Ireland V Cyprus - pre- match thread

[geysir]

Will there be 50000 in attendence given the amount of spares available? :D
By Euro standards, 50,000 would be an incredibly good attendance for a "meaningless" end of season qual game with Cyprus.

[Kingdom]

Lads Dunne is suspended

Apologies I did mean to have McShane in place of Dunne.

Just to clarify why I'd have O'Shea and Kilbane in the team, and its a point I repeatedly make. Height. We have very little of it.
If people were to pick their ideal teams, ina scenario where all are fit I believe we'd be doing well to have 3 players over 6 ft. This would be a disaster at set pieces. I'm saying that we should be ncorporating 7ft monsters into the team just to make up for our vertical deficiencies, but I reckon it is why we have consistently seen Kilbane on the left wing for Ireland.

[Kingdom]

By Euro standards, 50,000 would be an incredibly good attendance for a "meaningless" end of season qual game with Cyprus.

But given the fact that these tickets were all pre booked would 50,000 be a good capacity. I don't know if any of you have been to Croker before with 50,000 in it, but I have and even when its an organised 50k ( by this I mean lower tier selling only) the ground looks terrible so if its an unorganised 50k , with massive blanks in the ground, it will show up poorly.

[Closed Account]

The german delegations will have a field day.

[dr_peepee]

It's the oul' Kilbane at left back chestnut again.. I haven't seen him for Wigan there. I did see him there for the toffee's and he wasn't great but no worse than what we have.

I heard that Potter and O'Shea will be fit..
Given
Finnan
O'Shea
McShane
Kilbane
O'Brien
Potter
Reid
Hunt
Doyle
Keane

[Torn-Ado]

We'll struggle in this game. I reckon we'll propbably get a one nil result but I just can't see where the goals will come from.

[Dr. Ogba]

It's the oul' Kilbane at left back chestnut again.. I haven't seen him for Wigan there. I did see him there for the toffee's and he wasn't great but no worse than what we have.

I heard that Potter and O'Shea will be fit..
Given
Finnan
O'Shea
McShane
Kilbane
O'Brien
Potter
Reid
Hunt
Doyle
Keane

That's good news if Potter's fit, would like to see him given a chance. Would agree with your "diagnosis" there doctor except for J o'B, would prob stick Miller or McGeady on the right...

Jaysus there's been a few mad ideas thrown around in this thread aswell....The old Kilbane at CM chestnut, Hunt at CM (!), Douglas to start, Hunt at RM (!!), Keogh instead of Keane.....its a forum of Steve Stauntons!

[Morbo]

If potter is fit I'd give him a run and change the team to:
Given
Finnan - McShane - O'Brien - Killer
Miller - Reid - Potter - Hunt
Keogh Doyle/Keane

Doyle and Keane are our two best strikers but the Keane Doyle partnership hasn't really worked so far, I'd like to see us experiment with a different partnership since this game is effectively a friendly

[OwlsFan]

Colgan

Finnan McShane O Shea Finnan

Alan O Brian Douglas O Brian Kilbane

Murphy Keogh

Are you Stan in disguise :confused:?

[ifk101]

My team is:

-------- Given -----------
Finnan McShane JOSH Kelly
-------- O'Brien ----------
---Miller Reid Kilbane ----
------- Doyle Keane ------


Hunt and McGeady as second half subs if things aren't going our way.

[Ordinary Fan]

Given
Finnan - McShane - O'Shea- Kelly
Keogh - Miller/Reid - Potter - Kilbane
Doyle - Keane

This is Stan's most likely line-up, Miller for Reid if he is unfit.
I also think the Doyle Keane partnership is'nt working but he is unlikely to change them.
Keogh looked lost on the wing but that never bothers Stan.

[EAFC_rdfl]

Given
finnan McShane O'Brien Kelly

keogh O'Shea Reid/Kilbane Kilbane/Hunt

Keane Doyle

This is wot I think Stan will put it cause he hasn't the b*lls to make the changes - hunt for kilbane, kilbane for kelly, miller if reid doesn't make it, Andy O'Brien for Robbie Keane!!! :D:D:D

[Condex]

I expect Ireland to win by two clear goals and captain fantastic
to score a goal or two. He's always good for a good for a goal
in meaningless fixtures...

