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

[Closed Account]

McGeady should be starting.I wouldn't start him personally, I'd rather get 60 minutes out of McCarthy and then bring Aiden on.

[tricky_colour]

A bigger game for wales than it is for us.

If we play for a draw it could go pear shaped big time, so not tooo confident.

We will miss Brady I fear.

They are playing the side that beat Belgium. :uncomfortableness:

[SkStu]

Little bit disappointed with the non-selection of McGeady (wow what a turnaround) but it seems like we are going for the draw. Not a fan of Walters on the right either.

Might line up in a 4-1-3-2 when in possession?

[DeLorean]

Can't really fault it but kind of fear that team. Negatives...

Nothing on the bench. I think McGeady usually.needs to grow into a game, Long need to be unleashed.

McCarthy doesn't do his best work with Whelan present.

[TrapAPony]

They are playing the side that beat Belgium. :uncomfortableness:

Wales are playing the side that beat Germany and Italy.;)

[mark12345]

Don't know if Walters is up front with Long or out wide but neither really works.

With Whelan, question marks over McCarthy and Walters I fear a lack of incision and a stone age approach to tactics but hope I am wrong.

I think McGeady should be in there to restore a bit of balance.

We're home team. Should be more positive.

Too true. McGeady, Horgan, O'Dowda, Hayes and Hourihane. An awful lot of running and no less amount of guile in those legs. But sadly all are sat watching the game.

[mark12345]

Can't really fault it but kind of fear that team. Negatives...

Nothing on the bench. I think McGeady usually.needs to grow into a game, Long need to be unleashed.

McCarthy doesn't do his best work with Whelan present.

Correct about McCarthy. So it makes it even more galling that the Stoke City midfielder starts the game. Hope Whelan proves me horribly wrong.

[Closed Account]

McCarthy out,
Meyler IN

[Closed Account]

Correct about McCarthy. So it makes it even more galling that the Stoke City midfielder starts the game. Hope Whelan proves me horribly wrong.
Always makes me laugh this. How is it Whelans fault if McCarthy doesn't play well. Pure rubbish.

[SkStu]

Here we go boys!

COYBIG!

[zero]

hoping for a good performance and if we deliver that and wales still win then fair play.

[SkStu]

Always makes me laugh this. How is it Whelans fault if McCarthy doesn't play well. Pure rubbish.

Given that Meyler is starting now, looks like we can already place the blame on Whelan.

[tricky_colour]

Meyler is not a negative really.

[tricky_colour]

Is Bale worth more than the entire Irish team?

[pineapple stu]

20 pages of build up, and nothing on the match. Sums it up so far. Uninspiring

[tricky_colour]

Ward >> Bale

[SkStu]

Is Bale worth more than the entire Irish team?

Not on this evidence so far.

[pineapple stu]

We ban their brass band, and hire our own.

Why???

[Closed Account]

Going pretty much how I expected.
Wales tidy in possession up yo final third, then nothing.
Ireland toxic in possession, Whelan particularly bad. Doesn't seem to know how to turn around with the ball at his feet. Ward and McClean probably brightest. Ward at least looking for the ball and bollocking Glenn out of it.
Everyone else playing 6/10 exactly how they normally play.

Get Whelan off for McGeady wide right, Coleman is isolated out there as Walters is playing up front when we have possession.

[DeLorean]

Always makes me laugh this. How is it Whelans fault if McCarthy doesn't play well. Pure rubbish.

Not that funny really. McCarthy's best position is sacrificed a bit when Whelan plays. Whelan plays centrally because he can't really play anywhere else. McCarthy is therefore thrown to the left or right of diamonds or other such unnatural positions. He was very good in games against Sweden (WC), Germany, Italy and France, in particular, on the rare times Whelan has been absent/sacrificed. It doesn't excuse McCarthy completely for not performing better in certain roles but his performance level is generally better in a more predominantly central position.

[osarusan]

It's a woeful game of football so far.

[mark12345]

Always makes me laugh this. How is it Whelans fault if McCarthy doesn't play well. Pure rubbish.

