Scotland V Republic of Ireland - Friday, 14th November 2014 - Euro 2016 Qualifier

[DeLorean]

That comment was very much tongue-in-cheek. I came across the Harper article and it got me wondering about how mini-Messi was getting on. To be honest, I thought after the large transfer fee (or large buy out clause anyway) he would be closer the first team.

Call me snobby, but I would be more excited by one of our young lads playing underage for Real Madrid than Liverpool, but it seems more circumstantial than anything else.

[tetsujin1979]

can't find anything recent about John Joe Finn at Real Madrid, but there's a few mentions on twitter that Zak Gilsenan is training with Man United:
from https://twitter.com/jb_8521/status/528186688498315264

11 year old Zak Gilsenan who made headlines as the Irish Messi when he signed with Barcelona has been training with United recently
and https://twitter.com/mufcstufff/status/529177447502077954

Zak Gilsenan (11) has been training with Manchester United for the past few weeks, and could be offered a longer stay at United [men]

Not sure what [men] is a reference to, thought it might have been Manchester Evening News, but nothing on their site about it

[DannyInvincible]

The 11-year-old is so good, he'll be training with the senior men, maybe? :p

[geysir]

I get the impression that Strachan is some kind of janitor/handyman with the SFA, does a bit of this does a bit of that and does the senior team as well. He has a 10 hour nixer tonight with the most obscure mainstream tv channel, discussing games of little interest outside their fan base.
You wouldn't get O'Neill on that, he'd be of World Cup finals stature.
Scotland think small and it just so happens they have a midget in charge.

[DannyInvincible]

Just over a week 'til kick-off now, what's Scotland's likely line-up? I was having a look through their squad and they're very much lacking in the goal-scoring department. Robbie has more than double the number of international goals their entire squad has combined.

Darren Fletcher is their top scorer with five. Next come Scott Brown and Naismith joined on four. Steven Fletcher has just the one.

[Stuttgart88]

I was surprised by how few Naismith has for Dvotland. His left footer last night was quality.

[DeLorean]

Just over a week 'til kick-off now, what's Scotland's likely line-up?

Marshall, Hutton, Martin, Morrison, Anya and Naismith have started all three matches so far. Hutton is out so presumably either Phil Bardsley will come straight in at right back or Whittaker will swap over from the left and Robertson will left back.

I preusme it's unlikely Darren Fletcher will start given his lack of game time under Louis Van Gaal. I'm not sure if Mulgrew will come back in, probbaly depends on what system they go with. If he does maybe Steven Fletcher will be sacrificed? Of course, he could also fill in at left back to release Whittaker to right back.


----------------------Marshall-------------------

Whittaker------Martin-----Hanley--------Mulgrew

-----------Brown------Morrison/McArthur-------

---------Moloney---Naismith----Anya-----------

------------------Fletcher----------------------

[Closed Account]

I'd go with



__Marshall



Bardsley
Martin

Hanley
Robertson



Brown
Fletcher



Morrison
__Naismith

Anya



__Fletcher





With a possibility of Whittaker at RB, Maloney in at RM with Morrison switching in for Fletcher. The lads in bold are almost definite injury permitting.

[DeLorean]

Bardsley is built for this kind of game, committed and aggressive. Could be some battle with McClean if it happens!

[BonnieShels]

And hopefully a red card early on.

What are the possible Sco v Irl matchups this weekend in England and Scotland.

[DeLorean]

What are the possible Sco v Irl matchups this weekend in England and Scotland.

Naismith v John O'Shea
Steven Fletcher v Coleman (well not really a match up)

[BonnieShels]

So John needs to do him in.

[geysir]

Both Brown and Mulgrew looked very ordinary for Celtic in the EL yesterday, outshone by the Norwegian. Meanwhile our James gave a motm performance for Everton v Lille and left the field to an appreciative ovation.

[ArdeeBhoy]

I get the impression that Strachan is some kind of janitor/handyman with the SFA, does a bit of this does a bit of that and does the senior team as well.


Scotland think small and it just so happens they have a midget in charge.

Who has often punched above his weight!
Great player, good manager IMO.

[geysir]

Strachan's playing ability doesn't count for much now. He might have had some decent manager credentials before he returned to the English league, post Celtic, now he can only get a job with a tight fisted SFA and has to do regular nixers to keep afloat. The SFA think small but are fortunate that there's a truckload of decent Scottish managers available and willing to do the international team. We'll see how Strachan does against us.

