Republic of Ireland v. Wales - Friday, 24th March 2017 - World Cup 2018 Qualifier

Amid all the history research into James McCarthy I've failed to notice a final 23 man squad. Has it been cut yet?

Gibson was cut, no?

I can only see Christie getting game time if the unthinkable happens and Coleman hobbles off.

Agree totally on Doherty/Cunningham. We don't even have a proper back up for Ward? O'Shea's left back days are well and truly behind him. Would have definitely made more sense to bring at least one of them instead of a midfielder.

Answering my own question:

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Keiren Westwood, Colin Doyle

Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Alex Pearce, John O'Shea, Andy Boyle, John Egan, Stephen Ward

Midfielders: Aiden McGeady, Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady, Conor Hourihane, David Meyler, Eunan O'Kane, James McClean, Jonathan Hayes, Daryl Horgan, Callum O'Dowda

Forwards: Jonathan Walters, Shane Long, [Daryl Murphy], Kevin Doyle

I would've at least brought Doherty instead of Christie.

At least Doherty can cover the two positions.

That would've softened the blow of not calling up Cunny but the two of them being left out is bemusing in the extreme.

I think MON believes Christie can cover both as well?

Assuming McCarthy is out, I think it will be: Randy,
Coleman, O'Shea Keogh, Ward
Whelan Hendricks
Walters McClean
McGeady
Long

I'd like to see Meyler ahead of Whelan.

Yeah I would go with Meyler too ahead of Whelan, but I think if MON takes a chance on McGeady in the hole off the striker, he will go with the more experienced player in front of the four

Whelan is nailed on either way I reckon, especially if McCarthy misses out.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Whelan is nailed on either way I reckon, especially if McCarthy misses out.

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You're probably right, although I'm not as sure if McCarthy makes it. I think McCarthy/Hendrick might be O'Neill's preferred pairing since the Euros, but he's only had one opportunity to play them together. McCarthy missed Belgrade and Vienna with injuries, Hendrick miss Chisinau through suspension. Meyler's accomplished performance against Austria is clouding things slightly in my mind also but, yeah, you'd have to assume O'Neill will go with Whelan in the circumstances.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

You're probably right, although I'm not as sure if McCarthy makes it. I think McCarthy/Hendrick might be O'Neill's preferred pairing since the Euros, but he's only had one opportunity to play them together. McCarthy missed Belgrade and Vienna with injuries, Hendrick miss Chisinau through suspension. Meyler's accomplished performance against Austria is clouding things slightly in my mind also but, yeah, you'd have to assume O'Neill will go with Whelan in the circumstances.

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Do people think it's more likely we'll see two holding midfielders and Hendrick or one holding midfielder and Hendrick beside them? It's a tough one. Playing the latter allows us to start McGeady at 10, which also works if we have a midfield diamond but with Whelan at the base and Hendrick on the right I'm not sure who fits on the left. Playing the former means you have Whelan and (probably) Meyler at the base with McGeady or Walters on one wing, McClean on the other, Hendrick at 8 and a half and Long or Walters up front.

The more I think about it I'm predicting:
Randolph
Coleman O'Shea Keogh Ward
Meyler Whelan
Hendrick
McGeady McClean
Walters

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

The more I think about it I'm predicting:
Randolph
Coleman O'Shea Keogh Ward
Meyler Whelan
Hendrick
McGeady McClean
Walters

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That is exactly what I think. A 5 man midfield to make it difficult for Bale to do damage. Long, Horgan and/or O'Dowda to come on or Pearce if we need a defender. O'Kane will probably come on instead of Hourihane too if we need a change at midfield. Overall, we have enough options available to us to get a result.

Horgan to come on and score a famous winner in the 85th minute.

I'd be happy enough with that.

Also, a lot of people talking about defensive problems, and while it would be a totally out of the blue choice, Andy Boyle is probably one of the strongest ball playing centre halves in the squad.

McClean will wear a number 5 jersey on Friday in tribute to Ryan McBride.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

McClean will wear a number 5 jersey on Friday in tribute to Ryan McBride.

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Anything special being planned by the singing section to mark this?

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

Anything special being planned by the singing section to mark this?

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There's to be a minute of applause in the fifth minute.

Chris Coleman discusses his father's Dublin roots and his declining of an invite to represent Ireland during his playing days: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...-boss-coleman/

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Originally Posted by RTÉ

Wales manager Chris Coleman's World Cup visit to Dublin will be full of emotion as he returns to the home city of his late father Paddy.

Vital points on the road to Russia 2018 will be at stake on Friday with third-placed Wales seeking to cut the four-point gap on Group D leaders the Republic of Ireland.

But the game also holds special significance for Coleman as, three years ago, he scattered his father's ashes in the River Liffey.... alongside a pint of Guinness.

