Ireland squad vs Holland

**Qwerty** · 14/08/2006, 10:29 PM

Look at what happened to Paul Butler, here is a guy who played hundreds of league games at the top level and he had a stinker of a debut, I think Stan would prefer to ease McCarthy in against weaker opposition than the dutch. I think Butler needs to be given another chance, not sure if he is still interested though.

As for Doherty, what he lacks is composure when playing CB, unless he has improved dramatically since his Spurs days? I haven't seen him play very much for Norwich.

Damien Delaney and Graham Coughlan are the only other options I am aware of besides McShane and McCarthy.

I would prefer to see Harte ( I'm not a big fan

) play ahead of most of the above named, depite his lack of pace he has experience and would't lose his head. I think Stan is looking for steadiness at the back.

**theworm2345** · 14/08/2006, 11:28 PM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

I would prefer to see Harte ( I'm not a big fan

) play ahead of most of the above named, depite his lack of pace he has experience and would't lose his head. I think Stan is looking for steadiness at the back.

No doubt. Harte is also the 2nd leading goalscorer that is active right now. There are 2 tied for 3rd, one (Connolly) is not in the squad. And 2, (Morrison) is not match fit. Once you come to grips with it, our forwards have scored a combined 10 International goals, take Morrison away (As you will have to for at least the start), You have a max of 8 caps experience starting. Connolly and Morrison alone would combine for 18 International goals, and 75 caps. As Keane (Depending on his injury, I havent the faintest what it is, it could be a knock) may be out for Germany. I'd say you need one of either Connolly or Morrison out there to start the match, at least for experience.

Just a bit of a tangent

**tricky_colour** · 15/08/2006, 1:26 AM

Can the mods close this thread, Staunton picks the squad and team, end of story, we will have no arguing or differences of opinion in this forum

**drinkfeckarse** · 15/08/2006, 7:44 AM

Originally Posted by DeNiro

Surely he has to call up McCarthy from Leicester. It's pointless saying someone is not ready.

He'd look pretty silly if he called him up after saying that so I doubt it would happen. The Doc should come to the rescue

**ifk101** · 15/08/2006, 8:00 AM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

Damien Delaney and Graham Coughlan are the only other options I am aware of besides McShane and McCarthy.

I don't know if you've actually heard of it but Ireland does have its own domestic league - its called the League of Ireland and its comes complete with goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers that are all eligible and willing to play for Ireland.

**eirebhoy** · 15/08/2006, 9:29 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

I don't know if you've actually heard of it but Ireland does have its own domestic league - its called the League of Ireland and its comes complete with goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and attackers that are all eligible and willing to play for Ireland.

I'd say Coughlan would be better than any centre half in the EL but it's hard to say. He has been a major success with every club he has played for and has the experience needed to lead the line (unlike O'Brien or O'Shea).

**ifk101** · 15/08/2006, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I'd say Coughlan would be better than anyone in the EL but it's hard to say.

POTM?

**eirebhoy** · 15/08/2006, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

POTM?

Oh no, we have somebody who knows more about the Eircom League than I do so I'm automatically wrong...

Coughlan was a record transfer from the Eircom league when he left Bray. He has only got better with every season since he left and has won no fewer than 5 player of the year awards with clubs in Britain. I've seen all the best centre halfs in the EL a few times now (on TV) so I feel I can make a judgement. Just because I'm not biased towards all things League of Ireland doesn't mean I have no interest in the league.

**pete** · 15/08/2006, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Can the mods close this thread, Staunton picks the squad and team, end of story, we will have no arguing or differences of opinion in this forum

Forum closed so.

Stauntons comments on blooding new squad members is totally inconsistent. He included the Dixon kid & unproven O'Brien for this match against a big name team yet he does not think he can call up a backup Centre Back even if just to look at player in training.

It seems like Dunne will be out of the new qualifier so no backup centre back to O'Brien & O'Shea besides maybe Kilbane who has probably never played their at club level.

**ifk101** · 15/08/2006, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Oh no, we have somebody who knows more about the Eircom League than I do so I'm automatically wrong...

