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

[shakermaker1982]

I'd rather see Kilbane on the left wing than LB (If he has to play some part).

I wouldn't be surprised if he goes witk Keogh if Lawrence & McGeady are out. My optimism from earlier just went out the window, fell 200 storeys and splattered on the concrete. This game now has draw written all over it. At least with Duff in the side we had some creative spark from midfield.

[shakermaker1982]

Thinking about it isn't Jon Walters worth calling up? He can play on the right or up top. Physical, pacey enough and is at least first choice for his current team.

[Stuttgart88]

Why are people assuming McGeady & Lawrence are out? J'accuse Noely. They've both been training, just not starting games.

Re-Duff's absence: one thing that really stood out for me during the Brazil game was that Duff was the only outlet for people to give the ball to. Once McGeady came in his place on the ball just never stuck and Brazil started to run all over us.

[Stuttgart88]

Thinking about it isn't Jon Walters worth calling up? He can play on the right or up top. Physical, pacey enough and is at least first choice for his current team.Yes, the fact that he can play RHM and up top would make him a very useful call up.

[Stuttgart88]

I suppose Kevin Foley could also be considered a RHM option

[Sullivinho]

Re-Duff's absence: one thing that really stood out for me during the Brazil game was that Duff was the only outlet for people to give the ball to. Once McGeady came in his place on the ball just never stuck and Brazil started to run all over us.

Very true and a big worry. Consider also how many free kicks he wins for us. Hopefully Doyle has one of those games where every ball that comes remotely near him winds up in his possession and he holds it up well.

[Stuttgart88]

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni also confirmed that Aiden McGeady is carrying a slight ankle knock, although the Italian admitted the Spartak Moscow player is not a major concern.

The loss of Duff and concerns over Treacy and McGeady limited Trapattoni’s options at today’s opening training session in Malahide, with Andy Keogh playing on the left of midfield, while Liam Lawrence filled the right-wing berth

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2010/0830/1224277889066.html

[Charlie Darwin]

Ah, good to see Lawrence is training. I really hope Keogh isn't ahead of Treacy on the left.

[Noelys Guitar]

Well that is some good news. Has got to be McGeady and Lawerence starting then.

[Razors left peg]

I would have thought he would have learned his lesson from the Italian game that Keogh cant play on the wing. I think hes a very good option up front but Id play Doyler on the wing ahead of Keogh if it really came to that and Keogh up top

[Stuttgart88]

I'm sure both McGeady & Treacy are ahead of Keogh. I'll be amazed if Keogh is picked for a wide position, even more amazed if it's on the left.

[elroy]

Treacy out for the Armenia game, just on newstalk.

[shakermaker1982]

if McGeady makes it but Lawrence doesn't then I can see Keogh getting the nod on the right hand side (over Fahey).

If McGeady doesn't make it then it will have to be Kilbane on the left (especially with Treacy injured).

If both don't make it then we are in trouble!

[greendeiseboy]

Surely McCarthy or Wilson have to be called up now - even if only as cover

[geysir]

It is going to be 90F+ when the game kicks off on Friday going by the 5 day forecast.
http://weather.yahoo.com/armenia/yerevan/yerevan-2214662/

According to this ever reliable weather site (http://www.weather-forecast.com/locations/Yerevan/forecasts/latest) it should be something in the region of 22C.
Time difference - kick off there is after sundown, isn't it?

[Lenny82]

90F+ is closer to 30C isn't it? Armenia is at least + 2 hours ahead of us. Still going to be hot but our lads would be used to training during the day in preseason when the UK has had great weather all summer!

Andrews, Duff, and Treacy out, McGeady carrying a knock, if he doesn't call McCarthy up I'd be starting to think there is some truth in the rumour that they have fallen out.

Andy Reid is still injured. Read it in one of the Sunday's yesterday!

[TrapAPony]

Walters should be drafted in as he can play on the wing and up front. Wilson and McCarthy should also be drafted in.

[tetsujin1979]

Keogh was on the left against South Africa at Thomond Park, and was terrible.

[geysir]

Only 3 CM in the squad now, Whelan, Gibson and Green.

Trap will give regard to tried and trusted players who can maintain shape and discipline (to Trap's satisfaction) in what could be a hot atmosphere in more ways than one.

[Stuttgart88]

Well remembered Tets. Ireland were terrible that day, but still won 1-0.

Did I hear right on Sky Sports that Given is to finalise a move to Fulham, and will fly separately?

[Stuttgart88]

Will Trap even be there? Irish Times said "expected to travel". So was Treacy...

