No Seamus Coleman…
We’re losing interest ourselves.
If Martin O’Neill was to go on club form and base it on the stats, the Everton man – the country’s best player – wouldn’t make the team because of the games he missed at the end of the year.
The Republic of Ireland finalised their 23-man squad on Tuesday night and the eight defenders coming to France are as follows:
Seamus Coleman
Cyrus Christie
Richard Keogh
John O’Shea
Ciaran Clark
Shane Duffy
Robbie Brady
Stephen Ward
Against Belarus in the final group game, some players put in another good case for themselves.
Stephen Ward shines as Ireland get off to a dispiriting #Euro2016 start #COYBIG https://t.co/TBUGeeiGrQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 1, 2016
Stephen Ward is in flying form.
The Burnley left back wasn’t just an ever-present for the Championship-winning club, he starred for Ireland in their last friendly too.
Stephen Ward, he scores when he wants (in LOI grounds)
His third international goal.https://t.co/5MEBWpYDqj#IRLBEL
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 31, 2016
If Ireland were to pick their top four club defenders on current form, Robbie Brady, Ciaran Clark, John O’Shea, and Stephen Ward would lead the way.
Of course, both Ward and Brady can’t play in the same defence without pushing one of them to the right-hand side so, according to the stats and the positions that need filled, this would be the highest-ranked club-based back four.
Martin O’Neill picked wisely with his three goalkeepers and the stats would have Darren Randolph ahead and holding on to his first-team spot.
Of course, Seamus Coleman is going to play so enough already.
