Norway v Republic of Ireland - pre-match

[theworm2345]

if he's so mentally ill why does he turn out every week for Man City? I agree we shouldn't be too judgemental before we know the facts but if S.Ireland was concerned about what fans thought he would have made a bigger effort to clarify his reasons, even without being too specific. Until then all we have to go on is that he pulled out of a squad by lying twice about his gran, taking a jet at the FAIs expense and has refused to play for Ireland since. What do you expect the fans to think?
I'm fairly certain Dennis Rodman had some sort of illness (why else dye your hair every week and get dressed up in a wedding dress) but he was the Bulls third best player for three years, he married Carmen Electra (for about 24 hours I think), and I get my username from him. Unfortunately, Stephen Ireland's illness also makes him a ****

[zenokelly]

Liam Miller starting in centre midfield. I'm appauled by this. I'd have to presume A.Reid picked up a knock.. The rest of the team picked itself, with Killer coming in for Delaney.

Team in full:
Given
Finnan
O'Shea
Dunne
Kilbane
McGeady
S.Reid
Miller
Duff
Keano
Doyle

[NeilMcD]

Where did you hear that

[Wheels]

Where did you get that from Zeno??

[tetsujin1979]

Can't find confirmation of that anywhere, rte, fai, eleven-a-side, chatsoccer, herald, independent.
Only thing that comes close is the line up for the U-21 game tonight

[zenokelly]

Confirmation here - http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0819/ireland.html

Heard it on the 5 o clock news.

[theworm2345]

I'd like to see Keogh up front for Doyle and I'm still not sold on McGeady at international level (I'd rather see Hunt on the left than him) but otherwise it looks good to me (as long as Reid really is hurt, otherwise he should be there)

[DotTV]

Is Andy Reid injured?

[geysir]

A Reid was playing in the final practice match last evening but the journalist watching thought that it was still up for grabs who would partner S Reid.

It's still a bit of a shock.

[shakermaker1982]

I thought the Trap might have seen through Liam Miller and excluded him from all future squads. Gutted that he is getting road tested before our two big matches next month. Not sold on Kilbane's defending abilities but at least he is nowhere near a central midfield berth.

[eirebhoy]

Six One news just said S.Reid won't play but I'm guessing the report is a few hours old.

[boovidge]

I'd like to see Keogh up front for Doyle and I'm still not sold on McGeady at international level (I'd rather see Hunt on the left than him) but otherwise it looks good to me (as long as Reid really is hurt, otherwise he should be there)

I'm also not entirely convinced. He had a good first half of last season and an amazing game against Aberdeen but since then has looked fairly poor. I've looked at the celtic games on tv this season so far to see how he's getting on and he was easily dispossessed by average at best defenders.

However, I'd definately start him before Hunt

[Wheels]

I'm very surprised Andy Reid is out... There was no talk of any injury concern... I'm a big fan of Miller, but Andy is better. Andy is captain for Sunderland... Liam can't get onto the 7-man subs bench... very odd.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I can only presume that Trap wants to get a look at Miller before the qualifying campaign starts. I could be wrong but didn't he have high praise for A Reid in the press a while ago? Also with the reports of S Reid being unavailable on the news a short while ago there could have been a mix up with the reporting of the team.

[soccerc]

I can only presume that Trap wants to get a look at Miller before the qualifying campaign starts. I could be wrong but didn't he have high praise for A Reid in the press a while ago? Also with the reports of S Reid being unavailable on the news a short while ago there could have been a mix up with the reporting of the team.

I suspect there has been something lost in translation, there is genuine confusion over which Reid is set to start.

[kingdomkerry]

I think Liam Miller has had enough chances and is not good enough for this level.

