Squad: Given (Newcastle United), Colgan (Hibernian), Kenny (Sheffield United), Maybury (Hearts), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Harte (Leeds United), Carr (Tottenham Hotspur), O'Brien (Newcastle United), Breen (Sunderland), O'Shea (Manchester United), Miller (Celtic), Roy Keane (Manchester United), Reid (Nottingham Forest), Holland (Charlton Athletic), Delap (Southampton), McAteer (Sunderland), Kinsella (West Bromwich Albion), Kilbane (Everton), Duff (Chelsea), Lee (Cardiff City), Connolly (West Ham United), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrison (Birmingham City). I believe the whole Press Conference was based around you know you.........
Dunne and McPhail are injured. Carr is doubtful. Steven Reid misses out and still no Douglas. Still a strong squad, though. The only complaint I would have would be the inclusion of Colgan ahead of Murphy. Neither are playing first team football, though surely Murphy is one for the future.
Carr is out through injury. This will cause some rumours, no doubt, since he withdrew from the squad last time around "injured" after the reported row with Kerr. He IS injured this time though, and will not play for Spurs this weekend. That's not all bad, since Stephen Kelly will take his place at right back for Tottenham. Likely means Alan Maybury will get another start in Poland.
I have to say I share your suspicions on this one. It seems extraordinary that Chris Hughton would allow Kerr to name him in the squad only for him to pull out through injury shortly afterwards. Surely Hughton would have been aware of his fitness, or lack of it, for the purpose of the Poland trip!
Even if he did, his fitness will not be up to international standard for Wednesday. He hasn't played in weeks, and there is no way he would be fit to play for Ireland in Poland. With a bit of added rest, mabye he will be back the Saturday after the match. I will still remain unconvinced that anything is the matter.
And here's the Poland squad: Dudek (Liverpool), Zewlakow (Anderlecht), Bak (Lens), Rzasa (Partizan Belgrade), Hajto (Schalke 04), Klos (Wisla Krakow), Glowacki (Wisla Krakow), Kaczorowski (Lech Poznan), Radomski (Heerenven), Lewandowski (Shakhtar Donetsk), Smolarek (Rotterdam), Krzynowek (Nuremburg), Kosowski (Kaiserslautern), Mila (Groclin Dyskobolia), Szymkowiak (Wisla Krakow), Gorawski (Wisla Krakow), Niedzielan (Nijmegen), Olisadebe (Panathinaikos), Zurawski (Wisla Krakow), Rasiak (Groclin Grodzisk).
is there any information about the game being on tv in the US? i'll be in LA that week and would love to see it if its on
"I’m aware of the stupid stories that went round last month. There is no problem with Stephen - except for his back problem." -Brian Kerr, on Stephen Carr.
Duff is out, along with McAteer and Breen. In come Douglas, Reid (Steven) and Alan Quinn. Why Alan Quinn!? I would have thought he'd call up Finnan after his early return.
This is becoming to look like a rag tag set of players.....supposedly Robbie Keane is expected to withdraw today due to concussion. That leaves us with very little pace up front. I hope when I am in Amsterdam next month there will be a few more players available!! Closey Revised Republic of Ireland squad: Given (Newcastle United), Colgan (Hibernian), Maybury (Hearts), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Harte (Leeds United), O'Brien (Newcastle United), O'Shea (Manchester United), Miller (Celtic), Roy Keane (Manchester United), A Reid (Nottingham Forest), S Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Barrett (Coventry City), Doyle (Coventry City), Kinsella (West Bromwich Albion), Douglas (Blackburn Rovers), Lee (Cardiff City), Byrne (Shelbourne), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrison (Birmingham City).
Roy Keane has pulled out. He took part in a full training session but is not 100%. No doubt Kerr knew he was not going to play all along and he came over to break the ice. Also, assuming no Robbie Keane either Here is my stab (in the dark) at the team.... Given O'Shea O'Brien Cunningham Harte S.Reid Miller Kinsella A.Reid Morrision Mighty Alan Lee Revised Republic of Ireland squad: Given (Newcastle United), Colgan (Hibernian), Maybury (Hearts), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Harte (Leeds United), O'Brien (Newcastle United), O'Shea (Manchester United), Miller (Celtic), A Reid (Nottingham Forest), S Reid (Blackburn Rovers), Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Barrett (Coventry City), Doyle (Coventry City), Kinsella (West Bromwich Albion), Douglas (Blackburn Rovers), Lee (Cardiff City), Byrne (Shelbourne), Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur), Morrison (Birmingham City).
I mostly agree with closey's team, except I think Maybury will get another start at right back with O'Shea left. And obviously Robbie for Lee if he's fit. Prediction: Poland 0-0 Ireland.
Robbie has pulled out as he is still getting headaches and stuff....a bit worrying!!! Mighty Alan Lee it is then!!! This match could be scary! Closey
I'd use O'Shea at right back and Harte left back myself. I don't rate Maybury. Hopefully Byrne gets a run.
Having Byrne in the squad is an insult to Paul Heffernan. Would Byrne score 19 goals for a bad struggling team in division 2? Not a chance.
He's had chances before. Imo he was poor against the Czechs and I'd like to see O'Shea at right back in case the injury prone pair of Finnan and Carr are out in an important match.