Ireland V Germany 12th October & Faroe Islands 16th October 2012 - World Cup 2014 Q

[shakermaker1982]

It's tricky even trying to predict what team the Trap will field for Friday.

Any chance he'd throw Brady or Coleman a starting place on the wings?

[tricky_colour]

Rugger tore the pitch up horribly last night, presume it won't be an issue. Injuries are worrying but sure... I'd say it'll be 1-2/0-2.

Westwood
Coleman O'Shea O'Dea Wilson
McGeady Andrews McCarthy McClean (Brady)
Keane Long


Yes, it's going to be difficult playing our silky passing game on that, we may have to resort to the long ball :p

[Eminence Grise]

What does our squad look like now with all the injuries/withdrawals?

Season 1 of The Walking Dead, by all accounts.

[the doc]

Time to stop moaning and back the Boys in Green.
I will be there 100% behind the lads.
We are not as bad as many on here would have you believe.

We'd give England a game and beat them, yet everyone is told by the media that they are a good team.

So back Mr Trapattoni and the team.

[Noelys Guitar]

So the team is going to be
Westwood
Wilson/Coleman/Kelly/McShane(one of) JOS ODea Ward
Cox/Walters(one of) Andrews Meyler/Fahey(one of) McCarthy McGeady
Keane
According to Malone in the Irish Times.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/1009/1224325059232.html
You would think Coleman is getting the nod at right back from Trap's own comments. But I still think he will start Kelly at right back.

[tricky_colour]

Westwood
Coleman Clark JOS Wilson
Walters Andrews McCarthy McGeady
Keane Long


I think I might go for the above, although I would, see how it goes.
Most are playing top level football.

I'd like to get Robbie Brady on the pitch too, with 12 men we could nick a result.

[Murfinator]

So the team is going to be
Westwood
Wilson/Coleman/Kelly/McShane(one of) JOS ODea Ward
Cox/Walters(one of) Andrews Meyler/Fahey(one of) McCarthy McGeady
Keane
According to Malone in the Irish Times.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/1009/1224325059232.html
You would think Coleman is getting the nod at right back from Trap's own comments. But I still think he will start Kelly at right back.

I hope so, it'd be absolute suicide to not pack the midfield against this German team. The major problem with playing two banks of 4 defensive lines is it lets a deep lying playmaker run absolute riot. Trap seemed aware of that against Spain with Xabi Alonso but Cox did a poor job at pressing him, we'll need somebody better defending high up the pitch to disrupt Schweinstieger and Khedeira doing the same. While also having someone tracking Reus (whos very quick) and Ozil who both tend to attack the central channel. It'd be a very astute decision if that is the team.

[Noelys Guitar]

Having myself now listened to Trapatonni's comments you would have to wonder did Malone (Irish Times) have ear plugs on. Or more likely just hear what he wanted to hear. Trapatonni clearly expressed doubts about starting Coleman at full back. Said the Germans would be cautious away from home and that we will need to be cautious as well. If we adopt another approach (ie not a chance) then perhaps Coleman will play. Considered Wilson for the midfield role but then went on to only discuss Meyler and Fahey. Ruled Keogh out of starting in midfield by saying Ozil is not Pirlo. It sounded to me like Meyler might be getting the nod. And Walters getting the nod over Cox as he kept mentioning the physicality of the German team. But he confirmed Keane would start. Said Keane didn't get the back up he needed against Spain and was left isolated. And it sounded to me like 442 or more likely 4411 and not 451 we are going to play. We shall see.

[Charlie Darwin]

Time to stop moaning and back the Boys in Green.
I will be there 100% behind the lads.
We are not as bad as many on here would have you believe.

We'd give England a game and beat them, yet everyone is told by the media that they are a good team.

So back Mr Trapattoni and the team.
England are a good team. They have good players and they qualify for almost every tournament.

The Irish definition of 'good' is set lower because we aren't up to their standard. A good campaign for us is making the playoffs.

[gastric]

Time to stop moaning and back the Boys in Green.
I will be there 100% behind the lads.
We are not as bad as many on here would have you believe.

We'd give England a game and beat them, yet everyone is told by the media that they are a good team.

So back Mr Trapattoni and the team.

Sean must be giving the pre match talk! In a very bizarre way, I reckon the lack of expectation may help us in this game and possibly by some miracle we might manufacture a draw at best. Then again, can we really afford to pee the Germans off.

