Russia v Republic of Ireland - Tuesday, 6th September 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

"Trapattoni: I always play to win": http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/...g_ireland.html

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Trapattoni said: "Every game, we go on to the pitch to win.

"If I only had what you call a defensive attitude, I wouldn't have achieved what I have achieved in 25 or 30 years as a coach.

"It's a simple philosophy: score more goals and concede fewer. That's my life.

"Our team has proved to be very well organised and when you consider what we have done up until now, if we can play with the same organisation and the same spirit, it is possible to win here in Russia.

"We are very conscious that we are playing against a strong team, a team with very good individual players who play in England and Germany and with the best Russian teams.

"But we have the same experience. We are divided by two points and a victory for us would mean that we go to the top of the table.

"Obviously, we are going to play to win, but getting a positive result is important."

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On O'Dea and Kelly:

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Trapattoni said: "You saw the game against Italy? [O'Dea] and Sean St Ledger were the best defenders.

"I like him. His mentality is strong and he is good in the air, so I am confident about him."
Kelly's height is a factor in his selection ahead of Wolves' Kevin Foley.

Asked why he had opted for Kelly, who celebrates his 28th birthday tomorrow, Trapattoni said: "They are a tall team and, like Slovakia, they are very dangerous in the air."

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Originally Posted by elroy

Interesting to see that the Russian mindset may not be all out attack, they may well be happy with a draw. Im not so happy with the reference to them being happy with a draw in slovakia. If we draw tomorrow, we more than likely will not want a draw in that game.

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I've said it already, but we're being naïve if we think that game is going to end in anything other than a bore draw, unless we win tomorrow.

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"Trapattoni: I always play to win."

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Hmm. I somehow doubt this mantra.
If he'd said 'not concede', would be closer to the truth.

The acid test being for both around 17 hours from now.

My gut feeling is a narrow defeat.
:(

watched the last 25 mins again there(over about 45 min period due to all the pausing/refreshing :) ) of the slovakia game, we looked for too urgent, which was probably down to nerves and inexperience. I can't understand that after all these years and caps but anyway.

Oshea looked like he was already injured in the last 20 mins, he was never going to make this game tomorrow. We also should have had a clear penalty with andrews being tugged around the neck. And duff for all his great outlet, offers us little in attack/counter attack, he holds possession well and wins frees, especially under pressure but bar the one cross for keane he doesn't really offer that much going forward anymore, which is sad to say the least.

Looking at that performance again, I did feel at the time, in the second half we were in far more control, and they were very ordinary, I'm even more convinced after watching the last 25 mins again and they really do offer very little from an attacking sense - interestingly goals for of 4 - and are almost a mirror image of us defensively. It really was a case of 2 points dropped.

I'm nervous for tomorrow because I don't see us offering any attacking threat especially if we are as paniced in possession as we appeared against Slovakia, we really need to try and get a hold of the ball tomorrow early and pass it about - if for nothing else but to get used to the pitch. I really hope Trap lets them do this.

Unfortunately, I think we will be doing well to get a draw, a score one possibly. :(

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Originally Posted by AlaskaFox

(Picked your quote out of a number of Foley/Kelly quotes).

Trap is starting Kelly because he knows him better, but aside from that Kelly has played more total minutes than Foley this season, not what everyone keeps saying.

Foley: 3 sub appearances in the Premier League, 70 minutes all counted. 1 start in the League cup, 85 minutes. 155 minutes total.
Kelly: 0 games in the Premier League. 2 starts in the Europa League v Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and NSÍ. 180 minutes total.

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Note I specifically said "Prem" games (unlike the other clowns), of which Foley has more game time. Fulham not overly worried about the Europa League after their exploits last season. Small squad so will prioritise the premiership, hence, Kelly won't be risked in the Prem games barring an injury crisis

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Originally Posted by elroy

Russia manager Dick Advocaat has said he may start the diminutive Andrei Arshavin in defensive midfield due to the suspension of Igor Denisov who usually lines out for Russia in a holding role.

Denis Glushakov, Roman Shirokov and Igor Semshov, who played defensive midfielder under Guus Hiddink, are more conventional candidates for the position but Advocaat has been so impressed by Arshavin’s form at international level he may be prepared to play the Arsenal man in the centre.

“I also expressed my appreciation to Andrey’s display in his game against Macedonia. I’ve never seen him being so good in my team. And not just in attack, but in defensive actions also”, he said of the winger-cum-attacking midfielder.

Other than the suspension of Denisov, Russia have a fully fit squad to choose from and Advocaat says that Armenia could play a vital role in Russia’s progress to Euro 2012 while expressing his relief that Slovakia could not seal a win in the Aviva stadium on Friday night.

“We are now two points ahead of the nearest rivals and even in the case of a draw at Luzhniki, we will maintain the same gap from the Irish”, the former Rangers manager said.

