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

[Charlie Darwin]

Or Fahey.

[ifk101]

I'd like us to change our formation and tactics for the Andorra game similar to what we did against Italy away when we were forced to chase the game - ie go 4-3-3. I know Trapattoni does not like to diverge from his tried and tested tactics unless needs be but this is a good opportunity to get some practice with the B plan so that we are better prepared if we need to use it further down the line. This is a game we should be chasing from the off and looking for the early goal to end the game as a contest.

I don't think I'd start McGeady for this one. The ball needs to be moved quickly to draw Andorra out of position and McGeady is just going to take too much out of the ball whenever he gets it. Although I don't rate Green as a player, this is a game where he could prove useful. From what I've seen of him with Derby he's quite good at quick, energetic 1-2s in central positions to make space. We need a functioning pass and move strategy to pull Andorra out of position and to get in behind them to score the goals on Tuesday. Green's energy and willingness to play the 1-2 could be useful in this regard.

[rebelmusic]

Dont agree on the McGeady front. I think he would run rings around these guys and would be a great game for his confidence

[tetsujin1979]

Dont agree on the McGeady front. I think he would run rings around these guys and would be a great game for his confidence
Agreed, the opposition will be set up pretty similar to an away team at Celtic Park so he'll be well used to it

[ifk101]

Questionable if a £10 million footballer will gain confidence from beating an amateur footballer. I'm sure Richard Dunne is capable of running rings around his opposite number but what would be the point in him trying to that? Quick, one touch play drawing Andorra out of position is how to beat them. McGeady should be on an ego trip as it is with a club paying over the odds for his services.

[The Fly]

What's the odds on McGeady scoring his first international goal tomorrow night?

[Closed Account]

What's the odds on McGeady scoring his first international goal tomorrow night?
A million to 1.

[rebelmusic]

Point being that McGeady has nothing to look back on in an irish cap and think "Wow i should always be that good" except maaaybe the second half against Georgia in Dublin. He needs a game for us where he bangs one in, gets an assist or two and gets MotM. Its always been obvious he's a confidence player and he is without a doubt the irish player with the most potential (who's starting games now anyway). He's the logical long term Duffer replacement, so he needs to up his game for us.

In fairness, he is our only player who can really take on any player and beat him. I know Doyle/Keane/Duff have the ability but they normally choose a different option.

[Sullivinho]

Point being that McGeady has nothing to look back on in an irish cap and think "Wow i should always be that good" except maaaybe the second half against Georgia in Dublin. He needs a game for us where he bangs one in, gets an assist or two and gets MotM. Its always been obvious he's a confidence player and he is without a doubt the irish player with the most potential (who's starting games now anyway). He's the logical long term Duffer replacement, so he needs to up his game for us.

A goal would be a big deal for him. I think the lack of one in 30+ caps is playing on his mind. After that run and shot that went just wide against Armenia, one of the other lads patted him on the back sympathetically as if to say 'you'll come good for us one of these days'. Like you say, he has little in the way of product to show for his 30+ caps thus far. Frustrating for everyone.

[Philly]

It has been announced that the same team that played on Thursday is to start tomorrow. I would have liked to have seen the likes of Cunningham and Fahey getting a start in this one personally, but at least McShane has not been picked eh?!

[Stuttgart88]

What about the team that played on Friday? :)

[tetsujin1979]

from Ken Early's twitter feed
from http://twitter.com/kenearlys/status/23143028167

trapattoni names unchanged XI for andorra match. says they're all fully recovered, sharp in training, showing great enthusiasmus
from http://twitter.com/kenearlys/status/23143554976

trap concerned abt the dangerous counter-attacks ireland conceded in armenia. "danke sei gott they no pass immediately the ball" he reflects

[rebelmusic]

Trap seems to have hinted that if we go 2 up he's willing to make changes. So i'd expect to see Cunningham at that stage, maybe Gibson for Green aswell to try to a few long shots. Our record is what, 6 in one game against Turkey? Would be nice to beat it!!

[Sullivinho]

It has been announced that the same team that played on Thursday is to start tomorrow. I would have liked to have seen the likes of Cunningham and Fahey getting a start in this one personally, but at least McShane has not been picked eh?!

No surprise there really. Fingers crossed that Whelan doesn't do anything to merit a booking though.

[Sullivinho]

Our record is what, 6 in one game against Turkey? Would be nice to beat it!!

That'd make for some evening alright! But these lads park the bus like nobody's business.

[SwanVsDalton]

Would love to absolutely thump these guys but seems like wishful thinking. I'm thinking about 3-0. More than anything I'd like to see Doyler grab one (or several), would be great to see him get back in the goals. He deserves it for all the general donkey work.

[Sullivinho]

More than anything I'd like to see Doyler grab one (or several), would be great to see him get back in the goals. He deserves it for all the general donkey work.

Couldn't agree more. More than likely he'll be our battering ram against a packed defense though, trying to work something for Robbie.