[DeLorean]

Both Brown and Mulgrew looked very ordinary for Celtic in the EL yesterday, outshone by the Norwegian. Meanwhile our James gave a motm performance for Everton v Lille and left the field to an appreciative ovation.

That tackle on Mulgrew at the end was vicious! I think you're right to draw attention to the fact that we have better players than them. To be fair, they are currently performing far better than the sum of their parts though. We should go into the game with confidence and a strong mental attitude. I do hope MON emphasises to our players that we are better than them, and that if we match them for effort, controlled aggression and use our heads, there's no reason that we won't win the match.

Looking at the club status of Scotland's likely back four, I think Robbie Keane should start this one. At least three out of the four will be Championship defenders so I'd expect Keane to get a couple of chances. Long is a good backup if it's not happening for him, but we will need to be clinical in this one to manifest our superiority.

[Stuttgart88]

Thescore.ie says that Stoke will let the FAI decide on whether Whelan is fit, so he is obviously close enough to being ready. Also, Martinez said Coleman was injured last night and is a doubt for Saturday with a "cut achilles", although he also said it's not much of an injury. Anyway, some cause for concern there. Coleman's pre-Germany injury wasn't supposed to be all that either.

http://www.thescore.ie/glenn-whelan-fitness-1768365-Nov2014/

[DeLorean]

Thescore.ie says that Stoke will let the FAI decide on whether Whelan is fit, so he is obviously close enough to being ready. Also, Martinez said Coleman was injured last night and is a doubt for Saturday with a "cut achilles", although he also said it's not much of an injury.

So, two major worries. :)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

As if he isn't immobile and static enough as it is, we want to play him unfit and lacking in match practice/sharpness. I think Hendrick and/or Gibson have done enough to come into the team for this game after their cameo against Germany; even Quinn or Meyler.

Cannot for the life of me understand why he's still one of the first name on the teamsheet after all these years.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

That tackle on Mulgrew at the end was vicious! I think you're right to draw attention to the fact that we have better players than them. To be fair, they are currently performing far better than the sum of their parts though. We should go into the game with confidence and a strong mental attitude. I do hope MON emphasises to our players that we are better than them, and that if we match them for effort, controlled aggression and use our heads, there's no reason that we won't win the match.

Looking at the club status of Scotland's likely back four, I think Robbie Keane should start this one. At least three out of the four will be Championship defenders so I'd expect Keane to get a couple of chances. Long is a good backup if it's not happening for him, but we will need to be clinical in this one to manifest our superiority.

Keane is due a good performance in this game. Gibraltar and the summer 2013 games against Faroe Islands & Georgia aside, you would be hard pressed to find a game where he was effective - and the Scottish defenders are of a substantially better caliber than those teams as their (relative) solidity in the WC Qualifiers, Poland & Germany would bear out. They could also physically dominate Keane so a more physical forward might be a better option. In an ideal world (for me), Keane would come off the bench after Long and/or Walters have run them ragged for 70 minutes - as he cannot last any more than an hour anymore.

[Closed Account]

As if he isn't immobile and static enough as it is, we want to play him unfit and lacking in match practice/sharpness. I think Hendrick and/or Gibson have done enough to come into the team for this game after their cameo against Germany; even Quinn or Meyler.

Cannot for the life of me understand why he's still one of the first name on the teamsheet after all these years.
Barry was injured in Europe so hopefully comes into the Everton side this weekend.

[DannyInvincible]

Thescore.ie says that Stoke will let the FAI decide on whether Whelan is fit, so he is obviously close enough to being ready. Also, Martinez said Coleman was injured last night and is a doubt for Saturday with a "cut achilles", although he also said it's not much of an injury. Anyway, some cause for concern there. Coleman's pre-Germany injury wasn't supposed to be all that either.

http://www.thescore.ie/glenn-whelan-fitness-1768365-Nov2014/

A cut achilles? What's that exactly? Surely no more than a minor or superficial gash on his heel rather than a tear or anything serious? I hope!

[Charlie Darwin]

If it was anything to the achilles tendon he'd be more than just a doubt for Saturday. A cut on your achilles is just something you need to bandage and wait for it to heal. If it's not healed enough for Saturday, it could re-open and possibly get infected, which would be the worry. I believe Seamus had a rather serious (potentially career-threatening) blister on his toe that got infected when he first joined Everton.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Damien Delaney was lucky not to have a limb amputated.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/delaney-relishing-his-days-in-green-155970.html

Scary how seemingly innocuous things can threaten your career, and even life.

