Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

[EastTerracer]

Also from Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/Ciaran_O (http://twitter.com/#%21/Ciaran_O)

"Trap revelation: 'My English is not sometimes English'. Finally...."

"Trap: "Nobody has EVER said I'm arrogant in all my years of meeting with players." - dig at Stephen Ireland."

"Trap giving most of presser in Italian, admits there can be 'misverstanden' when he speaks in English (German)."

[Jicked]

Looks like Trap is as fed up as the fans with the Irish press being so desperate to create stories they try to make a bigger story out of any misquotes.

[Sullivinho]

No Paddy Kenny then. I wonder is there a problem between Kenny and Alan Kelly?

Yeah, it would seem he only had eyes for Forde at the QPR/Milwall game last week on the basis of that squad. Kenny must be well, if not completely off the radar considering those selections and the injured players they're replacing.

[rebelmusic]

I think it's massively important now that with this game Westwood and McCarthy get capped to end anymore debacle on the subject. Assuming Dunne is fit, the only question marks would be over Green and Kilbane. Ideally we'd see McCarthy and Clarke in those positions.

[Noelys Guitar]

Delighted for David 'Three Fish Suppers' Forde. Sounds like Kenny wasn't even sounded out though - have no idea what's gone on between him and Irish management, but would've been good to see if he was available at all.

Givens input probably put payed to Kennys chances of selection.

[theworm2345]

No Paddy Kenny?

[Noelys Guitar]

No McShane I see

[AlaskaFox]

Trap was hardly going to ask Kenny to come back to play second fiddle to Westwood, and in the long run, third fiddle to Shay. So no surprise Paddy isn't there.

[Charlie Darwin]

No McShane I see
He's the stand-by goalkeeper option.

[SwanVsDalton]

Trap was hardly going to ask Kenny to come back to play second fiddle to Westwood, and in the long run, third fiddle to Shay. So no surprise Paddy isn't there.

Yeah it makes sense, just thought with three goalkeepers out they might have approached him. It pretty much ends any chance of him lining up for us again I'd say.

[irishbaz]

Surely here we have to be looking at the players both in form and playing at the highest level for me

Westwood

Coleman dunne O shea Clark


Mc Geady Mc Carthy Gibson Duff


Doyle Long/Best/Keane

second striker is a tough one!!

[Kingdom]

Feel sorry for Paddy Kenny to an extent. Still there could be a whole host of reasons that we don't know about. Maybe they feel that they couldn't depend on him (which is understandable to a degree in Int football as opposed to club level).
It can't be due to age he's still young and there isn't much between himself and Forde.
In fairness Westwood has been deputy for a nice while at this stage, and is going to be a very decent keeper so good luck to him and if he's fit then there really isn't an issue.

Westwood
Randolph
Forde
Foley
O'Shea
Clark
Coleman
Dunne
St. Ledger
Kelly
O'Dea
Kilbane
Wilson


Andrews
McCarthy
Whelan
McGeady
Duff
Gibson
Green
Lawrence
Treacy
Fahey

Keane
Doyle
Walters
Best
Long
Keogh

That's a large squad! Team is in bold with the subs in italics.

I presume they'll be giving some of the filler a run out against the Guays? =>
Forde
Foley
O'Dea
Wilson
Kilbane
McCarthy
Green
Lawrence
Treacy
Walters
Best

[Kingdom]

Doyle Long/Best/Keane

second striker is a tough one!!

It's not a tough choice if Keane is fit. To be fair to him, one of the stingers against him throughout his int career is that his goals only come against weak opposition. So it would be madness not to play him, in a qualifier, when fit, against weak opposition. If we're in trouble after 60 mins against Macedonia at home, in a qualifier, chances are it won't be Keane or Doyle's fault.

[Sullivinho]

I think it's massively important now that with this game Westwood and McCarthy get capped to end anymore debacle on the subject. Assuming Dunne is fit, the only question marks would be over Green and Kilbane. Ideally we'd see McCarthy and Clarke in those positions.

I'd like to see McCarthy on ability alone but I wouldn't be surprised if Trap spared him for Uruguay. Westwood a certain starter if fit.


It's not a tough choice if Keane is fit. To be fair to him, one of the stingers against him throughout his int career is that his goals only come against weak opposition. So it would be madness not to play him, in a qualifier, when fit, against weak opposition. If we're in trouble after 60 mins against Macedonia at home, in a qualifier, chances are it won't be Keane or Doyle's fault.

Yeah, if Doyle and Keane are fit and present they start, no doubt.

[Charlie Darwin]

Surely here we have to be looking at the players both in form and playing at the highest level for me

Westwood

Coleman dunne O shea Clark


Mc Geady Mc Carthy Gibson Duff


Doyle Long/Best/Keane

second striker is a tough one!!
Whelan is probably on better form/at a higher level than Gibson right now and Coleman has played next to no football at full back.

