Republic of Ireland V Czech Republic - Wednesday, 29th February 2012 - Friendly

[tetsujin1979]

Can't find any other thread for this.
Listed as a fixture on Sky Sports site now: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12942,00.html

[theworm2345]

As I recall, the match is on the 29th (leap day) not the 28th

[Closed Account]

As I recall, the match is on the 29th (leap day) not the 28th
Gaiman has really got it in for you Tets.

[tetsujin1979]

Gaiman has really got it in for you Tets.He does, for whatever reason. That's the last time I'll ever read Sandman.

[Carrigaline]

James McClean is going to get a run-out for this one. If he performs, I wonder would Trap consider dropping the likes of Coleman, who hasn't been great from what I have seen of him.

[DannyInvincible]

James McClean is going to get a run-out for this one. If he performs, I wonder would Trap consider dropping the likes of Coleman, who hasn't been great from what I have seen of him.

In an Ireland or Everton shirt?

[geysir]

Trap is reported on radio news as saying that he will not be giving uncapped players a chance in these friendlies, that he will be looking to the players who have already been a part of the squad, to be a part of the Finals' squad.

[DannyInvincible]

Trap is reported on radio news as saying that he will not be giving uncapped players a chance in these friendlies, that he will be looking to the players who have already been a part of the squad, to be a part of the Finals' squad.

Contradicting himself? He definitely singled out McClean the other day and said he'd select him for this friendly.

[TrapAPony]

Trap is reported on radio news as saying that he will not be giving uncapped players a chance in these friendlies, that he will be looking to the players who have already been a part of the squad, to be a part of the Finals' squad.

Stubborn as a mule that man

[geysir]

Contradicting himself? He definitely singled out McClean the other day and said he'd select him for this friendly.
Where did you read that?
This is what I read in an article (http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/Trapattoni-to-reward-McCleans-switch-with-Ireland-cap-136902538.html) by Cathal Dervan.
“James will be in the Ireland squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic at the Aviva,” confirmed a source close to the Irish management team.

[DannyInvincible]

Where did you read that?
This is what I read in an article (http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/Trapattoni-to-reward-McCleans-switch-with-Ireland-cap-136902538.html) by Cathal Dervan.
“James will be in the Ireland squad for the friendly against the Czech Republic at the Aviva,” confirmed a source close to the Irish management team.

My mistake. :)

Edit: He did speak of him at a press conference the other day, mind, and talked about calling him up in future: http://backpagefootball.com/premier-league/one-2-watch-james-mcclean/

Admittedly, he didn't mention the Czech game specifically, so I seem to have morphed the press conference and source information into one in my head.

[backstothewall]

Just bought my tickets. Great that they've finally taken the hint on ticket prices.

[Paddy the Dog]

Can somebody remind me whether this game is included in the season ticket? I'm pretty sure it is, but the recent email from FAI advertising 3 for 2 tickets has confused me. Which isn't difficult to do.

[Stuttgart88]

I was totally confused by that as well. I think it said that the offer is for additional tickets, so season tickets are still good.

[elroy]

Definitely included in the season ticket as is the Bosnia send off game in May.

[theworm2345]

Squad out on Friday apparently, not that there's likely to be any intrigue there.

[DannyInvincible]

The inclusion of McClean is something I'm really looking forward to. Assuming it transpires, as FAI sources close to Trap have suggested.

[tetsujin1979]

Confirmed, squad to be announced on Friday: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/time-running-out-for-fringe-men-to-twist-traps-arm-3011985.html

[Closed Account]

No James McClean,

No harm, I really don't think there is less than 23 players who deserve to be in the squad ahead of him. No point unsettling the group. He'll get his chance, just not for these Championships.

