Macedonia V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 4th June 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

And the thing us Geysir, he's taking the lot of us down with him. We'll be quivering wrecks come Saturday.

Can't wait. :)

Does Macedonia have any suspensions/injuries?

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

I think O'Dea has the makings of an excellent centre back but he is seriously error prone at the moment. He is still relatively young and hasn't much played, for club or country.

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In fairness to O'Dea he started over 20 games for Ipswich this season.

judging by the pics on sportsfile, st ledger is training today anyway....

http://www.sportsfile.com/more-images/1105255/

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Originally Posted by drummerboy

In fairness to O'Dea he started over 20 games for Ipswich this season.

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I meant in his career overall. Even for a 24 year old he has very little played. A sub more often than not at Celtic, he is very inexperienced yet.

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Originally Posted by Crosby87

Does Macedonia have any suspensions/injuries?

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"The Macedonian coach made several changes from the last squad that faced Ireland away and lost 2:1. No call for midfielders Darko Tasevski and Slavco Georgievski, defender Igor Mitreski and striker Stevica Ristić who is injured. Again Jonuz showed his stubborness after didn't call any right back so most probably central defender Vance Sikov will be forced to sacrifice himself."

Source.

One of the journalists (can't remember which) tweeted that Sledge and Whelan were training alone today. Which shows he's at least approaching fitness.

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Originally Posted by elroy

Keane mentioned in an interview on Sat that Duff is bursting a gut to try and get fit for the game on Sat. There seems to be very little talk about it, but I presumed that he was defo out.

As regards nerves, oh god stop but sometimes with Ireland under Trap I am more assured with us away from home than at home. Being realistic we need to win there dont we?!?! Actually Russia won there so then yes we do.

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Wouldn't put it past Duffer at all, the guys commitment is legendary. Would expect 99% of other footballers in his position to be off on their holidays now.

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Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

One of the journalists (can't remember which) tweeted that Sledge and Whelan were training alone today. Which shows he's at least approaching fitness.

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http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w...720/521181.jpg

It'd be a huge risk to pick Sledge for his first game since February.

It'd be a huge risk to play O'Dea though. Or Kelly. Or McShane. Or even Foley. Or Ward. Or Kilbane.

Jeez, our defensive options are all scary! I have faith in none of them to go through a game without committing a game changing error.

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!

The defence looks like it is going to be dire so. McShane, O'Shea, O'Dea, Kilbane :struggle:

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Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!

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All the signs are pointing to him starting. There is a bigger nightmare than McShane starting at full back and that is him starting at center half.

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Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!

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You just know he's gonna fumble that sun cream bottle too. And, as if we weren't handicapped enough already, play the entire game with one eye glued shut.

Absolutely world class attitude that man. I'm still at the point of hoping rather than expecting him to be successful though.

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Originally Posted by TrapAPony

The defence looks like it is going to be dire so. McShane, O'Shea, O'Dea, Kilbane :struggle:

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That's stark reading. Plenty room for error in that unit. Hopefully we're blitzing the Macedonians further up the field while these chaps cut indistinct shapes in the background.

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Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

Here is an even bigger risk - McShane clearly thinks he is starting - will we ever learn!

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Don't worry lads. He clearly thinks the game is taking place during the day. He'll be tucked up in bed by 9pm.

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Originally Posted by TrapAPony

The defence looks like it is going to be dire so. McShane, O'Shea, O'Dea, Kilbane :struggle:

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Odds on a red card among that lot?

Will you all shut up and hold your nerve.
Some of us are trying to ignore thoughts that disturb.

I'm surprised at the confidence people have in Ward - I thought he looked very shaky in the Scotland game. His good performance against NI was a bit of a false dawn, he had almost nothing to do defensively.

As dodgy as Kilbane is, I'd say he's still stronger than what I saw of Ward in the last two games.

Trap's latest comments on who he will select. Highly unlikely St Ledger and almost certainly O'Dea. Still to make his mind up though on a number of selections. http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soc...298117829.html

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It'd be a huge risk to pick Sledge for his first game since February.

It'd be a huge risk to play O'Dea though. Or Kelly. Or McShane. Or even Foley. Or Ward. Or Kilbane.

Jeez, our defensive options are all scary! I have faith in none of them to go through a game without committing a game changing error.

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That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.

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maybe thats what the recent "pointless" friendlies will have done

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Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

'Winning always breeds confidence so hopefully we can bring that into the Macedonia game,' said McShane, who helped to create Robbie Keane's winner against Scotland.

'I'll need my sun cream on - factor 30. It is going to be hard out there. They are tough opposition and they are always well drilled and well organised. They play with a lot of pride so it's going to be tough

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The game is on at nighttime. Should be cool enough.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.

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The only viable alternative I can think of that isn't available or already in the squad is Paddy McCarthy, and possibly Shane Duffy

Anyone know the KO time?

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Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Going by Trapatonni's comments after the game O'Dea is definetely playing. Interestingly he said O'Shea, Whelan and McGeady would be "stepping in". No mention of Gibson or Kilbane which suggests Andrews will start alongside Whelan and possibly Ward to start at left back.