[eirebhoy]

I'm also not entirely convinced. He had a good first half of last season and an amazing game against Aberdeen but since then has looked fairly poor. I've looked at the celtic games on tv this season so far to see how he's getting on and he was easily dispossessed by average at best defenders.
He's been very poor in the 2 games season but it's wrong to say he only performed well in the first half of last season. He was consistently excellent right up the end of the season when Hartley and Robson broke into the team and won the league with pure grit and effort.
His motm votes from last season on kerrydalestreet.com (voted for by about 200 Celtic fans every match):

29-Aug-07 Celtic 1 v 1 Sp Moscow CL Qual - Boruc - McManus - McGeady
15-Sep-07 Celtic 5 v 0 ICT SPL - McGeady - Donati - Boruc
23-Sep-07 Hibs 3 v 2 Celtic SPL - Hartley - Doumbe - McGeady
29-Sep-07 Celtic 3 v 0 Dundee Utd SPL - McDonald - McGeady - Brown S
20-Oct-07 Rangers 3 v 0 Celtic SPL - Jarosik - McDonald - McGeady
24-Oct-07 Benfica 1 v 0 Celtic CL - Boruc - McGeady - Hartley
27-Oct-07 Celtic 3 v 0 Motherwell SPL - McDonald - McGeady - Brown S
31-Oct-07 Celtic 0 v 2 Hearts CIS - McGeady - Brown S - Hartley
03-Nov-07 Killie 1 v 2 Celtic SPL - McDonald - McGeady - Hartley
06-Nov-07 Celtic 1 v 0 Benfica CL - McGeady - Hartley - McDonald
24-Nov-07 Celtic 3 v 0 Aberdeen SPL - Brown S - McGeady - Jarosik
28-Nov-07 Celtic 2 v 1 Shakhtar Donetsk CL - Jarosik - McGeady - Hartley
08-Dec-07 Celtic 1 v 1 St Mirren SPL - Sno - Riordan - McGeady
11-Dec-07 Celtic 4 v 0 Falkirk SPL - McGeady - Brown S - McDonald
16-Dec-07 ICT 3 v 2 Celtic SPL - JVoH - McGeady - Donati
22-Dec-07 Celtic 1 v 1 Hibs SPL - McGeady - JVoH - Brown S
26-Dec-07 Dundee Utd 0 v 2 Celtic SPL - Balde - McGeady - Brown S
29-Dec-07 Celtic 3 v 0 Gretna SPL McGeady - Boruc - Brown S
12-Jan-08 Celtic 3 v 0 Stirling Scottish Cup Hinkel - McGeady - Donati
10-Feb-08 Aberdeen 1 v 5 Celtic SPL McGeady - McDonald - Hartley
16-Feb-08 Celtic 3 v 0 Hearts SPL Donati - McGeady - Brown S
20-Feb-08 Celtic 2 v 3 Barcelona CL16 Boruc - JVoH - McGeady
24-Feb-08 St Mirren 0 v 1 Celtic SPL Boruc - McGeady - Nakamura
27-Feb-08 Celtic 2 v 1 ICT SPL Samaras - McGeady - Nakamura
01-Mar-08 Hibs 0 v 2 Celtic SPL Brown S - McGeady - Naylor
12-Mar-08 Celtic 0 v 0 Dundee Utd SPL Hinkel - Naylor - McGeady
23-Mar-08 Gretna 0 v 3 Celtic SPL JVoH - Hinkel - McGeady
29-Mar-08 Rangers 1 v 0 Celtic SPL Hinkel - Samaras - McGeady
05-Apr-08 Celtic 0 v 1 Motherwell SPL McGeady - Hinkel - Brown S

[cheifo]

I think Liam Miller has had enough chances and is not good enough for this level.


Agreed.Give Garvan a chance.Miller is just not up to it.

[NeilMcD]

Whelan is playing and Miller is in for S Reid if he is not fit. So what happened to Andy Reid

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3453

[eirebhoy]

The importance of the game hinges on whether S.Reid is fit now.

A.Reid is a strange won. What are the chances of Roy Keane requesting he not start? :)

[dr_peepee]

I'm very surprised Andy Reid isn't starting but have subscribed to the theory for some time that two defensive style midfielders are required (S Reid and Whelan in this case) and that Keane, McGeady,Duff and Reid should not all start. I personally would have dropped Duff and kept A Reid...

