Squad named for double header

**kingdom hoop** · 29/08/2007, 12:39 AM

Personnel choices are grand but the configuration of the squad is a bit ludicrous with only six defenders. By and large, there are three subs for every two positions, but in defence we have just two subs to cover four positions! My maths are very good so I can assure you there is an imbalance. Granted, Kilbane can, or tries, double as a defender but even at that we're left a bit short of defenders for training. I think one of us might get a call to complete the numbers ! Either Douglas/Gibson or O'Brien should have been jettisoned for a CB. But hey, I'm sure things will work out fine.

I'm envisioning a midfield of 7. Ireland, 8. Reid, 6. Carsley, 11. Kilbane.

But I wonder if Doyle's place is sacrosanct or whether, � la Wales for a while, Ireland might be pushed up, with McGeady and Hunt then offering the width.

**Morbo** · 29/08/2007, 1:57 AM

I'm guessing the fact that only 6 defenders were named means Kilbane will probably start at left back, still a bit short though.
I'd go with Ireland ahead of McGeady, McGeady has only really been impressive in a friendly whilst Stephen Ireland has come up big when we needed him, probably would be out of contention for qualification all together without Ireland, bring on McGeady as an impact sub when A Reid starts to tire.

**danonion** · 29/08/2007, 5:14 AM

Trundle in! Toss murphy in the boyne

**Stuttgart88** · 29/08/2007, 7:53 AM

Originally Posted by Morbo

I'm guessing the fact that only 6 defenders were named means Kilbane will probably start at left back, still a bit short though.

I'd say that Kilbane is considered as a potential defensive option but I doubt he'll start there.

**tetsujin1979** · 29/08/2007, 9:21 AM

Ireland impressed against Slovakia when he started, and McGeady was effective as an impact sub against a tiring Slovakia defence back in March.
That could impact on Stan's thinking.

**jbyrne** · 29/08/2007, 9:40 AM

Originally Posted by gilberto_eire

i dont agree with having 4 goalies and only 6 defenders!!

he's hardly included an extra gk at the expense of a defender!
no noticeable ommissions in that dept to me. no harm in alan obrien being there also

**jbyrne** · 29/08/2007, 9:42 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'd say that Kilbane is considered as a potential defensive option but I doubt he'll start there.

kilbane has filled in before at left back and done well. particularly in cameroon match in wc. wouldnt be unhappy at all with that decision especially if it meant finnan going to his natural rb position

**NeilMcD** · 29/08/2007, 9:52 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Ireland impressed against Slovakia when he started, and McGeady was effective as an impact sub against a tiring Slovakia defence back in March.
That could impact on Stan's thinking.

Mc Geady started that night and he was not that impressive at all.

**youngirish** · 29/08/2007, 9:55 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Mc Geady started that night and he was not that impressive at all.

Yeah he was pants. He kept passing the ball to the Slovakian defence.

**shakermaker1982** · 29/08/2007, 9:57 AM

If Ireland is to start then it has to be in the centre of midfield IMO (this would mean A Reid losing out or having to sit on the left wing). Ireland is wasted on the wing and I'd rather see McGeady having a go at their full backs. Stan might decide to have Ireland playing in the hole with Doyle losing out.

**livehead1** · 29/08/2007, 9:58 AM

I'm hoping Murphy, Long, or Alan O'Brien get injured (not seriously...just a knock!) in the vain hope that Trundle gets a call up! Where is the consistancy? These players have proved absolutely nothing yet a bet if they are injured that donkey Alan Lee, Stokes or some other moggadon will be called up!

**Dr. Ogba** · 29/08/2007, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

kilbane has filled in before at left back and done well. particularly in cameroon match in wc. wouldnt be unhappy at all with that decision especially if it meant finnan going to his natural rb position

Kilbane has been awful in any match that I have seen him play left-back. He just doesn't have the positional awareness to play there. he has a tendency to drift far too much inside, nearly sitting on top of the centre halfs which gives any decent winger worth his salt a chance to look up, take his time and whip in a decent cross.

I really can't understand the clamour for his inclusion in this position. He is not, or never will be, a full-back...

**as_i_say** · 29/08/2007, 10:36 AM

I'd seriously have more faith in Kilbane at LB than O'shea. O'shea reminds me of watching gary breen play for his clubs (not us though). always one big error per game-remember what o shea did against denmark-nearly heading the ball into his own net. I take a deep breath every time he gets the ball...