[Charlie Darwin]

Damien Delaney was lucky not to have a limb amputated.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/delaney-relishing-his-days-in-green-155970.html

Scary how seemingly innocuous things can threaten your career, and even life.
Coincidentally, as you were posting this, I was posting about a similar situation that faced Coleman a few years back: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-youngster-seamus-coleman-comeback-3441207

[DannyInvincible]

Is this the kit we'll be wearing next Friday (https://www.facebook.com/officialfaishop/photos/a.145277071636.124516.145269691636/10152354261591637/?type=1&theater)?:

http://www.faishop.com/x/HomepageBanners-v2/FAI-Slider-11-AwayKit.jpg

I hadn't even known we had a new white away kit out.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Aye. Why I don't know.

[DannyInvincible]

Is the all-black one "out-of-date" now then?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Just the usual churning out kits for no good reason...

[Closed Account]

Squad Watch 8/11



Keiren Westwood
Sheffield Wednesday
Started

Clean Sheet


Darren Randolph
Birmingham City
Started
Clean Sheet


David Forde
Millwall
Started



Shay Given
Aston Villa
Substitute
Unused


Rob Elliot
Newcastle United
Substitute
Unused








Séamus Coleman
Everton
Started

Assist



Richard Keogh
Derby County
Started

Clean Sheet


Stephen Ward
Burnley
Started
Clean Sheet


John O'Shea
Sunderland
Started




Paul McShane
Hull City
Started




Damien Delaney
Crystal Palace
Started



Alex Pearce
Reading
Started



Shane Duffy
Blackburn Rovers
Started



Brian Lenihan
Blackpool
Started



Stephen Kelly
Reading
Started
Out 79


Marc Wilson
Stoke City
Started
Out 26


Ciaran Clark
Aston Villa
Substitute
In 90








Jeff Hendrick
Derby County
Started

2 Goals


James McCarthy
Everton
Started



Aiden McGeady
Everton
Started



Paul Green
Rotherham United
Started



Robbie Brady
Hull City
Started



Anthony Pilkington
Cardiff City
Started



James McClean
Wigan Athletic
Substitute
In 58 Assist


Darron Gibson
Everton
Substitute
In 13


Stephen Quinn
Hull City
Substitute
In 51


David Meyler
Hull City
Substitute
Unused


Glenn Whelan
Stoke City
Not in Squad
Injured








Jonathan Walters
Stoke City
Started

Goal



Daryl Murphy
Ipswich Town
Started




Simon Cox
Reading
Started
Out 77


Anthony Stokes
Celtic
Started

Out 72 Assist



Shane Long
Southampton
Substitute
In 68 2 Goals


Kevin Doyle
Crystal Palace
Substitute
In 90



Connor Sammon
Ipswich Town
Substitute
In 90


Robbie Keane (Captain)
LA Galaxy
10-Nov
0:30

[Closed Account]

And while we're here:

Scot Watch 8/11



David Marshall
Cardiff City
Started

Clean Sheet


Matt Gilks
Burnley
Substitute
Unused


Craig Gordon
Celtic
Not in Squad









Craig Forsyth
Derby County
Started

Assist Clean Sheet



Russell Martin
Norwich City
Started
Assist


Christophe Berra
Ipswich Town
Started
Clean Sheet


Gordon Greer
Brighton & Hove Albion
Started



Grant Hanley
Blackburn Rovers
Started



Phil Bardsley
Stoke City
Started

Out 9


Andrew Robertson
Hull City
Substitute
Unused


Steven Whittaker
Norwich City
Substitute
Unused








Lewis Macleod
Rangers
Started
Goal Assist



James McArthur
Crystal Palace
Started




James Morrison
West Bromwich Albion
Started




Scott Brown
Celtic
Started




Charlie Mulgrew
Celtic
Started




Graham Dorrans
West Bromwich Albion
Started

Out 76


Shaun Maloney
Wigan Athletic
Started

Out 58


Barry Bannan
Crystal Palace
Substitute
In 81


Darren Fletcher
Manchester United
Substitute
In 91


Chris Burke
Nottingham Forest
Substitute
Unused


Craig Bryson
Derby County
Not in Squad
Injured


Ikechi Anya
Watford
Not in Squad









Chris Martin
Derby County
Started




Stevie May
Sheffield Wednesday
Started



Steven Fletcher
Sunderland
Started



Steven Naismith
Everton
Substitute
In 70

[Stuttgart88]

The Sindo's recollection of the famous win in Hampden

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/european-championships/historic-night-in-hampden-saw-our-greatest-team-shock-the-scots-30729333.html

[Crosby87]

The Irish **** the bed in Tempe yesterday lads.

