Trapattoni's first (extended) squad announced!

**colster** · 08/04/2008, 5:14 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Tabb can play a similar central midfield role to A Reid or Clark Kent.

It's a no brainer as far as i'm concerned. Both Miller and Potter have International, Champions League and Premiership experience and deserve to be in ther ahead of Tabb.

**youngirish** · 08/04/2008, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by colster

It's a no brainer as far as i'm concerned. Both Miller and Potter have International, Champions League and Premiership experience and deserve to be in ther ahead of Tabb.

Personally I don't go for this Champions League and Premiership League experience.

I'd much rather look at the important facts those being that Miller is sh*t and has been proven in the past to not be good enough for International (or Premiership) football while Potter has been a bit part player in a Wolves team this year in the same division as the infinitely more impressive and talented Tabb.

Actually that reminds me. EB you owe me money for betting Potter would be Wolves player of the season this year after the US trip last summer when I rightly stated he was rubbish.

**rambler14** · 08/04/2008, 5:28 PM

Great to see Stephen McPhail back and it's also nice to see Wes Hoolahan, Owen Garvan and Glenn Whelan in the squad. Even the likes of Martin Rowlands is welcome sight. It shows that the Ireland squad is finally being picked on form rather than merit.

Se�n Scannell could be a potential superstar so they've made a good decision bringing him in at this stage.

But somebody please tell me why David Connolly is there???????

He hasn't played this season. Jay Tabb could surely have his place??????

**bellavistaman** · 08/04/2008, 5:35 PM

delighted for stephen ireland is back, hope he doesnt fook it up.

**colster** · 08/04/2008, 5:36 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Personally I don't go for this Champions League and Premiership League experience.

I'd much rather look at the important facts those being that Miller is sh*t and has been proven in the past to not be good enough for International (or Premiership) football while Potter has been a bit part player in a Wolves team this year in the same division as the infinitely more impressive and talented Tabb.

How is the subjective assessment of a player's talent a Fact? Give me an example of a fact that proves Tabb is better than either of these players.

**bellavistaman** · 08/04/2008, 6:00 PM

Originally Posted by colster

How is the subjective assessment of a player's talent a Fact? Give me an example of a fact that proves Tabb is better than either of these players.

Great post.

**bellavistaman** · 08/04/2008, 6:08 PM

brady just said on rte no conversation with him and stephen ireland, balls in irelands court now.Come on stephen we need you lad.

Hes meeting finnan soon to see if hes available.

**the doc** · 08/04/2008, 6:45 PM

The non selection of Sean St Ledger is a unbelievable, as St Ledger has been in outstanding form for Preston this season and tipped by many as Prestons player of the year and to move into the Premiership soon.

We could lose this player to the Northies if we are not careful, mark my words this player will be a top premiership player within the next few years.

How can you pick the likes of the out of form and limited McShane ahead of him? surely training squads are all about looking at new players to see what they can do.

**Carrigaline** · 08/04/2008, 6:47 PM

Originally Posted by Erimusred

Sean Scannell [Crystal Palace], Roy O'Donovan [Sunderland], David Connolly [Sunderland].

It's pointless calling up this lot.

Scannell is a great prospect for the future he's only just turned 17 and is waayyyyy too young to be thrown in at the deep-end. For crying out loud, we only just gave him his first under-21 cap a few weeks ago and he looked out of his depth at times.

O'Donovan has a bit of skill, but simply put, he's an inferior version of Robbie Keane or Kevin Doyle. We need a different kind of player, Alan Lee could give an aerial threat that we badly need.

As for David Connolly, that call-up has to be the greatest waste of time. According to soccerbase, he's played a total of 3 Premier League games this season and scored no goals.

I would liked to have seen Leon Best included in the squad to be honest. He's done well for Coventry and looked impressive while playing with the Under-21's.

Not sure about how where we could fit Lawrence into the team though, even if he got in, I couldn't see him getting playing time.

**Diarmo** · 08/04/2008, 7:02 PM

I wonder if Brady is planning on giving himself a game - as playing competitive football doesn't seem to be required for this squad. Connolly, I mean, he's played 3 games all season. Harte has played more. I really think Delaney, Lawrence, St. Ledger and maybe even Caleb Folan (whose scored a good few goals lately after coming back from injury) deserved a look, at least for training. And pray tell, how much Premiership experience does Darren Potter have? Because he doesn't have a whole lot of Championship experience with Wolves, he's in and out of the team.