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Not a fan of O'Dea to be honest and McShane outplayed him against Scotland.

8.30 according to RTE and Sky. Anyone know the TV coverage situation in the UK?

9.30pm local time according to the Uefa site

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Today in the hotel. Stone Bridge in Skopje, the coach of the A-national team of Macedonia, Mirsad Jonuzi polling started the first qualifying duel against the Republic of Ireland. The regular term appeared most of the players with the exception of Pandev and Popov arriving tomorrow, and Naumovski, Shumulikoski and Novevski join ekspedi-tion today in Ohrid. The afternoon of Biljana sources is the first scheduled training. Due to injury Jonuz release from obligations Fetai and his place is called Dusan Savic Pahtakor of the crew.

Press conference with the coach and captain Jonuz Pandev is scheduled for Wednesday in the hotel. Inex Gorica Ohrid at 12.30h. The expedition returns from Ohrid on Friday in 20h.and will hold training on Saturday at 10am. National Arena Philip II. The Irish squad will train on Friday (03.Juni) at 18h. by Philip II. "coach Giovanni Trapattoni will hold a press conference on" Philip II "starting at 17h.

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Source.

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

That's why Trap and co. should have worked out viable alternatives months ago.
And why the best we can hope for is a draw, as we'll definitely concede.

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That's rubbish. He has given plenty of game time to all of the above, plus Ciaran Clark and Damien Delaney. None has passed the audition, bar maybe O'Dea against Macedonia - when it counted - and, in my opinion, Delaney. Ward was OK, but had some potentially costly lapses.

Of all the options we have in any of the defensive positions I think they have virtually all been tried. Wilson was asked to come over but for whatever reason didfn't / couldn't come. Coleman might have been given a run at FB but most people wanted him tested at RM. Cunningham was tried, did well, but broke his leg.

Our defensive options have all been tried, it's just that without Dunne and Sledge, they're not wholly convincing.

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Originally Posted by boovidge

8.30 accordig to RTE and Sky. Anyone know the TV coverage situation in the UK?

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SKY Sports 1 I think.

Excellent. It also doesn't clash with the English game so I shouldn't have to fight to get somewhere to show it.

You know what, we might not think the very best of McShane or O'Dea but arent their comments, enthusiasm and commitment refreshing and nice to hear in comparison to the rubbish we had to deal with due to certain other players last week.

In tricky situations involving the Irish team I always ask myself 'what would Jack (Charlton) do?'.

Jack had a knack of putting people into positions they weren't really used to (McGrath in midfield, Aldridge as a one size fits all midfielder/striker) and getting the best out of them. It's clear that Trap has to improvise at the center back position. He should go with John O'Shea and Keith Andrews. There are quite a few replacements ready to take Andrews's place in midfield (Gibson, Whelan, Fahey). It's not the ideal situation we all know but is there anyone on this board who would put their life savings on us not conceding with O'Dea and McShane in the back four?

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...d-2660616.html

Fanning always writes about the inevitable doomsday scenario, just so he can say i told you so. He is always trying to find problems or causes of problems, that a lot of the time aren't even there.

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Originally Posted by mark12345

In tricky situations involving the Irish team I always ask myself 'what would Jack (Charlton) do?'.

Jack had a knack of putting people into positions they weren't really used to (McGrath in midfield, Aldridge as a one size fits all midfielder/striker) and getting the best out of them. It's clear that Trap has to improvise at the center back position. He should go with John O'Shea and Keith Andrews. There are quite a few replacements ready to take Andrews's place in midfield (Gibson, Whelan, Fahey). It's not the ideal situation we all know but is there anyone on this board who would put their life savings on us not conceding with O'Dea and McShane in the back four?

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Not a bad idea at all but I just can't see Trapatonni trying it. Especially in a competitive away game like this. Going by whats being said by Trap and Tardelli it certainly seems that the back four to start will be the four you mentioned Mark. My main concern with McShane is his lunging into tackles in his own box. Usually tackles that he dosen't even need to make. When Dunne got outpaced in the home game he composed himself enough not to give away a peno. McShane would have dived in. Thats my main worry.

So, predictions?
I'll say we go up 2-0 right quick and end up drawing 3-3 in a crazy game.

We'll win by the odd one. Keano to score ca. the 60th min and we hold on with a few hairy moments and a free kick in the 91st minute from them.

2-1 to us again. They score first, we stage a comeback and suffer a nailbiting finish that sees us retreat so far that Shay is caught offside at one point.

With Gibbo out, it narrows down the options again; based on what's been said so far.....

---------------------Given-------------------

Foley/McShane----Josh-----O'Dea----KK/Ward

McGeady----Whelan--------Andrews-----Hunt

-------------Keane--------Long--------------

Forde, Kelly/Foley/Kilbane, Fahey, Treacy, Cox, Lawrence

At this stage can't see him dropping Kilbane, nor can I see him picking Foley ahead of McShane, given Foley didn't start either match at right back.

I think we'll win. I think we'll concede. I think Robbie will score. I think McGeady will be our main attacking outlet. I think McShane will mess up. I think Armenia will take a point in Russia.