The team / squad for san marino

**galwayhoop** · 16/01/2007, 1:43 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Players have egos like the rest of us and I don't think you can under-estimate the impact replacing an established senior international with a pup that hasn't yet done anything at club level.

you can also over-estimate the effect too!

i presume you are not talking about stokes when you say done nothing at club level. fair enough he has only really been on the radar for a couple of months but the last player to exhibt such potential and make such an immediate impact was robbie keane. 16 goals in 18 games with falkirk and supposidly MotM for his sunderland debut at the weekend is hardly nothing at club level!

these so -called established players need a root up the backside not their ego's massaged as stated above. professional football is a cut-throat results driven business. there is always someone coming behind you to take your spot. the problem with our national team for the last 4 years or so is the back-up hasn't been there to compete with messers keane, duff, morrison ..etc. it appears to be now so let them know that their positions are up for grabs. if they are as good, as we think they are, the result should be positive. if they sulk at not starting a game and go off in a huff are they really the type of players that you want representing your country??

why not ruffle a few feathers and throw a few of the younger lads in against san marino. they will be so hungry that the marinonians won't know what hit 'em.

**carloz** · 16/01/2007, 1:57 PM

if we are picking on form and looking to the futre then Darren O'Dea has to get in the squad ahead of O'Brien. I feel a bit bad for O'Brien as he really only had one very poor game for us, he was excellent in Germany but we cant carry a Portsmoth reserve player

**ifk101** · 16/01/2007, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

you can also over-estimate the effect too!

i presume you are not talking about stokes when you say done nothing at club level. fair enough he has only really been on the radar for a couple of months but the last player to exhibt such potential and make such an immediate impact was robbie keane. 16 goals in 18 games with falkirk and supposidly MotM for his sunderland debut at the weekend is hardly nothing at club level!

these so -called established players need a root up the backside not their ego's massaged as stated above. professional football is a cut-throat results driven business. there is always someone coming behind you to take your spot. the problem with our national team for the last 4 years or so is the back-up hasn't been there to compete with messers keane, duff, morrison ..etc. it appears to be now so let them know that their positions are up for grabs. if they are as good, as we think they are, the result should be positive. if they sulk at not starting a game and go off in a huff are they really the type of players that you want representing your country??

why not ruffle a few feathers and throw a few of the younger lads in against san marino. they will be so hungry that the marinonians won't know what hit 'em.

Whatever about Duff and Keane, can somebody point out in which game did Morrison not give it his all? The chap might be technically limited but there's no question regarding his commitment to the team. All I'm saying is that I don't think current squad players have been given a fair chance yet - ie Alan Lee, Stephen Elliott, Liam Miller and even Stephen Ireland. Lets use these players first before we give up on them. These players have been in Stan squad selections before, have an idea of what he is thinking (whether this is good or bad thing) and know what is expected of them if called on. The San Marino match is a competitve fixture and I think it much better to use players that are already in the squad, know what is expected of them rather than bringing somebody in from the outside that isn't up to speed with how the team plays.

**Reddladd** · 16/01/2007, 2:18 PM

ifk101, you're obviously a big fan of Morrison. Granted Morrison has scored some decent goals for Ireland, if he didn't we wouldn't even be discussing him. However what he does best is huff and puff and give away stupid fouls by backing into defenders. He doesn't seem to understand the offside rule and has an inflated ego. Add to that the fact that he is not playing regularly at the moment and there are plenty of reasons not to play him.
He had his day, now it's time to move on without him.

**galwayhoop** · 16/01/2007, 2:23 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

Whatever about Duff and Keane, can somebody point out in which game did Morrison not give it his all? The chap might be technically limited but there's no question regarding his commitment to the team. All I'm saying is that I don't think current squad players have been given a fair chance yet - ie Alan Lee, Stephen Elliott, Liam Miller and even Stephen Ireland. Lets use these players first before we give up on them. These players have been in Stan squad selections before, have an idea of what he is thinking (whether this is good or bad thing) and know what is expected of them if called on. The San Marino match is a competitve fixture and I think it much better to use players that are already in the squad, know what is expected of them rather than bringing somebody in from the outside that isn't up to speed with how the team plays.

at least someone does because i don't get the impression he knows himself

personally i don't rate liam miller, stephen ireland (at this moment in time) or clingon morrison as international standard footballers. what can possible be gained by their inclusion in the team at this point. from all accounts stokes is a cut above those ahead of him in the pecking order so why not pick him. look if we can't beat san marino with a young, and yes if you want, in-experienced team then we have no right playing international football at all! countries like san marino, faroes ... etc shouldn't even be playing international football as they have populations less than counties like leitrim (no offense leitrim).

morrison, going by ability alone, is not one of our first choice front men and never will be. we all know what he has to offer. young stokes could potentially be one of our first choice players - alternatively he may crash and burn and slip into oblivion - so we sould give him his game to check him out. he has been able to perform at whatever level he has played at so far so we should see if he can hack it at the top level. and as an introduction use the san marino game.

incidentlly stokes started in place of elliot at the weekend (don't know if elliot is injured / coming back or if it was tactical though).

just because the others have been around longer doesn't mean they have a devine right to start before a new player. it's not a que. thats the equivelent of some crazy labour/green party attitude toward international football team selection! it's not politics.

