Macedonia V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 4th June 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[Paddy Garcia]

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!

[TrapAPony]

The defence looks like it is going to be dire so. McShane, O'Shea, O'Dea, Kilbane :struggle:

[Noelys Guitar]

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!

All the signs are pointing to him starting. There is a bigger nightmare than McShane starting at full back and that is him starting at center half.

[Sullivinho]

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!

You just know he's gonna fumble that sun cream bottle too. And, as if we weren't handicapped enough already, play the entire game with one eye glued shut.

Absolutely world class attitude that man. I'm still at the point of hoping rather than expecting him to be successful though.

[Sullivinho]

The defence looks like it is going to be dire so. McShane, O'Shea, O'Dea, Kilbane :struggle:

That's stark reading. Plenty room for error in that unit. Hopefully we're blitzing the Macedonians further up the field while these chaps cut indistinct shapes in the background.

[Charlie Darwin]

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!
Don't worry lads. He clearly thinks the game is taking place during the day. He'll be tucked up in bed by 9pm.

[Stuttgart88]

The defence looks like it is going to be dire so. McShane, O'Shea, O'Dea, Kilbane :struggle:Odds on a red card among that lot?

[geysir]

Will you all shut up and hold your nerve.
Some of us are trying to ignore thoughts that disturb.

[dylanisgod]

I'm surprised at the confidence people have in Ward - I thought he looked very shaky in the Scotland game. His good performance against NI was a bit of a false dawn, he had almost nothing to do defensively.

As dodgy as Kilbane is, I'd say he's still stronger than what I saw of Ward in the last two games.

[Noelys Guitar]

Trap's latest comments on who he will select. Highly unlikely St Ledger and almost certainly O'Dea. Still to make his mind up though on a number of selections. http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0530/1224298117829.html

[ArdeeBhoy]

It'd be a huge risk to pick Sledge for his first game since February.

It'd be a huge risk to play O'Dea though. Or Kelly. Or McShane. Or even Foley. Or Ward. Or Kilbane.

Jeez, our defensive options are all scary! I have faith in none of them to go through a game without committing a game changing error.

That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.

[jbyrne]

That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.

maybe thats what the recent "pointless" friendlies will have done

[geysir]

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough
The game is on at nighttime. Should be cool enough.

[tetsujin1979]

That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.
The only viable alternative I can think of that isn't available or already in the squad is Paddy McCarthy, and possibly Shane Duffy

[Deckydee]

Anyone know the KO time?

[theworm2345]

Going by Trapatonni's comments after the game O'Dea is definetely playing. Interestingly he said O'Shea, Whelan and McGeady would be "stepping in". No mention of Gibson or Kilbane which suggests Andrews will start alongside Whelan and possibly Ward to start at left back.
Not a fan of O'Dea to be honest and McShane outplayed him against Scotland.

[boovidge]

8.30 according to RTE and Sky. Anyone know the TV coverage situation in the UK?

[Noelys Guitar]

9.30pm local time according to the Uefa site

[Sullivinho]

Today in the hotel. Stone Bridge in Skopje, the coach of the A-national team of Macedonia, Mirsad Jonuzi polling started the first qualifying duel against the Republic of Ireland. The regular term appeared most of the players with the exception of Pandev and Popov arriving tomorrow, and Naumovski, Shumulikoski and Novevski join ekspedi-tion today in Ohrid. The afternoon of Biljana sources is the first scheduled training. Due to injury Jonuz release from obligations Fetai and his place is called Dusan Savic Pahtakor of the crew.

Press conference with the coach and captain Jonuz Pandev is scheduled for Wednesday in the hotel. Inex Gorica Ohrid at 12.30h. The expedition returns from Ohrid on Friday in 20h.and will hold training on Saturday at 10am. National Arena Philip II. The Irish squad will train on Friday (03.Juni) at 18h. by Philip II. "coach Giovanni Trapattoni will hold a press conference on" Philip II "starting at 17h.Source. (http://ffm.com.mk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1594%3A2011-05-30-12-04-09&catid=37%3Aa-national-team&Itemid=421&lang=mk)

[Stuttgart88]

That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.

That's rubbish. He has given plenty of game time to all of the above, plus Ciaran Clark and Damien Delaney. None has passed the audition, bar maybe O'Dea against Macedonia - when it counted - and, in my opinion, Delaney. Ward was OK, but had some potentially costly lapses.

Of all the options we have in any of the defensive positions I think they have virtually all been tried. Wilson was asked to come over but for whatever reason didfn't / couldn't come. Coleman might have been given a run at FB but most people wanted him tested at RM. Cunningham was tried, did well, but broke his leg.

