The Irish form guide
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Giovanni Trapattoni has named 26 players in an initial squad for the forthcoming World Cup Group 8 qualifiers, of which 23 will be selected for the matches against Bulgaria on 28 March and Italy on 1 April.
With the crucial double header just on the horizon, we decided to assess the current form of the squad.
Shay Given - The Donegal shot stopper has already proven his worth to Man City with a string of world class saves. He kept his side in the game at Stamford Bridge and is always reliable in an Irish jersey. He will need to be at his best in the Irish goal especially with a back four that has looked increasingly error prone in recent games against Poland and Georgia.
Dean Kiely - Unlikely to be called into action but the 38 year old showed against Serbia, when he won his first cap for five years, that he is a calming influence on the defenders in front of him. Second choice to Scott Carson at West Brom and has only made one start this season where he shipped three goals against Hartlepool in the Carling Cup.
Kieren Westwood - The 24 year old Coventry City keeper has grabbed the attention of some Premier League clubs this season after keeping eight clean sheets in a mediocre Championship side. He showed against Chelsea in the FA Cup that he can play well on the big occasions.
Alex Bruce - Has not been included in Ipswich’s last two match day squads and his last start was in a 3-0 home defeat to Southampton. On a run of bad form.
Damien Delaney - Is only starting to recover match fitness after a groin injury. Although QPR have struggled to live up to the big expectations placed on them this season, he has been very impressive and is a favourite with Trapatonni.
John O'Shea - Was a key member of the record breaking Manchester United defence but recent performances have given Irish fans reasons to be worried. His passing was very poor against Inter Milan and looked completely lost at sea against Liverpool on Saturday. Was ball watching and badly exposed for Andrea Dossena’s goal and will need to improve.
Kevin Foley - Has played 40 games for Wolves so far this season and has been a key member of Mick McCarthy’s side.
Paul McShane - Has only made two appearances off the bench for Sunderland since returning from Hull City in January. The last time he was out on the pitch was January 27th and if called upon could be lacking in match sharpness.
Richard Dunne - This season he has gone from the rock at the heart of City's backline to a defender who is prone to lapses of concentration. But his duel with Drogba on Sunday was a timely reminder of the brilliant form that he has consistently shown in recent years. The rock in the Irish defence and will need to be again with Berbatov, Gillardino and Di Natale et all to mark. Working with Given everyday at City will only help our chances.
Stephen Kelly - Got the vote of confidence for the last game vs. Georgia and it backfired. Kelly has made only one appearance for Stoke City since joining from Birmingham and has struggled to break into the side after picking up a hamstring injury.
Stephen Finnan - Struggled with a thigh injury since his move to Espanyol from Liverpool. His injury was a big miss for the Irish team as the vastly experienced full back is still a strong pick for the right back berth. Will also be struggling for match fitness if selected.
Kevin Kilbane - Since joining Hull City he has started every game but only got his first win at the club recently vs. Fulham. Has been impressive with his delivery from corners. Without doubt he is better suited at full back then on the flanks and is always a dependable starter.
Darren O'Dea - Has shown some of his best form of his short career in the last few weeks for Celtic ,topped off with a goal in the CIS Cup final.
Aiden McGeady - Like his club-mate O’Dea he scored in the CIS Cup final and looks a completely different player to the one that was short of confidence after his bust up with Gordon Strachan in January. Was man-of-the match against Georgia and if he finds that form again he could easily torment Milanov and Zambrotta.
Damien Duff - It has been another frustrating stop- start few months for the wing wizard. Has only managed twenty league appearances this season, due to a calf injury, but is always good value in an Irish jersey. Has not featured in the last three games for the Geordies and if you believe the papers the Magpies are thinking of offloading him due to his high-wages and lack of form.
Darron Gibson - Played his way into Manchester United’s Carling Cup final team after a commanding performance vs. Derby in the FA Cup. Was impressive against Spurs using possession well and willing to shoot in dangerous areas but won’t be pushing for a start soon at Old Trafford which will ultimately hurt his international chances.