Second striker is tough. You'd think with Duff and McGeady in form, we'd want our strongest aerial striker playing, which is probably Long ahead of Best, but Robbie is our best goalscorer and Doyle always justifies his presence.

[rebelmusic]

From twitter

"@darbymark (http://twitter.com/darbymark) twas in Sunday Mirror y'day that Kenny is not willing to come back until after this season ends. Loyalty to QPR...."

http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O

[rebelmusic]

Actually lot of interesting stuff :



@darbymark (http://twitter.com/darbymark) twas in Sunday Mirror y'day that Kenny is not willing to come back until after this season ends. Loyalty to QPR.... 28 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47320652771901440) via web in reply to darbymark (http://twitter.com/darbymark/status/47319189567971329)

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47320652771901440&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Decision to make on whether Long better as starter or sub. This is a manager's decision. Doyle is Doyle." 38 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47318112470704128) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47318112470704128&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Important he's here, we have to see if he can start. We will evaluate him when he arrives." 39 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47317856567828480) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47317856567828480&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Richard Dunne 'feels good', he's already started training, 'feels he will be ready." 40 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47317702976618497) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47317702976618497&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "There were no issues with James McCarthy, he was injured. He smiled and insisted he'd stay with ireland." about 1 hour ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47315959287001089) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47315959287001089&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Nobody has EVER said I'm arrogant in all my years of meeting with players." - dig at Stephen Ireland. about 1 hour ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47315094442483712) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47315094442483712&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap giving most of presser in Italian, admits there can be 'misverstanden' when he speaks in English (German).

Daily star covered the ohara/pennant etc questions. Apparently will be in the paper tomorrow.

[Murfinator]

Westwood

O'Shea Dunne St Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Whelan Gibson Duff
Keane Doyle

Is the likely team. Question marks over whether he'll stick with Kilbane at LB, if he'd play both McGeady and Duff and if he'd take Gibson over Green and Andrews.
If Dunne isn't fit I'd say O'Shea will go CB and there's no hope in hell Trap would play McGeady then without a strong RB behind him.

[Noelys Guitar]

Actually lot of interesting stuff :



@darbymark (http://twitter.com/darbymark) twas in Sunday Mirror y'day that Kenny is not willing to come back until after this season ends. Loyalty to QPR.... 28 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47320652771901440) via web in reply to darbymark (http://twitter.com/darbymark/status/47319189567971329)

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47320652771901440&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Decision to make on whether Long better as starter or sub. This is a manager's decision. Doyle is Doyle." 38 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47318112470704128) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47318112470704128&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Important he's here, we have to see if he can start. We will evaluate him when he arrives." 39 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47317856567828480) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47317856567828480&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Richard Dunne 'feels good', he's already started training, 'feels he will be ready." 40 minutes ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47317702976618497) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47317702976618497&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "There were no issues with James McCarthy, he was injured. He smiled and insisted he'd stay with ireland." about 1 hour ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47315959287001089) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47315959287001089&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap: "Nobody has EVER said I'm arrogant in all my years of meeting with players." - dig at Stephen Ireland. about 1 hour ago (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O/status/47315094442483712) via web

Reply (http://twitter.com/?status=@Ciaran_O&in_reply_to_status_id=47315094442483712&in_reply_to=Ciaran_O)
Retweet (http://twitter.com/Ciaran_O#)



Trap giving most of presser in Italian, admits there can be 'misverstanden' when he speaks in English (German).

Daily star covered the ohara/pennant etc questions. Apparently will be in the paper tomorrow.

Some very interesting stuff. Dunne likely to play. a 50/50 whether Keane or Long start. It is great we now have real contenders upfront and in midfield.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm OK with that squad. Randolph's form deserves recognition and it shows that the scouts are on the ball to some extent.

McCarthy is obviously a positive.

Keogh is neither here nor there really because the other 5 forwards collectively are about as strong a 5 as we've ever been able to name. I hope they're all fit. Stokes hasn't figured prominently in a month and isn't dererving of a place ahead of any of the others, bar-Keogh perhaps.

Wide options are all decent and bar naming Brady & McGrath in the squad, central midfield is what it is and won't get any better. Would love to see McCarthy play but I suspect that won't happen.

Everything else is about as expected.

[Charlie Darwin]

You have to feel for Joe Murphy. With Westwood still not 100% certain, this seemed like it could finally be his chance to make a competitive start. Alas there is no room for sentiment in sport.

[Stuttgart88]

Has Joe Murphy not been injured? (Too lazy to check)

[Kingdom]

You have to feel for Joe Murphy. With Westwood still not 100% certain, this seemed like it could finally be his chance to make a competitive start. Alas there is no room for sentiment in sport.

isn't he injured?

