Norway v Republic of Ireland - pre-match

Murphy is better than Doyle and Keane. Watch Robbie keane tonight and see how bad he is. I don't think people on here realise how bad Keane is.

Reid is a class act and should be on. Cannot make sense of Miller playing.

The defense picked itself, glad to see Kilbane on instead of Delaney. Thats Eire's strongest defence tonight.

I think Ireland will probably lose tonight. I am basing this on the following reasons:

1. Keane and Doyle cannot score and you need a tall strong striker on against the Norwegians.

2. McGeady has been caught out on the beer and his performances for Celthick reflect this. Duff's best days are behind him. I don't need to say anything about the central midfielders. Its weak!

If Ireland score 1-1 or 2-1 Norway, otherwise we are looking at 2-0 Norway here I think.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Hopefully Reid comes on at half time for Miller and shows what he can do. Its a strange one alright but not going to lose the run of myself and condemn Il Trap yet.

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Brady is picking the team, you can see that. Its brady's team.

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Originally Posted by finnpark

Brady is picking the team, you can see that. Its brady's team.

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Yeah I think Karen Brady is going to do a great job. I am glad she is on board.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Whelan shouldn't be on the squad let alone the team. Shocking choice. From what I've seen so far he's one of the worst players I've ever seen in an Irish shirt.

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I don't think that is very fair. The performances of the players against Cyprus and San Marino etc last year shows that these new players cannot do any worse. I think he deserves a chance. Miller on the other hand is a failure and he annoyingly gives a lot of frees away, particularly in dangerous positions.

The positives tonight is the return of Given and to a lesser extent Finnan.

It will be interesting to see what formation Trap adopts although it seems quite attacking.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Whelan shouldn't be on the squad let alone the team. Shocking choice. From what I've seen so far he's one of the worst players I've ever seen in an Irish shirt.

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How many matches was that Ciaran.

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Originally Posted by finnpark

Murphy is better than Doyle and Keane. Watch Robbie keane tonight and see how bad he is. I don't think people on here realise how bad Keane is.

Reid is a class act and should be on. Cannot make sense of Miller playing.

The defense picked itself, glad to see Kilbane on instead of Delaney. Thats Eire's strongest defence tonight.

I think Ireland will probably lose tonight. I am basing this on the following reasons:

1. Keane and Doyle cannot score and you need a tall strong striker on against the Norwegians.

2. McGeady has been caught out on the beer and his performances for Celthick reflect this. Duff's best days are behind him. I don't need to say anything about the central midfielders. Its weak!

If Ireland score 1-1 or 2-1 Norway, otherwise we are looking at 2-0 Norway here I think.

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Last two games that Keane and Doyle have played together they have scored well Keane has scored, one against Wales and the other against Colombia.

Under Staunton they looked like strangers but with half bit of decent coaching and training they look like they could form a good partnership.

Than again you are a wind up merchant so best of luck to you.

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Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Last two games that Keane and Doyle have played together they have scored well Keane has scored, one against Wales and the other against Colombia.

Under Staunton they looked like strangers but with half bit of decent coaching and training they look like they could form a good partnership.

Than again you are a wind up merchant so best of luck to you.

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I hope that you are right. im not a wind up merchant, Im just not afraid to be very critical where I think its due. We will see the great Keane tonight.

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Originally Posted by finnpark

I hope that you are right. im not a wind up merchant, Im just not afraid to be very critical where I think its due. We will see the great Keane tonight.

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he plays well in friendlies!!! :D

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Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

he plays well in friendlies!!! :D

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Maybe so but perhaps someone can answer me this.

San Marino aside, how many goals did robbie score last qualification campaign?

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Originally Posted by finnpark

Murphy is better than Doyle and Keane. Watch Robbie keane tonight and see how bad he is. I don't think people on here realise how bad Keane is.

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I admit that Keane hasn't played well in his two competitive games for Liverpool but how you can say (as you did in the other thread) that Spurs were a better team without him last season is beyond me. He was excellent for them all last season and many of their fans considered him more important than Berbatov.

I also agree that he's been well below average for Ireland for most games since 2002 but I still believe under Trap that we'll see the best of him again. And if we do, he's far and away our best striker. I'm a fan of Murphy but he's still very much a work in progress - sometimes his touch is awkward and his finishing poor.

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Originally Posted by finnpark

Murphy is better than Doyle and Keane. Watch Robbie keane tonight and see how bad he is. I don't think people on here realise how bad Keane is.

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Yeah that why he cost 20 million.
I can't believe people are questioning Traps selection he has a great record as a manager, he picked Miller for a reason whether its tactical or for a system, who cares. The Irish team picks itself mostly, defenders pick themself ,so do the strikers, he only really has a choice when it comes to the midfield.

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Originally Posted by lionelhutz

I admit that Keane hasn't played well in his two competitive games for Liverpool but how you can say (as you did in the other thread) that Spurs were a better team without him last season is beyond me. He was excellent for them all last season and many of their fans considered him more important than Berbatov.

I also agree that he's been well below average for Ireland for most games since 2002 but I still believe under Trap that we'll see the best of him again. And if we do, he's far and away our best striker. I'm a fan of Murphy but he's still very much a work in progress - sometimes his touch is awkward and his finishing poor.

