Ireland V Sweden(A) 22 March & Austria(H) - 26 March 2013 - World Cup 2014 Qualifiers

[paul_oshea]

Its gonna be baltic as well, temperatures of -5 to -10 degrees.....

STOP press! It's going to be baltic in Scandinavia :D

[Junior]

Colder than average it would appear for this time of year.

http://www.holiday-weather.com/stockholm/averages/

Yer no Fred the weather man Paul, dont give up the day job........

[SwanVsDalton]

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

[back of the net]

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

http://balls.ie/football/tweets-from-the-ireland-training-camp-in-malahide/

[paul_oshea]

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

Which one of you and Tets is going to be the first to defend that selection choice? :D

Mccarthy did sit out training yesterday though so perhaps he might be a slight doubt? Green actually played well against Poland in the second half, but it speaks volumes if we employ a system that accommodates Green, than a system that accommodates someone like McCarthy.

[Bungle]

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

If Green starts this game, then that would be the biggest howler that Trap has dropped us throughout his whole reign and there have been a few of them down the years. Green is very very mediocre while McCarthy is a class act. Having said that I'd be happy with Brady and McClean on the wings and Robbie and Long up front.

[paul_oshea]

I agree with that but I think I see the logic in it slightly, its quite attacking with long, keane, mclean and brady in the side, but what he wants then because of the 2 CBs not being his first choice CBs, is to give them some cover by employing two defensive midfielders, one for harrying and tackling and one for breaking up play. Why he picked Green and Whelan, I don't know. Ah no but McCarthy isn't a defensive midfielder really.

The thing is though as always, by doing one thing he completely negates the positive(side of his selection). By that I mean Keane and Long, mclean and brady are fairly attack minded, but if you have no bridge connecting the two - defence and attack - together then you get nothing, as we have seen many times before, and we revert to type - hoof long ball living off scraps that rarely gets us anything and cross fingers for a free or penalty or corner to give us some hope.

[IsMiseSean]

Colder than average it would appear for this time of year.


As long as it's not raining/snowing then I'm happy out!

[Junior]

I agree with that but I think I see the logic in it slightly, its quite attacking with long, keane, mclean and brady in the side, but what he wants then because of the 2 CBs not being his first choice CBs, is to give them some cover by employing two defensive midfielders, one for harrying and tackling and one for breaking up play. Why he picked Green and Whelan, I don't know. Ah no but McCarthy isn't a defensive midfielder really.

McCarthy has given away possession cheaply in a few games for Wigan in dangerous areas, over the last few months. Only a few examples that I have seen on MOTD but it might be something as simple as that meaning Trap would trust Green before McCarthy in that role...

[SwanVsDalton]

Which one of you and Tets is going to be the first to defend that selection choice? :D

COYBCG (Come on you boys called Green).

Nah no chance I'd defend that to be honest. I agree with you regarding the logic of Trap playing with him, but it only works if Green has the discipline to sit in a bank of four - against Russia he kept trying to harry high up the pitch leaving big holes in behind. I don't think it would necessarily negate us going forward because, regardless of whether McCarthy plays, we'll hoof all day long, probably to Long in the channels. Trap don't need no link man when the ball flies over midfield non-stop.

A case could possibly be made for Green instead of Whelan, but even though Glenn's been abject in recent matches he's probably the only player in the squad who'll provide the defensive midfield cover you mentioned.

[Charlie Darwin]

Arguably Green's greatest achievement to date is convincing Trap that he has any sort of defensive instincts. He's an attacking player for his clubs, and quite a competent one as we saw with some nice passes against Poland, but for some reason Trap has decided there is some merit to having him in the headless chicken role in front of the back four.

[Fixer82]

McCarthy is a class act.

McCarthy hasn't proven to be a class act in the Premiership.
He has improved but he's a bit to go still. I wouldn't be clambering for him to start in the way I would for say Shane Long.
For me the best Irish midfielder out there is Darron Gibson but alas, he won't be playing under Trap.
I'd have Wes Hoolahan in ahead of McCarthy in midfield.

[ArdeeBhoy]

As long as it's not raining/snowing then I'm happy out!

There's a good chance of it being both, well at least overnight...

[mark12345]

It'll be broadcast live on the RTÉ Player, although that's Ireland-only. Otherwise, I'm sure plenty of streams will appear here on the day close to kick-off: http://www.lshunter.net/ or http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/index.html

Thanks Danny

[ArdeeBhoy]

A whole load of associated match stories links via Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/202956613135170/?bookmark_t=group

[Crosby87]

Trap says we can handle Zlatan.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/18/giovanni-trapattoni-irish-zlatan-ibrahimovic (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/18/giovanni-trapattoni-irish-zlatan-ibrahimovic)

[ArdeeBhoy]

Yeah, he's on serious narcotics.

