Starting XI V Poland

[Closed Account]

Given
McShane Dunne O'Shea Kilbane
Keogh Gibson Whelan Duff
Folan Doyle

Keogh, Folan to start against Poland (http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/soccer/keogh-folan-to-start-against-poland-1543778.html)



Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting eleven for tomorrow evening's friendly with Poland at Croke Park.
Goalkeeper Shay Given's set to start in goal, and will Captain the side in Robbie Keane's absence.
The Italian has decided not to experiment with the line-up and has only made 2 changes, both of them enforced.
For the injured Aidan McGeady, Andy Keogh of Wolves will come in and will play on either the left or right flank.
Damien Duff will start on the opposite flank, while in the centre of midfield, Glen Whelan and Manchester United's Darron Gibson will feature.
Upfront, as expected the Big Target man from Hull City Caleb Folan comes in for the injured Robbie Keane and partners the in-form Kevin Doyle.
In the back four, Paul McShane starts at right back, in the centre of defence Richard Dunne and John O' Shea will continue their blossoming partnership, while Kevin Kilbane will start at left back.
The Irish boss indicated that he will make changes during the game with the likes of Keith Andrews and Noel Hunt almost certain to get a run in the green shirt at some stage.
Two enforced changes.

[Supreme feet]

Given

McShane
Dunne
O'Shea
Kilbane

Keogh
Gibson
Whelan
Duff

Folan
Doyle

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/sport/soccer/keogh-folan-to-start-against-poland-14067876.html

Don't know why the Belfast Telegraph has this, and no-one else. Is it legit? Thoughts?

[elroy]

On breakingnews.ie as well...................

Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has named his starting 11 for tomorrow evening's friendly with Poland at Croke Park.

Goalkeeper Shay Given's set to start in goal, and will captain the side in Robbie Keane's absence.

The Italian has decided not to experiment with the line-up and has only made two changes, both of them enforced.

For the injured Aidan McGeady, Andy Keogh of Wolves will come in and will play on either the left or right flank.

Damien Duff will start on the opposite flank, while in the centre of midfield, Glen Whelan and Manchester United's Darron Gibson will feature.

Upfront, as expected the Big Target man from Hull City Caleb Folan comes in for the injured Robbie Keane and partners the in-form Kevin Doyle.

In the back four, Paul McShane starts at right back, in the centre of defence Richard Dunne and John O' Shea will continue their blossoming partnership, while Kevin Kilbane will start at left back.

The Irish boss indicated that he will make changes during the game with the likes of Keith Andrews and Noel Hunt almost certain to get a run in the green shirt at some stage.

[tetsujin1979]

Keogh starting on the right (where he was for the B game) is probably the biggest surprise. I would have thought Doyle and Folan were too similar to play together.
be interesting to see how McShane and Keogh play on the right wing.

[Dr. Ogba]

surely would have been an ideal opportunity to blood Kevin Foley at least? I can see what he's trying to do by keeping Whelan and Gibson together but I hope that Andrews gets a fair run out...

Can't see the merit in having Keogh in there either to be honest...

[Closed Account]

I don't think he sees Doyle as a target man, not in the conventional sense anyway. Doyle can hold the ball up well when he has it to feet, but I think he's just content to get his head to the ball when its in the air rather than generate anything productive with it.

About Folan he said.

Trapattoni said: "He is not only big, he has two good legs, and he understands that he has to help our midfield.
"He can hold the ball up to allow other players to get there. He is an intelligent player.
"He is important for his presence, but he understands he has to help the team immediately."


I think Doyle is good enough to play the Robbie Keane role also and will be able to play off the last mans shoulder.

[amaccann]

Unsurprising line up, McShane for me is the only red-flag

[Wheels]

Whelan and Gibson need to put in a much stronger performance than last time... they just sank back onto the central defenders at every opportunity. We need them to step up and take responsibility.

