Republic of Ireland V Oman 3rd September 2014 & Georgia 7th September 2014

John Giles says he'd have Hoolahan instead of Whelan, alongside Quinn and McCarthy; says its a myth that Whelan wins the ball and Hoolahan doesn't. Completely agree with this. If anything I'd say Whelan doesn't win the ball. This is one of his many, many faults. Along with regularly giving the ball away in dangerous areas, losing concentration at vital moments, getting outmuscled in midfield, getting outran, not having requisite stamina, not marking players properly at corners, getting outjumped, not giving defenders enough protection, offering NOTHING from an offensive view.

McCarthy and two others in midfield would offset taking Whelan out.

Just utterly despondent, negative stuff. If we win I'll eat my words but this is just a worrying way to start things.

From the pre-match interview, O'Neill appears to be implying that he might have selected Wes if we were at home.

Shane Long obviously not starting because he's down in MacLarens watching Tipperary coming up short against Kilkenny.

Where are the goals coming from us in this game? No Brady, Hoolahan, Long, Pilkington, Meyler, Hendrick, McClean (I know the last two are because of injury).....

Like it's placing a lot of expectation on Keane. Is he just supposed to pull a goal out of his arse?

Go back to the Italy game where we looked fantastic from an offensive point of view. None of the personnel from that game are playing tonight.

I understand we are playing a stifling game (in more ways than one with this heat) but it's just inadvertently going to put more pressure on us and I could see them nicking an early goal.

Sorry for all the negativity but I just cannot get past this. I hope they know what they are doing.

O'Neill on Hoolahan's absence:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Martin O'Neill

Wes is very much a big part of proceedings here. We're playing away from home here, Wes has played more at home where he's been a big part of unlocking defences but he's on the bench and can come off if needed.

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Bloody local is showing the hurling on all tellies! Might need updates until this is over...

I will add the hurling's quite good in fairness

Ha, O'Shea desperately looking around for the flag before the anthem commenced so he'd know which direction to face; there it was on the ground right in front of him!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I will add the hurling's quite good in fairness

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It's bloody brilliant. Hawk eye, my word.

Georgia

• 01 Loria
• 06 Khubutia
• 02 Lobzhanidze
• 16 Kvirkvelia
• 03 Kvirkvelia
• 10 Ananidze
• 07 Kankava
• 15 Okriashvili
• 04 Kashia
• 08 Daushvili
• 09 Gelashvili

Substitutes

• 05 Grigalava
• 11 Mchedlidze
• 12 Kvaskhvadze
• 13 Migineishvili
• 14 Targamadze
• 17 Ebralidze
• 18 Khmaladze
• 19 Kobakhidze
• 20 Kazaishvili
• 21 Dzaria
• 22 Dolidze
• 23 Rekhviashvili

Republic of Ireland

• 01 Forde
• 03 Wilson
• 17 Ward
• 02 Coleman
• 04 O'Shea
• 06 Whelan
• 18 Quinn
• 08 McCarthy
• 07 McGeady
• 14 Walters
• 10 Keane

Substitutes

• 05 Keogh
• 09 Long
• 11 Brady
• 12 Meyler
• 13 Pilkington
• 15 Pearce
• 16 Elliot
• 19 Gibson
• 20 Hoolahan
• 21 Murphy
• 22 Doyle
• 23 Given

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

It's bloody brilliant. Hawk eye, my word.

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Incredible finish. Literally two inches wide from 100 yards out with the last puck to win it. If we match that drama in Tbilisi, we'll be lucky!

And they've changed channel already

• 01 ......................... Forde
• 02 Coleman... .04 O'Shea.. ... 03 Wilson....... 17 Ward

• 14 Walters..... 06 Whelan ......08 McCarthy..... 07 McGeady

• ........... .......18 Quinn........ 10 Keane

Good start, was good to see people in the box when Walters delivered. Need to take McGeady off set pieces. Floats it in which makes it hard to attack.
I hope Wilson sticks to the basics today. Has a tendency to try to play too much football around his own box.

Georgia look woeful.

Early days I know, but I think we can already see the effect of the change in manager. That the team is the same doesn't matter. We look happier on the ball, compared to off it under Trap.

If Whelan had any nous about him whatsoever he would have went down for a free kick in a position like that.

The foam! We have arrived!

Useless pass from Whelan played too short.

Are you just going to spend the whole game talking about Glenn Whelan?

Ah Jaysus Wilson.