[Stuttgart88]

Funny how McCarthy's inclusion gets little fanfare yet anything ambiguous about his position last month was a national tragedy. I think it's called "assymetry".

[tetsujin1979]

Has Joe Murphy not been injured? (Too lazy to check)
Ankle injury, hasn't played since January

[rebelmusic]

It's actually a very strong squad if you ignore Green. Assuming Clarke starts the back line is all Prem regulars bar Sledge. A midfield of Duff, McGeady, Whelan and McCarthy is all top flight players and playing very well. Strikers have 4 prem starters and one champ player who is in the best form of his life. I ignore Keogh because at best he'll be thrown on in the last 5 mins for no apparent reason.

What i predict is -

OShea Dunne Sledge Kilbane/Clarke
Mcgeady Whelan (Anybody's really) Duff
Doyle Keane

Long will be subbed on regardless of the score
Best will come on if we're chasing
Somone will be subbed in midfield.

More than likely McCarthy will be capped in the 90th minute or so. I'm guessing he was under FAI orders to go meet him. You would assume the same orders demand he be capped in this game.

[backstothewall]

Westwood
Randolph
Forde

Foley
O'Shea
Clark
Coleman
Dunne
St. Ledger
Kelly
O'Dea
Kilbane
Wilson


Andrews
McCarthy
Whelan
McGeady
Duff
Gibson
Green
Lawrence
Treacy
Fahey

Keane
Doyle
Walters
Best
Long
Keogh

Poor Paul McShane. Stabbed in the back!

[Kingdom]

It's actually a very strong squad if you ignore Green. Assuming Clarke starts the back line is all Prem regulars bar Sledge. A midfield of Duff, McGeady, Whelan and McCarthy is all top flight players and playing very well. Strikers have 4 prem starters and one champ player who is in the best form of his life. I ignore Keogh because at best he'll be thrown on in the last 5 mins for no apparent reason.

What i predict is -

OShea Dunne Sledge Kilbane/Clarke
Mcgeady Whelan (Anybody's really) Duff
Doyle Keane

Long will be subbed on regardless of the score
Best will come on if we're chasing
Somone will be subbed in midfield.

More than likely McCarthy will be capped in the 90th minute or so. I'm guessing he was under FAI orders to go meet him. You would assume the same orders demand he be capped in this game.

It is a decent enought squad, but with the right philosophy could be a very strong squad altogether. The players are there to play a nice brand of football. We know Killer is gone, and will be replaced by Cunningham. The squad seems younger looking at it there. That can only bode well.

[CraftyToePoke]

It is a decent enought squad, but with the right philosophy could be a very strong squad altogether. The players are there to play a nice brand of football. We know Killer is gone, and will be replaced by Cunningham. The squad seems younger looking at it there. That can only bode well.

I think you are right, also condsider Myler and some of the other youngsters like Henderson, Brady and a few more and whatever handfull of the recruits that seem to be inbound at present and there should be some good football and times just ahead. Now if we could just qualify ....

[Charlie Darwin]

Has Joe Murphy not been injured? (Too lazy to check)
Yeah, that's what I meant - unfortunate for him since he's next in line after Westwood.

[SolitudeRed]

http://foot.ie/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by TrapAPony http://foot.ie/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (http://foot.ie/showthread.php?p=1464149#post1464149)
Westwood
Randolph
Forde

Foley
O'Shea
Clark
Coleman
Dunne
St. Ledger
Kelly
O'Dea
Kilbane
Wilson


Andrews
McCarthy
Whelan
McGeady
Duff
Gibson
Green
Lawrence
Treacy
Fahey

Keane
Doyle
Walters
Best
Long
Keogh


Isn't Wilson more of a center MF player now he seems to be a younger version of Whelan at Stoke?

Also what about Foley for RB? I suspect he may be playing more of a MF role at Wolves these days.

[TrapAPony]

Isn't Wilson more of a center MF player now he seems to be a younger version of Whelan at Stoke?

Also what about Foley for RB? I suspect he may be playing more of a MF role at Wolves these days.

Wilson is currently playing right back for Stoke after starting off there in midfield. Foley is back at right back for Wolves - was in the last game against Spurs anyway.

[EastTerracer]

Knowing how conservative Trap is I do think he will pick Kilbane over Clark for the Macedonia game - I think he'd prefer to see Clark get a few more caps before making him first-choice full-back. As a result I predict a very familiar line-up assuming Dunne is fit.

Westwood
O'Shea Dunne St.Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Gibson Whelan Duff
Doyle Keane

Average age of 28, over 50 caps on average and a total of 82 international goals. I think McCarthy and Long are almost certain to get a run as well.

[Kingdom]

I dunno - if Dunne wasn't playing, then you could understand why he might prefer to keep Killer in at LB, so that as he'd have to make a change on the other side. With Dunne likely to play, it's a straight like for like (in so many ways), bringing in Clark.

