Ireland v Wales pre-match thread [Archive] - Page 3

eirebhoy

21/03/2007, 5:46 PM

Strachan on O'Dea:

"Darren can play at that level, no problem at all.

This is a fantastic chance for him. He's certainly having a great time of it just now, playing at the San Siro, getting a new contract, and now receiving this call-up from his country."

Pressley on O'Dea:

"Darren is a fantastic prospect. He is a lad with an old head on his young shoulders.

He is level- headed and has acquitted himself superbly since coming into the team.

After the game in Milan, I said to him that his performance was one of the best I've seen from a young player at that level. I was really delighted for him.

To top all of this off, he has been named in the Irish squad, which is fantastic for him.

Darren has a big future, and if he continues to improve and learn, he will certainly turn out to be a fantastic player for this club."

O'Dea on his progress:

"I'm happy with my progress at the moment, but all I've done is play first-team football for six months.

I look at certain players in the top team at the moment and they have been playing at the top level for 13 or 14 years.

I've achieved nothing yet. I need to kick on, work harder, train harder and move to the next level."

and O'Dea on being dropped after Milan game:

"Steven deserved to go back in. He'd done nothing wrong and the only reason I was playing against Milan was because he was cup-tied."

carloz

21/03/2007, 8:31 PM

Persnally id like a defence that would somehow accomodate Finnan, Dunne, O'Dea and mcShane. For two young players McShane and O'Dea have extrely good attitudes towards the game. If only that attitude would rub off on Robbie Keane

DeNiro

21/03/2007, 9:11 PM

My team for saturday would be

Given

Finnan - McShane - Dunne - Kilbane / Harte (only for free kick value)

McGeady - Ireland - Carsley - Duff.

Doyle - Keane

I do have concerns about an over attacking midfield but I rather see that than John O'Shea :rolleyes: in it. I reckon, with no injuries to anyone, Staunton has to make some real calls in this game. Does he drop McShane for O'Shea? Will he drop Kilbane? It's real make or break stuff but he put himself in this position.

dr_peepee

22/03/2007, 5:07 AM

Stan won't drop O'Shea or Kilbane.... It's the only consistency of his tenure thus far!!

ParkLife

22/03/2007, 8:13 AM

citizenerased

22/03/2007, 8:26 AM

He was also continiously giving the ball away as he always does with sloppy stray passes...I dont know how he can start both O'Shea and Kilbane, Id say Kilbane will make way...Do you not remember Kilbane playing left back against the dutch, he directly caused 2 of the goals, horrendus...

eirebhoy

22/03/2007, 9:33 AM

Is it just me or do the goals look like they've been moved to the bloody half way line.I was expecting them to be moved some way up the pitch obviously,but not that far.Looking at pics in the papers yesterday and it looks ridiculous. It seems that anyone in the Canal End are getting shafted,myself included.Has anyone any links to pics of the pitch,preferably an aerial view. :mad: :mad: :mad:
Hampden Park:
http://www.thesonsofscotland.co.uk/images/hampden%20park/Hampden%207.jpg

Most of the play is in the middle of the park. It can't be that bad.

NeilMcD

22/03/2007, 9:43 AM

Lads I think Wales are going to play a 5 3 2

of Duffy Nytanga Collins Collins Bale

Davies Robinson Fletcher

Giggs Bellamy

I think we should play 3 in central midfield to win the midfield battle .

tetsujin1979

22/03/2007, 9:48 AM

Lads I think Wales are going to play a 5 3 2

of Duffy Nytanga Collins Collins Bale

Davies Robinson Fletcher

Giggs Bellamy

I think we should play 3 in central midfield to win the midfield battle .
have Wales played a 5-3-2, or 3-5-2 under Toshack?

NeilMcD

22/03/2007, 9:51 AM

Yeah most of the time. I have seen them.

eirebhoy

22/03/2007, 9:53 AM

I'm guessing it's a bit of a 4-1-3-2 with one of the central defenders playing a role like Caldwell did for Scotland against France.

Jerry The Saint

22/03/2007, 10:18 AM

Is it just me or do the goals look like they've been moved to the bloody half way line.I was expecting them to be moved some way up the pitch obviously,but not that far.Looking at pics in the papers yesterday and it looks ridiculous. It seems that anyone in the Canal End are getting shafted,myself included.

