Micks first eleven.

He would have been sh!te in our team too. I firmly believe the profound affect MON had on (poor) player performance will come to light in Mick's tenure.

His legs have gone, which will have a huge impact on them. We have been crying out for a similar player for a long time though. We haven't a single midfielder who is confident on the ball or that can stamp their personality on the game.

It is why Rice would have made such a difference. 

We can't say that for sure. If you don't have a player like that you by-pass the midfield, I fully expect to be bypassed in this campaign too.

I am not going to reopen the debate on Wes, my thoughts on him are clear enough on him, but he was a different type of player to Davis.

In fairness, Wes was a different type of player. Davis is a more complete midfielder, or was, I think that's the end of him. He was an unassuming player who was incredibly effective and consistent. I was always amazed by how calm he was on the ball and got sl*gged for saying so on here, but he was exactly what we needed for years and we still do. He is like James McCarthy without the injuries and the fear of going missing, or Glenn Whelan with natural fitness and drive!

Wes was a creative midfielder and little else. He certainly worked hard off the ball, something he wasn't given enough credit for, but he was still a bit of a luxury as he gave the ball away a lot. He probably should have been used more at times, but those who championed him seemed completely dismissive of the risk he brought to the team and not always a reward. He often tried passes that just weren't on and in the most dangerous of places. He was great to watch as a neutral but had my anxiety through the roof on several occasions. Dunphy getting on board saw him becoming the new Liam Brady, while simultaneously Glenn Whelan was made out to be some sort of impostor.

It wasn't so much the regularity with which he gave it away, but the areas and times he gave it away. He was a disaster for trying unnecessarily risky passes at the wrong times and places. He certainly had ability, nobody is disputing that, but he must be the most overrated player to play for Ireland,with the possible exception of Duff who was average for huge chunks of his Irish career. The difference with Wes was the less he played the better he got.