IS SIX MONTHS too far out to predict Ireland’s possible starting XI for their Euro 2016 opener? What the hell, let’s give it a go anyway.
Martin O’Neill showed a propensity to throw at least one curveball into almost every team selection during the qualification campaign but he did arrive at a somewhat settled side during Ireland’s strong finish.
We are going to go for a very much in vogue 4-2-3-1 formation and here is how we see/hope Ireland lining up this summer in France.
GK – Darren Randolph
During a recent conversation about this position, a friend mentioned that he felt Shay Given should retain his place at the Euros – it was one of the two or three most shocking sentiments I had heard expressed all year.
Given showed no form throughout qualifying while Randolph looked assured between the posts since being roused out of obscurity mid-way through Ireland’s famous 1-0 win over Germany.
What’s more, the West Ham back-up has actually made a string of smart saves since and you never know, he could be good for another heat-seeking laserbeam of an assist.
LB – Robbie Brady
Should he be further up the pitch? Possibly, but the prospect of Ireland having two attacking fullbacks bombing up the wings is very enticing. Brady’s set-piece ability has been slightly overrated – he needs about five attempts to clear the first man – but he is always good for one excellent delivery per game that often results in a goal.
He grew in stature as the campaign progressed and as one of the side’s few Premier League regulars it will be interesting to see how much he has grown by this summer.
CB – Ciaran Clark
Clark and Richard Keogh formed an excellent partnership in the absence of John O’Shea but the Aston Villa man should probably retain his place in the side at Keogh’s expense. Clark is relatively assured on the ball for a centre-back and made some superb last-ditch challenges to deny some of Europe’s most potent strikers during qualifying.
CB – John O’Shea
It was tempting to stick with Keogh given the formidable tag-team he formed with Clark but you just can’t leave John O’Shea out. He is a heroic figure for Ireland as well as a great defender but as one of the oldest players on the team, his experience will be vital too.
RB – Seamus Coleman
Coleman is one of the premier right backs in the Premier League but he never quite reached his best form for Ireland during the qualification campaign. If Ireland are to do anything remotely memorable this summer, they will need an improved attacking performance from the Everton defender.
DM – Glenn Whelan
Whelan divides opinion like few players in the history of Irish football but it is hard to argue that he didn’t put in some of his best performances in the last year. There is still a question of whether his presence in the side detracts from James McCarthy’s effectiveness but Martin O’Neill is unlikely to shift from his preferred midfield duo at this stage.
Plus, he is on the road to finally winning Dunphy over.
DM – James McCarthy
Had his best ever Ireland performance against Germany, finally showing the tigerishness that people wanted to see. More of that this summer please.
LM – Jon Walters
Just get this man in the side and he will make things happen! Walters has taken over from Joe Schmidt as the nation’s sporting hero and we think that Martin O’Neill might pick him high up on the wing where his tenacious pressing can pay dividend.
AM – Wes Hoolahan
The Irish management team have finally placed a bit of trust in the attacking dynamo and he has repaid them with constant probing of opposition defences with tight passes. Still frustrating that he is often the first player called ashore but imagining what he might do this summer is a very exciting prospect.
RM – Jeff Hendrick
He wasn’t as effective in possession in the closing stages of the campaign as he had been earlier on, but he is still usually good for one sumptuous moment per game. Quality assists against Germany away and Georgia at home proved the difference in Ireland nailing down that playoff spot.
ST – Shane Long
Surely Long will get the nod over Daryl Murphy if he is fit this summer? Does anyone else get the feeling that this summer could be Long’s breakout just like Robbie Keane in 2002?
Roll on France!
I know it’s early days but Harry Arthur could feature.
Replacing who?
At least get his name right, Arter!
Keogh in Clarke out good pick otherwise
Keogh with that bloody head bandage of his in Clark out
I like Keogh as a centre half who will put his head in anywhere however his actual ability with the ball at his feet makes me cringe.
Arter for whelan every day of the week!
Hendrick ahead of either.
Surely if Elliott continues for Newcastle he starts in goal?
