Ireland V Sweden(A) 22 March & Austria(H) - 26 March 2013 - World Cup 2014 Qualifiers

I still think an off form Doyle is better than Sammon having the game of his life though. He barely touched the ball against Poland. It's a clear message to Doyle. Trap was even quoted in the Examiner - he needs to change clubs.

I've seen so many strange results in all sports lately (and over the years) that I always think the underdog has a chance in two-horse race. Around this time I'd be normally dusting off my usual pre-away match quote "we'll get some chances, we'll need to take them". I just don't really feel that way now though. Despite the team being likely to contain Wilson & Coleman, McCarthy in CM and Long and Keane upfront and maybe even both of Brady & McClean, I just don't feel Trap will be approaching this game with anything other than his usual approach of handing all the initiative to the opposition right from the start.

I just hope that we'll attack any vulnerability Sweden have (lack of pace in CB, poor at defending set-pices maybe) and try and play the game behind them, rather than letting them face us for the whole game. A defeat ain't a catastrophe. A win at home against Sweden would negate that and we'll only be a point behind them in the "like for like" stakes with 6 games to go.

Whelan went off early in the WBA game. Anyone know why?

Anyway, my XI would probably be:

--------Forde-------
Coleman-O'Shea-SSL-Wilson
-----McCarthy-Whelan-----
--Long----Hoolahan---McClean
-----------Keane------


I thought SSL looked a bit iffy against Derby but he reminds me of Kenny Cunnigham in his comfort at international level. Choosing between Clark & him is a close call.

I know there's a point of view that Keane doesn't lead the line / can't play as a lone forward but he has usually been isolated in that role. The key for me is to make sure that the 5 men behind him use the ball well and take up good positions, Keane & Long interchanging and taking turns to be furthest forward. Walters will be a useful sub.

Based on the Poland friendly, McCarthy's game was affected adversely by having Whelan around him. I think he's better served by having someone more mobile and alive.

Agreed. The role Trap asks Whelan to play is a bit what you'd ask a Paul McGrath type character with iffy knees and a lot of miles behind him. "Just hang in front of the defence and give the ball to the guy nearest you, or hoof it. Don't worry about getting forward". It leaves a lot for McCarthy to do, just as it asked a lot of Andrews who was game enough to deliver from time to time. This game is crying out for an extra man or a "hybrid" and this is where I am very frustrated with Trap's "we can't change the seestem. It'll show weakness to Sweden". Rubbish.

Anyway, a pal of mine in Sweden says that Sweden's back 4 has big question marks over them (inexperience) as well as doubts over fitness of both full backs who are both just back from injury.

Lustig @RB is back from injury and played on Saturday, he is fit for duty.

Man for man, there is not a huge amount between the two teams. If we can go back to the solid defensive unit we were in the 2010 campaign and in the middle of the last campaign, then we have a good chance. Sweden score plenty of goals, but they also concede alot. My faith in Trap has been on the wane since last summer - I really hope he can get a result here to kickstart the campaign. I think playing Hoolahan from the start would be a very positive move but very unlikely at the same time. We need to show the possession performance we had in the second half against Poland and not the first. We all know by now, the hoof the ball long tactic is a disaster waiting to happen.

I presume the CB pairing will be Clark and JOSH - neither who I will feel overly confident against Zlatan.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I still think an off form Doyle is better than Sammon having the game of his life Anyway, my XI would probably be:

--------Forde-------
Coleman-O'Shea-SSL-Wilson
-----McCarthy-Whelan-----
--Long----Hoolahan---McClean
-----------Keane------

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I think the same about Doyle. He's having a bad season at a bad club but this could have been a breakout game for him (after all he has proved himself at international level and Sammon has not).

As far as the team:

My feelings on O'Shea and Whelan are I would rather play with nine players than have them in the team. I saw O'Shea at the weekend and he is worse now than he ever was, which is saying something. He is the consummate hoof ball merchant who has absolutely no composure when pressured. Whelan will run all day at the same pace and down blind alleys. He is one of the least impressive midfielders ever to pull on a green shirt. I like Hoolahan, Long and McLean but would have Hendrick in for Whelan and Clark in for O'Shea. I believe Robbie Brady has a part to play also, at some stage of the game.

Anyone know where to watch the game online?

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Originally Posted by mark12345

My feelings on O'Shea and Whelan are I would rather play with nine players than have them in the team. I saw O'Shea at the weekend and he is worse now than he ever was, which is saying something. He is the consummate hoof ball merchant who has absolutely no composure when pressured. Whelan will run all day at the same pace and down blind alleys. He is one of the least impressive midfielders ever to pull on a green shirt. I like Hoolahan, Long and McLean but would have Hendrick in for Whelan and Clark in for O'Shea. I believe Robbie Brady has a part to play also, at some stage of the game.

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You seem to implying here that O'Shea has been a terrible player at some point. You have made an error of judgement. He had a poor game at the weekend alright but historically he's good a very good record.

So is the general consensus that Forde will start then? He is starting regularly for Milwall I suppose which is more than Westwood can say, I know he made a couple of decent saves against Poland but some of his kick outs were terrible and one almost led to a goal IIRC.

