Republic of Ireland v. Wales - Friday, 24th March 2017 - World Cup 2018 Qualifier

[Wolfman]

It will be another Scotland(Or Poland) game, 1-1 draw written all over it. As long as the other 'top' teams draw against each other I'd take that.

Austria will the pressure game to win, though the Georgia/Serbia double-header scares me.

[zero]

And IMO there would be no point in playing Hoolahan if Walters is the lone forward. It would completely negate the point of playing him.

Look at the performance in Dublin against Scotland in the last campaign.

Whelan, Hoolahan, Murphy and Walters in the same team.

One of the leggiest, leaden performances I have seen in recent memory.

i wouldn't be so sure. josh got the axe essentially when the management team decided we needed fresher legs at the back. walters time will come too, and it could be sooner than we think.

there will be a temptation to play him though as he did well in austria... but that was away from home. the easy and arguably risk averse choice is to start with walters with long to come off the bench if things aren't going well. the only reason you'd do vice versa is to close out a game we are winning. but to start long would be the braver choice - wales have to go for it so counter attacking with pace could undo them.

[DannyInvincible]

Having missed Everton's game against West Brom yesterday, James McCarthy is a doubt for the Wales game and is in a race to be fit: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/0312/859098-james-mccarthy-ireland-wales-everton-koeman/

It's that hamstring again and he's "one or two weeks" off fitness, according to Ronald Koeman.


Ireland midfielder James McCarthy is once again in a race against time to be fit for the World Cup qualifier against Wales later this month.

The Everton player, 26, missed yesterday’s win over WBA with manager Ronald Koeman stating afterwards that he is at least “one or two weeks” away from fitness.

Ex-Wigan man McCarthy missed the 1-0 win over Austria with a hamstring injury last November.

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill, who is already without defender Shane Duffy for the 24 March clash at the Aviva, names his squad for the Group D tie tomorrow.

“James again has some problems with his hamstring - it happened at the beginning of last week, “Koeman said.

“It’s painful for him and also for me because I like him and we want to progress with him.

“But every time we do that he has to take a step back. It’s not a big hamstring injury - he will be out for one or two weeks - but I’m really disappointed about it.

“We need to deal with his fitness and maybe [play him] 30-35 minutes like last week, then put him through recovery.

“We need to learn. I’m not a doctor but I want the best for him, it’s difficult.

“It’s another step back for the boy and that’s really disappointing. We need to find a solution and we haven’t found it yet.”

Asked if he expects Martin O'Neill to pick him then, Koeman replied: "I don't know. We know it will be another nine, 10 days (before the game) and the FIFA rule is that they have the possibility to call the player. If they call the player the player will go and they will see how his fitness is at that time."

[geysir]

Sounds like Koeman has had a good read of the fifa rules on player's international call-up.


Koeman "the FIFA rule is that they have the possibility to call the player. If they call the player the player will go and they will see how his fitness is at that time."

[tetsujin1979]

39 man squad named, including every Irish midfielder: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/statuses/841242409883324416
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C6yxfXRXUAAnPuu.jpg

[tetsujin1979]

Good to see Liam Kelly and John Egan in there, although I'd imagine Kelly won't make the final squad

[DannyInvincible]

It's Rob Elliot's first time back in a squad since we played Slovakia in March last year, although he's been Newcastle's back-up keeper this season, hasn't he? A decent keeper and it's good to see him back, but I'd still like to see Westwood given more game-time.

Happy to see Andy Boyle make it again; he has two games under his belt now for Preston and is fitting in well, according to reports. Preston recorded a clean-sheet against Reading last weekend with him playing the full ninety minutes. I don't think there was any doubt over Horgan getting called up again.

John Egan and Matt Doherty are two other inclusions of interest. Hourihane too. Reading's Liam Kelly has never been named in a squad before. I don't know a huge deal about him, to be honest.

McCarthy is named despite being an injury doubt. Gibson also returns to the frame; first time in a squad since the pre-Euros Belarus friendly in Cork.

If Adam Rooney merits a place, Cillian Sheridan - now playing (and scoring, kind of... (http://foot.ie/threads/35401-Cillian-Sheridan?p=1911015&viewfull=1#post1911015)) for the second-placed team in the Polish league (a stronger league than the Scottish league) - is definitely worth consideration too.

