Republic of Ireland V Oman 3rd September 2014 & Georgia 7th September 2014

[DeLorean]

I really can not see us even finishing third with Ward and Keogh in our back line

Well barring injuries there's no reason they would both be playing. The only way Keogh would be considered is if MON moves Wilson left back instead of Ward.... so that should reduce your fears by 50% straight away.

[zero]

Well barring injuries there's no reason they would both be playing. The only way Keogh would be considered is if MON moves Wilson left back instead of Ward.... so that should reduce your fears by 50% straight away.

or if mccarthy doesnt recover from his injury and wilson plays centre midfield... with keogh and ward in the defence.

the horror.

[ArdeeBhoy]

As likely a scenario as any other in the next week.

Good to see Gibson on the comeback trail, but be amazed if he starts Sunday, but this is is finally the time to pension Whelan off with Gibson/Noble/whoever IMO. Just don't think we can rely on Darron for every game, even if he wants to play!

[tetsujin1979]

This appeals to the mathematician in me
from http://babb.telegraph.co.uk/2014/09/euro-2016-reputations-explained-in-a-venn-diagram/
http://d1p3t35jiqtse7.cloudfront.net/content/uploads/2014/09/countries_venn1.png

[Stuttgart88]

It's funny, but not very accurate I'd say. There should also be an over achievers circle.

[paul_oshea]

It's funny, but not very accurate I'd say. There should also be an over achievers circle.

:rolleyes: looks like we need a CD input/lesson again here. http://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1475/why-can-a-venn-diagram-for-4-sets-not-be-constructed-using-circles

I think its somewhat accurate, id have poland in with Austria and Hungary both former european heavyweights but certainly no hopers at the minute. A few others I would move about also.

[Stuttgart88]

RTE not the only source suggesting Given is a long way away from being certain to play on Sunday.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2014/0903/641195-aviva-fringe-festival-as-ireland-face-oman/

O'Neill has told people already who'll be starting on Sunday.

There's criticism of the opposition but in my mind I think we need to try and get some goals and get a win. There's no point in having a tough game that leads to another defeat. We've had some tough outings already.

Who we play tonight will all be forgotten if we win on Sunday.

[DeLorean]

I'd nearly give Wilson and O'Shea the night off. They've played every minute this season already and the consequences of them picking up knocks doesn't bear thinking about.

[Stuttgart88]

What, and have Ward and Keogh in the same back four?!

[DeLorean]

Rightly or wrongly, I have kind of accepted that Ward will be our left back in Georgia. I'd be surprised if he isn't. If Keogh and Pearce can't handle Oman, then it's a quick fire way of finding out that they are nowhere near the level required and it'll be a valuable early lesson. Anyway, we only need a draw to stay ahead of them in the rankings (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/rankings-no-joke-for-ireland-as-oman-boss-calls-mystery-30557333.html) :)

[Charlie Darwin]

Given, Meyler, Keogh (c), Pearce, Ward, Pilkington, Gibson, Quinn, Brady, Hoolahan, Doyle.

Richard Keogh CAPTAINS his country. Meyler right-full it seems.

[Closed Account]

Given, Meyler, Keogh (c), Pearce, Ward, Pilkington, Gibson, Quinn, Brady, Hoolahan, Doyle.

Richard Keogh CAPTAINS his country.
Given
Meyler Keogh(c) Pearce Ward
Pilkington Gibson Quinn Brady
Hoolahan
Doyle

Expect Meyler to do okay at RB, probably get caught out of position once or twice but el capitano should be there as cover. 3-0 win. Doyle, Brady, Long(sub)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

From single-handedly being responsible for four of the goals shipped against Portugal to captain...

Well if he can't hack Oman then maybe MON will see sense, or we could find out the hard way.

Strange team overall all things considered.

[Stuttgart88]

Not one any of us would have picked but it is what it is!

Interesting front 6. Interesting back 5 too, but a different sort of interesting. One is interesting exciting, the other is interesting WTF.

[the doc]

Richard Keogh CAPTAINS his country. Meyler right-full it seems.

Disgraceful decision! How has he earned the honour to lead Ireland?

Poor decision by the manager, but lets not forget this is the same manager that got rid of Gary Cahill to Bolton and then signed Curtis Davies for £10m.

Has he lost his mojo since Sunderland and without J Robbo by his side?

Clough was never the same when he split with Taylor, history repeating its self?

[SwanVsDalton]

Lol @ Martin O'Neill trolling The Doc and TOWK with choice of captain. Clearly a foot.ie lurker.

Interesting team. What can you say, it has plenty of creative players in there who, hopefully, will be aching for the chance to put in a performance.

[Charlie Darwin]

He seems to be keeping all his frontline players wrapped up for Sunday. Of that side, I'd say only Given and Ward are likely to start that game. Maybe Brady too.

