Keith Andrews

[Colbert Report]

I thought we were going to go with three in the middle and Shane Long by himself up front? Cox is a big Trap favourite but he's not a midfielder.

[Charlie Darwin]

He'll presumably be playing the Robbie role between midfield and attack, and Hoolahan will move in there when he comes on. Knowing Trap it'll be Brady in there though.

[paul_oshea]

Because McCarthy is starting instead.

[Kingdom]

I've heard the past few days the line that Trap is shifting the goalposts slightly in order to rule Hoolahan out of it for the future and when I thought of it first, I kinda dismissed it, but I'm not so sure about it now.

He's starting Cox instead of Hoolahan with Robbie omitted. He knows what Cox is about, and is obviously comfortable with him and his abilities. Why then doesn't he start Wes? Starting him in front of the "holding" two in the middle would have made sense to me., because we all know how gash the 2nd halves of international friendlies are - the first half is usually the performance indicator.

I'm disappointed, a little frustrated, but then again I don't have any faith in the manager so I'm probably biased.

[elroy]

Cox is an honest hard working lad who probably is at his level in the Championship and nothing wrong with that. I struggle to see what he offers us really and ignoring the odd goal in a friendly Im struggling to see what he has delivered. A willingness to play anywhere, yes - and perhaps to his detriment Trap has employed him on the wing more times than not. However, for me, if Walters is in the squad, then Cox is not needed. Anything Cox can give us up front, Walters is more than capable of doing and more.

[geysir]

Cox is our handyman, (electrical jobs, plumbing, carpentry etc) no problem at all to ask him to perform any job on the pitch. He may not bring top class skills but he has an inspirational professional attitude which is priceless to have in the squad.

[paul_oshea]

Yep, just like Paul McShane.

[SwanVsDalton]

I think Cox is a little underrated, partly because he gets handed thankless tasks by Trap (water carrying for Robbie/playing out of position) and partly because people beat him with the Long stick.

He appears to be quite skilful, has a nice touch and is a very good finisher from what I've seen in green and at club level. He's looks an all-round potent threat, and keeps defenders busy - more so than say a Daryl Murphy or Caleb Folan. He's better than he tends to get credit for.

[paul_oshea]

I actually agree with a lot of that SvD, against Germany in the first half and in other games like oman, his touch and awareness is quite good. I think he is better than he has been able to show, but I don't think he is better than shane long, if it was a like for like on the wing then I'd still go with long.

[Fixer82]

He's a very good striker.
he is not a winger!

[paul_oshea]

is he, then he would have easily put that header away? Remember that miss as well against slovakia as well when he should have passed!

[tetsujin1979]

is he, then he would have easily put that header away? Remember that miss as well against slovakia as well when he should have passed!

put the one against Estonia away handily enough

[Fixer82]

is he, then he would have easily put that header away? Remember that miss as well against slovakia as well when he should have passed!

true, poor header but i still think he's a good striker. glad he was played up there and thought he did ok tonight

[Fixer82]

put the one against Estonia away handily enough

i think you're thinking of Walters

[Fixer82]

put the one against Estonia away handily enough

ah no, i get ya, you're talking about Andrews. This thread went a bit off topic to talking about Simon Cox

[tetsujin1979]

i think you're thinking of Walters

No, I'm thinking of Andrews. Missed the part where Cox was the player being discussed

[Charlie Darwin]

I can't believe I'm watching this but Keith Andrews and his hair are on the Brendan O'Connor show now on RTE.

[Grafter]

I can't believe I'm watching this but Keith Andrews and his hair are on the Brendan O'Connor show now on RTE.

Fairly extreme alright, maybe the Cascarino logic that good hair makes you appear younger come contract negotiations?
Not a fan of such interviews though...

[Sullivinho]

Keith looks like he went into a hair salon and asked for a Tom Barry.

[drummerboy]

Comes across as a very articulate young man, who has made plans for life after football. With the hair, he looks like Lyle Lovett.