Glenn Whelan - Has forced his way into the Stoke first eleven recently and has shown another side to his game in the opposition’s final third. Cracking goal at Villa Park and set up both goals in Stokes two-nil win against Bolton.
Keith Andrews - Had a very solid game vs. Georgia and is a better option than Gibson in the middle of the park. He has played the most minutes of all Blackburn’s central midfielders this season. Has been impressive for Blackburn since Sam Alladyce took over.
Liam Miller - He has been given first team football since joining QPR but has rarely completed the full 90 minutes for the R’s. With Adel Taarabt signing on loan from Spurs he will be lucky to keep his. Surely it’s time he faced stronger competition for his place. Keith Fahey, Owen Garvan, Lee Carsley and Andy Reid all come to mind.
Stephen Hunt - Along with Kevin Doyle, Hunt has featured in nearly every Reading game. Worryingly for Ireland he was dropped for the recent 1-0 win over Doncaster and hasn’t completed a 90 minute game in the last three outings for Reading. The winger is most likely to feature coming off the bench again.
Andy Keogh - He has not started for Wolves in the last four games but is another favourite of Trapatonni.
Caleb Folan - He has not scored since August 16, 2008 and has only started one game in 2009 for the Tigers. Most likely not to make the final 22 man squad.
Kevin Doyle - The newly crowned Irish footballer of the year has been in blistering form for Reading this year netting 18 goals. The goals have dried up lately; only one in eleven games but is always a star performer in the green jersey.
Robbie Keane – There is no doubt that the Irish captain's form has returned since he ended his Anfield nightmare. Has been instrumental in Spurs’ recent good run of form and this can only bode well for the Irish team.
Shane Long - Got two goals recently versus Charlton and has been a fairly regular starter in the last five matches or so. The young striker will face a difficult time however holding onto his first team position with Kitson, Doyle, Lita and N. Hunt all competing for a first team spot.
Noel Hunt - He has been a real success story since joining the Royals from Dundee United scoring twelve goals this season.
With the crucial double header just on the horizon, we decided to assess the current form of the squad.
Shay Given - The Donegal shot stopper has already proven his worth to Man City with a string of world class saves. He kept his side in the game at Stamford Bridge and is always reliable in an Irish jersey. He will need to be at his best in the Irish goal especially with a back four that has looked increasingly error prone in recent games against Poland and Georgia.
Dean Kiely - Unlikely to be called into action but the 38 year old showed against Serbia, when he won his first cap for five years, that he is a calming influence on the defenders in front of him. Second choice to Scott Carson at West Brom and has only made one start this season where he shipped three goals against Hartlepool in the Carling Cup.
Kieren Westwood - The 24 year old Coventry City keeper has grabbed the attention of some Premier League clubs this season after keeping eight clean sheets in a mediocre Championship side. He showed against Chelsea in the FA Cup that he can play well on the big occasions.
Alex Bruce - Has not been included in Ipswich’s last two match day squads and his last start was in a 3-0 home defeat to Southampton. On a run of bad form.
Damien Delaney - Is only starting to recover match fitness after a groin injury. Although QPR have struggled to live up to the big expectations placed on them this season, he has been very impressive and is a favourite with Trapatonni.
John O'Shea - Was a key member of the record breaking Manchester United defence but recent performances have given Irish fans reasons to be worried. His passing was very poor against Inter Milan and looked completely lost at sea against Liverpool on Saturday. Was ball watching and badly exposed for Andrea Dossena’s goal and will need to improve.
Kevin Foley - Has played 40 games for Wolves so far this season and has been a key member of Mick McCarthy’s side.
Paul McShane - Has only made two appearances off the bench for Sunderland since returning from Hull City in January. The last time he was out on the pitch was January 27th and if called upon could be lacking in match sharpness.