Our defensive options have all been tried, it's just that without Dunne and Sledge, they're not wholly convincing.

[Stuttgart88]

8.30 accordig to RTE and Sky. Anyone know the TV coverage situation in the UK?SKY Sports 1 I think.

[boovidge]

Excellent. It also doesn't clash with the English game so I shouldn't have to fight to get somewhere to show it.

[elroy]

You know what, we might not think the very best of McShane or O'Dea but arent their comments, enthusiasm and commitment refreshing and nice to hear in comparison to the rubbish we had to deal with due to certain other players last week.

[mark12345]

In tricky situations involving the Irish team I always ask myself 'what would Jack (Charlton) do?'.

Jack had a knack of putting people into positions they weren't really used to (McGrath in midfield, Aldridge as a one size fits all midfielder/striker) and getting the best out of them. It's clear that Trap has to improvise at the center back position. He should go with John O'Shea and Keith Andrews. There are quite a few replacements ready to take Andrews's place in midfield (Gibson, Whelan, Fahey). It's not the ideal situation we all know but is there anyone on this board who would put their life savings on us not conceding with O'Dea and McShane in the back four?

[paul_oshea]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/the-madness-in-his-method-2660616.html

Fanning always writes about the inevitable doomsday scenario, just so he can say i told you so. He is always trying to find problems or causes of problems, that a lot of the time aren't even there.

[Noelys Guitar]

In tricky situations involving the Irish team I always ask myself 'what would Jack (Charlton) do?'.

Jack had a knack of putting people into positions they weren't really used to (McGrath in midfield, Aldridge as a one size fits all midfielder/striker) and getting the best out of them. It's clear that Trap has to improvise at the center back position. He should go with John O'Shea and Keith Andrews. There are quite a few replacements ready to take Andrews's place in midfield (Gibson, Whelan, Fahey). It's not the ideal situation we all know but is there anyone on this board who would put their life savings on us not conceding with O'Dea and McShane in the back four?

Not a bad idea at all but I just can't see Trapatonni trying it. Especially in a competitive away game like this. Going by whats being said by Trap and Tardelli it certainly seems that the back four to start will be the four you mentioned Mark. My main concern with McShane is his lunging into tackles in his own box. Usually tackles that he dosen't even need to make. When Dunne got outpaced in the home game he composed himself enough not to give away a peno. McShane would have dived in. Thats my main worry.

[Crosby87]

So, predictions?
I'll say we go up 2-0 right quick and end up drawing 3-3 in a crazy game.

[BonnieShels]

We'll win by the odd one. Keano to score ca. the 60th min and we hold on with a few hairy moments and a free kick in the 91st minute from them.

[Sullivinho]

2-1 to us again. They score first, we stage a comeback and suffer a nailbiting finish that sees us retreat so far that Shay is caught offside at one point.

[Kingdom]

With Gibbo out, it narrows down the options again; based on what's been said so far.....

---------------------Given-------------------

Foley/McShane----Josh-----O'Dea----KK/Ward

McGeady----Whelan--------Andrews-----Hunt

-------------Keane--------Long--------------

Forde, Kelly/Foley/Kilbane, Fahey, Treacy, Cox, Lawrence

At this stage can't see him dropping Kilbane, nor can I see him picking Foley ahead of McShane, given Foley didn't start either match at right back.

I think we'll win. I think we'll concede. I think Robbie will score. I think McGeady will be our main attacking outlet. I think McShane will mess up. I think Armenia will take a point in Russia.

[Sullivinho]

I think we'll win. I think Armenia will take a point in Russia.

Now that would be a fantastic night's work. I can't see Armenia keeping the Russians out mind, but until matchday's end you are the oracle whose prophecy I'm on fire for.

[Noelys Guitar]

We only beat them 2-1 at home with a team containing Duff and Dunne (both out) so it is going to be a very difficult game. But I still fancy us to just shade it 1-0.

[Noelys Guitar]

Didn't realise Brady had said on RTE (Sunday)that there was a media campaign to get rid of Trapatonni. Plus some other interesting snippets from Trap on Ian Harte's comments.
From the Irish Examiner
Meanwhile, Trapattoni calmly dismissed Ian Harte’s criticism over the weekend that he doesn’t watch enough Irish players in action for their clubs.

"I can learn more, more, more from DVDs," said Trapattoni. "80 per cent of the players I have gone to see usually didn’t play or played only ten minutes. In one day on television or DVD I can see three or four games every Saturday, every Sunday. As well as that, we have not only Marco (Tardelli) watching players but three or four scouts giving us references.

