Norway v Republic of Ireland - pre-match

Andy Reid is not injured. Here are Trap's comments on choosing Whelan over Reid.

While Trapattoni allowed that the Sunderland midfielder could yet play a part this evening, or in other games, his general comments seemed to indicate he favours a more physical and defensively-minded central combination.

“At the moment I have to try to put out a strong team and it’s not easy to suddenly change five or six players,” he said. “I’m looking for a team with character, with the right mentality and with good organisation on the pitch. We have enough offensive players like Robbie, Doyle, Duff and McGeady. The strong teams in the world, their midfield players are very, very strong. They can work, they can play, they can support the strikers, and we need those kinds of players in midfield. This is why I also think about Steven Reid.”

in oz at the minute. Is the match being shown anywhere on the internet? or will i have to listen to the radio broadcasts. thanks

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Originally Posted by Bomb Landsdowne

in oz at the minute. Is the match being shown anywhere on the internet? or will i have to listen to the radio broadcasts. thanks

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Check www.myp2p.eu, they should have something

cheers

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...i-1459304.html

Andy Reid's omission - the first major talking point of Trapps tenure.

He obviously holds the view that nobody is bigger than the system. Right or wrong - we haven't seen a conviction or vision of how we should be playing in a while.

Is it live on the telly tonight, Sky Sports or Sellotanta?

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Originally Posted by Pauro 76

Is it live on the telly tonight, Sky Sports or Sellotanta?

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Its on setanta 1. Think the England game is on Setanta Ireland

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Originally Posted by irishfan86

I am certain that the inclusion of Liam Miller is down to Liam Brady's involvement (he always went on and on about him as a pundit).

The possibility of Miller being picked ahead of Andy Reid in a competitive game almost makes me physically ill.

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Today's Indo:

"In a training match on Monday, he [Reid] was part of what is effectively the reserve side but was threading through passes with such regularity that, at one point, Liam Brady roared across the park: "Andy Reid, different class." "

Agree though - how can Miller, who can't touch Reid at sunderland, be deemed a better option. How many times must he disappoint before he's disgarded. In fairness to Trapp, he's only seen a it of him and has yet to see Reid. And, for the first time in a lon time, I'm happy to concede that he's likely to know best anyway, especially in the context of constructing a alanced team.

I think we can survive without Andy Reid starting in our first two qualifiers, but if Trap hasn't figured out past that point that Reid is better than Miller, we're in serious trouble.

System or no system, Reid is better than Miller. In fact, I think Reid is actually better defensively than Miller.

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

It's on Setanta Sports 1, bizarrely the England game is on Setanta Ireland

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Very strange. Will it be online anywhere?

i thought sky had the rights to our friendly games. i know its on setanta, dosent look like there's any highlights on rte later either.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Today's Indo:
Agree though - how can Miller, who can't touch Reid at sunderland, be deemed a better option. How many times must he disappoint before he's disgarded. In fairness to Trapp, he's only seen a it of him and has yet to see Reid. .

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Yeah.. But are we comparing apples with apples in terms of the role Trapp wants Miller to perform in this case. Does he have player roles compartmentalised??

For me Reid isn't competing With Miller. He's competing with Keane, S. Ireland and to a lesser extent McGeady and Duff.

Doyle is competing with Keogh, Long

S Reid Carlsey O'Brien Miller Whelen all competing for the defensive midfeild etc etc

Don't get me wrong. I want Reid to start every time and don't rate miller either. Just trying to find sense in the decision. I would have dropped Duff and played Keane, Reid and McGeady as 3 behind Doyle.

I can't think of one valid justification for selecting Miller over Reid.

It does seem that Trap is favoring the system of 6 defensive players (4 defenders + 2 defensive midfielders) and 4 attacking players (2 wingers + 2 strikers) over the personnel. There's no doubt in my mind that Andy Reid is a better player, and offers more, than Miller ever will. However, Trap has seen Miller play, and knows what he can do. Reid is still something of an anomaly for him.
The puzzling question here for me is what influence (or lack of) is Brady having on affairs? He knows all about Reid, he (along with the rest of the country) pointed out his omission away to Slovakia was baffling, and yet Reid still remains on the bench. Even if he was to sit back in midfield, and play a defensive role, spraying the ball out to the wings, he would still be far more effective than Miller.
Another question for me here is, if Stephen Ireland had agreed to return (yes, I know, traitor, lunatic, why does he play for Man City, blah, blah, blah) where would he fit into this system? He's not a winger, so the only other place he could play is behind a lone striker. If this is the system Trap is going to use, why is he spending so much effort on a player that wouldn't fit into it?

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Another question for me here is, if Stephen Ireland had agreed to return (yes, I know, traitor, lunatic, why does he play for Man City, blah, blah, blah) where would he fit into this system? He's not a winger, so the only other place he could play is behind a lone striker. If this is the system Trap is going to use, why is he spending so much effort on a player that wouldn't fit into it?

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I think it's just an issue of having options.

On the face of it, he was our joint top-scorer in the last campaign, with an almost a goal a game ratio.

It would be insanity not to try and get him back into the fold.

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Originally Posted by irishfan86

I think we can survive without Andy Reid starting in our first two qualifiers, but if Trap hasn't figured out past that point that Reid is better than Miller, we're in serious trouble.

System or no system, Reid is better than Miller. In fact, I think Reid is actually better defensively than Miller.

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Agreed. Reid is better in every department as a central midfielder than miller. I was once a fan of Miller and thought he'd make a very good player after he left United but he's just flattered to deceive time and time again.

Reid was the only player to shine consistently for us in the last campaign. I'm hoping to god that Trap comes to his senses after tonight and starts Reid for the qualifiers. If Reid is fit for them and doesn't start, it's an absolute disgrace.

I can't believe people are getting worked up over a team he has picked for a friendly! Trap has to get a system to stop the big teams in our group i.e Italy,Bulgaria and by looking at this formation it is a defendsive set-up. He can always change thing around at half-time. I am sure Trap knows what A.Reid can do as they have this new invention called video!

It seems all of our fans are finally starting to realise how good a player Reid really is, pity Trap can't see it:mad:

I agree with everyone else about Andy, he's class and works hard defensively too. I'd hate to see him on the wing or just off the front man though. We need him as a sitting midfielder who spreads the play. He was talking himself about how Steven could do the running and he'd do the playing :)

At least this is just a friendly... hopefully he learns how important Andy is from this experiment.

Just want to add as well that I think Miller is a decent and under-rated player. He did very well for Sunderland last year, often rated by the fans in their top 3 performers when he played. But I think he's still maturing and learning and is definately behind Andy. I'd have him ahead of Glen Whelan though.... maybe that's just cos I'm a Cork lad :)

Hopefully Reid comes on at half time for Miller and shows what he can do. Its a strange one alright but not going to lose the run of myself and condemn Il Trap yet.