[geysir]

Is Treacy out or is that just a rumour?

[SkStu]

Treacy out for the Armenia game, just on newstalk.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ieqsyxnYlNo/R6SdVMBYGgI/AAAAAAAAA1A/869TcZ7Qoc8/s320/deirdre_89.jpg

Awwww, Treacy, luv...

[Closed Account]

Remaining Squad Members

Given
Westwood
Murphy

Foley Dunne St Ledger O'Shea
Kelly McShane O'Dea Cunningham

Lawrence Green Whelan McGeady
Keogh Fahey Gibson Kilbane

Keane Doyle
Long Sheridan

[Stuttgart88]

Just to expand on joe_d's post:

Players that can fill the following positions (contentious or not):

RB: JOS, Kelly, Foley, McShane, SSL
CB: Dunne, JOS, SSL, O'Dea, McShane
LB: JOS, Kelly, Cunningham, KK, O'Dea
RHM: LL, McGeady...Fahey, Keogh, Long, Foley, maybe even Gibson
CM: Whelan, Green, Gibson, Fahey, maybe LL
LHM: McGeady, KK, Fahey
Forwards: Keane, Doyle, Sheridan, Long, Keogh

Looking at it this way, it's not as threadbare as it might appear, though Duff's withdrawal has really ****ed me off.

[geysir]

Yep, the news is somewhere around the level of 'so bad it nearly took my mind off sex' to 'I'm too tired tonight darling'.

[Crosby87]

Team Titanic heads to Armenia?

[EastTerracer]

Trap was asked if he'd be happy with a point on Friday and says he'd expect more than that. This is a good sign as his usual approach to away games has been to say that a draw wouldn't be a bad result. He also mentioned Keogh and Fahey as possible alternatives if McGeady doesn't shake off his ankle knock. He is a very consistent man.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0831/1224277911573.html

[irishfan86]

If it comes down to Keogh or Fahey I'd probably go with Fahey despite the fact I haven't been overly impressed with him in the Prem or in his short time with Ireland. One of his key attributes is the ability to show for the ball and hold on to it, so with the absence of Duff that might be the best option.

I'll also say that a left side with Kilbane and Keogh would be the stuff of nightmares.

[Noelys Guitar]

Good interview with JOS about mostly the Armenia game. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0831/1224277911486.html

[Kingdom]

If there is a positive to the injuries, and this is tenuous at best, is that if Killer happens to feature at Left midfield, there is a possibility that Greg Cunningham will start at left full. Trap might be more willing to trust Greg if an experienced head like Killer is in front of him.

Lol at all calling for McCarthy to be called up due to Duffer's injury!
I still think we should have enough. Two teams at this stage.

Team A:

-----------------Given---------------
Josh ----- Dunney ---- Ledge ----- Kelly
LL ------- Whelan ---- PG/DG ----- McGeady
--------- Doyler ----- Robbie -------

Team B: (in the case that either McGeady or Lawrence being out - unlikely)
------------------Given--------------------
Josh ------ Dunne ----- Ledge ------ Cunningham
AMcG/LL ------ PG/DG ------ Whelan -------- Kilbane
----------Keane ---------- Doyle------------

[Stuttgart88]

A bit worrying that Trap claims not to know about their best attacking player, even though he scored 3 goals against Ireland last year.

[irishfan86]

Kingdom I would be very comfortable with Team A but the worry is that one of Killer or McShane is likely to be back there ahead of the likes of Kelly, which changes things entirely.

Nightmare scenario is they both end up back there somehow....Christ.

[Stuttgart88]

This is what I expect, assuming McShane is injured:

-------Given
Kelly-Dunne-JOS-Killbane
Lawrence-Whelan-Green-McGeady
---Keane--Doyle

[irishfan86]

Stutts do you really think St. Ledger will be dropped? He's never been omitted from a starting lineup when fit since breaking through in our friendly (against Nigeria?) near the end of last campaign.

[Wolfie]

This is what I expect, assuming McShane is injured:

-------Given
Kelly-Dunne-JOS-Killbane
Lawrence-Whelan-Green-McGeady
---Keane--Doyle

Push O'Shea out to full back and play St Ledger at Centre Half and I'd be happy enough with that side, considering the alternatives.

