Republic of Ireland Squad V Armenia 3/9, Andorra 7/9

[TrapAPony]

Yeah, I think he was saying that his mate, as a Milwall supporter, was delighted to be going up against the likes of McShane and Kilbane.

You're right, I misread it.

[backstothewall]

Odds are someone will pull out after the Armenia game and he will get a competitive cap in the Andorra game, at which stage all this BS can end

[geysir]

If St Ledger is fit and ready to partner Dunne, releasing O'Shea to play FB, who should Josh replace :confused:
This type of choice could become more known as a 'Trap's Dilemma'.
I'd go for knifing KK.
He has had a dreadful start with Hull and us whilst McShane has stepped up to a challenge at his club and gained some applause.

[Colbert Report]

For the last time, John O'Shea can't play left back!

[Razors left peg]

For the last time, John O'Shea can't play left back!

he can play there a hell of a lot better than Kilbane

[Colbert Report]

not when you drop Kilbane to make room for Sean St. Ledger.

[rebelmusic]

I really dont think Trap should break up the Dunne/O'Shea partnership. It's streets ahead of the alternatives

And let's all face it, no matter how much we wish it was different, Killer will start left full

[Supreme feet]

Trap picked St. Ledger in both legs against France and the friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria. Played very well in all games. Now that he's fit again, I'd expect him to start, and if O'Shea moves to the left instead of Kilbane, then all the better. All we'll need is Foley or Coleman to break in ahead of Kelly/McShane, and we'll have quite a solid back four.

[TrapAPony]

Cillian Sheridan has been called into the squad.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is somebody injured?

[elroy]

What time is the game starting on Friday? Looks to be a 5pm start as Skys coverage is starting at half 4. Will be rushing out of work next Friday so. Friday night games at good when we are at home, not in this sort of scenario.

The doubtful list ahead of this weekends games appears to include Dunne, Andrews, McShane and Keane.

[Crosby87]

They are all injured Elroy?

[EastTerracer]

Keane and Whelan are both on their respective benches this afternoon. Doyle, Ward and Foley all start for Wolves. Kelly and Duff start for Fulham. McCarthy starts for Wigan. Kilbane is on the bench for Hull and McShane is out injured as already mentioned.

[geysir]

The Wolves stream is fecked
I'm watching the Spurs Wigan game. McCarthy is making shapes.
Rednapp looks like he fell asleep under the sun lamp.

[Stuttgart88]

Andrews was injured (groin) according to BBC.

[rebelmusic]

Seriously, he has to start foley at right back. Kelly has done 2.5 matches at left full so far so he should start there. I know they haven't played as much for Ireland but two started in englands top tied should really start over McShane and Kilbane, full backs of a team that could be in league 1 next year by all accounts. Have to seriously question trap if he starts McShane and Killer

[Noelys Guitar]

Ward just be moved to left back. Immediately makes a great tackle to deny Routledge. Foley moved from Right back to right midfield. Has had another very good game. Doyle not really in the game so far. Booked by a really awful referee for a slight push. Newcastle just equalised. Good goal from Carroll. Doyle taken off 72nd min. Looked off the pace today. A little worrying. Ward makes a brilliant goal line clearance. Certain goal stopped with keeper well beaten. Newcastle all over Wolves now.

[EastTerracer]

Whelan is on as a sub for Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Edit.... And just had a cracking shot which hit the bar with Cech beaten.

[SkStu]

been watching the Wigan Spurs game. McCarthy has been excellent in my opinion. Offers the simple pass and is always in the right place to pass and receive. Has definitely filled out too.

[IsMiseSean]

Andrews was injured (groin) according to BBC.

Andrews said on Sky today, he is expected back in 2-3 weeks. He'll be in the Sky studio tuesday night for the Andorra game.

[Razors left peg]

Paul Green to start alongside Glenn Whelan so

[geysir]

McCarthy scoops the player of the day award,
though I didn't see any of the others play:).
He is too good for the u21s, I hope Trap drafts him in to senior squad. He is developed enough for that.

[Stuttgart88]

There's certainly a case for it with Andrews pulling out.

[Crosby87]

been watching the Wigan Spurs game. McCarthy has been excellent in my opinion. Offers the simple pass and is always in the right place to pass and receive. Has definitely filled out too.

Agree Stu, you can tell just looking at his pace, he is going to be a player.

[geysir]

Even with Andrews pulling out there is a still a squad of 23, probably another mf would have to pull out before Trap would consider McCarthy.
Duff and Green are fighting fit, Fahey played midweek but the rest are lagging compared to James.
McGeady not match fit.
Lawrence and Gibson not in the club squad
Whelan came on as a sub
Treacy subbed.

James could rove around the right , Whelan and Green in the middle and Duff on the left.

[Sullivinho]

Andrews said on Sky today, he is expected back in 2-3 weeks. He'll be in the Sky studio tuesday night for the Andorra game.

Another chapter in the Paul Green success story. Should he play the next two games (and I expect him to) and do the business, he could conceivably nail down his place.

[Charlie Darwin]

If Lawrence and McGeady aren't fit, doesn't that make it so Duff and Treacy are the only dedicated wide midfielders in the squad? I was impressed by Treacy against Argentina, but I wonder if he can play on the right as well as the left.

[Colbert Report]

I'd much rather us play McCarthy wide than Keith Treacy.

