Well mates, looks like we're in a tight spot for Basel next month doesn't it?. Well no worries. Look at all the evidence going into this game: 1. Keane will be back - He'll score one or two. 2. Switzerland's luck have just about run out - Yes they were off to a ferocious start, however, one could call them stumbly their past few matches. Besides, if we were asked shortly after the World Cup last year, who would win, Ireland or Switzerland? we'd all run in and say "Ireland easy". Besides, the last match again the Swiss was the final game under the McCarthy era, from what according to Stephen Staunton said, in the end, no one paid him any attention, and the team huddled around the veterans, so we were virtually playing coach-less. 3. Russia is inconsistent - the Russians tend to be quite streaky. Their WC qualifiers were brilliant, but their WC performance was to football what Jessica Simpson is to intelligence. They beat a us, again with that dickhead McCarthy in charge, but that's irrelevant. They went to crap soon afterwards, and now seem to be thunderous again. At least they are no longer our problem. So no worries mates, I predict a victory!
I love your optimism, Sebastian. I think things may be a little easier if Hakan Yakin is still injured come the time of the match, as (when not throwing his toys out of the pram) he's adept at the creative pass and we all know how the boys can struggle dealing with the ball behind the defence (see both Turkey's goals from Tuesday...) However, one small question. Who the hell is Jessica Simpson? PP
FYI hakin yakin played 30 minutes in a basel friendly tuesday so i would fully expect him to be fit for 11 october - in addition, cantaluppi should be back and IIRC haas should be off suspension - so it should be barnburner, i hope to be there
I suppose we have to be optimistic about this one. We definately have the beating of the Swiss and Basle is no baptism of fire. If we have everyone available we'll beat them. Saying that I fancy the Russians to get at least a point against Georgia so it would be play-off hell again for us. It would be great to get drawn against Scotland. It would be terrible to get drawn against Holland, Spain, England/Turkey.
lets hope we have a full squad to pick from....anything can happen to any of the players in the coming month. some positions we are well covered i.e full back. (carr,finnan,kelly,kenna) i suppose central defence we are covered but they are all as dodgy as each other so it doesn't really who plays. on the left its either harte or o'shea. believe it or not i would restore harte to the left and put O' Shea in central defence.. I think we need him there. midfield we can choose from holland,kinsella,healy,carsley or mcphail. duff or kilbane on the left wing and robbie/connolly would be my first choice up front. although the swiss looked vunerable to high balls into the box, but when did high balls into the box ever create goals for ireland. probably kerr will start with the following team Given Carr, Breen, Cunningham, O'Shea, Duff, Healy, Holland, Kilbane, Doherty, Keane. my choice would be : Given, Carr, Cunningham, O'Shea, Harte, Healy, Kinsella, Holland, Duff, Connolly, Keane.
I sure hope the Irish players think the same way, attributing our success to luck. PS: It seems like some of you saw the RUS-SUI game, was it shown in Ireland?
Cunningham is suspended for this game isn't he? Anyway I'd go with - Given Carr Dunne Breen O'Shea Reid Healy Holland Keane Morrison Duff In a game where we need to win I reckon both Duff and Reid have to start. Morrison did nothing wrong against Russia IMO given the service he got. Healy seemed to improve against Turkey. Harte is just too risky as he seems to get found out defensively too often now.
"Given Carr Dunne Breen O'Shea Reid Healy Holland Keane Morrison Duff" Can't believe that Kerr will play Steven Reid In the right midfield position considering his poor performances in the past 2 games. I think Finnan, Carr or Duff would be better suited in such an important game. I'm a big fan of Reidy but he need to "up" his form conciderably. I would even prefer a returning Jason McAteer over Reid for this Game. McAteer is an experienced big match player and a capable of sneaking an all important goal, like he did against holland. The same applies to Healy as it do to Reid but we are much shorter of options in the centre of midfield. Jonah
Yep, RTE (our national broadcaster) screened it live. Funny thing was, they couldn't show our friendly against Turkey the day before! I'd go for: Given Carr Breen Dunne O'Shea Duff Kinsella/Healy Holland Kilbane Keane Morrison O'Brien has never fully convinced during his (very limited) opportunities at this level, and while I'd like to see him given more of a try, this isn't the time. Reid hasn't pushed himself forward for the right hand berth in the last couple of games, so I'd play Duff there with Kilbane on the left. An alternative could be Finnan on the right with Duff on the left, but I'd start with that pair. Doherty to come off the bench if needed.
Alot will depend on how the lads play for their clubs over the next four weeks. Unless Morrison can force his way into the Birmingham team, I can't see him starting. Hopefully Healy will become a starter for Sunderland, and Dunne will get a few matches for Man City.
I think you're all being a bit too optimistic about Dunne, he scored on tuesday yet he also cost us the offside goal that should have been allowed. Given Finnan Carr O'Shea Breen Duff Reid Healy Holland Keane Morrison Reid can hopefully recover his form with Blackburn and all Healy needs is his sharpness which he'll hopefully have by then. Connolly and Keane wont work, very similar and playing two wingers and looking at the Russia Swiss match, getting the ball wide and into the box is how we should go about scoring goals and Morrisons our best option for that I think. He and Keane is our best front two anyway.
Guys, I was at the Russia match and we all know that we rarely play well when we are expected to break down the opposition. All our great wins have been against teams when they were the favourites. The pressure is on the Swiss as much if not a little more when we play them. We wont be facing two Russian banks of four defensive players in Basle. Probably will be the opposite! I dont want to see anymore decisions from Kerr like the Carsley one again. 1 competitive match all season and played out of position! For me its Kilbane and Duff on the wings. Harte cant play because this time the opposition will attack. Centre midfield is the problem as I am concerned about Healy's/Holland's ability to play a creative accurate pass. I dont question their ability to win the ball and pass it 5 yards. Closey
Reid starts a (3?) game ban tomorrow. He'll only have one or two matches with Blackburn to prove his form.
I think your wrong about Healy, if anything he tries to go for a spectacular pass too much. Did you not see his 50 yarder for Duffs wrongfully disallowed goal against Turkey? Nobody else in our mid field would have the ability to do that. The talents there he just needs the sharpness.