Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

[tetsujin1979]

from Ken Early's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/#!/kenearlys/statuses/50167478512394240

no pull-outs from ireland squad, coleman, dunne, duff and best not training today; mccarthy, keane and fahey are though.

(incidentally, I'm a little surprised nobody has written a twitter plugin for vBulletin, like there is for youtube, etc)

[geysir]

That pushes Fahey up in the reckoning.
Next come the speculation on who is going to start based on the roles played in the training.

[Closed Account]

from Ken Early's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/#!/kenearlys/statuses/50167478512394240


(incidentally, I'm a little surprised nobody has written a twitter plugin for vBulletin, like there is for youtube, etc)

Good sign that there are no pull outs, shows that everyone is up for this game. I fully expect Dunne and Duff to make the starting lineup. Good to see Robbie training.

[paul_oshea]

from Ken Early's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/#!/kenearlys/statuses/50167478512394240


(incidentally, I'm a little surprised nobody has written a twitter plugin for vBulletin, like there is for youtube, etc)

They are writing it. Soon there will probably be a nice little button directing to a twitter feed like the fly uses for anchors or the code tags.

[Wolfie]

Wolfie, are you a Wolves fan by any chance?

Not a Wolves fan, Geysir but, that said, I'd be considered to be a well wisher of theirs in the sense that I wish them no harm.


No, Wolfie supports his legs.

I support my legs?????????? How exactly - hand stands???

The circus beckons.

Ones legs support you, not the other way around, surely????

[EastTerracer]

From Ken Early and Daniel McDonnell on Twitter....

KE: "robbie keane will start for ireland against macedonia despite barely playing in months. his experience will be important, says trap"

DMcD: "Trap suggesting that Kevin Foley will start on Saturday. "

KE: "trap sure dunne will be fit for game. likely to use foley at RB rather than coleman because he's more familiar with the position. "

KE: "not yet saying whether clark or kilbane will be preferred at LB. mccarthy will not start, that would be too tough mentally. "

KE: "but mccarthy will play at some point, even if it's only for three minutes."

[Sullivinho]

Foley's waited patiently for that promotion. Very encouraging news regarding Dunne, hopefully he's somewhere near fully fit.

[rebelmusic]

In response to a question about who starts in midfield

@Stulikesdrums (https://twitter.com/Stulikesdrums) green won't be, guessing gibson and whelan will start

Hope that's true. I don't expect McCarthy to start, Gibson and Whelan are the best choice.

[rebelmusic]

Hmm a lot more niggling injuries than previously thought, from footie365

" Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is assessing his injured players ahead of Saturday's Euro 2012 qualifier against Macedonia.
Central defender Richard Dunne was due to join up with the rest of the squad, which assembled in Malahide on Monday night, after staying behind at Aston Villa to continue treatment on his damaged shoulder, while midfielder Darron Gibson, who has a toe problem, is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.
Striker Leon Best did meet up despite missing Newcastle's Barclays Premier League defeat at Stoke on Saturday with an ankle injury, but he was sent for a swim this morning as his team-mates trained at Gannon Park.
Damien Duff (Achilles) and Seamus Coleman (ankle) also sat out, while Jonathan Walters will join up with the squad on Thursday with his wife about to give birth any day now."

[paul_oshea]

Not a Wolves fan, Geysir but, that said, I'd be considered to be a well wisher of theirs in the sense that I wish them no harm.



I support my legs?????????? How exactly - hand stands???

The circus beckons.

Ones legs support you, not the other way around, surely????

He asked were you a wolves supporter.

I said no you support your legs...

...because your legs support you :D

[paul_oshea]

From Ken Early and Daniel McDonnell on Twitter....

