Euro 2008 - Is there any hope?

[geysir]

I think we should consider that Leeds United plan, to get rid of some of our squad members.

[Paddy Garcia]

so are you ready to be wrong...again....this coming season??

What are you talking about ? That you misunderstood Sylvo on the Emelka Onwubiko thread

[Noelys Guitar]

I like the look of O'Halloran. Saw him play last week against Toronto and he looked good. Good distribution and has pace. I hope Carr is not playing. At least one major mistake every game now. Has no pace anymore and can't get up to head the ball. We might end up with some surprises in the team. Carsley and Kilbane have both been in the news recently via moves away from their clubs to championship clubs. Ireland might not get a look-in at City. Same for O'Shea and Carr at their clubs. Long should keep his place at Reading and in pre-season games has looked excellent. Andy Reid might end up back in the premiership through a transfer(just a hunch). Stuttgart's team might be the right one yet especailly if O'Halloran is playing regulary.

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland might not get a look-in at City.

In the 5 games under Sven so far, Ireland has started every one, not even Dunne has done that.

[billybunter]

would love to see this team line out in slovakia/czech games:
given, finnan, mcshane, Dunne, O'halloran, mcgeady, S Reid, Carsley, hunt, Doyle, Keane.

[Noelys Guitar]

In the 5 games under Sven so far, Ireland has started every one, not even Dunne has done that.

True. But Sven is bringing in at least 6 more players. I rate Ireland Highly and it would be great to see him start for City when the real stuff starts.

[Stuttgart88]

It'd be a shame if Ireland gets overlooked by Sven. I was reading in today's UK Independent Sven's possible XI if all his signing targets come through. I've barely heard of any of them. Now maybe he knows what he's doing & has spent his time looking at players across Europe but it looks to me as if he's spending for the sake of spending, and he's not alone. It really does show how difficult the landscape is for young players to come through the ranks at Premiership clubs.

I suppose you could argue that it throws down a challenge to Ireland to make the place his own, but I'm not so sure.

We really need Ireland to be playing regularly and be match sharp for the upcoming games.

[bellavistaman]

Watch Ireland carefully cause hes from Cobh, but honest to god, havent seen somebody with the vision and passing ability from Ireland in a long time. Class act when hes on his day and with a team that want to play football, Micah Richards said on Soccer A.M, hes the most skillful, which doesnt blend in with irelands(team) style of play admittedly but still not a bad quality to have.

As for O"Halloran, still early but hes flying. Working hard for everything, and is starting to get what he deserves, when Stephen Henderson Jnr, the U-19 keeper, was in Cobh last summer, he was tellin us that without doubt he was the fittest in Villas youths and reserves, and did alot after training aswell ,and really looked after him self off pitch, health wise. Twas great to hear.

[Dr. Ogba]

would love to see this team line out in slovakia/czech games:
given, finnan, mcshane, Dunne, O'halloran, mcgeady, S Reid, Carsley, hunt, Doyle, Keane.

I like that team but there's still a lack of creativity in the midfield...I think Ireland has (deservedly) played himself into the first XI so it would have to be either Hunt or McGeady to make way...Also think it'll be too early for Reid so you could expect Kilbane to be there instead of him (unfortunately!)...

[citizenerased]

I want this team to play..

.......................Given

Finnan.....McShane.....Dunne.....O'Shea

................S Reid........Ireland

McGeady............Keane.............Hunt

........................Doyle


This formation works for us..we should stick to it..

[paul_oshea]

too lightweight in midfield citizen.

[Wolfie]

Joey O'Brien in the reckoning?

[shakermaker1982]

John O'Shea has to fit in somewhere. He had a good couple of games against Slovakia and Wales at full back so if he is kept there then I'm happy enough. Centre MF and I'd panic.

[livehead1]

would love to see this team line out in slovakia/czech games:
given, finnan, mcshane, Dunne, O'halloran, mcgeady, S Reid, Carsley, hunt, Doyle, Keane.

That's hilarious, you would have a player who has about 5 senior CLUB games under his belt, O'Halloran, to come in and play in two of the biggest games in Irish football's recent history, one of them being against one of the best sides in Europe over the last 5 years!

[Stuttgart88]

I'd be tempted to too. We are in desperate need of a natural left back. It'd be a bold move but if O'halloran plays well against Denmark and gets games for Villa I don't see why not. It's not as if the alternatives are that compelling.

[Wolfie]

That's hilarious, you would have a player who has about 5 senior CLUB games under his belt, O'Halloran, to come in and play in two of the biggest games in Irish football's recent history, one of them being against one of the best sides in Europe over the last 5 years!

McShane, albeit with a bit more club experience, did alright in similar circumstances.

As posted earlier, I'd like to see how O'Halloran slots in with the established back 4 against Denmark.

[livehead1]

I'd be tempted to too. We are in desperate need of a natural left back. It'd be a bold move but if O'halloran plays well against Denmark and gets games for Villa I don't see why not. It's not as if the alternatives are that compelling.

Yeh, i would be more accepting if that was the case, but currently, as the situation stands, and his experience, I cannot see how it is viable to include him!

[citizenerased]

i think its silly to be mentioning o halloran, what the hell ahs he done to warrant a starting place. too much of a big occasion for hi to start...

"too lightweight in midfield citizen."

I considered that, but reid is a tough tackler and has alot of presence on the ball, and doesnt give the ball away as often as carsley or kilbane, ireland also is a competent passer and rarely concedes possesion...we are going to have to keep the ball, we cannot let either the czechs or slovaks get us on the break as a result of an overhit ball by kilbane..We have to go aiming to win both these matches..

[tetsujin1979]

i think its silly to be mentioning o halloran, what the hell ahs he done to warrant a starting place. too much of a big occasion for hi to start...

"too lightweight in midfield citizen."

I considered that, but reid is a tough tackler and has alot of presence on the ball, and doesnt give the ball away as often as carsley or kilbane, ireland also is a competent passer and rarely concedes possesion...we are going to have to keep the ball, we cannot let either the czechs or slovaks get us on the break as a result of an overhit ball by kilbane..We have to go aiming to win both these matches..

Ireland is too lightweight to play that deeply, a lot would fall on reid to play the defensive ball winning role by himself.
other than that, looks promising

[citizenerased]

possibly agree about ireland, but if you leave him out and add carsley or kilbane, we will have no creative edge in midfield , which will be in two very tight away games..