Ireland's Next Holding Midfielder

**viagogo** · 10/10/2007, 8:12 PM

With Lee Carsley moving on at the end of this campaign (hopefully) who would take his place? They (Stan & Bobby, but heres hoping it will be someone or anybody else) will probably be looking to Steven Reid to fill this gap but with his injury record over the last year it cant be guaranteed that he will be ready. We dont seem to have a lot of options to me.

**Stuttgart88** · 10/10/2007, 8:27 PM

oh God, that "holding midfielder" description again

Very good thread in the World Football section a month or so back debating the meaning of the term. Sorry mate, I just can't describe Steven Reid as "holding". I think a fit Steven Reid would bring a lot to the party however. More Gerrard than Mascherano or even Alonso though, to use a poor analogy.

Step up Owen Garvan. Hopefully Gibson will make an impression at Wolves. One or two others are worth keeping an eye on two but there's no obvious quick fix.

**tricky_colour** · 10/10/2007, 9:33 PM

I'm not sure if he is a holding midfielder, he tends to play the back 1 in a 4-1-4-1 system, a system which we dont seem to play, mind you sometimess its difficult to tell which system we are playing when we are being ripped to shreds

**stojkovic** · 10/10/2007, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

its difficult to tell which system we are playing when we are being ripped to shreds

Love it.

**Dyl10** · 10/10/2007, 11:25 PM

When his team were in attack, Roy Keane defined a holding midfielder

**ofjames** · 11/10/2007, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by Dyl10

When his team were in attack, Roy Keane defined a holding midfielder

I dont agree entirely with that. Keano was football's 'mr. everything' (like LT in the NFL), it was only in his latter years that he was restricted to a holding midfield role.

Like at manchester united, ireland will never find one player to replace roy. United have signed two players (carrick and hargo), we'll probably have to find two also

**Billsthoughts** · 11/10/2007, 1:32 PM

Holding Midfielder......???????????
we still havent found a replacement Wing Back since Macateer retired....

**eirebhoy** · 11/10/2007, 1:47 PM

If they're ever both fit at the same time, Reid and Reid would surely be the best partnership. Andy would be more of a natural in the "holding" role because of his positional sense, decision making and general playmaking abilities. You don't really need to be a great tackler. As long as all midfielders work hard off the ball it should work.

**dr_peepee** · 11/10/2007, 2:55 PM

Yeah! but his decision making and positional sense is only good going foward.. Highly suspect defensively. Especially the last 20 minutes of a game!!!

Andy Reid at his most effective would at least need two grafters alonside him. He execelled for Charlton in the period when he was the fifth midfeilder with Kishishev and (i think) Holland.

**geysir** · 11/10/2007, 3:12 PM

I'm depressed, it's hopeless.

**elroy** · 11/10/2007, 3:21 PM

Originally Posted by Billsthoughts

Holding Midfielder......???????????
we still havent found a replacement Wing Back since Macateer retired....

If you ask me, we havent had a really decent right sided midfielder since Houghton, which is strange, considering how blessed we've been with left sided midfielders.

**Noelys Guitar** · 11/10/2007, 3:33 PM

I wasall for Carsely coming back into the team and he played well in the home game against the Czechs. His form for club and country has gone down recently (age, injuries kicking in) and I would have second thoughts about playing him on Saturday. Or again for that matter. We need 2 to 3 very good players to come through quickly in the mold of Houghton Whelan and Sheedy types. We have missed a target man since Quinn and hopefully Keough will come through and become a top player. It can happen very quickly but usually only with a team that is already heading in the right direction.

**viagogo** · 11/10/2007, 8:20 PM

Anybody consider Colin Healy, I think if he can prove his fitness then he is our best player in this position.

**cheifo** · 12/10/2007, 1:46 AM

Gibson and Garvan with Potter and possibly Joey O Brien are our best options for central midfield for the future IMO.Whether they will have developed enough for next years WC qualifiers I dont know in which case Stephen Reid will hopefully have a successful return from injury.For as long as I can remmeber every decent team has had a good holding midfield player.

**Supreme feet** · 12/10/2007, 4:48 AM

Should be interesting how Gibson and Garvan do against England (assuming Givens picks them). If they're as good as we need them to be for the future of the national team, they'll dominate the game. If not...

Anyone for cricket?

**back of the net** · 12/10/2007, 1:35 PM

joey o brien - def mid??

**back of the net** · 12/10/2007, 1:36 PM

Originally Posted by viagogo

Anybody consider Colin Healy, I think if he can prove his fitness then he is our best player in this position.

??????????????????????????

**shanman2** · 12/10/2007, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by back of the net

??????????????????????????

He is only joking back of the net. You are only joking viagogo arent you?

Joey O' Brien playing his natural position as a def mid is a good option to have but only if bolton move him in there. Me thinks Garry Speed has to retire before we see that.

**citizenerased** · 12/10/2007, 1:58 PM

stephen reid has been a vital loss to us over this campaign..he is a quality centre mid...typical stan played him on the right against germany!! ya have to laugh

**John83** · 12/10/2007, 2:46 PM

Anyone think Potter's good enough there? I haven't seen him play enough to judge for myself, though I've heard negative noises.

I'm surprised no one's mentioned Jonathan Douglas. He's not great, but he's probably the best defensively minded midfielder we have who has any experience at all.