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As anyone else noticed how disciplined the team is under Trap. So far we only have 3 bookings so far. Given, McGeady and Andrews from four games and 2 of them were away from home. Georgia got four or five bookings along the other night. This could be quite significant for us as the group goes on that we are not really picking up silly bookings so far.
That's an interesting observation and as you say could be very important further down the line.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
I suppose if everything is going smoothly your less inclined to give back chat to the refs or get involved in scuffles with other players because they are not time wasting as it's the opposition who is chasing the game and not us! I'm also sure the Trap has emphasised disipline and concentration at all times.
Yep, good point. It's not just the discipline of not fouling, retaliating and mouthing off, it's the tactical discipline too.
Trap's system and expectations are simple enough - which is good as our players probably don't have the capacity to absorb big changes.
Staunton thought the old "we're different" mentality would give us the edge but it didn't.
Seasoned campaign watchers notice early yellow cards and think "that could cost us" and there've been very few of those so far. So far Shay has been the only one that has caused me to think this, McGeady & Andrews being more replaceable. And I'm sure Big jack would have commended Andrews on his booking last week. I certainly did, a "good foul" if ever there was one. Whelan actually committed a very subtle "good foul" in same game, breaking up an attack, not with a kick but by barging a guy off the ball. Very Italian!
I suppose it could be seen as another advantage of having the easier matches first.
not if McGeady is replaced by Andy Keogh on the wing like the Poland gameQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
No but if McGeady was out I wouldn't have been worried as long as Hunt & Duff were fit, not to mention Andy Reid. Given McGeady's latest showing however I'd prefer he stayed available.
Anyone know how Italy and Bulgaria are doing regarding bookings?
Georgia bookings won't help us now and probably won't have any effect on the group outcome.
Bulgaria:Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Velizar Dimitrov
Stanislav Angelov
Stiliyan Petrov
Aleksandar Tunchev
Italy:
Luca Toni x2 (missed Montenegro)
Marco Cassetti
Mauro German Camoranesi
Andrea Pirlo
Alberto Aquilani
Giorgio Chiellini
Daniele De Rossi
Ivan Gennaro Gattuso
Marco Amelia
Cyprus:
Konstantinos Charalampidis x2 (missed Ireland game)
Andreas Constantinou x2 (suspended for Georgia home)
Konstantinos Makridis
Alexandros Garpozis
Marios Nicolau
Marios Elia
Montengro:
Mirko Vucinic x2 (suspended for Italy h)
Milorad Pekovic x2 (missed Italy)
Stevan Jovetic
Savo Pavicevic
Milan Jovanovic
Jovan Tanasijevic
Georgia:
Zurab Khizanishvili x3 (missed Bulgaria)
Rati Aleksidze x2 (missed Bugaria)
Levan Kenia
Lasha Salukvadze
Levan Khmaladze
Giorgi Shashiashvili
Zurab Menteshashvili
Ucha Lobjanidze
Dato Kvirkvelia
Levan Kobiashvili
Luka Razmadze
we could do with De Rossi picking up another yellow before our game!
Italy are racking em up!!! If they misbehave when they play Montenegro then we could be facing an Italian side without Pirlo and Gattuso which would be no bad thing.
Well considering Gattuso has a serious cruciate injury he will do well to play never mine get a yellow card in the Montenegro game.
Gattuso is out until the summer with a knee injury. De Rossi getting a booking in Montenegro would really help us now especially with Gattuso out. Pirlo needs that type of player beside him.Quote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
Nice one, Eirebhoy.
Any one of Gattuso, Di Rossi or Pirlo would be a blessing. Especially Pirlo, always the danger that one one piece of class from him could make or break the game.
Thanks for the list Eireboy.
It looks like Italy will benefit from the absense of Mirko Vucinic who I understand is the Montenegrian captain, best player?and top scorer?
Bit like us losing Robbie Keane.
Montenegro took points off us and Bulgaria so it would be nice if they could do some damage to Italy too, either points wise, supensions or a few broken Italian legs :D
I didn't know about Gattuso's injury. De Rossi getting booked is the next best thing!Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
I'd say there is a decent chance of Italy dropping some points against Montenegro. If we can beat Bulgaria we could be going to Bari 2 points ahead of the Italians.
Vucinic missing the Italian game at home is a disappointment from our point of view. Whats the betting the Italians will get a 1-0 win there.
It's a pain and he is a key player for them. Having said that the Montenegro attack will still have Milan Purović, Jovetić, Burzanović and Vukčević all of whom can cause the Italians a degree of problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
We will all be Montenegrins on the night.
That's a blow alright. He is indeed their captain and top scorer. He is definitely their most high profile player, plying his trade in Serie A with Roma.Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Everyone that watched the Italy-Mont game said Vucinic was brilliant. Richie Dunne had him in his pocket though. ;)
Not to mention, Andy Reid.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
How many would prefer to have Andy as an option on the bench when we're 1-0 down as opposed to say S. Hunt ?
Cameronasi and Perrotta ruled out for this game so a Pirlo or De Rossi booking would be a great help.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
I'd sooner see Pirlo out. Italy have never been short of workhorse midfielders, but he's something special.
http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/prelimi...tatistics.html
If Italy get players sent off in the Confederations tournament can they then miss qualifiers.
In related news, tabloids report that S&M has skyrocketed among Irish supporters following Trap's appointment.