Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

**geysir** · 15/03/2011, 9:04 PM

And that's a major blow for us as it's almost for sure he'll have to withdraw, more so if Dunne will also be out.

back 4
Foley Clark St Ledger Kilbane.

**paul_oshea** · 15/03/2011, 9:11 PM

Thank god we are at home.

But maybe this forces Trap to give Clark a game, where he mightn't have before, and automatically pushes him to the starting 11 from now on. Thats about the best that can come out of this.

This is sorta a loaded question, but will he really go with Clark and St Ledger in the middle - i know we dont really have any other options. I really hope Dunne plays even if half fit.

**Junior** · 15/03/2011, 9:18 PM

Great tie winning goal from Pandev tonight for Inter. We'll need our defenders on the ball........

**geysir** · 15/03/2011, 9:28 PM

He's a portly chap, Pandev.

**paul_oshea** · 15/03/2011, 9:30 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

Great tie winning goal from Pandev tonight for Inter. We'll need our defenders on the ball........

Ya, something we know (paricularly certain members) they cant really do

**gilberto_eire** · 15/03/2011, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Thank god we are at home.

But maybe this forces Trap to give Clark a game, where he mightn't have before, and automatically pushes him to the starting 11 from now on. Thats about the best that can come out of this.

This is sorta a loaded question, but will he really go with Clark and St Ledger in the middle - i know we dont really have any other options. I really hope Dunne plays even if half fit.

I think Clark starts either way, this just opens a potential RB position for Kelly.

Kelly St.Ledger Dunne Clark

Counting Dunne out too I see Kilbane coming back in....

Kelly St.Ledger Clark Kilbane

**Kingdom** · 16/03/2011, 9:01 AM

We have to imagine O'Shea is in trouble for Macedonia. I mentioned it somewhere else last week, but the time has come to blood the likes of Foley and Clark. If Dunne is fit, go with himself and Sledger in the Middle and give the two young guys a chance in the corners. They have to get a start sometime.

**Stuttgart88** · 16/03/2011, 10:17 AM

I'm not too fussed about O'Shea's absence as long as Dunne is fit. John O'Shea the right back is not an essential member of the team, although his height is useful defending set pieces. If Dunne is injured then O'Shea the centre-back is a big loss.

I'd prefer to see Foley at RB, marginally over Wilson, then Kelly.

If changes are required and we get away with a win, then it could be a really useful catalyst for permanent change. We all know that Trap sticks with incumbents.

**Kingdom** · 16/03/2011, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'm not too fussed about O'Shea's absence as long as Dunne is fit. John O'Shea the right back is not an essential member of the team, although his height is useful defending set pieces. If Dunne is injured then O'Shea the centre-back is a big loss.

I'd prefer to see Foley at RB, marginally over Wilson, then Kelly.

If changes are required and we get away with a win, then it could be a really useful catalyst for permanent change. We all know that Trap sticks with incumbents.

Agree 110% with this.

**Stuttgart88** · 16/03/2011, 10:22 AM

It's worthwhile looking at our options:

RB:
O'Shea
Foley
Wilson
Coleman
Kelly

CB:
Dunne
O'Shea
Sledge
Clark
Wilson
O'Dea

LB:
Kilbane
Clark
O'Dea
O'Shea
Kelly - only if necessary

We should be able to configure a decent enough defence out of that lot, but no passengers can be tolerated.

**Kingdom** · 16/03/2011, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It's worthwhile looking at our options:

RB:
O'Shea
Foley
Wilson
Coleman
Kelly

CB:
Dunne
O'Shea
Sledge
Clark
Wilson
O'Dea

LB:
Kilbane
Clark
O'Dea
O'Shea
Kelly - only if necessary

We should be able to configure a decent enough defence out of that lot, but no passengers can be tolerated.

Is that in general or for the upcoming games? If the former, Cunningham has to be high on the LB list. That aside, we're singing off the same hymn sheet. Perhaps add Duffy to CB list.

**Stuttgart88** · 16/03/2011, 10:55 AM

I meant for the upcoming games, and based on who is in the 29 man squad (from what I can remember of it). Cunningham would be high up the LB list otherwise, but I think Duffy is a fair bit away from being considered for a CB role this season.

**paul_oshea** · 16/03/2011, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

Agree 110% with this.

Well Ill take away at least 15% then. IF O'shea is injured, Dunne being "fit", is obviously of utmost importance to our chances of getting the win here. But realistically he will have been out for a month, with all that has gone on since, and the fact that he wont actually be proper match fit, this is still a big big problem.

It will be great to have Dunne, it is essential, but it wont be the same dunne.

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/03/2011, 12:33 PM

If Dunne and O'Shea are both out, I have a feeling Trap would go with Sledge and O'Dea at centre half since they've played there together a couple of times.

**Wolfie** · 16/03/2011, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

If Dunne and O'Shea are both out, I have a feeling Trap would go with Sledge and O'Dea at centre half since they've played there together a couple of times.

If the above scenario came to pass, I'd hope Trapp selects Sledge / Clarke at centre half.

I really think Clarke would be the better bet at centre half and would be a better threat from set pieces such as corners.

He's already proved he can get on the end of corners with Villa.

Obviously, the offensive qualities are of secondary concern and I'd pick him primarily on his defensive ability at centre half.

**SwanVsDalton** · 16/03/2011, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

If Dunne and O'Shea are both out, I have a feeling Trap would go with Sledge and O'Dea at centre half since they've played there together a couple of times.

Certainly hope not - honestly, if that were to happen, I'd rather he recalled McShane and played him. In fact if O'Shea's out, I think Paul will be back in the squad and likely on the bench. Trap will probably value his relative experience.

The idea of O'Shea and Dunne both out really is a nightmare though. I'd back Clark and Sledge to do the job but, with those two and a newbie goalie, it'd be a total heart-in-mouth ninety minutes.

**Sullivinho** · 16/03/2011, 1:09 PM

If it came down to it, I'd be hoping Trap had enough confidence in Clark too. I don't rate O'Dea at all but he has been a regular enough squad member. I'd also trust Foley at RB but I'm not sure Trap would/will.

**geysir** · 16/03/2011, 1:13 PM

If Trap has a question of who will play at CH should both Dunne and O'Shea be out, then he'll surely look to the squad training sessions for the most likely suspect. I don't think O'Dea has any more claim than Clark, just because he has a few non competitive caps.
I suspect if Dunne is 1/2 fit, he will play.

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/03/2011, 3:00 PM

Dunne simply has to play or else there is a real chance our Qualifying hopes could end against Macedonia. None of the permutatons look good enough not to concede at least a goal. We might just get away with it but if Dunne can't play then Trapatonni has to go with the players playing at the top of their game at this moment in time and at the highest standard. That means Wilson or Foley right back. St Ledger and Clark center backs and Kelly or Kilbane at left back. None fill me with confidence to operate as a unit. Dunne has to play.

**Kingdom** · 16/03/2011, 4:34 PM

Every so often, when a big scare like this happens I think back to two occasions I was lucky to catch. In 1995, Luca Bucci got injured prior to Parma hosting Milan. Gigi Buffon made his debut that day and kept a clean sheet.
18 months later he made his Azzuri debut in similar unusual circumstances, coming on in the WC playoff for Pagliuca in the first half. In both instances he was untried and went on to become the greatest keeper.
I'm not saying Clark or Foley will go on to collect the Ballon D'Or but at home against Macedonia, when we should have the ability and experience to keep the pressure on their back line and keep the pressure off ours, then it's as good a match as any for it to happen in.
Who knows, Foley, SLedger, Clark Cunningham could be our back line come Moscow in September.