8 euros a pint isn't cheap, that was a first class passage for his dad to the beyondQuote:
Originally Posted by gastric
8 euros a pint isn't cheap, that was a first class passage for his dad to the beyondQuote:
Originally Posted by gastric
I didn't realise Charlotte Coleman was his wife. She was the one Andy Gray made lewd remarks about which contributed to his sacking by Sky. We owe her that much as least. His father probably encouraged him to play for Wales because he had a better chance of getting a game for them. I'd say he would have been a peripheral figure for us. As for the team, Walters will play out wide with Long up front on his own. McGeady will be on the bench. Whelan will start. Rest pretty much picks itself.
€8 a pint would be considered Happy Hour in Iceland, wouldn't it? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
You don't see McGeady playing no.10?
There are no happy hours drinking in Reykjavik, just those few hours which are less sad.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I can't begin to come near predicting the result but I think that's one prediction I'm happy to make- McGeady will start.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
I think he will too.
Or maybe he'll be a sub.
Aaaggghhh!
Either that or a hat-trickQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I could definitely see the logic in that team, packing midfield as much as possible and holding Long in reserve. Walters is more effective as a central striker too and played well when moved there against Moldova. He brings others into play better than Long too from that position.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
But... would we be playing into Wales' hands by not playing a central striker who can really run the channels and take their back three out of position? Danny Gabbidon believes Wales will revert to that formation in his preview here - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39279538
O'Neill seems to trust McCarthy and Hendrick as a midfield two (used against Italy/France/Georgia) but Whelan's lack of mobility throws up a bit of a dilemma, particularly in respect of the strengths of the opposition we face.
In Vienna, Whelan's presence saw O'Neill use both Arter and Hendrick at starters, and maintained the same shape when Meyler was introduced. If he sticks with the same sort of pattern, your team above should be spot on, certainly in terms of the midfield three. In the unlikely event that McCarthy is declared fit, it could change things considerably though.
I also think McGeady will start. We would have pretty much zero guile without him, Brady & Hoolahan.
In light of the tragedies that have beset James' former club and city, I trust that Martin will have been keeping a close eye on James this week, both in and outside of training, in order to gauge his frame of mind. The pair are already close and Martin is perceptive to the psychology and morale of his players; he's a good man-manager. He won't put James out there on Friday night if he doesn't feel he'll be mentally able for what is expected of him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
For what it's worth, I think McClean will be well able for it - he's an immensely strong character - and will give more than his all come Friday. I see him giving a courageous and determined performance; not necessarily an angry one.
I'd be stunned (and seriously disappointed) if McGeady doesn't start.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Any idea if McCarthy trained with the team today?
This was the latest from about an hour ago as far as I know. - https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...h-irish-squad/Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
Quote:
James McCarthy remains with the Republic of Ireland squad as he battles to prove his fitness ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Wales.
The Everton midfielder, who has been out of action since March 5 with a hamstring injury, warmed up with the rest of the squad at Abbotstown on Wednesday morning, but was later due to work with the physios.
Assistant manager Roy Keane admitted on Tuesday that McCarthy was unlikely to make the game if he did not train the following day, but Ireland have not yet given up on the player.
its being reported on RTE that he did take part today.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
as did a few others (including long and coleman) who had sat out yesterdays session
Absolutely delighted. My above team was on the basis McCarthy wouldn't play. Hope he does and it looks more positiveQuote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Himself and Hendrick at the base. Walters, McGeady, McClean and Long in front of them. That would be a really good side. I think also that having Walters and McClean on the flanks would mean they can tuck in or track back to assist the two midfielders. Big ask of them but few work or run harder.
I must go back over McGeady's last starts. Can't remember a forward line he'd have started in as strong as that for us.
Getting worried now about Bale exploiting the space(and pace) that Ward will leave out on his left for him to run into and bedazzling Ward.
I think a draw would be a great result at this stage, assuming Wales are in top form, with all the players missing regardless of whats being said. Wales showed they can perform at a top level with that win against Belgium if given a bit of space.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
Randolph; Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward; Whelan, Hendrick, McCarthy (if fit - if not Meyler), McClean, Walters, Long.
McGeady didn't start in Vienna and I am not sure that a good latter half of the season for Preston will be enough to win him back his place. I would say that MON will be looking for defensive cover rather than attacking attributes but who knows.
I think if it was away Oneill would be going for a more defensive approach, but he is of that mantra win at home, draw away and will therefore go for a more attack minded approach. Given the injury list though, and just the massive displacement and unsettlement it causes a defensive approach would be the sounder one in my opinion on this ocassion. I'm pretty sure he will start McGeady, unless he thinks he wont last a full game and wants him at full tilt in the 2nd half.
We had Hoolahan in Vienna though and McGeady hadn't done anything of note to justify a start at that stage. I don't think it's so much winning back his place as it is filling a void but, you're right, who knows?!! MON might not even know himself yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
How I see game panning out:
Ireland will sit deep to avoid being caught on the break, meaning sacrificing a lot of possession to Wales, 40%-60% something like that, maybe worse since possession is calculated on percentage of total passes completed.
We'll rely on Long and McClean and to a lesser extent Walters to get us up the pitch. Ultimately it will be infuriating for the Irish fans, but I'd aim to keep it tight until the 65-70min mark, i.e I can't see O'Shea pushing us up to the half way line too often.
The subs will be crucial and I'd prefer to keep McGeady, Doyle and possibly Horgan until this point when hopefully the Welsh will be getting anxious and start rushing passes and losing possession.
All of this immediately goes out the window if the Welsh score early.
To summarize, I don't see it being pretty.