Republic of Ireland V Nigeria - Friday, 29th May 2009 - Friendly - Craven Cottage

[tetsujin1979]

Yeah, totally agree on all points. They obviously don't fancy Clint, I'd have him ahead of Best in the pecking order.
The other possibility is Best is viewed as a replacement for Doyle in the target man role, along with Folan. Morrison finished the season as captain at Coventry, with Coleman singing his praises. I would like to see him back in the side just for his presence. If Best got called in, they're obviously watching Coventry.
At a push I would have liked to see James McCarthy in there, even just as a reward for his season, but he's part of the U21 setup, and I'm not too disappointed to see him left out.

[Closed Account]

Good squad, fairly happy. The weakness in central midfield is the only problem but thats hardly Traps fault, the players aren't there at the moment.

Whelan-Andrews
Gibson-Miller
Gibson, Miller aren't good enough backups in my opinion but as long as we play to our strenghts and get the ball out wide then we'll do alright. Won't look too bad when Stephen Reid is fit again.

Best is a bit of a strange inclusion, i suppose he offers a bit of difference with his pace.

[youngirish]

Maybe Stephen Ward could have been looked at as a viable option at left back as we have no decent options there? I'd have had him in instead of Nolan. Miller I'd replace with McCann or McCarthy.

Other than that looks good. Hopefully St Ledger and Lawrence get a run out.

If Doyle is injured for the Bulgaria game I don't see any decent alternatives in our strikeforce. I take it NHunt is still injured?

[SwanVsDalton]

Good squad, a few new faces and hopefully they'll get the chance to impress. Miller is the only sticking point - McCann possibly deserves a chance - and maybe Clint instead of Best. But I won't complain about Trap taking a punt on some young blood.

[joema]

Good squad, fairly happy. The weakness in central midfield is the only problem but thats hardly Traps fault, the players aren't there at the moment.

Whelan-Andrews
Gibson-Miller
Gibson, Miller aren't good enough backups in my opinion but as long as we play to our strenghts and get the ball out wide then we'll do alright. Won't look too bad when Stephen Reid is fit again.


Agreed, midfiled is weak. Would love to see Fahey and Hoolahan involved in the friendly games!

[theworm2345]

I guess that if Best got the call up and David McGoldrick didn't then its pretty much official that hes not Irish?

[BigmanCas]

Shay Given - Manchester City
Dean Kiely - West Brom
Keiren Westwood - Coventry City

Defenders
Eddie Nolan - Preston North End
Sean St. Ledger - Preston North End
John O'Shea - Manchester United
Kevin Foley - Wolves
Paul McShane - Sunderland
Richard Dunne - Manchester City
Stephen Kelly - Birmingham City
Kevin Kilbane - Hull City

Midfielders
Aiden McGeady - Glasgow Celtic
Damien Duff - Newcastle United
Darron Gibson - Manchester United
Glenn Whelan - Stoke City
Keith Andrews - Blackburn Rovers
Liam Miller - QPR
Stephen Hunt - Reading
Andy Keogh - Wolves
Liam Lawrence - Stoke City

Forwards
Caleb Folan - Hull City
Kevin Doyle - Reading
Robbie Keane - Tottenham Hotspur
Shane Long - Reading
Leon Best - Coventry City

Delaney isn't good enough

Miller shouldn't be near the squad

Over the moon for Lawrence, St Ledger and Foley

E Nolan was poor in play off I thought

No S Quinn is strange

Why is Doyle taking up a space???

Keith Fahey?

It is obvious that Trap doesn't like the attacking Midfielder.

Overall I am pleased tho.

[tetsujin1979]

E Nolan was poor in play off I thoughtWas MOTM in the recent U21 game VS Spain, probably something to do with his call up. Was called into the squad for Georgia as well, but had to pull out with an injury


No S Quinn is strangePlay off final is on the previous Monday, probably something to do with it


Why is Doyle taking up a space???According to this - http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=36487 - Trapattoni wants to have him examined by the medical team

[Wangball]

Agreed, midfiled is weak. Would love to see Fahey and Hoolahan involved in the friendly games!

You were making sense until you mentioned Hoolahan, he's no where near good enough for the squad, would actually go as far as saying that Miller is a better option then he is.

I think Fahey can feel a bit disappointed not to be included but the same goes for Stephen Quinn, Chris McCann & James McCarthy each of whom have just as big a claim to be in the squad as Fahey does.

On a sidebar I think I heard somewhere that Given is carrying a knock or playing through injury at the moment so am a little surprised/disappointed to see Paddy Kenny has been left out, he's been playig well of late and maybe should of been called up even if it was just for the Nigeria game, Kiely is getting on and we're hardly dripping with quality goalkeepers at the moment

[tetsujin1979]

Agreed, midfiled is weak. Would love to see Fahey and Hoolahan involved in the friendly games!
Hoolahan was given a chance in the November B game VS Forest, and didn't impress. He was pushed off the ball easily, didn't link up well with Ward at full back, and one more than one occasion Andrews came over to bail him out. By comparison, Andrews, Gibson, Keogh and Folan all played well in that game and are in the squad.

