Now that would be a fantastic night's work. I can't see Armenia keeping the Russians out mind, but until matchday's end you are the oracle whose prophecy I'm on fire for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Now that would be a fantastic night's work. I can't see Armenia keeping the Russians out mind, but until matchday's end you are the oracle whose prophecy I'm on fire for.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
We only beat them 2-1 at home with a team containing Duff and Dunne (both out) so it is going to be a very difficult game. But I still fancy us to just shade it 1-0.
Didn't realise Brady had said on RTE (Sunday)that there was a media campaign to get rid of Trapatonni. Plus some other interesting snippets from Trap on Ian Harte's comments.
From the Irish Examiner
Meanwhile, Trapattoni calmly dismissed Ian Harte’s criticism over the weekend that he doesn’t watch enough Irish players in action for their clubs.
"I can learn more, more, more from DVDs," said Trapattoni. "80 per cent of the players I have gone to see usually didn’t play or played only ten minutes. In one day on television or DVD I can see three or four games every Saturday, every Sunday. As well as that, we have not only Marco (Tardelli) watching players but three or four scouts giving us references.
"Harte, we know Harte. (Stephen) Ward for me now is better, he can improve. Harte is 33. I already said that we look to improve this squad. Or else we stay again with Lee Carsley, with Steven Reid. In the past it was like this. Now, no. In two years we have changed the squad, bringing in many young players. Who knew about (Simon) Cox before? We look for young energy. You need fresh energy."
And Trapattoni said that he didn’t agree with Liam Brady’s claim, made on RTE on Sunday night, that there is a media campaign designed to force the Italian from his job.
"I never said this, I haven’t this opinion," said Trapattoni. "I think we have made until now a good job. We take the team, we change it a little bit, we discover other players. It’s important if we can conclude this work. I don’t have any preconceptions about any of the players, coming or not. I do what I think is best for the national team. My personal opinion is that when I meet people in the city, they are happy."
He shouldn't mention S. Reid in there like it would be a bad thing having him in the lineup. We haven't looked organized since he retired from Intl Play.
Much better Int'l player than club player IMO.
Yes, mentioning Reid in that context wasn't right.
So it'll be Andrew and Whelan in the middle now that Gibson is out. Not too worried about that. Gibson has a shot and little else. Good commitment out of Andrews and he's well capable for a decent performance. Looking forward to this already and its only flaming Tuesday.
Our defense is gonna give us a lot of scary moments Saturday night. If it's McShane at RB the players near him always need to offer themselves for the pass when McShane is in possession. His passing is awful. I don't trust him passing back to Given so if in doubt McShane just kick it out for a throw in!
With Fahey to come in. Happy enough with that myself.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bottle of Tonic
assuming Fahey is even fit. Foley may end up in the middle at some stage. I'm beginning to think that going 1 down in this match might suit us. It'll put us on the front foot and hopefully we'll be good enough to recover.
All our best spells have come when we are looking to establish a lead or looking to recover from a deficit. When we do actually go ahead we fall to pieces and find it hard to regain momentum.
I'm not as fussed as I thought I'd be over McShane. Of course there are mistakes in him and his distribution is going to cost us a lot of possession, but he's a positive guy and a battler.
Whelan and Andrews are actually our no. 1 midfield pairing and this will be the first time they've played together this campaign - in game no. 6.
We really are down to the bare bones but at least we'll have a tough team of committed battlers.
" I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.... I hope."Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
very good doctor. anything you can prescribe for Sat?Quote:
Originally Posted by dr_peepee
Hunt & O'Dea both coming out with positive comments
At least there's no talk of "draw away, win at home" nonsense. They going for a win. We may not have our best XI available on Saturday but we will have a very determined XI who won't be bullied around.
Interesting to hear Shay describe Macedonia as a strong team going forward but poor defensively.
That may have been the case in the game against us, but their recent results suggest otherwise. They are unable to score but have kept a fair few clean sheets or only conceded one goal in recent games. I think we may have made them look good going forward due to us a having a nightmare of a game in that match. Yes Pandev is a threat but I still think we can contain him.
Is that dodgy keeper of theirs due a start? Pity we are missing Gibson but Whelan can get a fair amount of power behind his shots.
Andrews has a decent boot on him too.
I see the Russia game kicks off at 4pm, so we'll know what they have done before we kick off in Macedonia at 8.30pm.
Slovakia V Andorra is at 7.15pm but doubt we'll need to check the result there.
Back in the good ole days, Setanta wouldve showed the Russia game, but no so luck showing England instead. Much use to us that is.
I'm at my father-in-law's 75th. Luckily he's having a birthday lunch, not a dinner.
We have to assume home wins in both games, anything else will be a bonus
Injuries clearing up?
Sledge seems to be making progress. O'Shea fit and Whelan played full part in training.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6iUAfT3pSE
Robbie's been warming his voice up in case he needs to let a few roars at his back 4 in Skopje
A minute in... it's definitely better than his Amhrán na bhFiann. Which isn't saying much to be fair.
Yes I agree.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Armenia have posed a threat thus far in the group, but do not forget they have only played one game away and that was a 2-2 draw against Macedonia. Can't see them staying up with the pace setters considering they have to play us, Russia and Slovakia away.