Ireland Squad:
Republic of Ireland Squad


Name
Club
Date of birth
Caps
Goals


Shay Given
Aston Villa FC
20/04/1976
120



Keiren Westwood
Sunderland AFC
23/10/1984
8



David Forde
Millwall FC
20/10/1979
2



John O’Shea
Sunderland AFC
30/04/1981
74
1


Stephen Kelly
Fulham FC
06/09/1983
29



Stephen Ward
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
20/08/1985
9
2


Richard Dunne
Aston Villa FC
21/09/1979
71
8


Sean St. Ledger
Leicester City FC
28/12/1984
24
2


Darren O’Dea
Leeds Utd
04/02/1987
12



Kevin Foley
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
01/11/1984
8



Glenn Whelan
Stoke City FC
13/01/1984
36
2


James McCarthy
Wigan Athletic FC
12/11/1990
3



Seamus Coleman
Everton FC
08/10/1988
4



Keith Andrews
West Bromwich Albion
13/09/1980
26
3


Keith Fahey
Birmingham City FC
15/01/1983
15
3


Darron Gibson
Everton FC
25/10/1987
17
1


Damien Duff
Fulham FC
02/03/1979
94
8


Aiden McGeady
Spartak Moscow FC
04/04/1986
46
2


Stephen Hunt
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
01/08/1981
37
1


Robbie Keane
Aston Villa FC
08/07/1980
114
53


Kevin Doyle
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
18/09/1983
46
10


Shane Long
West Bromwich Albion
22/01/1987
23
6


Simon Cox
West Bromwich Albion
28/04/1987
10
2


Jon Walters
Stoke City FC
20/09/1983
4
1




24 Man squad, Coleman/McGeady to possibly not be fit in time.

Edit, I don't think it'd of hurt too much to include McClean, for contingency sake.
Ironically, I think the media's clamour for his/anyone's callup seems to have a negative effect on Giovannis thought process.

[tetsujin1979]

not really surprised, not really disappointed either to be honest.
McClean's time will come, just not before the championships in June

[TrapAPony]

At least Green, Keogh and McShane aren't there:D

[geysir]

Isn't McGeady injured?
Looks like Lawrence has been phased out already
Yet another squad with 7 backs and 5 forwards, could be ominous.

[Closed Account]

At least Green, Keogh and McShane aren't there:D
Imagine if we get 3 injuries in midfield, after Lawrence replaces someone, we'd have a straight choice between Green or Keogh :eek: (going on Traps squad policies....)

Players from qualifying who have missed out: (only the top 4 made appearances)
Kevin Kilbane
Paul Green
Andrew Keogh
Liam Lawrence
Paul McShane
Joseph Murphy
Greg Cunningham
Damien Delaney
Ciaran Clark
Marc Wilson
Cillian Sheridan
Darren Randolph
Keith Treacy

[seanfhear]

No James McClean,

No harm, I really don't think there is less than 23 players who deserve to be in the squad ahead of him. No point unsettling the group. He'll get his chance, just not for these Championships.

24 man squad, Coleman to possibly not be fit in time.I do hope that if Coleman does not make it that they stick with the 24 man squad and that James McClean is called up as a replacement.

[AlaskaFox]

Surprised at Lawrence missing out seeing as how he's sticking with the players who got us there, and especially as Coleman and McGeady are doubtful for the game.

[Supreme feet]

I think the picking of Foley as a third right-back shows that Traps not convinced about Coleman's ability to cover there in the tournament. Foley can cover CM too, which would be a plus point. No problems with his selection, though. Good to see him ahead of McShane in the pecking order. No natural cover for Ward at LB; Clark can count himself a bit unlucky. The way it looks, it's between Foley, Fahey and McCarthy for the last two places in the 23-man squad, if there are no injuries in May - everyone else seems nailed on.

McClean was never going to leapfrog Hunt or Coleman for a wing spot in a 24-man squad, but perhaps Trap could have named a larger squad, or at least included him on a stand-by list as some acknowledgement of his form. Just gives more ammo for the critics.

[Dunners]

You should pick your inform players as well as your first Eleven - McClean should be in ahead of Hunt or Coleman on current form alone never mind ability. Duff and McGeady you cant argue with they are first choice. After them then its McClean every day of the week for me. Hopefully he's on the reserve list and will be called up over the next couple of days.