[ArdeeBhoy]

I'd say our chance of the draw is around 1%.

[gastric]

I'd say our chance of the draw is around 1%.

You're probably right, heart saying one thing, the head another!

Just saw this too.


http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/irish/2012/1009/340872-trapattoni-upbeat-despite-injury-concerns/

[Colbert Report]

Very frustrating to see Trap sticking with Robbie. He's banging them in in a pub league. Shane Long is an incredible player who looks great playing against some of the best players in the world week in and week out.

[SwanVsDalton]

Everyone appears to be reporting he'll pick a three man midfield.

I'd probably plump for Fahey simply because we look really short of set-piece takers. McGeady, maybe Andrews - and that's it. Meyler would be defensively more robust though.

[paul_oshea]

I think we as a nation underestimate other European soccer nations, mainly based on the fact they are relatively new entities, or because the lack of a footballing history. I also think we overestimate how good we are, and how good we should or could be.

There is little room for optimism here guys, and we need to take a reality check. A draw would be an absolutely fantastic result. I see us losing 0-2 or possibly 1-2.

[Manblue]

Germany adopt a far more cautious approach away and rarely score more than 3 goals away from home on recent form. That was against poorer teams then us. Worst case scenario I see here is a 2-0 loss. Trap will have learned from his mistakes in the Euros (I hope) and pack the midfield and try and limit them to long rang efforts. Not entirely ruling out us giving them a scare if long starts up top.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Agreed MB, but sadly he won't.

[the bear]

----------------Westwood
Coleman----O'Shea-----O'Dea------Wilson
----------Meyler-------McCarthy
-----------------Keane
McGeady------------------------McClean
-----------------Long

This is the team I would go with, thought about including Fahey but unsure of his form/fitness. With these 3 up front we would possess a genuine counter attacking threat. Walters to come of the bench after Long has run himself into the ground, providng a target man for tired legs to hit. I haven't much faith in that CB partnership but there isn't much else to choose from. O'Dea gets the nod over Clark due to strong performances in last campaign. Worry a lot about O'Shea's ability to lead defense.

[Manblue]

Agreed MB, but sadly he won't.

its seldom im agreed with on here, must be losing my touch ;)

[jbyrne]

----------------Westwood
Coleman----O'Shea-----O'Dea------Wilson
----------Meyler-------McCarthy
-----------------Keane
McGeady------------------------McClean
-----------------Long



mcclean is out injured. replace him with long, play walters up front and andrews instead of keane would be my changes to your suggested team

[Fixer82]

Why do we have to play strikers on the wing?
It doesn't work.

Cox, Walters, Long - they are strikers, not wingers

[Fixer82]

I heard a stat last night that Germn have never in their history lost an away qualifier. Is this true?

[PatJR]

I would go with
----------------Westwood
Kelly--------O'Shea----O'Dea----Wilson
------------Fahy--------McCarthy
Coleman--------Keane-----------McGeady
------------------Long

I've a feeling Trap will land another head scratching line up, like the first time he played Cox in midfield.

[Stuttgart88]

-------------Westwood------------
Coleman--O'Shea--O'Dea--Wilson
---------McCarthy--Meyler-----
---Long----Walters-----McGeady---
---------------Keane-----------


Although I appreciate the merit of Walters starting, giving it all, and then bringing on Long.

With my XI there's little on the bench and quite frankly I expect we'll be knackered by 65 minutes. So maybe Fahey will start in a 3 beside Meyler and McCarthy, Walters and McGeady wide, and Keane. Long and Cox to come on later.

[Manblue]

I would go with
----------------Westwood
Kelly--------O'Shea----O'Dea----Wilson
------------Fahy--------McCarthy
Coleman--------Keane-----------McGeady
------------------Long

I've a feeling Trap will land another head scratching line up, like the first time he played Cox in midfield.

That would be a head scratching line up to me to be honest because of the lack of bite in midfield

[the bear]

mcclean is out injured. replace him with long, play walters up front and andrews instead of keane would be my changes to your suggested team

----------------Westwood
Coleman----O'Shea-----O'Dea------Wilson
----------Meyler-------McCarthy
-----------------Keane
McGeady------------------------Brady
-----------------Long

Didn't realise McClean was out. I would have Brady in for him, excellant frm set pieces from what ive seen of him. Has to be Long on his own up top. Keane is not a good lone front man, but still a good enough footballer to be employed further back the pitch. If i was to be replacing him in this rle it would be with Fahey. I like Andrews but he is not in our top 3 midfielders and its time to move on.

