Planning Without Robbie and Holland...

[Peadar]

Lets assume Robbie Keane and Mattie Holland are unavailable for the Russia game, how should we line out?

I was thinking, during the Australia game, that we could move things around without upsetting the apple cart too much.

------------------Given-----------------
Carr----O'Brien-----Cunningham----Harte
Finnan------Healy------O'Shea------Duff
----------Morrison--Doherty-------------

I'm not a bit fan of Harte but I think he could pull it off and with Doherty up front we need as much high ball into the box as possible. With Morrison we need the ball on the ground in behind the defenders. Duff and Finnan can provide this.

[noby]

i think it might be abit too much too soon to play healy & o'shea in midfield against russia

i think it will be more like kinsella/healy midfield, with o'shea in defence.

harte played ok the other night, but if people aren't playing first team this time of year, fitness will be a major factor

[Peadar]

Originally posted by noby
if people aren't playing first team this time of year, fitness will be a major factor

That rules Healy out too then.
I would settle for Kinsella/O'Shea in midfield.
When deciding on my original line up I was very concious of the lack of leadership in the mid field but feel that O'Shea is wise beyond his years now and could handle the responsibility.
Finnan could play left full with Gary Kelly on the right of midfield if Harte was a weak link.

[pete]

I'd go for:

------------------Given-----------------
Carr----Breen-----Cunningham----O'Shea
Duff------Healy------Kinsella------Kilbane
----------Morrison--Doherty-------------

Maybe Reid if he fit with Duff onto the left wing.

[NigeSausagepump]

Holland has been included in the Charlton squad for the game against Wolves, so you can assume that he will be fit for the Ruskie game.

[tiktok]

i'd go for

------------------------Given----------------------
---Carr----O'Shea---Cunningham---Harte---
---Reid------Kinsella----Healy-----Kilbane----
-------------Morrison------Duff-------------------

Reid is set to make his blackburn debut the w'end so i assume he's back fit.
I think without robbie, duff has to play up front. i don't like the idea of Doherty and Morrison.

[pete]

Originally posted by NigeSausagepump
Holland has been included in the Charlton squad for the game against Wolves, so you can assume that he will be fit for the Ruskie game.

swop Holland (even if he is a mercenary) for Kinsella cos Kinsella hasn't had a good game for Ireland for a while.

[Slash/ED]

If Hollands fit, I'd play

Morrison Connolly

Duff Holland Healy Reid

Finnan Cunningham O'Shea Carr

Given

I'll get stick for putting Connolly in probably, but the alternative is Duff up front and Kilbane at left wing, which would be far worse in my opinion, FAR worse, as were limiting our best attacking option for a below average left winger, or useing Doherty.

Doherty just isn't a striker, he has a few goals but mainly from set peices his all round play isn't upto it, I think Connolly and Morrison will link up alot better, and Connolly will be a long way ahead of Doherty for match sharpness, who will either be playing central defence or not at all.

Harte made an impact on tuesday but he's still an utter embarassment as a defender, and I'd never ever feel safe with him in the side. Wouldn't mind seing him get a run at left wing for his club side but I'd never pick him at left back.

[brine2]

.................given

carr - o'brien - o'shea - finnan

s reid - thornton - healy - a reid

..................duff(c)

................morisson

[Slash/ED]

Holland played in Charltons 4-0 win over the weekend he'll be fit to play, in fact Finnan is a bigger worry, wasn't fit enough to start again for Liverpool which is worrying.

Though going back to Holland, I will say I do prefer Delap myself anyway, fit or not.

[tiktok]

I have to agree on delap, i think it's amazing he hasn't gotten a fair go at international level, especially so after the last season he had.

[Peadar]

Originally posted by Peadar
Finnan------Healy------O'Shea------Duff

Roy Curtis has pretty much agreed with me on this in todays Sunday World.

Roy Curtis, Sunday World
Yet one big gamble now - employing John O'Shea, Steven Reid and Colin Healy in his midfield - could yield outrageous dividends.

...O'Shea has two good feet, he is athletic, he has the physical presence to dominate a game (something the Holland-Kinsella combo sorely lack), and he has confidence.

...but the team could take a further massive leap forward with O'Shea alongside the dynamic Healy, with the powerful Reid booming down the right tramline.

Considering that it was Harte who supplied the ball for both goals I'd still be inclined to stick him at left-full.
Kilbane will, if fit, almost certainly start on the left of midfield.
At least we still have options I suppose.

[Macy]

Originally posted by Peadar
Considering that it was Harte who supplied the ball for both goals I'd still be inclined to stick him at left-full.

And played viduka onside for that chance that would have left us dead and buried 2-nil down....

[markf]

Is Gary Kelly in the squad??? If so, he's got to be there somewhere. He's never let us down, not like his nephew!!!!!

He can also play anywhere. R-B, L-B, R-M.

[colster]

I can't see Kerr taking a gamble in the remaining games.

The team will (if all are fit and available bar Keane) be


Given

Carr Cunningham Breen O'Shea

Reid Holland Healy Kilbane

Duff Doherty

I can't see him trying Delap/O'Shea in midfield having not played there for Ireland at all unless there is a massive injury crisis.
It would be a massive gamble to try them against Russai or Switzerland.
Kerr is not like that. If he were to drop Holland it would probably be Carsley who replaces him.

I think it's a close call with Doherty and Morrison.
Morrisson did not look fit against Australia and can't see him lasting a full 90 against Russia.
It will depend on who he thinks is the better option coming off the bench.
Doherty will probably edge it as Russia did not cope too well with him in Russia and he's had a full pre-season and played some games for Spurs.

[Peadar]

Originally posted by Macy
And played viduka onside

That's very true Macy but there were mistakes made all over the pitch by Ireland. He came on as a sub not having played for club and country for a while and was bound to make mistakes.
If we're playing Gary Dock Herty up front then we need good delivery.

O'Brien had a shocker on Saturday and could have been sent off.

[Macy]

No one ever doubted his delivery, just his defending.... I think that would be a major risk, especially as he can't get his game for Leeds...

[Schumi]

Originally posted by Macy
And played viduka onside for that chance that would have left us dead and buried 2-nil down....

And should have given away a penalty!

[colster]

Originally posted by Peadar
That's very true Macy but there were mistakes made all over the pitch by Ireland. He came on as a sub not having played for club and country for a while and was bound to make mistakes.
If we're playing Gary Dock Herty up front then we need good delivery.

O'Brien had a shocker on Saturday and could have been sent off.

I think Reid is almost as good at set pieces as Harte is. So if he plays there would be no need to play Harte.
Anyway Kerr will stick with his current back 4. They haven't let him down yet and deserve to keep their places.
Each of them are in good form at the moment and playing regularly while Harte is not.

[sadloserkid]

Given

Carr Cunningham O'Shea Finnan

Reid Holland Delap Duff

Morrison Connolly

No Colin Healy or Gary Doherty for me. Healy hasn't enough football this season (like Finnan I know) but Georgia aside I've never understood the fuss about him anyway.