Ireland vs Georgia pre-match

[carloz]

Duff is still arguably our biggest threat in big games so there is no way i would drop him, even if his form was awful for Newcastle, which it isnt. He is still vital for us

[tetsujin1979]

McShane is almost certain to miss this game (hamstring). What is happening with Finnan? Is he still injured? If he is I think Trap will move O'Shea to right full and play Bruce alongside Dunne rather than play Kelly or Foley at right back.
Not going to happen, that's two voluntary changes (new centre half, and new right full) as opposed to one forced change (new right full)

[the doc]

If McShane is out through injury, then Trapp must call up St Ledger, if not then the fans and media should ask why?

If I'm honest I think Trapp will listen to DG and bring one of his favourites in, just like DG did when fast tracking the limited Bruce.

[irishfan86]

I think I should point out that Bruce has played some time at right-back. He played there for Ipswich against Chelsea in their FA Cup game at the weekend.

Looked like McShane playing at right-full, so at least we'll get consistency in that position if Bruce slots in! :eek:

[Qwerty]

If at this stage you have reservations about (a fit) Duff in an Ireland shirt you may as well pack it in.

Maybe a wrong choice of words, I'm not questioning Duff and not saying we have a better option or that our real problems don't lie elsewhere, I just wanted to know how many goals he has actually set up for us is all...

[tetsujin1979]

Georgia squad announced: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3969
Georgia squad v Republic of Ireland (Feb 11):

Goalkeepers: Giorgi Loria (Lokomotivi Tbilisi), Zurab Mamaladze (FC Zestaponi), Roin Kvaskhvadze (FC Zestaponi)

Defenders: Kakha Kaladze (AC Milan), Zurab Khizanishvili (Blackburn Rovers), Lasha Salukvadze (Rubin Kazan), Davit Kvirkvelia (Rubin Kazan), Giorgi Shashiashvili (Sturm Graz), Alexandre Kvakhadze (WIT Georgia Tbilisi), Ucha Lobzhanidze (FCZestaponi)

Midfielders: Levan Kenia (Schalke 04), Levan Kobiashvili (Schalke 04), Zurab Menteshashvili (FK Ventspils), Levan Khmaladze (Dinamo Tbilisi), Davit Odikadze (Gyor ETO), Luka Razmadze (WIT Georgia Tbilisi), Murtaz Daushvili (FC Zestaponi)

Forwards: Alexandre Iashvili (SC Karlsruhe), Davit Siradze (Terek Grozny), Levan Mchedlidze (US Citta di Palermo), Georgi Merabashvili (Dinamo Tbilisi), Beka Gotsiridze (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk).

[hunt4the]

I have to say I've always had my reservations about Duff in an Ireland shirt, I know he can beat players for fun but I would love to know his real value, how many assists does he have for Ireland in competitive games? Is that stat available?

Of course he is often double-teamed so that in itself is a positive contribution.

I'm not saying we have a better option that Duff on the left wing either, just trying to gauge his contribution.

Best player against cyprus in my opinion, that was our last game btw and we won

[DeLorean]

Goalkeepers: Giorgi Loria (Lokomotivi Tbilisi), Zurab Mamaladze (FC Zestaponi), Roin Kvaskhvadze (FC Zestaponi)

Defenders: Kakha Kaladze (AC Milan), Zurab Khizanishvili (Blackburn Rovers), Lasha Salukvadze (Rubin Kazan), Davit Kvirkvelia (Rubin Kazan), Giorgi Shashiashvili (Sturm Graz), Alexandre Kvakhadze (WIT Georgia Tbilisi), Ucha Lobzhanidze (FCZestaponi)

Midfielders: Levan Kenia (Schalke 04), Levan Kobiashvili (Schalke 04), Zurab Menteshashvili (FK Ventspils), Levan Khmaladze (Dinamo Tbilisi), Davit Odikadze (Gyor ETO), Luka Razmadze (WIT Georgia Tbilisi), Murtaz Daushvili (FC Zestaponi)

Forwards: Alexandre Iashvili (SC Karlsruhe), Davit Siradze (Terek Grozny), Levan Mchedlidze (US Citta di Palermo), Georgi Merabashvili (Dinamo Tbilisi), Beka Gotsiridze (Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk).