[DeLorean]

Craig Bryson out for Scotland, his clubmate, Johnny Russell, takes his place.

dcfc.co.uk (http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/derby-countys-johnny-russell-brought-into-the-scotland-squad-for-ireland-england-games-2072592.aspx)

[Kingdom]

Johnny Russell is on a decent run of form for Derby at the moment, I think he's got 4 in 3, or 4 in 5, in the league. Slippery type of player too.

Jesus lads, I'm almost giddy now for this match with excitement. I'll be sitting in a bunker in a School caretakers backgarden with an Englishman, his Scottish father, his Welsh nephew, and a gaggle of women getting tipsy on cheap Prosecco, what could go wrong.

When we moved first the Englishman asked me was I "North or South". 6 months later I'm still explaining to him, to the extent I gave him a copy of War of Freedom, chronicling Ireland's past troubles with Britain. His first words to me a couple of weeks later was "That Cromwell was a bit naughty wasn't he?". I **** you not.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

On present form, it would have been better for us if Bryson was fit and Russell was injured.

[DeLorean]

I doubt either would have/will see much, if any, game time.

[Crosby87]

Johnny Russell is on a decent run of form for Derby at the moment, I think he's got 4 in 3, or 4 in 5, in the league. Slippery type of player too.

Jesus lads, I'm almost giddy now for this match with excitement. I'll be sitting in a bunker in a School caretakers backgarden with an Englishman, his Scottish father, his Welsh nephew, and a gaggle of women getting tipsy on cheap Prosecco, what could go wrong.

When we moved first the Englishman asked me was I "North or South". 6 months later I'm still explaining to him, to the extent I gave him a copy of War of Freedom, chronicling Ireland's past troubles with Britain. His first words to me a couple of weeks later was "That Cromwell was a bit naughty wasn't he?". I **** you not.

I think Delorean needs to lend you his car so you can leave Hill Valley, 1955!

[elroy]

Looks like Wilson may be out? Off injured in first half

[Philly]

Wilson injured, apparently looks like a bad one. We've been looking ok for injuries but this isn't a good one at all. What CB pairing do ye think will start v Scotland? O'Shea and Keogh perhaps?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

O'Shea & Delaney should start. O'Shea & Keogh will start.

[elroy]

Will be a shame if out as he was building a good understanding with oshea.

[Philly]

O'Shea & Delaney should start. O'Shea & Keogh will start.

Would there be all that big a difference between the two really? Unfortunately Delaney will be 35 and probably a Championship/League 1 player by the time the tournament comes around, worth considering.

Phil Bardsley also came off injured today, which means Scotland are struggling when it comes to Right backs now.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I would feel a lot safer in the knowledge that a consistent PL performer who had Van Persie in his pocket yesterday would be playing against Scotland than Keogh. I still have nightmares about his performance in the Portugal game.

Delaney would only be deputy CB in any event so I wouldn't put much stock in his age; just his form.

[Stuttgart88]

Surely the only age that matters is his age on Friday night? I'd prefer Delaney myself but I was very disappointed in his recent showing against Chelsea.

[DannyInvincible]

Is Wilson definitely out then? That's a blow. Would rather see Delaney in there with O'Shea myself now, but I don't think that's likely.

McCarthy is actually OK, right? I didn't see the end of the Everton game so didn't see him holding that hamstring. I know it was very late on so there wouldn't have been much time to judge, but was he tackling/kicking/moving OK afterward?

[geysir]

3 games into the qualifying campaign and there's a documentary on Sky Sports 1 about Scotland/Strachan/ make believe. It will probably be running on a loop on Sky Sports Scotland.

Strachan: Making Scotland Believe, Sky Sports Originals presents Strachan: Making Scotland Believe. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan discusses his dream to take the national side to the UEFA Euro 2016 Championships.
Pretty much a non stop backslapping affair about how good it's been so far with Gordon.

The appropriate time for participating in these programs is after your team has qualified, after they have proven the case. The Scots are getting high on theory.

[BonnieShels]

Which makes me think we're gonna do them on Friday. There's that general vibe coming from them. Very like their Colonial Betters.

[Stuttgart88]

Momentum is one thing, sustaining it is another. We have some momentum on our side too.

[BonnieShels]

You wouldn't think it. It's almost like goals in the 94th minute don't count.