**Dr. Ogba** · 29/08/2007, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

I'd seriously have more faith in Kilbane at LB than O'shea. O'shea reminds me of watching gary breen play for his clubs (not us though). always one big error per game-remember what o shea did against denmark-nearly heading the ball into his own net. I take a deep breath every time he gets the ball...

well you're looking at the lesser of 2 evils in both cases:

Would rather have O'Shea at LB than CB and Kilbane at LB than CM but ideally would rather have neither of them in the starting 11.
Worse case scenario you have O'Shea at centre-half and Kilbane ahead of him in the middle of the park and then we're fooked!

**NeilMcD** · 29/08/2007, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by livehead1

I'm hoping Murphy, Long, or Alan O'Brien get injured (not seriously...just a knock!) in the vain hope that Trundle gets a call up! Where is the consistancy? These players have proved absolutely nothing yet a bet if they are injured that donkey Alan Lee, Stokes or some other moggadon will be called up!

Long scored two against Denmark and got one against Ecuador and impressed coming on against Slovakia. Alan Lee is banging in the goals for Ipswich this season. Trundle has scored 2 goals for Bristol but yet he is a shoe in for you.

**livehead1** · 29/08/2007, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Long scored two against Denmark and got one against Ecuador and impressed coming on against Slovakia. Alan Lee is banging in the goals for Ipswich this season. Trundle has scored 2 goals for Bristol but yet he is a shoe in for you.

Too bloody right he is. I do agree with your comments about Long, the point I suppose I was trying to make is he had proved ABSOLUTELY NOTHING at club level, I don't think he had even hardly played at U-21 level yet as soon as you get a game in the premiership you get a call up to the national side.

Daryll Murphy, as far as I can see, is very poor. He has had a terrible start to the season and by all accounts was hardly prolific in the Championship.

Lee Trundle, as any fan with a decent amount of knowledge will know, is a very good goalscorer. He is a shoe in, in my mind, because of his goalscoring exploits throughout the last four years. He has scored goals, admitedly in League One but has moved to the Championship and has done exactly the same. I think you are probably aware, if he stays fit this season, he is likely to get around 20 goals this season. He is also a far superior footballer than Alan Lee.

My argument is, why are players like Daryll Murphy, Alan O'Brien, (and you are right; to a lesser extent Shane Long) included in the setup when someone so high on confidence, who has started the season so brightly, is left out altogether.

**eirebhoy** · 29/08/2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Yeah he was pants. He kept passing the ball to the Slovakian defence.

You didn't give us your thoughts on his performance against Denmark. How do you think he did? Also, do you want him to succeed as much as, say, Jay Tabb? He deserved critisism for his previous performances where he completely bottled it but if you're not going to give credit when he deserves it then it shows as much bias as "McGeady10" who only comes on here when McGeady plays well.

As for Ireland, is he capable of playing central midfield in a 4-4-2? He probably deserves to start but it'd have to be out wide or in front of 2 central midfielders imo.

**tetsujin1979** · 29/08/2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Mc Geady started that night and he was not that impressive at all.

Sorry, I was thinking of Hunt who came on

**as_i_say** · 29/08/2007, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba

well you're looking at the lesser of 2 evils in both cases:

Would rather have O'Shea at LB than CB and Kilbane at LB than CM but ideally would rather have neither of them in the starting 11.
Worse case scenario you have O'Shea at centre-half and Kilbane ahead of him in the middle of the park and then we're fooked!

indeed but i would be amazed if kilbane started in midfield for either game unless hunt gets injured. hopefully stan has realised that we are winning games with creativity from the younger lads recently and that its more of a gamble to start kilbane in there.

Would reckon his starting midfield against the danes is his top choice without potter

**NeilMcD** · 29/08/2007, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by livehead1

Too bloody right he is. I do agree with your comments about Long, the point I suppose I was trying to make is he had proved ABSOLUTELY NOTHING at club level, I don't think he had even hardly played at U-21 level yet as soon as you get a game in the premiership you get a call up to the national side.

Daryll Murphy, as far as I can see, is very poor. He has had a terrible start to the season and by all accounts was hardly prolific in the Championship.

Lee Trundle, as any fan with a decent amount of knowledge will know, is a very good goalscorer. He is a shoe in, in my mind, because of his goalscoring exploits throughout the last four years. He has scored goals, admitedly in League One but has moved to the Championship and has done exactly the same. I think you are probably aware, if he stays fit this season, he is likely to get around 20 goals this season. He is also a far superior footballer than Alan Lee.

My argument is, why are players like Daryll Murphy, Alan O'Brien, (and you are right; to a lesser extent Shane Long) included in the setup when someone so high on confidence, who has started the season so brightly, is left out altogether.

Roy O Donovan has scored goals at a level that Trundle is at and so has Jason Byrne and so has Glen Crowe, should they not be shoe ins so.