Lots of household names there!! Kaladze, Khizanishvili and....eh.......where's that cfdh edmundo guy to give us da low down!!!

[shakermaker1982]

I hope he goes with Andrews in midfield. Impressed when he came on against Poland. The rest of the team will be same old same old barring last minute injuries.

[Wolfie]

I've had an awful premonition that we could go a goal down in this game.

A doomsday scenario given the tactics we currently employ.

We're woefully short of the creativity to play our way back into a game.

[TerryPhelan]

I hope he goes with Andrews in midfield. Impressed when he came on against Poland. The rest of the team will be same old same old barring last minute injuries.

I'm with you on all three points. I think I read somewhere recently that Andrews came off injured in his last game for Blackburn, and that's very worrying. Andrews is, right now, the best like-for-like replacement we have for Steven Reid: tall, strong, good work-rate and a first-team (Blackburn!) player. Gibson has not done enough in a United or an Irish jersey to merit a starting place ahead of him - though of course Trap's selection choices thusfar indicate that one's fortunes at club level are no barometer of one's chances of being selected (Liam Miller in the squad ahead of Andy Reid, for example).

I also agree with the subsequent post: while I readily admit I tend towards pessimism as Ireland games approach, I've long seen this one involving us going behind - within the first half an hour. We're incredibly reliant on our wingers to produce the goods, and while Duff and McGeady have been reasonably strong for their clubs, both are equally, unfortunately, prone to 'going missing' during games. McGeady still strikes me as a guy who is a bit cowed by the international game and doesn't fully back himself to give guys the runaround. There's a reticence about some of his play, and the sloppiness of his finishing, that hopefully he can be coached out of.

But basically, if Georgia shut out our wingers, I can't see where the goals are going to come from. Hunt and McGeady had strong games against them in Mainz - but I can't see Cuper not having identified our wingmen as our sole creative outlet. Putting Kaladze and Khizanishvilli at wing-back could make it a frustrating evening for us. Georgia's competitive matches in recent years have always been very close affairs - not that you'd back us to score more than 1 or 2 anyway. And I have a strange, queasy feeling we're going to concede early and at best eke out a 1-1.

TerryPhelan welcomes anyone with reasons for a more positive outlook... :)

[Diarmo]

I agree with you. If they take Duff and McGeady out of the game, our plan could be a little screwed.

What also worries me are out "like-for-like" replacements. If we lack penetration on the wings, another winger (Hunt) will be brought on for Duff or McGeady. If Doyle and Keane aren't making an impression, now that Folan's out, we only have Hunt or Long to try and mix it up.

Makes me wish Andy Reid was being considered. Whatever about starting the match, his passing from the wings or between the midfield and the strikers could make a goal out of nowhere for us.

However, maybe I'm being overly pessimistic. If Andrews starts (and I hope he does) we could get more attacking from the centre, which might surprise the Georgians.

Or, we could look at re-runs of Whelans goal and just tell everyone to shoot from distance....

[Razors left peg]

Kakha Kaladze might not be fit. Would be big boost if that was the case
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0204/kaladzek_georgia.html

[elroy]

Kakha Kaladze might not be fit. Would be big boost if that was the case
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0204/kaladzek_georgia.html

I think its a certainty, the guy cant train at the moment.

[Colbert Report]

Does anyone know Finnan's status? Is he a match time decision? Or is he definitely out already? Who would go in as right back if he is unfit? Surely not Eddie Nolan, just like that.

[tetsujin1979]

Finnan didn't play today for Espanyol. Kelly completed 90 minutes yesterday for Stoke.

[Razors left peg]

Does anyone know Finnan's status? Is he a match time decision? Or is he definitely out already? Who would go in as right back if he is unfit? Surely not Eddie Nolan, just like that.

Surely Foley has to next option at right back?

[L37Ultra]

What about Stephen Kelly?

[Razors left peg]

What about Stephen Kelly?

I forgot about him to be honest:D

[tricky_colour]

I agree with you. If they take Duff and McGeady out of the game, our plan could be a little screwed.

What also worries me are out "like-for-like" replacements. If we lack penetration on the wings, another winger (Hunt) will be brought on for Duff or McGeady. If Doyle and Keane aren't making an impression, now that Folan's out, we only have Hunt or Long to try and mix it up.