KE: "robbie keane will start for ireland against macedonia despite barely playing in months. his experience will be important, says trap"

DMcD: "Trap suggesting that Kevin Foley will start on Saturday. "

KE: "trap sure dunne will be fit for game. likely to use foley at RB rather than coleman because he's more familiar with the position. "

KE: "not yet saying whether clark or kilbane will be preferred at LB. mccarthy will not start, that would be too tough mentally. "



Im taking from this that Clark will not start, and kilbane will be given the nod.

Good news for mccarthy if his family are coming over and to tie him down - even if he was always going to play for ireland.

So:

Westwood
Foley Dunne St Ledger Kilbane
Mcgeady Whelan Green/Gibson Duff
Keane Doyle

Assuming no inuries, going on the above. Im still not sure about Green/gibson...

[SwanVsDalton]

Foley and Gibson in, over Kelly and Green? McCarthy to get some game time? Trap's turned populist.

[paul_oshea]

Kelly hasn't played in a long time SvD and isn't starting for fulham.

Green could still play yet!! But mccarthy getting game time is good, even if it is only 3 mins but id hardly say populist just yet.

[SwanVsDalton]

Kelly hasn't played in a long time SvD and isn't starting for fulham.

Green could still play yet!! But mccarthy getting game time is good, even if it is only 3 mins but id hardly say populist just yet.

I know Paul, but Trap, for the most part, retains the same order of players barring some kind of emergency. Kelly was in-and-out of the team last year as well, when Foley was playing constantly, and he still was the number 2 RB. So it's a little surprising, if not unwelcome, for Trap to promote Foley.

Only going by the tweet re:Green. Of course we're not sure what'll happen Trap could be playing mind games, making the Macedonians heave a sigh of relief that Green won't play before starting him on Saturday and shattering the oppositions confidence at having to come up against the Green Giant. Or something...

[paul_oshea]

Kelly featured more for fulham last season though SVD, certainly in their run to the Europa League final.

Sorry I missed the tweet on Green....

[SwanVsDalton]

Kelly featured more for fulham last season though SVD, certainly in their run to the Europa League final.

Yah I know, but my point still stands. If he picks Foley this week it'll be a turn-up of Trap's perceived selection policy. A welcome one mind. He thoroughly deserves his chance and will be looking forward to seeing him.

[Charlie Darwin]

Kelly missed a few weeks through injury before taking up his place on the Fulham bench. It could be a combination of those two factors that's ruled him out.

[the doc]

Anyway, Monday night with no fresh injuries reported. Is this a record?

http://www.sportsfile.com/id/500099/

Has Stutts jinx started? The Saint takes a heavy knock after a heavy tackle by Clark!

[Noelys Guitar]

Team after listening to Trapatooni's interview
Westwood
Wilson, Dunne, St Ledger, Clark
McGeady, Whelan, McCarthy, Duff
Doyle, Keane/Long

[Charlie Darwin]

Oh dear, is he making opposite statements in different interviews again? James will be in the Scotland squad by Thursday I fancy.

[geysir]

Only going by the tweet re:Green. Of course we're not sure what'll happen Trap could be playing mind games, ..
Desperate times if you are going by some tweet, by someone (a feckin' drummer?) - expressing a hope that Green will not play.

It all goes to prove that the opinions of anti-Green brigade are to be taken with a large dose of salt :)

[geysir]

http://www.sportsfile.com/id/500099/

Has Stutts jinx started? The Saint takes a heavy knock after a heavy tackle by Clark!
Clark is just making sure of his place.

Have you not seen the film Le Couperet?

[KR's Post]

Westwood

Coleman Dunne St Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Whelan McCarthy Duff
Doyle Keane

Mccarthy to open the scoring and Kiss the Crest!!! Watch this space!

[geysir]

Except for emergencies Kelly has been a persona not grata on the team since the game against Georgia. It would be no surprise for Foley to be selected ahead of him.

[Charlie Darwin]

Desperate times if you are going by some tweet, by someone (a feckin' drummer?) - expressing a hope that Green will not play.

It all goes to prove that the opinions of anti-Green brigade are to be taken with a large dose of salt :)
It's a reply by Ken Early to a feckin' drummer.

