A look at the Irish Team

GuanYin

Having witnessed another fine Irish performance against supposed superior opposition, I'm absolutely baffled why Ireland don't do consistantly better on a world stage.

It seems we have no problem beating the minnows and we always raise our game against the world powers such as Portugal, France, Holland, The Czechs and Italians. Our problem always seem to lie with the average teams that could be considered around our own level.

Why can't we put in the same performances against Russia, Switzerland, Cameroon, Macedonia, Belgium, Lithuania, Iceland, Denmark, Norway etc etc etc?

I think the squad now is well capable of being a top 10 team and even my comment about us performing above our level is redundant. We have some players that would walk into most first teams in Given, Carr, Duff and Keane (Roy). In Robbie Keane, O'Brien, Finnan, O'Shea, Cunningham and Morrisson we have players who are capable of playing at the highest level and would make most squads if not most teams.

I think the days when we say we don't have the quality of England or Germany are long over as all the players above are first team players in top 10 Premiership sides (most in top 5 premiership sides).

Keane was spot on when he said we were underachievers. We have to believe we are the best team in the group at the moment and go on to avoid the play-offs by winning the group.

[/rant]

thejollyrodger

Yeah I defintely agree that we arent achieving our max. For example we could have beaten the swiss and french. I do think however that the team is making a lot of progress and can see the team being a top 10 side after the 2006 World Cup.

In the past we didnt have the players that could actually play football on the deck. We had lots of mental toughness and will power but lacking in the football department. Also we were lacking depth. The squad looks a lot better now baring a few positions.

We werent as professional in the past and ended up with too many moral victories when we could have taken the win. Thankfully that seems to be behind us now. For example the choice of dates Kerr picked and who we played has been excellent so far, all the players know exactly what the should be doing, its all taticall right on the night, if we have injuries like Morrison it doesnt all go to pot. Even the FAI has come on an awful lot and is a lot more professional. I think we can win this group and do very well in Germany, maybe even make it to the quarter finals or even semi finals

Guy:Incognito

I think Kerr needs to realise that while we have a very good side playing good football is not always the bestapproach. The France game being the perfect example. The way to beat France is not to play passing, skillfull football but to rush them, harrass them and not give them time on the ball. Basically play unpretty football because they dont like that.

Guy:Incognito

thejollyrodger wrote:

We werent as professional in the past and ended up with too many moral victories when we could have taken the win. Thankfully that seems to be behind us now. For example the choice of dates Kerr picked and who we played has been excellent so far, all the players know exactly what the should be doing, its all taticall right on the night, if we have injuries like Morrison it doesnt all go to pot. Even the FAI has come on an awful lot and is a lot more professional. I think we can win this group and do very well in Germany, maybe even make it to the quarter finals or even semi finals

Al that is exactly why Saipan happened. I think we have Roy Keane to thank for a lot and anyone who knows about football would have to admit that. he basically said "enough of this sh1te" and wasnt about ot put up with it anymore.

The Muppet

I agree with all of the above but I feel we are still a little lacking in attack. We could do with a top class striker to partner Robbie Keane up front.

thejollyrodger

I think Robbie is the best that were going to get. Clinton has come on leaps and bounds and last night was probably going to be his best ever since he put on an Ireland shirt. He was a lot more effective than Robbie. I hope the partnership starts to develop over the next year.

(Top class strikers must be hard to come by, just look at England and Owen : P )

cournioni

Well if Leon Best from Southampton is as good as he is being rated we could have another top class striker. He's big powerful and has tons of skill and pace. Definately one for Brian Kerr to watch.

Any word on how Aidan McGeady is playing nowadays?

Guy:Incognito

thejollyrodger wrote:

I think Robbie is the best that were going to get. Clinton has come on leaps and bounds and last night was probably going to be his best ever since he put on an Ireland shirt. He was a lot more effective than Robbie. I hope the partnership starts to develop over the next year.

(Top class strikers must be hard to come by, just look at England and Owen : P )

only thing is though, he has to be playing regularly to be looked on as a great hope for us qualifying. I think a loan move would be a good thing for him.

Kone

Stekelly wrote:

only thing is though, he has to be playing regularly to be looked on as a great hope for us qualifying. I think a loan move would be a good thing for him.

Can't see Birmingham letting him go though....

eirebhoy

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Well if Leon Best from Southampton is as good as he is being rated we could have another top class striker. He's big powerful and has tons of skill and pace. Definately one for Brian Kerr to watch.

Any word on how Aidan McGeady is playing nowadays?

Best pulled out of the Ireland U-19 squad to play England a month or two ago because he is reconsidering his international future. Being born in England he's now thinking of declaring for them, his mother is Irish and she could yet persuade him. He''ll most likely start Soton's next match as Beattie and Crouch are both out for a month.

Since Juninho came to Celtic McGeady has only started 1 match, in the league cup and scored.

Praetorian

I agree with the muppet. We definitely lack quality up front. We need a 3rd reasonably good striker. Connolly and Doherty are muck. I could score more goals myself.

Big Ears

Just wait for Anthony Stokes(17 in a couple of months I beleive) , he is a top classs player and is possibly the best striker of his age playing in England .

The only thing is he plays for Arsenal , and although I think he will get a much better chance than Barret did (because he's much better than Barret) , im not sure will he ever become a regular starter .

Although look out for him in Arsenals League Cup games this season .

leeroybrown

Stekelly wrote:

I think Kerr needs to realise that while we have a very good side playing good football is not always the bestapproach. The France game being the perfect example. The way to beat France is not to play passing, skillfull football but to rush them, harrass them and not give them time on the ball. Basically play unpretty football because they dont like that.

I don't think the two are mutually exclusive. The best teams will combine silky passing/posession with defensive harassment/pressure everywhere on the pitch and add the ability to hit a team quickly. We're far from fitting the phrase 'best teams' but we certainly should be able to combine those three elements well to very good effect.

uberwolf

Big Ears wrote:

Just wait for Anthony Stokes(17 in a couple of months I beleive) , he is a top classs player and is possibly the best striker of his age playing in England .

At 16 he has been training with the senior squad and I believe has run outs with the reserves. Thought of highly - quality will shine through and get a chance, Barret mustn't have been good enough because opportunities will arise.