**cavan_fan** · 16/01/2007, 2:48 PM

I'd keep Morisson in the squad for a few years yet, but there is no advantage in him playing against San Marino, he is a sub player and will be just as ready to come off the bench against Wales whether or not he plays against SM. Stokes though could do with getting past the media attention of his debut in what must be a guaranteed win.

Miller has shown nothing in 4(?) years club form that would get him in the squad. Ireland is a possibility but he needs 1 year of regular play to counteract my concerns about his build.

By the way I like the idea of a sticky injuries thread, can a mod set that up? Would love to know what the story is with Harte and Joey O'Brien.

**Dr. Ogba** · 16/01/2007, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

I'd keep Morisson in the squad for a few years yet, but there is no advantage in him playing against San Marino, he is a sub player and will be just as ready to come off the bench against Wales whether or not he plays against SM. Stokes though could do with getting past the media attention of his debut in what must be a guaranteed win.

Miller has shown nothing in 4(?) years club form that would get him in the squad. Ireland is a possibility but he needs 1 year of regular play to counteract my concerns about his build.

By the way I like the idea of a sticky injuries thread, can a mod set that up? Would love to know what the story is with Harte and Joey O'Brien.

Yeah you've got to watch out for those, they can get fairly messy....

**theworm2345** · 16/01/2007, 4:57 PM

Whens the squad going to be released?

**tricky_colour** · 16/01/2007, 5:34 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

Whens the squad going to be released?

I didn't even know they had been arrested

**as_i_say** · 16/01/2007, 6:44 PM

oh dear. gags o plenty.

**geysir** · 16/01/2007, 7:20 PM

Originally Posted by kingdom hoop

injuries are always a minefield, we could do with a thread to keep us all updated

Here is the physioroom web page.
http://physioroom.com/news/english_p...jury_table.php
Newcastle win that league hands down

Andy Reid must be fit again.
Duff due back soon.

**tetsujin1979** · 16/01/2007, 7:30 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Andy Reid must be fit again.

He played the full 90 minutes against Boro at the weekend

**theworm2345** · 17/01/2007, 3:11 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I didn't even know they had been arrested

Come clean are you Hal Roach or Des Bishop?

**Collyontour** · 17/01/2007, 8:12 AM

My starting 11

Given

Finnan, Dunne, McShane, Geary

McGeady, Carsley, A. Reid, Ireland

Keane, Stokes

I'd definitely have Paddy McCarthy and O'Dea in the squad as well and I wouldn't be dissapointed if he started O'Dea at left back. Big games pass O'Shea and Kilbane by and it's time we started a game without them. I read an interview by Doyle yesterday and he still hasn't given up on being in the squad and if he was fit I'd have him in before Stokes.

**shakermaker1982** · 17/01/2007, 8:28 AM

I want to see Stokes, Hunt, Long all called up. O'Dea is worth a look as well. Would be good for the young lads to meet up with the senior players before the big games at Croke Park start in March.

**elroy** · 17/01/2007, 9:17 AM

Liam Miller and S McPhail - what a midfield we would have had, if these guys had gone on to fulfill their early potential!!
Who's is the biggest fall from grace, im not sure. McP is making some bit of a comeback but not sure about Miller.

Has McShane been playing regularly for WBA? I think the bench for the SM should be full of inexperienced lads that we can bring on at half time/60 mins. I cant see Stan making too many surprise selections in the starting 11.

**kingdom hoop** · 17/01/2007, 9:54 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

Has McShane been playing regularly for WBA? I think the bench for the SM should be full of inexperienced lads that we can bring on at half time/60 mins. I cant see Stan making too many surprise selections in the starting 11.

McShane hadnt been first choice at WBA, chris perry(good, experienced pro) and curtis davies(very highly rated, often linked with spurs) were in front of him which was fair enough. but davies broke his foot in october allowing paul into the team. davies came back and then perry got injured so there havent been many times when all three were fit or not suspended(which is a bit of a problem for mcshane it would seem- played in 14 league games with 6 yellows and a red to be ashamed/proud of). mcshane though has been playing very well of late with a few MOMs, and i'd say would get his place in front of perry. so, yes, he has been playing regularly over the last few months. funny little booboo on the soccerbase.com site about mcshane;apparently played for rangers from the age of 8 to 12

and is in fact scottish

i wouldnt agree with not starting any new fellas, stokes says he doesnt get nervous so i dont think there should be fear that we need to secure the game before bringing on subs, he, and hunt or whoever, are more than capable of contributing to the performance from the start

**Wolfie** · 17/01/2007, 12:25 PM

We're well covered for forwards - its the lack of viable options in central midfield that's still the problem.

Kilbane should not be let next or near to the centre of the Park. Loses possession too cheaply and doesn't impose himself on the game enough.

With Stephen Reid out - its looking like Carsley / A.Reid. Nowhere near ideal.

We really need someone to emerge for the centre midfield with the promise that Stokes has shown up front. Just undeniable potential.

Probably the most difficult part of the pitch to establish yourself at Premiership level though.