[dr_peepee]

That's good news if Potter's fit, would like to see him given a chance. Would agree with your "diagnosis" there doctor except for J o'B, would prob stick Miller or McGeady on the right...



That was my first instinct, but when Reid Plays centre I feel you have to surround him with 'water carriers' so as not to get over run. I'd say O'Briens ability to play Midfeild and right back would provide ample cover and width on the right.. Or if Reid gets freedom to roam he can come inside...

[an_ceannaire]

Kilbane behind lone striker keane to act as the player in "the hole"
Andy O'Brien at centre back and Tony Grealish on the bench

[cheifo]

Hope to lord above he gives Joey a run in central midfield.

[Morbo]

I'll go with C, what do I win if I'm right?

[Noelys Guitar]

Reacting to the media which he claims not to read. Shay Given and the fullbacks upfront from the off. Last minute winner in the first minute.

[citizenerased]

Knowing Stan it will be something no one here could even think off,,has to be something completely off the wall....

[Ireland4ever]

Ireland beat Cyprus by two goals and Stan gives abuse to the media for all the abuse he was getting and somehow this result shows we are 'progressing':mad:

[citizenerased]

I agree I4E, loves excuses are Stan...

[Littlest Hobo]

Team I'd play with Reid being injured...

Given

Finnan
Mc Shane
JOB
JOSH

Miller
Potter
Kilbane
Hunt

Keane
Doyle

Good enough to win by 2 goals.
Bring on Mc Geady and Keogh if were struggling 2nd half.

[back of the net]

A) Hunt on the bench
B) Reid fit but left out of the side
C) Douglas starting instead of Miller
D) Finnan at left back.
E) All of the above

for some strange i fear it could be a) - oh god please dont stan

[Wolfie]

Team announced. A few surprises alright. I see he's persisting with Robbie Keane........................

Gloria Hunniford
The Terminator
Giant Haystacks
Fr Jack
Kylie Minogue
Jackie Healy Rae
Jimi Hendrix
R2D2
Lassie
Robbie Keane
Chaka Chan

[passinginterest]

Team announced. A few surprises alright. I see he's persisting with Robbie Keane........................

Gloria Hunniford
The Terminator
Giant Haystacks
Fr Jack
Kylie Minogue
Jackie Healy Rae
Jimi Hendrix
R2D2
Lassie
Robbie Keane
Chaka Chan

And Kevin Kilbane :)

[Wolfie]

Yeah - introducing "Kevin Kilbane and Lassie" - together at last.

[Hibs4Ever]

He'll start Douglas & McGeady

[passinginterest]

He'll start Douglas & McGeady

The more I think about it the more likely this is.

Probable team:
Given

Finnan McShane O'Shea Kelly

McGeady Douglas Reid/O'Brien Kilbane

Keane Doyle

[lionelhutz]

The more I think about it the more likely this is.

Probable team:
Given

Finnan McShane O'Shea Kelly

McGeady Douglas Reid/O'Brien Kilbane

Keane Doyle

Yeah I really do have this horrible feeling that he see's Douglas as Carsleys natural replacement - this frightens me so much.

And he does seem to think Hunt is an "impact sub" which is the biggest crock of sh**e ive ever heard. He's 10 times the player that McGeady, Kilbane, Keogh, etc is

[TheBoss]

Ireland v Cyprus Record:



OVERALL:
Pld: 07 W: 6 D: 0 L: 1 F: 23 A: 7

COMPETITIVE:
Pld: 07 W: 6 D: 0 L: 1 F: 23 A: 7

COMPETITIVE HOME:
Pld: 03 W: 3 D: 0 L: 0 F: 13 A: 0

[bigmac]

A) Hunt on the bench
B) Reid fit but left out of the side
C) Douglas starting instead of Miller
D) Finnan at left back.
E) All of the above

A and C (although i can forgive him A as Hunt is a good impact substitute to change the direction of a game)

[fergalr]

The back 4 that played on Saturday were fine so McShane in for Dunne should be the only change. Can't understand why people are proposing that O'Shea deserves a place.