[noddy102]

Happy with the squad myself.

Credit to Trap for limiting the squad to 24 men, because that way he's being honest with those who are not in his plans.

Definitely looks like one of Foley/Gibson/McCarthy/Fahey who will miss the cut.

If it was up to me, I'd probably not bring McCarthy. Hard to know what Trap will do. I think he'll pick both Foley and Fahey because they offer decent versatility. A lot depends on Gibson's performances between now and the end of the season, because before he moved to Everton, I was convinced he would not be in the squad. So it will probably come down to a toss up between Gibson and McCarthy, unless there are injuries.

Touch wood there won't be any injuries between now and the end of the season... we've been so lucky up until now!

[SolitudeRed]

As well as McClean theres no Marc Wilson either? I thought he would be an obvious choice as back up LB and he can play RB and CM also, Obviously his AWOL last year has not been forgotten by Trap!

[backstothewall]

Definitely looks like one of Foley/Gibson/McCarthy/Fahey who will miss the cut.

If it was up to me, I'd probably not bring McCarthy. Hard to know what Trap will do. I think he'll pick both Foley and Fahey because they offer decent versatility. A lot depends on Gibson's performances between now and the end of the season, because before he moved to Everton, I was convinced he would not be in the squad. So it will probably come down to a toss up between Gibson and McCarthy, unless there are injuries.

I reckon Gibsons on the plane. Id imagine it's one of Fahey/McCarthy/Coleman/Foley to miss out. One of Foley or Coleman most likely to be disappointed for me.

[noddy102]

I reckon Gibsons on the plane. Id imagine it's one of Fahey/McCarthy/Coleman/Foley to miss out. One of Foley or Coleman most likely to be disappointed for me.

I can't see Trap going to EURO 2012 without 4 wingers.

Coleman being the 4th along with McGeady, Duff and Hunt.

[backstothewall]

I agree but I think he looks upon McCarthy and Fahey as wingers.

Possibly means Foley should be favourite to be disappointed though.

Unfortunately though, there is the strong possibility the decision will be made for Trap. Someone is probably likely to miss out through injury.

A better question might be who is likely to be the 25th man if 2 miss out. I would suspect Best comes in if we lose any of the forwards, McClean possibly in midfield, and probably McShane in defence (lets hope that doesn't happen)

[elroy]

No James McClean,

No harm, I really don't think there is less than 23 players who deserve to be in the squad ahead of him. No point unsettling the group. He'll get his chance, just not for these Championships.

Ireland Squad:
Republic of Ireland Squad


Name
Club
Date of birth
Caps
Goals


Shay Given
Aston Villa FC
20/04/1976
120



Keiren Westwood
Sunderland AFC
23/10/1984
8



David Forde
Millwall FC
20/10/1979
2



John O’Shea
Sunderland AFC
30/04/1981
74
1


Stephen Kelly
Fulham FC
06/09/1983
29



Stephen Ward
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
20/08/1985
9
2


Richard Dunne
Aston Villa FC
21/09/1979
71
8


Sean St. Ledger
Leicester City FC
28/12/1984
24
2


Darren O’Dea
Leeds Utd
04/02/1987
12



Kevin Foley
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
01/11/1984
8



Glenn Whelan
Stoke City FC
13/01/1984
36
2


James McCarthy
Wigan Athletic FC
12/11/1990
3



Seamus Coleman
Everton FC
08/10/1988
4



Keith Andrews
West Bromwich Albion
13/09/1980
26
3


Keith Fahey
Birmingham City FC
15/01/1983
15
3


Darron Gibson
Everton FC
25/10/1987
17
1


Damien Duff
Fulham FC
02/03/1979
94
8


Aiden McGeady
Spartak Moscow FC
04/04/1986
46
2


Stephen Hunt
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
01/08/1981
37
1


Robbie Keane
Aston Villa FC
08/07/1980
114
53


Kevin Doyle
Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
18/09/1983
46
10


Shane Long
West Bromwich Albion
22/01/1987
23
6


Simon Cox
West Bromwich Albion
28/04/1987
10
2


Jon Walters
Stoke City FC
20/09/1983
4
1




24 Man squad, Coleman/McGeady to possibly not be fit in time.

Edit, I don't think it'd of hurt too much to include McClean, for contingency sake.
Ironically, I think the media's clamour for his/anyone's callup seems to have a negative effect on Giovannis thought process.

