Euro 2016 Play-Offs - November 13th and 16th

[SkStu]

Arena dreams of a team of Robbie Keanes, a team of Robbie Keanes, a team of Robbie Keanes...

[Stuttgart88]

[URL="http://www.thesun.ie/irishsol/homepage/sport/irishfootball/6719307/Injury-rules-Shay-Given-out-of-play-offs.html"]Given Outsome people are always given out about something

[paul_oshea]

Coleman and McCarthy played 90mins for Everton, Gibson an unused sub, McGeady not in squad (is he still alive?). Sunderland concede six in O'Shea's absence. Long not in Southampton squad.

Don't worry he is slowly bedding him in :D

Managing his injuries haha.

Mcgeadys career really has been very disappointing and I'd say its safe to say this is the highest we will see him play its downhill from here for him

[Stuttgart88]

I think he's a bit unlucky. He stands out in lesser leagues, not good enough for the best leagues. Let's not forget that only for a pi$$ poor header by Keogh we'd be waxing lyrical about the sumptuous cross McGeady put in to secure our qualification. Maybe he's not working hard enough in training or maybe he's just not good enough to crack it at Everton. His performance at Barnsley seemed to mark his death knell though.

[Charlie Darwin]

His time at Everton has been a bit of a disaster. Would be best for all concerned if he took a step down to a club where he can be a bit more of a star. Shame as he has the talent.

[DeLorean]

They have got a lot of good options in wide areas. Is he actually injury free at the moment does anybody know? I think it's a very safe prediction that we won't see him at a higher level than this Paul, not that that will stop you patting yourself on the back when he moves to Sunderland or the likes :p

Another move 'abroad' might be more beneficial though.

[Grafter]

With Walters out of first leg, wouldn't it be beneficial to push Coleman into right midfield and have Christie at right full ... those two would dovetail well on that right side in my opinion, offering threat and protection - ideal for an away leg?

[geysir]

McGeady was named on the subs bench in the most recent league cup game.
That's the equivalent of proof of life, isn't it?

[Charlie Darwin]

With Walters out of first leg, wouldn't it be beneficial to push Coleman into right midfield and have Christie at right full ... those two would dovetail well on that right side in my opinion, offering threat and protection - ideal for an away leg?
I wouldn't play our best player out of position unless there was a really really good player who needed to be in the team behind him.

[Stuttgart88]

McGeady was named on the subs bench in the most recent league cup game.
That's the equivalent of proof of life, isn't it?
It's also a firm statement of where he lies in the pecking order.

[geysir]

There you go again Stutts, your glass is half empty :)

For our purposes, the issue is McGeady's not match fit, he would just be an ace sub option with 20 minutes to go.

[Littlest Hobo]

With 1 league game before the 1st leg, I'd play this eleven on current form and availability

Elliott

Christy
Keogh
Wilson
Brady

Coleman
Whelan
Mc Carthy
Mc Clean

Hoolahan
Long

[back of the net]

With 1 league game before the 1st leg, I'd play this eleven on current form and availability

Elliott

Christy
Keogh
Wilson
Brady

Coleman
Whelan
Mc Carthy
Mc Clean

Hoolahan
Long


looking like Elliott could be out of play offs with a thigh injury picked up against Stoke on Saturday. Seemingly he was struggling before kick off and really should not have played .

[DeLorean]

I'd go with...


------------- Westwood -----------

Coleman - Wilson - Clark - Ward

------- McCarthy - Gibson --------

-- Hendrick - Hoolahan - Brady --

--------------- Long ----------------


I think O'Neill will go with Randolph, Keogh, Whelan and probably Murphy ahead of Westwood, Clark/Wilson, Gibson and Long though at the very least, and possibly Brady left back instead of Ward with McClean also starting.

[Wangball]

I hope you're wrong on O'Neills picks - Daryl Murphy can't buy a goal at the moment and has no place in that squad never mind the team!

[triggsrevenge]

I don't see Wes starting the away game.
He doesn't have 2 games in him back to back.

I'd play Brady in his position for the away leg, and we should develop him in general for that role.
Wilson at full back.

[OwlsFan]

looking like Elliott could be out of play offs with a thigh injury picked up against Stoke on Saturday. Seemingly he was struggling before kick off and really should not have played .

He is so unlucky. Whenever he gets in to the Newcastle team, he picks up an injury

[DannyInvincible]

He is so unlucky. Whenever he gets in to the Newcastle team, he picks up an injury

It's unusual that a 'keeper would keep picking up injuries so regularly, or pretty much every time he plays. Is it a recurring one? Maybe he's just not cut out for competitive/more robust action.

