Predict starting XI and score?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Alba are favourites with the bookies if that helps?

[paul_oshea]

Mccarthy was never going to be the difference between winning by 2 and not conceding any goals.

A draw was always likely, its still likely but slight chance our shabby CD pairing are exposed more often than usual without him there or Whelan there. But they werent going to be the ones making the difference with us scoring 2 goals, conceding 2 possibly.

Its a bit of an over reaction of an overswing in 2 goals because of one person.

[Fixer82]

With mc Carthy out, my out-look on this has changed. Instead of 2-0, my head is now telling me a draw will be the best we can realistically achieve. I'd now go for a conservative 4-2-3-1...

Forde

Coleman O Shea Keogh Ward

Gibson Quinn
Mc Geady Hendrick Mc Clean

Keane

Walters and Long to play some part if we're chasing a goal.

i think you're ove-rating McCarthy and under-rating Hendrick, Meyler and Gibson

[Stuttgart88]

I think he will only play one of Hendick and Quinn. Meyler might be put beside Gibson to add ballast, just to do the Whelan job of occupying space and giving simple balls. Gibson moving the ball around and one of the other two pressing further up the pitch and breaking forward when having the chance.

[paul_oshea]

There seems to be a lack of steel now, or lack of any player capable of making a decent tackle at least.

[Duggie]

at the moment we have goals in us i think with keano, walters, long, mcgeady. i hate this 5 man midfield with keane upfront on his own. scotland are no spain, i think we could go 4-4-2 tomorrow night and score some goals. i would really like to see Long upfront with keano tomorrow night and use his agression and pace. prob wont tho.

[Closed Account]

What I'd like to see:




Forde




Coleman
O'Shea
Keogh
Ward



Gibson
Meyler



McGeady

Hendrick

McClean




Long






What I think we'll see:




Forde




Coleman
O'Shea
Keogh
Ward



Gibson
Meyler



Walters

Quinn

McGeady




Keane






Head says Score Draw, Heart says Ireland Win, Liver Prancreas and Bladder say Scotland Win. Think I'll go with my head. 2-2 draw

I reckon the Scots will go




Marshall





Whittaker

Martin

Hanley

Robertson




Brown

Morrison



Maloney


Naismith


Anya





Fletcher

[shakermaker1982]

I'd like to see

Forde

Coleman Keogh O'Shea Ward

McGeady Hendrick Meyler McClean

Long Keane

I think we'll see Walters and Quinn

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Forde
Coleman, Keogh, O'Shea, Ward
McGeady, Gibson, Quinn, McClean
Walters
Keane

That will be the team.

Forde
Coleman, Pearce, O'Shea, Ward
McGeady, Gibson, Quinn (or Meyler), Hendrick, McClean
Long

That should be the team. I have no preference between Quinn & Meyler. Delaney should be in the team let alone the squad.

If the right players were/are selected this would be a winnable game but the entire spine of the team from CB to midfield to the strikers isn't going to be right and I think it will be a score draw but wouldn't be surprised if things go tits up. We're due a setback after the bail out against Georgia and the "moral" victory against Germany.

I think Poland & Scotland's ability to win against big teams will stand them in good stead. I haven't seen anything to suggest that we will get over that hump in this campaign.

[BonnieShels]

Only Poland have beaten a so-called big team in this group so far.

Scotland got beaten and we got a draw. Poland and Scotland aren't 'big' teams.

So their abilities are hardly proven as yet as conclusively as you seem to think.

Tomorrow night Scotland play a 'bigger' team. Tomorrow night we play a 'smaller' team. So in essence they have an advantage in that as a smaller team in the grand scheme they have more opportunity to beat 'big' teams as there are more of them for them to play.

The only hump that will be crossed in this regard will be us beating Germany at Lansdowne. And if we don't do that you will be proven correct assuming that Poland and Scotland also beat the Germans in their upcomng games against them.

[Bungle]

I think this game has draw written all over it. If there is to be a winner and I don't think there will be, I think we will nick it by a goal.

Wilson and McCarthy are losses, but I think we will manage without them for this game.

It baffles me that people consider this the hardest of groups. Okay it has the best team in the world, but for me, Poland scotland and ourselves are of a similar ability. Decent enough teams we all are, but there's tougher groups out there.

[Stuttgart88]

James McArthur out for Scotland. I don't think he'd have started but he has been used as sub.

[BonnieShels]

James McArthur out for Scotland. I don't think he'd have started but he has been used as sub.

Commentators everywhere rejoice.

[CraftyToePoke]

Didn't he qualify for us as well ? Irish mother was it ?

[Charlie Darwin]

Why bother sending out a team? We're going to lose anyway.

[BonnieShels]

Why bother sending out a team? We're going to lose anyway.

Scotland are too good. Futile.

