Ireland vs Georgia pre-match

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

10/02/2009, 2:50 PM
elroy

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Republic of Ireland team v Georgia (provisional):

Shay Given - Manchester City
Paul McShane � Sunderland (subject to fitness)
John O'Shea - Manchester United
Richard Dunne - Manchester City
Kevin Kilbane - Hull City
Aiden McGeady - Glasgow Celtic
Glenn Whelan - Stoke City
Keith Andrews - Blackburn Rovers
Damien Duff - Newcastle United
Kevin Doyle - Reading
Robbie Keane � Tottenham Hotspurs

Happy with this team, although maybe not so much with McShane at RB, but he has done well for Hull there so worth his place. If I were Hector Cuper, I would be looking to exploit his weaknesses however.

Very much looking forward to the partnership of Whelan and Andrews, this is crucial, we really need this partnership to work until at least S Reid is available again. Im pretty confident of a win with this team and wouldnt be at all surprised if Andrews puts in a big performance.
10/02/2009, 3:06 PM
kingdom hoop

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'd prefer to see Kelly at RB but otherwise I'm happy with that.

He's only played 2 games since September though...

Which probably means he's just as likely to make a mistake as McShane!
10/02/2009, 3:32 PM
DotTV

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Republic of Ireland team v Georgia (provisional):

Shay Given - Manchester City
Paul McShane � Sunderland (subject to fitness)
John O'Shea - Manchester United
Richard Dunne - Manchester City
Kevin Kilbane - Hull City
Aiden McGeady - Glasgow Celtic
Glenn Whelan - Stoke City
Keith Andrews - Blackburn Rovers
Damien Duff - Newcastle United
Kevin Doyle - Reading
Robbie Keane � Tottenham Hotspurs

9 Premiership players, 1 from celtic and a top scorer from the Championship. Not bad.
10/02/2009, 3:41 PM
ifk101

Very surprised he went for Andrews over Gibson but the team does look a bit stronger because of the decision.
10/02/2009, 3:51 PM
tetsujin1979

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pike B

I am astonished with this. I've watched all our qualifiers, and thought Mc Geady was, to be kind, crap. As did several other people with whom I spoke about those games.
I know your a clever guy and enjoy your posts, but I had to respond to this one. It's shocking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulie_walnuts

Magnificent is a bit strong I feel. They've been good, everyone has been good, solid etc. bar McShane at right back, IMO he doesn't look comfortable there.

fair enough, magnificent is a bit strong, but both wingers have been involved in the build up to the goals so far in the qualifiers, McGeady crossed for Doyle in the Georgia game, Duff ran through the Cyprus defence to cross for Keane to nod into the net.
McGeady hit the outside of the near post against Montenegro when he should have aimed for the far post, he aimed for the far post against Cyprus and lifted it over the crossbar, if nothing else he is learning! Trapattoni has already spoken of how he's worked with McGeady on simple things to improve his overall game, like how to stand when receiving a ball.
Compare and contrast the performance of both players under the previous two managers and there's a clear sign of improvement.
10/02/2009, 4:15 PM
Drumcondra 69er

Quote:

Originally Posted by ifk101

Very surprised he went for Andrews over Gibson but the team does look a bit stronger because of the decision.

Not surprised at all, the way elements of the media cr@p on and from some of the posts I've seen you'd swear Trap had never made an unforced change before in his career.

Correct and obvious choice for me, very happy about it.
10/02/2009, 4:33 PM
Buller

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

The team in training was

Given

Kelly O Shea Dunne Kilbane

McGeady Andrews Wheland Duff

Doyle Keane.

Is that a mix between Whelan and Ireland?! Meh, the next best thing to him coming back I suppose... :D
10/02/2009, 4:34 PM
paul_oshea

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBoss

Republic of Ireland team v Georgia (provisional):

Shay Given - Manchester City
Paul McShane � Sunderland (subject to fitness)
John O'Shea - Manchester United
Richard Dunne - Manchester City
Kevin Kilbane - Hull City
Aiden McGeady - Glasgow Celtic
Glenn Whelan - Stoke City
Keith Andrews - Blackburn Rovers
Damien Duff - Newcastle United
Kevin Doyle - Reading
Robbie Keane � Tottenham Hotspurs

when you look at that we have most players from the top league in the world. we should be a very capable team.
10/02/2009, 4:52 PM
SkStu

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

when you look at that we have most players from the top league in the world. we should be a very capable team.

says who? and in what sense? I actually think we'd be better if they were all playing in the Primera Liga... :o
10/02/2009, 5:14 PM
paul_oshea

eh possibly to do with form in champions league etc and how english teams have been competing the last few years.

