Rep of Ireland squad for games against Andorra and Armenia

newballsplease

Think this was supposed to be announced sometime this morning? Thought i heard 10am?
Anyone have an update?

Lemlin

Hopefully not. I'd prefer not to be depressed by another of Trap's squads on a Friday.

newballsplease

Surely Leon Best deserves a place ahead of Keogh anyway. See who he names i suppose.
Doubt there will be many surprises!

GavRedKing

Should be available around lunch time normally.

Predalien

Trappatoni Names 27 man squad to face Armenia and Andorra
The squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers v Armenia and Andorra has today been named by Giovanni Trapattoni. The squad is:

Shay Given Aston Villa

Kieran Westwood Sunderland AFC

David Forde Millwall AFC

John O'Shea Sunderland AFC

Kevin Foley Wolves

Stephen Kelly Fulham

Stephen Ward Wolves

Richard Dunne Aston Villa

Kevin Kilbane Derby

Sean St. Ledger Leicester

Darren O'Dea Leeds

Damien Delaney Ipswich Town

Glen Whelan Stoke

James McCarthy Wigan

Seamus Coleman Everton

Keith Andrews Ipswich

Keith Fahey Birmingham

Andy Keogh Leeds

Damien Duff Fulham

Aiden McGeady Spartak Moscow

Stephen Hunt Wolves

Liam Lawrence Portsmouth

Robbie Keane LA Galaxy

Kevin Doyle Wolves

Shane Long West Brom

Simon Cox West Brom

Jon Walters Stoke

Predalien

Source

http://faireland.posterous.com/trappatoni-names-27-man-squad-to-face-armenia

GavRedKing

Predalien wrote: »

Trappatoni Names 27 man squad to face Armenia and Andorra

Seamus Coleman Everton :pac:

Simon Cox West Brom

Booo-urns

Was hoping for Best to get in there.

homerjay2005

main points..

Ireland squad for Andorra includes Jon Walters, @seamiecoleman23 and James McCarthy. No Best, Folan or Andy Reid.

the andy reid bit is a dig at somebody who said he should be in there.
great to see them 3 mentioned, included, though best surely deserves an inclusion.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Wes Hoolahan would have been asking for a bit much considering our style of play, but why not Leon Best? I know he hasn't been involved much in this campaign but surely it's worth having a striker with 9 goals in 12 PL starts on the bench instead of Andy effing Keogh.

I know there's an emergency winger argument, but Shane Long with his pace would be much more effective in that case.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

And Damien Delaney over Marc Wilson? Really? We really need to cap this lad, if only for just a few seconds against Andorra would do. He's a young Premier League player that can play full back, centre back and central midfield - people like him are the future. The IFA have employed Gerry Armstrong to convince people like Marc to defect back and to prevent 'poaching', hopefully he doesn't change his mind.

homerjay2005

keogh, lawrence, delaney and kilbane are not good enough for this squad.

would love to see a stance where first level league players only are included in the squad

GLaDOS

Is Coleman fit? Thought he was out for a few months.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

homerjay2005 wrote: »

main points..


the andy reid bit is a dig at somebody who said he should be in there.
great to see them 3 mentioned, included, though best surely deserves an inclusion.

Andy Reid is arguably still better than a couple of players even though he's in the Championship, but I wouldn't be fussed about him these days. He doesn't seem too fussed about himself either judging by the size. :pac:

But feck knows why some people in the media still consider Caleb Folan relevant. I could name about a dozen strikers either ahead of him in the pecking order/have a stronger case.

That_Guy

Still no call up for Leon Best. :rolleyes:

EDIT: Cox??? FFS, he's not even getting a look in at West Brom.

carlop

homerjay2005 wrote: »

keogh, lawrence, delaney and kilbane are not good enough for this squad.

would love to see a stance where first level league players only are included in the squad

I would have been with you on Kilbane but to be fair none of the replacements we've tried have covered themselves in glory. Ward seemed to have made a good case but he was so bad against Russia I really wouldn't be against Kilbane playing.

My mate is an Ipswich fan and I went to the pub to watch Ipswich-Coventry. 2-0 up and cruising his panic when Delaney came on was quite disconcerting. He did nothing wrong and they won 3-0, including another Andrews cracker, but apparently Delaney has been awful.

I also don't understand how Keogh gets in ahead of Best, but I think Lawrence serves a purpose in the squad and has always done ok for us.