[geysir]

I'd agree with Wolfie
ATM, Trap's team will be
---Given
Josh-Dunne-Ledger -Kilbane
Lawrence-Whelan-Green-McGeady
---Keane--Doyle

Any reason why Stutts wrote 'Killbane'? :)

[tetsujin1979]

James McCarthy out of the U21 squad with a knee complaint - http://fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101207:four-changes-to-u21-squad&catid=3:under-21&Itemid=11 - so no chance of a call up to the senior team

[ifk101]

My team would be:

Given;
Kelly, JOSH, Dunne, Kilbane;
Lawrence, Gibson, Whelan, McGeady;
Doyle, Keane.

The back four; JOSH and Dunne is our best partnership in the center. JOSH has never convinced at full back for us and that's why I prefer to get the best out of JOSH in the center and bring in a specialist full back in Kelly to play right full. Kilbane has much more experience than Cunningham and from reading this morning's papers experience is what Trapattoni is looking towards in his team selection for Armenia.

Midfield. Gibson ahead of Green as (a) Gibson has been involved at international level a lot longer than Green so he knows the drill and (b) Gibson is the better player. McGeady ahead of Fahey and Keogh as he is a specialist winger.

[Stuttgart88]

No Freudian reason for wishing harm on KK!

I think JOS / Dunne is a stronger partnership than SSL / Dunne, though SSL has done nothing wrong. JOS & Dunne played together recently v ARG and as such are the incumbents.

All the noises from Trap in the press seem to be that he’s favouring Green over Gibson. I think the fact that Green "gets stuck in" is what'll act in his favour.

[shakermaker1982]

I think he'll go:

Given

O'Shea Dunne St Ledger Kilbane (sigh)

Lawrence Green Whelan McGeady

Doyle Keane

If he selects McShane AND Kilbane I'll cry.

[geysir]

It would reflect a sea change in Trap's back 4 line up if he were not to deploy Josh at RB.
Regardless of what is actually the better CH partnership, Trap thinks St Ledger/Dunne is good enough.

[Stuttgart88]

I suspect you're right and I don't think he's entirely convinced by Kelly. It'll probably be the back 4 that started the play offs.

Hopefully we'll see McGeady's "Beckhamesque" delivery.

[tricky_colour]

Stephen Ward is in the Actim top 100.
I guess that rules him out - lol.
http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerPerformanceIndex

[elroy]

James McCarthy out of the U21 squad with a knee complaint - http://fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101207:four-changes-to-u21-squad&catid=3:under-21&Itemid=11 - so no chance of a call up to the senior team

Second withdrawal from an Irish squad in the last few months. For some reason Im uneasy about this. I really think the lad should be in the first team squad on a regular basis.

[tetsujin1979]

Second withdrawal from an Irish squad in the last few months. For some reason Im uneasy about this. I really think the lad should be in the first team squad on a regular basis.

He did play in the U21 game vs Estonia

[Scooby Doo]

Second withdrawal from an Irish squad in the last few months. For some reason Im uneasy about this. I really think the lad should be in the first team squad on a regular basis.

Agree. I know many on here are totally adament that McCarthy is 100% committed to Ireland - and of course we have little reason to suggest otherwise - I still won't rest easy until I see him run out for his first competitive game. No doubt the Scots would have him in their first team for their upcoming games. Its unlikely but I'd hate to see his head turned.

[Charlie Darwin]

If there is a positive to the injuries, and this is tenuous at best, is that if Killer happens to feature at Left midfield, there is a possibility that Greg Cunningham will start at left full. Trap might be more willing to trust Greg if an experienced head like Killer is in front of him.
Trap seemed to rule out Cunningham playing from the start:



Trapattoni, who is targeting six points from the opening two games -- with Andorra in Dublin the following Tuesday evening the next opposition in line for Ireland -- is essentially going to go for battle-hardened experience to secure that goal.

Therefore, Kevin Kilbane will start at left-back, with emerging Manchester City talent Greg Cunningham considered too raw for this kind of challenge.
"In the last friendly game, I tried him in this position and I liked him," Trapattoni said.

"We look always for the good options. But we must not forget that in an away game we need experience and I can also change when the game flows.

"It's a risk to start away with young players when there is a great responsibility. I have to allow him to mature."
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/fightingfit-boss-puts-brave-face-on-selection-headache-2317922.html

[Stuttgart88]

Trap news conf was summarised on SKY. He was saying that Gibson sees a lot of the ball at United because they tend to dominate games, the suggestion being that maybe his work off the ball needs improving, or that he'd be less effective for a team that doesn't see as much of the ball (that'd be us then). He says he's a good player with good qualities but should seek a loan move to improve. Very clear implication that Green will be picked.

[Noelys Guitar]

O'Dea and McShane out. McShane returning to Hull and O'Dea in hospital here.