[zero]

It's unusual that a 'keeper would keep picking up injuries so regularly, or pretty much every time he plays. Is it a recurring one? Maybe he's just not cut out for competitive/more robust action.

he's only played 16 times for the first team in the 4 years he has been at newcastle. he doesn't usually play for the reserves either, as he is currently 3rd choice.

[IsMiseSean]

he's only played 16 times for the first team in the 4 years he has been at newcastle. he doesn't usually play for the reserves either, as he is currently 3rd choice.

I can't understand a player who is happy doing that. Yes he might be getting a decent wage etc but surely your ambition as a professional footballer is to play on a regular basis?

[Stuttgart88]

Ciaran Clark starts tonight for Villa at Spurs, Remi Garde's first game in charge.

Edit: And badly at fault for Spurs' opener after only 2 minutes.

Further edit: And Kevin McDonald is in charge as caretaker I think.

[geysir]

Keogh would have got that header.

[tetsujin1979]

Bosnia and Herzegovina announce squad: http://www.nfsbih.ba/bih/vijest.php?id=11323

Player Club
Asmir Begovic Chelsea F.C.
Ibrahim Šehic FC Qarabag
Jasmin Buric Lech Poznan
Mensur Mujdža SC Freiburg
Emir Spahic Hamburger SV
Toni Šunjic VfB Stuttgart
Ermin Bicakcic TsG Hoffenheim
Ognjen Vranješ FC Gaziantepspor
Sead Kolašinac FC Schalke
Edin Cocalic KV Mechelen
Ervin Zukanovic UC Sampdoria
Marin Anicic FC Astana
Muhamed Bešic Everton FC
Miralem Pjanic AS Roma
Srdan Grahovac SK Rapid Wien
Haris Medunjanin Deportivo La Coruna
Anel Hadžic SK Sturm Graz
Tino Sven Sušic HNK Hajduk Split
Senad Lulic SS Lazio
Sejad Salihovic Ghuizhou Rehne
Rade Krunic FC Empoli
Edin Višca Istanbul BB SK
Edin Džeko AS Roma
Milan Ðuric AC Cesena
Vedad Ibiševic Hertha BSC
Ermin Zec Gabala
Armin Hodžic GNK Dinamo Zagreb
Izet Hajrovic SD Eibarfirst call up for Krunic

[OwlsFan]

I wanted to be the one who gave you your 2000th thank. Reasonable looking squad that's why it's a 50/50 against us. Full strength as well !

[tricky_colour]

It's unusual that a 'keeper would keep picking up injuries so regularly, or pretty much every time he plays. Is it a recurring one? Maybe he's just not cut out for competitive/more robust action.

Maybe he has a bad back from repeatedly bending to pick the ball out of the back of the net? :p

[DeLorean]

O'Shea looks like being available to Sunderland at the weekend which is good.

Long isn't going to make the Southampton squad again which is bad!

[tetsujin1979]

O'Shea looks like being available to Sunderland at the weekend which is good.

Long isn't going to make the Southampton squad again which is bad!
but it comes with a free frogurt!
http://i.imgur.com/VZvfyr3.jpg

[DannyInvincible]

A view from Bosnia: http://pogmogoal.com/the-blog-reel/bosnian-view-healthy-respect-for-the-boys-in-green/22496/


...

In truth, most Bosnian fans hoped to avoid Ireland and judging by coach Bazdarevic’s reaction at the draw, so did he. Player for player, Bosnia has the bigger names and is technically superior but Martin O’Neill’s side is made up of Premier League and Championship players who have the edge in pace, athleticism, and work rate, and they have shown great resilience over the qualifying campaign. For the most part, Bosnia lacks pace in both attack and defence and has often fallen prey to quick counter attacks, most recently against Cyprus.

Bosnia will look for a strong result at home so they have something to defend and hold onto in the intense atmosphere that awaits them in Dublin. O’Neill has said that he considers playing the second leg at home an advantage for Ireland as long as they make sure there is still something to play for, which means his team may come to Zenica set-up not to lose, rather than to win.

With Bosnia’s only quality defensive midfield option Muhamed Besic suspended for the first leg, Ireland should find it easier to operate in midfield and to run at the relatively slow and often unconvincing Bosnian back line. Shane Long’s pace could prove key.

No one in the Bosnian camp expects an easy tie; the qualifiers have proven that the Irish are a difficult team to beat and are expected to fight tooth and nail, especially at home. There is a healthy dose of respect for “The Boys in Green” among most Bosnian fans who know the historic win over World Champions Germany will only boost Irish belief and confidence.

...

[back of the net]

John O'Shea not in the sunderland squad for todays game at home to southampton

[DeLorean]

Yeah a quick check through the games - Hoolahan and Brady start for Norwich, Coleman and McCarthy start fot Everton, Gibson on the bench, McGeady not in squad. McClean starts at Old Trafford and turned Daley Blind upside down after a few seconds :) No Judge for Brentford, must be still injured.

