Printable View
Great performances tonight from Whelan and Walters. Johnny has to start up from front with Long. On paper, we have enough to cause most teams alot of grief and I think they could be class for us if given a run of games. I love Keano for what he's done, but he should be no more than an impact sub now. Every time I see Whelan for Stoke, he's very good and yet for Ireland, he's generally mediocre. Not sure why that is, but if we could have the Stoke version with Jamie Mac, I'd be very happy :)
How many times have Long and Walters played together? If we're going to play two up top, I'd always have Keane involved. I'd only leave him out if we were doing 451.
Second half vs Bosnia? They looked good together.
Not sure about how often, but I know that Long has been criminally underused by Trap and Walters is the closest thing to a target man that we have in the squad and has been doing it consistently in the premiership for a while. I would feel that we need to start looking at them as our front two and I could see them becoming a very decent pairing for us. I do think that Keano can still have a huge part to play for us though. He's always likely to come up with a goal in a big match, even if he isn't playing well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
I don't know. In spite of Walters' two goals yesterday and Long's generally good scoring rate, I don't think they're clinical enough for a side that produces as few chances as Ireland.
There is merit in examining the way Stoke set up versus ourselves. Just by looking at formation, Stoke play a 4-2-3-1 formation. Walters occupies the centre of the three and when in defensive mode, Stoke tend to have 9 or even ten behind the ball. So the talk of Walters to play up front for Ireland is not really a direct comparison to the role he plays for Stoke given that we operate a standard 4-4-2. Nonetheless he is a very tough player to mark, who gives his all and is well able to finish. Given Trap's priority is defense, it is amazing he does not use Walters in a similar to that he is employed with Stoke. Instead he chooses to use the likes of Cox instead!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Bungle
Trap uses Walters up top because he's the best at holding the ball up. He seems to have lost confidence in Doyle and doesn't rate Long so Walters is the man.Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
True and he is probably our best option in that sense. However, his game at Stoke is far from the front man required to hold up the ball - for example Jones was employed in that role against Liverpool, Crouch often is as well. I dont think employing Long in that role plays to his particular strengths. For me, Long and Walters would appear to be the best in form combination right now.
The problem I think is that Long and Walters fill precisely the same role at their clubs, so if they played together I think only one player is going to get to play to his strengths. Granted, being a target man isn't Walters' best role either, but it allows Keane to find space.
Interview feature with Walters on Football Focus now.
Goal Walters! Cracking bullet header from close range - goalkeeper had no chance. His own goalkeeper.
Another headed finish from Walters - a glancing header this time. 2-0 Chelsea.
Feck sake Johnny!!! >:(
Penalty for Chelsea. Will Lampard step aside and let Walters to take it?
Apparently this was less of an interview and more of a manchurian candidate activation event. Well played, Chelsea.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
And he's hit the bar from a penalty to round off a good day's work.
It didn't hit the bar that I saw, I thought he just skied it (I was only half watching)...
Said on the radio that it had glanced the bar which made it look much worse than it was. There will be comfort for him in that. Surely.
Glanced the bar yep.
http://www.balls.ie/football/three-r...n-walters-day/
Pulis offers Walters his support. This is like taking pity on a puppy that has sh#t on the carpet. You want to kill him, but you know it won't help!
http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soc...328780325.html