No Stephen Quinn (is he a forgotten man?), Alan Judge (is he fit?), Ryan Manning, Chris Forrester, Marc Wilson (probably fair enough considering he hasn't played a minute of club football this season), Greg Cunningham or Lukas Jutkiewicz (who was also mentioned in the media recently as a potential call-up).

[tetsujin1979]

Quinn's been out injured since October, but is expected back soon. Judge is back in training, but still a few weeks off a first team return.
It was a close call between Manning and Kelly, Kelly's been a first team regular since the start of the season, Manning's only just gotten into the QPR first team.

[Stuttgart88]

Cunningham the harshest and strangest omission for me (especially with Brady suspended) but positives are the presence of Kelly, Egan, Hourihane and Doherty. Sheridan has Long, Walters, Murphy and Doyle all rightly ahead of him as strikers with some physicality.

Judge isn't back playing yet.

[DeLorean]

I see that Stephen Glesson seems to have fallen out of favour at Birmingham, an unused sub in their last five matches.

[tetsujin1979]

it was probably a close call between Doherty (who's been playing at left back for Wolves) and Cunningham as well.

[DeLorean]

Sheridan has Long, Walters, Murphy and Doyle all rightly ahead of him as strikers with some physicality.

As much as I know you love him, Doyle might be slightly stretching that notion at this stage? His career has been in decline for a decade or so, plays in the MLS and will be nearly 35 by the time the WC rolls around. With Long, Walters and Murphy all ahead of Doyle as it is, surely there could be some long(er) term gain from selecting Sheridan? We know what Doyle can do if we do need him in an emergency, but I think it would be no harm to see what Sheridan can bring.

[CraftyToePoke]

Cunningham the harshest and strangest omission for me (especially with Brady suspended) but positives are the presence of Kelly, Egan, Hourihane and Doherty. Sheridan has Long, Walters, Murphy and Doyle all rightly ahead of him as strikers with some physicality.

Absolutely, especially with Horgan and Boyle (two starts?) at the same club. Ouch.

O'Dowda very lucky to still be in also, but O'Neill has been proven right before with McGeady & club form vs Ireland performances.

[geysir]

We're a bit short up front, between the injured, lightly used subs and those from distant leagues.
I thought Cunningham was worth his squad place as reserve LB. I'd assume Ward will be starting, at least he's in a vein of form right now.

[DeLorean]

O'Dowda very lucky to still be in also, but O'Neill has been proven right before with McGeady & club form vs Ireland performances.

I wouldn't see O'Dowda as being lucky really, and definitely not lucky to be in the 'catch-all' provisional squad. He's looked good in his cameos for us. He's in and out of the Bristol City team but this season was always going to be a big challenge for him, a massive step up from League 2 to the Championship on top of leaving his home comforts at Oxford. I wouldn't see the sense in knocking his confidence any further right now.

He was lucky to get a call up in the first place though it has to be said, seeing as we don't usually cast our net any wider than Championship level.

[DannyInvincible]

Absolutely, especially with Horgan and Boyle (two starts?) at the same club. Ouch.

Preston forward Callum Robinson was another potentially-eligible player discussed recently. The FAI confirmed he is indeed eligible, but he'd presumably have to undergo a formal switch-process before being able to accept any call-up (if he would indeed be interested in representing us). He has quite a few England caps at under-age level and I'd imagine at least one would have been competitive, meaning a formal switch would be required.

[tetsujin1979]

Wales to announce their squad on Thursday: https://twitter.com/FAWales/status/841244497484865536

@FAIreland (https://twitter.com/FAIreland) have announced a provisional squad for their match against Wales. Chris Coleman will release his squad on Thursday.

[DeLorean]

O'Neill seems optimistic about the fitness of McCarthy and Clark. - http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/hopes-high-james-mccarthy-and-ciaran-clark-will-face-wales-1.3008242

[zero]

maybe sean maguire could have been called up to the provisional squad at least - however it would likely mean him missing some important games for cork city.

cillian sheridan and greg cunningham may feel a bit aggrieved.

[geysir]

O'Neill seems optimistic about the fitness of McCarthy and Clark. - http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/hopes-high-james-mccarthy-and-ciaran-clark-will-face-wales-1.3008242
O'Neill dripping with sarcasm :D
“He (Ronald Koeman) is disappointed that he’s got another injury,” said the Irishman, “but I don’t think we can be blamed for that. We haven’t had him for the a few months, Everton have had him all the while so I don’t think any blame could attach to us.... although you never know.”

