Sweden v Ireland, 22 March 2013 WCQ

[Charlie Darwin]

Wrt PatJR's post, I agree that the received wisdom of Keane not being a line leader isn't critical. There's no better player than Keane to make the runs that Hoolahan could pick out. Keane probably is the man to start upfront, though I would deploy Hoolahan (nominally) centrally / advanced and persist with an orthodox wide right player, be it Walters, Brady or maybe Long.
I think the issue is that in the absence of competent passers all over the pitch, our main method of moving the ball forward is still long balls and passes to the corners, which requires strong, athletic players with aerial ability like Long, McClean, Walters, etc

[Crosby87]

Will Trap try to lure Gibson back for the remaining matches after Austria or is he likely to remain out?

[geysir]

Was Lustig taken off due to injury or because he was being given the run-around?

I'd say it was injury not tactical, he is injury prone, or possibly it was from the time he clashed heads with McClean. George H did say injury, maybe he got the info from our intrepid RTE reporter on the sideline or maybe he just assumed that anybody who head butts McClean must have sustained serious skull damage :)

In the 2nd half Zlatan moved over to the (Swedish) left side and most Swedish activity went over to the left side. Maybe the Swedish RB was in a holding role in the 2nd half.

[Charlie Darwin]

Lustig pulled up about half way through the first half. Looked like a stiff groin (I say!) possibly.

[Fixer82]

Did anybody else notice Robbie giving out to Andy Keogh after the game?
just saw it on RTÉ player there.

As for PatJr's post above I couldn't agree more.
Robbie didn't do much wrong and Long didn't really have any affect on the game other than one break in the first half where he should have got his shot on target.
Robbie and Hoolahan I think would work well together

[Crosby87]

What do you guys make of this: Tilda Swinton is napping in a glass box with a bed in it at MOMA.
Is that art?

[Stuttgart88]

Did anybody else notice Robbie giving out to Andy Keogh after the game? Keogh gave away a dumb free kick in injury time which they nearly scored from. He deserved it!

[ArdeeBhoy]

That really was two poor teams.

Ireland defended 'well', simply because Sweden were pretty awful.

It must have given Austria hope.

[Charlie Darwin]

What if Austria are even worse? I thought Sweden looked quite ordinary and cemented my view that they only got 4 against Germany because the krauts left themselves so ridiculously open after having done enough to win at a canter. Lazy Germans, no work ethic.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Hmm, just 4 goals, away in Berlin?

Nothing ordinary there.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think if we had better attacking players, Germany would have done the same against us and left themselves open to conceding a few goals. They sort of did the same in the Euros against Greece and Italy - they are great on the ball and going forward but they do leave a lot of space for teams to create chances. Obviously this has no relevance to us since they'll hammer us again in Berlin, but sides like Austria and Sweden could conceivably take points from them.

[ArdeeBhoy]

You mean Cologne?

Austria and Sweden have no chance of beating them in their return fixtures IMO.

My German pals tell me their centre-backs are currently mediocre at best, but it won't be until Brazil that they get found out.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is the game in Cologne? I'm not in a financial position to indulge in away trips further than Bray :p

Austria lost 2-1 at home, didn't they? I don't think Germany will lose any games but a draw is not impossible, ditto in Sweden. Germany are possibly slightly weak at centre half, but then again they had a weak defence at World Cup 2002 and only conceded in two games from seven. Matts Hummel is a huge miss for them, but behind him I think the options are fairly limited, yeah.

[geysir]

You mean Cologne?

Austria and Sweden have no chance of beating them in their return fixtures IMO.

My German pals tell me their centre-backs are currently mediocre at best, but it won't be until Brazil that they get found out.
Yes, it's a well kept secret that Mertesacker has vulnerabilities.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Except it's not just him...

[Cymro]

What if Austria are even worse? I thought Sweden looked quite ordinary and cemented my view that they only got 4 against Germany because the krauts left themselves so ridiculously open after having done enough to win at a canter. Lazy Germans, no work ethic.

Austria are quite a decent team, with some good young players. I was quite impressed with them in our recent friendly, even though we beat them.

They are an aerial threat, particularly at set pieces, and have a good youngster in Alaba. I wouldn't necessarily be banking on a win against them, although looking at your group you will probably need to win it to stay in the hunt. It's quite a difficult group you're in in all honesty.

[paul_oshea]

Cymro, you guys have a chance of 2nd if ye beat croatia tonight.

[Fixer82]

They are an aerial threat, particularly at set pieces, and have a good youngster in Alaba.

ah balls