“Of course, we will try to win. And if the Slovaks would have won in Dublin, it would have been the worst-case scenario because it would have denied us an opportunity to play a draw in Slovakia.”

Slovakia entertain Armenia on Tuesday evening with a 19.15 kick off meaning they will have a much clearer view of what is required to inch past Ireland in the group as the game in Russia gets under way at 16.00.


Interesting to see that the Russian mindset may not be all out attack, they may well be happy with a draw. Im not so happy with the reference to them being happy with a draw in slovakia. If we draw tomorrow, we more than likely will not want a draw in that game.

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I see Dick has decided to try a Hamsik of his own. Trap will bring back the pasta analogy and all will be well.

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Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

Note I specifically said "Prem" games (unlike the other clowns), of which Foley has more game time. Fulham not overly worried about the Europa League after their exploits last season. Small squad so will prioritise the premiership, hence, Kelly won't be risked in the Prem games barring an injury crisis

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I know, that's why the disclaimer at the start. Didn't want to trawl through a few pages of Kelly-bashing. I'd have started him too.

[QUOTE=elroy;1529288
Of course, we will try to win. And if the Slovaks would have won in Dublin, it would have been the worst-case scenario because it would have denied us an opportunity to play a draw in Slovakia.
[/QUOTE]

Not great hearing Dick say draw in Slovakia.
Wins for Russia & Slovakia tomorrow and they could go into the last set of fixtures knowing that 4 points could be enough to see them both go straight through.
Probably getting a bit ahead of myself here, it will all become clear tomorrow night....

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Originally Posted by elroy

Russia manager Dick Advocaat has said he may start the diminutive Andrei Arshavin in defensive midfield due to the suspension of Igor Denisov who usually lines out for Russia in a holding role.

Denis Glushakov, Roman Shirokov and Igor Semshov, who played defensive midfielder under Guus Hiddink, are more conventional candidates for the position but Advocaat has been so impressed by Arshavin’s form at international level he may be prepared to play the Arsenal man in the centre.

“I also expressed my appreciation to Andrey’s display in his game against Macedonia. I’ve never seen him being so good in my team. And not just in attack, but in defensive actions also”, he said of the winger-cum-attacking midfielder.

Other than the suspension of Denisov, Russia have a fully fit squad to choose from and Advocaat says that Armenia could play a vital role in Russia’s progress to Euro 2012 while expressing his relief that Slovakia could not seal a win in the Aviva stadium on Friday night.

“We are now two points ahead of the nearest rivals and even in the case of a draw at Luzhniki, we will maintain the same gap from the Irish”, the former Rangers manager said.

“Of course, we will try to win. And if the Slovaks would have won in Dublin, it would have been the worst-case scenario because it would have denied us an opportunity to play a draw in Slovakia.”

Slovakia entertain Armenia on Tuesday evening with a 19.15 kick off meaning they will have a much clearer view of what is required to inch past Ireland in the group as the game in Russia gets under way at 16.00.


Interesting to see that the Russian mindset may not be all out attack, they may well be happy with a draw. Im not so happy with the reference to them being happy with a draw in slovakia. If we draw tomorrow, we more than likely will not want a draw in that game.

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I'm more annoyed at the thoought of him thinking Slovakia "not winning" in Ireland and that "the slovaks would have won in Dublin". I hope someone goes up and pins all these things up on the dressing room before the game and the midfield particularly see how everyone thinks we are so boring/obvious/easily beatable and fires them up. Its really frustrating watching them not get stuck in.

The Russians didn't go hell for leather against the Macedonians. And started to drop deep as soon as they went 1-0 up. The Macedonians had one great chacne to equalise but fluffed it. So a 0-0 tomorrow is not beyond the bounds. German ref so hopefully won't be a homer. If we do get a peno who is going to take it? Keane missed his last one. Doyle just missed one for Wolves. I would let Whelan take it. And the first thing Whelan or Andrews should do tomorrow night is clobber Arshavin in a way that avoids a yellow card. In the very first minute of the game.

I wouldn't let whelan take me granny to bingo, and I don't have a granny.

I'd still much rather see keane take it, then andrews probably. I reckon ward might be a decent peno taker too.

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Originally Posted by JGKyne

Not great hearing Dick say draw in Slovakia.
Wins for Russia & Slovakia tomorrow and they could go into the last set of fixtures knowing that 4 points could be enough to see them both go straight through.
Probably getting a bit ahead of myself here, it will all become clear tomorrow night....

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They will definetely play for a draw in that last game and there will be nothing we will be able to do about it. But I don't think Slovakia will get more than 3 points from their next two games. Armenia are hopefully going to turn out to be our Gary Mckay.

This was our team in the home game: 1 Given; 4 O'Shea, 2 St Ledger, 5 Dunne, 3 Kilbane; 7 Lawrence (14 Long (62), 6 Whelan (15 Gibson '66), 8 Green, 11 McGeady; 9 Doyle (12 Fahey '71), 10 Keane.

