But then Duffy went from will he, wont he even make the squad, to playing in the finals.
That and the refreshing adventurous nature of the pre tournament gatherings is what's so hard to reconcile about this announcement.
Mitrovic to miss out today for Newcastle after he sustained a concussion midweek, but will probably be available for Serbia in a week's time
We'd do well to get something from this game.
Coleman, O'Shea, McCarthy and Hendrick all likely to miss out. Walters is not starting for Stoke and is still probably trying to get back to 100%. Brady still hasn't got a PL move and could be distracted by that over the coming few days.
It's going to be a big, big test for Christie and Arter, who are both likely to start now.
There's not a lot of options in there with the players that are injured/not getting their game. It will probably be a patchwork team even without the infusion of new talent.
I think we might see a couple of players brought in in the next few days if this injury list holds up. Some of them might make it, but it's not good to have so many players struggling for fitness at this stage of their season.
Just seen Roy Keane at the Everton - Stoke game today on Match of the Day
Usual array of knocks for Ireland.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/...itness-issues/
Rogers of Dundalk called in to the squad.
More on that
I thought the Dundalk v Cork game has been postponed?
O'Neill has been talking up Jon Walters so I'm assuming he'll continue to be first name on the teamsheet when fit.
I thought it would have made more sense to continue with something like the team that impressed against Italy and France in the European Championships, but hey, there's a reason why I'm not the manager I suppose.
Do Dundalk get compensated for Togers if he misses a game?
I didn't say get covered, I should have said covered. :D
Chaza as TD calls you, when is martinez going to spring mcgeady out, after managing his fitness correctly, for Belgium?
I'd say he'll probably stick with Mirallas, Paul.
Well he is consistent anyway.
So given might get a run out Wednesday too now? Feck sake. Will keane come back in the play-offs when long is going through his 1 in X goals run, and walters is injured, and murphy is just being murphy and not able score?
On another note, I've just got back from Ireland and am flying back in tomorrow morning. Rip Off dublin is alive and thriving, anywhere near the airport at a half decent price? I've stayed enough with friends the last while don't want to be annoying them again.
Airbnb for sure. I had a seizure looking at the prices for hotel rooms in and around Dublin. Found a nice little place in Malahide for the upcoming trip.
Interesting piece here from Randolph.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/...-on-euro-2016/
One particular paragraph satisfies me.
What time is kick off? Labour Day here in the states on Monday so might actually be able to watch it!
19:45 Irish time.
McClean, McGeady, O'Dowda, Walters, Long, Murphy.
6 players for 4 positions. 1 of whom is sorely lacking match practice in McGeady and another who hasn't played a competitive match in O'Dowda.
It's not a lot is it?
I know depending on the way he configures the team, Hendrick, Hoolahan or Quinn could take up a wide position.
It's still not a lot when you factor in McCarthy's injury.
Think he could have called up at least one more outfield player. And Henderson instead of Rogers.
It's terrible really. Scandalous even. Especially given how many clean sheets Henderson has kept already this season. As for McGeady, his lack of match fitness was evident in Lille. If he'd only have been fitter he'd have carried the ball 40 rather than 30 yards through the middle before finding Hoolahan. We're doomed. We've suddenly gone from being competitive at the Euros to being a clapped out bunch of geriatrics missing the most criticised player of the summer, McCarthy. Add to that the fact that an exciting youngster has been called up, something someone has been crying out for, well, that's it for me. My passion for the Boys in Green is over as of now.
I can't remember when I had passion.
I can't even spell pashun anymore
Against Oman, a couple of times the tv cameras picked out that bare chested fan. the green giant/hulk, at all times he was giving it welly, he had passion.
Get in there. Get in there robbie.
There is a good photo of a belgique beauty pecking his right cheek online at eurl 2016
Ah, never mind
I can't tell if I'm asleep or awake.
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Anyway, has Arter done enough to start in Serbia? Someone will have to replace McCarthy. I'd say yes.
Not sure, O'Neill seemed a bit jumpy when the same question was put to him after the game. His words were positive ("he's done his chances no harm" or something to that effect) but his body language suggested something else, to me at least. McCarthy wasn't fully ruled out at that stage either though I don't think. He lost possession and made a stone wall yellow card tackle in the first minute the last night also, only escaped because it was a friendly and probably so early. He'll need to use his brain a bit more if he's thrown into the side in Belgrade.
I missed the first minute. First two actually. that's how much interest I've lost sine the realisation we're not conforming to TOWK's standards.
Any fella want to hazard a guess at the side? I'm hoping Coleman is fit but doubt McCarthy will be. I'm plucking for the following anyway:
Randolph
Coleman Keogh Clark Ward
Whelan
Hendrick Arter/Wes Brady
Walters Long
I think that's a fine side. There's always the chance he'll play Brady LB and McClean LM which isn't particularly devastating for me but I'd still like to see Brady in midfield after the Euros.
Hard to know who'll get the nod in midfield between Hoolahan and Arter. It's an away match so Arter being that bit more dynamic might stand to him. Two all-action midfielders beside eachother would be great to watch. I'd prefer Wes but I'd predict Arter.
Hard on Daryl Murphy who showed well at the Euros? Yes. But he doesn't offer a huge goal threat and this might be a fixture where we only get limited opportunities. Walters has scored in important games and will do some shift in in away match.
I think that side is a decent shout Ole Ole. Wes would edge Arter for me to start.
I would be hopeful with that line up as well but....................................there is always a but..................isn't there,
Considering the injuries that are rumoured in the squad, I'd say Christie for Coleman if injured, Keogh only if O'Shea is out, Quinn is a possible starter ahead of Arter and it would not surprise many if Wes did not start!
I missed the first 20mins of the game, was harvesting my spuds.
I listened to Richie and machine gun Kenny natter away on rte highlights about the upcoming qualifier.
It was a good intelligent chat, easy on the ear.
Kenny thought the 433 formation was the most interesting thing, not the individuals who filled out the roles and probably O'Neill will persist with it, following on from 2nd half v Italy and v France.
He sees Arter as an attacking midfield player, but v Oman was placed in the Whelan defensive midfield role where he's not at home stepping on the toes of the back 4. Kenny sees him having much more impact 20m up the pitch.
Whatever folk may say about Glen, he's at home in front of the back four.
Kenny also said that the onus was on Harry to get forward, to the question of, "was Harry following orders?", therefore in Kenny's opinion Harry can do it but didn't discipline himself to do enough to make a convincing argument for his inclusion.
I'm not fully sold on Christie as yet, especially for a game like this.
I just get the feeling he's great as an attacking full, but is defensively suspect. Think he even got caught out once or twice on Wednesday, but Oman weren't anywhere near good enough to take advantage, and he by and large had the time and space for some great runs down the channel to compensate.
Re Henderson. Forest fans say he is terrible.
Hopefully we keep Whelan away from the team and find space for Wes.
bumping thread :)