Republic of Ireland v. Wales - Friday, 24th March 2017 - World Cup 2018 Qualifier

If we can get LR/ the Aviva rocking early on I do fancy our chances - despite the injuries and suspension to Brady. Wales are on the ropes and we could KO them from the group. If the shoe was on the other foot they'd be clearly going for the jugular so am pleased to hear the kind of things coming out from the management and the players in last few days.

Bale is obviously a quality player but am hoping they deploy him primarily on the left because I'd back Coleman to look after him. I know he can play anywhere but we need to make sure if he does float and targets Ward then we double up.

Not often a top seed comes to a Dublin before the half way stage and already in trouble.... There must also be some kind of Euro 2016 hangover so there is a lot of pressure on them tonight. They did wilt under the expectation versus England last summer and were also lucky to beat our northern brothers. The Belgian result was a cracking victory but they aren't consistently brilliant and it's gonna be a PL style slugfest - I don't think we are gonna be technically out of our depth tonight. They have 2 players from Aston Villa playing for em!!

They have also coughed up leads so even if we do go behind we'll get chances because they aren't so strong defensively to shut a game out.

At least with MO'N it's hard to predict what he'll do. Walters on the right or up top? Hendricks a key man tonight. Good luck lads.

In spite of the injuries, I'm still quietly confident we can get a result. Our starting eleven certainly won't be a weak one, even though we may lack a bit of strength in depth on account of circumstances, but I predict a tight game. We may even scrape through with a win. It'll be interesting to see how Wales handle the pressure they're under on account of being four points behind and badly needing to make up ground.

I can't wait for kick-off now. Had no luck getting my hands on a ticket so I shall be watching from Belfast this evening.

COYBIG!

Jaysus, even the Daily Telegraph has picked up on Giles saying that Bale is "not a great player". They don't realise that this is standard stuff over here. Hope it isn't used as an incentive for them.

If they need to use an out-of-context Giles quote in the Telegraph to get motivated then they're fooked.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BonnieShels

If they need to use an out-of-context Giles quote in the Telegraph to get motivated then they're fooked.

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Aye, couldn't have been more complimentary about Bale in that piece, pretty much rubbished Ramsey and the rest of the team without Bale though :-)

I think we're going to win.
There I've said it and cursed us. Injuries sminjuries. If that pair Clark and Duffy were available then the other pair Hue and Cry would be as well. "timebomb ...rush of blood ...reckless ...brainless ...clueless ...yadda yadda".

we'll be grand

We have a lot of injuries but we have enough to win the game. If we can do that, we can more or less knock Wales out of the running, and end what has been a bloody awful week for the country on some sort of high.

Just in case people are unaware, there's a minute's applause planned for the fifth minute for Ryan McBride: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-35556177.html

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Just in case people are unaware, there's a minute's applause planned for the fifth minute for Ryan McBride: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-35556177.html

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What is wrong with a minutes silence before the game?

I kid you not, there are people suggesting City supporters do a rendition of The Town I Loved so Well at the Cross tomorrow.

It's too much.

I feel like the pressure is coming on for Bob Marley and the Walers the closer we get. A lot of their pundits saying a loss would be a disaster, etc.....

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...-john-hartson/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by harry crumb

What is wrong with a minutes silence before the game?

I kid you not, there are people suggesting City supporters do a rendition of The Town I Loved so Well at the Cross tomorrow.

It's too much.

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I genuinely agree with the sentiment, but when was the last time we had a game without a minutes silence before it. It used to be used sparingly and was special as a result but It's as much a part of the preamble as the anthems now.

If people genuinely want to mark something what other options are there?

I'd much prefer we do away with marking the passing of every country treasurer and their dog and save it for weeks like this one

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

I'd much prefer we do away with marking the passing of every country treasurer and their dog and save it for weeks like this one

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I don't want to sound cold but I have to agree with this. Incidents like this weeks should be marked with a formal minute silence / applause but the passing of everyday members of the football family (as the FAI put it) could be more appropriately marked at half time, or just before the teams come out, over the PA and on the big screen with a minutes applause.

When Tony Grealish passed away just before the England friendly a few years ago the FA handled it perfectly with a montage on the big screen and some words over the PA.

Bang on Byrner

Heading off now, sans ticket. I worry that Wales will control midfield. I think the likelihood is that we'll both score, and I suspect it'll be either us by the odd-goal in three or the 1-1 draw. Either I'd be happy with.

I'll be backing McGeady to score anytime, given his form, irrespective of whether he starts or not, he'll be around 16/1.

See you in Slatterys!

Our record against Wales appears to be p13 w5 d3 l5 f16 a13 Not much in it and on average 2 goals a game approx. Sounds a bit right for this one as well. Home advantage to pay off.

Randolph; Coleman, Keogh, O'Shea, Ward; McClean, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Walters; Long.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7tAXb7XUAAEwIP.png
As expected.

Ireland Subs:
Westwood (GK), C. Doyle (GK); Christie, Egan, Pearce; McGeady, Horgan, Hourihane, Meyler, Hayes, O'Dowda; K. Doyle.
Boyle and O'Kane miss out.

Wales Team: Hennessey (GK), Gunter, Taylor, Davies, Chester, Williams (C), Allen, Robson-Kanu, Ramsey, Bale, Ledley.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Randolph; Coleman, Keogh, O'Shea, Ward; McClean, Whelan, McCarthy, Hendrick, Walters; Long.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7tAXb7XUAAEwIP.png
As expected.

Ireland Subs:
Westwood (GK), C. Doyle (GK); Christie, Egan, Pearce; McGeady, Horgan, Hourihane, Meyler, Hayes, O'Dowda; K. Doyle.
Boyle and O'Kane miss out.

Wales Team: Hennessey (GK), Gunter, Taylor, Davies, Chester, Williams (C), Allen, Robson-Kanu, Ramsey, Bale, Ledley.

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Just looking at the team sheet posted. I will reserve judgement for Martin O'Neill but I'll give it to him with both barrels after the game if we don't get a result. And the brand name on both of those barrels will be 'McGeady' and 'Whelan". How, on God's green earth can he leave our most form player out of the starting team. Perhaps Martin has a grander plan. Let's hope so.

McGeady should be starting.

Don't know if Walters is up front with Long or out wide but neither really works.

With Whelan, question marks over McCarthy and Walters I fear a lack of incision and a stone age approach to tactics but hope I am wrong.

I think McGeady should be in there to restore a bit of balance.

We're home team. Should be more positive.