Republic of Ireland V Uruguay - Tuesday, 29th March 2011 - Friendly

**SwanVsDalton** · 31/03/2011, 4:37 PM

Originally Posted by Duggie

oh i dont know about that, he seems like hes got a great engine. remember in yereven wasnt he just back from injury if i remember correctly and he ran himself into the ground in the heat and had a good game.

It's not just about engine, he could run all day I don't think Lawrence has the pace and endurence to really snap into tackles, pressure opponents and go box-to-box the way Andrews or McCarthy can. Think Meyler has this in his game too.

**Charlie Darwin** · 31/03/2011, 4:59 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Don't think he's athletic enough. It's the one thing our midfield really lacks, and the only options who are particularly athletic are Andrews, McCarthy and possibly Green.

I think Andrews is the only pure athlete we have in midfield. Meyler and Steven Reid are the only others at the moment who I think have the potential to be a box-to-box player for us. Maybe Clifford but he's probably a couple of years away from challenging for a place in the international team.

edit: looking at those names, it's probably no coincidence that they're all chronically injured. It's surprising we don't produce more players like that.

**AlaskaFox** · 02/04/2011, 9:37 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

We just need to find a defensive midfielder to do the dirty work.

Clark ideally should be this player. As he's played in defence and midfield for Aston Villa. However, for me, he's often like a player in an under-12s game. The manager may have selected him in defence, but wherever the ball is, he goes after it, particularly if it's up front. I'm giving him time though.

**seanfhear** · 02/04/2011, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by AlaskaFox

Clark ideally should be this player. As he's played in defence and midfield for Aston Villa. However, for me, he's often like a player in an under-12s game. The manager may have selected him in defence, but wherever the ball is, he goes after it, particularly if it's up front. I'm giving him time though.

It would be interesting to see if Clark/Wlson or Meyler when he gets back from his injury could do the defensive midfielde role to an international standard. At this stage we don't know enough about any of these players to say for certain if they can do the job. Maybe thats what makes it interesting !