[ifk101]

--------Westwood---------
Coleman Kelly O'Shea Wilson
----- Andrews McCarthy----
McGeady---Keogh----Fahey
------ ----Long ------------

That's what I would go with.

[geysir]

I'm happy enough with Keane starting, if there's a game for the captain and most experienced player to be starting, this is it.
Trap says this game is maybe where we need a "pure midfield", whatever that means in our context, probably Fahy or Meyler starting alongside McCarthy and Andrews.
It was a good result for us that Germany beat Austria but we should be able to give at least as good a game as Austria. I'd imagine the crowd will be up for the game and who knows.
Losing the game is not a deal breaker for us and it is expected. I think we will do better than expectations.

[shakermaker1982]

Westwood

Kelly O'Shea O'Dea Wilson

Coleman Meyler Fahey McCarthy Brady

Long

[Noelys Guitar]

Going by what Trapatonni actually said yesterday(and not what most of the journos are reporting he said) the team could be
Westwood
Kelly JOS O'Dea Ward
McCarthy Andrews Meyler/Fahey McGEady
Walters/Cox
Keane
He never said he was going to play a 5 man midfield and he never said Keane would be a lone striker. He did say Keane would get more support than he got against Spain (which suggests to me 442 or more likely 4411)

[SwanVsDalton]

Find it hard to believe the number of proposed teams in this thread with three man midfields but no Keith Andrews. He's almost the first name on the team sheet for me - and I'm not even a big fan of his.

He's the only midfield option with the athleticism to disrupt the runs and rhythm of Khedera and Schweinsteiger.

Even in a two man centre mid, he'd have to start. No way I'd send out a novice in Meyler ahead of him.

God knows he's occasionally daft with the ball at this feet and prone to rush of blood's to the head, but in general - when Keith plays well, the team plays well. He has an ability to pull people along on his momentum.

He's inconsistent as summer day in Portrush, but have a feeling his performance is going to be crucial on Friday. If he can have one of his stormers, we could have a chance.

[the bear]

Find it hard to believe the number of proposed teams in this thread with three man midfields but no Keith Andrews. He's almost the first name on the team sheet for me - and I'm not even a big fan of his.

He's the only midfield option with the athleticism to disrupt the runs and rhythm of Khedera and Schweinsteiger.

Even in a two man centre mid, he'd have to start. No way I'd send out a novice in Meyler ahead of him.

God knows he's occasionally daft with the ball at this feet and prone to rush of blood's to the head, but in general - when Keith plays well, the team plays well. He has an ability to pull people along on his momentum.

He's inconsistent as summer day in Portrush, but have a feeling his performance is going to be crucial on Friday. If he can have one of his stormers, we could have a chance.

I have a lot of time for Andrews but feel that its time to move on in terms of teamplay and personnel. Hence I want McCarthy, Fahey, Meyler etc. to be more involved from now on. That said i will not be moaning about his name when Trap names the official teamsheet. I can only imagine what kind of wierd selection he is going to make:confused:

[rebelmusic]

I pray...oh how i pray that he doesn't start Coleman at right back. He is our right-full of the future but this is not the game to launch him. Kelly is not good at going forward but with a packed midfield i'm far less concerned about the full backs getting up the pitch. Coleman is still learning his game at right-full and is pretty raw, the Germans would tear him a new one. And then of course the irish media would crucify him.

[SwanVsDalton]

I have a lot of time for Andrews but feel that its time to move on in terms of teamplay and personnel. Hence I want McCarthy, Fahey, Meyler etc. to be more involved from now on. That said i will not be moaning about his name when Trap names the official teamsheet. I can only imagine what kind of wierd selection he is going to make:confused:

That's fair enough on the future but the side on Friday is going to be severely shorn of experience and Andrews is one the few natural leaders in the team.

Trap will probably play him on the right wing anyway.

[Stuttgart88]

I had read the proposed lineups and saw no Andrwews, so made the conclusion he was still suspended. Despite his limitations I would definitely start him. We need his energy and drive. It's only 4 months since everyone agreed he was our best player in Poland.

[paul_oshea]

I agree this isnt the game to start coleman, and andrews experience and game time alone this season sees him start ahead of meyler always.

