I don't have a problem either with 4-5-1 as long as the right players are used. Definately feel that 4-4-2 is not our best formation though so as long as he tries different things then that's ok.Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba
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the 4-5-1 would require Kilbane to play wide left as he is the only option for kicks outs. This raises the question of where to play Duff.
One possibility is to play him in the the free role Andy Reid played in on Wednesday and bring in McGeady on the right.
In a 4-4-2, Doyle would offer the aerial option (albeit not a great one) and Killer could be sacrificed to make way for Duff and McGeady on the wings.
"You need dictatorships and poverty to produce great footballers."
I would not play him i the free role. When Quinn came on he went right and Duff went into the middle for ten mins. He barely got a kick of the ball. He went out wide again and set up the chance for Robbie Keane. Quinn was also much better in the middle than out wide. You need pace in the wings and you need good passing and vision in the middle.
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You cannot be seriously using that as an excuse to play a player!?
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That does look like our best option, but I do think that Douglas, Quinn & A.Reid should get a look in after their performances on Wed.
We are still pretty slack at LB, would be more confident if we had a decent player there & I certainly wouldn't have O'Shea there!!
I think Kelly has given the best performance at left back in a long time for Ireland so i would be happy to keep him there as long as he is getting games at Birmingham. He was captain of U21s so he has character and I think Finnan Dunne Mc Shane and Kelly has good blance between old and new and hunger and experience. I would agree to Eirebhoys team other than Harte. You could also possibly say Douglas is a bit harshly left out but himself and Alan Quinn should be in the squad and on the bench as decent back ups along with Andy Reid.
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Not on its own but is an important factor if the ball just keeps coming back after every kick out. Kilbane would add a physicality that is badly lacking in the current side, especially if the relatively small centre-back McShane is playing. He also puts himself about the pitch and defends at corners as well. Centre-midfield for Killer was madness. Out wide is his best position. I don't think we can afford to play both McGeady and Duff.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
who plays left full for the 21s?
marcos painter did for a bit until recently but he's not in the current squad. I think James Hand of Huddersfield may be picked for that role, though not too sure.
Any relation to eoin Hand? Didn't he have a Huddersfield connection?
I'm with owls fan on this. If I was Stan I'd be reluctant to line out again with both Mcgeady and Duff, especially away from home. I actually think playing Kilbane on the left and Duff on the right gives us good balance. Another option would be Duff on left and either of the Reids on the right.
I'd have to agree with the Kelly fans so far - I think he has that bit of pace that Jos lacks and looked more urgent the other night. Dunne and either McShane or Jos in centre defence - on present strengths , McShane is ahead in that one, with Finnan on the right.
I remain very worried about the strength of the midfield when we don't have the ball though. I'm not sure if the central pairing of Carsley and Steven Reid (failry clear choice at this stage) is strong enough to cope with having to cover for 4 out and out attackers. I think the formation with Andy Reid dropping off Keane worked well against the Czechs, and I'd be tempted to try Robbie Keane off Doyle in a similar role. Duffer on the left and McGeady on the right, but there's still that lack of steel across the pitch. Despite the fact that Doyle and Keane are two of our better players, I think if I had a full team to pick from I'd go with McGeady, Steven Reid, Carsley, Kilbane and Duff across the middle, with Doyle up front (based on present form) and Keane to come on for the last half hour in place of one of the midfield quartet. For a match that we really want to keep tight, perhaps Kavanagh to come in instead of Kilbane to add an extra bit of bite.
A bench with Keane, Andy Reid and O'Shea to come on covers all positions fairly easily.
As regards other players mentioned, Harte I'm not sure of, I think Andy Reid provides close to the same quality from dead balls, in fact IMO his delivery against the Czechs was better than Harte's has been for a long time - Harte is deadly when going for goal, but tends to be a bit hit and miss delivering crosses - Reid put in several very dangerous balls that could have hit the back of the net with a slight touch. Having Kilbane for height isn't necessary if Steven Reid is available (I still have him though) - he's another option for kick outs.
