Republic of Ireland V Slovakia - Friday, 2nd September 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

Now that the business of World Cup Qualifying has been sorted we can get back to the task at hand, ensuring Foot.ie members invade Poland/Ukraine next Summer to drink said countries dry.
312 days to go.

Slovakia in Dubs
Russia at Luzhniki Stadiom in Moscow.

Slovakias Lineup for its 1-0 win over Andorra in Bratislava:

Kello (GK)
Durica
Cech
Karhan*63
Jez (Yellow)
Vittek
Holosko
Hubocan
Hamsik
Kucka
Sebo
Subs: Sestak, Zofcak, Salato

Russia's Squad for its 3-1 win over Armenia in St Petersburg:

Akafeev (GK)
Anyukov
Berezutski (Yellow)
Ignashevich (Yellow)
Zhirkov
Senshov
Denisov
Zyryanov
Pavlyuchenko *26 *59 *73 (pen)
Arshavin
Torbinski

Subs:
Dzagoev, Yanubaev, Glushakov

So. Predictions?

That's a funny way of putting it lebron. He can't as opposed to has to miss.

We need a laborious 1-0 i think after that with othrt results we can see what we need from Russia.1 point may be enough to keep top.id be happy with that going into Andorra and Armenia.but we have to beat slovaks no question

Dunne missed Macedonia didn't he? I think (and hope) he's available for the Slovakia game. Unless you're not a fan and advocating dropping him ;)

Anyway, we have to beat them and I reckon we will. I'd have less confidence in the Russian encounter. Found myself looking at the standings in the other groups a few days ago with potential playoff opponents in mind.

You are right-o Dunne is in. Im stupid. I thought we had someone on 2 yellows but it appears the only person to get carded vs Mace was Coxy.

It'd be nice to have a full strength squad for the occasion but I saw a butterfly flap it's wings earlier with blatant disregard for both chaos theory and Damien Duff's calf.

Ahh no doubt you got that from the movie with your favorite actor, Ashton Kutcher. Poor Duffer.

can't wait for these now. we have to beat the slovaks, i hope trap realises this... i feel we can get 4 points out of the two games, but this irish team does have the unfortunate habit of raising ones hopes only to deflate them.

it will be curious to see how the slovaks approach the game, i'd expect they'll shut up shop and try and catch us on the break which could make for a grim contest. i'd gladly take a dodgy 1-0.

Back to the usual Trap XI for the two matches? Or will recent games have altered the competitive eleven?

i think it'll be the usual 11 - there are always a few injuries at the start of a season though so whether we'll have all present and available remains to be seen.

Given, Dunne and Duff all playing well for their clubs in recent games. If we can keep injuries down to a minimum then we have a great chance of getting at least four points from the two games. That of course could mean dropping two points at home against Slovakia and then going to Russia and winning. Lets hope we really go for the jugular against Slovakia at home. Beat them and all the pressure will be on Russia to beat us.

for the three lads you mentioned it could be their last chance at playing again in a major tournament. certainly i can't see duffer still haring up and down the wing in 2014.

i just think we'll want it more than slovakia. we're better than them. if robbie is fit and firing and plays like he did in the recent friendlies we should do it.

I think Duff will have more longevity than people think. His game doesn't rely on raw pace, he's very intelligent and has adapted to slowing down a bit.

As long as he wants to play for us, he'll have something to contribute. He could play a role for us in 2014 like Giggs plays for Man United now. That might mean coming off the bench, but whether he'd be willing to do that if another took his place is impossible to say.

I think it's more a case of wear and tear. He's had a lot of injuries, particularly to his knees. I don't think anyone would begrudge him an early retirement to close out his club career, if that's what he wanted to do.

i do agree that i think duff may retire at the end of the campaign, but he is such a legend that he may not retire and would do anything to help the cause, he always shows when he can!!! i do think be the usual trap 11 with coxy possibly being a sub before long unfortunately. but remember before the last double header against these 2 we bigged them up and came unstuck for 60minutes at the aviva!!! hopefully not happen again!!!

a friend of mine just got my ticket there (for the slovakia game).

1 month to go.

Even with all the local talk i feel like this is the Big Show.

Isn't this the Big Show?:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3cs-bVoaU.../big_show3.jpg

according to Dan McDonnell, Trap just named the provisional squad for the Slovakia/Russia games. It's the same as for the Croatia friendly. So this I guess:

Goalkeepers:
Shay Given
Keiren Westwood
David Forde

Defenders:
John O’Shea
Paul McShane
Kevin Foley
Seamus Coleman
Stephen Kelly
Stephen Ward
Richard Dunne
Sean St. Ledger
Darren O’Dea
Damien Delaney
Ciaran Clark
Kevin Kilbane

Midfielders:
Glenn Whelan
Darron Gibson
Keith Andrews
Keith Fahey
Andy Keogh
Aiden McGeady
Damien Duff
Stephen Hunt
Liam Lawrence
James McCarthy
Keith Treacy
Marc Wilson

Strikers:
Robbie Keane
Kevin Doyle
Jon Walters
Shane Long
Simon Cox

Evidently Coleman and a few others won't be involved. Presume he'll cut it to 25 or so in a couple of weeks.

''Trap talks of players desperate to join Team Trap, including Jermaine Pennant (gulp) & others I couldn't understand...basically lots.'' - Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh (Twitter)

Why does he even bother naming James McCarthy? There is a better chance of Elvis showing up healthy for those 2 matches than that kid.
And the fact that Trap still loves and wants Cox constantly.... very alarming.