[dodgycanadian]

squad:

Given

Finnan
McShane
O'Shea
Kilbane

Hunt
S. Reid
J. O'Brien
Keogh

Doyle
Keane


WHY play Keogh wide again after the game he had......... and if O'brien was so crucial in the centre of defence why move him out for that **** o'shea

[Fergie's Son]

Can't get RTE radio at the office. Any live stream of the game?

[strangeirish]

Can't get RTE radio at the office. Any live stream of the game?RTE.ie radio (http://www.rte.ie/radio/index.html)
It's on the medium wave stream.

[Maroon 7]

Lots of empty seats about.

[backstothewall]

have to say, keogh aside, i think thats almost the best team he has available.

I wait and wonder how the pillock will screw this one up with (almost) his best players on the pitch in the positions they play for their clubs.

Water bottle anyone? Big thumbs up? Something new?

[Fergie's Son]

RTE.ie radio (http://www.rte.ie/radio/index.html)
It's on the medium wave stream.

Can't get radio from the office. Just wondering if anyone has a ticker or some such.

[Marked Man]

Soccernet has a gamecast. Just about better than nothing.

http://soccernet-akamai.espn.go.com/scoreboard?league=all&cc=5739

[ken foree]

Can't get radio from the office. Just wondering if anyone has a ticker or some such.

fai.ie has live text updates if that's what you're looking for fergie's son.

[strangeirish]

Can't get radio from the office. Just wondering if anyone has a ticker or some such.
BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7047501.stm)

Not the best, but it may get you by.

[Irish_Praha]

squad:

Given

Finnan
McShane
O'Shea
Kilbane

Hunt
S. Reid
J. O'Brien
Keogh

Doyle
Keane


WHY play Keogh wide again after the game he had......... and if O'brien was so crucial in the centre of defence why move him out for that **** o'shea

Have to say I'm pleasantly surprised with his selection tonight.
1. He hasn't been too stubborn to play Hunt from the start, we will see if he is better as starter or as an impact sub.
2. Keogh had a bad first half against Germany but improved and deserves another chance against a poorer side, if it doesn't work he can go up front and he can bring on McGeady for the last 25 mins.
3. Giving O'Brien a chance in CMF now that we have 2 players that have some experience in CB. The Reid-O'Brien CMF combination could be one for the future and it does no harm to have O'Shea and McShane play together in case Dunne is out injured/suspened in future.
4. Giving Kilbane another crack at LB (a problem position for us) is also good and lots of people on here have been crying out for that.
5. Finnan playing at RB

Anyway we will see how it pans out, especially the Reid-O'Brien combination. I hope it doesn't die a quick death due to a poor performance tonight.

[dancinpants]

Germany 0-1 Czechs

[Irish_Praha]

BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/7047501.stm)

Not the best, but it may get you by.

For me the best one is from sportinglife:

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/latestscores/

Click on the "Live Minute-by-minute" link under the Ireland-Cyprus score.

[strangeirish]

For me the best one is from sportinglife:

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/latestscores/

Click on the "Live Minute-by-minute" link under the Ireland-Cyprus score.
There you go Fergie's Son. That's the best one.

[Irish_Praha]

There you go Fergie's Son. That's the best one.

For me ;)

[ken foree]

For me the best one is from sportinglife:


whoa yea that one's much better!

[Maroon 7]

Shay Given saves Ireland again.

Should have been 1-0 Cyprus.

[Emmet]

This is really poor - too many individuals playing as individuals

[Irish_Praha]

Sh!te game no matter which medium you are using to follow it ...... zzzzz
Reid had a great game on Saturday so now they think everything should go through him. All a bit predictable. I'm listening to it on the radio link BTW.