Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Steve Staunton's preparations ........


....... for tonight's friendly with the Netherlands, could hardly have gone worse.

His number two, Sir Bobby Robson, is still recovering from his recent health scare. Eight members of the original squad have withdrawn, including key players, Robbie Keane, Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Damien Duff. If that was not bad enough, Staunton was confronted by an armed man, outside the team hotel on Monday evening.

Marco van Basten's squad are also suffering a little from injury and suspension, but have so many options, they are unlikely to be missed. MVB has been ruthless, no place for Ruud van Nistelrooy or Mark van Bommel and their international careers may be over, probably a case of "too many chiefs" in the Dutch dressing room, once again.

Their attacking options are amazing, even without RVN, they can name a front 3 containing, Robben, Kuyt, van Persie, Huntelaar or Jan V of H, names that would terrorise a first choice Irish defence, let alone the replacements.

The Dutch bench would walk into this Republic side and the Irish look in for a torrid time.

This is all about the attitude of the visitors, if they come to win, they will.

3 points Netherlands -1/4 1.87 asian line.

Good Luck.

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