Our best 11

[livehead1]

But with that formation we wouldn't really have any player on the right wing. Finnan would be mainly working as a centre back and therefore wouldn't be able to attack down the right and Stephen Ireland isn't a right winger and would be cutting inside all the time. It would seriously limit our game plan IMO. I can understand the idea behind it though as defensively it could potentially work, especially as we don't really have anyone who is good enough to play left back at the minute. Hopefully O'Halloran really starts to progress this year.

I wouldn't really subscribe to the view that its paramount to have our left and right midfielders getting to the byline and swinging the ball in. In that midfield there is so much reative talent, and goals. All four of them can score, Ireland and s.reid will probably get 10 a piece for their clubs this season (if reid gets fit and gets a run). Keane certainly doesn't benefit from crosses and is much better with the ball into feet or to run onto, balls which that midfield should certainly be able to provide.

one of the reasons i went for this is it allows carsley to fit in, i certainly think he's needed, without sacrificing either keane or doyle.

[bwagner]

I think this group will prove a hell of a lot in terms of the quality and mentallity of our guys.
This is a tough and daunting group , The Stan excuse is gone so now they must step up to the task.
My away team would look like
Given
Finnan Nose Dunne (cpt) Kilbane

Duff S Reid Carsley Mc Geady
Ireland

Doyle or Keane (based on form etc)

[Kingdom]

My ideal team would be

Given
Finnan
Dunne
O'Brien
Kilbane

Duff (RW)
Reid
Reid
McGeady (LW)

Ireland

Doyle

[livehead1]

Why are most people coming out with the same players and formations that have served us so poorly over the last 2 years?

[lionelhutz]

Stephen Reid again.

Face it lads, he aint never gonna be fit.

Pointless picking players that will never play, you may aswell pick Kaka and Messi FFS.

Write him off and move on.

Ditto with Supergran.

Oh so he's going to be fit...................

[EAFC_rdfl]

Given

Finnan, Dunne, O'Dea, O'Shea

Carsley

McGeady, Ireland, S Reid, Duff

Doyle

I suppose maybe Keane instead of Doyle but not on recent Irish form. If Duff still can't breath put in Andy Reid or Hunt
Defensively solid, and enough goin forward to get goals
strong bench left aswell

[carloz]

A lot of people seem to be of the assumption that it is a given that Stephen Ireland will return. I dont think that is the case, infact a little bit of me thinks we will not see him in a green shirt again

[Kingdom]

A lot of people seem to be of the assumption that it is a given that Stephen Ireland will return. I dont think that is the case, infact a little bit of me thinks we will not see him in a green shirt again

In a Bernd Schuster/ Germany kinda way?

[carloz]

Given

Finnan, Dunne, O'Dea, O'Shea

Carsley

McGeady, Ireland, S Reid, Duff

Doyle

I suppose maybe Keane instead of Doyle but not on recent Irish form. If Duff still can't breath put in Andy Reid or Hunt
Defensively solid, and enough goin forward to get goals
strong bench left aswell

I really like the look of that team now. With the exception of O'Dea. Being 4th choice central defender for Scotland wimply wont cut it. Gotta be Andy O'Brien in there or maybe Joey (although him playing there against Germany was prob a once off)

[carloz]

In a Bernd Schuster/ Germany kinda way?

exactly. He retired at 24 didnt he, and fell out with everyone in Germany during those years

[EAFC_rdfl]

I really like the look of that team now. With the exception of O'Dea. Being 4th choice central defender for Scotland wimply wont cut it. Gotta be Andy O'Brien in there or maybe Joey (although him playing there against Germany was prob a once off)

Maybe Im a bit biased with O'Dea, its only a matter of time though, only reason hes not in Celtic team is cause him and McManus are both left footed and Strachan doesn't like that idea
Also regarding Stephen Ireland, its wishful thinkin that makes me include him, think he's back on track after a couple of rough months

[an_ceannaire]

Given

Finnan
Dunne
O'Shea
O'Brien

Duff
Reid
Reid
McGeady

Keane
Doyle

Subs like Ireland, Long and Hunt we are doing ok

[stojkovic]

Oh so he's going to be fit...................

I was being dramatic, you know, like Marisa Tomei in My Cousin Vinny.

Would you like me to check your previous posts for grammatical and spelling errors, there's plenty of them, you pedantic fcuk. That's French Connection UK spelt incorrectly btw lionel.

hugs xxx
Dragan.

[Metrostars]

A few options:
4-4-2
Given
Finnan-Dunne-Andy O'Brien-O'Shea
Ireland-Reid-Reid-Duff
Keane-Doyle

4-2-3-1
Given
Finnan-Dunne-A O'Brien-O'Shea
S Reid-Carsley
Ireland-A Reid-Duff
Keane

3-5-2 (3-2-3-2)
Given
J O'Brien-Dunne-A O'Brien
S Reid-Carsley
Finnan-Ireland-Duff
Keane-Doyle

[Paddy Garcia]

Interesting how McShane has disappeared off the radar.

Not so long ago all the experts (& youngirish) were seeing him as our saviour.

[irishfan86]

Interesting how McShane has disappeared off the radar.

Not so long ago all the experts (& youngirish) were seeing him as our saviour.

I think anyone would be reluctant to put him in their side after his nightmare of all nightmares against Everton.

He had a brutal brutal game, but he's still young.

To write him off now would be ignorant, he's very young and will only get better.

[CollegeTillIDie]

McShane has no pace and is being exposed week in and week out in the English Premier League. He also conceded a penatly which cost us two points away to Wales. His judgement would need to be superior to the average player to compensate for his lack of pace and he isn't in the zone yet on that score. As a result I think people have made up their mind about him. One thing I have noticed about people's teams is that Duff and Stephen Reid feature prominently neither of whom kicked a ball in anger much under Staunton's reign and the absence of these two was a huge factor in the midfield problems which plagued the last Qualification campaign.