[tricky_colour]

There seems to be a lack of steel now, or lack of any player capable of making a decent tackle at least.


Was thinking the same, kind of worrying how we are gonna win the ball in midfield.
I was looking through the statistics for a player who tackles, obviously there is Paul Green,
but I was just looking through Irish players to see who makes tackles and top of the
list is Alan Judge. 3.7 per game (McCarthy 2.9 for comparison) but then I though
well he is a left sided midfield however looking further at his stats he has played 12 of
his 17 games at central midfield. He also has 5 assists.

So kind of weird he is top of the tackles stats *and* top of the assists stats, yet he is not in the squad.

[Charlie Darwin]

Scotland are too good. Futile.
What's the point? We have no chance of even getting a point, just like in Germany.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Don't despair. We'll get the trademark one point will suffice when three points were there for the taking.

[BonnieShels]

What's the point? We have no chance of even getting a point, just like in Germany.

All luck. All luck.

Josh would never be able to score that goal again if he tried it a thousand times.

[geysir]

Was thinking the same, kind of worrying how we are gonna win the ball in midfield.
I was looking through the statistics for a player who tackles, obviously there is Paul Green,
but I was just looking through Irish players to see who makes tackles and top of the
list is Alan Judge. 3.7 per game (McCarthy 2.9 for comparison) but then I though
well he is a left sided midfield however looking further at his stats he has played 12 of
his 17 games at central midfield. He also has 5 assists.

So kind of weird he is top of the tackles stats *and* top of the assists stats, yet he is not in the squad.
Statistically, what's our best team Tricky?

[geysir]

All luck. All luck.

Josh would never be able to score that goal again if he tried it a thousand times.
Infinity and beyond.

[BonnieShels]

Infinity and beyond.

With a thousand monkeys and a million Buzz Lightyears.

[paul_oshea]

B's I don't know where you're getting your logic from above but you're well off in your last two paragraphs.

bungle I don't get it either.far harder groups and groups with two really good top teams and good 3rd.

Scotland poland and ourselves are average sides and to think we are somehow better than either of them is pretty arrogant our results speak for themselves and our ranking reflects that.

[tricky_colour]

Statistically, what's our best team Tricky?


John O'Shea (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3841)

Seamus Coleman (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31826)Richard Dunne (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/831)Damien Delaney (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8466)Marc Wilson (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/23446)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31826)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/23446)Robbie Brady (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/93473)Glenn Whelan (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8505)James McCarthy (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31281)Aiden McGeady (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/9003)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3841)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8505)JonathanWalters (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3860)Shane Long (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/13798)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/9003)

That is just championship players, there is a case for some players from other leagues.

[Stuttgart88]

I think this is a tough group and each of ourselves, Scotlsnd and Piland will find it hard, and two of us have already taken points off the brst team. It's not an issue whether it's the hardest or just hard (from our viewpoint).

We are three average teams all comfortably a notch below the elite, but we're all well matched by and large. On form I'd say we're the weakest of the three. I think the rankings aren't a great reflection and I think thete's not much in it.

[tetsujin1979]

James McArthur out for Scotland. I don't think he'd have started but he has been used as sub.
Clearly Neil Warnock is ****ed he never declared for England.

[geysir]

John O'Shea (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3841)

Seamus Coleman (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31826)Richard Dunne (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/831)Damien Delaney (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8466)Marc Wilson (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/23446)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31826)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/23446)Robbie Brady (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/93473)Glenn Whelan (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8505)James McCarthy (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31281)Aiden McGeady (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/9003)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3841)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8505)JonathanWalters (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3860)Shane Long (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/13798)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/9003)

That is just championship players, there is a case for some players from other leagues.

That's an okay team. Stats have an unfair bad rep :)

[Kingdom]

It baffles me that people consider this the hardest of groups. Okay it has the best team in the world, but for me, Poland scotland and ourselves are of a similar ability. Decent enough teams we all are, but there's tougher groups out there.

To be fair, when the groups came out first, I wasn't happy, purely because I expected (and Still expect) Germany to blitzkrieg their way to top spot, and meaning a 3-way race for the one automatic spot, against one, a celtic derby, and two, a team we've traditionally struggled to cope with.
That said, I'll hold fire on how I think things might pan out, because I'm not having that jinx thrown at me, but some of the other groups are bloody horrible, and are definitely worse than our own.

I find there are always two ways of looking at these things. Is the group where you have two absolute certs for automatic qualification but the rest are minnows a hard group, or an ok group? WHat about the groups whereby there's no stand out team, but bar the absolute fodder, everyone else has the capability of taking points from everyone else including the top seed? The North have have a group that would resonate with the last type of group. They have got off to a flyer, and if they avoid defeat tomorrow, they'll have a great chance of making the finals. Maybe Spain's group and possibly Belgiums group are easier than ours, but the rest are pigs in comparison.