[tetsujin1979]

any excuse to post this goal from John Egan again
HxsZqROB4n8

[tetsujin1979]

and this one from Liam Kelly
ya0o-0SRKPk

[SwanVsDalton]

Happy enough with the squad notwithstanding it's usual bloated nature.

Don't rate Sheridan, though I do respect his experience and willingness to do something different. But if we're talking about looking at options, I'd rather see some of our promising midfielders included rather than a striker who won't make it imo.

[DannyInvincible]

maybe sean maguire could have been called up to the provisional squad at least - however it would likely mean him missing some important games for cork city.

In terms of potential internationals currently playing in the League of Ireland, I feel Paddy McEleney would merit immediate rather than future consideration too.


O'Neill dripping with sarcasm :D
“He (Ronald Koeman) is disappointed that he’s got another injury,” said the Irishman, “but I don’t think we can be blamed for that. We haven’t had him for the a few months, Everton have had him all the while so I don’t think any blame could attach to us.... although you never know.”

Lovely.

[DannyInvincible]

Tony O'Donoghue has stated on Soccer Republic (seemingly with the benefit of having spoken to Martin O'Neill) that John O'Shea is likely to start in defence against Wales due to the injury issues with other defenders.

Peter Collins also mentioned that one quarter of the provisional squad have played in the League of Ireland.

[samhaydenjr]

39 man squad named, including every Irish midfielder: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/statuses/841242409883324416
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C6yxfXRXUAAnPuu.jpg

...except Darragh Lenihan. Which begs the question: why no love for the Blackburn trio (Lenihan, Williams, Hoban)? I mean, I know they're having a tough season but all three are young players who are firmly established in the Championship, yet can't seem to get international recognition. Also, does the absence of Hogan and Jutkiewicz mean we should give up on the possibility of them declaring for us - did MON address this issue?

[SwanVsDalton]

Also, does the absence of Hogan and Jutkiewicz mean we should give up on the possibility of them declaring for us - did MON address this issue?

Hogan's injured for weeks. I'm not sure if there's an issue with Jutkiewicz declaring or not, we know he's eligibility don't we? Think he just hasn't got a call up.

[Olé Olé]

...except Darragh Lenihan. Which begs the question: why no love for the Blackburn trio (Lenihan, Williams, Hoban)? I mean, I know they're having a tough season but all three are young players who are firmly established in the Championship, yet can't seem to get international recognition. Also, does the absence of Hogan and Jutkiewicz mean we should give up on the possibility of them declaring for us - did MON address this issue?

What defender would you have them there ahead of? It took Egan long enough. Hoban has been injured a bit this season. Williams is surely firmly behind Cunningham in the extended queue. Is Lenihan going to get in the squad for a crunch match ahead of McShane or Pearce? Boyle has European experience.

EDIT: Is Lenihan back in midfield or still centre half for his club?

[Olé Olé]

Great to see Kelly getting included. It probably came too soon for Manning but June won't be long coming for him and he's due to win his first under 21 cap too. They are too wonderfully technical midfielders for the future.

[Stuttgart88]

Harry Arter having a scan but it doesn't sound too serious

http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=483976

[DannyInvincible]

According to Emmet Malone, O'Neill insists McClean and McGeady can play in the same team, although Malone thinks McGeady is more likely to appear from the bench if he gets game-time against Wales: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/martin-o-neill-lays-down-line-for-aiden-mcgeady-1.3008884


[McGeady's] problems at club level have certainly limited his opportunities on the international stage over the past couple of years although more recently James McClean’s form for Ireland has been at least as big a factor.

O’Neill insists the pair can play in the same team and Robbie Brady’s suspension might just open the door to the 30-year-old but an appearance from the bench looks a more realistic prospect despite his consistently strong form for Preston on the Championship this season.

[geysir]

Danny, is there some easy way to get
http://foot.ie/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Emmet Malone

into a newspaper quote?

[Olé Olé]

I would be shocked if McGeady wasn't starting...

[DannyInvincible]

Danny, is there some easy way to get
http://foot.ie/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by Emmet Malone

into a newspaper quote?

When you're typing up a post, place/wrap "quote" tags around the quoted text (which I usually just copy and paste from a particular article), like so:

[QU*TE]Quoted text.[/QU*TE]

(I've used an asterisk there instead of an "O" as the tags won't show up in this post if I include the full word "QUOTE".)