Keane can't do the lone front man and would be wasted up there, plus Trap has gone on record he sees him in a deeper role so no surprise that Doyle has started.

All things considered it looks like a decent formation that offers consistency going foward. We're never going to have a full squad to choose from and this offer some relatively seemless transitions when required... Though I'd rather see Delaney and O'Brien the Kilbane and Miller.

[eirebhoy]

I'm very surprised Andy Reid isn't starting but have subscribed to the theory for some time that two defensive style midfielders are required (S Reid and Whelan in this case) and that Keane, McGeady,Duff and Reid should not all start. I personally would have dropped Duff and kept A Reid...
I'd drop anyone for Reid. He's our best and most influential player imo.

I don't think Miller and Whelan are great defensively anyway.

A central midfield of Miller and Whelan with those 2 wide men and 2 up front just reminds me of Celtic without Naka. Give it to the wide men, sit back and hope for the best.

[eirebhoy]

Oh damn:

http://im.rediff.com/sports/2004/may/31euro2.htm

"From a tactical point of view it will be tough for Trapattoni to field Pirlo without upsetting the balance of his side. He adds creativity to the midfield but sacrificing Perrotta or Zanetti might leave the defence short of cover."


Maybe Trap just won't sacrifice his system for any player. :(

I'm crossing my fingers that Reid picked up a knock or something.

[irishfan86]

I am certain that the inclusion of Liam Miller is down to Liam Brady's involvement (he always went on and on about him as a pundit).

The possibility of Miller being picked ahead of Andy Reid in a competitive game almost makes me physically ill.

[FarBeag]

I'd drop anyone for Reid. He's our best and most influential player imo.
I don't think Miller and Whelan are great defensively anyway.

A central midfield of Miller and Whelan with those 2 wide men and 2 up front just reminds me of Celtic without Naka. Give it to the wide men, sit back and hope for the best.


Totally agree.

[Razors left peg]

He is basically saying that he wants 6 defensive player and 4 attacking ones which will be the formation probably used for the away qualifiers. Thats all well and good if the 2 central midfielders are Steven Reid and Carsley, but to have Miller anywhere near that team is incredible. We seen that Miller and Whelan were destroyed against Columbia but I didnt worry then because I though that was only because of injuries and we would never see them pair up again. Leaving Andy Reid out of the midfield is devasting, his work rate and defensive abilties are massively under rated,he was brilliant in that regard against the Germans in Croker last year, but most importantly when he has the ball he can do something with it.The biggest problem with Whelan and Miller is that the oppositon will keep getting the ball back and our attacking players will be completely out of the game.Ive been so excited at the prospect of Trappatoni but this has really really disappointed me

[musicinmouth]

I agree - Andy Reid should definitely start in the quailfiers... and I think he will... but it's a little worrying that he isn't starting the game tomorrow...

I think Carsley and Steven Reid would make sense together, it's a shame Carsley couldn't be there for this game.

[eirebhoy]

Someone on another forum has just said "Knives out for the manager already? Fickle, fickle" because a few people are unhappy that Reid might potentially not make Traps teams for the 2 big games coming up. I can't post here until after work tomorrow so thought I'd make a point now before anyone says something similar here.

I was delighted to get Trap. I didn't mind that he has a reputation for playing boring football because for once we'd be playing intelligent football. He's much more likely to bring us success than any other manager we could have got. It was without doubt the right choice to get him and I'm delighted to have him.

I just hope that if Trap's team is successful it contains the most intelligent and best passer of a ball we've had in years. If he doesn't feel we could be as successful with Reid starting every game then that's fair enough but I think we'd all rather Andy Reid in a team instead of Whelan or Miller. Trap knows as much as any of us that Reid is a better footballer than Miller but success comes first.