"Throwing a pint of Guinness into the Liffey (with the ashes) is a done thing there, especially where he was from in the East Wall of Dublin," Coleman said.

"We did it next to the Brazen Head pub, which dates back to 1198, and is the oldest pub in Ireland.

"He always said make sure you do it there. It was his request. But if I'm honest I did have a little drop of Guinness first... it was eight euros a pint!

"My two sisters and Charlotte (Coleman's television presenter wife) were with me when we did it. It was incredibly poignant."

Coleman senior left Dublin and moved to Swansea at the age of 20, and it was there Chris was born and grew up.

...

But Coleman revealed he did attract Ireland's interest as a young player.

"There was talk about when Jackie Charlton was manager of the Republic and a tentative phone call came my way," Coleman said.

"But my dad always pushed me to play for Wales. I started playing football at the age of seven and he guided me, he never raised his voice.

"I've watched parents sometimes on the touchlines at youth games and they are screaming and shouting, which is not the way to go.

"But he was the opposite to that. He was always a quiet talker - he never lost his Dublin accent - but he was massive for me as a youngster."

Coleman's success with Wales is tinged with sadness as his father never saw him take the country to the European Championship in France.

And Coleman says his father would have been so proud to see him standing on the Aviva Stadium touch-line as the Wales manager.

"I used to take him back to Dublin most summers for a few days," Coleman said. "He would have a little roam around where he was brought up.

"He loved football and would have loved this - he would have been ecstatic."

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Chris Coleman discusses his father's Dublin roots and his declining of an invite to represent Ireland during his playing days: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...-boss-coleman/

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Thanks Danny, love these anecdotes, another one who got away. A bit of a mean git though!

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

McClean will wear a number 5 jersey on Friday in tribute to Ryan McBride.

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I can feel a red card coming on.

Saw this in another article recently but the above is more poignant alright.

Had never realised his old man was Irish. I guess it's a lot harder to want to be an Irish international when you're from Swansea where there's less of an Irish community. Places like Liverpool, Glasgow, London and Manchester lend themselves more to parents living in an Irish community which means there's a stronger reminder or re-enforcement of identity.

That said, didn't Martin Keown say his father advised him to play for England too? To give back to the country that gave them so much? Could be a similar sentiment that of Coleman senior.

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Originally Posted by gastric

Thanks Danny, love these anecdotes, another one who got away. A bit of a mean git though!

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8 euros a pint isn't cheap, that was a first class passage for his dad to the beyond

I didn't realise Charlotte Coleman was his wife. She was the one Andy Gray made lewd remarks about which contributed to his sacking by Sky. We owe her that much as least. His father probably encouraged him to play for Wales because he had a better chance of getting a game for them. I'd say he would have been a peripheral figure for us. As for the team, Walters will play out wide with Long up front on his own. McGeady will be on the bench. Whelan will start. Rest pretty much picks itself.

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Originally Posted by geysir

8 euros a pint isn't cheap, that was a first class passage for his dad to the beyond

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€8 a pint would be considered Happy Hour in Iceland, wouldn't it? :)

You don't see McGeady playing no.10?

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

€8 a pint would be considered Happy Hour in Iceland, wouldn't it? :)

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There are no happy hours drinking in Reykjavik, just those few hours which are less sad.

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Originally Posted by Fixer82

You don't see McGeady playing no.10?

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I can't begin to come near predicting the result but I think that's one prediction I'm happy to make- McGeady will start.

I think he will too.

Or maybe he'll be a sub.

Aaaggghhh!

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I can feel a red card coming on.

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Either that or a hat-trick

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Do people think it's more likely we'll see two holding midfielders and Hendrick or one holding midfielder and Hendrick beside them? It's a tough one. Playing the latter allows us to start McGeady at 10, which also works if we have a midfield diamond but with Whelan at the base and Hendrick on the right I'm not sure who fits on the left. Playing the former means you have Whelan and (probably) Meyler at the base with McGeady or Walters on one wing, McClean on the other, Hendrick at 8 and a half and Long or Walters up front.

The more I think about it I'm predicting:
Randolph
Coleman O'Shea Keogh Ward
Meyler Whelan
Hendrick
McGeady McClean
Walters

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I could definitely see the logic in that team, packing midfield as much as possible and holding Long in reserve. Walters is more effective as a central striker too and played well when moved there against Moldova. He brings others into play better than Long too from that position.

But... would we be playing into Wales' hands by not playing a central striker who can really run the channels and take their back three out of position? Danny Gabbidon believes Wales will revert to that formation in his preview here - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39279538

O'Neill seems to trust McCarthy and Hendrick as a midfield two (used against Italy/France/Georgia) but Whelan's lack of mobility throws up a bit of a dilemma, particularly in respect of the strengths of the opposition we face.