Randolph – Has performed superbly in his 7 starts for club and country this season; continuity
Westwood – Starting every week at club level; more experienced than Elliot
Elliot – Starting every week at club level; higher level than Westwood
Forde – Has performed ably when called upon for Ireland; experienced
Given – Can’t think of any pros
So Forde and Westwood are experienced but not Given?
Sad indictment of this team and the way it was run under Trapattoni that at age 29 Shane Long could have his breakout year.
He should have been a guaranteed starter three campaigns ago.
Would like to see Robbie Brady get a chance on the left wing
And Cunningham coming in at LB. 11 clean sheets in 24 games this season. Clattered Joey Barton out of it in Burnley game. Gets up and down wing like a trojan. Has bulked up. Calm and measured in defense.
Whelan gets very harsh criticism. He actually does the dirty work and work that never gets the plaudits. Whelan should be the first name on the team sheet.
These are the tropes you hear when people talk about Whelan, but the truth is his range of passing is not good enough; he never crosses the half way line, which inhibits the way we play when opp teams are set up in a way we could take advantage of (negativity for the sake of negativity); he puts the defence under pressure (suicide pass to Keogh v Poland, incredibly slow to react to Dzeko being in lots of space in a dangerous position in Dublin); his reactions are slow; he is not good enough in the tackle; he fails to organise the midfield, case in point goals in either Scotland game came because of gaps in midfield and and nobody leading and/or organising shape; no goal threat (I know he is a defensive midfielder but 0 goals in 200 games at club level is a fkn joke); he is terminally slow; terrible corners; loses concentration (Slovakia goal (a) coming from Whelan not picking up his runner); poor in the air; doesn’t have the physique to effectively play the role he is trusted with; holds back McCarthy and Hendrick whenever they play together; doesn’t adequately protect defense as I alluded to earlier………….
Brady and Walters on the wings. Cyrus Christie is having a brilliant season id stick him on the left.
As of now hard to disagree . The Euros are a bit way and plenty of places to play for . I wish Shay would gracefully retire . A great servant but his time has past .
A cap hungry dog is about all Given is at this stage .
If we can convert a CM (David Myler) and a top class LM (Robbie Brady) to LB then why don’t we convert a gem of a RB (Cyrus Christie) to LB, he is tall,fast and a threat going forward and he is young meaning he is open minded and can adjust to the change in positioning, Please MON make this happen.
(Off topic) Our central defence consists of Aston villa (20th) and Sunderland (19th) …. are there any good young centre backs coming through the ranks?
John Egan at Gillingham will probably be playing Championship level one way or other in a year or two’s time if he continues his current trajectory. Tommie Hoban has a bright future but has stalled at Watford due to injuries and their policy of signing 30 players in every transfer window.
McGeady will play and will deserve to (after he switches clubs in January)
Clark for Keogh whelan for arter Randolph for rob Elliot
Other way round
I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again why not pick a team and formation around our strengths? Holding midfielders like Whelan are useless. If you hold the ball with competance and your shape then they are not needed. 3-5-2
Elliott, Clarke-O’Shea-Keogh, Coleman-Arter-Hendricks-Hoolahan-Brady, Walters-Long……maybe Wilson instead of Keogh for shape.
3-5-2? Do you want us to get hammered?
How? Why are we so obsessed with aping the premierships archaic tactics? We have three decent centre halves one great right full and no left back…..so why play with one? With 3-5-2 it allows us to get our best players on the pitch.
Also it gets rid of the need for a holding midfielder….which is an absolute waste of a footballer. Holding midfielders do absolutely nothing for their team, people who think they do must not have noticed barcelona changing the game 10 years ago.
Clark and Keogh should be the partnership, Josh is finished as far as starting goes. Same as Robbie, great lads to have in the squad/on the bench
O’Shea had a mare against Poland in Warsaw but was superb during the rest of the campaign.
Get McLean on ☘
Have RTE got exclusive rights where we suffer Dunphy etc or does a real broadcaster have our games too?
All covered from Montrose. Happy new year baby!
Richard Keogh has to be in there and long is more of a super sub