Ireland v Wales pre-match thread

**eirebhoy** · 15/03/2007, 1:47 PM

Goalkeepers: Given, Colgan, Henderson

Defenders: McShane, Dunne, O'Dea, Finnan, Harte, Kelly.

Midfielders: O'Shea, Kilbane, Ireland, Carsley, Douglas, McGeady, Hunt, Gibson, Quinn, Duff.

Forwards: Keane, Stokes, Doyle, Long, Folan.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/03/2007, 1:52 PM

Gibson and Qiunn (I'm presuming that's Stephen Quinn) pulled out of the U-21's too.

Still short at centre half, even if you count O'Shea

and only 7 from the Championship, hardly the majority Staunton spoke of lately.

**passinginterest** · 15/03/2007, 1:54 PM

I though Gibson had picked up a serious injury recently? Or did I just imagine that story? A bit surprised Folan is in. O'Dea deserves his call up.

**bwagner** · 15/03/2007, 1:59 PM

good strike force but sad not to see st ledger as we need to blood him in.

**Soper** · 15/03/2007, 2:03 PM

Folan is an 'interesting' selection

**soccerc** · 15/03/2007, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Gibson and Qiunn (I'm presuming that's Stephen Quinn) pulled out of the U-21's too.

No, it's Alan, Sheffield United got the fax for Alan this morning. Stephen in U21 squad

**shakermaker1982** · 15/03/2007, 2:09 PM

happy enough - that the end for Kenny?

**tetsujin1979** · 15/03/2007, 2:15 PM

Originally Posted by soccerc

No, it's Alan, Sheffield United got the fax for Alan this morning. Stephen in U21 squad

Fair enough, that's the only call up I have any real issue with, possibly the omission of Ledger.
Stephen is playing regularly, scoring and getting assists in a battling Sheffield United side, Alan is a regular subsititute.

**galwayhoop** · 15/03/2007, 2:17 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Still short at centre half, even if you count O'Shea

i think 3 is sufficient as long as none injured / suspended as o'shea can play there also if we are really really really desparate.

i like the idea of less defenders and more midfielders / attackers in a squad. but i think we could do with one more full back. more likely to change a full back as a game goes on than a centre half.

**passinginterest** · 15/03/2007, 2:19 PM

I suppose O'Shea, Kilbane and even Duff at a stretch provide emergency cover at full back.

**Paddy Garcia** · 15/03/2007, 2:19 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Fair enough, that's the only call up I have any real issue with, possibly the omission of Ledger.
Stephen is playing regularly, scoring and getting assists in a battling Sheffield United side, Alan is a regular subsititute.

Agree, he has the wrong Quinn.

Also Morrison can feel hard done by. I don't see Douglas getting a game, and Morrison has started to score again.

**as_i_say** · 15/03/2007, 2:24 PM

why is colgan still picked for the squad? shoudnt doyle of birmingham be in there ahead of him at this stage

**greendeiseboy** · 15/03/2007, 2:26 PM

just wondering is it a rule that you need to have 3 keepers.... seems a bit pointless..as you could call up an additional outfield player

**IsMiseSean** · 15/03/2007, 2:29 PM

I dont see why Douglas is in there, S. Quinn would have been a better choice. Connolly should have been recalled!

**colster** · 15/03/2007, 2:30 PM

Originally Posted by JGKyne

I dont see why Douglas is in there, S. Quinn would have been a better choice. Connolly should have been recalled!

S. Quinn is a winger, Douglas is a CM and is a bit more combative from what I've seen of him.

No Liam Miller?

**IsMiseSean** · 15/03/2007, 2:32 PM

Ya but with Carsely, Ireland, Kilbane A. Quinn and O'Shea if need be, surely thats enough cover in Centre Mid! Even Liam Miller would be a better choice than Douglas

**pete** · 15/03/2007, 2:33 PM

Ireland sinking to new low by including Belgian 2nd division player in its senior squad.

Can someone send Folan a copy of the National Anthem.

What happen Dixon? Alan O'Brien? St Ledger? (no Cheltenham jokes please)

**eirebhoy** · 15/03/2007, 2:36 PM

Originally Posted by JGKyne

Ya but with Carsely, Ireland, Kilbane A. Quinn and O'Shea if need be, surely thats enough cover in Centre Mid! Even Liam Miller would be a better choice than Douglas

Looking at the squad Douglas is actually not far off making the team. Ireland isn't really a central midfielder and I can't remember him ever playing there in a 4-4-2 for City. Kilbane, Quinn and O'Shea are makeshifts.

Originally Posted by pete

Ireland sinking to new low by including Belgian 2nd division player in its senior squad.

Shouldn't really matter who you play for. The likes of Gibson and Stokes are our future.

**galwayhoop** · 15/03/2007, 2:41 PM

i see none of the recent eL transferred players have got in. is it only a matter of time? hawkins & ward in particular due to form and positions

**tetsujin1979** · 15/03/2007, 2:41 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Ireland sinking to new low by including Belgian 2nd division player in its senior squad.

He was in the last squad too

Originally Posted by pete

What happen Dixon? Alan O'Brien? St Ledger? (no Cheltenham jokes please)

Dixon is still out with a serious knee injury.
O'Brien is in the reserves at Newcastle, and we're covered for the left wing with Duff and Kilbane.

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Looking at the squad Douglas is actually not far off making the team. Ireland isn't really a central midfielder and I can't remember him ever playing there in a 4-4-2 for City. Kilbane, Quinn and O'Shea are makeshifts.

Correct, it's usually Barton + Dabo behind Ireland, Hamann played there last night against Chelsea