[tetsujin1979]

Doyle was disappointed to be told he wasn't going to be in the squad via text: http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article/doyles-pride-200313-724467.aspx?pageView=full
Not sure what the issue is with being told with a text message is, Stephen Hunt was told before via text, and he had no problem with it

[ifk101]

Not sure what the issue is with being told with a text message is

Really? You don't think a bit of courtesy could of be shown?

[tetsujin1979]

Really? You don't think a bit of courtesy could of be shown?
it's what he's done before to tell players they weren't going to be in the squad, and there were no complaints then
Stephen Hunt, Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne and Shay Given were all told this way before: http://www.ciarano.me/post/27849769535/slapattoni-trap-passionate-as-ever-as-he-defends

For the record, Hunt’s text reply read ‘Ok, no problem.”

But Trap was unimpressed at the line of questioning that sought to discover what players like Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Hunt thought of being left out.
“I told them all on phone or by SMS,” he elaborated, “I spoke with Richard Dunne after Euro, and said ‘maybe for the friendly you can stay at home’, but I also told him I still needed him (for the future).
“I sent Shay an SMS 15 days before, and said I wanted to start, to see, the other goalkeeper. There was no problem.”

[p2011]

Texts are a bit lazy and very open to misunderstanding. And when you consider Trap's prior history of misunderstandings it's a particularly poor way of communicating for him.

This business of Green and Sammon is further evidence to me that Trap doesn't take the job seriously. Sounds like a disjointed long ball team on Friday night, which would mean we have learned nothing from the summer in Poland.

[DannyInvincible]

Looks like the Friends Arena roof will be closed for the game on Friday: http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2013/03/20/3840041/friends-arena-roof-set-to-remain-closed-for-irelands-world

It's probably fair enough considering the weather although Trap had hoped the rood would remain open in order to dispel some of the atmosphere. Surely it can't be that major a concern...


Fifa has issued a statement which strongly hints that the roof will remain closed at the Solna venue for Ireland's World Cup qualifier on Friday, March 22

The roof on the Friends Arena is likely to be closed for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier between Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.

Earlier this week, Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni expressed reservations about closing the roof on the 51,000-seater stadium, suggesting that it would be 'too loud' for the players and dismissed the notion that the weather would affect the game.

The final decision is set to be made by a Fifa delegate ahead of the encounter on Friday, March 22 and the world governing body recently issued a statement which suggests that the roof will be closed to 'ensure the best-playing football conditions'.

The statement, which appeared in the Irish Times read: "Fifa is currently assessing the weather situation with the host association and, as you will acknowledge, common sense should prevail at all times in order to ensure the best-playing football conditions to both teams as well as ensure safety and security to the public and local organising committee on duty.

"At the moment, the roof is closed and the weather conditions are proven to be very adverse, with ice and snow falls and extreme temperatures. The weather forecast up to the match seems not to show any kind of drastic improvement in this respect.

"Opening the roof would be too dangerous (it's currently covered with ice and snow) and certainly difficult to understand if we want to preserve the pitch fit and playing conditions that are normal. At the time of writing, we do not see how (and why) we could imagine opening the roof, but the final decision will be taken upon arrival of our match commissioner on site. You may check with us again on Thursday or Friday."

[geysir]

A manager texting messages to a player about a squad exclusion decision does leave a bit more to be desired, in Trap's case at least this communication method can be clearly understood and can be regarded as superior.

[geysir]

Looks like the Friends Arena roof will be closed for the game on Friday: http://www.goal.com/en-ie/news/3942/ireland/2013/03/20/3840041/friends-arena-roof-set-to-remain-closed-for-irelands-world

It's probably fair enough considering the weather although Trap had hoped the rood would remain open in order to dispel some of the atmosphere. Surely it can't be that major a concern...
Trap usually doesn't have that much of a problem with keeping a crowd quit during one of our games.

It's farcical to be requesting a stadium's roof not to be closed when it's purpose built for this type of weather.

[ifk101]

A manager texting messages to a player about a squad exclusion decision does leave a bit more to be desired, in Trap's case at least this communication method can be clearly understood and can be regarded as superior.

"schweden me. u no. fish better. future maybe need u ;-) :-). ciao".