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Originally Posted by elroy

I presume the CB pairing will be Clark and JOSH - neither who I will feel overly confident against Zlatan.

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Looks like that will be the starting CBs as Traps reluctant to play SSL due to lack of games.

Lets get behind the team whoever plays.
As always I'm 100% backing Ireland come what may.

COYBIG we can do this.

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Originally Posted by mark12345

Anyone know where to watch the game online?

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It'll be broadcast live on the RTÉ Player, although that's Ireland-only. Otherwise, I'm sure plenty of streams will appear here on the day close to kick-off: http://www.lshunter.net/ or http://www.footballstreaming.info/st...nks/index.html

was listening to 2FM's Game On driving to Dublin last night (Off The Ball was doing their usual bank holiday "Best Of" show so I gave it a miss)
Dunphy was on talking about the squad selection, mainly the omission of Kevin Doyle, but also about Robbie Keane probably starting. According to Dunphy, he hasn't played in a couple of months, and shouldn't be starting as he won't be match fit. To be fair to the presenter, he did point out the MLS had started, but he didn't have Robbie's appearance stats to hand. Trapattoni had pointed out in an interview broadcast just before Dunphy came on that Keane had scored earlier in the week, and played the day before for LA Galaxy!

You can listen to the interview on their podcast here: http://podcast.rasset.ie/podcasts/au...72737_232_.mp3
Dunphy comes on at the 4 minute mark, the debate about Keane is at 7 minutes

its all out attack on friday so...


http://balls.ie/football/glenn-hysen...ive-frailties/

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

It'll be broadcast live on the RTÉ Player, although that's Ireland-only. Otherwise, I'm sure plenty of streams will appear here on the day close to kick-off: http://www.lshunter.net/ or http://www.footballstreaming.info/st...nks/index.html

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Danny try the below - have found it to be the best streaming site


www.wiziwig.tv

So is this game not on Sky then for those outside ROI? Want to record it if possible.

I know we dont have much choice with CB's but I really fear Zlatan will make mince meat of JOSH and Clark (i'd prefer SSL over Clark for this one - despite him not being in the best of form and playing at FB for Leicester recently)- They are just not strong enough to hold their own against him. Thats no disgrace, he's a master at using his frame to retain possession and creating space (and putting the chances away!) but I really fear this could look like man against boys out there.

Hopefully we can muster up something up front with the relatively 'hungry' lads such as Long, Brady, McClean etc....

I hope and pray for something but I fear it will be comfratable for Sweden.

Its gonna be baltic as well, temperatures of -5 to -10 degrees.....

I hear Trapattoni wants the stadium roof open to counter the atmosphere, but I dread to think what kind of game we'd be subjected to if it drops to the expected temperature.

Aye, remember dissing Zlatan before. I was wrong. He can destroy us on his own.

It's less about the personnel, though we are largely mediocre, more about our tactics. Even if Glenn Hysen's right, Trap would probably still just play one up front at home to Bhutan FFS.

It's make or break these two games, 3 points in one game is a minimum, but suspect it may not happen.
:(

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Originally Posted by Junior

So is this game not on Sky then for those outside ROI? Want to record it if possible.

I know we dont have much choice with CB's but I really fear Zlatan will make mince meat of JOSH and Clark (i'd prefer SSL over Clark for this one - despite him not being in the best of form and playing at FB for Leicester recently)- They are just not strong enough to hold their own against him. Thats no disgrace, he's a master at using his frame to retain possession and creating space (and putting the chances away!) but I really fear this could look like man against boys out there.

Hopefully we can muster up something up front with the relatively 'hungry' lads such as Long, Brady, McClean etc....

I hope and pray for something but I fear it will be comfratable for Sweden.

Its gonna be baltic as well, temperatures of -5 to -10 degrees.....

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didnt think SKY were showing it live at all AFAIK

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Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Aye, remember dissing Zlatan before. I was wrong. He can destroy us on his own.

It's less about the personnel, though we are largely mediocre, more about our tactics. Even if Glenn Hysen's right, Trap would probably still just play one up front at home to Bhutan FFS.

It's make or break these two games, 3 points in one game is a minimum, but suspect it may not happen.
:(

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But Trap plays two up front in every game.

I was being facetious. The point is one of them normally plays so deep they might as well be in midfield and is appropriate for some opposition, but not all!

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Originally Posted by Junior

Its gonna be baltic as well, temperatures of -5 to -10 degrees.....

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STOP press! It's going to be baltic in Scandinavia :D

Colder than average it would appear for this time of year.

http://www.holiday-weather.com/stockholm/averages/

Yer no Fred the weather man Paul, dont give up the day job........

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

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Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

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http://balls.ie/football/tweets-from...p-in-malahide/

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Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

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Which one of you and Tets is going to be the first to defend that selection choice? :D

Mccarthy did sit out training yesterday though so perhaps he might be a slight doubt? Green actually played well against Poland in the second half, but it speaks volumes if we employ a system that accommodates Green, than a system that accommodates someone like McCarthy.