Then include an "equals" sign (=) within the first "quote" tag after "QUOTE" followed by the name of whoever it is you are quoting.

If you wish to include Emmet Malone's name, for example, you'd do it like so:

[QU*TE=Emmet Malone]Quoted text.[/QU*TE]

(Once again, I've used asterisks there instead of the "O".)

Is that what you mean?

[geysir]

I've got it now, thanks Danny


The lady IFA doth protest too much, methinks’

[gastric]

McGeady needs to start. I watched the Reading game last weekend and his confidence is sky high. He changed wings, I think, when Horgan went off and this versatility might just cause lots of confusion in the Welsh defence. McClean has been great in the last few matches, so what a great headache O'Neill has.

[samhaydenjr]

What defender would you have them there ahead of? It took Egan long enough. Hoban has been injured a bit this season. Williams is surely firmly behind Cunningham in the extended queue. Is Lenihan going to get in the squad for a crunch match ahead of McShane or Pearce? Boyle has European experience.

EDIT: Is Lenihan back in midfield or still centre half for his club?

I know there are no absolute arguments here but I would note that they all have more Championship experience than Boyle, Egan, O'Dowda, Horgan and Kelly. Hoban, in particular, could have had an even better record had it not been for injury and Watford's weird (albeit successful) loan policy and should really get a chance at some point. Williams, meanwhile, was regularly preferred to Cunningham at Bristol City. And where the much-vaunted Jack Byrne failed to nail down a place in Blackburn's first XI, Lenihan has managed to do so (I didn't know he was being used as a centre-half, but he kept his place when Hoban returned last week so I guess he might be back in midfield). Now I probably wouldn't have any of them in the final squad for the crunch game against Wales but, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, the Iceland game gives us the opportunity to experiment a little - like I said, there's no major reason why this trio should be chosen over others, but I think they should certainly be in the conversation for upcoming friendlies.

[Olé Olé]

I know there are no absolute arguments here but I would note that they all have more Championship experience than Boyle, Egan, O'Dowda, Horgan and Kelly. Hoban, in particular, could have had an even better record had it not been for injury and Watford's weird (albeit successful) loan policy and should really get a chance at some point. Williams, meanwhile, was regularly preferred to Cunningham at Bristol City. And where the much-vaunted Jack Byrne failed to nail down a place in Blackburn's first XI, Lenihan has managed to do so (I didn't know he was being used as a centre-half, but he kept his place when Hoban returned last week so I guess he might be back in midfield). Now I probably wouldn't have any of them in the final squad for the crunch game against Wales but, as I mentioned earlier in this thread, the Iceland game gives us the opportunity to experiment a little - like I said, there's no major reason why this trio should be chosen over others, but I think they should certainly be in the conversation for upcoming friendlies.

I'm not disagreeing with you completely but there's a bit too much competition in the squad for a competitive match like Wales that we will need the defensive experience the likes of Pearce and McShane if we are struck by injuries. I think Hoban has the most potential of the lot. He showed more than the other pair at a younger age.

Lenihan was playing centre half last night per LiveScore. All three started.

They definitely should be in the conversation for the upcoming friendlies, along with a lot of other players at a similar level such as Manning, Cullen, Forrester, Cunningham, potentially Robinson and I'm sure I'm missing a few.

[mark12345]

I would be shocked if McGeady wasn't starting...

So would I. I would give McGeady a free role in the team. Let him run through the middle, or down the wings - wherever he sees an open space.
Put Hoolahan at the top of a midfield diamond and Arter at the other end to protect our defence and go from there.
Hopefully we won't need to call on an impact player coming off the bench on the night, but that player would be Walters for me.

[Stuttgart88]

I think the Iceland game will be useful but not for widespread experimentation. If 2 or 3 of Doherty, Hourihane etc. get a run out it'd be great. I expect Horgan will get a start for this one.

[mark12345]

McGeady needs to start. I watched the Reading game last weekend and his confidence is sky high. He changed wings, I think, when Horgan went off and this versatility might just cause lots of confusion in the Welsh defence. McClean has been great in the last few matches, so what a great headache O'Neill has.

Like your thought process and I would absolutely start McGeady. Horgan has a part to play at some stage I would suggest. One thing we have to be mindful of is tactics in this game.
I would prefer to see Ireland sit back a little and then try to spring a counter attack on them, with McClean and McGeady flying at the Welsh defence. If it is the other way around, where we are caught in the Welsh half and Ramsey releases Bale or Vokes, it spells trouble. I would also be wary of Bale shooting from distance at Randolph.