That was a training pitch maybe:confused: Laid out for 5-a-sides. Pitch will still need to be centered in the same way, otherwise the Ard Cohmairle wouldn't have the best seats:rolleyes:

Papers reported that the goal line will sit on the 21-yard line at each end to avoid confusion. So Canal End seats are further from the Canal goal but nearer to the Railway End goal than for GAA games. :)

eirebhoy

22/03/2007, 10:34 AM

I think it's pretty clear if Robson had his way he wouldn't play Kilbane. It came across in an interview after the San Marino match that he would have played Hunt instead of Kilbane. Yesterday he was talking about our best players...

"We want Robbie Keane and Damien Duff, John O'Shea, McGeady if he plays, and Ireland and Lee Carsley to be at their best. As I said, the power of your team is in your best players."

Kilbane is our most experienced outfield player (I think) yet Robson doesn't include him in that list along with the rest of our midfield.

citizenerased

22/03/2007, 10:37 AM

I wouldnt have him in the list either if its any comfort...

galwayhoop

22/03/2007, 11:01 AM

So Canal End seats are further from the Canal goal but nearer to the Railway End goal than for GAA games. :)

refreshingly Jerry you have found the half-full glass! Kudos

NeilMcD

22/03/2007, 11:54 AM

Staunton reports clean bill of health

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Steve Staunton should have a clean bill of health when the Republic of Ireland take on Wales at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.

Staunton put his squad through their paces in Malahide this morning with Paul McShane and Stephen Ireland, both injury concerns earlier in the week, playing a full part part. The two are expected to be fully fit for the visit of John Toshack's side.

Staunton will run the rule over his players in one final training session at GAA headquarters tomorrow but is not expected to name his starting line-up until shortly before Saturday's 3pm kick-off.

Further details to follo

galwayhoop

22/03/2007, 11:59 AM

Further details to follo

including the 'W' i hope ;)

NeilMcD

22/03/2007, 12:00 PM

Sloppy copy and paste from me.

galwayhoop

22/03/2007, 12:02 PM

Sloppy copy and paste from me.

you need to watch that on here. got pillered for my spelling yesterday!

zenokelly

22/03/2007, 12:07 PM

tetsujin1979

22/03/2007, 12:15 PM

Since the very beginning of their tenure, Staunton and Robson had marked down O'Shea as one of their key players, I'm pretty sure I remember them saying their ideal starting central midfield pairing was Steven Reid and John O'Shea

pineapple stu

22/03/2007, 12:24 PM

you need to watch that on here. got pillered for my spelling yesterday!
I assume you mean pilloried. ;)

eirebhoy

22/03/2007, 12:25 PM

Staunton will run the rule over his players in one final training session at GAA headquarters tomorrow but is not expected to name his starting line-up until shortly before Saturday's 3pm kick-off.

I think one of the most sensible things happening under Stan is the announcement of his teams. When he announced the team the day before the Germany game who would have thought he'd go with Finnan at left back, Reid on the right wing and Kilbane and O'Shea in the centre? I think he left it late to announce the Czech team which was right. Actually, the team for the Cyprus was announced the day before the match which wasn't very sensible. :o :)

macdermesser

22/03/2007, 12:34 PM

Unfortunately Bobby Robson seemed to give us an indication that O'Shea will start on Saturday because he didn't say if John O' Shea plays but if McGeady plays.

"We want Robbie Keane and Damien Duff and John O'Shea and McGeady if he plays and Ireland and Lee Carsley to be at their best." - Robson

What are the opinions lads with this????

Probably means Carsley and O shea in the centre .. with Ireland on one wing and either Duff or Kilbane on the other. Maybe ODea at the back with Dunne and Mc Shane and Finnan the full backs. Would be okay with that. O'Shea is playing quite well for United in the middle in the last couple of games .. no indicator of how he will play for us .. but with Reid out injured who else is there to play in the middle .. think Douglas or Kilbane are not up to it in the middle

macdermesser

22/03/2007, 12:37 PM

Its actually mind boggling to think that Stan did not want to call up Carsley a couple of games ago .. we could have two left full backs playing in the middle on Saturday

geysir

22/03/2007, 12:43 PM

Steve Staunton should have a clean bill of health when the Republic of Ireland take on Wales at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.