We can debate all about how McClean, Pilkington, Clark and Hoolohan should be in the squad but suppose we all knew the chances of an uncapped player making the breakthrough before the Euros was unlikely. Whatever about the merits of McClean, Im really disappointed that Clark isnt in, he is playing well this year and is versatile which would prove very useful. Think he probably should be in ahead of O'Dea.

So one from that squad wont make the finals, who is it likely to be? Gonna be harsh. O'Dea and Cox are the two obvious candidates to my mind.

[backstothewall]

We can debate all about how McClean, Pilkington, Clark and Hoolohan should be in the squad but suppose we all knew the chances of an uncapped player making the breakthrough before the Euros was unlikely. Whatever about the merits of McClean, Im really disappointed that Clark isnt in, he is playing well this year and is versatile which would prove very useful. Think he probably should be in ahead of O'Dea.

So one from that squad wont make the finals, who is it likely to be? Gonna be harsh. O'Dea and Cox are the two obvious candidates to my mind.

To my mind that's incredibly harsh after their respective performances against Russia and Armenia. Surely what they have done in green in qualifying has to count for more than their current role with their employers

[tetsujin1979]

We can debate all about how McClean, Pilkington, Clark and Hoolohan should be in the squad but suppose we all knew the chances of an uncapped player making the breakthrough before the Euros was unlikely. Whatever about the merits of McClean, Im really disappointed that Clark isnt in, he is playing well this year and is versatile which would prove very useful. Think he probably should be in ahead of O'Dea.

So one from that squad wont make the finals, who is it likely to be? Gonna be harsh. O'Dea and Cox are the two obvious candidates to my mind.
I think Foley is the most likely. Kelly provides cover at right full, and O'Shea can play left full if anything happens to Ward.

[Stuttgart88]

I think O'Dea is a certainty to travel, as is Gibson. Foley, Fahey and McCarthy are the 3 under most pressure imho, but I think there's every chance at least one player will be injured.

Now we have a squad where Maclean, Hoolahan, Kenny, Reid (retired), Pilkington, Tierney, Clark and Wilson - all Premiership regulars and solid performers aren't going to make it. Shane Duffy too (not a regular obviously). Not long ago players at Rotherham (Alan Lee - was he at Rotherham when capped) were getting caps under Kerr and some here were furious that Lee Trundle wasn't getting capped.

[tetsujin1979]

I think O'Dea is a certainty to travel, as is Gibson. Foley, Fahey and McCarthy are the 3 under most pressure imho, but I think there's every chance at least one player will be injured.

Now we have a squad where Maclean, Hoolahan, Kenny, Reid (retired), Pilkington, Tierney, Clark and Wilson - all Premiership regulars and solid performers aren't going to make it. Shane Duffy too (not a regular obviously). Not long ago players at Rotherham (Alan Lee - was he at Rotherham when capped) were getting caps under Kerr and some here were furious that Lee Trundle wasn't getting capped.
To be fair, our choices up front at the time were Robbie and Clinton, with either David Connolly or Gary Doherty coming off the bench. Trundle was playing well and scoring regularly, albeit at a lower level, and had made it clear he wanted to play for Ireland. Kerr watched him a few times, but he never got the call up.

[geysir]

There are only 7 backs in this squad if you count Foley. If he's culled, someone would have to take his place.

In order of seniority, McCarthy would be the first to get the chop, but he's been playing well since we qualified and he should be ahead of Foley for a midfield spot. As long as Fahey is fit I think McCarthy will find it hard to take his place.

