Planning Without Robbie and Holland...

**Peadar** · 25/08/2003, 2:15 PM

Originally posted by sadloserkid
Georgia aside I've never understood the fuss about him anyway.

You picked Connolly in your side so no one is going to take your opinion seriously.
Your post will just be ignored.

**Greenbod** · 25/08/2003, 2:23 PM

Originally posted by Peadar
You picked Connolly in your side so no one is going to take your opinion seriously.
Your post will just be ignored.

Many managers including Kerr have picked Connolly in their side. Is your opinion of them just as dismissive? If so, I think it is you who should be ignored.

**Peadar** · 25/08/2003, 2:30 PM

Originally posted by Greenbod
Many managers including Kerr have picked Connolly in their side.

They have him in the side to stop him from crying.

The discussion here was about fielding our strongest side.
If we have no other strikers available then maybe Connolly could be stuck into the round hole like the square peg he is.
I'd have Vinny Sullivan in a team before Connolly.
There isn't a defender in the world who fears the hobbit.

**colster** · 25/08/2003, 2:41 PM

Originally posted by 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.

I can't see how Delap should get in ahead of Healy.
Delap hasn't played for Kerr at all and Healy was very good against a Georgian team that beat Russia so it would be unfair to replace him.
I don't think Morrisson will play because he won't last the 90 minutes. Anyway the Russians had lots of trouble with Doherty in the last game so I think doherty will start ahead of Morrisson with Morrisson coming on as a substitute.
Also I think Duff would be a better option up front with Kilbane on the wing.
Duff offers more than Connolly in an attacking role.
Also the Russians will try to catch Ireland on the break. Kilbane could offer us more in tracking back than Duff would.
The Back 4 will be kept as is. Finnan will not play. It will be Carr, Cunnigham, Breen and O'Shea.

**pete** · 25/08/2003, 3:20 PM

Story about Connolly in yesteddays Sunday Times.

Journalist bumped into him as he boarded a bristish plane to London.

Connollys reply: "I used to travel Aer Lingus until they pi**ed me off!"

**Greenbod** · 25/08/2003, 4:42 PM

Originally posted by Peadar

I'd have Vinny Sullivan in a team before Connolly.

That's why Kerr is Irish manager and you're a Cork fan

**Mondo** · 25/08/2003, 7:21 PM

Originally posted by brine2
.................given

carr - o'brien - o'shea - finnan

s reid - thornton - healy - a reid

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

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

ANDY REID

**Slash/ED** · 25/08/2003, 9:10 PM

Originally posted by 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.

He's not in the squad and he has let us down, remember Holland at home? Agree he's better then his nephew mind, but that's not exactly hard.

**Peadar** · 26/08/2003, 8:31 AM

Originally posted by Greenbod
That's why Kerr is Irish manager and you're a Cork fan

When Kerr is given more striking options I've no doubt he'll dump Connolly.
Speaking of options, Alan Lee looked good last night as did Graham Kavanagh in Cardiff's 4-1 win over Derby County.
Willie Boland played well too.
Still can't believe Cardiff got planning permission to build a 60,000 seater stadium across the road from Ninian Park!

Niamh_GalwayGal · 28/08/2003, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by colster
I can't see how Delap should get in ahead of Healy.

Delap - regular in a top half premiership team
Healy - so far has played in Sunderland reserves

no time for sentimentality, that was micks downfall

"aw, well i ken 'arty's crap, but just lookit t'sad face on t'lad!"

**Slash/ED** · 29/08/2003, 12:00 AM

Originally posted by Niamh_GalwayGal
Delap - regular in a top half premiership team
Healy - so far has played in Sunderland reserves

no time for sentimentality, that was micks downfall

"aw, well i ken 'arty's crap, but just lookit t'sad face on t'lad!"

Yes but that's hardly fair on Healy, I mean he's only in the reserves to gain fitness you make it sound like he's completley out of favour.

Though I'd start them both.

**colster** · 29/08/2003, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by Niamh_GalwayGal
Delap - regular in a top half premiership team
Healy - so far has played in Sunderland reserves

no time for sentimentality, that was micks downfall

"aw, well i ken 'arty's crap, but just lookit t'sad face on t'lad!"

I've no doubt that Delap is a good player and he should eventually get his chance to play in the Ireland team.
At the moment he has never impressed playing for Ireland in any role he has played.
He has looked OK but nothing special.
Also Delap has not played for Kerr yet.
This isn't somethinng that you can say about Healy who has looked top quality almost every time he has played.
As for Delap replacing Holland for the Russia and Swiss game that's just madness.
Delap has had one good season in midfield for Southampton while Holland has played well for both Ipswich and Charlton over the last few seasons.
It's always better to go with experience.

**Footie_Fan** · 31/08/2003, 10:17 AM

--------------------------Given-----------------------

Carr-----Cunningham-------Breen-------O'Shea

Reid-----Holland-----------Healy-----------Kilbane

--------------Morrison-------Duff--------------------

The Russia match is the biggest test yet for Kerr and this side. Experience and continuity are a must.

Given is an obvious choice in goal.

The back four have all played with each other before and know each others game. Carr and O'Shea are both capable of world class performances. While Cunnigham and Breen have played with each other on countless occassions and under the Kerr era have yet to let the side down. To put Harte in the side would be very dangerous what he gives in free kicks and cross do nothing to take away from the fact the he is a very average defender and it is easy to expose him with balls in behind his back.

Reid is an exciting winger and can beat his man with ease and is a definite first choice on the right. Kilbane was outstanding against Georgia, probably his best performance in an Irish shirt, and with Robbie Keane's absence up front, Duff surely must be put up front leaving the way clear for Kilbane on the left wing. Holland is an experienced centre midfielder and against quality opposition experience is vital and for me he is an easy choice. Healy was exciting against Georgia and can provide the crucial balls to the front men. Kinsella is an option on the bench if things aren't going our way. To play Delap would be madness. I have never seen a good performance from him in an Irish shirt and the fact that he has never played in a Kerr side just adds to my opinion. By all means give him a run as a sub against Turkey or something but not in this crucial game.

Duff has to be played up front with the absence of Keane. He can provide and score goals. (Blackburn's top league scorer with 9 last year) Morrison is a gamble fitness wise but I have no doubt in his ability. His pace and strength will be priceless assets. Doherty is an option if we need him.

**colster** · 01/09/2003, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by Silvio Dante
Footie Fan. you've probably got Kerrs first 11 bang on for Saturday. However I disagree with a couple of selections. Time and time again we've seen the futility of playing Duffer away from the left wing. His influence on the game is seriously deminished. We must play our best player in his best position in my opinion.

Up front you could have Connolly who plays in that position week in week out for his club and therefore would be as effective as an out of position, uncomfortable Duff.

In midfield I'd put Holland on the bench and bring on the far more effective Delap. He'll get in with alot more crunching tackles and won't run away from the ball like Holland consistantly does.

I know Kerr won't agree with me but there you have it....

I think Delap is injured.
I think you're right about Duff.
I reckon that he'll probably play Morrison and Doherty up front with Duff on the wing.
We have to win this game and he must play an attacking formation.
Doherty will start because we need a big forward in attack.
I then think it's a choice between Connolly and Morrisson with Morrisson winning out due to his better all round play and speed.
Connolly and Lee will offer us options if needed late on in the game.
I think Duff will be given licence to roam with Holland, Healy and Reid making up the rest of the midfield.
The back 5 picks itself.
The team he'll pick will be

Given

Carr Cunningham Breen O'Shea

Reid Healy Holland Duff

Morrison Doherty