Ireland v Wales pre-match thread

[Nailer77]

Are you actually pro-Stan, or just pro this selection?

[NeilMcD]

I think the squad is ok with the exception of the Keeprs. I agree Doyle should be there. Kenny has said he does not want to be picked for the forseeable future so I would have gone for Given Henderson and Doyle as the keepers.


O Shea Dunne, Mc Shane and O Dea as centre backs is fine

Finnan Kelly Harte as full backs is grand also.

I think its possible that maybe Miller could be in instead of Gibson but that is a close call to be honest.


Finally the stirkers which people seem to be going mad over Folan is not competing with Connolly as Connolly is a poacher and about 5ft 8, Folan is 6ft 2 and is a pacey strong striker. I think Staunton is looking to have variation in his strikers and Keane, Stokes, Long, Doyle and Folan offer that. I also think in the long term that Ward may have a chance if he keeps up his form.

[Nailer77]

I think Geary deserved a call, apart from Finnan the other contenders at FB are pedestrian at best and although Geary may be no superstar he's worth a look. Likewise I'd have though Hawkins or McCarthy would have been worth a call up at CB. Don't really have a problem with Folan, he's worth a look, but he should only be used as an option. If we go back to this business of playing a big man who 'runs the channels' well then we're going the wrong way.

[cavan_fan]

Are you actually pro-Stan, or just pro this selection?

I'm pro this selection.

I hope that Stan will prove us all wrong in his management etc but I am fairly sure he wont

[Nailer77]

I'm pro this selection.

I hope that Stan will prove us all wrong in his management etc but I am fairly sure he wont

No I'm pretty damn sure he won't.

[bellavistaman]

i think he will

[tetsujin1979]

I'm pro this selection.

I hope that Stan will prove us all wrong in his management etc but I am fairly sure he wont

ditto, but then I was pro the squad for San Marino as well....

[greendeiseboy]

more words of wisdom from staunton in his post squad announcement press conference.......... seemingly he will not now pick any striker who is not playing in the premiership as he has four strikers to pick from who are.... suppose stokes will be dropped now that he's realised his mistake in calling him up........ f*cking idiot

[galwayhoop]

it is a decent selection with what we have available. those calling for connolly and miller are a bit off the mark. imo neither would be close to starting so why bring them in. folan brings another dimension which is good - in fairness i've seen fúck all of him but it offers something different if struggling to break down a team. personally am a fan of having a big man in reserve.

overall:
3 CB's are fine
would have liked another full back - probably geary
we have very little other options in midfield so this is ok imo
up front - nice to have a bit of variety although i still don't rate long that high yet... possibly there to justify his starting role in san marino

[NeilMcD]

He never said he would not pic a striker in the Championship he just said that guys who are in the Premiership have an advantage and also he said that Stokes offers something different to the others. This is the key in a squad that many people seem to be forgetting. Its about having variation on the bench. I think our striking options are nice and varied at the moment and I dont have a problem with them.

[tetsujin1979]

more words of wisdom from staunton in his post squad announcement press conference.......... seemingly he will not now pick any striker who is not playing in the premiership as he has four strikers to pick from who are.... suppose stokes will be dropped now that he's realised his mistake in calling him up........ f*cking idiot

Did you read this: http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stor...=12&si=1794218

"Anthony gives us a different dimension and that's why I've gone with that," asserts Staunton.

[geysir]

I think the squad is well balanced.
Given has returned, alleluia.
Stan has thrown down the gauntlet re performances, hasn't been hightlighted here yet,
"But that (excuses) goes out the window now and if they're not performing we will change things around."

[lionelhutz]

im shocked that more people arent complaining that liam miller isnt even in the squad. I'd have him starting with carsley against wales. I'm amazed he's not there.

He's our most natural midfielder when on form and the likes of douglas, ireland, kilbane, etc. are miles behind in terms of ability. Also, he seems to be playing gr8 stuff with sunderland and it can't be bad for his game having a manager who was the best midfielder in the world

[NeilMcD]

Anthony Stokes will return to Sunderland's squad against Hull City tomorrow.

The teenage striker has missed the Black Cats' last two games after disciplinary problems.

Stokes was dropped for being late for the team bus heading for Barnsley a week ago and did not return against Stoke on Tuesday.

But Roy Keane has confirmed that the Irishman, who scored for the reserves against Darlington this week, will be back tomorrow and could play against the Tigers.

The Sunderland manager said: "His attitude was good in the reserve game and he scored a good goal, he was a threat as you would expect. He will be in the squad tomorrow.

"Anthony missed out the other night but he'll be back - he's a very, very talented young player, there's no doubt about that.

"We've got to remember that he's 18 years of age, we've got to be patient with him, on and off the pitch.

"His attitude the other day [in the reserves] was spot on and he scored another good goal, it really pleased me."

Stokes has been named in the latest Republic of Ireland squad, for their Euro 2008 games against Wales and Slovakia over the next fortnight.

But there is no place in Steve Staunton's squad for Sunderland trio David Connolly, Liam Miller or Daryl Murphy.

Connolly's omission in particular is surprising, considering his form for Sunderland.

"It's a strange one," said Keane. "I really don't know the thinking behind it, I'd rather not comment."

[eirebhoy]

Obviously Keane feels Connolly was left out for reasons other than football.

[NeilMcD]

Yeah and rightly he does not want to get into telling another manager how to do their job.

[geysir]

He said enough, I'll take Stan's judgement on Connolly's squad merits over Roy's anyday.

[as_i_say]

connolly is just unlucky-he'll bever get a look in when keane is fit.

[galwayhoop]

Connolly's omission in particular is surprising, considering his form for Sunderland.

"It's a strange one," said Keane. "I really don't know the thinking behind it, I'd rather not comment."

i don't think you can say that it is clear that his exclusion is for non football reasons.

"i really don't know the thinking behind it"

could just as easily mean
"i think his is banging in the goals and should be there before Long etc"

and

I'd rather not comment."

could just mean that he doesn't want to talk about other managers team selections

but i think we are seeing the beginning of a new conspiracy

[NeilMcD]

He said enough, I'll take Stan's judgement on Connolly's squad merits over Roy's anyday.

Are you serious I know its early days but it seem pretty clear even to the biggest anti Keane people that he has a fair better apptitude for managment than Staunton does. I think Keane was right he was not being drawn into it but yet made it clear that he feels his players merits a place in the squad.