Coughlan was a record transfer from the Eircom league when he left Bray. He has only got better with every season since he left and has won no fewer than 5 player of the year awards with clubs in Britain. I've seen all the best centre halfs in the EL a few times now (on TV) so I feel I can make a judgement. Just because I'm not biased towards all things League of Ireland doesn't mean I have no interest in the league.

POTM X2.

Read your original post again and find the contradiction in this sentence - "I'd say Coughlan would be better than anyone in the EL but it's hard to say".

**NeilMcD** · 15/08/2006, 11:02 AM

Yeah I think Staunton is wrong not to call up either Doherty or Mc Carthy. Surely calling them up to the squad would do no harm. I know there is a difference between playing centre half and up front and you can get away with inexperience up front as long as you have pace and a good touch and an eye for goal but at the back you do need to have experience. But I think bringing Mc Carthy in would have have been a good idea especially with Harte pulling out along with Dunne.

**geysir** · 15/08/2006, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Fubar

According to Physioroom.com all of our players should fit and back playing games by 20th of august at latest. Thank God!! Imagine playing Germany with the team we are going to play Holland..

Good site Fubar, bookmarked.
I see that Ballack has no return date from his injury

**ifk101** · 15/08/2006, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Yeah I think Staunton is wrong not to call up either Doherty or Mc Carthy. Surely calling them up to the squad would do no harm. I know there is a difference between playing centre half and up front and you can get away with inexperience up front as long as you have pace and a good touch and an eye for goal but at the back you do need to have experience. But I think bringing Mc Carthy in would have have been a good idea especially with Harte pulling out along with Dunne.

Agree. Once Dunne pulled out, somebody that could play in his position should have been called up. Is this a case of managerial inexperience perhaps? Or is Stan itching for a game himself?

**geysir** · 15/08/2006, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

POTM X2.

Read your original post again and find the contradiction in this sentence - "I'd say Coughlan would be better than anyone in the EL but it's hard to say".

FFS, ifk, it's not hard for me to say that I'd take an Eirebhoy opinion about a player's worth as having credible validity anytime anyday.

**eirebhoy** · 15/08/2006, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

POTM X2.

Read your original post again and find the contradiction in this sentence - "I'd say Coughlan would be better than anyone in the EL but it's hard to say".

Oh, I see what you're on about now.

The sentence may look a bit strange but I wouldn't call it a contradiction. I didn't say "It's impossible to say".

**ifk101** · 15/08/2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Oh, I see what you're on about now.

The sentence may look a bit strange but I wouldn't call it a contradiction. I didn't say "It's impossible to say".

Fair enough - as long as you realise I wasn't having a go at you.

I agree with you that Coughlan is deserving of getting a look-in, as are LOI players. There are currently only two players that have played centre-half in the squad and one of them (O'Shea) hasn't played there lately. Given this scenario there's room for at least two centre-halves to be called-up. He's not going to call-up McCarthy, he doesn't seem to want Doherty anywhere near the squad, McShane is with the U21s, and Damien Delaney is injured. All this surely makes a strong case for either Gavin or Bennett to come into the squad.

**Dr. Ogba** · 15/08/2006, 12:26 PM

http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?...ed+on+football

Bloody hell are we even going to have a team out at this stage????

**shakermaker1982** · 15/08/2006, 12:43 PM

No Duff?

can we actually field a side?! Here is my go at picking a team with the injuries, as you can see the Dutch will be quivering. This has to be one of the worst sides we have ever fielded I'm afraid to say.

Kenny

Carr O'Shea O'Brien Kilbane

Finnan Kavanagh S Reid MacGeady

Clinton Doyle.

**oconghc2** · 15/08/2006, 12:54 PM

suppose the only good thing is that this now forces stan to throw in a few players that havnt much experience.

We know what we're gonna get from likes of Duff/Keane/Dunne for the most part

**Dallasirish** · 15/08/2006, 12:59 PM

This friendly is turning into a disaster. This is not the preparation Staunton or anyone else would have wanted. Going to Germany with a squad with inexperience, injuries, lack of match fitness and having not played togther for months does not make me overly optimistic! IMO it is going to take a special performance by Ireland and an off night for Germany for us to get a result!