[BonnieShels]

England's group is a joke in fairness. Though we would have made a balls of it.

[Kingdom]

I think this is a tough group and each of ourselves, Scotlsnd and Piland will find it hard, and two of us have already taken points off the brst team. It's not an issue whether it's the hardest or just hard (from our viewpoint).

We are three average teams all comfortably a notch below the elite, but we're all well matched by and large. On form I'd say we're the weakest of the three. I think the rankings aren't a great reflection and I think thete's not much in it.

That elite is getting smaller and smaller. I still think if we look at Germany's results to performances in this group, and look at say Netherlands's results to performances, most people say Germany are off form, but Holland were unlucky.
Spain similarily.
The elite (for me) in the here-and-now is Germany, Spain, and maybe Belgium and Holland. that's the top tier, and after that, well it's anything goes. There's plenty of potential in some of the countries, but one stand-out player (Ibra, Cristiano Ronaldo) does not elevate a team.

I would rank Poland ahead of us, but they're brittle, and have been that way for some time, yet they have a few extremely talented players. Our core is probably closer in ability than theirs, so it really is fascinating. I was hoping the group will be done and dusted by the time we go to Warsaw, but we'll need a win tomorrow night for that to happen.
Jesus the stomach is in knots now. Tomorrow is such a big game.

[swinfordfc]

Forde

Coleman O'Shea Keogh Ward

McGready Gibson Meyler McClean

Walters

Keane but would prefer Long to start and then bring on Keane

[bishbash]

McCarthy is a big loss, especially if we do play with 3 in the middle, he's played that way with Everton now for a couple of seasons so he's comfortable. I don't think we have the players to be effective in a 442. Centrally we are not good enough to get on the ball & pass it so it turns into even more lump it & try get somethin. Also if we come up against any side that try's somethin different formation wise our midfield normally gets over run. I'm not sayin Scotland are world beaters but they do have players that can trouble us. Naismith takes up good positions & while he's record for scotland is not great Fletcher will be a big threat.

In saying all that we'll probably play 442, win 3-0 & Scotland won't get a kick 👌

[tricky_colour]

That's an okay team. Stats have an unfair bad rep :)

It is not bad is it? But note the core of the team is absent one way or another.

I had to put O Shea in goal as there were no Irish keepers in the Premiership player listed.

I seem to remember he has played in goal before in an emergency so I expect he would be
able to do a half decent job, plus with his outfield abilities it would be an interesting experiment.

I didn't include any Championship players as I found 11 in the top flight, however I would
probably need to make a team of available players.

Indeed I note a few player in the Championship who have recently played for us

Indeed Hendricks is in a number of squads listed but there are a staggering *15*
Irish players in the Championship who are rated higher than him.

But it is difficult to know how to compare a Championship rating with a Premiership rating.

[the doc]

I think this game has draw written all over it. If there is to be a winner and I don't think there will be, I think we will nick it by a goal.

Wilson and McCarthy are losses, but I think we will manage without them for this game.

It baffles me that people consider this the hardest of groups. Okay it has the best team in the world, but for me, Poland scotland and ourselves are of a similar ability. Decent enough teams we all are, but there's tougher groups out there.

Wilson is not a loss, it's a blessing in disguise he's not playing, he's not good enough to play international football at CB.

Oh for a SSL/Dunne partnership for this game!

[DannyInvincible]

I don't see us losing. I'd be very surprised if we do. I'll go for a 1-1 draw, if not a very slim/nervy 1-0 victory in our favour.

We will score and it will be McGeady, for certain. ;)

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't see us losing. I'd be very surprised if we do. I'll go for a 1-1 draw, if not a very slim/nervy 1-0 victory in our favour.

We will score and it will be McGeady, for certain. ;)
Get off the fence Danny, 4-0 to us, at least.

[geysir]

That elite is getting smaller and smaller. I still think if we look at Germany's results to performances in this group, and look at say Netherlands's results to performances, most people say Germany are off form, but Holland were unlucky.
Spain similarily.
The elite (for me) in the here-and-now is Germany, Spain, and maybe Belgium and Holland. that's the top tier, and after that, well it's anything goes. There's plenty of potential in some of the countries, but one stand-out player (Ibra, Cristiano Ronaldo) does not elevate a team.