[Stuttgart88]

Our record is what, 6 in one game against Turkey? 6 was against Cyprus, and Malta too I think. Gary Breen rounded the keeper like Messi! 5 against Turkey post-1990.

I still can't believe Greece actually won something and Turkey were WC semi-finalists. These guys were serious no-hopers.

We got 8 against Malta at Dalyer in the 80s. Incredibly, it was a woeful performance, utterly dire at one point. I think it was low scoring for ages.

[rebelmusic]

I think Whelan will grab one of his long rangers. And i really dunno why but im convinced McGeady could do something special in this one. Something tells me it's all going to be long ball into the box tho, i hope not, but it seems likely

[tetsujin1979]

Starting lineup confirmed: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101228:trap-names-unchanged-team-for-andorra-qualifier&catid=1:senior-men&Itemid=8

Republic of Ireland team:

Shay Given (Manchester City)
John O'Shea (Manchester United)
Sean St Ledger (Preston NE)
Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)
Kevin Kilbane (Hull City)
Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth)
Glenn Whelan (Stoke City)
Paul Green (Derby County)
Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow)
Robbie Keane (Spurs)
Kevin Doyle (Wolves)

[Sullivinho]

And i really dunno why but im convinced McGeady could do something special in this one.

The Aviva pitch is fairly wide. Might be suited to McGeady as regards stretching this kind of opposition. If they double up on him, what harm.

[geysir]

How much wider is the pitch now?

[Sullivinho]

How much wider is the pitch now?

No idea, but I remember reading it's bigger.

Edit: Actually I may have been thinking of Croke Park.

[geysir]

Did they not keep the Croke park soccer pitch dimensions down to a replica of the Lansdowne rd size?

[Charlie Darwin]

The soccer pitch at Croke Park was 105m x 70m

http://www.crokepark.ie/about/pitch/about-the-pitch

According to Wikipedia (I can't find another source, though the Aviva site uselessly informs us that it's 47m high), the Lansdowne pitch will be slightly smaller at 106m x 68m

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviva_Stadium

[tricky_colour]

What's the odds on McGeady scoring his first international goal tomorrow night?

0 goals in 32 games, I'd say you would want 16-1 + for value.

You can get 13/2 on him being 1st goal scorer at Btfair, which looks lake very bad value to me.

Better value would be Lawrence at 10-1 or Dunne at 19-1.

[Paddy Garcia]

How's McCarthys knee - a great game to bring him on & to seriously look at some alternative midfield partnerships.

Andrews/Whelan/Green will not see us through the group & midfiield again looked very weak on Friday.

[Charlie Darwin]

How's McCarthys knee - a great game to bring him on & to seriously look at some alternative midfield partnerships.
He hasn't made himself available for the U21s.

[Paddy Garcia]

Yeah I know - was hoping he was feeling better by now!

[Crosby87]

Same startes as the other day says Trap, 2 articles at soccernet.com.

[elroy]

No idea, but I remember reading it's bigger.

Edit: Actually I may have been thinking of Croke Park.

I think your right I remember reading the same thing about the pitch at the Aviva that it was the max dimensions of a football pitch. However, am sure it can be brought in if Trap wished.

[geysir]

As an anytime goalscorer at 5/1, I think St Ledger looks a good bet. He is usually up there sniffing about on the set pieces and is a target man for the final header.

[Kingdom]

Oh get real, Keane, Duff, JOS, Dunne at 32/33 and Given for a goalkeeper at 36 does not represent being too old. Thats the kind of silly thing the english media and public do in believing everyone should be retired once they turn 30 regardless of any sort of form or fitness they might be on. Dunne, Given and Duff had one of the finest seasons of their career last year and JOS has had one major injury in his entire career, if you think they'll be retiring out of inability, fitness or lack of desire get a reality check, they'll all be there for that campaign.

Get real? Good one. Maybe if you read what I said rather than get all uppidity you'd be better off. I never said they wouldn't be around for that campaign

What I said was at the start of the campaign they would be at that age, therefore 2 years on, when the finals start (if we made it) they'll be hitting 34,35,34,35 and 38 respectively. Is that too old for the bulk of a team? Of course it is, so I suggest it is you that gets the reality check. I'm expecting a few retirements after this campaign, and plenty will have earned it.

[DannyInvincible]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7XRy_YB48I&feature=related


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n5W403BoCE&feature=related

[paul_oshea]

I was away for a few days, but I honestly think that mcgeady is never ever going to get any better for us than what he currently offers. I beleive that when he loses his pace he is going to offer absoloutely nothing and I also see him making very little impact in Russia, especially with big physical players. How can a footballer not work on his upper body strength with all the time they have off and qualified personnel at their disposal.

Doyle really was top class friday evening, I think its his upper body strength that sets him aaprt from so many other strikers. He has great close control of the ball as well, i can never see him being a prolific goalscorer because he is not a fox in the box but offers a lot more especially for a team like us, and in away games where we need him to hold up the play and wait for support.

Keane unfortunately has proved that he needs 4 chances to convert 1, he didnt get that 4th one friday night.

