Ireland v Chile, 24/05/06

[cheifo]

I think you are proably right Stuttgart.I think there is also a bit of man management invovled with Finnan, not leaving him on the bench because of his public wooing of Carr

[Stuttgart88]

Anyway, I just want to see if there is more to McGeady than I saw v Jamaica at the Valley.And his one minute vs Croatia (?). He was expected to figure against China but we were struggling. I suspect McGeady will replace either Doyle or Duff at some stage.

[bawn79]

From the sounds of things on the fai site, it'll be 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2, something along the lines of:
________Given_________
Kelly_Breen_Dunne_Kilbane
__Finnan_JOSH_Reid___
__Doyle_Keane(c)_Duff

or Duff playing behind the front 2. Finnan on the right of a midfield 3 is interesting seeing as how he said recently he didn't like playing there.

The more you look at this the more I think Finnan is going to be left-back with Kilbane in midfield

Given
Kelly Breen Dunne Finnan
JOSH
Reid Kilbane
Doyle Keane Duff

Probably makes sense if he is thinking of bringing the grumpy buddha back right-back.

[FarBeag]

Finnan is out injured Millar in as his replacement.

[Stuttgart88]

Finnan is out injured Millar in as his replacement.Which probably suggests that Finnan was originally selected as a midfielder.

[FarBeag]

It is starting to look like Staunton really doesn't rate Andy Reid at all.


Not so sure about that but Staunton is quoted as saying Miller is playing wonderful stuff at the moment. He obviously didn’t see the Leeds/ Watford game on Sunday.

[Stuttgart88]

Agree. Miller was awful.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

Even though Finnan is injured, I don't think Stan would have played him at left-back at any stage. Stan seems to prefer players playing on their natural side of the field, meaning that he is much more likely to play Harte or Kilbane at left-back as opposed to right-footed players like Finnan and O'Shea. Similarly, I think that is why he prefers Finnan or Miller on the right side of midfield ahead of Andy Reid.

On a separate note, I think tonight's formation is quite flexible. If Duff moves back into midfield, it becomes 4-4-2 and if he pushes forward it becomes 4-3-3. I'm looking forward to seeing Miller in midfield tonight. He played on the right side of midfield against Romania (in Roy Keane's return game) almost 2 years to the day. He was man-of-the-match that night. Lets hope he puts in a similar performance tonight.

[as_i_say]

Agree. Miller was awful.

dont think he was much worse than the rest of the leeds team-they looked like they had the sh its or something but surely mcgeady/andy reid are better options. i mean millers no winger, he cant cross or beat defenders-i dunno this sh it annoys me. they must be doing well in training or something

[DmanDmythDledge]

But Stan will probably play 4-3-3 so it will be 3 centre mids.

[bawn79]

Even though Finnan is injured, I don't think Stan would have played him at left-back at any stage. Stan seems to prefer players playing on their natural side of the field, meaning that he is much more likely to play Harte or Kilbane at left-back as opposed to right-footed players like Finnan and O'Shea. Similarly, I think that is why he prefers Finnan or Miller on the right side of midfield ahead of Andy Reid.

On a separate note, I think tonight's formation is quite flexible. If Duff moves back into midfield, it becomes 4-4-2 and if he pushes forward it becomes 4-3-3. I'm looking forward to seeing Miller in midfield tonight. He played on the right side of midfield against Romania (in Roy Keane's return game) almost 2 years to the day. He was man-of-the-match that night. Lets hope he puts in a similar performance tonight.

True I was wrong with my team prediction of Finnan at left-back. However I do think that left-back is the one position you can get away with a wrong-footed player. Really all they have to do is win the ball and plonk it up to Duff as soon as possible. Let the right-back do a bit of attacking and keep things safe at the back by having three there at all times.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

True I was wrong with my team prediction of Finnan at left-back. However I do think that left-back is the one position you can get away with a wrong-footed player. Really all they have to do is win the ball and plonk it up to Duff as soon as possible. Let the right-back do a bit of attacking and keep things safe at the back by having three there at all times.

Yea I agree. Would have liked to have seen Finnan given a game at left-back. He's very versatile and has quite a good left foot anyway. Am I right in saying that he crossed the ball with his left peg for McAteer to score against Holland 3 years ago? It will be interesting to see how Kilbane gets on at left-back tonight. Irish managers always seem to find a place for Killer so I wouldnt be surprised if he makes that position his own! Gery Speed is a midfielder and he did a good job at left-back for Wales.

[DmanDmythDledge]

Ye that cross was with his left. When he first came onto the scene I think he was described as been able to play on both sides.

[Jerry The Saint]

Because O'Brien is injured.

And because Breen is a Legend.

Gary definitely seems to play better when he's Unattached, I hope he realises this and decides to become the first player to reverse the trend and announce his retirement from club football to concentrate on his international career.

[as_i_say]

i believe there is another thread knocking around about how breen is a legend ;)

[Drumcondra_Blue]

I reckon 3-0 to Ireland

[DmanDmythDledge]

2-0 to us. Chile will be better than people think.

[Drumcondra_Blue]

They probably will be, although in their World Cup qualifying campaign they only managed to beat teams that finished below them :Venezuela, Peru and Bolivia.

Although they did draw with Argentina and Brazil, so who knows.