[NeilMcD]

Jesus will people stop jumping the gun, he may be injured, there could be a few other reasons. Sometimes people are just so quick to complain and give out

[DmanDmythDledge]

He is basically saying that he wants 6 defensive player and 4 attacking ones which will be the formation probably used for the away qualifiers. Thats all well and good if the 2 central midfielders are Steven Reid and Carsley, but to have Miller anywhere near that team is incredible...Leaving Andy Reid out of the midfield is devasting, his work rate and defensive abilties are massively under rated,he was brilliant in that regard against the Germans in Croker last year, but most importantly when he has the ball he can do something with it.The biggest problem with Whelan and Miller is that the oppositon will keep getting the ball back and our attacking players will be completely out of the game.Ive been so excited at the prospect of Trappatoni but this has really really disappointed me
Spot on, excellent point. I agree with eirebhoy that he is our best player and I think he is a player that we badly missed during the last campaign.

[Noelys Guitar]

Andy Reid is not injured. Here are Trap's comments on choosing Whelan over Reid.

While Trapattoni allowed that the Sunderland midfielder could yet play a part this evening, or in other games, his general comments seemed to indicate he favours a more physical and defensively-minded central combination.

“At the moment I have to try to put out a strong team and it’s not easy to suddenly change five or six players,” he said. “I’m looking for a team with character, with the right mentality and with good organisation on the pitch. We have enough offensive players like Robbie, Doyle, Duff and McGeady. The strong teams in the world, their midfield players are very, very strong. They can work, they can play, they can support the strikers, and we need those kinds of players in midfield. This is why I also think about Steven Reid.”

[Bomb Landsdowne]

in oz at the minute. Is the match being shown anywhere on the internet? or will i have to listen to the radio broadcasts. thanks

[theworm2345]

in oz at the minute. Is the match being shown anywhere on the internet? or will i have to listen to the radio broadcasts. thanks
Check www.myp2p.eu, they should have something

[Bomb Landsdowne]

cheers

[Wolfie]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/jokes-stop-here-for-trapattoni-1459304.html

Andy Reid's omission - the first major talking point of Trapps tenure.

He obviously holds the view that nobody is bigger than the system. Right or wrong - we haven't seen a conviction or vision of how we should be playing in a while.

[Pauro 76]

Is it live on the telly tonight, Sky Sports or Sellotanta?

[Razors left peg]

Is it live on the telly tonight, Sky Sports or Sellotanta?

Its on setanta 1. Think the England game is on Setanta Ireland

[Stuttgart88]

I am certain that the inclusion of Liam Miller is down to Liam Brady's involvement (he always went on and on about him as a pundit).

The possibility of Miller being picked ahead of Andy Reid in a competitive game almost makes me physically ill.

Today's Indo:

"In a training match on Monday, he [Reid] was part of what is effectively the reserve side but was threading through passes with such regularity that, at one point, Liam Brady roared across the park: "Andy Reid, different class." "

Agree though - how can Miller, who can't touch Reid at sunderland, be deemed a better option. How many times must he disappoint before he's disgarded. In fairness to Trapp, he's only seen a it of him and has yet to see Reid. And, for the first time in a lon time, I'm happy to concede that he's likely to know best anyway, especially in the context of constructing a alanced team.

[irishfan86]

I think we can survive without Andy Reid starting in our first two qualifiers, but if Trap hasn't figured out past that point that Reid is better than Miller, we're in serious trouble.

System or no system, Reid is better than Miller. In fact, I think Reid is actually better defensively than Miller.

[Pauro 76]

It's on Setanta Sports 1, bizarrely the England game is on Setanta Ireland

Very strange. Will it be online anywhere?

[Duggie]

i thought sky had the rights to our friendly games. i know its on setanta, dosent look like there's any highlights on rte later either.

[dr_peepee]

Today's Indo:
Agree though - how can Miller, who can't touch Reid at sunderland, be deemed a better option. How many times must he disappoint before he's disgarded. In fairness to Trapp, he's only seen a it of him and has yet to see Reid. .

Yeah.. But are we comparing apples with apples in terms of the role Trapp wants Miller to perform in this case. Does he have player roles compartmentalised??