[irishultra]

were going to lose in armenia guys i can sense it. our whole squad is in shocking shape atm.

given-doesnt start

mcshane-reserve with a championship team
dunne-in defence of a team that has conceded 9 in 2 games
o'shea-doesnt play in the position he does with club as he does with country

duff-decent
andrews-injured but wont start for blackburn
whelan-sub for stoke
mcgeady-not match fit

keane-bench
doyle-off the pace

if we can be optimistic when players are doin well for their clubs then its only fair that u look at the squad for what it is atm, very uninspiring partially due to bad management

[Charlie Darwin]

Given is behind the most in-form goalkeeper in England/Europe right now.
McShane wasn't picked for two games before winning his place back.
O'Shea has played right back for Ireland in all but a couple of recent games.
Whelan was dropped for one game and made a difference when he came on today.
Doyle has been good since returning and the week off will do him good.

[Crosby87]

We have what we have. They are professional athletes, they simply have to step it up. So what if Keane is coming off the bench, he can still have a good game for us. Its not like he forgot how to play or spends all his time smoking cigars and eating cake.
No excuses, we have to beat Armenia.

[Charlie Darwin]

Just read Treacy is also a doubt. Might need to draft McCarthy out of necessity.

[tricky_colour]

It's funny how MArc Wilson is not in the quad when he is valued (by two managers) as being worth a player and £2.5 million more than Liam Lawrence, who is in the squad. Also he is wanted by not one but 4 Premiership clubs.

[Charlie Darwin]

Lawrence has proved his worth. Wilson has yet to make his debut. And they play in different positions. And three of those Premiership clubs currently sit on 0 points.

edit: make that two of them - forgot West Brom won last week

[Stuttgart88]

Irish Times saying Treacy's injury not thought to be too serious, Andrews being the main doubt.

[Noelys Guitar]

I'm glad we are not playing Russia or Slovakia next week as I feel we might have had a problem scoring against either team. Doyle looked slow and kept giving the ball away yesterday for Wolves and was rightfully subbed by McCarthy in the second half. Doyle definetely needs a few games under his belt to get back to full match fitness. And Robbie not getting his game at Spurs is a worry if that continues. We will almost certainly get away with against next weeks opposition but hopefully both players will be playing, fit and scoring come the big games.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think anything is certain in Armenia. If we play to our best we'll probably win, but we've really only played to our best once under Trap. We've a tendency to be sloppy at both ends of the pitch and this has to be eradicated, even against Armenia. Armenia play in a big ground that'll probably be full of loud supporters. They have beaten Poland and Belgium, and only narrowly lost at home to Spain (a late penalty). Let's not get all English and write off the opposition because the opponent isn't in the G7.

McShane's possible selection is a real worry for me. His defending is rash and he can't use the ball well enough at full back. If we can't use the ball well from full back we'll be playing a lot of the game without the ball and that'll limit our scoring chances.

[Noelys Guitar]

Trying to cheer me up Stuttgart! Visions of McShane being skinned by some 19 year old playing his first ever game who suddenly turns into Messi..burning torches in the home crowd that begins to sound like 200,000..Joking apart we have to win both these games or else we won't qualify. And I agree there is no guarantee we will win (or draw)in Armenia. In many ways I am glad there are so many doubts about our players ATM club/form wise. I have a feeling that the get together will work in our favour this time. It will be a relief to players like Keane and Given to be A. Playing and B. being in an environment that they feel wanted.

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, I agree. I've often felt that success at club level isn't necessarily great for our players. It's possibly best if Ireland offers them the chance to perform and prove their worth and becomes their prime focus.

Before I get accused of bigging up modest opposition, I'm not. I'm just saying that we have to play very well or else this is a banana skin of the highest order. Although I recognise the reasons for playing Argentina, in a way it'd have been better to have played an eastern European team for a proper dress rehearsal and to carry on from the 2 good wins in May. Argentina were too good!

[geysir]

My theory is that if we win, then we had the perfect preparation in playing Argentina.

[tetsujin1979]

Something else for the FAI to consider is that anything other than a win in Armenia will have a knock-on effect on ticket sales for the Andorra game next tuesday.

[Noelys Guitar]

Clips of various Armenian games. http://armfootball.tripod.com//id235.html Hope we defend better than Belgium did.

[Stuttgart88]

Only saw the last 15 minutes of Villa v Everton, but Dunne put in a typical robust, backs-to-the-wall shift, along with Friedel, to keep Everton out.

[sean r]

no jason byrne? or lee trundle? what is trap doing??

[Stuttgart88]

Andrews definitely out, Treacy & McShane remain doubts according to Irish Times.

I guess Green for Andrews is the obvious replacement. Good job he's played in our last 3 games (though not much, if at all, with Whelan I think) and looks sharp at Derby.

[Lionel Ritchie]

I'd have every faith in Green if he gets the nod. He's a dynamo. Fantastic attitude and work rate.

[Predator]

I echo that sentiment LR. Green has impressed me immensely in his few performances for Ireland.

[mandrake]

it says in sonday notw that armenia have a bad scoring record, eevn teir top scorer has only 5 in 40 games or something... so evne with mcshane playing we might not be really tested.... i'd say we will 'win to nil'....maybe a peno

[irishfan86]

I like the look of Paul Green as well, but let's keep in mind that the three games he's been involved in have been friendlies at home.

I remember Liam Miller looking phenomenal in a couple of friendlies only to go missing in the big games. Given the fact that Green seems to be a feisty sort I don't think this will be as much of an issue for him as it would be for a more stylish "luxury" player, but there is a difference between a game played at a relaxed pace in front of a home crowd and a hostile away ground with players going full tilt.

Part of me was hoping for Green to actually get the nod ahead of Andrews as I feel Green is better on the ball, but it would have been nice to have Andrews there as the "sure thing" if Green didn't look confident.

[amaccann]

It's also worth pointing out that McShane seemed like a hot prospect initially - raw but seemingly bursting with potential, and we all know how that turned out :D

I'd echo the sentiments about Green though all the same - I didn't know much, if anything, about him so so far I have been impressed with his bustle and energy. Time will tell.