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

[paul_oshea]

Getting worried now about Bale exploiting the space(and pace) that Ward will leave out on his left for him to run into and bedazzling Ward.

I think a draw would be a great result at this stage, assuming Wales are in top form, with all the players missing regardless of whats being said. Wales showed they can perform at a top level with that win against Belgium if given a bit of space.

[OwlsFan]

You don't see McGeady playing no.10?

Randolph; Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward; Whelan, Hendrick, McCarthy (if fit - if not Meyler), McClean, Walters, Long.

McGeady didn't start in Vienna and I am not sure that a good latter half of the season for Preston will be enough to win him back his place. I would say that MON will be looking for defensive cover rather than attacking attributes but who knows.

[paul_oshea]

I think if it was away Oneill would be going for a more defensive approach, but he is of that mantra win at home, draw away and will therefore go for a more attack minded approach. Given the injury list though, and just the massive displacement and unsettlement it causes a defensive approach would be the sounder one in my opinion on this ocassion. I'm pretty sure he will start McGeady, unless he thinks he wont last a full game and wants him at full tilt in the 2nd half.

[DeLorean]

McGeady didn't start in Vienna and I am not sure that a good latter half of the season for Preston will be enough to win him back his place.

We had Hoolahan in Vienna though and McGeady hadn't done anything of note to justify a start at that stage. I don't think it's so much winning back his place as it is filling a void but, you're right, who knows?!! MON might not even know himself yet.

[Closed Account]

How I see game panning out:

Ireland will sit deep to avoid being caught on the break, meaning sacrificing a lot of possession to Wales, 40%-60% something like that, maybe worse since possession is calculated on percentage of total passes completed.
We'll rely on Long and McClean and to a lesser extent Walters to get us up the pitch. Ultimately it will be infuriating for the Irish fans, but I'd aim to keep it tight until the 65-70min mark, i.e I can't see O'Shea pushing us up to the half way line too often.
The subs will be crucial and I'd prefer to keep McGeady, Doyle and possibly Horgan until this point when hopefully the Welsh will be getting anxious and start rushing passes and losing possession.
All of this immediately goes out the window if the Welsh score early.
To summarize, I don't see it being pretty.

[Stuttgart88]

To summise, I don't see it being pretty.

A bit like Celtic park in December 2014? Or Aviva in May/June(?) 2015?

[Charlie Darwin]

until this point when hopefully the Welsh will be getting anxious and start rushing passes and losing possession.

Why would they get anxious? 0-0 would be a good result for them - they don't have to win.

[Closed Account]

Why would they get anxious? 0-0 would be a good result for them - they don't have to win.

True, if they come out of it with a draw.
But I can't think of any reason for a Welsh player or management, at 70mins and the game in the balance, not to be thinking "big chance for 3 points here".
On the flipside, it'd be hard for the thought "draw isn't a bad result" not to creep in for the Irish players, irrespective if the management have said so or not.

[Charlie Darwin]

Exactly, we'd likely be the ones getting anxious.

[geysir]

The Welsh would be anxious as this game has been marked by most as a must win game for them. Probably haven't got the nerves for the long haul.

Heartening the read the RTE report that McCarthy is battling to prove his fitness, that evokes an image of James in the gym at dawn, ice cold sea bathing followed by ice baths, press ups, squats etc.

[Closed Account]

Exactly, we'd likely be the ones getting anxious.

You could look at it like that, I guess it's a matter of perspective. I always thought of it as easier to hold a team scoreless than chase a goal.

[KrisLetang]

Where is Dr Peepee? Has he been trying to treat our injured?

[Razors left peg]

We are in a great position going into this game. Its a chance to almost make a top 2 position guaranteed and the fact that we are at home we shouldn't be going in with any other attitude of beating Wales and going at them from the start. Theres no way we should be cagey and accept that a draw is a decent result.

[Olé Olé]

We are in a great position going into this game. Its a chance to almost make a top 2 position guaranteed and the fact that we are at home we shouldn't be going in with any other attitude of beating Wales and going at them from the start. Theres no way we should be cagey and accept that a draw is a decent result.

After the Austria win and with Serbia and Austria to come to us, I feel that you're right. I feel we should feel that this is a game we should go for before those two come. 3 points could make us. Will the point difference between a draw and a loss break us?

And then.. I remember they have Bale and Ramsey and that bit of caution ekes back into my thinking.

[KrisLetang]

We are in a great position going into this game.

For goodness sakes man don't tempt fate. Remember your gethsemane at half time of the super bowl saying how the Falcons would finally win one? I won't even mention your Hillary button on election morning.