No clue what your talking about. You've got me all wrong.
It's not Whelan's fault if he's picked. But the point is he shouldn't be picked.
As DeLorean pointed out, McCarthy doesn't play well alongside Whelan. I agree with that - they walk in others footsteps and McCarthy's game is usually stifled with Whelan beside him.
This has been said a number of times on here. Anyway as I said, I hope Whelan proves me wrong - he's doing ok for the moment but I hope you'll agree the Irish team badly needs a spark and McGeady could provide that, I believe.

[SkStu]

I don't agree (with JoeDenilson previous page). Boring game maybe but I think this has been a fairly composed and mature performance so far, maybe one of our most. We've basically nullified their main threat. Lacking a little incision but our passing has been better than decent at times and we have a great shape defensively. That being said, I think Wales have been a larger disappointment and may adjust a few things at half time that we will need to be ready for - maybe a different role for Bale? I think this Irish game plan is crying out for some McGeady to attack Wales where they are poorest so hopefully we'll get to see him around the 60' mark with the intent of winning the game, not chasing a draw.

[shakermaker1982]

Terrible game.

Is Glenn Whelan obsessed with getting high percentage passing stats? Why when he has the ball does he always have to slow things up and then pick the safe option by going back or sideways?! Back yourself- you might make a mistake but you might also catch the opposition out.

Wales moaning about the physicality but it's all pretty tame stuff so far.

We need a bit of quality. Maybe from a set piece....just need to ensure we don't let O'Shea or McClean take free kicks or corners!!

[mark12345]

Given that Meyler is starting now, looks like we can already place the blame on Whelan.

Meyler's not much better to be honest. I expected more from him.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Terrible game.

Is Glenn Whelan obsessed with getting high percentage passing stats? Why when he has the ball does he always have to slow things up and then pick the safe option by going back or sideways?! Back yourself- you might make a mistake but you might also catch the opposition out.

Wales moaning about the physicality but it's all pretty tame stuff so far.

We need a bit of quality. Maybe from a set piece....just need to ensure we don't let O'Shea or McClean take free kicks or corners!!

Yet look at the backlash against Hoolahan for losing the ball a couple of times against Austria when trying to be positive, despite assisting the goal and setting up several other goalscoring chances.

[Closed Account]

Apologies,wasn't havnt a go at you. Aiming it at McCarthy. No personality, its painfully obvious than when Whelan is there he goes missing. He should relish the freedom.

[tricky_colour]

danger here

[osarusan]

Whoever is playing that trumpet should be...silenced.

[BonnieShels]

Trumpet is the best bit. They're none too pleased they have no band.

[tricky_colour]

Whelan clobbered will he go off?

[Closed Account]

Ref has been very laissez faire. Proper order.

[shakermaker1982]

Please somebody stop McClean from taking set pieces.

[SkStu]

F*cking filthy

[BonnieShels]

Broke?

[SkStu]

Walters signalled something that looked like a break.

[Closed Account]

Rate are not showing the replay because of the graphic nature.

[BonnieShels]

That's what it looked like on the big screen here.

[mark12345]

Take your time Martin, plenty of time for McGeady to get on.

[Eminence Grise]

Horrible to see. George Hamilton said he was getting oxygen going off - Mrs Grise is a nurse and said it's definitely gas and air. More serious...

[magicman]

That's what it looked like on the big screen here.

Watched it back myself. Leg breaks badly and the moment he hits the ground he's signalling for help

[shakermaker1982]

That happened because ref bottled sending Bale off 10 seconds earlier.

[pineapple stu]

Cracking game and atmosphere since the red.

Until thevband start up of course..m

[tricky_colour]

Now break Bales legs.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I'd bring on Hourihane now.

[Eminence Grise]

Not funny, TC

[tricky_colour]

This is the break be warned it is horrible.

https://twitter.com/Donners82

[Eminence Grise]

Dear God. That is awful to see.

[BonnieShels]

That's what it looked like on the big screen here.

[SkStu]

Unnecessary by the twitter person. Won't watch it.

We're still strongly in control of our destiny. Although we could and should have won that and had Serbia play catch up. Wales may have lost too much in that game with Bale (should've seen red) and Taylor suspended for Serbia and beyond.

That said, we've likely lost Coleman for the campaign. Tragic and unacceptable. Gutted for him, such a great fella.