[CraftyToePoke]

I dunno - if Dunne wasn't playing, then you could understand why he might prefer to keep Killer in at LB, so that as he'd have to make a change on the other side. With Dunne likely to play, it's a straight like for like (in so many ways), bringing in Clark.

I think maybe if he had his usual safe pair of hands in Given behind them we might have seen Clark, but the loss of his experience might see Kilbane selected.

[rebelmusic]

In truth Kilbane tends to play his better games against weaker opposition and i'm sure Trap will note that.

[gilberto_eire]

Trap makes out that it's important that his players are...

1. Playing regularly

2. Playing at a decent level

3. Playing in position

On the basis of that, and considering Kilbane has always been pretty rubbish at LB anyway, it would be criminal to overlook Clark in favour of a man playing CM for a League 1 side.

I don't think he will play Kilbane though. He has proved himself to be conservative(during games, reluctant to make changes) but I don't think he's as stubborn as we expect him to be(I also don't think Green will start)

[Dunners]

Killer offers nothing at left back an experienced manager like Trap should be able to see that. He has got to go with Clark
experience or not its a no brainer.
If McCarthy does not get a cap then i'm afraid Trap wants taking out back and capping

[Noelys Guitar]

Dunphy on Squad selection.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/ click on Dunphys mush for interview. And no way should Kilbane be selected ahead of Clark. Kilbane is no longer anywhere near the standard required at this level anymore. Great servant for Ireland but sentiment should play no part in a game we have to win.

[IsMiseSean]

Westwood
O'Shea Dunne St.Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Gibson Whelan Duff
Doyle Keane


Ya I reckon that will be the team.
McCarthy is a certainty to get a cap just like Gibson was capped in Slovakia a few years ago, if he shows up....

[Charlie Darwin]

If Kilbane offered nothing at left back it would have taken less time than this to replace him. He's a player with some notable flaws but some great attributes as well and regardless of what people say we do tend to concede less goals when he's in the team. He doesn't offer an awful lot going forward anymore but that's because he's always been more a winger than a natural full back.

[gilberto_eire]

If Kilbane offered nothing at left back it would have taken less time than this to replace him. He's a player with some notable flaws but some great attributes as well and regardless of what people say we do tend to concede less goals when he's in the team. He doesn't offer an awful lot going forward anymore but that's because he's always been more a winger than a natural full back.

Or maybe it was because nobody else came on the scene until recently.

[Crosby87]

I think it's a good time to pass the baton from Killer to Clark.
And Stutts you made a great point on the previous page about McCarthy with the press. National tragedy to: Oh he's in the team? Meh.
What a waste of enegry all that was!
All in all, I think Macedonia will have their hands full.

[geysir]

Kilbane has been on death row for a while now.
I wouldn't at all mind him getting another cap before he goes to the chair but I'm more keen to see Clark get settled into the team.

[paul_oshea]

If Kilbane offered nothing at left back it would have taken less time than this to replace him. He's a player with some notable flaws but some great attributes as well and regardless of what people say we do tend to concede less goals when he's in the team. He doesn't offer an awful lot going forward anymore but that's because he's always been more a winger than a natural full back.

how can you make that assertion when he has played over 100 caps for us?

[Dunners]

I am not knocking him Killer has been a great servant to the team over the years. In my opinion he has had his day its time to move on
I have always been a big fan of the man , still am but we have a better option with Clark.
Managers tend to take the easy option and trust with what they know. Traps no different McCarthy until his injury was our only
midfielder starting in the EPL yet he could'nt get into the squad.

[geysir]

McCarthy has been in most every squad since the Brazil game.

[Stuttgart88]

East Terracer, didn't Trap throw St. Ledger into the mix in Sofia just after he made his debut against Nigeria?

Possible precedent for picking Clark? I'm not fussed - I have reservations about each at left back, but I like the balance that KK brings.

[EastTerracer]

East Terracer, didn't Trap throw St. Ledger into the mix in Sofia just after he made his debut against Nigeria?

Possible precedent for picking Clark? I'm not fussed - I have reservations about each at left back, but I like the balance that KK brings.

Stutts, that is true about St. Ledger and Green made the move up to competitive games very quickly as well. I just think Trap is very loyal to the older players and Kilbane has actually started this campaign better than he played in the World Cup campaign. My suspicion is that he'll stick with the players he knows best for the moment.

[Charlie Darwin]

Or maybe it was because nobody else came on the scene until recently.
Well obviously. But we have had left-sided defenders and presumably they all had something to offer but Kilbane offered more. Therefore he can't have been as useless as the person I was responding to (but forgot to quote) said.


how can you make that assertion when he has played over 100 caps for us?
What assertion?