For me Reid isn't competing With Miller. He's competing with Keane, S. Ireland and to a lesser extent McGeady and Duff.

Doyle is competing with Keogh, Long

S Reid Carlsey O'Brien Miller Whelen all competing for the defensive midfeild etc etc

Don't get me wrong. I want Reid to start every time and don't rate miller either. Just trying to find sense in the decision. I would have dropped Duff and played Keane, Reid and McGeady as 3 behind Doyle.

[geysir]

I can't think of one valid justification for selecting Miller over Reid.

[tetsujin1979]

It does seem that Trap is favoring the system of 6 defensive players (4 defenders + 2 defensive midfielders) and 4 attacking players (2 wingers + 2 strikers) over the personnel. There's no doubt in my mind that Andy Reid is a better player, and offers more, than Miller ever will. However, Trap has seen Miller play, and knows what he can do. Reid is still something of an anomaly for him.
The puzzling question here for me is what influence (or lack of) is Brady having on affairs? He knows all about Reid, he (along with the rest of the country) pointed out his omission away to Slovakia was baffling, and yet Reid still remains on the bench. Even if he was to sit back in midfield, and play a defensive role, spraying the ball out to the wings, he would still be far more effective than Miller.
Another question for me here is, if Stephen Ireland had agreed to return (yes, I know, traitor, lunatic, why does he play for Man City, blah, blah, blah) where would he fit into this system? He's not a winger, so the only other place he could play is behind a lone striker. If this is the system Trap is going to use, why is he spending so much effort on a player that wouldn't fit into it?

[irishfan86]

Another question for me here is, if Stephen Ireland had agreed to return (yes, I know, traitor, lunatic, why does he play for Man City, blah, blah, blah) where would he fit into this system? He's not a winger, so the only other place he could play is behind a lone striker. If this is the system Trap is going to use, why is he spending so much effort on a player that wouldn't fit into it?

I think it's just an issue of having options.

On the face of it, he was our joint top-scorer in the last campaign, with an almost a goal a game ratio.

It would be insanity not to try and get him back into the fold.

[lionelhutz]

I think we can survive without Andy Reid starting in our first two qualifiers, but if Trap hasn't figured out past that point that Reid is better than Miller, we're in serious trouble.

System or no system, Reid is better than Miller. In fact, I think Reid is actually better defensively than Miller.

Agreed. Reid is better in every department as a central midfielder than miller. I was once a fan of Miller and thought he'd make a very good player after he left United but he's just flattered to deceive time and time again.

Reid was the only player to shine consistently for us in the last campaign. I'm hoping to god that Trap comes to his senses after tonight and starts Reid for the qualifiers. If Reid is fit for them and doesn't start, it's an absolute disgrace.

[tomred23]

I can't believe people are getting worked up over a team he has picked for a friendly! Trap has to get a system to stop the big teams in our group i.e Italy,Bulgaria and by looking at this formation it is a defendsive set-up. He can always change thing around at half-time. I am sure Trap knows what A.Reid can do as they have this new invention called video!

[joema]

It seems all of our fans are finally starting to realise how good a player Reid really is, pity Trap can't see it:mad:

[Wheels]

I agree with everyone else about Andy, he's class and works hard defensively too. I'd hate to see him on the wing or just off the front man though. We need him as a sitting midfielder who spreads the play. He was talking himself about how Steven could do the running and he'd do the playing :)

At least this is just a friendly... hopefully he learns how important Andy is from this experiment.

Just want to add as well that I think Miller is a decent and under-rated player. He did very well for Sunderland last year, often rated by the fans in their top 3 performers when he played. But I think he's still maturing and learning and is definately behind Andy. I'd have him ahead of Glen Whelan though.... maybe that's just cos I'm a Cork lad :)

[NeilMcD]

Hopefully Reid comes on at half time for Miller and shows what he can do. Its a strange one alright but not going to lose the run of myself and condemn Il Trap yet.