Republic of Ireland v. Wales - Friday, 24th March 2017 - World Cup 2018 Qualifier

[DannyInvincible]

Looks like Ciaran Clark definitely won't be available next Friday as the Northern Echo is reporting that he's facing lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/spo...lengthy_spell/

Rafael Benitez facing mounting problems with Ciaran Clark set to be sidelined for lengthy spell.

The Magpies manager revealed yesterday that defender Ciaran Clark is the latest key player to be sidelined after picking up an injury.

Clark's absence is a major setback for Benitez, who is likely to call up Grant Hanley to replace the former Aston Villa player after weighing up at least two other options.

Wes Hoolahan went off injured today as well with a hamstring problem and is also now a doubt.

[mark12345]

Wes and Clark gone. What will the team look like on Friday night?

Randolph
Coleman, Keogh, O'Shea, Ward

Arter

McGeady, Hendrick McClean

Walters Long

[DannyInvincible]

Coleman: Irish roots dead to me when we invade Dubs.
http://www.the42.ie/chris-coleman-wa...92237-Mar2017/

I never knew Chris Coleman's father was born in Dublin and moved to Swansea aged 20.

[mark12345]

Thinking that we could really do with Robbie Brady on Friday night and he'll miss out because of a crazy decision to kick the ball away in Austria. Such a costly mistake.

[johnnyc]

Looks like Arter may miss out too seeing as he didn't make the squad tonight.

[Cymro]

The faux-Cyrillic font is a nice touch.

But no backwards Rs! Everyone knows that in COBET POCCИЯ, letters backwards you!

[Cymro]

I see Liverpool's youngest ever scorer Ben Woodburn is in there. That's his first call-up.

On paper, they're a very average (and you could say beatable side) although they clearly have a tremendous team-spirit and with world-class Bale in the team bolstered by the likes of Ramsey and Allen, they're a little less predictable.

I'd love a win by a goal - be it 1-0 or 2-1 - and we have the superior players and overall ability across our squad to do that, but I just think we'll play out a tight 1-1 draw. Hennessy is a weak keeper - a flapper - so I hope we take full advantage.

I don't agree with that. Ireland have the better squad; we have the better 1st XI. Our squad is quite mediocre, but on paper our strongest side contains 10 established PL first teamers, four of those real stars at that level, and an excellent Championship player (Gunter) who can easily step up to PL level. It's a very strong side. The problem is when we get injuries, as we had against Georgia.

[Cymro]

Really looking forward to this lads. Bydded i'r tim orau enill! (May the best team win)*.

^{*Actually, sod that, I don't give a crap how we play, that should read: "may Wales win 1-0 with a goal off James Collins' hairy ginger ar$e."}

[Cymro]

Speculation is that Woodburn's in the squad with a view to capping him and keeping him out of England's clutches.

Hell of a game to be blooding youth, but as an option off the bench if we are desperate for a goal, we could do worse.

I think this will be a real competitive game. Those posts predicting a low-scoring draw are off the mark in my opinion; we need to win, so we will attack. My prediction based on no injuries is 3-2 Wales. Robson-Kanu, Bale, Ramsey and Allen all have goals in them this year. We haven't been defending as well in this campaign however, so we will definitely concede goals.

[geysir]

Ace midfielder Ramsey could well be in an emotionally fragile state, poor chap.

[mark12345]

Before yesterday I would have said: "Stop Ramsey, Stop Wales"
Still believe that he is the driving force of the Welsh team and a man marker on him would go a long way to stifling them.
But now, looking at our list of injuries, we will be lucky to get a point.
I would take a point right now.

[mark12345]

This game is going to be all about tactics on the night. Got to get them right. I see already that MON is ruling out man marking, telling his defence to figure out Bale.
If that's true, we are going to have to lie deep and invite them upon us and hope to spring counter attacks.
McGeady and McClean are prime players but Pilkington and O'Dowda may now also come into the planning process.
The long ball game to Walters and or Murphy would seem to be out of the question given the presence of Collins/Williams/Chester

[mark12345]

Ireland have the better squad?
Bale is best player by a long stretch in both squads. Ramsey is the best midfielder on show and one of the best in Europe. Williams is a world class defender.
And Tom Davies and Joe Allen and Joe Ledley are all starters with their PL teams.
While McGeady is in sensational form at the minute, Ireland can really only use Coleman as a counter argument.

[mark12345]

Ireland have the better squad?
Bale is best player by a long stretch in both squads. Ramsey is the best midfielder on show and one of the best in Europe. Williams is a world class defender.
And Tom Davies and Joe Allen and Joe Ledley are all starters with their PL teams.
While McGeady is in sensational form at the minute, Ireland can really only use Coleman as a counter argument.

That's Ben Davies. Sorry

[geysir]

Ramsay was rank rotten for Arsenal v West Brom.