Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

[tommy_c12000]

Also, I think we've all overlooked Wilson's ability to play CB.

I hold my hands up and admit that I did not even consider him for centre back. I have seen him play one to many poor games at CB for Portsmouth. His positioning was consistently poor and his marking far too loose for a centre half. Clark and O'Dea are ahead of him for centre back in my book. He looks far more comfrotable at RB or as a holding midfielder. Having said that, if Dunne didn't make it, we could well have had to make do with him there

[tetsujin1979]

I did, just didn't emphasise it, I assumed most would have read what I read into it.
Sorry, you did. I missed that. The thread has been advancing pages at a time.

Also, I think we've all overlooked Wilson's ability to play CB.
Or centre midfield, or right full. I think having him on the bench frees up at least one, and possibly two, spots on the bench because of his versatility

I'd glad Trapattoni has come out and explained the selection of O'Dea over Clark, for me it's the only real contentious decision in the lineup

[MeathDrog]

Or indeed O'Deas ability to play LB?:D

It is indeed a very positive team. 2 wide midfielders who are basically attacking players, a strike partnership (becoming a dieing art as Stutts posted some weeks ago). One of the CM pairing who does his best work in the opposition half.

All this coupled with Traps consistent comments on us being the dominant force, playing in the opp half, encouragement to shoot from distance.

First 10 minutes will be key - high tempo, a few crosses/ shots, their fb's under pressure.

Can't wait now.

Come on lads!!!!!!
We don't have the midfield to play that dominant style of play. Even look atthe Andorra game, they even had their fair share of possession in the middle of the field.

[geysir]

Against Andorra we lined up with Green and Whelan, you could say that was a tad defensive considering the opposition. Possibly he wanted to see more of Green. When Whelan was replaced by Gibson, Andorra (afair) did make some forays through our middle.

It remains to be seen what we can do with Gibson in the starting line up, but it marks a sign of positive intent from Trap, a departure from more cautious ways used against less formidable opposition.

[SwanVsDalton]

I wouldn't discourage any player to have shots on goal like, but it just sounds like this is one of Trappatoni's main gameplans that we have to depend on to win. I hope that is not the case.

'One of the main gameplans'? He's merely justifying a selection based on Gibson's possessing a very good shot (the amount of screamers he's scored in ratio to time on the pitch is impressive, regardless of your 1 in 5 stuff). Seems fair enough to me, he's analysed the opposition and put out a team that he feels can exploit their weaknesses. Isn't that what we want in a manager?

Sure we'd all like to see McCarthy to start, but this is a decent selection that should win the game. Let's see how it pans out...

[Charlie Darwin]

i hope darren has a blinder tommorow but even if he does it will still of been a stupid decision.
This makes absolutely no sense.


getting really sick of trap at this stage
And I believe this is the source of your bizarre opinions.

[SkStu]

the biggest problem for me regarding the selection of O'Dea at CB is that Trap has placed absolutely no value on the fact that Dunne and Clark are playing alongside each other at the heart of Aston Villa's defence on a weekly basis. Now, i know that Villa's defensive record is questionable but familiarity and defensive partnerships are hard to replicate on a once off basis (Dunne with O'Dea for example)

[Charlie Darwin]

Surely the heart of the defence means central defence? And Clark has only played there a couple of times for Villa, usually in Dunne's absence? Dunne's best position is left side of central defence, which is also Clark's best position. To play them together would either mean moving Dunne or playing Clark in an unfamiliar position. Perhaps Trap decided to look at both Clark and O'Dea on the right hand side and decided O'Dea was more up to it.

Either way, it's a marginal choice.

[tetsujin1979]

Just seen Collins challenge to give away the opening goal for Wales. Terrible, clumsy challenge, and he's keeping Clark out of central defence!

[Charlie Darwin]

Dunphy on the radio just now saying it's a disgrace that Seamus Coleman isn't playing...

[Stuttgart88]

Seriously?

[geysir]

I lost count of the times he used the word disgrace.
When he realised he made a mistake, he qualified his comment on Coleman as, 'a disgrace because Trap wouldn't have played him'.

[Closed Account]

Subs: Forde, Kelly, McCarthy, Long, Clark, Lawrence, Fahey.
Strong bench for a change, all of them (ex Forde) had a chance of starting.
No Green.....

[Charlie Darwin]

No Green on the bench is an absolute disgrace. And where's Niall Quinn??

[the bear]

This makes absolutely no sense.


And I believe this is the source of your bizarre opinions.

ye it doesnt really make sense reading it now what i ment was that o'dea playing well which i thought he did, doesnt justify him been ahead of clark in the first place.

i think more that my bizarre opinions are the reason im getting sick of trap

if thinkin that a player playing well regularly in the prem should be chosen ahead of a champ player whos shown thats hes capable of playin both well and poorly at this level before is bizarre that is.

[the bear]

Anyone who is still calling Clark "Clarke" at this stage should really be questioning their rights to berate Trapattoni for his selection problems. If this Clarke fella is the answer to all our problems, how come you can't spell his name right?

its a tricky one to spell alright, maybe thats why trap is avoiding putting him on the teamsheet

[Charlie Darwin]

ye it doesnt really make sense reading it now what i ment was that o'dea playing well which i thought he did, doesnt justify him been ahead of clark in the first place.

i think more that my bizarre opinions are the reason im getting sick of trap

if thinkin that a player playing well regularly in the prem should be chosen ahead of a champ player whos shown thats hes capable of playin both well and poorly at this level before is bizarre that is.
It doesn't make sense in any shape or form. O'Dea was flawless tonight - he was the right choice, end of. Clark is a good player but at the moment O'Dea is a few years ahead of him in his development.