I would rank Poland ahead of us, but they're brittle, and have been that way for some time, yet they have a few extremely talented players. Our core is probably closer in ability than theirs, so it really is fascinating. I was hoping the group will be done and dusted by the time we go to Warsaw, but we'll need a win tomorrow night for that to happen.
Jesus the stomach is in knots now. Tomorrow is such a big game.
Not only is the elite getting smaller, they are dwindling in power.
Holland are in the psych ward and Germany are troubled. Post world cup 2014 brings in another era and Germany are right back to 2006, they have to start over again, albeit from a better place. The mistake that is made is thinking that teams like Germany and Holland will function at that WC high level for ever and ever, in every subsequent qual game or at least enough for devastating periods of the game. In our group, Poland will not be consistent enough and Scotland will do themselves in at some stage. O'Neill has demonstrated the ability to accurately view the way a game is going for us and alter our game according to needs, with effect.
We didn't had that with Trap. We have a similar defensive discipline but dare I say, that we actually appear to defend more intelligently than under Trap.

[BonnieShels]

Not only is the elite getting smaller, they are dwindling in power.
Holland are in the psych ward and Germany are troubled. Post world cup 2014 brings in another era and Germany are right back to 2006, they have to start over again, albeit from a better place. The mistake that is made is thinking that teams like Germany and Holland will function at that WC high level for ever and ever, in every subsequent qual game or at least enough for devastating periods of the game. In our group, Poland will not be consistent enough and Scotland will do themselves in at some stage. O'Neill has demonstrated the ability to accurately view the way a game is going for us and alter our game according to needs, with effect.
We didn't had that with Trap. We have a similar defensive discipline but dare I say, that we actually appear to defend more intelligently than under Trap.

I think this is what I was trying to allude to when responding to TOWK earlier i the week. Of course it takes our resident Islandson to bring it all back.

[zero]

John O'Shea (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3841)

Seamus Coleman (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31826)Richard Dunne (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/831)Damien Delaney (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8466)Marc Wilson (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/23446)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31826)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/23446)Robbie Brady (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/93473)Glenn Whelan (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8505)James McCarthy (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/31281)Aiden McGeady (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/9003)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3841)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/8505)JonathanWalters (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3860)Shane Long (http://www.whoscored.com/Players/13798)
(http://www.whoscored.com/Players/9003)

That is just championship players, there is a case for some players from other leagues.

o'shea is traditionally known for his versatility at the back - but not convinced he'd be the best choice in goal!

[tricky_colour]

o'shea is traditionally known for his versatility at the back - but not convinced he'd be the best choice in goal!

He can do a job.

As I was saying the fact he can play outfield is a bonus as we see at 1.43 I expect that would
have been a goal against some of our traditional goal keepers.

[ArdeeBhoy]

No chance we will win, unless Alba are bad, very bad. And wouldn't be surprised with the 0-0.

What Kingdom says is pretty much right, except do expect Germany to wake up next year and resume normal service.
So it's all about those three games next year v.Alba/Polska. A 3-0 score either way later tonight, probably means jack. Though would p*ss off the Poles, who'll be praying for a draw.

For me, Polska at home is the must-win, above all others! Though whether we are capable, is another matter.

[paul_oshea]

Robbie keane has scored the most euro qualifer goals in history with 21.

Scotland have not beaten us since 1961.

And according to Fox Soccer we havent played oeachother in 10 years.

I dont think I believe any of those facts :D Can we make it 50+ and counting tonight?

[Fixer82]

Robbie keane has scored the most euro qualifer goals in history with 21.

Scotland have not beaten us since 1961.

And according to Fox Soccer we havent played oeachother in 10 years.

I dont think I believe any of those facts :D Can we make it 50+ and counting tonight?

Maybe not in a qualifier but they have beaten us.
Beat us 2-1 in a friendly around 2001 I think.
Mark Kennedy scored a deflected free kick

[Straightstory]

Ireland have been very lucky so far. Two late goals which weren't really deserved on the overall performances. They've 'dug deep' but haven't played well.
2-1 Scotland.

[paul_oshea]

Smack, what was that, back of the head.

A dose of realism.

But I still think we can get a draw.

[jbyrne]

Ireland have been very lucky so far. Two late goals which weren't really deserved on the overall performances. They've 'dug deep' but haven't played well.
2-1 Scotland.

we kept going to the end in both games and therefore deserved what we got both times. also, we were the better team in georgia. Scotland have been lucky also with a deflected goal against georgia at home and poland should have scored twice in the last ten mins to win in warsaw. 1-1 draw for me

[geysir]

Scotland v Late lucky Irish --> late Irish equaliser
Luck laden Scots v Ireland --> Long misses a sitter to win the game in the last minute

Scotland v Ireland --> Magnificent away draw for us against the super scots

Luck laden Scots v Late lucky Irish --> It all evens out at the end of the day.

[shakermaker1982]

I hope we don't start Keano up top on his own in a 4-5-1.

With Long impressing out wide for Southampton is there any chance of him getting the nod in a wider position? Doubtful but I think his pace would cause Hutton problems.

I'm going for 1-1.

If we went for it I'd fancy us to beat em but I think it will be a cagey affair.

[tetsujin1979]

any reports from training? who was wearing the "chosen XI" bibs?