..... :D

ParkLife

22/03/2007, 1:02 PM

One question,is there many fans travelling from Cork/Limerick on the 9.55 train? Was on the irishrail website and the train is fully booked up,just hoping it's booked with Ireland supporters.Also,are we allowed bring our own alcoholic beverages on the train,it's been years since I've used public transport!

galwayhoop

22/03/2007, 1:38 PM

Probably means Carsley and O shea in the centre .. with Ireland on one wing and either Duff or Kilbane on the other. Maybe ODea at the back with Dunne and Mc Shane and Finnan the full backs.

i reckon Stan will play:

......................given
finnan.....dunne....mcshane.....o'shea
duff........ireland.....carsley....kilbane
...............doyle......keane

had orginally got kelly instead of o'shea but bearing in mind the quotes from the international soccer consultant guru ... i mean bobby robson.

NB: i am still to correctly peredict what team 'duh gaffer' picks for any game so pay very little heed to the above.

galwayhoop

22/03/2007, 1:39 PM

I assume you mean pilloried. ;)

:eek: not again today!!!!

eirebhoy

22/03/2007, 1:47 PM

i reckon Stan will play:

......................given
finnan.....dunne....mcshane.....o'shea
duff........ireland.....carsley....kilbane
...............doyle......keane

That's definitely the most likely. I won't be disappointed with that tbh. Kilbane is in because of his height, Strachan does the same thing with Jarosik. I'd prefer Duff on the left and Kilbane on the right though. O'Shea just gives the ball to Duff whenever he gets it at left back which is the safest thing.

drinkfeckarse

22/03/2007, 1:49 PM

i reckon Stan will play:

......................given
finnan.....dunne....mcshane.....o'shea
duff........ireland.....carsley....kilbane
...............doyle......keane

had orginally got kelly instead of o'shea but bearing in mind the quotes from the international soccer consultant guru ... i mean bobby robson.

I wouldn't be too upset with that team. If he brings Kelly in as one of the full backs it means JOS will be played in the midfield with Ireland pushing on to the wing :mad: or Finnan pushing to RHM with Duff on the left and Kilbane dropping out. Given Stans record for totally making an arse of everything the only thing I can be sure of is that it won't be straightforward.

drinkfeckarse

23/03/2007, 11:53 AM

I wouldn't go that far TP but I think if we win it'll be by the narrowest of margins. I think'll it'll be a draw myself which in any other era or mindset would be a disappointment. Whatever happens Stan will be "pleased" regardless and dish out the usual cliches.

livehead1

23/03/2007, 3:04 PM

I'll always support my nation no matter what clowns are in charge, or whether the people playing for them are black white purple or orange, come from a different country, or come from a different planet.

eirebhoy

23/03/2007, 3:41 PM

Stan was talking about yellow cards again at his press conference. What players are on 2 yellows? McShane. Anyone else?

tetsujin1979

23/03/2007, 4:00 PM

From soccerbase.com:
Booked VS Germany: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=496929
Dunne, Given, S. Reid

Booked Vs Cyprus: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=508944
Dunne, Keane, O'Shea

Booked VS Czech Republic: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=508962
Carsley, Douglas, Kilbane

Booked VS San Marino (home): http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=508961
McShane

No bookings away to San Marino

Dunne has served his suspension, so he's not on a card. From the current squad that leaves Given, Keane, O'Shea, Carsley, Douglas, Kilbane, and McShane on a card.
Given is unlikely to get booked again (he said, putting a jinx on it right away) and of the rest, McShane and Carsley are probably most at risk, given the roles they play

eirebhoy

23/03/2007, 4:04 PM

I thought McShane was booked against the Czechs as Stan used that as an excuse to drop him for the San Marino game. Unless it's only 2 bookings for a suspension? Surely it's 3.

Qwerty

23/03/2007, 4:35 PM

I thought McShane was booked against the Czechs as Stan used that as an excuse to drop him for the San Marino game. Unless it's only 2 bookings for a suspension? Surely it's 3.

2 bookings and you miss the next game. McShane started the home game against San Marino and came on for O'Shea at half time in the away game. I don't recall Stan's decision for dropping McShane.