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

[SkStu]

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

Take a deep breath there and relax. There's more important things to get your knickers in a twist about.

[TrapAPony]

I'll happily drive him to the airport

[Stuttgart88]

I see Schweinsteiger is demanding more respect for this German team.

He obviously hasn't read the predictions here!

[Charlie Darwin]

You have to admire his optimism: http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/1009/1224325086758.html

[DeLorean]

Mark my words.

Westwood

Kelly O'Shea O'Dea Ward

Cox Andrews Fahey McCarthy McGeady

Keane.

Agreed. I'd be surprised to see anything other than this happening with the comments that have been made.

[SkStu]

You have to admire his optimism: http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/1009/1224325086758.html

He cant really say anything else though or risk accusations of lack of ambition. I'd say they'd give away their age-old, secret bolognese sauce recipe for a draw.

[theworm2345]

Mark my words.

Westwood

Kelly O'Shea O'Dea Ward

Cox Andrews Fahey McCarthy McGeady

Keane.
The only way we'd get anything out of this match with a line up like this would be if O'Shea can do his best Dunne impression and we salvage a 0-0 or maybe get lucky with a fluke goal. Personally, I'd take McShane over O'Dea any day.

[jbyrne]

Personally, I'd take McShane over O'Dea any day.

based on what international performances exactly?

[paul_oshea]

Take a deep breath there and relax. There's more important things to get your knickers in a twist about.

Maybe El-Pietro has a nationality complex and is from East Germany, its understandable he might be upset.

[paul_oshea]

You have to admire his optimism: http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/1009/1224325086758.html

His knee looks like it is about to come off.

Is our injury list that bad that our assistant manager has to take part in training games?

[theworm2345]

based on what international performances exactly?
I don't think I've ever been particular impressed by either in any international performance, aside from McShane in one Celtic Cup match. Really, having either instead of Pearce is just plain stupid in my opinion, even if it would be a baptism of fire. Clark would be an option as well but he doesn't exactly breed confidence at centre half either. I'd also have Brady in there ahead of Cox on the wing and Long ahead of Keane (though obviously that will never happen..honestly I can't remember the last time Robbie even looked like scoring from open play for Ireland). Also, Coleman ahead of Ward. But thats just me.

[Charlie Darwin]

I really don't understand people's problem with O'Dea. Sure he's slow and a bit cumbersome, but so are all of our centre half options with the exception of Kelly. Pierce looks a handy player but he's been getting schooled in the Premier League so far.

edit: Pearce even!

[jbyrne]

Really, having either instead of Pearce is just plain stupid in my opinion

would actually be more stupid to start Perace in such a big match for his competitive debut.


Pierce looks a handy player but he's been getting schooled in the Premier League so far.

yes but as you know when you're not picked by trap you immediately become a better player.

[Stuttgart88]

yes but as you know when you're not picked by trap you immediately become a better player.Very funny, and partly true.

[geysir]

You know a player isn't ready when we don't know which one of Pearse/Pierce/Pearce/Perace is his name.

[Murfinator]

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.

Someones been reading from the Murdoch media for too long.

Personally I somehow manage to contain my frustration at him starting the guy whos our top goalscorer in every campaign under Trap and one of the all time international goalscoring greats.

[Murfinator]

I really don't understand people's problem with O'Dea. Sure he's slow and a bit cumbersome, but so are all of our centre half options with the exception of Kelly. Pierce looks a handy player but he's been getting schooled in the Premier League so far.

edit: Pearce even!

Supporters in Ireland are dreadful and amongst the worst in the world, the vast majority will judge a players worth purely on the club and league they play for. You'll even see it in this thread with people wanting Andrews moved on despite him being our most impressive performer of late, it's cringeworthy stuff. The game doesn't exist outside of Sky for these people so they have serious problems when managers have a broader view than them.
O'Dea is in fine form for Ireland and is making a serious case to be a starter should st.ledgers form drop, he's been solid and reliable for us. Wouldn't have reservations about him and would select him over Pearce and Clark without hesitation.

