Israeli Right Back

[TerryPhelan]

From the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4606891.stm

"The Israeli boss is expected to move midfielder Idan Tal up front alongside Yossi Benayoun and Yaniv Katan, with Avi Yehiel likely to make his senior debut at right back.

Goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch may replace Dudu Awat, who has an elbow injury."

If it comes to pass, it is great news for us that they have a debutant at right back tomorrow. Lansdowne Road in a highly charged WC Qualifier with Duffer and/or Mahatma Gandhi Reid running at you is not the easiest way to start your international career! :D

As regards the goalkeeper, I don't think there's much between them - both are about the same quality, the only thing might be that they will be a little unsettled at the back because of the changes in personnel: new goalkeeper, new right back, no Ben Haim...

A lot has been said about how heavily they will get penalised if they try the same heavy-handed tactics against Duff as they did in the away game. My question is this: what good is it to us if we have no-one to take frees? Kavanagh has been woeful in this department for Ireland so far. Andy Reid is an option, but it gives substance to calls for O'Shea at RB and drafting Harte in. From the noises their coach has been making so far, they will be plonking lots of bodies between their goal and us - not really going for a win. Maybe this, coupled with the lack of any specialised wingers in their team, would let Harte off the hook in terms of his many defensive shortcomings? Whaddya think? :confused:

[adamcarr]

When I read the thread I thoughgt it was gonna be another one of those Cheer the Israeli Right back! :rolleyes: Thank God its not! As for the news, it would be great, Duffer would give him a debut to remember!

[ken foree]

i think you formed the strongest case yet for harte's inclusion by making the assumption the israeli's are going to sit deep, and you almost have me convinced (if it's going to be tight throughout, the dead ball can be the key). unfortunately -if israel sit in which seems likely- this means they will counter-attack with speed and if bennayoun starts to roam and get the one-touch thing going, then i could still see harte struggling. i said almost convinced! ;)

[elroy]

I'm not in the slightest bit worried by anything they have to offer. Have some confidence in our own players and BELIEVE.


I very much believe, however we dont have a great record of breaking down stubborn defences. It really would help to score early, as obvious and all as that is.

[eirebhoy]

As regards the goalkeeper, I don't think there's much between them - both are about the same quality, the only thing might be that they will be a little unsettled at the back because of the changes in personnel: new goalkeeper, new right back, no Ben Haim...
I think I read that the replacement keeper hasn't played in 3 months.


A lot has been said about how heavily they will get penalised if they try the same heavy-handed tactics against Duff as they did in the away game. My question is this: what good is it to us if we have no-one to take frees? Kavanagh has been woeful in this department for Ireland so far. Andy Reid is an option, but it gives substance to calls for O'Shea at RB and drafting Harte in. From the noises their coach has been making so far, they will be plonking lots of bodies between their goal and us - not really going for a win. Maybe this, coupled with the lack of any specialised wingers in their team, would let Harte off the hook in terms of his many defensive shortcomings? Whaddya think?
After watching the testimonial game last week it seems we have spent a lot of tiime practising set pieces. One in particular, which S.Reid shot from was top class and one I'd never seen before.

[dr_peepee]

I'm not in the slightest bit worried by anything they have to offer. Have some confidence in our own players and BELIEVE.

Cher??? Is that you??

[Colie]

Cher??? Is that you??
Cher would have sed "BelIEeEVe"!! :D

[dr_peepee]

Good one!! :D

[tetsujin1979]

After watching the testimonial game last week it seems we have spent a lot of tiime practising set pieces. One in particular, which S.Reid shot from was top class and one I'd never seen before.

Kind of reminded of the set piece Stilian Petrov scored against Juventus in the CL a few years back. Think he scored the exact same goal about 3 times in a month!

[Ron Amikam]

Avi Yehiel = leech :cool:

[Dan K]

When I read the thread I thoughgt it was gonna be another one of those Cheer the Israeli Right back! :rolleyes: Thank God its not!

Me too. I was moaning already. :D