Republic of Ireland V Netherlands 27th May 2016 & Belarus 31st May 2016 Friendlies

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Originally Posted by tricky_colour

I had forgotten about the incident where he kicked it into a player, that could have been disastrous, then there is the goal incident itself, the keeper has a role to play in ensuring the defence is as it should be. That is a big part of his job.

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Come on its not Subbuteo. It was a split second thing. If anyone needs to communicate to Duffy that he has let his man in behind its just as much O'Shea's role.

As a keeper I'd often glance at my back 4 to see if they were OK, then look out to the wings at the ball and by the time that has all happened the forward has lost his marker.

I'm not going big on Randolph here. The least of his errors was communication I'd say. He isn't a line keeper like Shay. That's what you get with a keeper who sees it as his job to take dangerous crosses. Yes it was a split second misjudgment but I still think he'd had had his work cut out to save a free header from 8 yards.

Every goal ever scored has been avoidable in hindsight.

I like Duffy and felt bad for him because he was so good otherwise, but it wasn't a minor error, it was a major one. He was ball watching and left his man unmarked in the middle of the penalty box, a few yards from goal. I don't think it's nitpicking to point this out instead if admiring the cross. And I think it's a mistake that would be punished in the Championship pretty often also. It was really poor defending I'm afraid.

I agree, but I think there was enough pace and bend on the cross for Randolph to be exonerated. Not wholly blameless but very very slight degree of culpability.

As for tricky's point about communication, it's hard for a keeper to look up the pitch when the ball is wide. O'Shea should really have spotted Duffy's position as Duffy would have been in the same line of sight as the ball. But even still, Duffy's instinct let him down. Live and learn...

I just read Sunday Times in a coffee shop. From what I recall, Paul Rowan thinks Stephen Quinn has a chance due to O'Neill's loyalty. He also thinks that O'Neill would like to pick Arter and McGoldrick but the numbers don't add up. Interestingly he thinks Keane may be playing for his place on Tuesday, and clearly Murphy is a candidate to make way for either Arter or McGoldrick. Rowan is the first I've read to explicitly say Keane's place is under threat. Interesting...

I'd be extremely surprised if Keane wasn't brought along. He might not get any game time next month but he'd be good to have around the camp. It would also cause a massive sh** storm.

I'd prefer Doyle over Murphy but MO'N seems to rate Murphy.

Arter has to be in.

Team I'd like to see start Tuesday:

--------- ----Westwood ----
-----Christie Clark Keogh Ward
McGeady Gibson Meyler McClean
--------- ---- Hoolahan
-----------Doyle/Keane

4 of these in my opinion are fighting for their place.
The formation can be changed with these players with Hoolahan dropping deeper and McGeady playing number 10.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I agree, but I think there was enough pace and bend on the cross for Randolph to be exonerated. Not wholly blameless but very very slight degree of culpability.

As for tricky's point about communication, it's hard for a keeper to look up the pitch when the ball is wide. O'Shea should really have spotted Duffy's position as Duffy would have been in the same line of sight as the ball. But even still, Duffy's instinct let him down. Live and learn...

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Yes granted it is easy to point the finger, but we could have been better organised, however it was only Shanes 3rd cap and he has played alongside
a different player each time, second game ahead of Randolph though.
I have never been a great fan of how we defend but then we don't concede too many so it works most of the time.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

The Dutch started to come into the game more after Whelan came off. I thought that was very noticeable.

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that and the introduction of Gibson. he is always a few yards off where he should be when we don't have the ball. its always far too easy for the opposition to play around him

Well it's common knowledge at this stage that whenever we concede a goal without Whelan present, it's because Whelan wasn't present. :)

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Originally Posted by jbyrne

that and the introduction of Gibson. he is always a few yards off where he should be when we don't have the ball. its always far too easy for the opposition to play around him

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Everton were unbeaten for something like 30 games when Gibson was a regular in the team.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Everton were unbeaten for something like 30 games when Gibson was a regular in the team.

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I can only comment on what I see when he plays for Ireland and he continually fails to close down opposition players quick enough particularly on the edge of our box.

Out of loyalty I think O'Neill will bring McGeady. And because he tried to get regular football and was proactive in doing so.
By the same token, I think this will also hinder Gibson's chances as he stayed put with Everton.
I think Arter has done enough.
Can't see McGoldrick making the plane ahead of Murphy.
Can't see Doyle making it but wouldn't be surprised to see Quinn. Though I'd take McGoldrick over Quinn.

Robbie is on the plane, no question

Read a while back a quote attributed to McClean where it was understood he didn't feel part of the Euro2012 squad as he wasn't part of the team that got us to the championships. That sentiment weighs heavily among players and management alike. Loyalty to those involved in the qualification campaign will select the squad.

If that's the case you'd expect room for McGeady, Gibson, Quinn and Meyler

who did McClean replace in the squad in 2012?

Not sure, this was the squad including the stand by list. Obviously James McCarthy wasn't in contention either, wasn't his old man ill or something?

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

who did McClean replace in the squad in 2012?

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Liam Lawrence most likely. He and Coleman were the two wingers not to make the squad (Coleman was on standby).

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

Not sure, this was the squad including the stand by list. Obviously James McCarthy wasn't in contention either, wasn't his old man ill or something?

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Yep it was announced well in advance that his dad was getting cancer treatment although I suspect there was a hint of PR about the way it was choreographed, as the media at the time were still desperate to highlight rifts between Trap and McCarthy. There was strong suspicion that Trap wouldn't pick him anyway as far as I can recall.

Robbie Keane out of the Belarus game. Arter pulled up with a muscle injury in the open training session. McCarthy still training on his own but closer to fitness. Doyle not in Cork and on standby list but could still make the full squad.

Paul O'Hehir is now tweeting that Robbie Keane and Harry Arter are serious Euro 2016 injury concerns.