Richard Dunne - This season he has gone from the rock at the heart of City's backline to a defender who is prone to lapses of concentration. But his duel with Drogba on Sunday was a timely reminder of the brilliant form that he has consistently shown in recent years. The rock in the Irish defence and will need to be again with Berbatov, Gillardino and Di Natale et all to mark. Working with Given everyday at City will only help our chances.
Stephen Kelly - Got the vote of confidence for the last game vs. Georgia and it backfired. Kelly has made only one appearance for Stoke City since joining from Birmingham and has struggled to break into the side after picking up a hamstring injury.
Stephen Finnan - Struggled with a thigh injury since his move to Espanyol from Liverpool. His injury was a big miss for the Irish team as the vastly experienced full back is still a strong pick for the right back berth. Will also be struggling for match fitness if selected.
Kevin Kilbane - Since joining Hull City he has started every game but only got his first win at the club recently vs. Fulham. Has been impressive with his delivery from corners. Without doubt he is better suited at full back then on the flanks and is always a dependable starter.
Darren O'Dea - Has shown some of his best form of his short career in the last few weeks for Celtic ,topped off with a goal in the CIS Cup final.
Aiden McGeady - Like his club-mate O’Dea he scored in the CIS Cup final and looks a completely different player to the one that was short of confidence after his bust up with Gordon Strachan in January. Was man-of-the match against Georgia and if he finds that form again he could easily torment Milanov and Zambrotta.
Damien Duff - It has been another frustrating stop- start few months for the wing wizard. Has only managed twenty league appearances this season, due to a calf injury, but is always good value in an Irish jersey. Has not featured in the last three games for the Geordies and if you believe the papers the Magpies are thinking of offloading him due to his high-wages and lack of form.
Darron Gibson - Played his way into Manchester United’s Carling Cup final team after a commanding performance vs. Derby in the FA Cup. Was impressive against Spurs using possession well and willing to shoot in dangerous areas but won’t be pushing for a start soon at Old Trafford which will ultimately hurt his international chances.
Glenn Whelan - Has forced his way into the Stoke first eleven recently and has shown another side to his game in the opposition’s final third. Cracking goal at Villa Park and set up both goals in Stokes two-nil win against Bolton.
Keith Andrews - Had a very solid game vs. Georgia and is a better option than Gibson in the middle of the park. He has played the most minutes of all Blackburn’s central midfielders this season. Has been impressive for Blackburn since Sam Alladyce took over.
Liam Miller - He has been given first team football since joining QPR but has rarely completed the full 90 minutes for the R’s. With Adel Taarabt signing on loan from Spurs he will be lucky to keep his. Surely it’s time he faced stronger competition for his place. Keith Fahey, Owen Garvan, Lee Carsley and Andy Reid all come to mind.
Stephen Hunt - Along with Kevin Doyle, Hunt has featured in nearly every Reading game. Worryingly for Ireland he was dropped for the recent 1-0 win over Doncaster and hasn’t completed a 90 minute game in the last three outings for Reading. The winger is most likely to feature coming off the bench again.
Andy Keogh - He has not started for Wolves in the last four games but is another favourite of Trapatonni.
Caleb Folan - He has not scored since August 16, 2008 and has only started one game in 2009 for the Tigers. Most likely not to make the final 22 man squad.
Kevin Doyle - The newly crowned Irish footballer of the year has been in blistering form for Reading this year netting 18 goals. The goals have dried up lately; only one in eleven games but is always a star performer in the green jersey.
Robbie Keane – There is no doubt that the Irish captain's form has returned since he ended his Anfield nightmare. Has been instrumental in Spurs’ recent good run of form and this can only bode well for the Irish team.
Shane Long - Got two goals recently versus Charlton and has been a fairly regular starter in the last five matches or so. The young striker will face a difficult time however holding onto his first team position with Kitson, Doyle, Lita and N. Hunt all competing for a first team spot.
Noel Hunt - He has been a real success story since joining the Royals from Dundee United scoring twelve goals this season.
