Maybe Trap was misunderstood. He wanted people to play it to Long, but his English wasn't good enough so they kept playing it long.
This is a very interesting team selection and tactical selection to debate. One of the most exciting things for me when Trap was appointed was the expectation of new and varying tactics depending on what circumstance dictated. It hasn't quite turned out that way! Any changes have been subtle rather than overt.
he was lucky he wasn't sent off against Armenia. Went for a "Robbie first half Russia" in the box when no one near him and then when the Armenian defender called him on it he made a grab for the throat. Took his goal very well and will have to be watched. Something I noticed about Slovakia in the Armenian game and there game against Macedonia. They are well up there in the darker arts of football re throw ins miles from the original spot of ball going out of play. Time wasting and plenty of feigning injury. Be warned.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Maybe this has been already posted but Westwood is out, Brian Murphy called up according to extraime.ie
Who is likely to replace Škrtel? I know there has been criticism of the style of play, but if they can't replace his physicality it might be worth playing Sheridan or Daryl Murphy. Robbie always looks best next to a big man.
I don't think Keane would be terribly good up front on his own, so I think we are stuck with 4-4-2.
I would go with
----------------Given-----------------
Foley -- Dunne -- St. Ledger -- O'Shea
Lawrence - Wilson - Whelan - McGeady
----------Keane - Murphy-------------
Don't think we should be making to many changes right now but the Norway friendly needs to be used to get a good look at people like Foley, McCarthy, Walters etc.
Lawrence is already out,
you need a major repair job there.
Also, Murphy?
I'd call up Murphy as a replacement for Doyle. He's playing games and scoring goals for Celtic.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Forgot about Lawrence. The squad is looking really threadbare. Bring in McCarthy maybe
I don't think players can be simply called up, clubs require notice as well as it's extremely unlikely to happen.
There are a few on standby.
Have you seen Murphy play this season for Celtic?
To be fair I haven't watched them since the European qualifiers. But he has been getting games, and scored a couple, albeit from the penalty spot. Basically I reckon Murphy because he is playing, and we don't have many other physical forwards. I know some people will say its nuts calling someone up because he can put himself about a bit, but throughout his career Robbie has always looked better beside a powerful forward, be it Viduka, Mido, Berbatov etc.
Is Berbatov powerful? I'd agree in general though. It'll probably count in Long's favour when the team is announced (tomorrow I assume?)
For the first time ever (under Trap( as far as I can recall) the team will not be announced until the earliest Tuesday afternoon.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Lawrence out. Says who?
Missed last bit of training but Tardell didn't even consider him a doubt.
He was mentioned as a doubt here and that rhymes with out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Alf Honn
The best that can be said about him is that he is excellent with taking the penalties, including the real pressure ones. He has not yet nailed a first team place and is unlikely to. He is not close to even being ahead of Samaras in the queue.Quote:
Originally Posted by backtowalsall
So now Whelan is elevated to gladiator, after leaving his partner Green in the lurch to take the rap :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
No. Whelan was poor and I believe it was you who first suggested he might be carrying an injury. Today he confirmed it. I wanted him off after 20 mins but Trap decided against that. As for leaving his partner Green in the lurch. He left Green in the lurch by his own personal performance which was dreadful. And I have already said Green (who was not good) is taking the rap for his partners third rate play. Green was the better player but Whelan is being given the benefit of the doubt. I was comparing Whelan's and now Greens attitude compared to the likes of Stephen Ireland and Tracy at Preston. Oddballs dressed up as mavericks. pair of *******.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
long deserves his chance on tue night, hes a good finisher and we need all the goals we can get, put him in there. on Green, he has to go, he gives the ball away nearly every time, adds nothing for me.
Green is taking unnecessary over the top criticism for Friday night. I dont know if he is upto it either, but even Roy Keane at his best wouldve struggled with an abject Glenn Whelan as his partner against a three man Russian midfield who were superb technically. The support given by McG and Lawro to the CM's was very poor as well.
Judging by the papers this morning, it looks as though Trap is going to make as little changes as possible, with Long in for Doyle in a 442. I just hope that if Slovakia's formation is causing us problems similar to that on Friday night that we are much quicker to react and adapt.
I think we need to go out there and win this game if we want to win this group. I really hope Trap doesn't play for a draw. 3 points is a must imo.
Might be worth playing McGeady on the right or even Coleman if their left-back was dodgy against Armenia.
we really need to win this game, a point is useless if we want to do anything in this group. its in a small stadium tomorrow night so there shouldnt be a very hostile atmosphere. keane and long upfront and id be optimistic.
Gets me going that the fact that McCarthy "sometimes plays left sometimes plays right sometimes down the middle" apparently counted against him when the squad was announced. If it transpires that Lawrence is out, I'd sooner have him in there than Long or Keogh out wide (even if Trapp doesn't see him as a CM option).
Perversely, I'm more looking forward to the November friendly sqaud announcement than the game tomorrow.
I've a hunch Gibson will start. Same back four, Whelan, Gibson flanked by McGeady Lawrence(Keogh) with Long and Keane up front.