Squad VS Armenia and Andorra

[mark12345]

That's why we don't play anything but 4-4-2 - it requires only one of Keane or Doyle. It's a big problem, esp. with Keane as captain, and Doyle showing signs of discontent recently.

We pick our formation to get our best players on the pitch in their favoured roles. It really limits our options.

Put Hoolahan in Andrews's spot and Keane in Hoolohan's and you have a pretty good looking team

[mark12345]

and traps actual team (and 4-4-2 id say!)....

Republic of Ireland team to play Andorra: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger, Darren O'Dea, Stephen Ward, Damien Duff, Keith Andrews, Glenn Whelan, Aidan McGeady, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane.

Playing with fire fielding this bloody eleven. Whelan and Andrews are two passes too many (or twenty-two by the time they actually play a forward pass) in this bunch. Just hoof the ball long and get the goals. Nothing more nothing less.

[Crosby87]

A couple of goals and a well paced performance will boost confidence even if it is only Andorra. And thats what we need.
I have a feeling Doyle will get two tomorrow and be able to sleep sound.

Doesn't really feel like there is too much chatter on Foot.ie for these 2 games as compared to recent tangles, maybe malaise really HAS settled in.

[dr_peepee]

I've more faith in O'Dea and Sledge when they're beside some one more senior. The two together doesn't inspire confidence in me..

[AlaskaFox]

I don't think defensive inexperience will matter at all against Andorra. They'd be lucky to get one, max. I'm going for 6-0 to Ireland. It's a major game against a minor side, and I can see our boys being more than up for it. It'll also send a message to Armenia ahead of Tuesday.

[dr_peepee]

Glad to see Doyle selected, for his sake.. He needs a boost. Hopefully a Goal or two will kick off his season.. Was unlucky to have his legit goal disallowed last week.

[Stuttgart88]

I've more faith in O'Dea and Sledge when they're beside some one more senior. The two together doesn't inspire confidence in me..They kept Italy out, they should cope OK against Andorra. SSL's leadership impresses me, as does O'D's confidence.

[ifk101]

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They should be fine against Andorra (you'd hope). But the doc was at fault for Andorra's goal against us in Dublin. He didn't have a clue there was an attacker running onto the breaking ball and look at the way he turned to face the ball. As we will have the bulk of possession against Andorra, there is a chance our defence will turn off and possibly Andorra could catch us out.

[Predator]

Look at how far Given is out too - that was when he wasn't playing regularly. The defence in general was positionally poor and the goalscorer was simply not picked up.

[Stuttgart88]

If we had scored that goal would we be diminishing its quality because of GK positioning or slack marking by a CB?

It was a super goal. Goals happen. That's why we watch football.

The precedent I'm more worried about is that few teams have scored much in Andorra and wer're not a team that scores much.

We'll win I'm sure, but I don't expect it'll be without a few anxious moments and it may not be high on entertainment value.

[pineapple stu]

I don't think Given is too far out either; he's only three yards off his line, which is grand, I think.

Yeah, the defence was a bit sleepy, but as Stutts said, it was just one of those things.

I don't see us winning by 5 or 6 tonight. I'll reckon on us going at them early, scoring an early goal or two (say 2-0 by 30 minutes) and then sitting back. Very similar to how the game in Dublin went.

[ifk101]

If we had scored that goal would we be diminishing its quality because of GK positioning or slack marking by a CB?

If we had scored that goal..... difficult to imagine one of our players running from midfield onto a breaking ball in the opposition's third of the field.

[Predator]

If we had scored that goal would we be diminishing its quality because of GK positioning or slack marking by a CB?

It was a super goal. Goals happen. That's why we watch football.Point taken, of course I wouldn't be diminishing the goal's quality. I am not doing so. However, I feel it is always important to be critical of weaknesses in order to improve upon them.


I don't think Given is too far out either; he's only three yards off his line, which is grand, I think.I've spoken to goalkeeper coaches who feel that Given's positioning as it was is acceptable, but others (who I agree with) who argue that if he's a yard closer to his line, he's going to make a better stab at saving that shot. Obviously I'd prefer if the ball was dealt with better by the defence, but it's not like goalkeepers don't prepare for shots like that.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well he'd obviously have had a better chance if he'd been standing on his line but it was an outstanding shot - goalkeepers can't legislate for that level of accuracy. The odds were he was going to hit it low or at a comfortable height so I think Given was right to stay a step forward and narrow the angle. I don't think it would have made a huge effect either way.

[dr_peepee]

They kept Italy out, they should cope OK against Andorra. SSL's leadership impresses me, as does O'D's confidence.

Had forgot about the italy game... But I'll stand by my point. Sometimes it's more difficult for defenders to play well against weaker teams. Kelly is a prime example. Less pressure, more concentration, more time on the ball..