[Closed Account]

Squad Watch



G

Rob Elliot
Started
Clean Sheet


G
David Forde
Started



G
Keiren Westwood
Started



G
Darren Randolph
Unused Sub



G
Shay Given
Not in Squad
Injured


D

Ciaran Clark
Started

Clean Sheet



D

Richard Keogh
Started



D
Seamus Coleman
Started



D
Cyrus Christie
Started



D
Shane Duffy
Started




D

Stephen Ward
Sub (77)




D
Alex Pearce
Unused Sub



D
Marc Wilson
Unused Sub



D
John O'Shea
Not in Squad
Injured


D
Paul McShane
Not in Squad
Injured


D
Greg Cunningham
Not in Squad
Injured


M
David Meyler
Started
Assist


M

Robbie Brady
Started



M
James McCarthy
Started



M
Paul Green
Started



M
James McClean
Started



M
Anthony Pilkington
Started



M
Wes Hoolahan
Started



M
Glenn Whelan
Started



M
Harry Arter
Started(78)



M
Jeff Hendrick
Started(65)



M
Darron Gibson
Unused Sub



M
Alan Judge
Not in Squad
Injured


M
Eunan O'Kane
Not in Squad
Out of Favour


M
Aiden McGeady
Not in Squad
Out of Favour


F

Daryl Murphy
Started
Goals(3)


F
Adam Rooney
Started
Goal


F
Jonathan Walters
Started



F
Simon Cox
Unused Sub



F
Anthony Stokes
Sunday 15:30



F
Robbie Keane
No Game



F
Kevin Doyle
No Game



F
Shane Long
Not in Squad
Injured


F
David McGoldrick
Not in Squad
Injured



In-Form Moneyball First XI
Elliot; Coleman, Keogh, Clark, Ward; Brady, McCarthy, Meyler, McClean; Hoolahan; Murphy

[Crosby87]

McGeady needs a change of scenery.

Chaps, I heard on the radio yesterday that Guinness is filtered in part through a sheep's bladder and so there is a little sheep juice in every pint....so vegans won't drink it. So the company is making a non sheep bladder filtered version acceptable to vegans.
What i don't get is....are there that many vegans who are healthy lifestyle people but still drink alcohol, making it worth while to go through all the trouble? And isn't it kinda gross that it gets filtered through a dead sheep's bladder in the first place?

[seanfhear]

McGeady needs a change of scenery.

Chaps, I heard on the radio yesterday that Guinness is filtered in part through a sheep's bladder and so there is a little sheep juice in every pint....so vegans won't drink it. So the company is making a non sheep bladder filtered version acceptable to vegans.
What i don't get is....are there that many vegans who are healthy lifestyle people but still drink alcohol, making it worth while to go through all the trouble? And isn't it kinda gross that it gets filtered through a dead sheep's bladder in the first place?I think that explains clearly why McGeady has never been consistently able to deliver that final ball !

[DeLorean]

Deulofeu's through ball for Lukaku's equaliser today was sublime actually. Easy to see why McGeady is struggling to get back in with Mirallas and Lennon having to settle for places on the bench themselves. Looks like he definitely needs a move.

[back of the net]

Looks like O'Shea is out of the playoffs - failure to recover from injury

[Eminence Grise]

Chaps, I heard on the radio yesterday that Guinness is filtered in part through a sheep's bladder and so there is a little sheep juice in every pint.

Close, but it's isinglass, a gelatin derived from fish bladders. http://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/warning-there-may-be-fish-bladder-in-your-guinness-1.2415449


And isn't it kinda gross that it gets filtered through a dead sheep's bladder in the first place?

I'm reliably informed that many beers taste like they've been filtered through a live sheep's bladder.

[Fixer82]

Close, but it's isinglass, a gelatin derived from fish bladders. http://www.irishtimes.com/business/agribusiness-and-food/warning-there-may-be-fish-bladder-in-your-guinness-1.2415449



I'm reliably informed that many beers taste like they've been filtered through a live sheep's bladder.

Most beers use this in the fermentation process I'm led to believe.

Now back (somewhat) to the subject, I'd like to see McGeady start. i know he's not playing but I think he could do damage. McAteer couldb't buy a game for Blackburn when he scored V Holland. McGeady also created our only real chance V Poland. Something McClean failed to do during the whole game

[Closed Account]

Squad Reduced to 30, Given, Cunningham, Green, O’Kane, McGoldrick, Cox, Stokes, Pilkington and Rooney gone from the provisional squad.



