Get Finnan and O’Shea switched so Finnan will be comfortable on the overlap. O’Dea’s time will come and even though McShane plays right back for West Brom he’s in possession of the jersey for the moment and didn’t do anything wrong the other day.
Further upfield we need to get more drive and ability on the pitch. McGeady probably has the most natural ability in the squad (my highlight of Saturday was watching his tricks at half time when the subs were on the park) and Hunt has great energy and workrate down the left. Both would offer a decent attacking threat on each flank. Carsley to play his natural game and Ireland to try pull the strings and pass the ball around.
If the Slovaks play 5 in midfield and we’re struggling to get on the ball then Duff can roam and drop back into midfield. Also the option of McGeady playing behind Doyle with Duff on the flank. Doyler’s well able to hold the ball up and is very good in the air for someone who’s not that tall and would be quite comfortable linking up with the wide players and Duff.
Not a chance of this team being selected though as Kilbane will definitely play.
You get some prize gobshites calling those phone-in shows.
I think I’d go with Bandage’s team but there’s little chance of it being picked. I think he’ll probably just drop Douglas for Hunt and start Doyle for Keane but with Stan you never know.
I think if Stan played himself at left back instead of O’Shea it would be a positive move. The fact that both are completely useless in their current roles would mean its a no lose situation.
Radio phone ins are an outlet for some truly sad, biased and more often than not stupid people to get on a soap box. G Ryan, J Duffy and D Cahill must have some sort of shit head magnet that attracts these people.
O’Dea is a cracking prospect but he’s not a left back - don’t think he’s looked the part when I’ve seen him play there. If you want to drop O’Shea then start Harte.
i wouldn’t be suprised if that idiot started the exact same team (well minus keane obviously) because they “did the business” on saturday, just to try and prove he won’t be influenced by the people who are slaggin him off - ie anybody with half a football brain, and some women too.
He has to start McGeady, Doyle and Hunt. Attacking football at a high tempo and get the crowd behind them early (apologies for the cliche) - at least that would take the Slovaks by surprise given the drivel we’ve become renowned for.
I think Staunton is on an inevitable downward spiral. It’s hard to see how he can win the fans over at this stage but the Germans have given us a chance. If he goes out and attacks and the crowd see an adventurous Ireland team selected and enthusiastic then they’ll get behind them and he could win the public over. Get ourselves into 3rd spot (in real terms) and hoping for a slip up from the Czechs. This isn’t a tough group - but the time to attack it is now.
I honestly think if we win tomorrow we’re back in with a shout at least. The German win on Sat was great for us as hopefully they will run away with the group and be more or less qualified by the time they come to Dublin. A really good win would send out a message to the rest of the group.
Big controversy in the Czech Republic after Ujfalusi, Jiranek, Polak, and Marek Cech were caught with hookers in the team hotel after their game on Saturday night. It was Ujfalusi’s 29th birthday and things got a little out of hand. I wonder how they’ll get on at home to the mighty Cyprus tomorrow night now.