Squad/Team v Russia/Slovakia

[Lenny82]

Green will feature alot in this campaign and I think we should reserve our judgement on him for a few more games at least. Whelan got his chance in the team because of an injury to Martin Rowlands and received harsh criticism after his first few games, yet he has turned into a fine international player for us.

I do hope that Trap calls up some of these players to the squad if we have any withdrawls through injury. Andrews could be out which would give Wilson or McCarthy a good shout of a call up. They have no chance of playing but it would be no harm giving them the experience.

I like Coleman but he likes to get forward too much which may be why Trap is reluctant to call upon him. That and the fact that O'Shea, Foley and Kelly (experienced internationals and Premier League starters) and the mighty McShane are all ahead of him!

[geysir]

He was an option. He was eligable a long time at that stage, but had not been looked at. A premiership player that was arguably one of best players in the C'Ship the year before that too.
For whatever reason, Lawrence was not called up for the Portugal training stint. Until a month prior to the Italy game he was out injured for 4 or 5 months. So under Trap's methodology, Lawrence was not in the radar of being picked for the Italy game.


I'm saying that at least 4 competitive games will have gone by (almost half a campaign) by the time he will have looked at alternative options up close in what we all acknowledge are very week areas in the team.

I think he's too methodical in bringing players in to then give them the fair consideration, to the point of denying the team of an asset for an undue period. Lawrence being a case in point. Fair consideration can be given to the 22nd and 23rd man in a competitive squad without compromising the team in any way.

Much like his game is cautious we can expect his methods to be cautious. He is consistent:)
That's not going to change, no more that his feet size are going to get bigger. What we have to see done is that he makes enough good cautious decisions to more than balance out some of the cautious decisions that might cost us.
If not, we get another manager. Until that time, Trap is his own man. He has his way of assessing how we play, who can play there, how he figures out who can play there and he has his assistants to keep him informed. There is an impenetrable brick wall around that methodology. He is being paid the money and he is the one has to take the responsibility for the decisions in the face of 4 million varying opinions. Until his contract is declared null and void, it is a dictatorship.

[Closed Account]

Squad Watch


Squad Watch

Keiren Westwood Starting
Joe Murphy Starting
Shay Given Bench

Sean St Ledger Starting
Stephen Kelly Starting
Paul McShane Starting
Darren O’Dea Starting
Kevin Kilbane Bench
Greg Cunningham Not in Squad
John O’Shea Sunday
Richard Dunne Sunday
Kevin Foley Sunday

Paul Green Starting Goal
Liam Lawrence Starting Goals(2)
Aiden McGeady Starting Goal
Andy Keogh Starting Goal
Damien Duff Starting
Keith Treacy Starting
Keith Andrews Bench 25 Mins
Keith Fahey Bench
Glenn Whelan Sunday
Darron Gibson Sunday

Cillian Sheridan Starting Goals(2)
Shane Long Starting
Robbie Keane Bench 25 Mins
Kevin Doyle Sunday

[Closed Account]

Not a bad weekend so far. 7 goals. Only Given, Kilbane, Fahey and Cunningham not featuring. Kellys injury the worst part.

[Noelys Guitar]

Not a bad weekend so far. 7 goals. Only Given, Kilbane, Fahey and Cunningham not featuring. Kellys injury the worst part.

I agree. Unfortunately the Kelly injury and the fact that Dunne is again ruled out for Villa's game tomorrow means McShane is closer than ever to featuring in one or both of our upcoming games. Lets hope Dunne particulary recovers in time. And Houllier has said he hopes to have Dunne back for next weeks game against Spurs so that is good news.

[AlaskaFox]

I think he was even hoping Dunne would be fit enough to be on the bench today, so hopefully he'll be fully recovered for next weekend.

[rebelmusic]

Anyone think we might actually see O'Dea at LB for these games? Or as 2nd choice to Kilbane? He's been there a lot this season and Ipswich havent been conceding a lot

[irishfan86]

Even though he plays there for Ipswich at times I just don't think he's a fullback. This might be the John O'Shea discussion all over again though, heh heh...

[Crosby87]

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?

[Stuttgart88]

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?

I think this is Owls Fan's* cue...

(*Was it Owls fan who gave us the imaginary Cypriot injury update?)

[Sullivinho]

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?

Chestikov is struggling with flu.

[Closed Account]

Chestikov is struggling with flu.
Thought he was dead
http://wackypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ivanasti_Chestikov

[tetsujin1979]

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?
Lerntoski is missing after a weekend trip to the Alps..

[Sullivinho]

Oleg Tornov is unlikely to feature after a training ground accident.

[Crosby87]

Jeez I was just asking.:mad:

[greendeiseboy]

Ivan Innoff hates flying so he's snookered and Houdja Nicabolocov is recovering from a groin strain

Oh yeah, and Ivan Akonickenemov has declared for Israel.

[tetsujin1979]

Fukov has reportedly refused a call up from the manager to the senior side...

[TrapAPony]

Veri Píssedov was unhappy with being left on the bench for the previous qualifiers and now refuses to be picked for the squad.

[paul_oshea]

Nicabolocov, isn't he bulgarian?

[Scooby Doo]

Olivir Klosov has also been dropped from the squad due to bad press surrounding his various extra-marital misdemeanors.

[Razors left peg]

I love this forum sometimes :D

[Colbert Report]

Wow, sounds like they'll be missing a whole bunch of players. We must aim for the full three points from them.

[Charlie Darwin]

Oh my God.