They have been more than helpful as far as our campaign is concerned thus far but I doubt they'll take any points in Russia or Slovakia. This may not be a bad thing as they should be out of the running come their visit to Dublin and with nothing to play for come that game, we could be facing an experimental Armenian side.
can't view the video is that from the claddagh a couple of months back?
That's not a bad effort by Robbie. I never would have thought he could sing a note based on his AnbF rendition.
Not for one minute am I suggesting that any miracle is going to happen and Armenia will qualify, but this group has been all over the shop so far, and nearly every campaign a few of the lower seeded, unexpected teams do well. Finland for god sake were in with a massive shout going into the last day of the WC10 campaign. Latvia in 2004.Quote:
Originally Posted by French Toasht
Haven't seen this (unless you mean him singing before the match), do you have a link?Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Only caught the end of some nordie journo on OTB on newstalk this evening, seemed to indicating what the team was going to be. Anyone hear it?
Ken early was expressing surprise that Coleman wasnt in the team but was happy that Hunt was in ahead of Lawrence. Didnt hear who they were saying/predicting was gonna be in the back 4.
On EPL form Coleman deserves to start, but in his (few) performances for us so far he has been a bit erratic so think its right that he wouldnt start. Also probably would agree with Hunt ahead of Lawro. Lawro would provide better balance but has not in great form for us in recent times. Needs to get back to the form he showed around the Italian and French games in the last campaign.
I'm posting almost exclusively on the Ireland forum the past couple of years and my admiration of McGeady would be obvious. I try to balance what I witness first hand (live) by repeated viewing so not to cloud my judgement too much.
On many occasions in this campaign, I've either read posters on here not having McGeady in the First XI or barely so, or I've seen journalists do the same, judging by elroys' post above ^^^^^, Mr Early is suggesting that it should be Hunt and Coleman on the wings.
I'm astounded by this seemingly common held opinion. I'll ask this: How many of ye believe McGeady should be a first choice winger? I think it's a non-issue myself with everyone fit.
Robbie, Given, O'Shea, Whelan and McGeady are the 100% shoe ins of those available and fit.
It is a non-issue. McGeady is 1st choice winger period.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Yeah, when they are lined up before the match, as he is about the only one belting out the anthem, the camera focuses on him and the mike picks up a few bars of his rendition.Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
Interesting to see St Ledger back in full training today. Am I right in saying that his last game was on 19th March against Coventry? That will be 11 wks come this saturday. That is a long time to be out in football but he has 34 starts for PNE this season. Because of his experience and his familiarity with playing with O'Shea (vast majority of time it was with O'Shea at RB I know) I would start him on sat night. Having said all that he has had a poor season by his standards. However, I would think starting Sledge is less of a risk than starting O'Dea who is inexperienced and is a player I don't rate anyways. Kelly or Delaney don't come into my reckoning. That's my opinion anyways, but it's the classic risk/benefit ratio
Coleman is still finding his feet at international level. I'm not sure why anyone would find surprise in him not starting a competitive game at this stage but the lure of the contrary opinion shouldn't be underestimated when it comes to journos. Lawrence seems to have lost some of his edge unfortunately and Hunt....well, he's edgier than ever. :D Hunt and McGeady for me too. Which should give the Maccas plenty to worry about.Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
Agree 100% with that lads. But sure there's probably people out there who think Robbie shouldn't be first choice.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
I heard him on Newstalk go on about the exclusion of Coleman. But I didn't listen closely enough to hear if he wanted Coleman at RM and McGeady at LM.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
I didn't listen closely as I switched off, he was just asking a question without the slightest bit of introspection, as in birdbrained.
That'd be my worry with St. Ledger, rustiness. But on ability, I'd rate him over O'Dea. And as poor a season as he's had with Preston, he's never had a shocker for us. That'l have earned him a few loyalty points with Trap.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
Another point I'd like to make:
Kelly was definitely ahead of McShane in "Trap's pecking order" for the RB position before the NI game going on the evidence of the last couple of yrs. Because of the dire shortage of centre backs Kelly had to fill in here for the two games instead of his more customary role at FB in an Irish shirt. How is McShane suddenly ahead of him now never mind Foley in "Trap's pecking order"? Would seem a tad harsh on Kelly
Anyone else thinking in the back of yer head that this gritty-type version of us with players wanting to be here is going to possibly be the perfect thing for a hot night against a team like Macedonia? Eeek out 3 points? I dunno. I find myself more confident with every day we get closer. Usually I am the opposite. Won't be easy, and yet...we may have the team for that. Right, it won't be easy and this may just be the group. Grinders.
So far in the campaign Aiden has been a shining light for us so he's definitely a starter for me when fit at the momentQuote:
Originally Posted by Kingdom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6iUAfT3pSEQuote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
Kelly did well in the air against Scotland. He made one vital clearance. His positioning is a bit suspect though. But it would not be a huge surprise if Trap picked him at right back or at center half ahead of Foley, McShane or even O'Dea (if Sledge is not considered fit enough). It wouldn't be the first time T and T brought back/promoted someone on the back of a good performance.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000