Lemlin

homerjay2005 wrote: »

keogh, lawrence, delaney and kilbane are not good enough for this squad.

would love to see a stance where first level league players only are included in the squad

I think there is justification for Kilbane after Ward's display but Lawrence, Keogh and Delaney ahead of Ciaran Clark, Marc Wilson and Leon Best beggars belief.

I pray to god Trap doesn't get an extension. Yes, he is an improvement from Staunton and the team have performed well under him but I can't see how he consistently picks some of these players for squads and consistently sticks with Whelan/Andrews in midfield.

Nalz

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

Wes Hoolahan would have been asking for a bit much

He should be in the squad without doubt imo, as should Best and Wilson.

FFS Keogh makes it again

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Trilla wrote: »

He should be in the squad without doubt imo, as should Best and Wilson.

FFS Keogh makes it again

I know, I would have him starting never mind just in the squad but that isn't the way Trap likes us to play. It sucks that Trap won't even consider him a Plan B if we are trailing in a match, but that's life.

I was actually kinda expecting Leon Best in the squad considering his good form. He's not great at holding the ball up at his feet and is offside a lot, but he's good in the air (which Trap likes) and most importantly seems to have discovered a poacher's touch since he broke into the Newcastle starting XI in January. I would feel more confident with him coming off the bench than Simon Cox or Andy Keogh at the moment.

noodler

Whatever about Kilbane being in the team, there is no doubt whatsoever he deserves a place in the squad.

Best should be there - I mean even if he wasn't scoring for Newcastle at least he would be a different option, Long and Cox are fine but in the last 10 of a game we may need to try something different.

Happy to see Walters and Coleman back though. Who will play right back now? O'Shea was awful against the Slovaks, Kelly wasn't bad against Russia but Coleman must be worth a shout.

People say he is better at Right Wing but we are so well furnished there with McGeady, Hunt, Duff, Lawrence and (Keogh (for some reason).


Disappointments the same as everyone elses, Wilson, Clarke (is he injured?) and Best omissions.

SlickRic

lads, he doesn't watch the players play.

he probably doesn't even know Best is starting and scoring for Newcastle.

AgileMyth

What I don't get is that Best is perfect for the way we play. I can see why he doesn't want Hoolahan, a midfielder that can play football is unnecessary under Trap. But a big target man that can score is exactly what his system needs.

Time to get rid of him. Bring back Mick.

carlop

AgileMyth wrote: »

What I don't get is that Best is perfect for the way we play. I can see why he doesn't want Hoolahan, a midfielder that can play football is unnecessary under Trap. But a big target man that can score is exactly what his system needs.

Time to get rid of him. Bring back Mick.

So we're potentially two wins away from qualifying for our first major tournament in a decade and you want to fire the manager because he didn't call up Leon Best?

I mean I also think Best should be in the squad but I just don't get this thought process. I feel a lot of people would prefer Ireland to play some kind of ninja attacking football, score loads of goals but ultimately be out of contention by the midway point of a qualifying campaign.

markc1184

How does Keogh continue to get into these squads. I'll admit I don't watch him play regularly but anytime I've seen him for Ireland he has been useless! Even during the week against a largely makeshift United side he was anonymous! Far better players out there that deserve a place ahead of him.

Nalz

SlickRic wrote: »

lads, he doesn't watch the players play.

he probably doesn't even know Best is starting and scoring for Newcastle.

fúcking hell Johnny Giles even knows this!

donfers

wilson, best, clark and hoolahan should be in


delaney, keogh, lawrence and kilbane should be out


we all know this, why does our manager not know it?

it seems his policy is that once you're in the squad, you stay in, no matter what your form is like at club level which is insane


why does he have this policy? maybe because he can't be arsed checking on new players or it'll too much trouble for them to adapt to his boringly effective system


never any excitement or interest in his squad announcements, guys like robbie brady and adam barton are probably far more talented than half the squad but trap probably hasn't even heard of them

carlop

donfers wrote: »

wilson, best, clark and hoolahan should be in


delaney, keogh, lawrence and kilbane should be out


we all know this, why does our manager not know it?

it seems his policy is that once you're in the squad, you stay in, no matter what your form is like at club level which is insane


why does he have this policy? maybe because he can't be arsed checking on new players or it'll too much trouble for them to adapt to his boringly effective system


never any excitement or interest in his squad announcements, guys like robbie brady and adam barton are probably far more talented than half the squad but trap probably hasn't even heard of them

Or maybe it's because he likes to keep the same group of players together and build a sense of team spirit and understanding within that tight group?

