Squad/Team v Russia/Slovakia

Green will feature alot in this campaign and I think we should reserve our judgement on him for a few more games at least. Whelan got his chance in the team because of an injury to Martin Rowlands and received harsh criticism after his first few games, yet he has turned into a fine international player for us.

I do hope that Trap calls up some of these players to the squad if we have any withdrawls through injury. Andrews could be out which would give Wilson or McCarthy a good shout of a call up. They have no chance of playing but it would be no harm giving them the experience.

I like Coleman but he likes to get forward too much which may be why Trap is reluctant to call upon him. That and the fact that O'Shea, Foley and Kelly (experienced internationals and Premier League starters) and the mighty McShane are all ahead of him!

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Originally Posted by dr_peepee

He was an option. He was eligable a long time at that stage, but had not been looked at. A premiership player that was arguably one of best players in the C'Ship the year before that too.

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For whatever reason, Lawrence was not called up for the Portugal training stint. Until a month prior to the Italy game he was out injured for 4 or 5 months. So under Trap's methodology, Lawrence was not in the radar of being picked for the Italy game.

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I'm saying that at least 4 competitive games will have gone by (almost half a campaign) by the time he will have looked at alternative options up close in what we all acknowledge are very week areas in the team.

I think he's too methodical in bringing players in to then give them the fair consideration, to the point of denying the team of an asset for an undue period. Lawrence being a case in point. Fair consideration can be given to the 22nd and 23rd man in a competitive squad without compromising the team in any way.

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Much like his game is cautious we can expect his methods to be cautious. He is consistent:)
That's not going to change, no more that his feet size are going to get bigger. What we have to see done is that he makes enough good cautious decisions to more than balance out some of the cautious decisions that might cost us.
If not, we get another manager. Until that time, Trap is his own man. He has his way of assessing how we play, who can play there, how he figures out who can play there and he has his assistants to keep him informed. There is an impenetrable brick wall around that methodology. He is being paid the money and he is the one has to take the responsibility for the decisions in the face of 4 million varying opinions. Until his contract is declared null and void, it is a dictatorship.

Squad Watch

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Squad Watch

Keiren Westwood                Starting
Joe Murphy                Starting
Shay Given                Bench

Sean St Ledger                Starting
Stephen Kelly                Starting
Paul McShane                Starting
Darren O’Dea                Starting
Kevin Kilbane                Bench
Greg Cunningham                Not in Squad
John O’Shea                Sunday
Richard Dunne                Sunday
Kevin Foley                Sunday

Paul Green                Starting        Goal
Liam Lawrence                Starting        Goals(2)
Aiden McGeady                Starting        Goal
Andy Keogh                Starting        Goal
Damien Duff                Starting
Keith Treacy                Starting
Keith Andrews                Bench                25 Mins
Keith Fahey                Bench
Glenn Whelan                Sunday
Darron Gibson                Sunday

Cillian Sheridan        Starting        Goals(2)
Shane Long                Starting
Robbie Keane                Bench                25 Mins
Kevin Doyle                Sunday

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Not a bad weekend so far. 7 goals. Only Given, Kilbane, Fahey and Cunningham not featuring. Kellys injury the worst part.

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Not a bad weekend so far. 7 goals. Only Given, Kilbane, Fahey and Cunningham not featuring. Kellys injury the worst part.

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I agree. Unfortunately the Kelly injury and the fact that Dunne is again ruled out for Villa's game tomorrow means McShane is closer than ever to featuring in one or both of our upcoming games. Lets hope Dunne particulary recovers in time. And Houllier has said he hopes to have Dunne back for next weeks game against Spurs so that is good news.

I think he was even hoping Dunne would be fit enough to be on the bench today, so hopefully he'll be fully recovered for next weekend.

Anyone think we might actually see O'Dea at LB for these games? Or as 2nd choice to Kilbane? He's been there a lot this season and Ipswich havent been conceding a lot

Even though he plays there for Ipswich at times I just don't think he's a fullback. This might be the John O'Shea discussion all over again though, heh heh...

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?

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Originally Posted by Crosby87

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?

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I think this is Owls Fan's* cue...

(*Was it Owls fan who gave us the imaginary Cypriot injury update?)

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Originally Posted by Crosby87

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?

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Chestikov is struggling with flu.

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Originally Posted by Sullivinho

Chestikov is struggling with flu.

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Thought he was dead
http://wackypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Ivanasti_Chestikov

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Originally Posted by Crosby87

Do Russia have any significant injuries right now?

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Lerntoski is missing after a weekend trip to the Alps..

Oleg Tornov is unlikely to feature after a training ground accident.

Jeez I was just asking.:mad:

Ivan Innoff hates flying so he's snookered and Houdja Nicabolocov is recovering from a groin strain

Oh yeah, and Ivan Akonickenemov has declared for Israel.

Fukov has reportedly refused a call up from the manager to the senior side...

Veri Píssedov was unhappy with being left on the bench for the previous qualifiers and now refuses to be picked for the squad.

Nicabolocov, isn't he bulgarian?

Olivir Klosov has also been dropped from the squad due to bad press surrounding his various extra-marital misdemeanors.