Republic of Ireland V Cyprus - Wednesday, 15th October 2008 - World Cup 2010 Q

[Fergie's Son]

the problem is a Reid/Miller parnership just will not win the ball. Miller is not a ball-winner and nor is Reid. Trapp thinks that our wingers are skillful enough to cause damage IF they get the ball. They won't get the ball with a Reid Miller midfield. I think they might with Gibson/Whelan. This is still Cyprus. Better than usual but not that great of a team.

[Carrigaline]

Some people seem to have this Faraway Hills syndrome about players who we've never seen play before.

[Fergie's Son]

Some people seem to have this Faraway Hills syndrome about players who we've never seen play before.

I've seen Whelan play two strong games against teams no worse than Cyprus.

[Razors left peg]

Some people seem to have this Faraway Hills syndrome about players who we've never seen play before.

Ive seen Gibson quite a bit for the u21s and is definately a good player... whether hes ready for this step up yet is the question, Im excited about it though

[carloz]

What a major confidence blow that must be for both Andy Reid and Liam Miller. And what about our midfield? I'm sorry but a Stoke reserve and a guy who can't even make the Man Utd bench manning our midfield? If you've an experienced guy there one could bail out the other guy but two of them seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

Remember what happened last time when we played Cyprus and built our team around a lightweight and untested midfield (Stephen Ireland with Carsley too far back).

hmm it should be interesting regardless. Gibson can pass the ball at least which makes him more competent than Andrews but really Andy Reid's on the bench. -_-

Think back again. In the Cyprus game you are thinking of the central midfield was Ireland and Kilbane. Staunton foolishly refused to call up Carsley. There is a massive difference in physicality between Whealan + Gibson than Ireland + Kilbane. The central midfield tomorrow night may be untested but it is far from lightweight. Whatever central midfield was picked it would have been untested. Trap has his reasons for not playing A. Reid and we have to respect that. Most of us here would have him playing but if we get the results then we will have to accept Traps opinion on Reiddy. IMO of the squad Gibson is the most similar player to S. Reid. I hope he rises to the occasion.

[tommy_c12000]

Miller is a good player contrary to the love of this forum to victimise him. He's a solid performer who rarely performs badly, often performs averagely and however sporadically has proven himself at the highest level. Remember last season in the Emirates when he dominated Arsenal from start to finish or at Celtic when O'Neill declared he planned to build the Celtic team around him. He's done it at the highest level before, the occasion won't get to him. What's Gibson ever proved? He can do ok in a B international?

I'd have Andy Reid and Miller in the centre for this. I'll accept either Gibson or Whelan as they both offer something but both of them at once is risky no matter how you look at it

Miller has had chance after chance and just simply has not taken them. Putting him in there 2moro nite wud be a step backwards IMO. He is not going to amount to anything and will never get remotely near to fulfilling the potential he showed in the Celtic days. He's 28 at the start of next yr and should be written off as a bad debt in the international sense.

Gibson is only 20, highly rated at Utd, has over 50 first team appearances under his belt at Wolves and Antwerp, and has had a number of years training with the Utd 1st team and playing in the reserves. At 6.4 he's also a lot more physically imposing than Miller. Considering the lack of central midfield options and Trap's mantra of, "you can change the player but not the system" (ie no andy reid), Gibson deserves a chance 2moro nite. He wont get a better opportunity than Cyprus at home to make his home competitive debut. The only other viable option is Andrews who has looked reasonably competent at blackburn this season but I'd definitely prefer Gibson (8 yrs his junior) in there. Best of luck 2moro nite son!

[paul_oshea]

Whats the betting on Gibson getting Man of The Match tomorrow night?

thats interesting i'd like a fiver on that, assuming we dont put 2 or 3 past them.

[paul_oshea]

he is 6 ft is he not?

[eirebhoy]

I'm amazed that this is popular opinion.

Miller won't set the world alight, but he's been proven as a decent performer.

Gibson has a worrying lack of experience.

Miller and Whelan against Colombia was severely lacking in any sort of creativity. There was very little movement and link up on the ball. One thing that sticks in my head... McGeady had the ball on the left, he stood there for about 3 seconds waiting to play the pass. The midfielders stood there behind Colombian plays and didn't make themselves available. McGeady was dispossessed.

I don't know enough about Gibson but Miller and Whelan isn't good enough.

[Razors left peg]

Miller is a good player contrary to the love of this forum to victimise him. He's a solid performer who rarely performs badly, often performs averagely and however sporadically has proven himself at the highest level. Remember last season in the Emirates when he dominated Arsenal from start to finish or at Celtic when O'Neill declared he planned to build the Celtic team around him. He's done it at the highest level before, the occasion won't get to him. What's Gibson ever proved? He can do ok in a B international?

I'd have Andy Reid and Miller in the centre for this. I'll accept either Gibson or Whelan as they both offer something but both of them at once is risky no matter how you look at it

Never seen him play a good game for Ireland

[Rambling Along]

I trust Trappatoni's judgement, therefore i havn't a problem with Gibson playing. Regardlesss I think Gibson is going to be a potential world class player in the future.

[tommy_c12000]

he is 6 ft is he not?

My bad i meant to say he was 4 inches taller than Miller

[co. down green]

It's going to be a big test for Gibson but he certainly has the ability to do the job tomorrow night.

[thepiedpiper]

Detailed preview of the match tomorrow here
http://www.thefreekick.com/dynamics/showentry.php?e=23

[FarBeag]

I'm certainly a lot more excited about tomorrow's match than I would be if Miller was starting instead.

Have to agree with you there. He may not be getting a lot of football at present but he is some player. He is strong with a good engine and has some shot on him.He did not play in the centre for Wolves and was used right side of mid field which did not suit him. Gibson playing in the centre for us takes away some of the disappointment of Reid not playing. Anyway the best of luck to him.

[tommy_c12000]

Have to agree with you there. He may not be getting a lot of football at present but he is some player. He is strong with a good engine and has some shot on him.He did not play in the centre for Wolves and was used right side of mid field which did not suit him. Gibson playing in the centre for us takes away some of the disappointment of Reid not playing. Anyway the best of luck to him.

i concur!

[Fergie's Son]

Detailed preview of the match tomorrow here
http://www.thefreekick.com/dynamics/showentry.php?e=23

The 26 country representative team?

FFS you're having a laugh.

[thepiedpiper]

The 26 country representative team?

FFS you're having a laugh.

Whats the problem with that?

[Kingdom]

The 26 country representative team?

FFS you're having a laugh.

Yeah I stopped reading as soon as I read that.

[tommy_c12000]

Whats the problem with that?

We're a Republic who fought long and hard to get our independence. 26 county representative team makes us sounds like some English cricket subsidary team. Damn English £$%$