Serbia V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 15th August 2012 - Friendly

[IsMiseSean]

Does anyone think we might be better off going forward without Robbie for this campaign?

[pineapple stu]

No. Next.

[IsMiseSean]

Just throwing it out there ;)

[Charlie Darwin]

Gibson declared to fit to play on Monday: http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/0817/1224322375896.html

Norwich hopeful on Hoolahan and Pilkington. No news on Wilson.

[Murfinator]

I'll chew my right arm off and post it for all your enjoyment if Wilson isn't fit to play.

[Charlie Darwin]

You'll have to cut it up and post it to all of us.

[Murfinator]

You'll have to cut it up and post it to all of us.

I'm sharpening the knife as we speak.

[Colbert Report]

Does anyone think we might be better off going forward without Robbie for this campaign?

I do. He's a shell of the player he used to be. We're much better off with fresher legs in there.

[Murfinator]

I do. He's a shell of the player he used to be. We're much better off with fresher legs in there.

Based on what? He was our top scorer in the most recent campaign.

[Noelys Guitar]

Trapatonni sent a text to Keane and never received a reply. So we don't know if Keane has decided to retire or not.

From the RTE Sports site
In relation to Dunne. "I answered him and said after this friendly, after he has recovered from his injury, we would review the situation, but I've told him we need him, it's true. He will let us know.

"As for Robbie, I've also sent him a text, but he's not answered me. I've checked my mobile.

"I will speak with him before I announce my next squad (in around 10 days' time for the Kazakhstan game).

"He needs to tell me whether he wants to come back or what he wants to do.

Hopefully the mysterious Irish medical team allows him to play if he does turn up.

[the bear]

Trapatonni sent a text to Keane and never received a reply. So we don't know if Keane has decided to retire or not.


This is how you wait to find out if your captain has retired. The all time leading scorer for the country. His usage of texts is crazy. I wouldn't even text in sick to work, never mind if i was retiring.

[tetsujin1979]

This is how you wait to find out if your captain has retired. The all time leading scorer for the country. His usage of texts is crazy. I wouldn't even text in sick to work, never mind if i was retiring.
I do, far easier to having to ring

[tricky_colour]

I do, far easier to having to ring

Especially when there is nothing wrong with you ;)

Never text you lost all your fingers in a milling machine, it looks highly suspicious.

On a lighter note here are some highlights of the match

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPqXhSWce0Q

Highlight is McCarthy winning the ball in midfield at about 2.45 it could be 20 years until we see that
happen again, seems like 20 years since the last time we won a ball in midfield anyway!!

[Colbert Report]

Based on what? He was our top scorer in the most recent campaign.

Our last qualifying campaign started three years ago and ended nine months ago. He was terrible at the Euros and is playing against terrible opposition in the MLS - I actually watch most of his games being based here just one time zone away instead of eight, like most of you. There are guys in that league that I wouldn't trust with the ball in my own Sunday football pub league, and I'm not joking.

I've always had a major soft spot for Doyle as I think he is a great finisher and wins everthing in the air, but I haven't seen very many good things out of him over the past calendar year either.

[back of the net]

Our last qualifying campaign started three years ago and ended nine months ago. He was terrible at the Euros and is playing against terrible opposition in the MLS - I actually watch most of his games being based here just one time zone away instead of eight, like most of you. There are guys in that league that I wouldn't trust with the ball in my own Sunday football pub league, and I'm not joking.
.



Keane was our top scorer at in the last qualifying campaigne with a total of 7 goals and delivered the goods for it when needed in those Games.

Despite the poor quality of the MLS - it was shown when he went on loan to Aston Villa that it had not affected his premiership goal scoring form as well as his international scoring form.

With regards to his poor performance at the euros, with the exception of Keith Andrews, can you tell me which which of the players for us didnt have a poor euros? Should we drop everyone if we are going to go on euro 2012 performances?

Keanes performance at the euros was equally in part to the tactics his manager deploys which in turn was badly found out once we went up against side who can play proper football as opposed to the tactics Trap had us playing.

