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http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0929/ireland.html
who would you bring in to replace? of course, we'll just go with mcgeady (if fit) and hunt on the wings, but who would now be the first plan B to throw on off the bench up front? Best has scored a few for coventry...so has clinton.
It looks like Best is ahead of Clint in Traps plans so far anyway. Has Keogh been playing up top with wolves? Looks like it in any highlights I've seen anyway! Looks to be playing very well too
Keogh has been starting for Wolves as a forward alongside Doyle, and has been doing well as you say.
I really hate when he plays for Ireland as a winger, but I've always liked him as a forward on the rare occasion I've seen him play for Wolves. He's not a natural finisher, but he works very hard, and is great at setting others up.
On form alone then Clinton should be in line for a call-up surely? (to the squad, not starting XI)
However Folan is in the squad because he's a UNIT- is there anyone around who would be a like-for-like? I can't think of anyone at the mo (but i'm having a 'slow' day..)
Italy couldn't handle Folan last time, so its a real shame if he doesnt make it.
having seen Best recently I think defenders will have a tough job containing him too.
Duff injured again, yet some insist we've been really lucky in this campaign. We've had 3 of our best players missing for most of the campaign.
Wow they are dropping like flies. Hunt and McGeady? Ugh.
I know its annoying to keep having to answer these questions, but as far as getting into the final 8, if we lost to Italy and tied Montenegro, would that do?
Stephen Reid right mid perhaps if he's fit enough? McGeady on the left. I'd like to see Keogh on the bench, he's been playing well for Wolves so far and he's got a point to prove after the away match in Italy.
I've never been one to be overly vocal about the Andy Reid debate, but this has to be a perfect opportunity, especially if McGeady isn't 100%. I wonder if Reid has made a move such as considering an apology for his actions in private with Trapp. Mightn't be a bad idea. He's clearly outrageously determined to make his mark at the moment. I still cannot believe how skinny he is, and his pace and movement make him unrecognisable from before. He's playing seriously well in an attacking team thats banging in goals, all on the wing as well, and a set piece specialist to boot. He could slot into Trap's system perfectly given that this renaissance has all occurred on the wing and he hasnt been playing in the centre. I think its Olive Branch time, large style.
I think Lawrence would come in on the wing before Andy Reid though wouldnt he? Even with an 'apology' from Reid i think Trap would stay loyal to the players he's had in the squad so far*. Lawrence proved against South Africa that he can step up for the (direct) set pieces and had a decent, if not spectacular game.
(* an exception to this could be Steven Reid of course, as his absence has been purely injury-related, you'd imagine anyway).
Personally i think on form Andy Reid should definitely be in there. He's creating and/or scoring goals in most games now.
Playing Steven Reid on the right was a dumb mistake made by previous managers. Why perpetuate this mistake? If he plays, play him in the middle.
Lawrence did enough against SA to be considered as a starter.
McGeady is supposed to be fit anyway.
Lawrence & McGeady would be my favoured options unless Reid is called up.
Calling Reid up would be great but I doubt it'll happen. Trap has enough options up his sleeve though. Kilbane can still play LHS if required and he might just even consider playing Miller RHS.
Nothing compensates for Duff's absence.
He started out as a right mid, he's done well in that position for club and country in the past, its only in the last few seasons that he's moved to a more central role. Yes he is better in the middle but we already have an effective if unspectacular combination in there, for me its still the best option. Probably never going to happen though.;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
In my opinion he has only done OK at RHM at club level at Millwall but not since, and he's been very erratic RHM for Ireland - Russia at home at Germany away in particular where he was anonymous. Lawrence is a country mile ahead of him in this position I think.
I think Lawrence and McGeady or Lawrence and Hunt will be fine. I think the Lawrence and McGeady combo gives you a brain and brawn aspect to it I suppose. I know that is simplistic but you get my drift. Stephen Reid should not play on the right hand side in the same way that Kilbane should not play in the middle.
thought Carsley was RHM for the Russia game at home?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Hunt has form against the Italians.
I'd say it's a safe bet that Trap will continue with Hunt and McGeady to start.
Will Trap have the evil eye over Lippi again?
Pretty sure it was Reid, with Carr behind him.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Not sure did Carsley start or come off the bench, but I'm pretty sure he was CM.
According to the report on soccerscene - http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/m...ils.php?id=392 - the team lined upQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I remember that Carsley was injured before the game, and one of the big talking points was whether or not he'd be fit for it.Code:Given
Carr Cunningham Breen O'Shea
Carsley Holland Healy Kilbane
Morrison Duff
Subs:
S. Reid -> Carsley
Harte -> O'Shea
Doherty -> Morrison
Going by the match thread - http://foot.ie/forums/showthread.php?t=9815 - he didn't do much in the game anyway
According to the soccerscene report Carsley started on the right, and was replaced by Reid on 45 minutes. So they both played half a game on the right, and according to the very respected foot.ie ratings both were crap with Reid probably the worse of the two!
That was a poor enough team lined up against Russia.
Trap has a way better squad to chose from than that.
Is there any truth in the rumours earlier about McGeady not being 100%? I'm sure he would recover in time anyway but if not, Trap would have to call up Andy Reid. Obviously Hunt and Lawrence would then start on the wings, with Andy Reid or Keogh (although I don't rate him as a winger) to come off the bench. No way should S. Reid play on the right though. That is just asking for a boring 0-0 draw (or more likely a 1-0 defeat). S. Reid is at his best smack bang in the centre and could be a surprise starter along side Whelan.
On form, Morrison definitely deserves a re-call in place of Folan but as Noel Hunt has been in the squad more recently, I would imagine he would get the nod.