[BigmanCas]

Fair point on E Nolan

It would be great if Doyle were past fit

S Quinn plays in Playoff final on Monday 25th -

Game against Nigeria is on the 29th. He was simply not picked.

[dr_peepee]

I wouldn't really wanna get bogged down with the merrits of certain players over others. It's the simple effort of experimenting coupled with stability i'm impressed with.... It's been absent from most if not all of his squads thus far.

[NeilMcD]

Happy with the squad. Pity Fahey is not there but his time will come if he keeps up the good form.

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, it shows that other players are being looked at and there's a mix of stability and experimentation. There has been room for players to play their way in which is good.

S. Quinn isn't that much of a surprise to me: Duff, McGeady and Stephen Hunt can all play left side of midfield and there are enough CM's all deservedly ahead of him.

Miller is lucky to be still involved.

[Junior]

ditto! waiting on a friend of mine to confirm if he's going or not before I book the tickets.

me too hence the question.

Just been on fulhamfc.com and there appears to be plenty of tickets left. Only a few areas of the Johnny Haynes stand with limited availability.

Think I might give the Riverside Stand a go this time. Jesus, that will mean Ive watched matches from all four stands at Craven cottage then - I need to get out more..........

[BigmanCas]

Yeah, it shows that other players are being looked at and there's a mix of stability and experimentation. There has been room for players to play their way in which is good.

S. Quinn isn't that much of a surprise to me: Duff, McGeady and Stephen Hunt can all play left side of midfield and there are enough CM's all deservedly ahead of him.

Miller is lucky to be still involved.

I accept that it is a good mix of stability and experimentation.

However I do not accept that there is enough in the squad deservedly ahead of him. S.Hunt? A.Keogh? D Gibson? L.Miller?

I hope Lawrence plays the full 90 against Nigeria. He has definetly something to bring to the table.

On the whole, a positive squad selection. What is the Finnan update anyone know?

[tetsujin1979]

However I do not accept that there is enough in the squad deservedly ahead of him. S.Hunt? A.Keogh? D Gibson? L.Miller?of those, Stephen Quinn is only really competing against Gibson and Miller for a slot in central midfield. I don't see him playing on the wing. With the likes of McCann, Garvan, McCarthy, and possibly Fahey coming through, as well as Whelan, Andrews and Stephen Reid already mainstays in the squad, it's going to be harder and harder for him to make an impressions


On the whole, a positive squad selection. What is the Finnan update anyone know?according to this - http://soccerrepublic.eircom.net/News/The-state-of-the-republic-week-ending-may18.aspx

Steve Finnan (Espanyol)
Injured (Espaynol 1 Athletic Bilbao 0)
Sill out with a knee injury; his side kept their great run going with a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao thanks to a 69th-minute Luis Garcia penalty.

[Stuttgart88]

I see S. Quinn as a tenacious central midfielder or a left sided wide midfielder.

S. Hunt played really well in that position in Italy and deseves to be considered away to Bulgaria. McGeady, Duff and Hunt can all play on the left and I'd have all of them ahead of Quinn right now.

Keogh is there as a forward in all reality. I think even Trap knows that he's no option as a wide midfielder and in any event he's right sided versus Quinn's left side.

Gibson is already reasonably experienced and is there as cover for Whelan. He's a very different type of player to Quinn.

Miller is a waste of space as an orthodox midfielder and shouldn't be in the squad. But that's about the only selection I'm not happy with. Better than usual.

[joema]

Hoolahan was given a chance in the November B game VS Forest, and didn't impress. He was pushed off the ball easily, didn't link up well with Ward at full back, and one more than one occasion Andrews came over to bail him out. By comparison, Andrews, Gibson, Keogh and Folan all played well in that game and are in the squad.

I agree. Still though, no harm in giving him a chance in the friendly IMO. As things stand, it seems like Trap is taking this friendly very seriously - which is fair enough.

Maybe Wes can get another chance in the Thomond friendlies.

[Crosby87]

Not a fan of the friendly, hope no one gets injured. Duff shouldnt even play at all IMO.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Not a fan of the friendly, hope no one gets injured. Duff shouldnt even play at all IMO.

Would we have 6 uncapped players, most of whom a lot if us were hoping to get called up, in a copmpetitive squad though?

Could be useful giving Folan and Keane a start together with the doubt over Doyle's fitness as well.

[Junior]

Could be useful giving Folan and Keane a start together with the doubt over Doyle's fitness as well.

