Hi, first article here so don't attack me!
There has been lots of rumours about the old gaurd, most notably Given, Dunne, Duff and Keane, retiring from the ROI team. I was thinking about how I would mould a new team, irrespective of Trap's system and the squad he usually chooses. I would love to see this team out against Serbia because as we all know theres no changes for Italy
Westwood
Coleman O'Shea Wilson Clark
Gibson Andrews
McGeady McCarthy McClean
Long
I know theres a lot of radical changes to the team but I feel in the long run we would benefit. Controversially I would make Andrews the new captain. I know he is without a club, but I can see him easily being picked up by a Premier League team and he was one of the most impressive players in the two games at the Euros so far. He busted a gut to try and win the ball back and his never say die attitude would hopefully complement the more languid figure of Darren Gibson.
Many players such as St Ledger, Ward and Kelly at the back, Whelan in midfield and Doyle up front may feel very hard done by with a place on the bench, but I feel selecting a team of Premier League regulars with the inclusion of McGeady would lead to a more competitive team. I know Clark and Coleman are inexperienced but I have hope that their managers, especially Lambert, will give them solid game time next season. And I know I would prefer young full backs that play in the PL to the likes of Ward who will most likely still be at Wolves next season. I've opted for Coleman over Kelly due to his youthful, attacking "exuberance". I'm aware that Westwood is a number two at Sunderland but in all honesty he's the best we have to succeed Shay.
Anyway I think I might have rambled a bit there but let me know what you would like to see for a future ROI team. We have excellent up and coming players and mixing them with the current squad will be a challenge, one I'm not sure Trap is up to, but if pulled off correctly we could have a very exciting team on our hands.
Thoughts?
Future XI
posted on 18/6/12
I highly doubt it. If I ever see Paul Green or McShane in an Ireland shirt again after tommorrow I think ill lose the head.
posted on 18/6/12
*tonight
posted on 18/6/12
Ok I understand your scepticism that Trap will change, but if YOU were the manager what changes to the team would you make as in formation, players, captain etc?
posted on 18/6/12
Well its hard to say at this moment because we dont know which of the older players are staying on for the world cup campaign, but hopefully they all stay on apart from Duff who should retire tomorrow night on his 100th cap. I would also give the captaincy to Richie Dunne instead of Keane. I would go for something like this
--------------------------Given------------------------
-----------------O'Shea------Dunne-----------------
Coleman--------------------------------------Clark
------------McCarthy-Gibson-Andrews----------
McGeady------------------------------------McClean
------------------------Keane------------------------
posted on 18/6/12
I'd start by playing more across the midfield when we are playing the likes of Spain and leave Paul Greene behind at the team Hotel!
posted on 18/6/12
@el godfather
Do you think keane could do the job up front by himself? Everyone iv talked to wants three across the middle which means one up front. I'm just not sure keane is quick, mobile or strong enough to do this role and woul have long, doyle and Walters ahead of him in that order
posted on 18/6/12
See thats what trap should have been doing in friendly's, trying out these formations. If I remember correctly, Keane during his early days at spurs played up front on his own for a while it did fine. I would try it out anyway, And have McClean and McGeady playing further up the pitch than trap would allow, almost in a supporting role.
posted on 18/6/12
I remember keane playing that role but where most players lose a yard of pace as they age, robbie has lost about 3/4
posted on 18/6/12
what about sammon??? playing with wigan people had high hopes for him
posted on 19/6/12
I think what most people are frustrated with trap seems to be the fact that our younger players don't seem to be getting a chance under his management. I'm very grateful I've had the chance to see my country in a major finals, but under trap where do we go from here?
We do have some young talented guys who would have benefited from even a subs appearance last night sadly most weren't in the squad. I understand traps loyalty to the players who got us there but 3 games on the bounce those players let him down. It's not the point that we lost in the toughest group we could have got...the point is we weren't competitive in any of those games
Thanks trap will remember you fondly but we need some fresh ideas, like the look of el godfathers team