Strange squad picked for these games by Stan yesterday. Only two centre halves for the Germany match with McShane suspended so O’Shea will start alongside Dunne. McShane will return for the Cyprus game but if Dunne or O;Shea get injured or sent off in the first game then Joey O’Brien will deputise at centre half. This is despite O’Brien playing precious little football in the past year due to injury and the fact that he only ever played centre half as a youth before.
Andy O’Brien isn’t international class but what’s the point in Staunton saying he played well at the weekend if he isn’t going to pick him. Stan said it wasn’t worth “dropping anyone” from the squad just to find room for a sub. That’s what squads are for. Darren O’Dea could also do with the experience and has the quality to be in that squad. Meanwhile Alan O’Brien is one of those not deemed worthwhile to drop, despite him not figuring recently for Hibs who have only found room for him with the reserves.
We have an unbalanced squad now and it’s unnecessarily risky to have just 2 centre halves in a panel for an international game.