Agreed. Got to give that pairing 45mins at least.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm a big fan of this friendly. We need to take a look at form players on the fringes, give Folan a run out with Keane and generally look at the options. Injury is a risk, but one you've got to take I reckon.

[shakermaker1982]

What I'm hoping to see Friday week.

Westwood

Foley-St Ledger-Dunne-Kilbane

Lawrence-Whelan-Gibson-Duff

Keane-Folan

I'm really looking forward to the match. Duff needs a run out so he's familiar with playing left wing after rotting away at left back for his club. Foley, Lawrence and St Ledger have a chance to shine and let the boss know they can do a job if required.

[paul_oshea]

right side possibly a bit inexperienced there....

[Weatherman]

Would not be surprised at all if trap kept the new lads on the bench and didnt play them at all.

[gustavo]

right side possibly a bit inexperienced there....

To be fair , they're not going to be experienced if they don't play in games like this ;)

[shakermaker1982]

better to have a run out for the first time together against Nigeria than Bulgaria!

[Wangball]

I don't think I'd be too disappointed if he gave 3 or 4 of the new caps a taste of international football and we lost, then again I'm not going, if I were I'd be all out for the win!!!

Edit....Has anyone seen any reaction pieces in the press from the new call ups? I'm willing to bet Leon Best is the most surprised man of all time

[Wolfie]

What I'm hoping to see Friday week.

Westwood

Foley-St Ledger-Dunne-Kilbane

Lawrence-Whelan-Gibson-Duff

Keane-Folan

I'm really looking forward to the match. Duff needs a run out so he's familiar with playing left wing after rotting away at left back for his club. Foley, Lawrence and St Ledger have a chance to shine and let the boss know they can do a job if required.


In total agreement with the above selection.

Gives Foley and St Ledger an opportunity to break their duck behind a (relatively) settled midfield.

Also allows Lawrence to show what he can do. Lawrence may not have as much trickery as McGeady but he could well be more of a goal threat that this team needs.

Finally, gives Folan the chance to hopefully re-produce how he played against Italy. A big performance from him could make him the favourite to replace Doyle (if needs be).

[paul_oshea]

To be fair , they're not going to be experienced if they don't play in games like this ;)

thats not what i meant though, i meant balance, its unlikely lawrence and foley will play together to be honest in those positions within the next year in an important game. better to balance it with one or the other etc and then change at half time. Heres hoping im wrong though ;)

[Manc Irish Wolf]

What I'm hoping to see Friday week.

Westwood

Foley-St Ledger-Dunne-Kilbane

Lawrence-Whelan-Gibson-Duff

Keane-Folan

I'm really looking forward to the match. Duff needs a run out so he's familiar with playing left wing after rotting away at left back for his club. Foley, Lawrence and St Ledger have a chance to shine and let the boss know they can do a job if required.

I'd love to see that team get a run out - need to blood as many for the future as we can - no need for conservatism, as previously displayed.

Great news that Lawrence has been added to the squad in arguably our weakest position. Also, looking forward to see McCann & McCarthy added to that midfield eventually.

Would be equally happy to McGeady playing in his more natural left sided position.

[Newryrep]

is this live on TV on any channel ?

[tetsujin1979]

It's on Setanta Sports 1 in Ireland

[paul_oshea]

Stutts are you going to the game?!

If so, a nice swift walk with tets from brogans is in order!

[Sligo Hornet]

Stutts are you going to the game?!

If so, a nice swift walk with tets from brogans is in order!

20 minute jog you mean!:D

[Stuttgart88]

I'm going though not sure how sociable I can be. A mate lives nearby and she's having drinks for the gang of us going at her flat. One of the group is celebrating a birthday and another is mourning the loss of his father last weekend so I guess it'll be an odd affair.

[Colbert Report]

I'd like us to play a full team, minus perhaps O'Shea who will be starting in the Champions League final two days beforehand.

Given
Foley-McShane-Dunne-Kilbane
McGeady-Andrews-Gibson-Whelan-Hunt/Duff
Keane

[elroy]

I'd like us to play a full team, minus perhaps O'Shea who will be starting in the Champions League final two days beforehand.

Given
Foley-McShane-Dunne-Kilbane
McGeady-Andrews-Gibson-Whelan-Hunt/Duff
Keane

Maybe for 45 mins but i dont see the value of playing the likes of Keane, Given, Dunne, Kilbane and Duff other than to keep them match sharp for the year.

I def would like to see Folan start up front as he is likely to be an option to replace Doyle for the Bulgaria game.

[Stuttgart88]

Lawrence & St. Ledger each needs at least 45 mins in my opinion, and in the framework of an XI featuring most of the regulars. SSL should be beside Dunne for example...

