Irish Squad

[Boca]

And the first of the new generation "granny rulers" is Liam Lawrence. The future is secure

 

Sky Sports

[Coyler]

It was sinful that players of his undeniable quality were being shunned, and they beating down the doors of the FAI for decades, just wanting to fulfil their dream of playing for their country, from the earliest level.

 

Won't somebody please think of Stan's children...?

[Boca]

It was sinful that players of his undeniable quality were being shunned, and they beating down the doors of the FAI for decades, just wanting to fulfil their dream of playing for their country, from the earliest level.

 

Won't somebody please think of Stan's children...?

 

How did I know that you would respond I suppose we should be thankful for small mercies, it could have been Alex Bruce

[Superjay]

I like the squad. The new midfield ias a hell of a lot more creative than anything we had under kerr. Stephen ireland is a fantastic little player and maybe the one to stop Keane dropping so deep. As for lawrence, he's a player who's head never drops no matter what score it is (sunderland) and will run at teams for hours on end if he has to.

 

Just wish they'd knock morrison on the head due to the fact of him being bruuuuuuuuuuuutal.

Edited February 16, 2006 by Superjay

[Ronnie Whelan]

but not as brutal as gary doherty who is absent due to s****ness.

[Boca]

We are so thin on the ground at the back it's frightening. Finnan is the only international class defender we have.

 

Given

Finnan Dunne O'Brien O'Shea

Reid Kilbane Miller Duff

Keane Doyle

 

That's probably as good as it gets with a full strength squad. It could be an interesting few years.

[Knox_Harrington]

That's not that bad a back four at all.

[Boca]

That's not that bad a back four at all.

 

Finnan and Dunne will be fine but the other two are liabilities. O'Brien was bombed out of Newcastle because they thought Boumsong and Bramble were a better option. O'Shea has got progressively worse each season.

[Knox_Harrington]

Finnan and Dunne will be fine but the other two are liabilities. O'Brien was bombed out of Newcastle because they thought Boumsong and Bramble were a better option. O'Shea has got progressively worse each season.

Newcastle are no judges and there are worse left backs than O'Shea. It's a no-nonsense back four and would work well in a major tournament as defending at international level isn't comparable to defending at elite club level. There isn't time for the organisation Liverpool or Chelsea's systems require. A solid, no-nonsense back four can take you a long way. Terrific goalkeeper too.

 

The concern would be central midfield for me.

[Boca]

Newcastle are no judges and there are worse left backs than O'Shea. It's a no-nonsense back four and would work well in a major tournament as defending at international level isn't comparable to defending at elite club level. There isn't time for the organisation Liverpool or Chelsea's systems require. A solid, no-nonsense back four can take you a long way. Terrific goalkeeper too.

 

The concern would be central midfield for me.

 

Let's face it, we will be struggling for quality all over the pitch. Given, Duff, Finnan and Keane are our only genuine players at this level. I am all in favour of the granny rule because we are so lacking, but only if the player is going to be a marked improvement on what we have got. Liam Lawrence is not.

[Herbie von Smalls]

The concern would be central midfield for me.

it's a shocking midfield. the weakest for a number of years.

[Ronnie Whelan]

steven reid at blackburn has done well in the holding role this season.

 

 

He has and Stan has given him praise for his performances.

 

 

There is a lot of talk about Nolan in todays irish papers. Apparantly Aldo has told stan to go and get Nolan. That would really make a difference to the shape of our CM. The grannyrulers take time.

[Boca]

He has and Stan has given him praise for his performances.

There is a lot of talk about Nolan in todays irish papers. Apparantly Aldo has told stan to go and get Nolan. That would really make a difference to the shape of our CM. The grannyrulers take time.

 

Nolan would be an excellent addition but he will probably wait until the summer to see if he gets the nod for England. Thats the problem with players like Nolan, England, understandably will always be his first choice.

