eleven as soon as possible, I really think this is vital.

Andy Reid, Clinton Morrison, John O'Shea, Ian Harte, Paddy Kenny, Steve Carr on the bench.

**eirebhoy** · 31/05/2006, 11:56 AM

I'd be happy with most of the teams put up in this thread. I think most of us can agree on:

Given
Finnan - Dunne - O'Brien - *
* - Kavanagh - Reid - Duff
Keane - *

For left back it seems its between Kilbane and Harte.
Up front it's between Doyle and Morrison.
Right midfield between A.Reid / Lawrence / McGeady / Carr.

That's the people's choice but we all know he'll find a spot for John O'Shea in there somewhere and fck it up.

**shakermaker1982** · 31/05/2006, 12:00 PM

My team for Holland:

Given

Finnan Dunne O'Brien Kilbane

McGeady Kavanagh S Reid Duff

Keane Doyle

You guys don't seriously think he'll start with Miller or O'Shea? Please God no.

**Superhoops** · 31/05/2006, 8:46 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

....That's the people's choice but we all know he'll find a spot for John O'Shea in there somewhere and fck it up.

Wouldn't bet on that just yet.

**thejollyrodger** · 31/05/2006, 9:00 PM

the fact that Jayo wont be in the squad is criminal

**theworm2345** · 31/05/2006, 9:26 PM

(If someone is on the far right, it doesnt mean they are on the wing)
Given

Finnan---Harte---Dunne---Breen

O'Shea

S. Reid---Kilbane

Duff

Doyle---Keane

Subs: Kenny, Morrison, A. O'Brien, Henderson, Connolly, Kavanagh, Miller, A. Reid, Liam Lawrence, Carr, J. O'Brien, Elliott, MARK KENNEDY

No "blackhole (as I called him)," McGeady who gave it away everytime against Chile, Stephen Kelly wasnt impressive either

EDIT:

Originally Posted by TerryPhelan

The most likely eleven to be picked will be as follows (i.e. not who I personally think SHOULD be picked, but who I think Stan will select anyway!):

CRAP

**dr_peepee** · 31/05/2006, 9:57 PM

I dunno what team I'd want to start TBH...

He may start with a similar line up and formation to the team that started against Sweden, with possibly someone more versatile in the role that Steven Elliot played in that Right Midfield/Interchangable Forward role (Maybe McGeady/Andy Reid)

Not convinced by O'Shea either but all the signs are he'll start with Reid in the Middle.

Morrison should start against Holland in a chance to defend his place as I still think it's his place to loose and not to displace Doyle.

Another look at Kilbane at left full wouldn't do any harm.

I dunno lads... Staunton has been a bit off the wall on his formations and selections so it's anyones guess.

**joema** · 31/05/2006, 10:02 PM

Dont know who he will pick (may be injuries aswell!!) but Id love to see Andy Reid in the centre - he's our most creative player IMO and would link up well with Doyler up front

**TerryPhelan** · 31/05/2006, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by thew0rm2345

EDIT:
CRAP

That's really eloquent. Just what did you find so objectionable in what I wrote?

**DmanDmythDledge** · 31/05/2006, 11:14 PM

Does anyone think that John O'Shea would be a better option that Andy O'Brien at CB? When he first came on the scene at Man Utd he looked like he could make the position his own in years to come. However he has been tried in various positions since and was never given a good run at CB. I feel he would be a better option that A O'B.

**eirebhoy** · 31/05/2006, 11:37 PM

O'Brien has done nothing yet to lose his place. In fact, he was one of the most consistant players under Kerr and never once put in a bad performance or was the cause of a goal. O'Shea had the potential to be a lot better than O'Brien but I think O'Brien is the safer bet atm.

**Buller** · 31/05/2006, 11:58 PM

Our Strongest Starting Lineup In My Opinion

GK: Given

RB: Finnan
CB: Dunne
CB: O'Brien
LB: Harte

RM: McGeady
DCM: O'Shea ???
ACM: Reid
LM: Duff

S: Keane
S: Doyle

Sadly i think we are very average and are lacking some class in the middle of the park....