Ireland squad vs Holland

**Rory H** · 15/08/2006, 1:20 PM

thats 13/10 for holland to beat ireland

at least this game wont be ruined by substitutions...because we wont have any

**eirebhoy** · 15/08/2006, 1:26 PM

Originally Posted by oconghc2

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

It's more than just testing players. We have to get the team playing together regularly. Dunne and O'Brien have hardly played together and need getting used to. Italy are the world champions and the main reason for this is because Lippi stuck with his first choice team for every match including friendlies (bar 1 or 2 experiments). The Italians virtually became a club team as they were so familiar with each others games.

With all the injuries this friendly is pretty pointless.

**Metrostars** · 15/08/2006, 1:47 PM

I said it before at the time, but Stan should have played a few friendlies at the end of last season. There were a lot of World Cup bound teams who would have loved to play us. Ahh but sure the lads needed a good rest after the long season. Good man Stan, great preparation for the game against Germany. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail...

**John83** · 15/08/2006, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by wild rover

thats 13/10 for holland to beat ireland

at least this game wont be ruined by substitutions...because we wont have any

Just in case Staunton is reading this, I'd just like to mention that I can play centre half, and I am available. I'd describe myself as like the Richard Dunne of old, only without the skill, determination, fitness or penchant for alcohol.

**Norman** · 15/08/2006, 2:45 PM

Having paid good money for tickets for tomorrow night, I'm disappointed with the level of withdrawals. Then I thought it wouldn't be that bad as maybe Stan might make a comeback to shore up the defence - alas he's ruled out now due to gun shock, now I hear Duff has also withdrawn, he has returned to Newcastle because he's not fit !!! How about

breen,
breen, breen, breen, breen
breen, breen, breen breen
breen breen,

just a thought...............

**Dodge** · 15/08/2006, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

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).

He couldn't make the grade at Pats. At the time we had far better players than him

**eirebhoy** · 15/08/2006, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

He couldn't make the grade at Pats. At the time we had far better players than him

I didn't even know he was at Pats. Considering he was 19 when he joined Bray I wouldn't read too much into it.

**BrayUnknowns** · 15/08/2006, 3:04 PM

Why not give the likes of Richie Byrne or Gary Dempsey a run ?

**theworm2345** · 15/08/2006, 3:31 PM

Originally Posted by BrayUnknowns

Why not give the likes of Richie Byrne or Gary Dempsey a run ?

I'm guessing its too late for any new callups at this point, its 4:00, right? The remaining guys are probably not even going to train that hard because of risk of injury, if they're even going to train again. I honestly woudnt be surprised to see Staunton (maybe even Alan Kelly) on the teamsheet tomorrow, we have no back up defenders

**RogerMilla** · 15/08/2006, 3:39 PM

if stan picks himself he will be a laughing stock , i am supportive of him and hope it all goes brilliantly for him and i honestly do not think he would be that daft. now off to paddy power to get odds on him for the last goal!!

**theworm2345** · 15/08/2006, 3:44 PM

Originally Posted by RogerMilla

if stan picks himself he will be a laughing stock

What do you call the current squad? True, its not necesarilly all his fault, but he couldve made more callups after the injuries, maybe from the eircom League, at least given the team more options. 17, 18 guys is a Club team side, not an international side, if you can use many substitutes, why not use them? At this point I wouldnt mind seeing Dixon there

**Adrianovic** · 15/08/2006, 3:46 PM

I'm not sure I want to know the score of this game, let alone watch it. Mercifully it is a friendly, so I don't think Holland will go all out to hammer us.

Staunton won't pick himself, don't be silly. He'd rather put a striker at centre back if that's what it came down to.

Ade

**pete** · 15/08/2006, 3:52 PM

Kenny
Carr O'Shea O'Brien Kilbane
Finnan Kavanagh Reid McGeady
Doyle Elliot

Subs: Henderson, Miller, Douglas, O'Brien, Morrison, Murphy.

No defenders on the bench.

Did i forget anyone?

**eirebhoy** · 15/08/2006, 4:17 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Kenny
Carr O'Shea O'Brien Kilbane
Finnan Kavanagh Reid McGeady
Doyle Elliot

Subs: Henderson, Miller, Douglas, O'Brien, Morrison, Murphy.

No defenders on the bench.

Did i forget anyone?

I'd go with that lineup except Carr playing on the wing and Finnan at right back.

**Closed Account** · 15/08/2006, 4:22 PM

Isn't Stephen Kelly still knocking about somewhere?

**Qwerty** · 15/08/2006, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

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.

I didn't mean to insult the EL, I was going to ask if there were any realistic candidates as I don't get to see may games these days. Gavin works for me, I've always been mystified by hs decline but he did an interview recently and he basically said he lost confidence after Bradford.

**dahamsta** · 15/08/2006, 10:14 PM

Off topic posts moved here. I'll be locking this thread if there's any more off-topic crap posted in it.

adam

**cheifo** · 15/08/2006, 10:38 PM

I agree that Bennett should have been called up and given a chance.If he can play well in the champions league he would not let us down in a friendly.
Whats worrying me with all these withdrawls is the Germans will know each other we might not.Good preparation?But in fairness to Staunton what can he do?

**bmozza** · 16/08/2006, 9:01 AM

my team would be:
kenny
carr o'shea o'brien finnan
miller reid kilbane mcgeady
doyle morrison

considering the silly amount of injuries i actually don't think that's all that bad a side. a big test for mcgeady and doyle, let's hope they produce at this level and start pushing for a competitive place come the qualifiers...

**eirebhoy** · 16/08/2006, 10:30 AM

I was just thinking about Miller, I can't see him not starting tbh. He'd be a fool not to play Kavanagh. Playing Kilbane in the centre would just force Reid to play the holding role when he's best playing box to box.