[paul_oshea]

So basically we are going to freeze until we get to the stadium and then we take off all the cold weather gear when we get into the stadium for the balmy 15c!!!

[ifk101]

You'll only freeze if you're not dressed for the weather. Hat, gloves, scarve, double socks and you'll be grand.

[Crosby87]

POSH when was the last time you missed an away match? I have to hand it to you, maybe you are as rich as you propose.
Get me Peter Forsbergs autograph if you can, he is going to the game.

[paul_oshea]

I don't go to all but a good few, I don't go to as many of the games that fall on a tuesday/wednesday night, as I don't get paid if I don't work, but I generally don't miss weekend games. I can't promise Peters, but I will do my best to get you Mikael Åkerfeldt autograph.



You'll only freeze if you're not dressed for the weather. Hat, gloves, scarve, double socks and you'll be grand.

My socks are pretty thin, and most have holes to be honest. My neck gets itchy when I wear scarves. This sounds like a nightmare endurance test. :D

[geysir]

Don't forget your balaclava, Paul.
Silk lined, no doubt.

[DannyInvincible]

Don't forget your balaclava, Paul.

Just don't get seen on television with it. God forbid, Gregory Campbell caught wind of it!

[Stuttgart88]

I'll get crucified for this but I can see the logic of Green.

I tend to agree with Emmet Malone's opinion in this morning's Irish Times:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/green-gets-ready-to-face-up-to-ibrahimovic-1.1331750

For some, Green seems to have become a sort of byword for all that is wrong with the Trapattoni regime. He represents, the critics believe, the triumph of industry over artistry, and the mere mention of his name tends to elicit groans from the purists. The 29-year-old certainly has his limitations but they are sometimes a little too readily trumpeted while the shortcomings of others are more willingly overlooked.

Few could argue, in fact, with the impact he had on the Poland game, with Green setting about the visiting midfielders in a way the Irish generally had hopelessly failed to do over the first 45 minutes. Whether he can have the same impact in Stockholm, when the stakes, and the tempo, are so much higher, remains to be seen.

Did Green make any noticeable difference against Poland when he came on? To be honest I barely even remember the way the game evolved, apart from the key incidents. Malone says we curtailed the Poland midfield better when he came on. I can't really recall.

[back of the net]

Malone says we curtailed the Poland midfield better when he came on. I can't really recall.

The polish midfield walked all over us in the first half - was sitting in the south terrace and Green had a huge influence IMO when he came on in somewhat getting to grips with them....equally as malone says....if he can do the same during a more high pressure / high tempo game...that remains to be seen

[geysir]

Green did well in tandem with McCarthy. McCarthy's game improved. Our game improved.
Green's impact though might have been boosted in the relative light of anchor (weight) Whelan going off.

I'd say Trap will still go for a McCarthy/Whelan CM partnership. I'd prefer a Green/McCarthy CM to that.

[paul_oshea]

Just don't get seen on television with it. God forbid, Gregory Campbell caught wind of it!

I knew he broke it(quite a lot), I never knew he caught it :D

[paul_oshea]

I'll get crucified for this but I can see the logic of Green.

I tend to agree with Emmet Malone's opinion in this morning's Irish Times:

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/green-gets-ready-to-face-up-to-ibrahimovic-1.1331750

For some, Green seems to have become a sort of byword for all that is wrong with the Trapattoni regime. He represents, the critics believe, the triumph of industry over artistry, and the mere mention of his name tends to elicit groans from the purists. The 29-year-old certainly has his limitations but they are sometimes a little too readily trumpeted while the shortcomings of others are more willingly overlooked.

Few could argue, in fact, with the impact he had on the Poland game, with Green setting about the visiting midfielders in a way the Irish generally had hopelessly failed to do over the first 45 minutes. Whether he can have the same impact in Stockholm, when the stakes, and the tempo, are so much higher, remains to be seen.

Did Green make any noticeable difference against Poland when he came on? To be honest I barely even remember the way the game evolved, apart from the key incidents. Malone says we curtailed the Poland midfield better when he came on. I can't really recall.

He did he made a big differences, particularly with building up irish attacks, which sorta goes with CDs opinion of him.

Tbh, I can see the logic too, but CD made me think again about whether he can do the defensive job that Trap has him in for. I think he can, I just don't know if he is good enough to do it against Sweden and more importantly Ibrahimovic.