Nothing else really surprising. Keogh has played several times on the wing for us... though I'd have preferred Hunt (Stephen). McShane could use a good performance at right back for us, so I can see merit in giving him the chance.

Hopefully towards the end of the game we have both Hunts and Doyle on for a while to show how well they can work together.

[elroy]

Six of the starting XI are not first choice in their clubs and are rarely getting 90 mins. Having said that not all the players in the McCarthy era were getting game time either. Hopefully Trap will use the bench alot better in this game than he has in the past. We really need a strong CM performance from Whelan and Gibson as well.

[gilberto_eire]

I'm very disappointed with the central midfield...again.

The two lads are'nt up to international level, nevermind getting a game at prem' level.

At 21 Gibson's time at OT is running out, unless he breaks into the squad this year, its onto the Championship for him(like a long like of former United youngsters...) he's proved nothing at a high level to be included in the panal, regardless of how influential putting in a good performance against a Forest selection can be.

Whelan hasn't impressed me much either, and hasn't proved too effective against Georgia/Norway/Cyprus, with big games against the top boys coming in the summer i'd rather see us playing someone who can make their club side week in week out, Reid should be back for those games and i'd play him as the defensive midfielder.

What role does Andrews play?, considering he's getting game time at a Prem' club he must be doing something the other two lads are not, granted i have'nt seen him play yet to judge myself.

I know we are short on resources but the likes of Italy and Bulgaria will make bits of us if we go into those games with a Gibson/Whelan partnership, Cyprus dominated us there for most of the second half so i don't even want to think what will happen if we go this route next summer

Granted we got away with it against Cyprus, they were VERY unlucky in both halves not too score

[Morbo]

Keogh starting on the right is my biggest gripe, has that ever worked? you would think we would of learned by now, surely Hunt or A.Reid would do a better job in that position. My other concern is McShane, was awful in our last game and I think Foley is more deserving of a chance there. I'd also have Andrews on for Whelan and N.Hunt on for Folan but if he plans to bring them on in the second half then fair enough

[Noelys Guitar]

Keogh ahead of Hunt is a surprise. Would it be fair to say a "workmenlike" side out tomorrow night. Having said that I expect us to keep our unbeaten record under Trap.

[Razors left peg]

I'm very disappointed with the central midfield...again.



It couldnt have come as much of a surprise though?? Those two lads were guaranteed to start to give them game time together
Fair enough hes prob not ready yet as hes not playing regular enough football but I really like Gibson and I think he is going to be a massive player for us in years to come. I wouldnt be surprised to see him have a very good game tomorrow night since the pressure is off a bit compared to the last qualifier

[shakermaker1982]

Hmmmm. I'd prefer to see the Hunt brothers both starting and McShane on the bench. He has the positional sense of a school kid. Man City's second goal on Sunday is a prime example when he just disappeared and left his fellow defenders. Keith Andrews would have got the nod for me as well. I just hope Duff is on song because it could be a long drab night.....

[stiffler]

I hope to see Andrews get some game time..hes no spring chicken, and I cant see him getting much of a look in come the qualifiers if he doesnt get a performance under his belt.

Im also slightly excited about seeing Folan...hopefully he can provide a little competition up front in future.

[back of the net]

very disappointed not to see foley and delaney starting and also stokes

hopefully he will give one of the other keepers a run out during the game

really hope trap doesnt continue this trend of very few substitutions during the friendly game - i realise the idea in trying to get a settled side - but these games are for experimentation

[Supreme feet]

At 21 Gibson's time at OT is running out, unless he breaks into the squad this year, its onto the Championship for him(like a long like of former United youngsters...)

Guiseppe Rossi and Gerard Piqué showed that there is life after Old Trafford :) I think Gibson has a fine career ahead of him anyway, hope he shows what he can do tomorrow night.

