Squad named for double header

[Stuttgart88]

I'm watching DEN vs IRL again at the moment. I've been sticking by Carr recently, but even I have to admit he's been crap. Really careless, hospital passes everywhere.

McGeady looks even better on the right than I thought watching it live.

[kingdom hoop]

People are going down this ultra cautious road again, 4-5-1. Someone mentioned playing Potter and Carsley on the same team which i would be totally against. We should play our best system, a simple 442 against Slovakia. By playing one up forward we are only playing into their hands. This is a game we must win IMO. We might as well lose 5-0 as 1-0.

I wouldn't really agree with the correlation of 451 as a stupidly cautious approach. Similarly, you say that our best system is 442 but that might neglect the individual players' abilities, what suits our players and negates the opposition is best, not some Mike Bassett-esque infatuation with 442. I think we'd be better off playing Carsley and Kilbane in CM, giving far more freedom to four attack-minded players in front of them, as well as better covering for the full-backs as they hopefully bomb forward and against the Slovaks counter-attacks.

If you play Reid, or Ireland for that matter, in CM the whole team must be more defensively aware, whereas with Kilbane the players know they have more defensive security, as well as the usual Kilbane attributes that we are sick of hearing but can't escape from. Remember also that the Slowbacks will be gunning for victory so it would, in my opinion, be imprudent to be gung-ho , to not to start with a solid foundation and then trust our creative players to produce. So, then you pick two out of Ireland, Reid, McGeady, and Hunt to join Keane and Doyle as our attacking artillery. That selection will be for another post after I make myself a delicious toasted sandwich.

[geysir]

I'm watching DEN vs IRL again at the moment.
McGeady looks even better on the right than I thought watching it live.

It's what I thought too, but no matter what side, many parts of his game have improved, his positioning to receive the ball out of the centre of defence and lead a counter attack, better decision making, his awareness of not losing the ball, his tracking back. That perf. and the CLQ against Spartak with his superb ball control.
Though set pieces not up to scratch.
Now that Eirebhoy has dropped him somebody has to blow his trumpet.

[eirebhoy]

My arse have I "dropped" him. I never talked him up to begin with really. Just always gave my honest opinion on him. When he plays well I don't have to make excuses about his lack of confidence. I think he's a safer bet away from home, away from the 70,000 Irish fans atm.

As for Reid in the centre. It's a lot safer playing Reid in the centre than Ireland. Reid is a natural central midfielder. He'll sit in there and will rarely be caught out of position. Ireland is a less dominant player. He's not the type that'll come back, take the ball off the defence and distribute it. He's more of a Paul Scholes of 10 years ago. Reid is very similar to Emre of Newcastle imo. With Reid in the centre we're capable of controlling the game away from home. With Ireland in the centre (of a 4-4-2) we'd probably be playing a lot more on the break.

[Dr. Ogba]

That selection will be for another post after I make myself a delicious toasted sandwich.

Well don't leave us hanging... how was the sandwich??

[brine3]

Liam Miller is a starter in the Premiership.

He should be in there.

Has more right to be there than O'Brien or Potter.

[kingdom hoop]

Well don't leave us hanging... how was the sandwich??

Delish! Triple decker, mayo, Ballymaloe relish, rashers, lettuce, tomato, coleslaw and melted cheese. mmmm

It didn't give me inspiration for my team selection though. Dinner should sort that out! (I'll keep you posted - not sure what I'll have yet)

Liam Miller is a starter in the Premiership.

Newsflash; Liam Miller on bench for Sunderland today (your point stands, I'm just being an ass!)

[Stuttgart88]

How many times does Miller have to be ineffective for club & country before people stop clamouring for his inclusion? Not to mention not making the US trip when he had more to gain by making it than anyone else.

He doesn't always start in the Premiership, often gets taken off and gets physically dominated in almost any game he plays. He couldn't even make an impression against Luton.

I've grown tired of waiting for Miller to become the player he could have become.

In his debut for MUFC Radio 5 Live described him as "neat and tidy, no more". They were right.

Ireland and Reid play similar games and do it better in my opinion. O'Brien & Potter play totally different roles anyway. Gibson looks a better player already, and I'd say Garvan and Joey O'Brien will push him further down the order in due course.

[Bottle of Tonic]

mayo, Ballymaloe relish, coleslaw

Thats overdoing it IMO. Keep it simple. There's enough in the rashers and tomatos without three more flavours on top of it. One of them, sure, but not all three together. Earlier i had the same, but in a pitta bread, and only with mayo. It was savage. Typical saturday afternoon sambo.

AAAAAnyway....
I wouldn't have Miller near the team. Don't think he was what you'd call a certain starter in last years championship(feel free to prove me wrong) and I don't think the boy (sorry, man he must be 26/27 at this stage?)has played enough football in the last 3 or so years to be worthy of a spot in our CM.

[gally]

Is he injured...

I think this lad is getting better with every game played under his belt for both Wolves and ROI, and if Stan plays 5 in midfield, he could start if fit....

Whats the story...

[carloz]

and if Stan plays 5 in midfield,

, oh dear god i hope not

[Stuttgart88]

No chance of a formal 5 man midfield in my opinion but Robbie is always quick to drop deep and he did so again in Denmark. When needed we effectively play that anyway and have done for ages.

[tetsujin1979]

Stephen Henderson and Alan O'Brien out of the Slovakia game, still doubts over McShane and Potter, according to the Indo: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...s-1070282.html

Also, the list of players on yellow cards is in the article

Given, McShane, John O'Shea, Lee Carsley, Jonathan Douglas, Stephen Ireland and Kevin Kilbane have all been booked previously in the qualifying campaign.

[Billsthoughts]

How many times does Miller have to be ineffective for club & country before people stop clamouring for his inclusion? Not to mention not making the US trip when he had more to gain by making it than anyone else.

Miller managed to have a nitemare in 10 minutes versus man u on sat...

[Paddy Garcia]

And Potter is not impressing either.

[shakermaker1982]

looks like we need reinforcements already. Losing Henderson is a blow, I have faith in him as a replacement for Given. Doyle makes me nervous.

[Paddy Garcia]

I think Doyle is a good goalie & will come through this difficult period. Also believe he is a better long-term prospect than Henderson.

However agree confidence is all. Stan may yet regret falling out with Kenny, who I feel is our best no 2 today.

[youngirish]

Apparently McShane is a doubt for the Czech and Slovakia games. He picked up an injury on Sat.

[Wolfie]

Apparently McShane is a doubt for the Czech and Slovakia games. He picked up an injury on Sat.

If it transpires that McShane is out he'll probably go with O'Shea and Dunne as Centre Halves.

Finnan a deffo starter at full back. Just a question of whether he plays him on the left or right.

Who'll get the nod at full back?

Kilbane?
Kelly?
Achey Breaky Harte?

[eirebhoy]

McShane would be a massive loss.