Liam lawrence is really likeable, like his attitude, funny didnt keane say that he thought he hadn't the right attitude.

Paul green was far more assertive in the second half, but again i think he isnt physically strong enough for midfield for international football.

Oshea, was the only one who looked very comfortable in tight spaces and wherever he got the ball. The only one who seems technically adept at this level.

Dunne/st ledger/given all did their jobs pretty much.

Kilbane well he tried hard, but he kept getting pulled into the middle, i didnt blame him so much for this as dunnes lack of organisation of the back 4.

luckily fahey is more of a cm than winger, otherwise he wouldn't have been anywhere near where he was for the shot he took for the goal.

ill put my house(flat) on it, if we dont beat russia at home in october this group will go the way of so many others before i.e. we wont qualify for Euros.

[shakermaker1982]

I'm expecting us to win by 3 goals tonight. England struggled with them for 45 minutes (away game in Barca, got booed I think at HT) and the players must remain patient. If we get one early then it will be a doddle.

McGeady needs a goal tonight.

Nice fast tempo please with plenty of crosses into the box. If Lawrence can sort out his set pieces tonight then Doyle, Dunne and St Ledger should have a lot of joy.

[geysir]

I don´t know what McGeady did to upset so many people with his performance on friday night.
His setpiece was superb, his 2 crosses were expertly delivered. He created the space for himself to deliver a rasping shot after a darting run.
He won freekicks and held the ball up well most of the other times.
He regularily made himself available in space to receive the ball. Mostly the ball went down the right side. Our natural inclination to deliver the ball down the right side 9/10, is a worrying phenomena.

[shakermaker1982]

I must have watched another game Geysir. I thought McGeady was very average. I do recall his run which ended up with him dragging his shot wide but other than that he had a quiet game.

[shaneker]

Mostly the ball went down the right side. Our natural inclination to deliver the ball down the right side 9/10, is a worrying phenomena.

Probably because we can't rely on Kilbane's pace, if he overlaps and we lose possession there would be a huge gap to exploit on the quick counter and Zinedine could be 50 yards away. O'Shea is not the quickest, but I bet he could make it back into defence a fair bit quicker. It's a limitation to our game but it's necessary. Another reason why Kilbane has to be phased out, we'd be a lot harder to defend against (and a bit less predictable) if we could send the left-back forward more often to help McGeady/Duff.

[Sullivinho]

3-0 Ireland. Doyle to (deservedly) grab one. Second half substitute Darron Gibson sent off for a two-footed lunge on Paul Green ;)

[zero]

i'd love us to score a HATFUL tonight but it's not likely. if we score within the first 15 you'd never know.

having said that i can see myself screaming at the tv with it locked at 0-0 going into the last 10 mins... ah the joys.

[geysir]

I must have watched another game Geysir. I thought McGeady was very average. I do recall his run which ended up with him dragging his shot wide but other than that he had a quiet game.
If I was watching another game then I would have missed his corner delivery right on top of St ledger´s head. A big head I know but still an achievement from a planned set piece. I would not have seen his long cross pitch pass to Lawrence early in the 2nd half - was the pass of the evening, or his across-box pass to the feet of Doyle was a real danger here moment. Short of shirking his assigned role, he got involved in the game as much as was afforded him and his involvement was met with quality from him for 95% of that involvement.

[boovidge]

tbf to mcgeady, he can't do anything if he doesn't have the ball. on about the only occasion he did get the ball in a good position on the wing he made an impressive run and got a decent shot off.

[geysir]

Funny that people only seem notice the run he made with the ball and not the other good things he did.
Like, it's not that difficult to remember the corner or the long pass to Lawrence, two outstanding pieces of play?

[boovidge]

people expect mcgeady to make runs down the flank. thats what he's built his reputation on. theyre probably not going to be satisfied with a decent corner.

[dr_peepee]

Liam lawrence is really likeable, like his attitude, funny didnt keane say that he thought he hadn't the right attitude.

He got bombed out of Sunderland with a few others after "roasting" scandal.

[Sullivinho]

He got bombed out of Sunderland with a few others after "roasting" scandal.

Sure it was roasting over in Armenia too and he performed very well..

[seanfhear]

Sure it was roasting over in Armenia too and he performed very well..
He can stand the heat !

[rebelmusic]

I think for tonights game the scoreline is all about the first half. Andorra are content to lose if the score is low. So if it's anywhere up to 2-0 their manager will tell them to keep the bus parked. If we pull off 3 in the first half, he may consider chasing the game and that will open them up and could be a rout. Here's hoping anyway. You know games like this if it's not at least 3-0 we won't be too entertained. At least we wont be biting our fingers for the last 1 minutes (my entire body is currently touching my wooden desk!)

[Noelys Guitar]

I thought McGeady's slower across box ball (to KD?)early in the second half was the best bit of skill other than the goal the whole game. I would love to see him have a stormer tonight and make it very hard for Trap to drop him.