[Colbert Report]

I disagree with all the guys on here who think that now is the time to experiment. Need I remind you that Ireland's biggest match in almost six years is only twelve days away. We should be using this warm-up match against Nigeria to prepare the squad for the Bulgaria match on the 6th of June. What do we stand to gain by throwing in fringe players like Sean St. Ledger and Darren O'Dea when they have no chance of starting the Bulgaria match? Enter a friendly tournament early next season and use that for that purpose.

[Supreme feet]

I disagree with all the guys on here who think that now is the time to experiment. Need I remind you that Ireland's biggest match in almost six years is only twelve days away. We should be using this warm-up match against Nigeria to prepare the squad for the Bulgaria match on the 6th of June. What do we stand to gain by throwing in fringe players like Sean St. Ledger and Darren O'Dea when they have no chance of starting the Bulgaria match? Enter a friendly tournament early next season and use that for that purpose.

Normally I'd agree, but this Irish team is undergoing a transition, and fresh blood needs to be introduced, as the squad has looked threadbare up to now. Throughout the campaign we've had difficulties at right-back, and in our back-up for the wide midfield and striker positions.

I certainly don't want to see McShane playing at right-back again, so if Foley does well against Nigeria, he should start against Bulgaria. Likewise, I don't want to see Keogh in a wide position again, so it would be a good idea to blood Lawrence while we have the chance. Obviously, Folan will have to start, with St. Ledger perhaps getting a half or more. Trap knows what the O'Shea-Dunne partnership can do, and by bringing another accomplished CB in, it would at least give us options if someone picks up a knock before Sofia. Ideally, I'd like to see us play 10 more friendlies before Bulgaria, just to fill out the squad and settle players in, but we don't have that luxury of course. So - do we stick with the limited squad that scraped through until now; or do we take calculated risks on blooding two or three uncapped players who have had excellent seasons for their clubs?

Trap will put out a strong team against Nigeria anyway, but there's no harm in giving the likes of Lawrence, St. Ledger and Foley a chance, keeping in the spirit of the gradual transition that Trap has presided over.

[shakermaker1982]

I disagree with all the guys on here who think that now is the time to experiment. Need I remind you that Ireland's biggest match in almost six years is only twelve days away. We should be using this warm-up match against Nigeria to prepare the squad for the Bulgaria match on the 6th of June. What do we stand to gain by throwing in fringe players like Sean St. Ledger and Darren O'Dea when they have no chance of starting the Bulgaria match? Enter a friendly tournament early next season and use that for that purpose.

O'Shea won't be playing Friday because of the Barca game so it's either St Ledger or McShane. O'Shea will slot right back in for the Bulgaria game so the Trap has nothing to lose by using St Ledger now.

[Razors left peg]

Normally I'd agree, but this Irish team is undergoing a transition, and fresh blood needs to be introduced, as the squad has looked threadbare up to now. Throughout the campaign we've had difficulties at right-back, and in our back-up for the wide midfield and striker positions.

I certainly don't want to see McShane playing at right-back again, so if Foley does well against Nigeria, he should start against Bulgaria. Likewise, I don't want to see Keogh in a wide position again, so it would be a good idea to blood Lawrence while we have the chance. Obviously, Folan will have to start, with St. Ledger perhaps getting a half or more. Trap knows what the O'Shea-Dunne partnership can do, and by bringing another accomplished CB in, it would at least give us options if someone picks up a knock before Sofia. Ideally, I'd like to see us play 10 more friendlies before Bulgaria, just to fill out the squad and settle players in, but we don't have that luxury of course. So - do we stick with the limited squad that scraped through until now; or do we take calculated risks on blooding two or three uncapped players who have had excellent seasons for their clubs?

Trap will put out a strong team against Nigeria anyway, but there's no harm in giving the likes of Lawrence, St. Ledger and Foley a chance, keeping in the spirit of the gradual transition that Trap has presided over.

Id agree with all of that

[Scram]

Fair point on E Nolan

It would be great if Doyle were past fit

S Quinn plays in Playoff final on Monday 25th -

Game against Nigeria is on the 29th. He was simply not picked.

I think you mean "passed" fit e.g. Paul Gascgoine is "past" fit !

[elroy]

Folan is unlikely to be fit for Nigeria game which is a shame considering that he is a realistic option for the Bulgaria game and it would be good to give him a run out in advance.

Given is to be rested with Westwood playing which makes sense imo.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/lawrence-happy-to-unpack-his-case-412418.html

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/caleb-folan-to-miss-ireland-friendly-against-nigeria-412412.html

[bwagner]

that ***** folan seems to pick and choose his games

[Stuttgart88]

Interesting conclusion.

[Closed Account]

So whats the concluded starting XI?

Westwood

Foley Dunne St Ledger Nolan

Lawrence Whelan Andrews Duff

Keane Best

[bawn79]

Is Noel Hunt injured or was he dropped from the squad? Was just thinking its a big drop from sub in Italy to out of the squad.