[Kingdom]

Are Wales still utilising the 3 defenders and wing-back combo? Getting our own formation right will be crucial, as there'll be space to exploit down the in the Welsh third and between the midfield holder and centre-backs.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a deep-lying two if McCarthy is fit, to cover both the advancing Ramsey and the floating Bale.

-------------------------Hennessy------------------------
-------------Collins-----Williams--------Chester---------
Gunter---------------------------------------------Taylor/Davies
--------------------------Ledley------------------------------
-------------Ramsey ----------------- Allen ----------------
------------------------------------Bale----------------------
-------------------------Vokes-------------------------------


----------------Randolph---------------
Coleman --- Keogh -- Clark --- Ward
-----------Whelan --- McCarthy-------
------- Hendrick ----- McClean-------
--------------- Hoolahan-----------------
-----------------Walters----------------

That would allow for Shane Long, Aiden McGeady and possibly Horgan to come on and shore things up if we're in a positive place.

Edit. I knew Brady was suspended. So why did I not think of that when looking at the squad? D'uh. I'm supposing Arter is unfit, otherwise he has a chance. If james Mac is unfit, I wouldn't be surprised to see meyler there, but it would worry me if he has too much time to think. Personally I'd love to see McGeady start, but he won't pick both him, Wes and McClean, and wes needs to play for us to hold on to the ball.

[TerryPhelan]

Are Wales still utilising the 3 defenders and wing-back combo? Getting our own formation right will be crucial, as there'll be space to exploit down the in the Welsh third and between the midfield holder and centre-backs.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a deep-lying two if McCarthy is fit, to cover both the advancing Ramsey and the floating Bale.

-------------------------Hennessy------------------------
-------------Collins-----Williams--------Chester---------
Gunter---------------------------------------------Taylor/Davies
--------------------------Ledley------------------------------
-------------Ramsey ----------------- Allen ----------------
------------------------------------Bale----------------------
-------------------------Vokes-------------------------------


----------------Randolph---------------
Coleman --- Keogh -- Clark --- Ward
-----------Whelan --- McCarthy-------
------- Hendrick ----- McClean-------
----------------- Brady-----------------
-----------------Walters----------------

That would allow for Shane Long, Aiden McGeady and possibly Wes or Horgan to come on and shore things up if we're in a positive place.

Brady is suspended, unfortunately.

I'd go with that team, but putting in Arter instead of Whelan and McGeady or Wes instead of Brady.

[geysir]

Like your thought process and I would absolutely start McGeady. Horgan has a part to play at some stage I would suggest. One thing we have to be mindful of is tactics in this game.
I would prefer to see Ireland sit back a little and then try to spring a counter attack on them, with McClean and McGeady flying at the Welsh defence. If it is the other way around, where we are caught in the Welsh half and Ramsey releases Bale or Vokes, it spells trouble. I would also be wary of Bale shooting from distance at Randolph.
Considering O'Neill's special relationship with McGeady dating back to before his senior Celtic debut and O'Neill's fulsome opinion about his talent, if MCGeady is not starting then O'Neill has his own very good reasons.

[Stuttgart88]

..which may well include using him off the bench as an effective weapon for the last 35 minutes?

[OwlsFan]

----------------Randolph---------------
Coleman --- Keogh -- Clark --- Ward
-----------Whelan --- McCarthy-------
------- Hendrick ----- McClean-------
--------------- Hoolahan-----------------
-----------------Walters----------------


Too soon for Walters to lead the attack? God knows, even TOWK's Murphy might be a better option. I'd go for Long and O'Shea instead of Keogh. Arter, instead of McCarthy who won't be fit and if both are unfit, Meyler perhaps.

[KrisLetang]

Bale feels great, raring to go, likely to score many goals vs Ireland.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/0315/859933-gareth-bale-ireland/

What is everyone predicting?
My head says 3-0 Wales, My heart says 2-0 Wales.

[SkStu]

3-1 to us.

[nigel-harps1954]

5-0 Ireland. Niall Quinn with a last minute header to guarantee the win.

[geysir]

Bale feels great, raring to go, likely to score many goals vs Ireland.
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017/0315/859933-gareth-bale-ireland/

The Welsh windbag.