His stubbornness in overlooking people is very annoying to fans because there's nothing more exciting than seeing some new talent in the Ireland team.

However it's proved over and over in domestic football that players take time to settle and play as a unit. Real Madrid are an example of this over the last ten years, as have been various other teams: throwing the best players together does not automatically equal success.

Lemlin

carlop wrote: »

Or maybe it's because he likes to keep the same group of players together and build a sense of team spirit and understanding within that tight group?

His stubbornness in overlooking people is very annoying to fans because there's nothing more exciting than seeing some new talent in the Ireland team.

However it's proved over and over in domestic football that players take time to settle and play as a unit. Real Madrid are an example of this over the last ten years, as have been various other teams: throwing the best players together does not automatically equal success.

No it doesn't but what is the reason for keeping the likes of Keogh and Delaney in the squad? They have been there for years and aren't getting near the starting 11. They are Championship players.

Nobody is asking Trap to rapidly change the starting 11 but he should be giving new players a chance in the squad at least, and letting some of the players who have been there for years and haven't made an impact move on.

When Trap leaves, what use are Andy Keogh and Delaney going to be to the new manager? They've been there for years in the squad and haven't done it. The likes of O'Shea, Robbie Keane, Duff and Dunne aren't getting any younger - all the more reason that the likes of Best, Clark and Wilson need to be in and around the squad now.

Ten minutes left against Andorra and we're winning 2-0 let's say, I'd prefer to see Ciaran Clark or Leon Best come off the bench for ten minutes experience and some motivation than Andy flipping Keogh.

Part of the role of an international manager is also to be bringing the next generation of players through and Trap is neglecting this because of his own stubborness.

roryc

I can be like a broken record at times, but why hasn't Conor Clifford made the squad!!

He's 20 next week so not exactly 'too young' anymore. He should be getting called up more often, think last month in one of the friendlies was the first time he was named in the squad but unfortuantely wasn't used.

Granted he's on only on loan to Notts County but he was captain of Chelsea's youth team and was a vital part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup (scoring the winner too). If he starts getting international caps he should get snapped up by a PL club which can only help him. Its not like we have a midfield at the moment anyway, surely he would be an improvement.

He's an incredible player, if you have 6 minutes just watch this video. You'll be impressed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOahS8Dg9KM

carlop

Lemlin wrote: »

No it doesn't but what is the reason for keeping the likes of Keogh and Delaney in the squad? They have been there for years and aren't getting near the starting 11. They are Championship players.

Nobody is asking Trap to rapidly change the starting 11 but he should be giving new players a chance in the squad at least, and letting some of the players who have been there for years and haven't made an impact move on.

When Trap leaves, what use are Andy Keogh and Delaney going to be to the new manager? They've been there for years in the squad and haven't done it. The likes of O'Shea, Robbie Keane, Duff and Dunne aren't getting any younger - all the more reason that the likes of Best, Clark and Wilson need to be in and around the squad now.

Ten minutes left against Andorra and we're winning 2-0 let's say, I'd prefer to see Ciaran Clark or Leon Best come off the bench for ten minutes experience and some motivation than Andy flipping Keogh.

Part of the role of an international manager is also to be bringing the next generation of players through and Trap is neglecting this because of his own stubborness.

I agree that 1 or 2 new players should be introduced to the squad now and then, but to be fair they have been, even if they haven't been the players people necessarily want to see. I also accept it's frustrating to see deadwood like Keogh being called up.

However, while he has a responsibility to blood new talent, the priority is results, and while he performs in this regard I think people calling for his head are being over-dramatic.

Lemlin

carlop wrote: »

I agree that 1 or 2 new players should be introduced to the squad now and then, but to be fair they have been, even if they haven't been the players people necessarily want to see. I also accept it's frustrating to see deadwood like Keogh being called up.

However, while he has a responsibility to blood new talent, the priority is results, and while he performs in this regard I think people calling for his head are being over-dramatic.

The priority is results but he's generally starting in or around the same 11 most matches. tTerefore the chance is there to be adding to the squad in the background without effecting results. Dropping Andy Keogh and Damien Delaney for Ciaran Clark and Marc Wilson isn't going to endanger any result.

Also, Trap hasn't delivered. Yes, results have improved but the goal was to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. We didn't. The jury is still out to see what happens re Euro 2012 but if we don't qualify then I don't see how his time can be seen as successful, particularly if he leaves his position having done nothing to help the next generation of Irish players.