G

Rob Elliot
Started
Clean Sheet


G
David Forde
Started



G
Keiren Westwood
Started



G
Darren Randolph
Unused Sub




D

Ciaran Clark
Started

Clean Sheet


D

Richard Keogh
Started



D
Seamus Coleman
Started



D
Cyrus Christie
Started



D
Shane Duffy
Started



D

Stephen Ward
Sub (77)




D
Alex Pearce
Unused Sub



D
Marc Wilson
Unused Sub



D
John O'Shea
Not in Squad
Injured


D
Paul McShane
Not in Squad
Injured



M
David Meyler
Started
Assist


M

Robbie Brady
Started



M
James McCarthy
Started




M
James McClean
Started




M
Wes Hoolahan
Started



M
Glenn Whelan
Started



M
Harry Arter
Started(78)



M
Jeff Hendrick
Started(65)



M
Darron Gibson
Unused Sub



M
Alan Judge
Not in Squad
Injured



M
Aiden McGeady
Not in Squad
Out of Favour


F

Daryl Murphy
Started
Goals(3)



F
Jonathan Walters
Started





F
Robbie Keane
No Game



F
Kevin Doyle
No Game



F
Shane Long
Not in Squad
Injured





In-Form Moneyball First XI
Elliot; Coleman, Keogh, Clark, Ward; Brady, McCarthy, Meyler, McClean; Hoolahan; Murphy

[DeLorean]

Elliot, O'Shea, McShane, Judge and Long all being assessed by their clubs before joining up.

[Crosby87]

Do you think Shane is a Long shot?

[Crosby87]

McCLaren wants Elliott out of Irish squad.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3309269/Newcastle-manager-Steve-McClaren-calls-goalkeeper-Rob-Elliot-left-Martin-O-Neill-s-Ireland-squad-Bosnia-play-off.html

[tetsujin1979]

How did the Bosnian squad do this weekend: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=3429616945871453389

[DeLorean]

Very gloomy for a wet Monday morning but I can't seem to get a 2-0 defeat out of my head for Friday. The good news is I think I'm wrong far more often than I'm right with these things.

[jbyrne]

Very gloomy for a wet Monday morning but I can't seem to get a 2-0 defeat out of my head for Friday. The good news is I think I'm wrong far more often than I'm right with these things.

so it could be 3-0 then? :)

cant help feeling that without oshea, walters and probably long out it could be quite a difficult night Friday. am clinging to the hope that first legs are generally cagey tight affairs and that will be to our benefit

[DeLorean]

Haha it could yeah. I'd say whether it's 2-0 or 3-0 we're as good as out either way though. I'm normally more optimistic but then again I'm normally disappointed!

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone else think Doyle should start this one upfront by himself?

[jbyrne]

Anyone else think Doyle should start this one upfront by himself?

didn't see much of his season in the US but if his form was anyway decent id say he would be our best option up front alone. MON will probably go with murphy though. his hat-trick at the weekend has come at just the right time for us

[zero]

didn't see much of his season in the US but if his form was anyway decent id say he would be our best option up front alone. MON will probably go with murphy though. his hat-trick at the weekend has come at just the right time for us

yeah i expect it to be murphy. MON seems to rate him. worrying lack of pace in the side... i'm thinking

randolph
coleman keogh clark wilson
mccarthy whelan
hendrick hoolahan brady
muprhy

[seanfhear]

Anyone else think Doyle should start this one upfront by himself?Maybe he would be lonely(Only kidding) I Long for Long. So Long as its not So Long !

[DeLorean]

Anyone else think Doyle should start this one upfront by himself?

I presume the loan striker option is the way to go? Just thinking that we had a hell of a run playing 4-4-2 away from home for some reason. As daft and regressive as it probably sounds, would it be worth a considering given our options? I just think with the loan striker, very little is likely to stick and we'll be inviting pressure back onto ourselves constantly. There's the obvious problem of getting overrun in midfield playing 4-4-2, where they seem to have some quality, but obviously Murphy would be expected to help out defensively and it would come naturally to Hendrick who wouldn't be your more orthodox wide player.


--------------Goalkeeper---------------
--Coleman - Keogh - Clark - Wilson--
Hendrick - McCarthy - Whelan - Brady
-----------Murphy-Keane---------------


I'm kind of assuming he'll start Whelan over Gibson and that Long won't be fit enough to start. It would be brilliant if he could give us twenty minutes from the bench though and McClean could carry out the Stephen Hunt role. Save Wessi for the home leg I think or if we really need a goal late on (i.e. we're losing 2-0 or worse).

It's very hard to know what Doyle would offer at this stage. If we do go with the loan striker obviously he's a better option than Keane. I'm not a massive Murphy fan (for us) but it's easier to gauge the level he's at right now, and it's probably a higher level than Doyle on all known evidence. Unquestionably Doyle was a better player at his pomp but that seems a long time ago now, albeit he's still marginally younger than Murphy!