IRELAND SKIPPER JOHN O’SHEA was yesterday informed that Wes Hoolahan chose his confirmation name based on his favourite Man Utd player rather than saint.
The Norwich City playmaker lines out behind Shane Long in a 4-4-1-1 formation for the friendly at Cardiff City Stadium. And O’Shea agrees Ireland need more creative men in green who pray to Eric Cantona every night.
“He’s obviously developed internationally later in his career,” the stand-in captain told the press yesterday. “But it’s been for the benefit of us really and obviously the manager has been slowly introducing more so into the team as well.
“We’re fully aware of his talent because the players have seen it, the manager has seen it in the Premier League and on training ground every so hopefully he’s going to be a vital player for us when we come to the vital stages of qualification. The more players we can have attacking wise and creating wise , it’s going to be of huge benefit to us in the future.”
Giovanni Trapattoni will run the rule over his players tonight with the World cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria next month very much in his mind.
“Every team hopes for those players to have a good supply of them,” says the Sunderland defender, “whether it be goal scorers, creative players, there’s been a fair general supply of defenders, full backs and stuff like that but we need a supply of forwards too. So if we can do that, it increases the competition.
“As a bit of a taller player, he’s a bit of a nightmare [to play against]. But he’s a tough little bugger as well, he’s not afraid to take a few knocks. and that’s obviously what you need in that situation.
“The manager will be looking for him to support Shane Long tonight when he can but also to help out in midfield too and more importantly when we don’t have the ball to find the little pockets to supply Robbie Brady and Jon Walters. And he’s well able to score a goal as well.”
Audio provided courtesy of 98fm.
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Wesley Cantona Hoolahan is a quality name.
I’m sure it’s Eric, them holy joes would have objected to the name Cantona
And (skipper ) John O’shea sounds good too
Unfortunately you see it john,irish public see it , not trap. ..
Forde
O’Shea Dunne. Clark. Wilson
McCarthy. Gibson
Coleman. Hoolahan. Brady
Long
SUBS- Westwood. McGeady
Kelly. Walters
St Ledger. Keane
McClean
No reason we couldnt make Brazil if we had this team for the rest of the qualifers.
It’s a decent team bar the lack of out-and-out goalscorer. A major problem we’ve been having for the last while – relying on Robbie despite his advancing years.
O’Shea doesn’t have the legs to play right back anymore. Keep him in the middle of defence. Not sure of I would have Clark in the team either, still very raw and also a good chance he won’t be a starter for Villa this season.
I’d put O’ Shea in the centre with Dunne and put Joey O’ Brien at right back and Pilkington on the left instead of Brady.
We don’t have an out and out goal scorer because Robbie comes to every game for the caps and no one else can get a run in the team..he’s doing a shay given on it!
My youngest brother tried to take ‘Zinedine’ as his Confirmation name. It wasn’t allowed, so I don’t think that Cantona was either
Probably because Zinedine is an Islamic name.
Cantona is an acceptable name. If it were to be turned down then it would be on the basis of ignorance of the criteria.
John O’Shea, the best thing to come out of Waterford since the blaa
New Wes from Shels, magical player, Trapp and previous management are Morans for not selecting him… Only hope he proves another point tonight COYWESO!