Anyway, my 11
--------------Given----------------
-Finnan- -Dunne- -McShane- -Kelly-
-----S Reid- -Carsley- -Kilbane-----
-McGeady---------------------Duff-
--------------Doyle----------------
Subs: Kenny, A.Reid, O'Shea, Keane, Morrisson, Quinn, Carr
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I'd agree with most of your comments but have a look at that central midfield....absolutely no creativity whatsoever. Carsley and Reid are both battlers , in that they get the tackle in, cover every blade of grass and generally make a nuisance of themselves. With these 2 in the team there is no need for Kilbane as he is the same kind of player except not as good. Andy Reid in there instead of Kilbane, put him in the withdrawn position and get him to pull the strings....
A solid spine to the team plus that bit of creativity and spark provided by A. Reid, Duff and McGeady...
"Well I think they'll be a little disappointed with that" - Matt Holland on TV3 after 5-2 drubbing by Cyprus
Well my main point was that with Duff and McGeady in the team we need 3 battlers. I don't think we can play Duff, McGeady, Andy Reid and one of the front two and get away with it. I think that our best chance of penetration comes down the flanks or with McGeady and Duff cutting into the middle and running at the defence. I agree that there's no real creative spark in the centre of midfield, but I'm not sure that we have the luxury of playing someone like that. I'd be more inclined to pick 2 from 3 of Duff, McGeady and Andy Reid to be honest.
Foot.ie's entire existence is predicated on the average idiot's inability to ignore other idiots
Me too. You go on to say you'd have Robbie on the bench though but despite his glaring miss at the end I'd still have him in the team.
I think Steven Reid & Carsley would be a solid central midfield in theory, and Jonathon Douglas has put himself way ahead of the titches like Miller & Ireland. I'd almost go as far as saying that Douglas is the man in possession and it's up to Reid to play himself back in. I'd hope that Alan Quinn remains higher up in Staunton's (or wheoever's) plans in 2007. Joey O'Brien ought to be fit by then & hopefully Owen Garvan can be introduced to the senior squad.
If everyone's fully fit, how to accomodate McGeady, Andy Reid, Steven Reid etc. is a good problem to have. Lee Carsley's return adds so much to central midfield. Carsley and most of the above would be a competitive midfield in my opinion. Once central mid is competitive everything else then stands a chance of being competitive too.
Fair enough, I can see where you're coming from. Having said that, if you're going to drop one of those 3 I'd sacrifice McGeady (for the moment) and push Kilbane out to the wing as happened against the Czechs and keep Reid in there. So you have McGeady as the option of impact sub in the last 20 minutes to have a go at a tiring full-back...
"Well I think they'll be a little disappointed with that" - Matt Holland on TV3 after 5-2 drubbing by Cyprus
Kilbane scored and that is a plus. I have been against him playing for a long time but sometimes you have got to believe your eyes. I thought he and O'Shea played well on Wednesday. Kelly in the first half was superb. Tired in the second but his fitness should improve. Playing McGeady and Duff did'nt work in a 4-4-2 against Cyprus and wouldn't try again unless chasing the game. But would play both in a 4-5-1. I would have in defense Finnan, Dunne, McShane, Kelly or O'Shea
Given in Goal. S.Reid, Carsley, Kilbane, Duff
Doyle, Keane or Mcgeady
Subs Carr, Harte, Quinn, Douglas, Morrison, A REid
Last edited by Noelys Guitar; 13/10/2006 at 3:27 PM.
Totally agree with you there Stuttgart, good post. Your posts are so much better when you are sober !!!!
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My wife agrees!
If all fit, this would be our strongest 11.
Given
Finnan Dunne O'Shea Kilbane
McGeady S.Reid Carsley Duff
Keane Doyle
I'd replace O'Brien with O'Shea, who looked comfortable in the centre the other night.
Wouldn't play Carr right and Finnan left, as it hasn't worked before.
Kilbane is better than Kelly, so would play him on the left.
McGeady and Duff are the best attacking options we have on the wings.
Happy to see carsely in the middle. He adds a bit of steel and drive that's been lacking lately. Steven Reid when fit is an automatic choice. Another solid performer who will get stuck in and won't be easily bullied.
The two boys up front are the best we have. Good to see Long coming through the ranks at Reading, although I wouldn't risk playing him in this campaign. Morrison and Elliot are just above him in pecking order.
Never eat yellow snow!!
no O'Shea cant justify his place anymore - completely lost concentration for goal on wednesday,
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