Like I said, the core 11 includes Given, Dunne, O'Shea, Kilbane, Duff and Keane. None of these are getting any younger and at least Kilbane will be gone for the next qualification series, if not more of those. Players need to be blooded now that can replace these lads.

CSF

Trappatoni doesn't watch our available players play enough and therefore isn't clued in when it comes to picking the squad. He only gets away with it because he is decent enough tactically when it comes to being hard to beat.

Nalz

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/mobile/football/15038802.stm

Mr.Nice Guy

Lemlin wrote: »

Also, Trap hasn't delivered. Yes, results have improved but the goal was to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. We didn't. The jury is still out to see what happens re Euro 2012 but if we don't qualify then I don't see how his time can be seen as successful, particularly if he leaves his position having done nothing to help the next generation of Irish players.

The goal was to qualify for the 2010 World Cup? Are you forgetting under Stan in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008 we finished a whopping 12 points behind 2nd placed Germany? You think after that we ought to have expected automatic qualification in a group that included the then reigning World Champions Italy?

Let's have a bit of realism. His goal was to get us back to respectability and competing for qualification. He did that in 2010 and we are still in the race for this campaign.

With regards this squad there are some disappointing omissions, particularly Best imo, but with some injuries many of these guys could well come in anyway. None of the promising young players we have were ever going to be challenging for a first team spot, except perhaps McCarthy and he's there.

tolosenc

LOL at the number of people claiming Kilbane shouldn't be there. Did you see Ward against Slovakia and Russia?

Keogh and Delaney are the only calls I disagree with.

G.K.

Keogh just scored!

Mushy

Keogh scores for leeds

noodler

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

The goal was to qualify for the 2010 World Cup? Are you forgetting under Stan in the qualifying campaign for Euro 2008 we finished a whopping 12 points behind 2nd placed Germany? You think after that we ought to have expected automatic qualification in a group that included the then reigning World Champions Italy?

Let's have a bit of realism. His goal was to get us back to respectability and competing for qualification. He did that in 2010 and we are still in the race for this campaign.

With regards this squad there are some disappointing omissions, particularly Best imo, but with some injuries many of these guys could well come in anyway. None of the promising young players we have were ever going to be challenging for a first team spot, except perhaps McCarthy and he's there.

Trap was hired to get us to major tournaments.

Simple as.

tolosenc

He's still rubbish. And I'm a Leeds fan.

Mushy

Playing well this season though.

Mr. Guappa

These are the final 2 games of the group. This is not the time to be bringing the likes of Hoolahan and Best into the fold. Trap trusts the players named in this squad.. he has shown with the likes of Coleman and McCarthy that it takes time to earn his trust. He was never going to draft newcomers into the squad at this crucial stage. If we qualify then he will hopefully use the early 2012 friendlies to take a look at the current outsiders.

Simon Cox has done well in so far for Ireland, he more than deserves his place in the squad. Stephen Wards performances against Slovakia and Russia showed that Kilbane is still required.

applehunter

Wes Hoolahan must be scratching his head.

What has this McCarthy fella done this season that he is in the squad before Hoolahan?

Raskolnikov

roryc wrote: »

I can be like a broken record at times, but why hasn't Conor Clifford made the squad!!

He's 20 next week so not exactly 'too young' anymore. He should be getting called up more often, think last month in one of the friendlies was the first time he was named in the squad but unfortuantely wasn't used.

Granted he's on only on loan to Notts County but he was captain of Chelsea's youth team and was a vital part of the team that won the FA Youth Cup (scoring the winner too). If he starts getting international caps he should get snapped up by a PL club which can only help him. Its not like we have a midfield at the moment anyway, surely he would be an improvement.

He's an incredible player, if you have 6 minutes just watch this video. You'll be impressed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOahS8Dg9KM

Incredible player? Come on now, the lad isn't even at the level of Owen Garvan, a player who hasn't even gotten close to the squad.

It's just too early for Clifford, especially considering he is still only playing at League 1 level. If he can start getting some League Cup games or off the bench appearances for Chelsea, then I'm sure we will consider him. Until then, his place should be earned through merit, rather than hype.

Liam O

Would love a team like this.

---

Given

---

Coleman--Dunne(suspended for Andorra I know.)--St. Ledger--O'Shea

McGeady--McCarthy--Whelan--Duff

---

Long

---

Walters

---

with Best Keane and Doyle on the bench it is asking too much but I think that's the best Ireland can out out at this point to win games.

gosplan

Best will make future Irish squads based on his current form but at the moment we're two very winable matches away from a minimum of a playoff place, and Trap is going with what he knows.