**rambler14** · 08/04/2008, 7:06 PM

Originally Posted by Diarmo

I wonder if Brady is planning on giving himself a game - as playing competitive football doesn't seem to be required for this squad. Connolly, I mean, he's played 3 games all season. Harte has played more. I really think Delaney, Lawrence, St. Ledger and maybe even Caleb Folan (whose scored a good few goals lately after coming back from injury) deserved a look, at least for training. And pray tell, how much Premiership experience does Darren Potter have? Because he doesn't have a whole lot of Championship experience with Wolves, he's in and out of the team.

I'm dissappointed that Delaney and Lawrence havn't been given a chance. Also Noel Hunt should be worth a go instead of Connolly??????

**Blue-Army** · 08/04/2008, 7:08 PM

Originally Posted by Diarmo

maybe even Caleb Folan (whose scored a good few goals lately after coming back from injury) deserved a look, at least for training.

Yeah I would have had Folan in ahead of David Connolly, he's hardly played all season.
Is this squad just based on opinions or what? because no way did Brady/Trap go to see Connolly play for Sunderland Reserves.

**topia** · 08/04/2008, 7:10 PM

Id give noel hunt a go ahead of connolly, no point in him being included with no games under his belt,
definately not enough defenders and too many keepers, they wont be able to even have a proper training match without playing everyone out of position!

**GavinZac** · 08/04/2008, 7:18 PM

Givens out

**eekers** · 08/04/2008, 7:31 PM

ffs lads do you not understand the point of a 40man squad.
Only 28 of this lot are going to the training camp even.
Naming the other 12 to saying to them you're still in our plans.
Now imagine you're a player with a few caps and you're not named, you'd be rightly ****ed off. Whereas a young up and coming player would still reckon he could break his way in. Thats why the likes of connelly are being named even though they have no chance of getting in the 28.

**the doc** · 08/04/2008, 7:31 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

Givens out

Here, Here! this squad by and large has his name written all over it!

Watch out for Alex Bruce being called up next!

**GavinZac** · 08/04/2008, 7:32 PM

Originally Posted by eekers

Now imagine you're a player with a few caps and you're not named, you'd be rightly ****ed off.

Why would we care though? Because...

they have no chance of getting in the 28.

**theworm2345** · 08/04/2008, 9:12 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Theworm just soiled himself!!!

Originally Posted by geysir

I'm happy for Worm. It's a vindication of sorts for his years of unswerving belief in the wee mans ability.
We'll see if he make the cull down to 28 for the friendlies.

Of course this comes when Connolly is hurt

...now where did I put my extra pair of boxers

**irishfan86** · 08/04/2008, 9:27 PM

Connolly's inclusion raises some eyebrows alright. The only thing I can think of is that Brady rates him highly.

I don't see the point of alienating him, as he is very lethal at a certain level. Against the minnows he may be quite clinical.

As we see time and time again, he is a consistent scorer at Championship level.

Personally I wouldn't have included him, but I'm not outraged by it.

Some positives in there for sure, McPhail, Hoolahan, Whelan, and Garvan especially.

A bit disappointed that Alan Lee isn't included, as we really do need a target man in the squad.

As many have said, the absence of St. Ledger, McCarthy, and Bruce is a bit disappointing as well.

More positives than negatives though- it seems this management group are bringing in the right kind of young players, ie ones who are playing for their clubs in key positions, not the likes of Alan O'Brien et al.

EDIT: Forgot Liam Lawrence! All I can think of is that we have so many wingers ahead of him (Duff, McGeady, Hunt, Ireland), that he'd never get playing. Wouldn't have picked Hoolahan ahead of him though...

**Chicago AOH** · 09/04/2008, 4:12 AM

Lawrence should be in for sure, whether or not we have enough wingers in the squad. He's scoring goals, and seems to play for his shirt, with passion which is what this team really needs. I'm really disappointed, especially as it's a 40 man squad.

Sean St Ledger and Jon Walters, I would have liked to be picked too. Maybe they'll be arrange another B international, to keep tabs on players on players that didn't make the 40....