[back of the net]

At 21 Gibson's time at OT is running out, unless he breaks into the squad this year, its onto the Championship for him(like a long like of former United youngsters...) he's proved nothing at a high level to be included in the panal, regardless of how influential putting in a good performance against a Forest selection can be.


from skysports - make of it what u will

--------------------------------------
Gibson - who is currently with the Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their friendly with Poland - spent time on loan at Wolves last term but is happy to remain with United this campaign.

Of his first-team opportunities at United, he said: "It is frustrating when you are not playing, but a lot of young players make the mistake of leaving United too early without getting a chance.

"I am just going to bide my time and hopefully the chance comes and I can take it.

"I have had chances to go on loan here and there, and I have turned them down and the gaffer has turned them down for me as well because he wanted me to stay.

"I am just going to bide my time and hopefully the chance comes sooner rather than later."

[geysir]

Hmmmm. I'd prefer to see the Hunt brothers both starting .
There is a chance they could come on as subs.
Then they would be the first brothers on the same team since Tony and Pat Dunne over 40 years ago.

[Manc Irish Wolf]

What does Foley need to do to get into the team (apart from the seemingly obvious and play Premiership football which appears to give you a divine right into the team). Appreciate that Trap is trying to build a steady back four, but Foley is without shadow of a doubt our future rightback and it's a disgrace if he doesn't now at least get 45 minutes. I wouldn't mind but he's been consistently man of the match this season, whereas Keogh has been sub all season after a series of below-par performances in his preferred striking role, let alone on the wing.

Considering that our Young Lads in the Championship have been the one glint of hope this season in contrast to the relative failings of our "Premier League Stars", personally think that Trap and his advisors should ditch the Premier League blinkers and think about a more meritocratic squad policy which might reward hard work and effort rather than simply ignore it.

[FootballsKing]

I dont understand why Hunt is expected to get a run out when both Stokes and Long were selected in the squad ahead of him initially.

Surely this defeats the purpose of excluding Hunt in the first place, and without considering whats deserved, would be ridiculous in terms of simple logic

[irishfan86]

While I agree with your points Manc, and would have Foley over McShane on the right, Trap's decision to pick a Premiership right back who is playing on a team that is performing well in the Premiership (Hull), is hardly controversial "on paper."

People who know the game know that who you play for isn't everything, and I'm not saying Trap doesn't know the game, but I would question his knowledge of our players, certainly those playing south of the Premier division.

[Superhoops]

There is a chance they could come on as subs.
Then they would be the first brothers on the same team since Tony and Pat Dunne over 40 years ago.

Wrong! David and Pierce O'Leary played together 3 times:
v Bugaria at Lansdowne in October 1979
v Northern Ireland in Belfast in November 1979
v Holland at Lansdowne in September 1980

[Manc Irish Wolf]

While I agree with your points Manc, and would have Foley over McShane on the right, Trap's decision to pick a Premiership right back who is playing on a team that is performing well in the Premiership (Hull), is hardly controversial "on paper."

People who know the game know that who you play for isn't everything, and I'm not saying Trap doesn't know the game, but I would question his knowledge of our players, certainly those playing south of the Premier division.

Agree on paper that McShane looks like a better option on paper - older, slightly more experienced, playing for a Premiership side - however that is my point, Trap had never seen Foley in a competitive game in the flesh. Eveyone on this site has seen McShane and are well aware of his defensive capabilities and limitations - for one he's a centreback not a natural rightback with no natural instinct to assist the midfielders (a pre-requisite of the modern fullback, especially with two centre midfielders who sit deep).

Having just read that Trap has attended just 3 live games, I think that he needs to stop making his opinions based upon logic on paper, video analysis (in which the full extent of someones talent can never be truly analysed) and a scouting network partially consisting of Don Givens and Frank Stapleton (One a sychophantic tool and the other an arrogant gobsh*te who was instrumental in ruining Willo Flood's confidence having lambasted him publicly for a below-par performace against France) and instead start earning his money and getting to games. He might not be here beyond 2 years, but we will and how else are the kids going to get a chance?