Makes me wish Andy Reid was being considered. Whatever about starting the match, his passing from the wings or between the midfield and the strikers could make a goal out of nowhere for us.

However, maybe I'm being overly pessimistic. If Andrews starts (and I hope he does) we could get more attacking from the centre, which might surprise the Georgians.

Or, we could look at re-runs of Whelans goal and just tell everyone to shoot from distance....

I woud certainly be more than happy with either of the Hunt brothers playing, combined with Doyle they have a sackful of goals between then, even if it is at a lower level. When you compare 37 to the 8 scored by Keane, Duff and McGeady, well I have to say 37 at Championship level
seem far better than 8 or so at (partially Scottish) Premiership level.
That's a factor of 4.5 to one.

I can certainly understand Trap beinig defensive because with Keane Duff and McGeady you don't get goals too often.
Take away Doyle and you have 16 goals from the Hunts and just 3 from
Duff and McGeady, a ratio of 5:1.
OK football is not all stats and they don't tell the full picture, but well 4:1 and 5:1 well I would certainly consider it.
They do tot up the number of goals at the end of the day I believe ;)
I would try a few things in training.

[gspain]

Kakha Kaladze might not be fit. Would be big boost if that was the case
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0204/kaladzek_georgia.html

He was on the bench for Milan yesterday but didn't come on.

He'll probably play but can't be 100%.

[Pike B]

Going for 2-0 home win. Keane and Doyle in first half.

[geysir]

Keane, Doyle and Duff, all fit and ready to play with nothing too serious elsewhere on the latest injury front.

[richieos]

lets throw in a few more predictions. i wouldnt be surprised with a 2-0 or 3-1 irish win, and i think doyle will probably score a goal or two

does anyone know what traps opinion of stephen kelly is? id much rather see him play at right back ahead of mcshane or bruce

[Cloggs]

is andrews fit to play in the game?still think that trap will opt for gibson but would much prefer to see andrews play.i think that we'll score an early goal through doyle and sit back relying on shay given (yet again!!) to pull us through.hope i'm wrong and we try to attack the georgians but its hard to see trap changing his tactics

[DeLorean]

I'll go with 2-1. Keane (2)

[NeilMcD]

2-0 to Ireland with Keane and Doyle on the scoresheet.

[Razors left peg]

Im expecting a big game from Robbie, think we'll win by couple of goals

[Sligo Hornet]

I'm going for 3-1 to us.....Keane (2) and Duffer

[Wexford Delboy]

Doyle and mcgaedy 2-0

[SkStu]

3-0 or 1-1 - its that sort of fixture. Early goal is crucial. McGeady will score.

[Crosby87]

And the circus comes to town.................

[kingdom hoop]

I get the feeling I'm missing an obvious joke here...

Am I? Apologies if I am. Or are you being serious; and if so Mr Crosby, are you sure Doyle is out? I would text him myself but it's a bit late so I don't want to wake him..

[Crosby87]

its on elevenaside.com

[Colbert Report]

It doesn't say that McShane and Doyle are out, just doubtul. Finnan withdrew from the squad already so obviously he won't be playing.

[NeilMcD]

Doyle trained today fine no prob. He took a knock to the head on Saturday and was just shaking that off by resting yesterday. He trained today fine and McShane trained also but he is still not 100 percent fit.

The team in training was

Given

Kelly O Shea Dunne Kilbane

McGeady Andrews Wheland Duff

Doyle Keane.

[kingdom hoop]

its on elevenaside.com

Oh I think they've just changed the article you saw, as it now says they're just "doubtful". So there's hope yet. As Neil intimates I'd say Doyle will pull through given it's just a knock, rather than the dodgier hamstring injury.

Good news eh. You seemed worried for a while there. So much so you resorted to an exclaimed shout of "OUT"!! Hope you didn't wake the neighbours anyway. :)

[Crosby87]

I wishdraw my post and apologize. BOTH the RTE and Elevenaside changed their respective websites comments in the last hour or so.
Apologies.........
On a lighter side, I was just able to get on "Fox Football Fone In" but they forbade me from discussing this matter and made me ask a Beckham question. I could hardly come up with one so i stammered about serie A and the MLS. I am going to bed before I do anymore harm.:o

[kingdom hoop]

Great to see Censorship alive and well in the land of the free.

