Serbia V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 15th August 2012 - Friendly

This Friday.

Time to pick ourselves of the floor after the disappointment of Poland which of course was mixed with the joy of been at the tournament for the first time in 25 years.

Back to back qualification is never easy and particularly so when you have a squad in need of restructure and Germany in your group.

No announcement of any retirements yet which is positive though I suspect if there are any (dont expect more than two) they will be made known on Friday.

Expectation is for little change to what we have, unfortunately.

Hoping that the following will not just be called up but get decent game time as well: McCarthy, Gibson, McClean, Long, Duffy, Clark, Wilson and Coleman.

Others worth a look would be the likes of Pearce at Reading.

Trap at the start of his reign was very good at bringing in new faces and trying out new players - def needs to do the same now.

Already? Madness. Hope it's a reasonably fresh squad, with the likes of Cunningham, Clark, Duffy, Wilson and Robbie Brady. I'm not expecting Trap to go crazy, but this friendly is an ideal time to to look at new options, particularly since I can imagine a few being injured/crying off (no fall out's please) due to Prem season etc.

Ferguson is playing Robbie Brady at left back, why not give him a go? Is Cunningham fit? Throw each of them in there for a half and give Stephen Ward the rest of the decade off.

has he played any preseasons at left back yet?

I'd expect Duffy, Brady & Cunningham to be named in the U21 squad. They have a crucial qualifier against Turkey the night before the Serbia game.

I would hope that McCarthy and Gibson start in the middle and Long and Walters start up front. I would love Wilson to start at left back, but that is unlikely to happen. It would be great to have Hoolahan and Pilkington in the squad. I would like Coleman and Clark to get some game time also.

That would be a good start from Trap.

you'd be more likely to get Andy reid playing the national anthem on his guitar

For the first time I'm apprehensive about a squad announcement, even more so for the team that will be selected for the qualifiers.

I really hope there will be a couple of fresh faces

It will be interesting to see the squad alright and the reaction to it.

No changes - Uproar from Media and Fans alike
Changes - Media - will it be "thats what should happen" or more like "this is Trap pandering to public pressure"? / Fans - "about time" with some adding a token "but why not x or y or Robbie Brady........."

Indo says Given and Dunne definitely left out, Duff and Keane probably left out. Only a 23 man panel too, smallish by Trap standards.

IF it's made clear to the above four that Trap simply wants the friendly to look at other options, then I'm all for it. Don't want this to turn into another miscommunication nightmare however, and have one of the above prematurely take themselves out of selection.

Either way pretty bold move by Trap's standards.

There was a story in the sun (or some tabloid anyway) last week about Trapattoni calling Wilson as well, can't find the link though

Paul Green captain. Unbelievable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Paul Green captain. Unbelievable.

---

God Stutts, don't do that to me!

Last-minute prediction: I'd say it'll be O'Shea or Doyle captaining the side. I can see McCarthy, Coleman, Wilson and Clark coming in, which would be okay. Maybe Foley too. Don't think Pilkington will be there, as I think Coleman will be picked as a winger with Hunt retaining his place alongside McClean and McGeady for those four places. Whelan and Andrews won't be phased out just yet, leaving no room to pick Hoolahan as an extra midfielder, unfortunately.

Squad v Serbia: Westwood, Forde, Randolph, Wilson, O'Shea, St Ledger, O'Dea, Ward, Kelly, McShane, Whelan, Gibson, McCarthy, Green, Coleman, McGeady, Keogh, McClean, Treacy, Doyle, Long, Cox, Walters

Irish squad v Serbia:
Westwood, Forde, Randolph, Wilson, O'Shea, St Ledger, O'Dea, Ward, Kelly, McShane, Whelan, Gibson, McCarthy, Green, Coleman, McGeady, Keogh, McClean, Treacy, Doyle, Long, Cox, Walters

Squad: Westwood, Forde, Randolph, Wilson, O'Shea, St Ledger, O'Dea, Ward, Kelly, McShane, Whelan, Gibson, McCarthy, Green, Coleman, McGeady, Keogh, McClean, Treacy, Doyle, Long, Cox, Walters

No older members as predicted - Marc Wilson back with Andy Keogh and Keith Treacy. Hoolahan and Brady should be in ahead of them, would've selected Clark and no Foley makes it likely he'll continue to not be involved. Disappointing although at least some people will get proper game time.

No Hunt either! Is he injured or just dropped?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by christo

Squad v Serbia: Westwood, Forde, Randolph, Wilson, O'Shea, St Ledger, O'Dea, Ward, Kelly, McShane, Whelan, Gibson, McCarthy, Green, Coleman, McGeady, Keogh, McClean, Treacy, Doyle, Long, Cox, Walters

---

So no Foley? Is it just a case of leaving a little time, has he been communicated with I wonder?
Fahey is injured until end of Sept I think
Andrews suspended for the friendlies?

I dont get this notion why people think Brady should be in a senior international squad at this point in his career??????

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Junior

So no Foley? Is it just a case of leaving a little time, has he been communicated with I wonder?
Fahey is injured until end of Sept I think
Andrews suspended for the friendlies?

I dont get this notion why people think Brady should be in a senior international squad at this point in his career??????

---

Why not? Gibson was farther away from Utd's first team when he was blooded, Brady can at least stand behind a solid, occasionally excellent season on loan. I'd have had a look for sure, although I think someone mentioned the U-21 playing the day before or similar.