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Hopefully you are right.

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Originally Posted by finnpark

Maybe so but perhaps someone can answer me this.

San Marino aside, how many goals did robbie score last qualification campaign?

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how many goals under stan you mean? as if it was keane's fault! funny how he scored again after stan was sacked. and had no problem scoring at club level. you might almost come to the conclusion that keane wasnt best utilised by stan.

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Whelan shouldn't be on the squad let alone the team. Shocking choice. From what I've seen so far he's one of the worst players I've ever seen in an Irish shirt.

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You really are a clown

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Whelan shouldn't be on the squad let alone the team. Shocking choice. From what I've seen so far he's one of the worst players I've ever seen in an Irish shirt.

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Too early to dismiss Whelan yet. Some of our now most established and experienced players didn't exactly burst onto the scene fully formed. Tonight could properly confirm if he's a real contender.

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Originally Posted by dr_peepee

S Reid Carlsey O'Brien Miller Whelen all competing for the defensive midfeild etc etc

Don't get me wrong. I want Reid to start every time and don't rate miller either. Just trying to find sense in the decision.

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Can't see Miller as a defensive player at all. He's more like Stephen Ireland - if the midfield is robust he can exploit space well, but if midfield isn't robust he's a liability. As said above, he always gives away cheap frees.

Andy Reid doesn't need midfield to be secured before he can add value in my opinion.

I can see Trapp's logic that central midfield needs more bite if we have Duff & McGeady out wide, but Miller isn't the answer IMO.

FAI website says it'll be Steven Reid & Whelan. S. Reid has passed a late fitness test.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

.........Miller isn't the answer IMO.

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The annoying thing is that this isn't a temporary dip in form by Miller.

Miller has had various opportunities over the last 5 years to establish himself and has failed.

He has no presence and goes missing from games with regularity.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

FAI website says it'll be Steven Reid & Whelan. S. Reid has passed a late fitness test.

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Sound - that's a far better proposition than Miller.

Ken Early was saying the same thing last night on NewsTalk, it would be Whelan plus Steven Reid or Miller, depending on how Reid injury responded.

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Originally Posted by Wolfie

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...i-1459304.html

Andy Reid's omission - the first major talking point of Trapps tenure.

He obviously holds the view that nobody is bigger than the system. Right or wrong - we haven't seen a conviction or vision of how we should be playing in a while.

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It is nice to see that but I would prefer to see a system built around our best players rather than picking players based on a system. The top, top managers are able to see what is at their disposal and find a system that best suits the players. I don't think Trap has done this. But:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

In fairness to Trapp, he's only seen a it of him and has yet to see Reid.

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A good point and hopefully the reason for his exclusion. I think A Reid only trained with the squad once in Portugal before getting injured so that's all Trap would have seen of him before Monday. Although the same could be said of S Reid...

I think Duff will (if injury free) have a very good season this year and probably his best in 3/4 years. He was playing very well in preseason and did well for Newcastle against United last weekend so to say he is finished is a bit premature in my opinion. The guy has been hit by a series of injuries over the last few years which have affected his form but he now hopefully seems to have a clean bill of health again.

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Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

It is nice to see that but I would prefer to see a system built around our best players rather than picking players based on a system. The top, top managers are able to see what is at their disposal and find a system that best suits the players. I don't think Trap has done this....

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True. But it can be argued (by me) that he's building the system around our best 14 players as opposed to 11, therefore introducing a bit of insulation into the set up for an extended campaign..

I personally would defo have Reid in there, even revolve around him... But if Trap is going about this the way I think he is I don't think it's a bad thing over all.

Maby he's being smart. Maby he just wants to see S.Reid in action but also realises that the chances of an injured S.Reid are high enough. Maby its easier to gauge what A.Reid will bring to the team seeing as Trap would have seen him in action much more.

What is Trap's system? :confused:

Anybody know :)

I think.... 4 2 3 1....

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Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I think.... 4 2 3 1....

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Correct, and why Whelan is in the team with a very specific role.

I think its a 4-4-1-1 really.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

FAI website says it'll be Steven Reid & Whelan. S. Reid has passed a late fitness test.

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f*cking great - i dont have to watch that utter pile of P*ss miller in an ireland jersey tonite - Trap please dont use him as a sub!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Why does Trap have Whelan ahead of Miller for the game? Miller may be bad but Whelan is much worse. He's had his chance and most figured he played his way out of the side last time round but here he is again.

Just relieved Steven Reid is fit so there's some competency in the centre.

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As has been stated before, you have not a clue what you are talking about.

Were you in Craven Cottage?

Do you know what role has been impsoed upon him by the management?

It's obvious from your post that your answers are going to be no.

Is there a barstool forum somewhere else that you can troll?

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Originally Posted by Ciaran

Why does Trap have Whelan ahead of Miller for the game? Miller may be bad but Whelan is much worse. He's had his chance and most figured he played his way out of the side last time round but here he is again.

Just relieved Steven Reid is fit so there's some competency in the centre.

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How many Stoke games have you watched?