That said, Trap is a ledge and is fully deserving of our support, it's just frustrating that he chooses to be so brave in selection with unestablished premier players, but not burgeoning championship players.

[Crosby87]

No James McCarthy?

[theworm2345]

Trap and Given on SSN
http://sharebee.com/acc0a424

[Razors left peg]

No James McCarthy?

wasnt in the squad

[shelbourne1904]

simple he thinks he maybe better than his first inxclusions .but what worries me is persisting with McShane wo looks game but lost in every match I see him in whether with Hull or Ireland.

[theworm2345]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game

[Razors left peg]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game

Jesus where are his priorities......:)

[Sligo Hornet]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game

Are you sure it's "his" wife?.....is she "really" in labour?....is he getting a wig fitted?....maybe a certain someone has had a word in his ear!;)

[Hibs4Ever]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game



http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1119/ireland.html

[Lenny82]

Manc makes some very good points.

Shame about Dunne heading back to Manchester. The team looks very ordinary without the likes of Dunne, Reid, McGeady and Keane. In a way I'm glad to see Whelan and Gibson start together in Central midfield, Trap can always bring on Andrews for the last half hour for one of them and he probably will as he seems to talk very highly of him.

I'd love to see Noel Hunt be rewarded for the fantastic season he's having so far and he certainly deserves to be selected ahead of Murphy, Folan, Long and Stokes.

However, I think this could be our 1st defeat under Trap tonight!!! 2-1 Poland. I hope I'm wrong!!!

[Dr. Ogba]

oh dear looks like a McShane O'Shea centre half combination then :eek: Traps reluctance to call up more cover for this position is really being shown up now....

Well at least Kevin Foley will get a deserved start anyway...

[ifk101]

oh dear looks like a McShane O'Shea centre half combination then :eek: Traps reluctance to call up more cover for this position is really being shown up now....

Well at least Kevin Foley will get a deserved start anyway...

I'm not so sure. I think Alex Bruce will come in for Dunne. Nevertheless our starting eleven looks much weaker now in the absence of Dunne.

[elroy]

As with Robbie K, i dont think this is necessarily a bad thing, we know how good Dunne is. No harm to give one of the untried lads a go and see how they get on. Worse case scenario is that they play terrible but what the hell its only a friendly and least we know for if we ever lose Dunne for a competitive game.

[Dr. Ogba]

I'm not so sure. I think Alex Bruce will come in for Dunne. Nevertheless our starting eleven looks much weaker now in the absence of Dunne.

you're probably right actually. forgot about Bruce even being there to be honest!

[Jicked]

oh dear looks like a McShane O'Shea centre half combination then :eek: Traps reluctance to call up more cover for this position is really being shown up now....

Well at least Kevin Foley will get a deserved start anyway...

Jesus H Christ, are we whinging about Trap not calling up Sean St Ledger to sit on a bench nowadays?!

[lionelhutz]

My starting team would have been;

Given

McShane Dunne Bruce Foley

Duff Andrews Reid Hunt

Hunt Doyle

I completely disagree with Traps policy of always playing what he believes is the strongest team. There's always going to be injuries, suspensions, etc for competitive games and other options have to be looked at. And not just for the 20 or 30 mins that he might give Andrews, hunt, etc.

And with regards Andrews, I've watched him play several times this season (my GF is a BBurn fan) and I think he's a much better CM than either Gibson or Whelan. The one game he was overrun in was against Arsenal, besides that he's been very solid. He's a good passer, seems to have an excellent engine and positional sense.

I wonder whether Trap has ever seen him play. Reid and Andrews are our best option at CM at this moment but unfortunately thats never going to happen under this manager.

[third policeman]

What does Foley need to do to get into the team .


Get dropped by his club side and play badly for us if he ever gets time on the pitch. This appears to be the main selection criteria at the minute.