[jbyrne]

Find it hard to believe the number of proposed teams in this thread with three man midfields but no Keith Andrews. He's almost the first name on the team sheet for me - and I'm not even a big fan of his.

He's the only midfield option with the athleticism to disrupt the runs and rhythm of Khedera and Schweinsteiger.

Even in a two man centre mid, he'd have to start. No way I'd send out a novice in Meyler ahead of him.

God knows he's occasionally daft with the ball at this feet and prone to rush of blood's to the head, but in general - when Keith plays well, the team plays well. He has an ability to pull people along on his momentum.

He's inconsistent as summer day in Portrush, but have a feeling his performance is going to be crucial on Friday. If he can have one of his stormers, we could have a chance.

i had him in above and agree with what you say on andrews. far and away our best euros performer and we need his energy friday.
my team:

westwood
coleman - JOS - ODea - Wilson
andrews - mccarthy - meyler (or fahey)
mcgeady - long
Walters

[El-Pietro]

Germany (or as their previous incarnation, West Germany) have NEVER lost a World Cup Qualifier away from home.

Germany (or as their previous incarnation, West Germany) have only ever lost 2 World Cup Qualifiers at home, 1-2 to Portugal in 1985 and 1-5 to England in 2001. Both times they still qualified for the tournament and for good measure reached the Final.
I hate this rubbish, you can't include West Germany without also including East Germany.

So either you say Germany have never lost or you give the caveat that East Germany most likely lost a lot of games

[nigel-harps1954]

Mark my words.

Westwood

Kelly O'Shea O'Dea Ward

Cox Andrews Fahey McCarthy McGeady

Keane.

[El-Pietro]

It's a typical full back move, ironically, since I've always felt he's a natural centre half.


They will. Mueller is arguably not even worth his spot right now, which is scary considering he almost single-handedly won a Champions League final.
and was top scorer at the last world cup! Almost no chance he starts even if fit, Reus, Gotze, Schurrle, Kroos, Ozil and Poldi all ahead of him the pecking order right now

[Noelys Guitar]

This is probably bull**** but had to post. Trap applying for the vacant Blackburn job. http://www.blackburn.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=296068

[DannyInvincible]

Why would Trap apply for the Blackburn Rovers job? He's on a very good wage with the FAI and doing lot less than would be expected of him than if he were managing a club.

[Noelys Guitar]

Why would Trap apply for the Blackburn Rovers job? He's on a very good wage with the FAI and doing lot less than would be expected of him than if he were managing a club.
No quotes from anybody so sounds like bull**** but he is 20/1 on Skybet for the Blackburn job. Mick McCarthy at 9/4 and Roy Keane 10/1

[nigel-harps1954]

They can take him. I'll have my fingers crossed anyways.

[jbyrne]

They can take him. I'll have my fingers crossed anyways.

yes, maybe we could do a swop and get Steve Keen in instead of Trap? Thats the quality of manager we will have when Trap goes. 3rd and 4th in the group again each time.... how i've missed those days too

[Noelys Guitar]

Owen Coyle just got the boot from Bolton. I bet Roy Keane gets this job.

[nigel-harps1954]

In fairness, I'd take that.

[Charlie Darwin]

As much as I'm a Trap fan, I wouldn't be too upset if an EPL club came in and gave us a lovely big pay-off for him. That said, the FAI would probably screw it up and end up paying Blackburn money.

[the bear]

yes, maybe we could do a swop and get Steve Keen in instead of Trap? Thats the quality of manager we will have when Trap goes. 3rd and 4th in the group again each time.... how i've missed those days too

I doubt Steve Kean will ever get a big job again

[Bungle]

I can't see how Trap would leave the cushy number he has with us for Blackburn. Has to be bull****.

I am far from happy with some of the decisions that Trap has been making lately, but I would agree with the sentiments raised about what calibre of manager we will get when he goes. A part of me would like change and then the other part of me recognises that we will end up with someone like Dave O'Leary or some 3rd rate British manager like Mowbray.

Did anybody read the article in the Irish times? Really interesting. It just spoke about the difference between Trap when he managed Bayern and then a number of years later when he was at Stuttgart. Massive difference in his desire to work with players, especially the younger ones. Ex players from his teams at Juve, Inter and Bayern all speak so fondly of him and have that loyalty, but there doesn't seem to be the same bond with the players in the more recent teams he has managed.