If You Could Change The Nationality Of One Player...

LuckyLloyd · 04-02-2008 03:28AM

Xavi6 wrote: »

Still better coaching than he'd have gotten with us

Kerr, McCarthy >>>>>> McClaren.

Eriksson seemed to bottle the job at times even though he has a wonderful record at club level. The same can be said for Keegan.

DSB · 04-02-2008 03:38AM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

"LET'S HAVE RONALDO!!". Eh no. A player like that needs good players around him; needs possession; needs to be able to give away the ball. The fact that he is a great attacking talent is indisputable - but if you actually consider the Irish squad and this hypothetical - you should realize that he wouldn't be anywhere near the best choice. The pound for pound most talented player doesn't always go #1 in the NFL draft.

"LET'S HAVE VIDIC!!".

So you're loling at people for having a different opinion on what Ireland needs? Eh nice.

LuckyLloyd · 04-02-2008 03:44AM

DSB wrote: »

So you're loling at people for having a different opinion on what Ireland needs? Eh nice.

Kinda. What I really find funny is that they think: "Utd are playing great this season and Ronaldo has lots of goals therefore he must be the bestest player evar and he'll make Ireland the Utd of the International scene".

Xavi6 · 04-02-2008 03:48AM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Kerr, McCarthy >>>>>> McClaren.

McClaren is a better coach than McCarthy, just not as good a manager and there's where he went wrong with England.

LuckyLloyd · 04-02-2008 03:53AM

Xavi6 wrote: »

McClaren is a better coach than McCarthy, just not as good a manager and there's where he went wrong with England.

Yes, you are correct. In terms of coaching techniques, etc McClaren is supposed to be topclass. But remember that International coaches don't have the kind of time to work with their players where advanced coaching techniques can make a significant difference. It's about tactics, team selection, motivation. In that respect England have been very unfortunate since Hoddle was sacked (Fowler's comments in his biography about half time vs Brazil are wow).

Actually, I should have used the term management rather than coaching from the off.

Jazzy · 04-02-2008 04:00AM

Essien

DSB · 04-02-2008 04:11AM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Kinda. What I really find funny is that they think: "Utd are playing great this season and Ronaldo has lots of goals therefore he must be the bestest player evar and he'll make Ireland the Utd of the International scene".

I'm not a United fan, but if I had given a serious answer in this thread it would definitely have been Ronaldo. I just don't see the relevance of pointing it towards United fans. There are lots of neutrals who share this view. The worst part is I can almost 100% assume that you're a Liverpool fan from your posts. Correct?

redzerdrog · 04-02-2008 04:14AM

DSB wrote: »

John O'Shea.

i only came onto this thread to post that but ya got there before me:D

LuckyLloyd · 04-02-2008 04:14AM

DSB wrote: »

I'm not a United fan, but if I had given a serious answer in this thread it would definitely have been Ronaldo. I just don't see the relevance of pointing it towards United fans. There are lots of neutrals who share this view. The worst part is I can almost 100% assume that you're a Liverpool fan from your posts. Correct?

correct.

But why is your serious answer Ronaldo? Or to put it another way, would you rather have Ronaldo on current form or Keane when he was at his very best in games like Portugal at Landsdowne in June 2001? What type of player has the bigger impact?

DSB · 04-02-2008 04:34AM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

correct.

But why is your serious answer Ronaldo? Or to put it another way, would you rather have Ronaldo on current form or Keane when he was at his very best in games like Portugal at Landsdowne in June 2001? What type of player has the bigger impact?

I'd rather have Keane in his prime. But there isn't a player like that around for me. Vieira was 1. Fabregas maybe. Xavi and Iniesta are both class too, but Ronaldo is a huge difference maker in a team, one of those players who can take nothing and turn it into a goal which is something Ireland could definitely do with. Generally we aren't the sort of team that concedes tonnes of goals, we're solid like (aside from that 5-2 hammering obviously). Germany only put the 1 past us, I think Czech Republic only got the 2? We just need some sort of spark in the team, which is why I'd have gone for a Ronaldo or a Messi.

LuckyLloyd · 04-02-2008 04:45AM

DSB wrote: »

I'd rather have Keane in his prime. But there isn't a player like that around for me. Vieira was 1. Fabregas maybe. Xavi and Iniesta are both class too, but Ronaldo is a huge difference maker in a team, one of those players who can take nothing and turn it into a goal which is something Ireland could definitely do with. Generally we aren't the sort of team that concedes tonnes of goals, we're solid like (aside from that 5-2 hammering obviously). Germany only put the 1 past us, I think Czech Republic only got the 2? We just need some sort of spark in the team, which is why I'd have gone for a Ronaldo or a Messi.

He needs possession. He needs his team to have some semblance of control over the game. And he needs good movement and options around him.

I strongly disagree with your view of Ireland's recent performances and our problems. We were anemic in midfield last campaign. Carsley helps to protect the back four, but fails to control the middle of the park and create a platform. Away at the Czech Republic (which was the game where our campaign realistically ended) was the finest example of where we were lacking.