Totally agree that at the minute are better players are the ones excelling in the Championship and not the ones bench warming in the Premiership. I reckon the following team of non-selected Championship players would probably give Trapp's 11 more than a run for their money

Westwood
Foley St Ledger McCarthy Ward
McCann Garvan
Walters O'Toole S.Hunt
N.Hunt

subs
Kenny
Naughton (is he still eligible?)
S.Quinn
Scannell
Tabb
Morrison

[Dr. Ogba]

Jesus H Christ, are we whinging about Trap not calling up Sean St Ledger to sit on a bench nowadays?!

eh yeah....whats the problem with that?

[tetsujin1979]

Naughton (is he still eligible?)
Came on for England U-21's last night against the Czechs: http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/U21vCzechRep_report.htm
It was a friendly, but I doubt too many people would be impressed if he changed allegiances now

[noddy102]

Gibson has played 120 mins of 180 mins of United's last two games, and should come into midfield with some more confidence, making a consecutive start.

I look forward to seeing Folan up front. He has only played 1 miute for Ireland, so it quite obviously is an experiment to start him.

I'd like to see more from Keogh on the right, so it is good to see him given a chance there again, especially with the type of central midfielders we will use tonight.

The replacement for Dunne will have a lot to do, but I think Bruce deserves a chance there, and keeping McShane on the right is for the best!

[Jicked]

eh yeah....whats the problem with that?

Considering we're unbeaten in six, the defence is looking very good and he has enough new, untried players in the squad to cover centre half, it seems like a pathetic thing to be moaning about. No doubt if Ledger was called up there'd be moans that there's a newer CB getting a game for Darlington and who does Trap think he is for not calling that bloke up.

[Dr. Ogba]

Considering we're unbeaten in six, the defence is looking very good and he has enough new, untried players in the squad to cover centre half, it seems like a pathetic thing to be moaning about. No doubt if Ledger was called up there'd be moans that there's a newer CB getting a game for Darlington and who does Trap think he is for not calling that bloke up.

are you serious??? so its "pathetic" to make the observation that, with Richard Dunne unavailable we are down to the bare bones for cover at centre back...
so lets go with this scenario, lets say we are without Dunne and O'Shea for a big qualifier so we start with McShane and Bruce at CB , would you prefer to have absolutely nobody on the bench to cover these guys in case something happened? what would YOU do as manager, throw Killer in as backup CB?

incidentally, I didn't mention StLedger exclusively but we need to blood a few more centre halves (surely you couldn't disagree with this fact??)...I'm happy with a Dunne O'Shea first choice combo but guys like StLedger, Paddy McCarthy and O'Dea (amongst others) need to be in the squad should the unthinkable happen to Dunne and/or O'Shea....sounds like common-sense to me....

[third policeman]

Came on for England U-21's last night against the Czechs: http://www.thefa.com/England/U21s/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/U21vCzechRep_report.htm
It was a friendly, but I doubt too many people would be impressed if he changed allegiances now

Milner went the other way, having represented us at junior levels. Personally I wouldn't object if he switched and I dont think too many England fans would notice never mind protest. We have let far too many 2nd and 3rd G players get away over the last few years. We were clearly a lot better at spotting and recruiting English born players during the Charlton era.

[geysir]

Attending a Poland friendly use to be a penance.
Fathers would drag their kids screaming.

[eirebhoy]

Whelan hasn't impressed me much either, and hasn't proved too effective against Georgia/Norway/Cyprus
I thought he was definitely motm vs Georgia and also played well against Norway.

Anyway, with Dunne injured I'd like to see McShane moved to centre half and Foley to right back. McShane's a poor right back and I'd like to see what Foley can do. I've seen enough of Bruce and I can't say I'd get excited about the thought of watching him again. At least Foley would bring some excitement to this game. Gibson is only other thread of excitement I can find so I'm hoping he comes out of his shell tonight.

[ifk101]

False alarm - looks like Dunne will start.

[Closed Account]

False Labour or has Mrs Dunne let the Honey Monster comeback?