[Closed Account]

Good to see everyone involved at least. If only we had more goalscorers.....(JMcC)

Given Starts
Forde Starts
Westwood Bench Unused


Kelly Starts
O'Shea Starts
St LedgerStarts
O'Dea Starts
Foley Starts
Dunne Starts
Ward Starts

Gibson Starts
Whelan Starts
Duff Starts
McCarthy Starts
Andrews Bench Goal
Hunt Bench Unused
Fahey Postponed
Coleman Injured
McGeady Injured

Walters Starts
Doyle Starts
Keane Starts
Cox Bench
Long Bench Unused

[EastTerracer]

Irish Times reporting that Shane Duffy has been called into the squad to replace Dunne
http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/0213/1224311721954.html

[elroy]

Thats good news, glad he got the nod. Was afraid Trap would just go for McShane. Even if Duffy doesnt play, the experience of being around the squad etc will do him good.

[geysir]

So that's both Lawrence and McShane definitely out of Trap's reckoning.

[the bear]

So that's both Lawrence and McShane definitely out of Trap's reckoning.

it would seem so, can't see any way back for mcshane in particular.

very good positive decision for the future of irish football from trap when in the past he might of just called the experienced player up. credit where due. now awaiting mccleans inclusion after coleman drops out

[DannyInvincible]

Coleman and McGeady will be fit to play against the Czechs: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/irish-pair-get-back-in-czech-3021308.html

Probably rules out any hope McClean might have had of replacing one of them.

[geysir]

Is that a 'every silver lining has a cloud' type post?

[DannyInvincible]

Ha, I wouldn't have minded seeing McClean getting a nod, but if McGeady and Coleman are fit, no worries; all's good. Nearly. :p

[Hibs4Ever]

Czech squad named, bottom of page in this link

http://fotbal.idnes.cz/fotbalova-reprezentace-vyrazi-do-irska-s-oporami-novy-je-jen-rajtoral-1ez-/fot_reprez.aspx?c=A120221_102206_fot_reprez_pes



Someone might be able to copy/paste it here

[Closed Account]

Petr Čech
Chelsea (Ang.)
20.5. 1982
88
0


Jaroslav Drobný
Hamburk (Něm.)
18.10. 1979
5
0


Defence







Tomáš Sivok
Besiktas (Tur.)
15.9. 1983
23
3


Michal Kadlec
Leverkusen (Něm.)
13.12.1984
32
7


Roman Hubník
Hertha (Něm.)
6.6.1984
20
2


Jan Rajnoch
Sivasspor (Tur.)
30. 9.1981
15
0


František Rajtoral
Plzeň
12.3.1986
0
0


Daniel Pudil
Cesena (It.)
27.9.1985
22
2


Theodor Gebre Selassie
Liberec
24.12.1986
7
0


Midfield







Tomáš Hübschman
Šachtar Doněck (Ukr)
4. září 1981
40
0


Milan Petržela
Plzeň
19.06.1983
8
0


Jan Rezek
Famagusta (Kypr)
5.5. 1982
11
3


Tomáš Rosický
Arsenal (Ang.)
4.10.1980
85
20


Jaroslav Plašil
Bordeaux (Fra.)
5.1.1982
69
6


Petr Jiráček
Wolfsburg
2.3.1986
5
1


Daniel Kolář
Plzeň
27.10.1985
8
1


Václav Pilař

Plzeň
13.10.1988
6
1


Forwards







Milan Baroš
Galatasaray (Tur.)
28.10.1981
86
39


David Lafata
Jablonec
18.9.1981
15
2


Tomáš Pekhart
Norimberk (Něm.)
26.05.1989
8
0

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hopefully people will pick up knocks so Coleman & McClean get their chances.

And only heard of about 4 of that Czech squad...

[Hibs4Ever]

And only heard of about 4 of that Czech squad...


It's likewise for the Czech's when they saw our squad. Some very good players in their squad, including the Czech League players, particularly Pilar and Lafata