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Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Apparently Paul Green lined up in the 'firsts' at training today, McCarthy in the seconds. 'Firsts' also had Clark at CB, McClean and Brady on the wings, Long and Robbie up front.

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If Green starts this game, then that would be the biggest howler that Trap has dropped us throughout his whole reign and there have been a few of them down the years. Green is very very mediocre while McCarthy is a class act. Having said that I'd be happy with Brady and McClean on the wings and Robbie and Long up front.

I agree with that but I think I see the logic in it slightly, its quite attacking with long, keane, mclean and brady in the side, but what he wants then because of the 2 CBs not being his first choice CBs, is to give them some cover by employing two defensive midfielders, one for harrying and tackling and one for breaking up play. Why he picked Green and Whelan, I don't know. Ah no but McCarthy isn't a defensive midfielder really.

The thing is though as always, by doing one thing he completely negates the positive(side of his selection). By that I mean Keane and Long, mclean and brady are fairly attack minded, but if you have no bridge connecting the two - defence and attack - together then you get nothing, as we have seen many times before, and we revert to type - hoof long ball living off scraps that rarely gets us anything and cross fingers for a free or penalty or corner to give us some hope.

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Originally Posted by Junior

Colder than average it would appear for this time of year.

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As long as it's not raining/snowing then I'm happy out!

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I agree with that but I think I see the logic in it slightly, its quite attacking with long, keane, mclean and brady in the side, but what he wants then because of the 2 CBs not being his first choice CBs, is to give them some cover by employing two defensive midfielders, one for harrying and tackling and one for breaking up play. Why he picked Green and Whelan, I don't know. Ah no but McCarthy isn't a defensive midfielder really.

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McCarthy has given away possession cheaply in a few games for Wigan in dangerous areas, over the last few months. Only a few examples that I have seen on MOTD but it might be something as simple as that meaning Trap would trust Green before McCarthy in that role...

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Which one of you and Tets is going to be the first to defend that selection choice? :D

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COYBCG (Come on you boys called Green).

Nah no chance I'd defend that to be honest. I agree with you regarding the logic of Trap playing with him, but it only works if Green has the discipline to sit in a bank of four - against Russia he kept trying to harry high up the pitch leaving big holes in behind. I don't think it would necessarily negate us going forward because, regardless of whether McCarthy plays, we'll hoof all day long, probably to Long in the channels. Trap don't need no link man when the ball flies over midfield non-stop.

A case could possibly be made for Green instead of Whelan, but even though Glenn's been abject in recent matches he's probably the only player in the squad who'll provide the defensive midfield cover you mentioned.

Arguably Green's greatest achievement to date is convincing Trap that he has any sort of defensive instincts. He's an attacking player for his clubs, and quite a competent one as we saw with some nice passes against Poland, but for some reason Trap has decided there is some merit to having him in the headless chicken role in front of the back four.

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Originally Posted by Bungle

McCarthy is a class act.

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McCarthy hasn't proven to be a class act in the Premiership.
He has improved but he's a bit to go still. I wouldn't be clambering for him to start in the way I would for say Shane Long.
For me the best Irish midfielder out there is Darron Gibson but alas, he won't be playing under Trap.
I'd have Wes Hoolahan in ahead of McCarthy in midfield.

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Originally Posted by JGKyne

As long as it's not raining/snowing then I'm happy out!

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There's a good chance of it being both, well at least overnight...

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

It'll be broadcast live on the RTÉ Player, although that's Ireland-only. Otherwise, I'm sure plenty of streams will appear here on the day close to kick-off: http://www.lshunter.net/ or http://www.footballstreaming.info/st...nks/index.html

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Thanks Danny

A whole load of associated match stories links via Facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/20295...okmark_t=group

Trap says we can handle Zlatan.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/mar/18/giovanni-trapattoni-irish-zlatan-ibrahimovic

Yeah, he's on serious narcotics.

Doyle was disappointed to be told he wasn't going to be in the squad via text: http://www.wolves.co.uk/news/article...?pageView=full
Not sure what the issue is with being told with a text message is, Stephen Hunt was told before via text, and he had no problem with it

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Not sure what the issue is with being told with a text message is

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Really? You don't think a bit of courtesy could of be shown?

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Originally Posted by ifk101

Really? You don't think a bit of courtesy could of be shown?

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it's what he's done before to tell players they weren't going to be in the squad, and there were no complaints then
Stephen Hunt, Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne and Shay Given were all told this way before: http://www.ciarano.me/post/278497695...-as-he-defends

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For the record, Hunt’s text reply read ‘Ok, no problem.”

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But Trap was unimpressed at the line of questioning that sought to discover what players like Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane and Hunt thought of being left out.
“I told them all on phone or by SMS,” he elaborated, “I spoke with Richard Dunne after Euro, and said ‘maybe for the friendly you can stay at home’, but I also told him I still needed him (for the future).
“I sent Shay an SMS 15 days before, and said I wanted to start, to see, the other goalkeeper. There was no problem.”

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