Squad Announcement

**Stuttgart88** · 31/01/2005, 1:52 PM

First reaction: Barrett again? He hasn't even been sub for Coventry. And no Delap even in an enlarged squad.

**Peadar** · 31/01/2005, 1:59 PM

Squad: Given (Newcastle United), Kenny (Sheffield United), Murphy (Walsall — On loan from West Bromwich Albion), Finnan (Liverpool), Carr (Newcastle United), Maybury (Leicester City), O’Shea (Manchester United), Cunningham (Birmingham City), O’Brien (Newcastle United), Breen (Sunderland), Dunne (Manchester City), Doherty (Norwich City), Holland (Charlton Athletic), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Kavanagh (Cardiff City), Quinn (Sheffield United), Miller (Manchester United), Reid (Nottingham Forest), Kilbane (Everton), Duff (Chelsea), Elliott (Sunderland), McGeady (Celtic), Macken (Manchester City), Barrett (Coventry City), Lee (Cardiff City), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrison (Birmingham City).

**eirebhoy** · 31/01/2005, 2:03 PM

The only change from the Croatia squad is Murphy for Colgan.

**Kingdom** · 31/01/2005, 2:03 PM

I am surprised again with the Delap situation. Surely he is worthy of at least a squad place ahead of Barrett/

**Hibs4Ever** · 31/01/2005, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

Delap has never delivered in green. At the risk of getting shot here . . . why isn't Hartey getting a look?!

I totally agree, Harte should AT LEAST be in the squad. O'Shea is nothing special

**eirebhoy** · 31/01/2005, 2:15 PM

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

why isn't Hartey getting a look?!

injured.

**Stuttgart88** · 31/01/2005, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

Delap has never delivered in green.

Delap has never been played in position in green!

**Kingdom** · 31/01/2005, 2:21 PM

Nice response Stuttgart

**eirebhoy** · 31/01/2005, 2:22 PM

Delap has been poor for Soton from what I've heard from a Boro fan.

**Peadar** · 31/01/2005, 2:32 PM

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

why isn't Hartey getting a look?!

He's injured.
He was back in Leeds for treatment and staying with uncle Gary.
He reckons that Kerr wont play him because he moved to Spain.

I've no doubt that Kerr will play him if he thinks he's good enough.
Ian, have a chat with Kerr about it.
Don't go blabbing to the media like Bellamy.

**Stuttgart88** · 31/01/2005, 2:36 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

Nice response Stuttgart

I wasn't trying to be a smart-arse, but it's true. He's been played RHM and even centre-forward (in the Turkey play-off following Robbie's suspension)! But never central midfield.

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Delap has been poor for Soton from what I've heard from a Boro fan.

Barrett hasn't even been playing for Coventry. Surely that's worse?

**Peadar** · 31/01/2005, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Barrett hasn't even been playing for Coventry. Surely that's worse?

It certainly is and Delap showed against Arsenal that he does have a lot to give at a reasonably high level.
He warrants a squad place at least.

**NeilMcD** · 31/01/2005, 2:46 PM

yeah harte is injured so not srue why anybody is expecting him in the squad. Do people not keep up with what is going on with Irish players or not. Delap is the only mystery . Obviously Kerr has more faith in Barrett for a number of reason. Probably the fact that he has called Delap up before and he pulled out with dubious injuries. the only otehr player to do that is Kennedy and he is no where to be seen either. It seems that kerr has a rule that he is sticking to that if a player lets him down there is no comeback.

**Donal81** · 31/01/2005, 2:56 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

yeah harte is injured so not srue why anybody is expecting him in the squad. Do people not keep up with what is going on with Irish players or not. Delap is the only mystery . Obviously Kerr has more faith in Barrett for a number of reason. Probably the fact that he has called Delap up before and he pulled out with dubious injuries. the only otehr player to do that is Kennedy and he is no where to be seen either. It seems that kerr has a rule that he is sticking to that if a player lets him down there is no comeback.

Could well be true. Also, why do I suspect that those who clamour so loudly for Harte's inclusion may include those who will call loudest for his removal if and when he plays terribly for us upon his return (which you know he will)?

He's a poor player lads and hasn't done himself too many favours with Kerr either.

Squad is fairly straightforward, right? The Delap thing is strange but where would he fit in anyway? Is it an argument over where he would sit on the bench, in a way? He's pulled out too many times, maybe he's just not trustworthy?

**eirebhoy** · 31/01/2005, 2:59 PM

Lads, Barrett isn't taking up Delap's place in the squad. Holland, Kavanagh, Keane, Miller and Kilbane are. Quinn is the creative central midfielder that's nice to have as an option on the bench if we're drawing 0-0 in Lansdowne with 20 minutes to play and Barrett is a right winger in Kerr's eyes.

**Stuttgart88** · 31/01/2005, 3:19 PM

All fair points. I suspect Kerr just got fed up with his constant withdrawal from previous squads anyway.

I think it's becoming increasingly easy to predict Kerr's squads now, certainly the enlarged ones.

He'll have enough on his plate finding the right opportunity to play people like Quinn, McGeady & Macken and maybe experimenting with JOS without having to worry about throwing Delap in to see how he fits in.

In a 27 man squad it's only splitting hairs when arguing over who gets the last few places.