If available I think its imperative that Robbie is in the squad , we need his experience and is goal scoring ability , once playing regulary for club , he shud in no way be dropped from the INTL squad

[Colbert Report]

Fair enough, you do make some good points. He just looked so darn stale in the Euros.

[sullanefc]

Does anyone think we might be better off going forward without Robbie for this campaign?
Yes if we are going 4-5-1. No if we are going 4-4-2.

[the bear]

I'd like to try him in a 3 man midfield. Playing him upfront limits us to 4-4-2

[Manblue]

Yes if we are going 4-5-1. No if we are going 4-4-2.

Robbie should be nowhere near the squad if traps desired formation is 451.

1. He doesnt have the legs to chase down 4 defenders all day
2. He doesnt have the aerial ability to flick the ball on for on-rushing midfielders (if there allowed)
3. He cant hold up the ball long enough for support to arrive when played to feet
4. His constant flopping around and moaning is a disruptive influence on the rest of the team

We have players better suited to this formation...

Should it be a 442 I would consider him for the squad but defo not as a nailed on starter considering

1. Opposition hes playing against in the US (I personally dont agree with the time at villa comment above, granted he had a great game against wolves and scored a superb goal but outside of that he had a lot of poor games, problem was their lack of options instead of him with Bent out injured, agbon playing on wing...so it was a straight choice between Heskey or a kid in Wiemann or keane
2. Distance travelled for games on tired legs
3. Duration of Campaign, age and availability for next tournament....
4. We dont know what Long, Walters and Co will do at start of season, they could be banging in goals in Prem (hopefully)

if we dont have the players to get past our next opposition without him then we really need to consider things....we should be building for the future against opposition like these with players who will be available in 2014....

[cornflakes]

I'll chew my right arm off and post it for all your enjoyment if Wilson isn't fit to play.

Wilson starts for Stoke. Your arm is safe for now

Whelan and Walters also start for Stoke. Long starts for West Brom

[Murfinator]

Wilson starts for Stoke. Your arm is safe for now

Whelan and Walters also start for Stoke. Long starts for West Brom

Betting that Wilson is faking injury to avoid internationals is as safe a gamble as they come. He's been doing it for years.

Also worth mentioning that Pilkington, Hoolahan, Doyle and Ward are players that pulled out who are also in their squads today. Would have some tolerance for the Wolves duo after a difficult Euros but its very poor from the Norwich pair who declined the opportunity to make an impression on the manager. Hope they regret it, for the ageing Hoolahan in particular it may have been his last chance.

[tetsujin1979]

Betting that Wilson is faking injury to avoid internationals is as safe a gamble as they come. He's been doing it for years.

Also worth mentioning that Pilkington, Hoolahan, Doyle and Ward are players that pulled out who are also in their squads today. Would have some tolerance for the Wolves duo after a difficult Euros but its very poor from the Norwich pair who declined the opportunity to make an impression on the manager. Hope they regret it, for the ageing Hoolahan in particular it may have been his last chance.

to be fair to Ward, he did turn up and was examined by the physio before being sent back to Wolves

[Murfinator]

Ward and Doyles character have usually been dedicated and honest so I'm not having a go at either of them. The other 3 and most likely Gibson as well I most certainly am having a go at. Disgusting attitudes to their country. In inverted commas in Pilkingtons case since everyone including himself don't seem sure what "his country" refers to.

[Charlie Darwin]

Gibson had two extra days though.

[theworm2345]

10 minutes in and Long already has two promising attacks today, one resulted in a lob that went over and the other a free kick in a great position (may have stumbled or dived though). Definitely no sign of injury.

[Colbert Report]

He didn't dive.

[IsMiseSean]

Not suprised by Wilson & Pilkington starting today. In fairness to Hoolahan I think he only played 10/15 mins.
Interesting to see how Trap responds with the squad announcement coming soon.

[Murfinator]

Not suprised by Wilson & Pilkington starting today. In fairness to Hoolahan I think he only played 10/15 mins.
Interesting to see how Trap responds with the squad announcement coming soon.

I really wish he'd just forget them. People with low desire to play aren't much good to any team.

[DeLorean]

Bumping thread.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvgKzY67-mk

[DeLorean]

Closed thread.