On Second Thoughts: Kevin Kilbane

[macdermesser]

Yes you would but it doesn't happen so that's the point about Kilbane...

If only his name rhymed with team and dream ...

and number one is ...

[geysir]

The Indo sports pages hint at KK´s possible retirement from the International scene
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...e-1139014.html

Quotes attributed to KK
"I've had a great run and I've been very fortunate with the caps I've got,"
"I'm in a very good position where I've played a lot of games but I don't want to just sit here and think to myself 'I'm just plodding along' to get to a milestone.
"I've had games where I've not played well and games where I have. But you don't want to tear the arse out of it.
"You don't want to be sitting there looking to pick up caps just for the sake of it," he said.
"I'll get through these games and then see what happens,"

[SkStu]

i have nothing but admiration for the guy. Fans have consistently given him a hard time and hes always worked hard and kept his head up. He always gives 1000% commitment. People say that thats the least he should do or the least anyone should do in an Ireland shirt but the simple fact is he is the only player who does.

Kilbane for manager!

[BaZmO*]

"But you don't want to tear the arse out of it."

Well said Kevin!

i have nothing but admiration for the guy. Fans have consistently given him a hard time and hes always worked hard and kept his head up. He always gives 1000% commitment. People say that thats the least he should do or the least anyone should do in an Ireland shirt but the simple fact is he is the only player who does.

I totally agree.

[Morbo]

i have nothing but admiration for the guy. Fans have consistently given him a hard time and hes always worked hard and kept his head up. He always gives 1000% commitment. People say that thats the least he should do or the least anyone should do in an Ireland shirt but the simple fact is he is the only player who does.

My thoughts exactly, you won't see Kilbane pull out because of a slight knee gash or because he doesn't want to be away from home for 10 days, he deserves a hell of a lot more respect than a lot of the fans give him

[as_i_say]

Its also a plain fact that he has played WELL for us in the games in this competition. Cyprus excluded of course. He wouldnt have had as many of his caps had duff been injured im sure, or the fact that we have no recognized left back who doesnt need as much protection but I can imagine him being very appreciated by the squad for what he does on the pitch.

Legend.

[misterk]

People will realise how important Kilbane is if and when he leaves the Irish team. He has been consistently picked by the last 3 managers, which says a lot about his contribution. Some highly rated club managers such as Moyes and Jewell have also bought him.

He's no world beater, but he's one of my all time favourite Irish players. He would be surplus to requirements if effort was a given in Irish football circles, but it isn't, so let's be thankful we have him while we still do. I'm looking forward to seeing him flying up and down the left wing, possibly falling over the ball, but if he does, he'll jump right back up again, chase back and win the ball.

Legend.

[rambler14]

He gets his fair share of stick but lets face it if every irish player tried as hard as him we'd be top of the group.

[OwlsFan]

....and we'd have no one to go for Given's kick outs, every one of which was aimed at Killer.

[NeilMcD]

The very reason we should drop him. Why cant we roll the thing out the full back. Its the worst tactic we have is to kick it to Kilbane every time. The Germans won that header all night. Talk about giving away possession. First thing in football is to keep the ball not just kick it away all the time.

[OwlsFan]

The very reason we should drop him. Why cant we roll the thing out the full back. Its the worst tactic we have is to kick it to Kilbane every time. The Germans won that header all night. Talk about giving away possession. First thing in football is to keep the ball not just kick it away all the time.

He won a few to be fair to him but that has been Stan's tactic throughout the campaign and one of the main reasons KK has been selected because of the severe shortage of height in the Irish front line.

[geysir]

The very reason we should drop him. Why cant we roll the thing out the full back. Its the worst tactic we have is to kick it to Kilbane every time. The Germans won that header all night. Talk about giving away possession. First thing in football is to keep the ball not just kick it away all the time.

Good teams are much better at closing down than we are and we have less skill at getting out of that situation.
The Germans close down the short pass outlets and it ends up getting passed back to Shay anyway who will end up hoofing it to Kilbane.
It would be nice if he could spin bowl the ball with distance to an unmarked player from time to time.

[eirebhoy]

The very reason we should drop him. Why cant we roll the thing out the full back. Its the worst tactic we have is to kick it to Kilbane every time. The Germans won that header all night. Talk about giving away possession. First thing in football is to keep the ball not just kick it away all the time.

THat should always be the plan A and I don't understand why it's not. We did it in Amsterdam under Kerr because our midfielders were all tiny and it couldn't have worked any better.

[geysir]

Of course it can be done handily enough when the other team don't close you down as in a friendly.

[eirebhoy]

Of course it can be done handily enough when the other team don't close you down as in a friendly.

Well if the strikers decide to pressurise our defenders then just go for the long ball. A short pass should always be the first option though. Guaranteed possession over a 50/50.