Euro 2012 Qualifying Group B - General Discussion

**BonnieShels** · 19/06/2011, 10:25 AM

Was thinking the same thing as Ye. But decided not to jinx is by posting it!!! Ye shower.

**Wolfie** · 20/06/2011, 12:25 PM

The full extract of that statement by the Macedonian Association sounds ominous for Mirsad.

'Following extensive discussions regarding results achieved in qualifying for the 2012 European Championship, a unanimous decision has been reached to remove Mirsad Jonuz from his position as the coach of the national team by extreme crushing,' said the federation.

**geysir** · 20/06/2011, 6:19 PM

It's no joke, those Macedonian nuts do need some crushing.

**Junior** · 21/06/2011, 9:51 AM

Originally Posted by gastric

This summary of the season from an Irish point of view is worth reading.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...t-2672139.html

FALL FROM GRACE

Liam Lawrence was a starting member of the Irish side in Armenia -- unsurprisingly given his excellent conclusion to the ill-fated attempts to make the World Cup in South Africa.

He kept his place for the visit of Russia in October, when Ireland were torn apart and he offered little defensive cover for an outnumbered central midfield.

Unofficially, Lawrence seems to have shouldered the blame. He was dropped for the trip to Slovakia and failed to impress in the end-of-season games where he looked sluggish. Indeed, he was an unused substitute in Liege, with Coleman given a 90-minute run-out.

Interesting comment on the Russia game. Whelan and to a lesser degree Green were rightly criticised on this forum for the Russia debacle. From memory, I don't recall Lawrence getting much in terms of 'blame', though I havent gone back over the threads to recap.

I've have generally been impressed with Lawrences performances for us and providing 'lack of cover' hasnt been a criticism I thought you could throw at him. Would be interesting if Trap really had singled him out to shoulder the blame in this instance. I hope he has a decent season with Pompey next year and remains an option for us.

**paul_oshea** · 21/06/2011, 10:04 AM

i think when he spoke out criticising the way we play might have had a bigger effect.

**geysir** · 21/06/2011, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

i think when he spoke out criticising the way we play might have had a bigger effect.

Why do you think that Paul, do you have any evidence to support that cynicism?
Trap delayed his team selection to see if Lawrence was fit enough to play against Slovakia.
He wasn't used that evening, not even as a sub, because he was unfit to play. Andy K came on as a sub.

**paul_oshea** · 21/06/2011, 10:40 AM

well i don't think he played that badly against Russia compared with the other players mentioned.so i don't see how he was blamed especially after trap appeared in public at least to see if he was ready for Slovakia.

**irishfan86** · 21/06/2011, 12:34 PM

I think there was a brief window when we had a lot of injuries at the end of WC qualifying that having an experienced pro like Lawrence was absolutely vital. We were in with a great chance and it wasn't the time to experiment.

But this campaign I feel McGeady has really pushed on to another level and the likes of Coleman has emerged to give competition, while we still have a very dedicated and at times underrated Stephen Hunt who gives us depth when Duff is unavailable.

Still very happy to have Lawrence around but I feel the above-mentioned players offer more overall, especially in the long-term.

Don't agree that he's ever let us down though.

**the bear** · 21/06/2011, 12:39 PM

i read an interview by lawrence a while ago that said he considered himself a centre mid. ive only ever seen him play right wing both for club and country, anyone think he might be an option in the centre.

**Stuttgart88** · 21/06/2011, 1:08 PM

Yes, I've often thought he was what it takes to play in central mid, unlike the likes of Hunt & Coleman for example. Lawrence is similar in style to Beckham. He finds space and delivers a good ball from out wide, but isn't quick for a wide player. Hunt and Coleman for example have the pace to get past the full back. Lawrence is a different type of wide player, a bit in the Ljungberg mould too.

I agree largely with if86's view of Lawrence, though I am not clear whether he is saying he has or hasn't ever let us down. I don't think he has myself.

wrt criticisms of tactics after the Russia game, I thought it was Dunne who was most vocal.

Whelan had the biggest shocker of all that day, and Green was exposed terribly as a consequence. I didn't think LL did too badly.

**CraftyToePoke** · 21/06/2011, 1:15 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Green was exposed terribly as a consequence. I didn't think LL did too badly.

Greens Wiki page is not kind to him about that game : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Gr...ller_born_1983)

**geysir** · 21/06/2011, 1:26 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

well i don't think he played that badly against Russia compared with the other players mentioned.so i don't see how he was blamed especially after trap appeared in public at least to see if he was ready for Slovakia.

How about - he was not blamed and Trap would have selected him to play against Slovakia if he was fit.

**paul_oshea** · 21/06/2011, 4:41 PM

Could be but not according to the DM article in the independent.

I'd go with that he wasn't blamed too than any particular form in the Russia game, as he was ok.

**irishfan86** · 22/06/2011, 1:22 AM

Stutts, we're on the same page. Lawrence has never let the team down IMO.

**Charlie Darwin** · 22/06/2011, 1:25 AM

Didn't Lawrence pick up an injury early in the Russia game? I think he fell awkwardly on his arm which affected his mobility.

**BonnieShels** · 22/06/2011, 6:37 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Didn't Lawrence pick up an injury early in the Russia game? I think he fell awkwardly on his arm which affected his mobility.

Correct. I was bloody raging. Didn't stop him giving his all though.

**geysir** · 22/06/2011, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Could be but not according to the DM article in the independent.

I'd go with that he wasn't blamed too than any particular form in the Russia game, as he was ok.

Why are you repeating the McDonnell nonsense as if it had merit?
McDonnell wrote
"Unofficially, Lawrence seems to have shouldered the blame. He was dropped for the trip to Slovakia"

Seeing as Lawrence was not dropped for the trip to Slovakia, then officially McDonnell is talking through his hole.
Lawrence was subbed in the game against Russia after aggravating some injury. He was still injured for the Slovakia game.
All known reports say Trap delayed his selection to see if Lawrence would get fit. Not only was Lawrence not dropped for the Slovakia trip, he was a serious starting consideration.
Now Lawrence is down in the pecking order. These things happen.

All very strange from McDonnell who reported before the Slovakia game
Lawrence faces fitness test
'GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has decided to retain Liam Lawrence on the right side of midfield for this evening's Euro 2012 qualifier with Slovakia -- provided he passes a fitness test today.

However, Trapattoni said he would wait to see how training in the Zilina Stadium went before committing to any decision. Lawrence, who wore padding in training on Sunday, spent part of the session away from his team-mates but didn't need any protection on his thigh.
An FAI statement last night confirmed that the Portsmouth man would start if he was given the all-clear by medics today'.

**paul_oshea** · 22/06/2011, 11:43 AM

When did Lawrence make the comments though before or after that piece by DM for the slovakia game.

Perhaps he reported wrongly before the Slovakia game. We all know people have mis-interpreted Traps comments in the past. Or he didn't and Lawrence then came out with those comments.

I'm not giving merit to any, btw, but you cant reject out of hand one article and then for your own benefit use the other article by the same Journalist. If anything I would say that it was his comments after the Russia game, as tardelli at the time disagreed. Or perhaps its just the other options proved better when they got their chance, but he didn't get any game time in the last few games.

**geysir** · 22/06/2011, 5:15 PM

I did try to reason with you Paul and save you from the madness within, but the attacks of senseless rubbish, occurring with disturbing frequency, are just overwhelming.