[Noelys Guitar]

I don't like this bit from RTE sports. Very likely just precautionary
Damien Duff (Achilles) and Seamus Coleman (ankle) also sat out, while Jonathan Walters will join up with the squad on Thursday with his wife about to give birth any day now.

[geysir]

Footballers should plan out their family with a bit more precision.

[elroy]

Kevin Foley could get the nod at right-back, with Ciaran Clark vying with the 108 times-capped Kevin Kilbane for a start on the left side of Dunne and Sean St Ledger.

In midfield, Gibson could partner Glenn Whelan in the middle if he shakes off his fitness problems with Duff and Aiden McGeady out wide, while Keane seems certain to start alongside Kevin Doyle in attack with Shane Long held in reserve.



Read more: http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/trapattoni-confident-on-keane-fitness-for-macedonia-tie-498238.html#ixzz1HLh2hgmW

Would be very happy to see Foley start, although it would be a bit bizarre as Trap has more or less refused to give him a run out in the friendlies. But he def deserves a start imo.

Clark has to start ahead of Killer I think. Played well enough against wales and has been solid in the PL, so no reason to think he wouldnt do a good job on sat night. The other big decision is CM where a neither proposed partnership really whets the appetite. Perhaps go with Gibson and Whelan with McCarthy to come on after an hour.

Dunne MUST play, vital he is fit.

[Junior]

Oh dear, is he making opposite statements in different interviews again? James will be in the Scotland squad by Thursday I fancy.

We need to get Anthony Stokes da in to sort this communication issue out.

[SwanVsDalton]

Desperate times if you are going by some tweet, by someone (a feckin' drummer?) - expressing a hope that Green will not play.

It all goes to prove that the opinions of anti-Green brigade are to be taken with a large dose of salt :)

Hi Paul.


Except for emergencies Kelly has been a persona not grata on the team since the game against Georgia. It would be no surprise for Foley to be selected ahead of him.

Not true, as I outlined in a post earlier in this thread (http://foot.ie/threads/147913-Predict-the-Squad-Starting-Lineup-for-Macedonia?p=1465768&viewfull=1#post1465768).

An example to be clear - Kelly played 90 minutes against Brazil (Foley on bench), Paraguay (Foley played 8 minutes), Algeria (Foley on bench) and Norway (Foley played 23 minutes). He also came off the bench against Andorra (Foley not on bench and not injured far as I can tell) for 15 minutes. That's just in the last year.

When both have been in the squad, Kelly has been preferred to Foley every time except once - against Nigeria, when Foley made his debut.

It's not a huge surprise if Foley was to get the nod ahead of Kelly, his form has been good and he's been more or less ever present at Wolves (unlike Kelly). But that's been true for sometime, and Trap has stuck with Kelly even in recent matches. It seemed bit of a 'Trap Pick', maybe like Keogh's continued presence in the squad. But it's completely welcome - he should be rewarding Foley for his club form and showing players regular first team football is what's needed.

[Stuttgart88]

I expect(ed) Foley to be picked ahead of Kelly, regardless of any of the above. I just think it's obvious to all that he is a better player and now has nearly 2 years EPL experience. Add Kelly's lack of match practice, and the fact that there will be some others playing that have are not 100%, and it should be a clear choice. Although Trap hasn't always gone with club form I think that Foley is the better choice and Trap sees that.

[SwanVsDalton]

I'd agree totally with the thinking, but admit to being surprised. Just thought Trap fancied Kelly too much (the handsome devil).

[geysir]

True enough that Kelly was on the bench ahead of Foley against Andorra but Foley had the spot on the bench against Slovakia.
Foley is on the upward groove.

[SwanVsDalton]

True enough that Kelly was on the bench ahead of Foley against Andorra but Foley had the spot on the bench against Slovakia.
Foley is on the upward groove.