In Vienna, Whelan's presence saw O'Neill use both Arter and Hendrick at starters, and maintained the same shape when Meyler was introduced. If he sticks with the same sort of pattern, your team above should be spot on, certainly in terms of the midfield three. In the unlikely event that McCarthy is declared fit, it could change things considerably though.

I also think McGeady will start. We would have pretty much zero guile without him, Brady & Hoolahan.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I can feel a red card coming on.

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In light of the tragedies that have beset James' former club and city, I trust that Martin will have been keeping a close eye on James this week, both in and outside of training, in order to gauge his frame of mind. The pair are already close and Martin is perceptive to the psychology and morale of his players; he's a good man-manager. He won't put James out there on Friday night if he doesn't feel he'll be mentally able for what is expected of him.

For what it's worth, I think McClean will be well able for it - he's an immensely strong character - and will give more than his all come Friday. I see him giving a courageous and determined performance; not necessarily an angry one.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

I also think McGeady will start. We would have pretty much zero guile without him, Brady & Hoolahan.

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I'd be stunned (and seriously disappointed) if McGeady doesn't start.

Any idea if McCarthy trained with the team today?

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Any idea if McCarthy trained with the team today?

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This was the latest from about an hour ago as far as I know. - https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...h-irish-squad/

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James McCarthy remains with the Republic of Ireland squad as he battles to prove his fitness ahead of Friday's World Cup qualifier against Wales.

The Everton midfielder, who has been out of action since March 5 with a hamstring injury, warmed up with the rest of the squad at Abbotstown on Wednesday morning, but was later due to work with the physios.

Assistant manager Roy Keane admitted on Tuesday that McCarthy was unlikely to make the game if he did not train the following day, but Ireland have not yet given up on the player.

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I'd be stunned (and seriously disappointed) if McGeady doesn't start.

Any idea if McCarthy trained with the team today?

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its being reported on RTE that he did take part today.
as did a few others (including long and coleman) who had sat out yesterdays session

Yep- https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...h-irish-squad/

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

Yep- https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...h-irish-squad/

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Absolutely delighted. My above team was on the basis McCarthy wouldn't play. Hope he does and it looks more positive

Himself and Hendrick at the base. Walters, McGeady, McClean and Long in front of them. That would be a really good side. I think also that having Walters and McClean on the flanks would mean they can tuck in or track back to assist the two midfielders. Big ask of them but few work or run harder.

I must go back over McGeady's last starts. Can't remember a forward line he'd have started in as strong as that for us.

Getting worried now about Bale exploiting the space(and pace) that Ward will leave out on his left for him to run into and bedazzling Ward.

I think a draw would be a great result at this stage, assuming Wales are in top form, with all the players missing regardless of whats being said. Wales showed they can perform at a top level with that win against Belgium if given a bit of space.

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Originally Posted by Fixer82

You don't see McGeady playing no.10?

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Randolph; Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward; Whelan, Hendrick, McCarthy (if fit - if not Meyler), McClean, Walters, Long.

McGeady didn't start in Vienna and I am not sure that a good latter half of the season for Preston will be enough to win him back his place. I would say that MON will be looking for defensive cover rather than attacking attributes but who knows.

I think if it was away Oneill would be going for a more defensive approach, but he is of that mantra win at home, draw away and will therefore go for a more attack minded approach. Given the injury list though, and just the massive displacement and unsettlement it causes a defensive approach would be the sounder one in my opinion on this ocassion. I'm pretty sure he will start McGeady, unless he thinks he wont last a full game and wants him at full tilt in the 2nd half.

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Originally Posted by OwlsFan

McGeady didn't start in Vienna and I am not sure that a good latter half of the season for Preston will be enough to win him back his place.

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We had Hoolahan in Vienna though and McGeady hadn't done anything of note to justify a start at that stage. I don't think it's so much winning back his place as it is filling a void but, you're right, who knows?!! MON might not even know himself yet.

How I see game panning out:

Ireland will sit deep to avoid being caught on the break, meaning sacrificing a lot of possession to Wales, 40%-60% something like that, maybe worse since possession is calculated on percentage of total passes completed.
We'll rely on Long and McClean and to a lesser extent Walters to get us up the pitch. Ultimately it will be infuriating for the Irish fans, but I'd aim to keep it tight until the 65-70min mark, i.e I can't see O'Shea pushing us up to the half way line too often.
The subs will be crucial and I'd prefer to keep McGeady, Doyle and possibly Horgan until this point when hopefully the Welsh will be getting anxious and start rushing passes and losing possession.
All of this immediately goes out the window if the Welsh score early.
To summarize, I don't see it being pretty.