[Closed Account]

11 subs named

Forde
Elliot

Coleman O'Shea Wilson

McGeady Whelan

Keane Long
Murphy Stokes

(Therefore, the following are not involved Westwood, McClean, McCarthy, Walters)

[texidub]

Is this online anywhere? coolsport seems to be down... :confused:

[tetsujin1979]

Keogh captains his club, so it makes some sense in that respect

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Jon Walters has an uncanny habit of missing friendlies. It's also amazing how literally every time an Ireland game comes along (particularly friendlies) he seems to sit out training sessions with various ailments that never affect him participating for Stoke.

IDK maybe I am just reading too much into it.

[Closed Account]

Is this online anywhere? coolsport seems to be down... :confused:]
http://soccertoall.net/index.php?channel=4 working for me

[SwanVsDalton]

Keogh captains his club, so it makes some sense in that respect

It makes plenty of sense, for sure. He's clearly ideally suited to the role of captain. His suitability for a role at centre half is less clear.


Jon Walters has an uncanny habit of missing friendlies. It's also amazing how literally every time an Ireland game comes along (particularly friendlies) he seems to sit out training sessions with various ailments that never affect him participating for Stoke.

IDK maybe I am just reading too much into it.

Bingo baby.

[Eminence Grise]

Disgraceful decision! How has he earned the honour to lead Ireland?

Well, actually playing for a club is a good start, don't you think, doc? Hm?

[Supreme feet]

That's a tasty midfield. The back four is ropey, but in fairness, they shouldn't be tested.

Having said that, the last time we played Oman, we failed to keep a clean sheet - despite the awesome presence of St. Ledger marshalling things at the back!

[DeLorean]

Not one any of us would have picked but it is what it is!

Ahem... well more advised it than predicted it. The defence that is. It makes a lot of sense really. Keogh obviously has leadership qualities to say he was made captain at Derby on day one practically. That doesn't mean he can defend at international level though but you have to be happy for the guy a little... right TOWK??... No??... Not even a teeney, tiny bit?

[pineapple stu]

Oh wow. Is there even 5000 there?

[Closed Account]

Personally I haven't seen enough of Keogh to write him off completely. I'm willing to give him a chance. We may need him in the future, would be foolish to disregard him because of an end of season friendly.

[BonnieShels]

That's a tasty midfield. The back four is ropey, but in fairness, they shouldn't be tested.

Having said that, the last time we played Oman, we failed to keep a clean sheet - despite the awesome presence of St. Ledger marshalling things at the back!

This is my thoughts on it. Not too worried about it at all.

I want that front 6 to run amok though.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Why is Elliot getting a half? As a reward for showing up in June?

Given and Forde should get a half each.

[Fixer82]

I like Richard Keogh, seems like a top lad, but he hasn't earned the right to captain his country. Hoolahan, Doyle, Gibson....there's a fair few in that first 11 ahead of him as captain for me

[Fixer82]

The Oman anthem is the shortest anthem I've ever heard

[DeLorean]

Gibson definitely hasn't earned the right.

[Fixer82]

He has more than Keogh.
Why do they finish the anthems and start blaring out the 'Fields of Athenry'?? cringy

[tricky_colour]

The Oman anthem is the shortest anthem I've ever heard

That's because it has the shortest country name, you are allowed 5 seconds for each letter.

At The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia games the anthem goes on till half-time.

[tricky_colour]

"Oh man we are being out played"

[tricky_colour]

26 Given
12 Meyler 04 Keogh(c) 24 Pearce 17 Ward
13 Pilkington19 Gibson 18 Quinn 25 Brady
20 Hoolahan
22 Doyle

Substitutes

01 Forde 02 Coleman 03 Wilson 05 O'Shea 06 Whelan 07 McGeady 09 Long
10 Keane 15 Stokes 21 Murphy 23 Elliot

[SecondBall]

Aviva is rocking in fairness also...JesusJesus

[BonnieShels]

That'll do

[tricky_colour]

1-0 Doyle, classic Doyle header.


19:36 Goal scored Goal! Goal! Republic of Ireland 1, Oman 0. Kevin Doyle (Republic of Ireland) header from the right side of the six yard box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Robbie Brady with a cross following a corner.

[DeLorean]

He has more than Keogh

If Gibson had Keogh's attitude he'd have 50 caps plus I suspect.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

FFS.. defenders at sea.

[tricky_colour]

Ohhhhh Meyler!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Fantastic technique by Meyler. Impressive so far.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Trademark Gibson effort. It probably landed in The Herbert Park Hotel.

[tricky_colour]

I see Oman are playing the 11 Oman brothers again :p

[tricky_colour]

Trademark Gibson effort. It probably landed in The Herbert Park Hotel.

Was thinking the same, we were passing it nicely and Gibson whacks it into the stand, but maybe that is the plan.

[tricky_colour]

That seemed to fly by, can't believe it's half time already,

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Georgia are technically on a different planet to this lot. Oman's sole offensive tactic is to take pot shots from outside the box. They haven't offered any threat but I think it's more down to how bad they are then how good we are. Pretty average performance but it is a weakened team.

Should give Stokes at least 30 minutes. No need to bring Keane on if he's starting on Sunday and we know what Murphy can and can't do.

[tricky_colour]

Oman are ranked just one place below Ireland!!