Ireland v Slovakia - Pre Match thread

**dr_peepee** · 27/03/2007, 3:23 PM

Hunt is a good player but not as good as some make out on this board.

I think it's as good as side as we could put out at this point. I'm looking forward to see how the came pans out. There's a good balance between ability and graft.

**zenokelly** · 27/03/2007, 3:27 PM

Was Stan already in the dressing room celebrating th "fantastic" win when Hunt came on.

How can anyone think that McGeady has played well all season Hunt is the obvious choice on the right or left whatever side the gaaafer flicks a coin to make the choice.

He has already been dropped by Strachan even after Maoloney left 2 months ago.

This is a slightly better team than Sat but can Stan really verify the inclusion of O Shea thumpin the ball to the opposition anytime he got near it.

We need physicality against Slovakia and Ireland, Duff, or McGeady are barely heavier than 6 stone.

Ireland may have scored 2 "crucial" goals but what else has he contributed??? I had hoped he wasn't going to be fit for that buffoon to select.

Stokes would have been a much better choice up beside a not fully fit Doyle, again physicality in him, what we need.

At least if he was able to pick the best team I would give Stan some slack but this is, for a second time in a row, is a joke.

A real team that would be able to win this match:
Given
Finnan Dunne McShane Harte
Hunt Kilbane Carsley Duff
Doyle Stokes

**NeilMcD** · 27/03/2007, 3:28 PM

I personally prefer the team stan picked to the one you picked.

**CraftyToePoke** · 27/03/2007, 3:34 PM

what more does Hunt have to do from the bench in order to start? he was superb.we would, IMO, have conceded without his efforts and runs keeping the play away from out goalmouth.

he must be disappointed/disgusted/disillusioned with not making the 11, and rightly so, particularly when theres suddenly space for another wideman in McGeady.

there was a part of me, for the first time ever on sat which wanted us to lose so we might be rid of this muppet, Staunton, and i never thought id say that, and the one bright spark of the day, (Hunts exciting play) is dropped.

i scratch my head.

**finnpark** · 27/03/2007, 3:36 PM

The mans a joke . Staunton out./ Ireland 0 Slovakia 2

**Condex** · 27/03/2007, 3:37 PM

I'm happy enough with this team..
Back four & keeper played well on Sat..
Midfield especially Douglas were all over the place..
So with Keane unavailable its about as good as we've got..

Think I'll put a few quid on Ireland to win and N Ireland
not to loose to Sweden..

**DotTV** · 27/03/2007, 3:46 PM

Originally Posted by zenokelly

Was Stan already in the dressing room celebrating th "fantastic" win when Hunt came on.

How can anyone think that McGeady has played well all season Hunt is the obvious choice on the right or left whatever side the gaaafer flicks a coin to make the choice.

He has already been dropped by Strachan even after Maoloney left 2 months ago.

This is a slightly better team than Sat but can Stan really verify the inclusion of O Shea thumpin the ball to the opposition anytime he got near it.

We need physicality against Slovakia and Ireland, Duff, or McGeady are barely heavier than 6 stone.

Ireland may have scored 2 "crucial" goals but what else has he contributed??? I had hoped he wasn't going to be fit for that buffoon to select.

Stokes would have been a much better choice up beside a not fully fit Doyle, again physicality in him, what we need.

At least if he was able to pick the best team I would give Stan some slack but this is, for a second time in a row, is a joke.

A real team that would be able to win this match:
Given
Finnan Dunne McShane Harte
Hunt Kilbane Carsley Duff
Doyle Stokes

You're giving out that McGeady hasn't been starting for Celtic yet Stokes has been in and out of the Sunderland team recently.

**mickdlk** · 27/03/2007, 3:49 PM

They wont be able to cope with McGeady skills and vision, and he can score aswell.

**zenokelly** · 27/03/2007, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by DotTV

You're giving out that McGeady hasn't been starting for Celtic yet Stokes has been in and out of the Sunderland team recently.

No I'm just saying that he is over-rated by a lot of people on this. And Stokes gives us physicality ---- what we need against any eastern europeans.

**DotTV** · 27/03/2007, 3:54 PM

They'll probably be expecting physicality but they might be surprised when we have a few nippy players running at them.
We'll find out tomorrow either way!

**mickdlk** · 27/03/2007, 3:58 PM

Originally Posted by zenokelly

No I'm just saying that he is over-rated by a lot of people on this. And Stokes gives us physicality ---- what we need against any eastern europeans.

You must not have seen Celtic play this year, McGeady was best player they had Vs Milan twice

**zenokelly** · 27/03/2007, 4:05 PM

Originally Posted by mickdlk

You must not have seen Celtic play this year, McGeady was best player they had Vs Milan twice

He didn't pass the ball very well, he's anaemic and didn't get by any players in the San Siro. Anyway O Dea was the best player in the San Siro.

**NeilMcD** · 27/03/2007, 4:07 PM

Mc Geady played very well in the San Siro in my opinion. Tired a bit towards the end in extra time but so did the rest of the team.

**eirebhoy** · 27/03/2007, 4:15 PM

McGeady was by far and away the best player in the SPL until he got injured against Cyprus. Since then he has been in and out. It's 50/50 whether he'll play well tomorrow though, he gets very nervous. Hunt probably would have been the more reliable option but I'm happy that McGeady's playing.

**NeilMcD** · 27/03/2007, 4:18 PM

Hunt will be on after 60 mins. I bet on it.

**mickdlk** · 27/03/2007, 4:20 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Hunt will be on after 60 mins. I bet on it.

Hopefully for Kilbane. McGeady is our biggest prospect and as usuaul 1 or 2 bad games just like Robbie [our top scorer ever] gets slated

**NeilMcD** · 27/03/2007, 4:23 PM

I would say if Ronaldo for Man Utd played for us he would get slaughtered. We only seem to like one sort of player in this country.

**Wolfie** · 27/03/2007, 4:24 PM

Very disappointing that Hunt aint in there for Kilbane. He'll be introduced at some stage and it shoud be confirmed to the starting eleven that Hunt will be introduced at some stage in order to get a committed performance from the off.

**bohsRap** · 27/03/2007, 4:26 PM

Originally Posted by Pablo

Further proof the man is an incompetent idiot. Steven Hunt should have been the first name on his team sheet.

Please tell me you're joking. Stephen Hunt is an average player that comes on for 10 minutes and suddenly he's our savour! McGeady will cause a lot more trouble over 90 minutes. Although I disapprove with Staunton being our manager, sometimes I question whether people actually follow football or just jump on the bandwagon of our morning papers.