[Kingdom]

Doyle trained today fine no prob. He took a knock to the head on Saturday and was just shaking that off by resting yesterday. He trained today fine and McShane trained also but he is still not 100 percent fit.

The team in training was

Given

Kelly O Shea Dunne Kilbane

McGeady Andrews Wheland Duff

Doyle Keane.


Yes yes yes this rocks! Hopefully thats the team. Regardless of whether McShane is fit or not.

[Drumcondra 69er]

is andrews fit to play in the game?still think that trap will opt for gibson but would much prefer to see andrews play.i think that we'll score an early goal through doyle and sit back relying on shay given (yet again!!) to pull us through.hope i'm wrong and we try to attack the georgians but its hard to see trap changing his tactics

Andrews and Kelly were in the 11 for the practice match yesterday which is usually an accurate baromator. So it was Given, Skillbane, Dunne, O'Shea, Kelly, Duff, Andrews, Whelan, McGeady, Keane and Doyle.

That's the 11 I'd pick from the squad available so no complaints, hopefully that's what comes to pass.

[geysir]

From the training A team, I´d say Kelly and Andrews are not yet certain starters.

Maybe Trap has detected some stagnant smell from the still waters, maybe not.

[drummerboy]

I reckon we'd just scrape a 1-0 victory. A nailbiting affair. Thats the way Trapp does it. Usually achieves the result.

[TerryPhelan]

Can't see past a 1-1 unfortunately. We're not a prolific side and I can't see us keeping the Georgians scoreless as without Steven Reid we have tended to cede a lot of possession and territory by sitting back. We are compact and well-organised but not convinced we have the creative wherewithal to turn around a game that doesn't start well for us. I can see Georgia taking an early lead - first 20 mins - and then we'll battle back to equalise, but no more.

[lionelhutz]

3-0 or 1-1 - its that sort of fixture. Early goal is crucial. McGeady will score.

Is that just a hunch ya? Cause you can't possibly be basing it on his past performances and strike rate. Plus his shooting is awful, he can barely lift the ball off the ground and gets no power in his shots.

I'll go with 2-0 to Eire, Doyle and Noel Hunt as a sub late in the game.

[Pike B]

Is that just a hunch ya? Cause you can't possibly be basing it on his past performances and strike rate. Plus his shooting is awful, he can barely lift the ball off the ground and gets no power in his shots.

I'll go with 2-0 to Eire, Doyle and Noel Hunt as a sub late in the game.
For once I agree with you. Mc Geady wouldn't score in a.... well you know..

[bwagner]

Id say 2-1 again Doyle and Duffer.

[OwlsFan]

sorry but the Duffer is finished. I dont have time to check his stats now, but I would be curious how many goals he has in any game in the last 3 years. I realize he was hurt but, I bet its like 10.

Still think Duff is finished after the last couple of games for Newcastle?

As for people saying Keane may score, please God he does but don't you know some people think these goals don't count and that only goals against Italy and Bulgaria count :rolleyes:

Why do people say he'll play Andrews instead of Gibson? Is Gibson injured? Trapp doesn't change. Gibson will play unless he's injured.

[irishfan86]

Why do people say he'll play Andrews instead of Gibson? Is Gibson injured? Trapp doesn't change. Gibson will play unless he's injured.

I think it's a bit harsh to say that "Trapp doesn't change."

While a consistent team selection is a key pillar in his footballing philosophy, he has discussed considerations as radical as switching McShane to centre-half and moving O'Shea to right-full, for instance (not for this game, but for previous qualifiers).

Generally he goes by the philosophy of making as few unforced changes as possible, but at the same time I think he saw the impact Andrews made when he came on, and was impressed. Furthermore, Trap was also in the stands for one of Andrews' more impressive games for Blackburn.

I wouldn't be surprised if Gibson maintains his place on Wednesday, but I genuinely feel that Andrews will be the man he goes with.

[ifk101]

Why do people say he'll play Andrews instead of Gibson? Is Gibson injured? Trapp doesn't change. Gibson will play unless he's injured.

Yes totally agree.

Gibson and Whelan will start barring injury. The only player that can break up that partnership is Steven Reid.