D-Day looms

GuanYin · 03-09-2003 12:05pm #1

Ok, Saturday is the biggest Ireland match since the holland game in the 2002 qualifiers.

We really need the win here as an uncertain russian side at home is a nicer proposition than the swiss away.

I was dismayed to see Delap omitted again, but it seems he has an ankle injury... I hope Kerr will pick him for the Swiss game.

From what we have available, here's my team.

Given
Carr
O'Shea
Cunningham (been playing a stormer for the brummies)
Finnan (still prefer him to Harte)
Reid (outstanding for Blackburn againts Chelsea)
Kinsella (good game againts the Aussies, passes better and gets more involved in attack than Holland).
Carsley (need someone to hold the midfield).
Kilbane (I know, I know)
Duff
Morisson

Thanx 4 The Fish · 03-09-2003 12:10pm

I think that Duff is wasted playing up front. He is far better running the wing and creating for the Attackers. As to who to put up there instead of him, is not much choice is there, it's connolly or Doherty and that is no choice at all really.

cournioni · 03-09-2003 12:22pm

Is Healy in the squad?

bucks73 · 03-09-2003 12:27pm

Originally posted by PORNAPSTER
Is Healy in the squad?

yep.

LizardKing · 03-09-2003 1:58pm

I'd put connolly and doherty in first and use clinton as a super sub again ... duffs better in left midfield too ... I really hope we get a positive result .... come on ireland ww)

jongore · 03-09-2003 2:14pm

Originally posted by sykeirl

From what we have available, here's my team.

Given
Carr
O'Shea
Cunningham (been playing a stormer for the brummies)
Finnan (still prefer him to Harte)
Reid (outstanding for Blackburn againts Chelsea)
Kinsella (good game againts the Aussies, passes better and gets more involved in attack than Holland).
Carsley (need someone to hold the midfield).
Kilbane (I know, I know)
Duff
Morisson

Agree with most of that except for the centre midfield positions.

Out:
Kinsella (not playing with Villa, and I thought he was poor against the men from Oz).
Carsley (Just over an injury and not match fit, plays wide for his club not centre)

In:
Holland (On a par with Kinsella but playing with his club)
Healy (Playing O.K. with Sunderland, someone creative in the centre)

Connolly (Never does it for Ireland) and Doherty (Why keep playing a centre half up front?) should be left to keep the bench warm.

BTW why isn't Andy Reid (Notts Forrest) in the squad? He's been playing a blinder recently and has 3 goals from midfield already this season.

jesus_thats_gre · 03-09-2003 2:56pm

Personally I would break Connolly's ankles. But thats for another day.

Morrison has a good record and deserves the start. Duff upfront is better than any alternatives, even though he is better on the left wing.

So Kilbane it is on the left, as much as that pains me.

colster · 03-09-2003 3:22pm

I wouldn't be surprised if Kerr plays a 4 3 3 formation against Russia as below

Given

Carr Breen Cunningham O'Shea

Healy Holland Kilbane

Reid Morrison Duff

This formation can easily change to a 442.
With Reid and Kilbane playing we have some height that we can push up alongside Morrisson.
Duff will Roam as well.
I think Reid will offer a threat when tucking in with his shooting ability.

cournioni · 03-09-2003 3:24pm

Originally posted by bucks73
yep.

Then he should be a definate starter.

GuanYin · 03-09-2003 3:41pm

Why, Healy has done nothing at club level to merit a starting place, aside from that his international record is dodgey at best.

Mostly friendlies and competitive games against weak opposition.
He was muck against the Aussies.

Mossy Monk · 03-09-2003 4:57pm

i must get some cans in. should be a great game

Tellox · 03-09-2003 5:29pm

Not trying to get away from the movement here, but I think Connolly played fairly well against the aussies. He should be given a start, and if he fails to deliver again, he can always be subbed out for doherty.

Its actually pretty confusing when it comes down to where duff will play. Kerr can pick him for either creating the chances, or trying to pick up on chances and score.

After Reid's performance against chelsea, I can see him getting a starting spot.

I think Harte will be given his starting spot too, after he set up our two goals in the aussie match..

ShriekingSheet · 03-09-2003 6:11pm

I think Duff is better off on the wing against teams that are less technically accomplished (and less likely to be able to mark him out of the game).

Especially if he has that human tree (GD) to cross to upfront if even for only part of the game.

If he is the victim of tight, agressive marking by a similarly pacey full back then i would agree with the more free role behind the front two.

thats my two cents!

ChumpStain · 03-09-2003 9:56pm

My team would be;

Given

Carr

Cunningham----O'Shea

Harte

Finnan

Healy

Holland

Reid

Morrison----Duff

But thats just me

kamobe · 04-09-2003 12:11am

Why don’t they push Harte up to left midfield? The lad is a decent footballer, a good passer and is lethal at set pieces. Surely he'd be more useful than Kilbane on the left? (this is of course assuming that Duff will be up front).

jonno · 04-09-2003 9:43am

I'm confused as to where to play Duff. I suppose if I were Brian I would start with this line-up

Given

Carr----Cunningham----O'Shea----Finnan

Reid

Healy

Kinsella

Duff

Morrison

Doherty

I'd give Doherty the nod up front just for his height. After all as far as I'm concerned it's his only decent attribute.

If he isn't getting into the game immediately change him at half time, sticking Duff up front and Kilbane wide left. Also if we are to play Duff up front I would start Harte because we are bound to get some set peices around the area.

cournioni · 04-09-2003 11:18am

Originally posted by sykeirl
Why, Healy has done nothing at club level to merit a starting place, aside from that his international record is dodgey at best.

Mostly friendlies and competitive games against weak opposition.
He was muck against the Aussies.

And you are saying that Carsley or Kinsella have done much better...

GuanYin · 04-09-2003 11:29am

Yep,

Carsley had a fantastic season for Everton last year and has never actually had a bad game for Ireland. Any time he's come in he's played well in what he's been asked to do.

Kinsella, isn't in for Villa much now, however, he has alot more graft about him than Holland, who admittedly, has been playing very well at the moment.

jonno · 04-09-2003 12:14pm

I rate Kinsella way ahead of Holland. Holland just hasn't being doing it for Ireland recently. I thought he did well when he was introduced first but since then he has gone downhill IMO.

I think Carsley is a good player to have in the squad and maybe even to start some games depending on the oppositions midfield.

uberwolf · 04-09-2003 1:38pm

Originally posted by Thanx 4 The Fish
, it's connolly or Doherty and that is no choice at all really.

Morrison? fair point re Duff though

vorbis · 04-09-2003 2:01pm

I'd start Doherty as well. Despite his lack of skill, he still seems to get goals for Ireland. As long as he keeps doing that, he desaerves to start. Duff should play left wing though.

ciano · 04-09-2003 2:59pm

My starting XI for the Russia game would be:

Given

Carr----Cunningham----Breen

O'Shea

Reid

Healy

Holland

Kilbane

Duff

Doherty

colster · 04-09-2003 4:29pm

Originally posted by ciano
My starting XI for the Russia game would be:

Given

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

Reid
Healy
Holland
Kilbane
Duff
Doherty

Looks about right to me though I'd be tempted to play Morrisson instead of Kilbane.

D-Day looms

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