[BonnieShels]

Conor Clifford just called up. Announced on OTB!!!

Also here:

https://twitter.com/FAIreland

[tricky_colour]

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


It 33% chance of a draw according to the bookies.
A 16% chance of us winning and that leaves just
A 50% chance of Germany winning.

So not as bad as it seems!!

[tricky_colour]

In fairness, I'd take that.

Me too, provided the money was right.

[Murfinator]

Conor Clifford just called up. Announced on OTB!!!

Also here:

https://twitter.com/FAIreland

Strange one, surely he's a long way off being able to play at international level?

[Charlie Darwin]

Clifford is an odd call-up. I hope that doesn't mean we've another injury doubt to contend with.


Supporters in Ireland are dreadful and amongst the worst in the world, the vast majority will judge a players worth purely on the club and league they play for. You'll even see it in this thread with people wanting Andrews moved on despite him being our most impressive performer of late, it's cringeworthy stuff. The game doesn't exist outside of Sky for these people so they have serious problems when managers have a broader view than them.
O'Dea is in fine form for Ireland and is making a serious case to be a starter should st.ledgers form drop, he's been solid and reliable for us. Wouldn't have reservations about him and would select him over Pearce and Clark without hesitation.
I'm not sure that's true. O'Shea and Gibson haven't been given many breaks despite winning titles and playing in the latter stages of the Champions League. I think in other cases it is true though.

[the bear]

Supporters in Ireland are dreadful and amongst the worst in the world, the vast majority will judge a players worth purely on the club and league they play for. You'll even see it in this thread with people wanting Andrews moved on despite him being our most impressive performer of late, it's cringeworthy stuff. The game doesn't exist outside of Sky for these people so they have serious problems when managers have a broader view than them.
O'Dea is in fine form for Ireland and is making a serious case to be a starter should st.ledgers form drop, he's been solid and reliable for us. Wouldn't have reservations about him and would select him over Pearce and Clark without hesitation.

Judge players on club and league? where are you getting that from. I said i would move on Andrews to improve the way the team plays. We have better technical players available. I proposed replacing him with Fahey of the mighty Birmingham. Does that make me cringeworthy and amongst the worst supporters in the world?

[Manblue]

Strange one, surely he's a long way off being able to play at international level?

Is this for real??

Has Hoolahon turned down the opportunity to join up with the squad.

[the bear]

Is this for real??

Has Hoolahon turned down the opportunity to join up with the squad.

First thing i thought as well. Is Clifford still at Pompey? He wasn't really getting a look in there last i heard

[Manblue]

First thing i thought as well. Is Clifford still at Pompey? He wasn't really getting a look in there last i heard

No sent back to CFC because they wanted to loan in a striker iirc

[nigel-harps1954]

Joke of a call up really. Countless players playing regularly with their clubs not getting a look in, and a player who's yet to make his senior club debut gets a call up? Disgrace really. Don't care if it's future of Irish football or not.

I say this very tongue in cheek quite often, but this time deadly serious. There are players in the League of Ireland I'd call up first.

[the bear]

No sent back to CFC because they wanted to loan in a striker iirc

It will be good experience for him anyway. Neither him or Hool would of got game time either way

[Manblue]

It will be good experience for him anyway. Neither him or Hool would of got game time either way

Not the point to be honest

[tricky_colour]

Strange one, surely he's a long way off being able to play at international level?

Not for us :D

[Charlie Darwin]

I can't see why he'd be preferred to McCann or Hendrick.

[Manblue]

I can't see why he'd be preferred to McCann or Hendrick.

The list could be 15 people long to be honest. Not that i'm saying hes not a good player, just that he hasn't done enough to warrant a call up ahead of others.

[BonnieShels]

I can't see why he'd be preferred to McCann or Hendrick.

Or Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland for that matter...

