Also considering how dodgy the Russian defence was on Friday night, I think a Russian win in Macedonia is far from a forgone conclusion.
Also considering how dodgy the Russian defence was on Friday night, I think a Russian win in Macedonia is far from a forgone conclusion.
Most would agree Whelan can play a lot better than he did on Friday, he has done numerous times for Ireland and I'd expect him to be given another chance. Not getting a game for Stoke may be the reason for his form but he'll be hurting from Friday and I think he deserves another shot before being thrown on the scrap heap. Besides if Whelan is for the knacker's yard, then it pretty much makes Green dead and buried. We possibly need a brand new CM, but can't see Trap throwing the two out for Tuesday. For me Whelan's potential offers more than Green's limitations. You're right about Gibson though - he should be training this week with serious verve, he's got a real opportunity to establish himself.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
The fixation for our CM solidity is to have a Gattusa like quality present. I don't think for one minute that Green is the player that will do that job for us long term, he turned up whereas McCarthy didn't and Andrews is injured. We don't have anybody resembling a Gattusa, probably thats why we have 2 players to do one man's job.
Regardless of who he has in the midfield pairing he will want at least one with scavenger qualities. I really think the Whelan experiment has run it's course.
It is just not on for our top centre midfielder to turn up with that form level.
I'd have a preferance for McGeady on the right, even if he is ambipedal I think he is better for us on that side and have Fahey on the left.
Lawerence is a doubt for the game and Dunne has sat out training today. If Lawerence is unable to play then his place might go to Long with Keogh upfront. I really hope Dunne is OK.
I'd be happy enough giving Long a run out. He's busier and more aggressive than Keogh or Sheridan. Slovakia's injuries are a bonus, how's their strength in depth? They were shocking out in Armenia but if memory serves, they were a bit Jekyll and Hyde during the World Cup too.
Massive game this.
what time is kick off on tuesday irish time?
Slovakia on Tuesday really is an interesting game. All things being equal (form, injuries etc) I see us (and have seen us) as being better every time. It's not arrogance, I just don't think they're the team a lot of people make them out to be. That said we were shocking against Russia. The weird thing is that when we (in other games and Friday) get the ball down and play it sprightly, we can do good things.
The fear though is that we could be overrun in the middle and that is what happened. This problem shouldn't be the case on Tuesday.
The injury to Skrtel could be crucial. Vittek being out, as well as Stoch really should be a fillup for our management and the players. I can't think of a specific man marker that we have if someone needs to be watched. Weiss could be that someone. Hamsik could be a cause for concern. Our formation will be telling.
In theory if we're to up the ante and start placing more emphasis on passing the ball then Fahey and Gibson probably should be in the team at the expense of Green and with Doyle's injury. I would have no issue with Lawro dropping to the bench and replacing with long either.
I disagree with anyone who says out back 4 is sorted. Our best partnership at the back is Richard Dunne and John O'Shea. Our problem is having two competent full backs. In this scenario St Ledger has proved able and a good partner for Dunne, but inferior to the Dunne/O'Shea.
Our full back options (as per the squad) therefore are O'Shea, Kilbane, Kelly, Foley, Coleman, Cunningham.
Is now the time to experiment with two new full backs and a revised centre half partnership? Probably not, as a positive result on Tuesday is crucial, and it's bloody well achievable.
I wouldn't have done so before, but I do now agree that we seriously have to look at Josh at left full, particularily if he doesn't trust Ste Kelly there (when he's performed as good as KK has). Josh isn't a world beater there, but he's the best option we have, leaving a slot for either Kelly or Foley at right back, options I'm happy enough with. Norway in Nov and the Celtic cup clash in March & may need to unearth two full backs for the next two campaigns. That's imperative now.
I think I'd like to see the back 5 line up as:
------------------------------------------Given--------------------------------------
Josh------------------Dunne------------------------------Ledger---------------Kelly
with either of these option ahead of them:
-----------------------------Gibson------Whelan------Fahey-------------------------
------------------------------------Long--------McGeady-----------------------------
------------------------------------------Keane--------------------------------------
or:
-----------------------------------------Whelan------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------Gibson-------------------------------------
-------------Long-----------------------McGeady-------------------Fahey----------
-----------------------------------------Keane--------------------------------------
with Sheridan, Keogh, Lawrence, Wilson, Foley, Killer, Westwood on the bench.
Oh, and that if a player is dropped, that his career isn't over, he's just dropped for form.
The Armenians had lots of luck down the flanks - and through the middle, to be fair, but mainly down the flanks. The Slovakian left back basically threw in the towel and started fouling the winger every time he ran at him. As Lawrence is not an orthodox winger, it might not be the worst thing in the world to have Long or McGeady on him instead.
I just can't see McGeady filing the role in front of our striker. It's a nice theory but that's about all.
I have seen McGeady play many times for Celtic and I have seen him used a few times in the middle but without success. He was at his least effective when he hung around the middle on friday night.
Did he ever play that role when Keane was at Parkhead? I can think of several reasons why he wouldn't have looked amazing playing off Samaras or Marc-Antoine Fortune.
.....don't forget gangerous as well!Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Who will Green look to swap jerseys with at the final whistle? Hamsik?
The Slovakian viewpoint isn't much more optimistic than ours....
http://britskibelasi.footballunited....eland-preview/
7.30pm according to extratime.ie: http://www.extratime.ie/fixtures/Quote:
Originally Posted by Billsthoughts
He might want to hold on to it, probably won't get many more.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101
Quote:
Originally Posted by EastTerracer
Sounds like the right man to mark Robbie.Quote:
Originally Posted by Slovak Preview
It was under Strachan, but I can't remember which games.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
I think it's enough that he parks himself out wide and drift inside more often.
With Lawrence out, he will probably play on the right.
Though Trap could spring a surprise and play Coleman at rm, it's too dark outside to see if pigs are flying.
The most embarrassing thing about Friday is that it took Russia 2 games against Andorra to score 3 goals. Andorra gave them a tougher game than we did.Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
Interesting read. If the formation outlined here is true, then with Slovakia adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation, surely we MUST go for a five in midfield as well. Looks like Whelan feels the same: "if Slovakia play five in the middle, we know we're going to have to change something"Quote:
Originally Posted by EastTerracer
Why should they be optimistic? They could have shipped 5 or 6 in Armenia and are missing some key players.Quote:
Originally Posted by EastTerracer
If we're up for this game, play properly and survive the inevitable scary moments we might win this one. I just hope to God that we don't go out there thinking a draw will be a good result. It might turn out that way but we should be trying hard to win this one.
We need someone to man mark Weiss methinks.
For me the worst part of Fridays game was how we started the second half ie exactly as we finished the first half. Whelan (who admitted today that he is suffering from some niggling injuries) should have been subbed at HT. He looked as though he was carrying an injury. So did Doyle. Great attitude for turning up and being prepared to play through the pain barrier (Richard Dunne also) Especially when you think of the likes of S.Ireland and the other leg rester in Preston. Back to the game on Tuesday. I have a feeling the starting 11 will be Given
O'Shea Dunne St Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Gibson Green Keogh
Long Keane