Where are the goals supposed to come from? In the league, Jon Walters has 3 goals from open play in the last year. Only one of those came since last November and that was just him bundling over Bogdan on the last day of the season. If we were away Walters (effectively) alone up front might make sense, but at home not so much.
I..it..erm..umm..never mind, I'm a complete plank todayQuote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Am I the only one not happy to see ward off and kelly on for coleman? Everything else I'm pretty happy with. The only reason I see ward still in there at the moment is because of my point further down , that is that he is more attack minded than say kelly or wilson in that position, and given all the other disruption, he and Mcgeady have a good understanding of his system and tactics and experience of playing together compared with the other players in the team. Having said that if the system and formation is completely different then that negates the point about Ward and Mcgeady having a good understanding of traps system and tactics - perhaps they just have a good understanding of eachother and eachothers game, and thats what works. I still shudder at the thought of our left side comprising Mcgeady and Ward, it is so weak defensively. I personally think when you have a rasping winger like Mcgeady you need a solid full back, who stays put, and then give the mcgeady the freedom of just attacking rather than attacking and defending - he never does one very effectively cos he has to concentrate on both.
I actually think Trap is well aware that Walters offers less of a threat than Long, but realises if we are chasing a game or holding out for a draw that Long offers far more of a goal threat at that time of the match than if he started. It's a very astute move in my opinion - but there's a caveat, that he starts walters up top and not Cox.
I'm actually happy with this, he has set out his stall - as he mentioned coleman is more attack minded than kelly, as is ward than wilson - he is going with an attacking 11 rather than a back four and midfield who sit back and "attempt" to soak up pressure. What I cant understand is why he has waited this long and in such an important game when we were all looking for this? The cynic in me thinks that he knows this is a lost cause but there is something to gain personally by playing what has been suggested all along, getting a walloping and then having a "told you so" moment like the Uruguay game.
I hope the players go out their and prove this formation and tactics worth it - but I really don't hold out much hope. Its strange I am always somewhat optimistic going into games that we can achieve a backs to the wall draw, but I can't even see this now. Traps point of experience is ringing in my ear.
Assuming this is a 4-5-1 with Cox or Walters wide then the onus will be on that wide player to get forward to supoprt the lone striker. That potentially leaves Coleman pretty exposed and I don't think he is good enough to deal with it. Similar point has been made about the left side but I think McGeady will be more disciplined and whilst I'm not a Ward fan I think he'll cope better. I expect we will get hammered on Coleman's wing.
McGeady and Ward were on the left away to Russia, correct?
OK, fair point. Expect it down both flanks so. For me it's just the wrong position, wrong match for Coleman. Lots of people will see it as positive but it's flawed in my opinion, should have been Kelly & Coleman.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Ah those countries are all the same out that way.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Funnily out there they'd probably be saying the same about ourselves and England/Scotland etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Walters is a completely different player from Keane in every way. Not starting Long (like for like)is beyond ridiculous at this stage. Far from unsettling the German defense Walters as the lone battering ram is playing into the Germans hands. Cox has offered nothing in the competitive games he has played. Gets involved for about 10mins then becomes a spectator. Its going to be up to the likes of McCarthy to step up another gear for us to have any chance.
Coleman over Kelly is a ridiculous, bizarre and disappointing decision. Kelly has been one of our most reliable players the past few years and has been very unfortunate to not have a starting place, whereas Coleman has been poor in each of his cameos. To not start him under any circumstances would be mystifying, to not do it when we're desperately short of experience and composure is outright bizarre. Certainly hope Trap knows what he's doing with this because I'd say this is one of and if not the most wild and potentially costly selections decisions he's made in his tenure.
Kelly hasn't started a competitive match at any level in six months.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murfinator
Trapattoni; 'We have changed the team and brought in younger players. This team is now very, very young.'
Average age of Irish team: 27.
Average age of expected German team: 26.
We've only played 4 competitive matches in six months. Kelly played a significant number of games on our road to qualification to the Euro's and did well when called upon. Perhaps you misread years as months because otherwise it's an odd thing to point out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
In fairness the average age of the squad has gone from 28.35 to 26.21. It's an improvement(although entirely enforced)Quote:
Originally Posted by Supreme feet
obviously confusing youth with inexperience...Quote:
Trapattoni; 'We have changed the team and brought in younger players. This team is now very, very young.'
Average age of Irish team: 27.
Average age of expected German team: 26.
I just want to say that Trappatoni's hands were somewhat tied with regards to his team selections so despite getting some things right (by accident as opposed to by design) he got the two big issues wrong and a number of other smaller issues that we have become used to (Cox on the wing being the most obvious smaller issue).
Ward instead of Wilson is the wrong choice. Wilson has impressed me no end in the games and highlights i have seen of Stoke this year. At left back. In the premiership. Although i have a soft spot for Ward, what he offers is not even close to what Wilson offers us in the same position.
Cox/Walters instead of Long is the wrong choice. I wont press this one too much other than to say this one is the biggest mistake he has made in a litany of mistakes. Ignoring his form and the fact that he is our only striker playing at the highest level, Longs performance up front against Uruguay was the single most impressive display i have seen from an Irish player in an international game since the days of Roy Keane. That he loses out to Walters or Cox (whomever it turns out to be) is beyond bizarre and is indefensible.
Anyway, as i said in a previous post, this game is a win/win for Trap. Lose and he wins. Win and he wins big.
Amusingly our starting lineup has a combined career total of 11 goals, Germany has 117. Our most prolific scorer is on 3.
I don't think we've ever even put a team out for a friendly game that was this weak and inexperienced under Trap.
I have no idea what you're trying to say here. He hasn't started a match AT ANY LEVEL, including club level, in six months.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murfinator
Other than Long for Walters it's as good as a team as we can expect. Will have to hope we can withstand the initial onslaught and maybe grab one in the break or in off someone's arse. Will be at the match shouting as loud as I can.
I've lost track - is Pearce in the squad?
Agree with SkStu - Wilson is a far superior player than Ward.
Mind you if he plays McShane then there is a chance Wilson will get on - assuming Ward gets a firm kick in the heel!
Coleman starting is a strange one given his best assets as a full back are thingsTrap doesn't permit his fullbacks to do?
Like most I'm mystified by Longs abscence.
Had Wilson not pulled out of a couple of squads i wonder would he have displaced Ward in Traps thinking.
I would have Kelly and Wilson as full backs. McGeady and Coleman on the flanks. Long up front. And possibly controversialy Meyler for Fahy..