I cant really think of any other barometer.....
10/02/2009, 5:38 PM
Noelys Guitar

Not a big fan of McShane but he has been a Premierhsip regular. I thought when Andrews came on against Poland he changed the game. I am hoping that he is one of those players who seems to excel in international football. Really looking forward to tomorrow night.
10/02/2009, 5:45 PM
SkStu

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

eh possibly to do with form in champions league etc and how english teams have been competing the last few years.

I cant really think of any other barometer.....

overall technical quality, skill, overall competitiveness etc etc... the comparator you use confines the quality of the premiership to 4-6 teams max.

anyhoo, the premiership hasnt exactly benefitted the English national team so i wouldnt expect it will do much for us in the grand scheme of things. How many of our team benefit from participation in the Champions League? One?

Anyway, sorry, im dragging this off topic.
10/02/2009, 5:49 PM
geysir

Good news about Andrews. I hope he makes his mark. Gives the team a bit more of a confident and offensive look about it.
Gibson would need more 1st team football before assuming such an important role in our team.
10/02/2009, 5:56 PM
cavan_fan

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkStu

overall technical quality, skill, overall competitiveness etc etc... the comparator you use confines the quality of the premiership to 4-6 teams max.

anyhoo, the premiership hasnt exactly benefitted the English national team so i wouldnt expect it will do much for us in the grand scheme of things. How many of our team benefit from participation in the Champions League? One?

Anyway, sorry, im dragging this off topic.

This season has shown a greater competitiveness in the Premiership than previous years. Man City are probably as good as the majority of Champions League group teams.

Premiership hasnt done a lot for england but then that is equally to do with a woeful manager. (I have a horrible fear that under a top manager like Capello they could win the next World Cup).
10/02/2009, 6:10 PM
SkStu

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

This season has shown a greater competitiveness in the Premiership than previous years. Man City are probably as good as the majority of Champions League group teams.

Premiership hasnt done a lot for england but then that is equally to do with a woeful manager. (I have a horrible fear that under a top manager like Capello they could win the next World Cup).

ah jaysis, you sound like an english tabloid!!! :D

first sentence is fine but it is still just one season in how many?
10/02/2009, 6:31 PM
Lionel Ritchie

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkStu

overall technical quality, skill, overall competitiveness etc etc... the comparator you use confines the quality of the premiership to 4-6 teams max.

anyhoo, the premiership hasnt exactly benefitted the English national team so i wouldnt expect it will do much for us in the grand scheme of things. How many of our team benefit from participation in the Champions League? One?

Anyway, sorry, im dragging this off topic.

...no need to apologise. It'll be of high relevance if we actually manage to qualify for SA as pretty much our entire squad play in the same football culture and system as the English.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

Premiership hasnt done a lot for england but then that is equally to do with a woeful manager. (I have a horrible fear that under a top manager like Capello they could win the next World Cup).

They'll have a better chance with Capello I don't doubt. But I reckon the pace and relative physicallity of the way the game is played in these islands just isn't condusive to winning a round-robin and knockout tournament involving seven games in a month at the end of the season. Too much luck needed when it comes to avoiding injuries and suspensions.
10/02/2009, 6:39 PM
NeilMcD

Quote:

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Why do people say he'll play Andrews instead of Gibson? Is Gibson injured? Trapp doesn't change. Gibson will play unless he's injured.

What was that Owlsfan :)
10/02/2009, 6:43 PM
back of the net

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkStu

overall technical quality, skill, overall competitiveness etc etc... the comparator you use confines the quality of the premiership to 4-6 teams max.

anyhoo, the premiership hasnt exactly benefitted the English national team so i wouldnt expect it will do much for us in the grand scheme of things. How many of our team benefit from participation in the Champions League? One?

Anyway, sorry, im dragging this off topic.

god i have lost count of how many times i have tried explaining that to my mates....

not sure if its cos i have very dumb mates or that im just **** at explaining things ((-:

anyhow completely agree with u skstu
10/02/2009, 7:39 PM
Stuttgart88

Quote:

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

Premiership hasnt done a lot for england but then that is equally to do with a woeful manager. (I have a horrible fear that under a top manager like Capello they could win the next World Cup).

I share your fear. The pace of some of their younger players is scary and they have more balance in midfield than in recent years. They have potential match winners all over the place. Goalkeeper is still a worry for them at this point in time. I don't think the traditional big countries are at the top of their games right now and Sth Africa in June will be a lot cooler than the usual June temperatures at a major tournament.

By and large I'd agree with Stu's post, but that said, how many leagues in the world have great depth?
10/02/2009, 7:41 PM
shakermaker1982

I'm hoping for a nice comfortable victory tomorrow. I'm happy with the team selection overall but would prefer Kelly or Foley to McShane at RB but the rest picks itself. McGeady needs a big game because Hunt will be breathing down his neck & hopefully Duff stays on the left - he is much more effective on that side.

I'm off to bed now to catch the 6.30am flight to Dublin......

Come on boys let's top the group and move a step closer to Africa 2010.

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page