Given (Newcastle United), Kiely (Charlton Athletic), Colgan (Hibernian), Finnan (Fulham), O'Shea (Manchester United), Dunne (Manchester City), Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Breen (West Ham United), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Delap (Southampton), Holland (Ipswich Town), Carsley (Everton), McPhail (Leeds United), Healy (Celtic), Houlihan (Shelbourne), Partridge (Coventry City), Quinn (Coventry City), Crowe (Bohemians).
Let's hope that Givens resists the temptation to "do a Mick" with O'Shea. He could pick him at right back to plug the hole there, keeping Cunningham and Breen in the centre and put Stevie Finnan on the left. I hope he doesn't start messing O'Shea around and plays him in his preferred position -God knows we've waited long enough to see him in a green shirt, I just hope it isn't a No.2
Any chance of Clive Clarke being called up? We don't have any natural left-backs in the squad after Harte, and he's been an ever present for Stoke for a few years now, at only 21 or 22, apparently doing pretty well. Have to say I'm glad to see Quinn being recalled and Partridge getting a chance as well. Is Houlihan really that good? I don't really know that much about him, apart from that he's been in the U-21 team recently. What are his chances of getting a game? Don Homer?
I'm sure that's exactly what he'll do given the number of full backs in the squad. Or maybe he'll play 3-5-3 with three centre backs, O'Shea, Dunne and Cunningham.
I think OShea looks a great player and would want and expect him to be in a 1st 11 for the Greece game. However, Oshea has only been playing first team football this season as a result I have only seen him play this season (I don't see Utd Reserves or indeed much of the Irish youth teams, apart from the odd bit on Eurosport). So how long is long enough? the two competitive games that weve had this season? or are you suggesting Oshea should have been in the side an age ago. I suspect a lot of Bandwagon jumping on this board with regards to Oshea, he'll get his chance and I know he'll take it, but lets not kid on that the Irish team, supporters and indeed Oshea himself has been deprived the chance to play in a Green shirt, it doesn't make sense to me.