What Stan has to decide is if it's worth waiting for players to make up their mind or if he just wants people committed to playing for Ireland. It's a difficult one for the manager.

[Ronnie Whelan]

 

What Stan has to decide is if it's worth waiting for players to make up their mind or if he just wants people committed to playing for Ireland. It's a difficult one for the manager.

 

 

And the answer should be yes every time. If Kevin Nolan doesnt make it into the England squad for the world cup then i would gladly take him.

[Stevie H]

is it true that reading's dave kitson has turned down the chance to play for ireland?

[Boca]

is it true that reading's dave kitson has turned down the chance to play for ireland?

 

It is, and at least he was honest enough to say he didn't feel Irish and didn't want to use the Irish team as a career move. I admire him for it.

[Maldini]

is it true that reading's dave kitson has turned down the chance to play for ireland?

Yeah, he said he just wouldn't feel right and that he would feel really bad about keeping genuine Irishmen out of the team...then did a 180 less than a week later and said he'd love to be considered for international football.

[Coyler]

James O'Carragher

Ah, it sounds Irish now...

 

(it would be a "Mac" anyway)

[fyds]

Ah, it sounds Irish now...

 

(it would be a "Mac" anyway)

[Boca]

Steve staunton interview yesterday. He was asked about the relative inexperience of the squad and replied; "If they are old enough, they are good enough"

[fyds]

Steve staunton interview yesterday. He was asked about the relative inexperience of the squad and replied; "If they are old enough, they are good enough"

and then added in Bobby Robson's direction 'Isn't that right now, Ted?'

[sean]

Here Sean, just so you know, the Ireland game is in Stuttgart.

 

Try Aer Lingus to Frankfurt or Ryanair to Karlsruhe-Baden (clsoer to Stuttgart). I think maybe you can use BMI, Hapag Loyd and Lufthansa from Dublin to Stuttgart.

 

Much of a muchness fare-wise but if you are staying in Stuttgart Ryanair is probably your man

 

 

Heard that on Newstalk last night mate.

[mick]

We have a number of very decent prospects between 18 and 21 that have already established themselves with their clubs to a certain extent.

 

Joey O'Brien

Stepehen Ireland

Owen Gravan

Shane Supple

Aidan McGeady

Paddy McCarthy

Kevn Doyle

Paul McShane

Stephen Kelly

Stephen Elliot

 

I am surprised that Garvan wasn't in the squad even though he as just turned 18, he is supposed to have done very well for Ipswich this season.

 

WE also have a number of senior internationals of decent quality that will be around for another number of years including:

Dunne

Given

Keane (still only 25?!)

O'Shea

Duff

Stephen Reid

Andy Reid

O'Shea

Finnan

 

 

I'm sure there are a few more. The squad isn't as bad as some people make out. If Staunton can motiviate players (unlike his predecessor) than we could do OK

[anny road]

you Oirish puzzle me

 

I cannot understand your passion for your national team....i remember being over in Dublin during Italia 90 and it was nuts....Cant slag it off as I got royally drunk..esp when I blagged people I knew Ronnie Whelan and got a free night out....

 

But is there anyone that doesnt give a shiny s****? An Oirish Anny Road (god forbid)

 

Just curious and not having a go

[mick]

you Oirish puzzle me

 

I cannot understand your passion for your national team....i remember being over in Dublin during Italia 90 and it was nuts....Cant slag it off as I got royally drunk..esp when I blagged people I knew Ronnie Whelan and got a free night out....

 

But is there anyone that doesnt give a shiny s****? An Oirish Anny Road (god forbid)

 

Just curious and not having a go

 

There's plenty of people who bandwagon jump for the big tournaments and don't give a crap the rest of the time and a few that don't care atall.

 

Having lived in London for a few years and being there for Euro 2004 I believe the hype, passion / moaning and eh hype of the press and English people in London is every bit as feverent as the Irish.

 

Although maybe that just London for you...............