I reckon Ireland should be strong enough to see them off

[Block G Raptor]

More like a Leg End

[Irish_Praha]

Yea I agree. Would have liked to have seen Finnan given a game at left-back. He's very versatile and has quite a good left foot anyway. Am I right in saying that he crossed the ball with his left peg for McAteer to score against Holland 3 years ago?
That's almost 5 years ago now, my how time files :eek:

[NeilMcD]

2-0 to Ireland, Doyle and Keane

[CraftyToePoke]

feelin good bout this one, i think we will do it, maybe 2-0 but id be happy with any win with a clean sheet.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

That's almost 5 years ago now, my how time files :eek:

Sorry, you're right. It is almost 5 years ago. Our last competitive win against a top nation.:eek:

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

Remember how Chile went to Wembley for a friendly back in 1998. Nobody gave them a chance but they still turned England over, 2 nil if my memory serves me. Salas, Zamarano and Sierra completely out-classed the English defence.

[Schumi]

Salas, Zamarano and Sierra completely out-classed the English defence.
Don't think they have that class now though.

[drinkfeckarse]

I don't mind as long as it's at least relatively entertaining and hopefully we learn some things about the newer members of the squad. 2-1.

[Dublin12]

Ireland 1
Chile 3

[bwagner]

Why 3-1 dub?

[Roo69]

Don't think they have that class now though.

No they don't, they are bringing a very young squad over, trying to re-build for next qualifers.

2-1 Ireland

[Dublin12]

Why 3-1 dub?

I like to see us getting a test in a friendly for a change and maybe losing won't do us any harm in the long run plus it will give SS something to think about,and, if I'm honest ,I don't agree with Gary Breen being in the squad let alone the team ,I'd like to see Paddy McCarthy there or even somebody from the EL.SS has been banging on about building A squad for the WC 2010,and then plays Gary Breen,I know there's injuries but imo he will be nowhere up to the standard required thats needed against Gernmany,Slovakia or the Czechs,might aswell throw somebody new in at the deep end, at least somebody younger will learn from the experience and be ready for the next campaign.

[NeilMcD]

So do you think it will be 3-1 or hope it will be 3-1 then

[CraftyToePoke]

So do you think it will be 3-1 or hope it will be 3-1 then


sounds dangerously close to ''hope'' to me.

Burn The Witch.

[Fergie's Son]

Any way to listen to it over the internetty thing?

[Dublin12]

sounds dangerously close to ''hope'' to me.

Burn The Witch.

Of course I don't hope we lose,I'm hoping for a good game and a good test,hopefully the Chileans will test us,anyway Roo69 summed it perfectly exactly what our management should be doing.

[Paddy Garcia]

I think it's on RTE 1.

Try here:

http://www.rte.ie/radio1/sport/

[Shimokita]

I phoned RTE earlier and they said they don't have the rights to the game. It's easier to get coverage from developing countries! :mad:

[Paddy Garcia]

I phoned RTE earlier and they said they don't have the rights to the game. It's easier to get coverage from developing countries! :mad:

You're right - the game is advertised on the websie - but there is a programme being broadcast about pedigree cows instead.

[Réiteoir]

Anyone got the full starting XI and subs?

[Fergie's Son]

ANyone give a little play-by-play?

[Don Vito]

Stuck in work lads so can anyone post brief updates on how its going?

Cheers

[beautifulrock]

not great, seems to be lacking a bit of drive at the moment. Doyle and Given doing well, with Gonzales(liverpool player to be) looking very good. On the plus side you being at work means you do not have to listen to Niall Quinn, does the red button on Sky mute him i wonder : )

[strangeirish]

Rep of Ireland 0-1 Chile 7.30
Iturra 48

[Soko]

John O' Shea should have gone on holiday. I for one would have no problems if I never saw him play for Ireland again, he brings nothing to the table bar a lax attitude and half hearted effort.

[Don Vito]

Jesus, bit of a shock there. Are they just not arsed or what? Was expecting a convincing display tonight.

Are Sky showing highlights of this later?

[adamcarr]

Jesus, bit of a shock there. Are they just not arsed or what? Was expecting a convincing display tonight.

Are Sky showing highlights of this later?

For your own good dont watch it, we created nothing bar a half chance from Robbie!

[Gaillimh Al]

Highlights? What highlights?

Finishing with 2 midfielders in the back four.
Ian "deadball specialist" Harte's terrible delivery from everywhere.

In fairness, means about as much as the Sweden win.....nothing.

[Dodge]

Staunton out!*

Some shocking performances by some. thought Doyle did well and McGeady when he came on. Everyone else was poor



*NOt really but seeing as he was being deified afyer the Swedish win...

[Soper]

I thought Byrne was very good when he came on, a lot of nice knock downs.

[joema]

Doyle was excellent, McGeady did well, Byrne did really well when he came on.
Dunne did alright aswell.
Steven Kelly was terrible, Harte was poor too, O'Shea might aswell have been at home

[as_i_say]

what about stans post match interview-god he just cannot speak at all.
frasier robertson "were the players tired steve?"
stan "you tell me"

oh dear. awful pitch didnt help but then the chillies were up for it and we werent. kilbane did well. mcgeady also finally got more than 2 mins on pitch and tried to put some spark into the play.

really terrible pitch does not help anyone though. doyle won a few headers and looks promising but it was a big mess the whole thing