"Harte, we know Harte. (Stephen) Ward for me now is better, he can improve. Harte is 33. I already said that we look to improve this squad. Or else we stay again with Lee Carsley, with Steven Reid. In the past it was like this. Now, no. In two years we have changed the squad, bringing in many young players. Who knew about (Simon) Cox before? We look for young energy. You need fresh energy."

And Trapattoni said that he didn’t agree with Liam Brady’s claim, made on RTE on Sunday night, that there is a media campaign designed to force the Italian from his job.

"I never said this, I haven’t this opinion," said Trapattoni. "I think we have made until now a good job. We take the team, we change it a little bit, we discover other players. It’s important if we can conclude this work. I don’t have any preconceptions about any of the players, coming or not. I do what I think is best for the national team. My personal opinion is that when I meet people in the city, they are happy."

[Crosby87]

He shouldn't mention S. Reid in there like it would be a bad thing having him in the lineup. We haven't looked organized since he retired from Intl Play.
Much better Int'l player than club player IMO.

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, mentioning Reid in that context wasn't right.

[Bottle of Tonic]

So it'll be Andrew and Whelan in the middle now that Gibson is out. Not too worried about that. Gibson has a shot and little else. Good commitment out of Andrews and he's well capable for a decent performance. Looking forward to this already and its only flaming Tuesday.

[shakermaker1982]

Our defense is gonna give us a lot of scary moments Saturday night. If it's McShane at RB the players near him always need to offer themselves for the pass when McShane is in possession. His passing is awful. I don't trust him passing back to Given so if in doubt McShane just kick it out for a throw in!

[backstothewall]

So it'll be Andrew and Whelan in the middle now that Gibson is out. Not too worried about that. Gibson has a shot and little else. Good commitment out of Andrews and he's well capable for a decent performance.

With Fahey to come in. Happy enough with that myself.

[Stuttgart88]

assuming Fahey is even fit. Foley may end up in the middle at some stage. I'm beginning to think that going 1 down in this match might suit us. It'll put us on the front foot and hopefully we'll be good enough to recover.

All our best spells have come when we are looking to establish a lead or looking to recover from a deficit. When we do actually go ahead we fall to pieces and find it hard to regain momentum.

I'm not as fussed as I thought I'd be over McShane. Of course there are mistakes in him and his distribution is going to cost us a lot of possession, but he's a positive guy and a battler.

Whelan and Andrews are actually our no. 1 midfield pairing and this will be the first time they've played together this campaign - in game no. 6.

We really are down to the bare bones but at least we'll have a tough team of committed battlers.

[dr_peepee]

I think we'll win. I think we'll concede. I think Robbie will score. I think McGeady will be our main attacking outlet. I think McShane will mess up. I think Armenia will take a point in Russia.

" I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.... I hope."

[Kingdom]

" I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.... I hope."

very good doctor. anything you can prescribe for Sat?

[Stuttgart88]

Hunt & O'Dea both coming out with positive comments (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0531/ireland_hunts.html)

At least there's no talk of "draw away, win at home" nonsense. They going for a win. We may not have our best XI available on Saturday but we will have a very determined XI who won't be bullied around.

[French Toasht]

Interesting to hear Shay describe Macedonia as a strong team going forward but poor defensively.

That may have been the case in the game against us, but their recent results suggest otherwise. They are unable to score but have kept a fair few clean sheets or only conceded one goal in recent games. I think we may have made them look good going forward due to us a having a nightmare of a game in that match. Yes Pandev is a threat but I still think we can contain him.

Is that dodgy keeper of theirs due a start? Pity we are missing Gibson but Whelan can get a fair amount of power behind his shots.

[Stuttgart88]

Andrews has a decent boot on him too.

[elroy]

I see the Russia game kicks off at 4pm, so we'll know what they have done before we kick off in Macedonia at 8.30pm.

Slovakia V Andorra is at 7.15pm but doubt we'll need to check the result there.

Back in the good ole days, Setanta wouldve showed the Russia game, but no so luck showing England instead. Much use to us that is.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm at my father-in-law's 75th. Luckily he's having a birthday lunch, not a dinner.

[tetsujin1979]

We have to assume home wins in both games, anything else will be a bonus

[Stuttgart88]

Injuries clearing up? (http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0531/1224298189610.html)

Sledge seems to be making progress. O'Shea fit and Whelan played full part in training.

[Fixer82]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6iUAfT3pSE
Robbie's been warming his voice up in case he needs to let a few roars at his back 4 in Skopje

[Charlie Darwin]

A minute in... it's definitely better than his Amhrán na bhFiann. Which isn't saying much to be fair.