[Fixer82]

It's a massive game for Green. He has an opportunity to silence his critics.
For me, I'd have no massive problem with him being in ahead of Whelan.
But I also think if Trap lines up in a straight 4-4-2 formation we can get overrun in midfielc no matter who is in the middle of the park

[ifk101]

The best form of defence is attack. :-) I think we should be encouraging our central midfielders to become more involved by putting their foot on the ball and using it, rather than just sitting in front of the back four and trying to break up opposition play. As it is we are splitting hairs over which players can marginally improve an outdated gameplan and tactics.

[zero]

none of our attacks will come through the middle of the field (it will be long ball stuff and wide play) so having green in there to hustle is not the end of the world. like most i'd rather him in there for whelan than for mccarthy but on the flip side, being able to bring mccarthy on to change things if needed is better than vice versa.

i think coleman and long are key to any chance we have of success attacking wise. if coleman can get forward he will cause them trouble - he's looked very sharp the last few weeks - and for long this is an opportunity to establish himself as first choice front man.

overall though i think sweden are too strong so it's the old case of hoping they have an off day and we play at our max.

[paul_oshea]

Ive been hearing this "Irish players playing in the championship "crap. So here goes, if we play this team we have only 2 championship players. I hate the way everything is exaggerated to back up someones agenda/point/vendetta:

Forde
Coleman Clark OShea Wilson
Whelan Mccarthy
McClean Long Brady
Keane

That's 8 players from the premiership. Easily on paper just as good as any of the players who play for Sweden, bar Ibrahimovic they should be no better than us. Obviously our keeper is a concern. But it annoys me the way they exaggerate things about our squad just to stick to a long running theme. 2 our of players were in the premiership team of the week last week FGS!

[Junior]

Paul, dress it up whatever way YOU want also. Call a spade a spade, with or without Ibra anyone with any sense would still be backing a comfortable home win. There is always a chance of course but we are not clinical, we dont appear to have the 'organisation' of previous campaigns, the side you quote has 3 players with any real experience in internaitional qualifiers (may be 4 if you include Long).

I will confess to only knowing of Sweden what I see in qualifier roundups, Ibra of course and Lustig at Celtic but gut feel and track record says this will be routine for them. I hope Im wrong of course...................

[Stuttgart88]

I'm largely on Junior's side because Sweden are simply serial qualifiers, by hook or by crook, although what Paul says about general player quality is true.

However, just to inject some optimism back into things: We're still unbeaten in away qualifiers under Trap.

We've a great record in Scandinavia: Off the top of my head in the last 20 years: 3-0 in Finland, 4-0 in Copenhagen, 0-0 in Norway, 3-3 in Copenhagen (from 3-1 up), 4-2 in Iceland. We beat Sweden twice in friendlies (Mick and Stan) at home.

I think we lost to Norway and Denmark away under Eoin Hand though.

What else?

[geysir]

Dead lucky in Iceland. A goalkeeper howlers galore facilitated win. A GUBU game.

[nigel-harps1954]

Green started in the main XI in training again today alongside Whelan in midfield. Not looking good for Friday, especially considering the supposed 2nd XI hammered the first team in training today according to reports.

[Murfinator]

It's a massive game for Green. He has an opportunity to silence his critics.


Why does he have critics? What has he ever done wrong for us? A limited player he might be although I can't recall a game where he's played worse than what would be considered an average performance for Whelan or Gibson.

[SolitudeRed]

Weren't Green and Whelan the CM partnership that performed so poorly in the home match against Russia back 2010, They were overrun in midfield hard to feel confident about this match on that basis at least.

[Murfinator]

I reckon if Ibrahimovic doesn't single handily destroy us Kallstrom will, I hope Trap doesn't over focus on the Zlatan threat and ignore Kim. The major concern is how effective both of them are from distance, very difficult to stop both of them unless you play a high line which Trap has never done.
Should be an entertaining game for a neutral, if we play positively they're vulnerable in midfield (like us) and slow at the back (like us) so there should be goals if our attacking threat is in anyways coherent. I think we'd need to score twice to get anything from it, I don't really trust McLean or Brady to get Keane into those positions. Duff continues to be a huge loss.

[Murfinator]

Weren't Green and Whelan the CM partnership that performed so poorly in the home match against Russia back 2010, They were overrun in midfield hard to feel confident about this match on that basis at least.

Every midfield we field against a decent side is overrun. It doesn't matter the combination, none of them are good enough to play in a 2 against a 3.

[Fixer82]

Dead lucky in Iceland. A goalkeeper howlers galore facilitated win. A GUBU game.

Ah but they got a goal that was blatantly offside

[Stuttgart88]

Will Sweden be playing a 3?