Keano out of Russia game

[John83]

Robbie Keane will miss the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia next month. The Tottenham striker damaged ankle ligaments when he fell awkwardly during the Republic's 2-1 friendly against Australia on Tuesday night. Hoddle said:

"He (Keane) will be out for at least two weeks and maybe more. It's not as bad as first feared but bad enough. I would think the next three games (for Spurs) and no international."

Football365.com

[Peadar]

Originally posted by John83
Robbie Keane will miss the Republic of Ireland's Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia next month. [/URL]

That leaves the way clear for John O'Flynn to move up from the U21's after his impressive performances in their last few games.
He can't be any worse than Connolly!

[tiktok]

So who plays up front now?????

i'd go for Morrison/Duff keeping Doherty in reserve.

[Colm]

Originally posted by Peadar
That leaves the way clear for John O'Flynn to move up from the U21's after his impressive performances in their last few games.
He can't be any worse than Connolly!

I completely agree Peadar. O'Flynn is a far better player than Connolly will ever be, he deserves his chance.

[pineapple stu]

Surely Morrison and Doherty (our top scorer in the campaign) up front with Duff on the left?

I'd rather have Doherty than Kilbane anyway.

[Dodge]

That lad that scored the hat trick for the u21s is probably ahead of o'Flynn now (not my choice BTW)

[Peadar]

Originally posted by Dodge
That lad that scored the hat trick for the u21s

One trick wonder.
He'll probably never score again!
O'Flynn has consistantly found the back of the net.

[Socrates]

You must be having a laugh lads. This wouldn't be because he plays for Cork City by any chance? Am I the only person who thought that Connolly played very well when he came on against the Oz. He has very quick feet and spots the early pass which at international (not Eircom League) level is vital. He's also on a hot streak at the moment. If O'Flynn was good enough he'd be scoring regularly in either the premiership or Div 1. If he's so good why haven't any of the English clubs come in for him? Ditto Glen Crowe. I think Wednesday also proved that the Doc is not an international class striker. His first touch is just not good enough although he is phenominal in the air. As Eammo Dunphy once said "If he had two more heads instead of his feet he's be excellent"! It has to be Clinto and the angry ant for me with Duff on the left.

[Peadar]

Originally posted by Socrates
Am I the only person who thought that Connolly played very well when he came on against the Oz.

Yes you're the only person who thinks that.
Connolly has never in his life played well for Ireland.
There was only once on Tuesday when he managed to resemble a football player and that was back in our own half near the touch line. We were down to 10 men when Keane went off and nearly lost the game because Connolly made no use of any ball knocked forward to him.
Ian Harte has scored as many International goals as Connolly and he's a full back.

[Macy]

Originally posted by Socrates
Am I the only person who thought that Connolly played very well when he came on against the Oz.

Yes

[pete]

Originally posted by Socrates
Am I the only person who thought that Connolly played very well when he came on against the Oz.

Yes.

Originally posted by Socrates
I think Wednesday also proved that the Doc is not an international class striker. His first touch is just not good enough although he is phenominal in the air. As Eammo Dunphy once said "If he had two more heads instead of his feet he's be excellent"! It has to be Clinto and the angry ant for me with Duff on the left.

Leaving aside the O'Flynn comments for the moment.

Sure Doherty does not look a good forward for us but he probably the highest irish scorer in the qualiying campaign so far. Doherty may not be a forward but he is generally effective. I grant you Connolly looks busy but he also contributes nothing to the game. He is not quick enough or strong enough for international football so he usually is unable to hold the ball up or beat a player or two.

If Connolly so good why he not playing in the EPL?

[A face]

Originally posted by Peadar
One trick wonder.
He'll probably never score again!

What are you on about ... Connolly scored a hat trick on one of his first caps and has never looked back since ....

[pete]

Originally posted by Peadar
Connolly has never in his life played well for Ireland.

Thats a bit harsh Peader - i'm sure he had a good 10m minutes sometime in the late 90's.

Connolly probably best sumed up when he came on half way through the first half in Barcelona against Andorra for an injured forward & still couldn't get a goal.

[Socrates]

Look at the alternatives lads. A spurs reserve centre half or an EL striker. Connolly's firing on all cylinders at the moment and has to be given his chance. It's no coincidence that Tuesdays game turned once he and Clinto came on. Yes he's a cocky little gobsheen (which is no harm for a striker) but until we blood in Lee there's not much else to choose from. Clinto is big enough to hold the ball up and for Connnolly to play off. Doherty is indeed a good option in the air from dead balls but doesn't even consider himself a striker for jayzis sake! Against Russia we'll need strikers playing regularly at as high a level as possible - that's Connolly and Clinto (assuming he gets a few games in before then). We won't get many chances and we need to have strikers who are well practised at putting them away.

None of you have made much of an effort to defend O'Flynn I note!!

[Peadar]

Originally posted by A face
Connolly scored a hat trick on one of his first caps and has never looked back since

I was talking about Stephen Elliot not Dopey Connolly.

[Peadar]

Originally posted by Socrates
It's no coincidence that Tuesdays game turned once he and Clinto came on.

You're in a little fantasy world boy!
Ireland were coming more into the game when Keane went through and subsequently injured himself.
Connolly was on then and early in the second half Australia scored. Things improved when Clint came on but only because the midfield players now had someone to aim at as Connolly did not provide that option.

[pete]

I think Connolly had 1 shot (blocked) in a whole 50 minutes of football. I would like to see the breakdown of his successful passes in the Australian side of the pitch. I am only going to judge him on his international record as thats all that counts in the end.

O'Flynn scored in 3 of the last 4 u-21 games against Germany, Albania & now Poland. Think he also setup a goal in German & Albanian games.

O'Flynn has proven he is u-21 international standard. Connolly has proven he is NOT senior international standard. I'm still waiting to hear the last time he scored for Ireland as must be long time ago that i cannot remember. O'Flynn may not be senior international class yet but he deserves a squad place over Connolly.

[fan in reading]

He scored against Cyprus in the WC Qualifier last October.

[fan in reading]

Sorry, October 2001.

[petef]

Sorry guys I've never even heard of this O'Flynn guy. When I looked at the scoresheet for the 21's I didnt recognise a name. If any of the 21's deserves a call up it's Andy Reid, not an EL player, the step up in standard is just too much. You have to be playing in div 1 English league at least, think Colgan needs to set his aims higher if he wishes to stay at International level, Stockport aint good enough.

As for Connolly I've never rated him but I thought he had a lively game when he came on the other night. As for the front two I'd go for Doherty and Morrison at the start, if nothing happens bring on Connolly around 20, 25 to go.