Ireland to play Ecuador and Bolivia in May

**eirebhoy** · 08/05/2007, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Surely all going to pull out because of Cup finals and play offs?

I assume he sorted that out as there's no Celtic players included because of the Scottish cup final.

Why is Kilbane included?

We're probably best to keep Whelan's name out of the limelight. Stan is so stubborn that if his name is constantly brought up he'll have less chance of a call up.

**Metrostars** · 08/05/2007, 12:09 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Surely all going to pull out because of Cup finals and play offs?

Manager Staunton has named 23 players in his provisional squad, which will be finalised after the Championship play-off semi-final between Wolves and West Bromwich Albion.

Playoff schedule:
Saturday, 12 May 2007
Southampton v Derby, 12:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunday, 13 May 2007
Wolverhampton v West Brom, 12:00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday, 15 May 2007
Derby v Southampton, 19:45

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday, 16 May 2007
West Brom v Wolverhampton, 19:45

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, 28 May 2007
Southampton/Derby v Wolverhampton/West Brom, 15:00

So basically this means that if West Brom wins the playoff, Potter & Keogh will go on the trip, if Wolves win, McShane does. In any case it is strange because either Potter & Keogh or McShane are definetely not going.

**gustavo** · 08/05/2007, 12:10 PM

Alan O'Brien must have some very good photos of Stan is all I can think of!

**eirebhoy** · 08/05/2007, 12:11 PM

I find the squad a little worrying actually. I thought he had learnt after Cyprus. He doesn't seem to distinguish between the holding midfielders, attacking midfielders, box to box midfielders. They're just all central midfielders to him it seems.

**youngirish** · 08/05/2007, 12:13 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I find the squad a little worrying actually. I thought he had learnt after Cyprus. He doesn't seem to distinguish between the holding midfielders, attacking midfielders, box to box midfielders. They're just all central midfielders to him it seems.

It's also ridiculous to have 7 strikers in an international squad. Wouldn't be surprised if he only plays 4-5-1 anyway.

**gustavo** · 08/05/2007, 12:14 PM

Douglas out on his ear too , unless he is one of Stans core men that have been allowed to skip it.Be interesting to see Geary at left back , He's probably the only of the uncapped players that I think could do a job for us in the current campaign

**tetsujin1979** · 08/05/2007, 12:19 PM

Also, I guess this means Stokes is out of the U-19 squad, as expected?

**Dodge** · 08/05/2007, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'm really disappointed by this squad.

When was the last squad where somebody didn't say that?

**drummerboy** · 08/05/2007, 12:23 PM

Alan O'Brien selection is due to the influence of Pat Devlin on Stan.

Whelan should be considered, he has had a great season. Owen Garvan should have been brought also. Why does he bother to bring Colgan instead of Supple and Logan.

**Jerry The Saint** · 08/05/2007, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Why does he bother to bring Colgan instead of Supple and Logan.

Building for the future

4-year plan

You could go mad trying to work out the logic behind Staunton's squad selections.

**youngirish** · 08/05/2007, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

Building for the future

4-year plan

You could go mad trying to work out the logic behind Staunton's squad selections.

Just proves what we already know. He doesn't have a clue. I fear that we won those two games a few weeks ago in spite of him rather than because of him.

He doesn't seem to have any idea of how Irish players are performing for their teams and what talent is available.

**Noelys Guitar** · 08/05/2007, 12:41 PM

"Hes got pace" Its like when a manager has bought a player for loads of money. Turns out to be crap but must justify the fee by playing him! Cue Stan and O'Brien. Anyone going to the game in New Jersey should meet up at the "Grassphopper Also" across from Giants Stadium. Owner from Roscommon and when I was living there always showed the Ireland games no matter how many people came in. I hope to make it over.

**Wolfie** · 08/05/2007, 12:52 PM

The Missing List:

Ruled out through injury:

Damien Duff
Shay Given
Steven Reid
Andy Reid
Joey O'Brien
Kevin Foley
Jonathan Douglas
Stephen Elliott
Ian Harte

According to this mornings "Metro" the following will not travel "due to club commitments":

Robbie Keane
Aidan McGeady
Darren O'Dea
Steve Finnan
John O'Shea

Speculation that Reading are keen to rest all of their players during close season so could lose Doyle, Hunt and Long as well...............

**shakermaker1982** · 08/05/2007, 12:53 PM

Nicky Colgan - Barnsley
Wayne Henderson - Preston North End
Colin Doyle - Birmingham City
Stephen Kelly - Birmingham City
Paul McShane - WestBromwichAlbion
Sean St Ledger - Preston North End
Alex Bruce - Ipswich Town
Derek Geary - Sheffield Utd
Joseph O'Cearuill - Arsenal
John O'Shea - Manchester United
Kevin Kilbane - Wigan Athletic
Darren Potter - Wolves
Stephen Ireland Manchester City
Stephen Hunt - Reading
Alan O'Brien - Newcastle United
Kevin Doyle - Reading
Shane Long - Reading
Caleb Folan - Wigan Athletic
Daryl Murphy - Sunderland
Stephen Elliott - Sunderland
Liam Miller - Sunderland
Anthony Stokes - Sunderland
Andy Keogh - Wolves

a lot of strikers!!!

**kingdom hoop** · 08/05/2007, 1:01 PM

Oh so easy to look at the many negatives, so positives from my perspective;

'O'Cearuill' - set to be first Irish (Gaelic) variant of a surname to don the jersey, afaik. Now that is cause for celebration.

**Dr. Ogba** · 08/05/2007, 1:13 PM

Garvan, Whelan, McCann, Supple, Clarke, Kevin Foley, David Bell (supposed to be playing great for Luton despite being relegated), Paddy McCarthy, S. Quinn, Logan, Jay Tabb even??

Edit: Add Michael Doyle to that list, the type of combative midfielder that we need.

I don't care who we are playing but a potential CM combination of Ireland and Potter is likely to be completely and utterly overrun...

Ah welcome back pessimism, I've missed ye....

**Stuttgart88** · 08/05/2007, 1:21 PM

There's a fine array of young talent in the squad alright, but from that list of players there's no central midfield combo that could hold its own. Given the players available Potter or O'Shea would have to play CM, if not both.

Joey O'Brien clearly isn't back training yet

**republicofwhite** · 08/05/2007, 2:10 PM

So disheartened by this squad. Particularly with Colgan, Alan O'Brien and Folan included, I've never seen a more perfect example of regress rather than progress. Garvan has been outstanding in recent weeks, Whelan was player of the season at Wednesday, even someone like George O'Callaghan has a right to be there ahead of some of those players. Why does he call up Randolph in one squad, and then call up Colgan in the next, and completely ignore Supple, who is been heralded as probably the most talented of all our burgeoning netminders. Alex Bruce is ropey at best, but I suppose centre halves are thin on the ground. Its a shocking squad, I'm expecting some embarrassing results out of this now.

**bawn79** · 08/05/2007, 2:21 PM

I think the best we can hope for is that a number of these guys pull out, its a bit like recalling Carsley this is was done against Stauntons "best" judgement.
So hopefully as lads pull out due to injury and the playoffs/cup finals then others will be called in.
I think this is a perfect time to try and solve the problem positions in midfield. I've never seen Garvan play but from what I hear could be very interesting to see how he gets on, Whelan likewise.

**Ceirtlis** · 08/05/2007, 2:47 PM

Its a mickey mouse squad for mickey mouse games. Some of the selections are shocking, i thought stan had got over the downright bizarre selections like alan o brien.