[Colbert Report]

Oh my God.

Have you ever watched "The Colbert Report"?

[Noelys Guitar]

Kilbane only on the bench for Hull v Burnley (2-0 down at HT) with McShane starting. Preston 4-2 down v Leeds at HT with St Ledger and Treacy playing. Ouch. Hull now 4-0 down but Treacy has scored for Preston (3rd goal) and now Preston have scored 2 more to lead 5-4.

[geysir]

Squad News (http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101292:coleman-receives-first-senior-international-call-up&catid=1:senior-men&Itemid=8)

Stephen Kelly (calf) and Darren O'Dea (knee) have both been ruled out
Keith Treacy and Cillian Sheridan have both been put on standby.

AND Coleman receives first senior international call up

May it be the first of many

[ofjames]

o'shea starting left back for united today.

let's see how he gets on

gibo is on the bench, andy reid on the bench for sunderland

[tetsujin1979]

Kick off delayed for 20 minutes because of a burst water pipe in the United dressing room

[Closed Account]

Squad Watch


Keiren Westwood Starting GK
Joe Murphy Starting GK
Shay Given Sunday

Kevin Foley Starting RB
Paul McShane Starting RB
Richard Dunne Starting CB
Sean St Ledger Starting CB
John O'Shea Starting LB
Seamus Coleman Starting RM
Kevin Kilbane Bench
Greg Cunningham Sunday

Liam Lawrence Starting RM Goal
Paul Green Starting CM
Keith Fahey Starting LM
Damien Duff Starting LM
Glenn Whelan Bench 1 Min
Keith Andrews Bench
Darron Gibson Bench
Andy Keogh Bench
Aiden McGeady Sunday

Kevin Doyle Starting CF
Shane Long Startign CF
Robbie Keane Bench

[geysir]

I can watch the second half of some game in the EPL, anything worthwhile with an Irish slant?

[TrapAPony]

I can watch the second half of some game in the EPL, anything worthwhile with an Irish slant?

Coleman and Fahey playing in the Everton v Birmingham match
Stoke v Blackburn (Walters has just scored)

[Closed Account]

I can watch the second half of some game in the EPL, anything worthwhile with an Irish slant?
Fahey V Coleman would be the obvious choice, not too much to be learned from any other games.

[Noelys Guitar]

Duff major doubt for both games after limping off today with 20 mins left.

[geysir]

You should have started with - 'don't shoot the messenger but ....'

[Razors left peg]

Disaster. Simple as that

[Sullivinho]

Duff major doubt for both games after limping off today with 20 mins left.

Right on cue. ffs.

[the doc]

St Ledger took a heavy knock to his knee, left the ground with it heavily strapped up.

Treacy played really well, but left the field with a groin strain.

Long worked hard and looked good.

Noel Hunt came on and was lively.

[Crosby87]

I can't believe Iron man Duff is hurt.

[Noelys Guitar]

O'Shea had an excellent game for United today at left back. Best I've seen him play for awhile. I'd be very worried if St Ledger was injured as that opens the real possibilty of McShane partnering Dunne. Russia's main threat comes up the left so I can't see Trap not playing O'Shea at Right back under any circumstances.

[Charlie Darwin]

I didn't think O'Shea was outstanding. He dealt with what little Sunderland offered on the right but his lack of game time at left full showed when he went forward and when he was a little apprehensive to tuck in when needed in the first half. I think Dunne is capable of taking care of McShane at this point -they've looked good any time they've played in the centre together.

[Crosby87]

Seems like the whole situation is going to be a "Wait and see."
Duffer saying he can play. (Of course he can).

[Noelys Guitar]

Damien Duff is essential. He can do things other Irish players can't do ie read a game like a manager. I've watched a few Spartak Moscow matches and have been very impressed by McGeady's performances but I would still choose Duff. He is simply a slightly better all round player. But if he cannot play then Aidan McGeady's time is here.

[Noelys Guitar]

I was at the matches against the USSR and the Sovitet Union in the 70's and 80's (geysir and a fair few others as well). Listen. They regard us as better than them. They have never met anybody from FF so that probably explains it. I have had a fair few gargles and yet I fully understand that we must win@ I must explain. No longer elect anybody from FF as theyt are compulsive liars. Ever.

[elroy]

I have had a fair few gargles


Would never have guessed it lad!

[Closed Account]

Lawrence played right back in the second half for Portsmouth. Not that we're struggling in that area, I'm just saying is all.

[EastTerracer]

According to the Irsh Times there is no major concern about Duff's availability. Ian Harte says he'd still like to be involved as well......
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1004/1224280311552.html

[TrapAPony]

Ian Harte says he'd still like to be involved as well......
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1004/1224280311552.html

His day has passed IMO but I suppose he fancies his chances when he sees that Kevin Kilbane is barely getting a game for Hull yet is deemed good enough for Ireland. At least he is on the Reading team.

[tetsujin1979]

from Ken Early's twitter feed: http://twitter.com/#!/kenearlys/statuses/26377834841

strange ireland press conference. duff and andrews both gone back to clubs injured, marc wilson called up. squad not in great shape
Wilson called up ahead of McCarthy

[SkStu]

Though im happy Wilson is getting a look in, Traps apparent pettiness just gets worse and worse.

Talk about cutting off our nose to spite our face.

[Closed Account]

http://www.u.tv/Sport/Duff-out-of-Republic-qualifiers/7856f189-4816-463a-ae41-5abc489d9fa8
Glad for Wilson but McCarthys ommission is getting frustrating.