FFS :mad::mad: I can't believe he's not selecting Andy Reid - no make that Stephen Ireland - wait a minute, I meant James McCarthy - oh hang on it was Best.

The system dominates all. Trap doesn't trust our players to peform without serious indoctrination into how he wants Ireland to play, it's that simple. He's not going to make kneejerk decisions, especially this close to the end of qualification.

devotional1993

our best team for the next 2 mathes

Given
coleman
kilbane
st ledger
o shea
andrews
whelan
duff
keane
long
mcgeady

bringing on hunt/doyle if needed
Too late for drastic changes in the centre of midfield
ward was poor last match and Kilbane always scores v Andorra!!

Predalien

The only omission I'm worried about is Best, Cox has done well when he's played for us so that's fine but there's little reason to persist with Keogh in the squad especially since he is so unlikely to be used as he doesn't even present an alternative option. At least with Best he's a biggish guy so you can bring him on for a bit more aerial/physical threat.

Whatever the team, we will need to keep the ball much better against Armenia, our luck at not conceding recently is bound to run out soon. As for the Andorra game I'd start Doyle and Long, particularly if Keane plays in that MLS game 3 days before.

davocesque

i find it surprising that people still argue with Traps squads. Keogh, on ability is not a great choice for the squad, we al know that. And i dont buy the arguement that he's in because he can also play on the wing. the fact is he's in for the same reason a fit paul mcshane would be in, theyre part of the squad. Always having the same players helps build a good team atmosphere, shipping new players in and out of the squad for every game changes this, players dont know eachother.

Its the same reason that trap will persist with the same line up, give or take the odd position for injuries, so the team have confidence in the way they play, they each know their jobs inside out. Coleman and McCarthy are two very important players for ireland, but not for this campaign. As good as mccarthy is, he's still not zidane or messi, someone who will beat teams on his own, in the next campaign we will hopefully have a new manager, who will have faith in the youth, esp as we have a lot of talent in reserve, McCarthy, Coleman, Brady, Cunningham, Westwood, Sammon, Clifford, Duffy.

Pro. F

Lemlin wrote: »

Also, Trap hasn't delivered. Yes, results have improved but the goal was to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. We didn't. The jury is still out to see what happens re Euro 2012 but if we don't qualify then I don't see how his time can be seen as successful, particularly if he leaves his position having done nothing to help the next generation of Irish players.

If we don't qualify just watch all the Trap supporters change their tune from saying it's all about results to saying how well we did in a tough group (which it certainly isn't). Sure Trap wasn't going to be sacked for failing to qualify from his first campaign, but the talk at the time was how it was all about results. That all evaporated when the results ultimately weren't good enough to qualify us and the same will happen again if we fail to qualify this time.

davocesque wrote: »

i find it surprising that people still argue with Traps squads. Keogh, on ability is not a great choice for the squad, we al know that. And i dont buy the arguement that he's in because he can also play on the wing. the fact is he's in for the same reason a fit paul mcshane would be in, theyre part of the squad. Always having the same players helps build a good team atmosphere, shipping new players in and out of the squad for every game changes this, players dont know eachother.

Its the same reason that trap will persist with the same line up, give or take the odd position for injuries, so the team have confidence in the way they play, they each know their jobs inside out. Coleman and McCarthy are two very important players for ireland, but not for this campaign. As good as mccarthy is, he's still not zidane or messi, someone who will beat teams on his own, in the next campaign we will hopefully have a new manager, who will have faith in the youth, esp as we have a lot of talent in reserve, McCarthy, Coleman, Brady, Cunningham, Westwood, Sammon, Clifford, Duffy.

Bollocks would letting decent players in good form join the squad harm the spirit. Bollocks would a few new faces lead to any sort of confusion or harm the results in any way.

Nalz

Pro. F wrote: »

Bollocks would letting decent players in good form join the squad harm the spirit. Bollocks would a few new faces lead to any sort of confusion or harm the results in any way.

Exactly...the likes of Keogh are ordinary at best. There are better equipped players that can join the squad and fit in well enough (unless they're absolute assholes and/or don't give 100% which I doubt is the case).

G.K.

Lemlin wrote: »

Yes, results have improved but the goal was to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. We didn't.

Correct. Do you forget how you didn't and how close you guys were?

Rikand

Best can't hit the target to save his life against 10 man blackburn today