Agree but, to nitpick, Kelly was injured. He then played the next game against Norway from the start, with Foley only introduced from the bench.

I'd say if Foley had of been fit for the Wales game, he'd have started.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think Kelly is the more solid defender, which is why I thought Trap would always go with him. Foley offers more going forward than Kelly or Josh, so it'd be great to see him play there regularly.

[geysir]

I have just been listening to RTE for the 7pm sports news.
Long drony interview with Shay Given, ending with the 'not quite with it' interviewer saying ´Shay, most certainly you are going to be missed on Saturday'
Yeah, sure.
Then they turn to some rugby analyst for yet another perspective on some game played last week.

[mark12345]

McCarthy to come on after an hour? We have to start with him. He'll show for the ball and control the tempo. Do you think we can wait an hour for that?

[mark12345]

If that's what he's saying now then Trap is a worse manager than I gave him credit for. He's going to give McCarthy some game time. How on God's green earth can he tell how the game's going to go? Yet he's going to make a promise beforehand that he's going to give a player 'game time.' This is not a friendly Giovanni. He should start with James. If he starts without the player who is the most consistent midfielder Ireland have then he needs his head examined. I really think Trap has lost the plot.

[paul_oshea]

what if mccarthy doesn't make a big impact in the first hour. what kind of statement does it send out to mccarthy and everyone if he is replaced by green?

[Noelys Guitar]

Mark does have a point though Paul. I thought it was a strange thing to say unless he intends starting McCarthy . This is a qualifyer not a friendly. We have a number of players carrying injuries or just returning from injuries. What happens if two defenders and a forward/or goalkeeper get injured in the first 60 mins? McCarthy would remain on the bench.

[SwanVsDalton]

Trap usually is fairly opens about his intentions for a game, competitive or not. Think it's fair enough to assume the quote means he intends to play James with the unspoken proviso of 'if nothing drastic happens'.

[Noelys Guitar]

Trap usually is fairly opens about his intentions for a game, competitive or not. Think it's fair enough to assume the quote means he intends to play James with the unspoken proviso of 'if nothing drastic happens'.

Thats what I thought as well when I heard the interview. That he would start McCarthy alongside Whelan.

[geysir]

Maybe you heard a different interview but it sounds 100% sure that McCarthy will be on the bench unless something drastic happens.

“He won’t start,” the manager confirmed before suggesting the 21-year-old needs to assert himself more to get on the ball. “It will be tough on him (McCarthy) to start immediately. I had to say to him today to call for the ball more because he is a little shy.”

[Dunners]

McCarthy will make an impact if given long enough on the pitch , the lad is pure class
Class will always shine through

Come on Trap let the wee man have his moment, its long overdue

[Charlie Darwin]

“I had to say to him today to call for the ball more because he is a little shy.”
Ah. Good thing we've got Darron Gibson to show him how it's done.

[SwanVsDalton]

Thats what I thought as well when I heard the interview. That he would start McCarthy alongside Whelan.

I meant play in that he'll get some game-time, probably off the bench. Don't think it's too unusual for Trap to say as much, like I said he doesn't really keep his cards particularly close.

[Noelys Guitar]

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12606_6830091,00.html Here is the Sky interview which definetely suggests McCarthy will not start but will play some part in the game.

[geysir]

Only Manuela knows exactly what Trap means, maybe RTE should interview her as to who will play and when.

[Crosby87]

Only Manuela knows exactly what Trap means, maybe RTE should interview her as to who will play and when.

Can the interview take place while she is showering? And be muted?

[paul_oshea]

Maybe you heard a different interview but it sounds 100% sure that McCarthy will be on the bench unless something drastic happens.

“He won’t start,” the manager confirmed before suggesting the 21-year-old needs to assert himself more to get on the ball. “It will be tough on him (McCarthy) to start immediately. I had to say to him today to call for the ball more because he is a little shy.”

The irony...assert yourself more to get on the ball!?!?