I almost feel that a separate subsection of Godwin's Law [(Bonnie's Law) ;)] needs to be formulated solely for the purposes of Ireland squad announcements.

Godwin's Law when pertaining to Ireland team or squad selections:
As an online discussion about an Ireland team or squad selection grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Stephen Ireland or Andy Reid approaches.
In other words, It has been observed that, given enough time, in any online discussion pertaining to Ireland team or squad selections, someone inevitably makes a comparison to Stephen Ireland or Andy Reid.

[IsMiseSean]

What does Liam Miller have to do to get a recall?? FFS!!

[liamoo11]

I can't see why he'd be preferred to McCann or Hendrick.

Didnt mccann refuse to sit on bench for one of givens 21s sides?!!!Agree though would have been excellent reward for good last 2 seasons after his bad injury

[TrapAPony]

Stupid call up but then again this is Trapattoni

[jbyrne]

Stupid call up but then again this is Trapattoni

its not much different to robbie brady being in the squad and most fans welcome his inclusion.

on the one hand trap is slated for ignoring new players then when he calls in one of our prospects its met with comments like yours. he really cant win

[the bear]

Stupid call up but then again this is Trapattoni

If this is the stupidest call he makes this week we'll be blessed, very anxious for the team selection.

In fairness to Clifford hes played a lot for the U21's

[Manblue]

If this is the stupidest call he makes this week we'll be blessed, very anxious for the team selection.

In fairness to Clifford hes played a lot for the U21's

Not that I agree with his selection but hopefully it helps kickstart his career again somewhat

[TrapAPony]

In fairness to Clifford hes played a lot for the U21's

Yes but he couldn't get in a poor Portsmouth team in League 1

[Charlie Darwin]

its not much different to robbie brady being in the squad and most fans welcome his inclusion.

on the one hand trap is slated for ignoring new players then when he calls in one of our prospects its met with comments like yours. he really cant win
I think it's more a case that there are more suitable new players who have been overlooked in his favour. Not saying Clifford isn't good enough but he seems like an odd choice given the alternatives.

[nigel-harps1954]

its not much different to robbie brady being in the squad and most fans welcome his inclusion.

on the one hand trap is slated for ignoring new players then when he calls in one of our prospects its met with comments like yours. he really cant win

Are you Liam Brady in disguise?

[jbyrne]

Are you Liam Brady in disguise?

no sorry. you richard sadlier?

[Alf Honn]

If this is the stupidest call he makes this week we'll be blessed, very anxious for the team selection.

In fairness to Clifford hes played a lot for the U21's

Not in the past year. Unused sub for two qualifiers v Italy and Turkey at home before he withdrew for the qualifiers in Sept when he would have been on the bench again anyway.

Brady in contrast played every U21 game and scored in most...therefore deserved promotion.

Another joke decision by our senile manager.

[Supreme feet]

Surprise call-up, but no harm in it. He's not going to play. He was called up for the Croatia game last year, so Trap is familiar with him, and he must have impressed in training. Would have liked to see Hendrick or McCann in there instead, but he looks like a really talented player from what I've seen in underage games, no harm having him around the set-up.

Edit: I would have been ecstatic to see Conor Henderson called up, because I think Henderson is an outstanding talent. But he's playing at the exact same level as Clifford, i.e. on loan from huge club, not immediately getting his game in League 1.

[nigel-harps1954]

no sorry. you richard sadlier?

Do you want me to be?

[geysir]

It must be true, Lawrence has really been sent to Siberia.

[SwanVsDalton]

Clifford was hot sauce eight months ago - now he's garbage. That first Trap call up was a kiss of death.

Calling a young prospect up for a decision we're short in isn't stupid, even if people feel he should be down the pecking order.

If he plays him up front on Friday, then it'd be stupid.

[The Fly]

Do you want me to be? http://z5.ifrm.com/5902/57/0/e14565//e14565.gif

Fixed.

[Crosby87]

Wonder if the Germans are going to be a little over confident after snickering at our roster.