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We have what we have. They are professional athletes, they simply have to step it up. So what if Keane is coming off the bench, he can still have a good game for us. Its not like he forgot how to play or spends all his time smoking cigars and eating cake.
No excuses, we have to beat Armenia.
Just read Treacy is also a doubt. Might need to draft McCarthy out of necessity.
It's funny how MArc Wilson is not in the quad when he is valued (by two managers) as being worth a player and £2.5 million more than Liam Lawrence, who is in the squad. Also he is wanted by not one but 4 Premiership clubs.
Lawrence has proved his worth. Wilson has yet to make his debut. And they play in different positions. And three of those Premiership clubs currently sit on 0 points.
edit: make that two of them - forgot West Brom won last week
Irish Times saying Treacy's injury not thought to be too serious, Andrews being the main doubt.
I'm glad we are not playing Russia or Slovakia next week as I feel we might have had a problem scoring against either team. Doyle looked slow and kept giving the ball away yesterday for Wolves and was rightfully subbed by McCarthy in the second half. Doyle definetely needs a few games under his belt to get back to full match fitness. And Robbie not getting his game at Spurs is a worry if that continues. We will almost certainly get away with against next weeks opposition but hopefully both players will be playing, fit and scoring come the big games.
I don't think anything is certain in Armenia. If we play to our best we'll probably win, but we've really only played to our best once under Trap. We've a tendency to be sloppy at both ends of the pitch and this has to be eradicated, even against Armenia. Armenia play in a big ground that'll probably be full of loud supporters. They have beaten Poland and Belgium, and only narrowly lost at home to Spain (a late penalty). Let's not get all English and write off the opposition because the opponent isn't in the G7.
McShane's possible selection is a real worry for me. His defending is rash and he can't use the ball well enough at full back. If we can't use the ball well from full back we'll be playing a lot of the game without the ball and that'll limit our scoring chances.
Trying to cheer me up Stuttgart! Visions of McShane being skinned by some 19 year old playing his first ever game who suddenly turns into Messi..burning torches in the home crowd that begins to sound like 200,000..Joking apart we have to win both these games or else we won't qualify. And I agree there is no guarantee we will win (or draw)in Armenia. In many ways I am glad there are so many doubts about our players ATM club/form wise. I have a feeling that the get together will work in our favour this time. It will be a relief to players like Keane and Given to be A. Playing and B. being in an environment that they feel wanted.
Yes, I agree. I've often felt that success at club level isn't necessarily great for our players. It's possibly best if Ireland offers them the chance to perform and prove their worth and becomes their prime focus.
Before I get accused of bigging up modest opposition, I'm not. I'm just saying that we have to play very well or else this is a banana skin of the highest order. Although I recognise the reasons for playing Argentina, in a way it'd have been better to have played an eastern European team for a proper dress rehearsal and to carry on from the 2 good wins in May. Argentina were too good!
My theory is that if we win, then we had the perfect preparation in playing Argentina.
Something else for the FAI to consider is that anything other than a win in Armenia will have a knock-on effect on ticket sales for the Andorra game next tuesday.
Clips of various Armenian games. http://armfootball.tripod.com//id235.html Hope we defend better than Belgium did.
Only saw the last 15 minutes of Villa v Everton, but Dunne put in a typical robust, backs-to-the-wall shift, along with Friedel, to keep Everton out.
no jason byrne? or lee trundle? what is trap doing??
Andrews definitely out, Treacy & McShane remain doubts according to Irish Times.
I guess Green for Andrews is the obvious replacement. Good job he's played in our last 3 games (though not much, if at all, with Whelan I think) and looks sharp at Derby.
I'd have every faith in Green if he gets the nod. He's a dynamo. Fantastic attitude and work rate.
I echo that sentiment LR. Green has impressed me immensely in his few performances for Ireland.
it says in sonday notw that armenia have a bad scoring record, eevn teir top scorer has only 5 in 40 games or something... so evne with mcshane playing we might not be really tested.... i'd say we will 'win to nil'....maybe a peno
I like the look of Paul Green as well, but let's keep in mind that the three games he's been involved in have been friendlies at home.
I remember Liam Miller looking phenomenal in a couple of friendlies only to go missing in the big games. Given the fact that Green seems to be a feisty sort I don't think this will be as much of an issue for him as it would be for a more stylish "luxury" player, but there is a difference between a game played at a relaxed pace in front of a home crowd and a hostile away ground with players going full tilt.
Part of me was hoping for Green to actually get the nod ahead of Andrews as I feel Green is better on the ball, but it would have been nice to have Andrews there as the "sure thing" if Green didn't look confident.
It's also worth pointing out that McShane seemed like a hot prospect initially - raw but seemingly bursting with potential, and we all know how that turned out :D
I'd echo the sentiments about Green though all the same - I didn't know much, if anything, about him so so far I have been impressed with his bustle and energy. Time will tell.