It seems clear to me that you drop a player like Gerrard / Essien / Gattuso in to that game and we have a much better chance of three points than if you throw Ronaldo in an advanced position. Is that not obvious?

Mr.Nice Guy · 04-02-2008 06:01AM

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

"LET'S HAVE RONALDO!!". Eh no. A player like that needs good players around him; needs possession; needs to be able to give away the ball. The fact that he is a great attacking talent is indisputable - but if you actually consider the Irish squad and this hypothetical - you should realize that he wouldn't be anywhere near the best choice. The pound for pound most talented player doesn't always go #1 in the NFL draft.

"LET'S HAVE VIDIC!!".

This argument makes no sense to me. If he was in an Irish team he would have good players around him. He'd shine in a midfield of Hunt, Ireland and Stephen Reid for example.

The Irish team at the minute has plenty of players who can work hard so I don't believe the ideal choice would be a grafting midfielder but rather one who can turn games on their head with a moment of magic. I don't think we've anyone that fits that mould at the minute.

cson · 04-02-2008 11:49AM

Ronaldo would be good, sure he'd tie up at least 2 players with the double marking giving Lee Carsley the space to work his magic... :eek:

Dubit10 · 04-02-2008 12:10PM

Fernando torres

Bubs101 · 04-02-2008 12:21PM

I think Danielle De Rossi would be a great player for Ireland. He's young so we'd get alot of mileage, He's a great team player and he unbelievably passionate. He's also a natural captain

The_B_Man · 04-02-2008 01:00PM

Tony Cascarino...

gustavo · 04-02-2008 03:20PM

Andrea Pirlo

Sqaull20 · 04-02-2008 03:48PM

24 year old Henry...

We have had great players like Keane,Brady,Giles before who were comparable to modern day greats like Essien,Messi,Iniesta, but we have never had anyone like a young Henry, that pace,skill,power etc...

Todays game I would go for Kaka, he has alot of what Henry had, with a much more advanced football brain than Cris Ronaldo.....

machiavellianme · 04-02-2008 04:09PM

I'd have to change Kaka's nationality if I had the choice.

I'd make him an Argentinian.

Nailz · 04-02-2008 04:54PM

Suprisingly I disagree with Ronaldo, we have enough good wingers, maybe not as good as him but we need to fill up other positions like center half and full back.

Pepe LeFrits · 04-02-2008 06:41PM

Xavi6 wrote: »

Unsurprisingly I agree with you.

I'm amazed. I thought you'd say Roy Keane.

dc69 · 04-02-2008 07:30PM

gerrard,you could stick kaka or ronaldo in their but i think gerrard would make more difference to the team doing well

sprinkles · 04-02-2008 07:43PM

DSB wrote: »

John O'Shea.

rofl

I'd take Anderson. Young - strong - fast, good on the abll and looks like a very promising star

Sqaull20 wrote: »

24 year old Henry...

We have had great players like Keane,Brady,Giles before who were comparable to modern day greats like Essien,Messi,Iniesta, but we have never had anyone like a young Henry, that pace,skill,power etc...

Todays game I would go for Kaka, he has alot of what Henry had, with a much more advanced football brain than Cris Ronaldo.....

Ah now come on - someone's giving you the power to change someone's nationality (Bertie Style) and you want time travel abilities too....

eirebhoy · 04-02-2008 08:46PM

Nailz wrote: »

Given(c)
--McShane--Dunne--Vidic--O'Shìte--
Carsley
--A.Reid
Duff--
Hunt
Doyle
Keane

Given

Kelly---McShane---Dunne---O'Shea

S.Reid

Fabregas

A.Reid

---Ireland

Duff

Keane

We can dream.

cm2000 · 04-02-2008 09:15PM

R O' Naldo

Mr Alan · 04-02-2008 09:22PM

Fabregas/Gerrard/Essien/Alonso, someone like that

Anderson or Lucas would be superb too.

homerjay2005 · 04-02-2008 09:22PM

going out - kilbane, it pains me to see this lad on an international pitch, he is, in my opinion, the worst player we have in the squad.

coming in - any center half or left back, half decent, cos mcshane is also terrible. our attacking 6, when all available, is pretty good.

given

kelly _ dunne _ an other _ o shea
Duff _ Ireland _ S Reid _ Hunt
Keane _ Doyle

though i have to say, andy reid could easily fit into midfield.

WhiteWashMan · 05-02-2008 01:12AM

homerjay2005 wrote: »

though i have to say, andy reid could easily fit into midfield.

oh, he's lost some weight has he?

DSB · 05-02-2008 01:24AM

WhiteWashMan wrote: »

oh, he's lost some weight has he?

hahahaha

gosplan · 05-02-2008 11:43PM

Well technically if you you'd have to pick someone really young that can control Irish games for the next 15 years so it goes to Fabregas.

However, if you gave me one game I'd choose O'Ronaldo currently. He's as close to unplayable as you get these days.

People will harp on about how he needs the ball but he doesn't need it that often. He's pretty bloody good at set pieces and he can play on either wing or up top.

And I hate him and am an Arsenal fan!!!!!

If You Could Change The Nationality Of One Player...

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