And that team conceded 3 goals. What difference to now?? Our defence tomorrow is probably weaker. Andrews represents an improvement on Green and Duff on Lawrence (who has failed to hit the heights of the last campaign). But can I ask this question:

Russia walked their way through this team for over an hour at home. By and large we have a very similar team to that out again tomorrow, seemingly lining up in a different formation. What is Trap going to do to make sure the same doesnt happen to us again?
Because on the face of it, it doesnt appear that tactically we are bringing much more to this game than we did in the home game a year or so ago.

Good job I checked the time of the match, it's 4PM!!
I thought it would be in the evening as per normal, obviously not, I because suspicious
when reading about people trying to get time off work - good job I checked otherwise I might have missed it.
Seems to me Slovakia have an unfair advantage as they will know our results.

1 Russia 7 16
2 Republic of Ireland 7 14
3 Slovakia 7 14
4 Armenia 7 11
5 FYROM 7 4
6 Andorra 7 0

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Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Good job I checked the time of the match, it's 4PM!!
I thought it would be in the evening as per normal, obviously not, I because suspicious
when reading about people trying to get time off work - good job I checked otherwise I might have missed it.
Seems to me Slovakia have an unfair advantage as they will know our results.

1 Russia 7 16
2 Republic of Ireland 7 14
3 Slovakia 7 14
4 Armenia 7 11
5 FYROM 7 4
6 Andorra 7 0

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Ok I will go into work in a bermuda shirt and shorts and flip flops if we are top of the group tomorrow night. ( usual attire is open neck shirt and suit )

ANd that means nothing to anyone at work.

I will post the picture up here too as proof.

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Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Good job I checked the time of the match, it's 4PM!!
I thought it would be in the evening as per normal, obviously not, I because suspicious
when reading about people trying to get time off work - good job I checked otherwise I might have missed it.
Seems to me Slovakia have an unfair advantage as they will know our results.

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Maybe a good idea for someone to stick the kick-off time into the thread title if possible just in case some are still unaware that the game will be kicking off earlier than usual?

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Trap on O'Dea and Kelly: Kelly's height is a factor in his selection ahead of Wolves' Kevin Foley.
Asked why he had opted for Kelly, who celebrates his 28th birthday tomorrow, Trapattoni said: "They are a tall team and, like Slovakia, they are very dangerous in the air."

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Kelly has 1/2" on Foley. Trap must have a measuring tape in his back pocket.

Ive been looking at the permutations. A draw for us tomorrow I believe would give us a strong to decent chance of second. That is on the basis that Armenia may get a result in Slovakia tomorrow. If we lose tomorrow and its a draw there then its

Russia 19
Slovakia 15
Ireland 14

Presuming we win both our games, then we finish on 20. Russia will have 22 ignoring the Slovakia game and Slovakia if they beat Macedonia away would have 18. Therefore, they would need to beat Russia to finish above us. Now remember the Slovakia V Russia is not the last game, its next up after tomorrow. If we draw tomorrow and then Slovakia also draw, then we are odds on for second place.

I think best somewhat realistic scenario is a draw for us tomorrow and a draw in Slovakia. Following by two wins for us and a Slovakia win at home to Russia sees the table ending like this:
Ireland 21
Slovakia 21
Russia 20

In other words, we'd top the group. Yay!

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Maybe a good idea for someone to stick the kick-off time into the thread title if possible just in case some are still unaware that the game will be kicking off earlier than usual?

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Yep I will stick a thread up if there is not one already.
Another advantage of the early kick off is that it does not clash with other matches so more chance of a decent stream.

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Originally Posted by elroy

This was our team in the home game: 1 Given; 4 O'Shea, 2 St Ledger, 5 Dunne, 3 Kilbane; 7 Lawrence (14 Long (62), 6 Whelan (15 Gibson '66), 8 Green, 11 McGeady; 9 Doyle (12 Fahey '71), 10 Keane.

And that team conceded 3 goals. What difference to now?? Our defence tomorrow is probably weaker. Andrews represents an improvement on Green and Duff on Lawrence (who has failed to hit the heights of the last campaign). But can I ask this question:

Russia walked their way through this team for over an hour at home. By and large we have a very similar team to that out again tomorrow, seemingly lining up in a different formation. What is Trap going to do to make sure the same doesnt happen to us again?
Because on the face of it, it doesnt appear that tactically we are bringing much more to this game than we did in the home game a year or so ago.

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Looking at the goals again a few mins ago we did contribute massively to our own downfall. Whelan turned his back (unforgivable for the first goal). Given made a mess of the initial cross. Really basic Sunday morning pub side mistakes. The third goal was a deflection off Dunne. Their second goal was a very good goal and they did carve us up for that one. Having said that the same thing could happen again tomorrow and it is up to Trap change things if we do start to get over run. The slowmo stuff won't work against these. We have to prevent them building up a head of steam. Doyle and Keane have to defend from the front.