Spain V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 12 June 2013 - Friendly - Yankee Stadium

[Cuyahoga]

	Forde
McShane	St Ledger	O'Dea	Kelly
Coleman	Hendrick	McCarthy	Keogh
	Keane	Sammon

Considering what's on the bench outfield wise:

Keogh, Delaney
McClean, Meyler, Quinn
Cox

I'm disappointed with Andy Keogh there but it's a minor gripe. We won't have posession anyway so who cares.

I think Forde should move over a bit to his left between the two centre backs or he will leave an open goal for the Spanish.

[peadar1987]

Mon the Sammo!

Is Casillas starting for Spain? Would make Sammon the second UCD forward to play against Casillas at international level. Any takers for the other?

Socrátes?!

[Charlie Darwin]

Socrátes?!

Jason Sherlock. It's always Jason Sherlock.

[pineapple stu]

Glen Fitzpatrick. Ireland u-17 level years ago; a game played in South Africa for some reason.

He didn't score.

[Razors left peg]

What the hell is his obsession with picking less than average strikers as wingers especially when he has McClean on the bench. There is zero logical reason for it, we have seen over and over again that Keogh is not capable of operating as a winger and yet he persists in picking him there. If we are short on numbers he should call up someone like Grealish from Villa or someone from the under 21s who actually plays in that postion and might learn something by just being in the squad. It would be too much for them to start against Spain but there would at least be a long term benefit.

Its so frustrating to see a Premiership winger being left on the bench while a striker of League One standard starts out of position.

[Charlie Darwin]

Glen Fitzpatrick. Ireland u-17 level years ago; a game played in South Africa for some reason.

He didn't score.

Well I am just stunned.

What the hell is his obsession with picking less than average strikers as wingers especially when he has McClean on the bench. There is zero logical reason for it, we have seen over and over again that Keogh is not capable of operating as a winger and yet he persists in picking him there. If we are short on numbers he should call up someone like Grealish from Villa or someone from the under 21s who actually plays in that postion and might learn something by just being in the squad. It would be too much for them to start against Spain but there would at least be a long term benefit.

Its so frustrating to see a Premiership winger being left on the bench while a striker of League One standard starts out of position.

I'm puzzled by his lack of faith in McClean. Granted, he's had a poor season but I don't think his defence and work rate have ever been in question, just his intelligence and ability to keep defenders guessing. Perhaps it is part of a long-game to get McClean to cop himself on and realise he only has limited time as a professional and needs to maximise it.

I have a crazy feeling that Sammon will open his international account tomorrow.

[Razors left peg]

He has much more ability to keep defenders guessing than Keogh. Completely baffles me.

[Charlie Darwin]

He has much more ability to keep defenders guessing than Keogh. Completely baffles me.

Well they play different roles. While I thought Keogh was poor in his 45 minutes against Georgia, you could see the tactical reason he was in the team, to get into the box and help Long whenever McGeady got in a good position, which I think was necessary with Keane absent. He doesn't offer anything as a winger and can't cross the ball, but he's quick, disciplined and hard-working. I'd still play McClean every time, but what I wish is that McClean could combine his touchline-hugging role with an instinct to get in the box and score goals. He's scored a few headers for Sunderland so it's hardly like he lacks the ability.

[Crosby87]

I hope he plays the 3 who haven't gotten in yet, as was pointed out earlier.

[shakermaker1982]

I subscribe to premier sports for the GAA so will be able to watch this! Thanks to DeLorean for pointing this out!!

Not sure if I should stay up...I think I'll record it & then avoid the result till I get back from work.

[DeLorean]

You're welcome. I just happened to spot it here.

[KK77]

Just looked at my Sky guide. The game is listed at 12.30am on both Setanta Ireland(423) & Setanta Sports1(424) but says it's freeview for Setanta Sports1.

Yes noticed that on my Sky as well last night. Will we be able to get it seen as it's showing freeview on Setanta Sports 1?

[DeLorean]

Usually anything that says freeview on Setanta is available without subscription. It's astonishing that this is freeview though as it's one of the few decent events they have. I feel a bit robbed as a €5 per month subscriber

[KK77]

Usually anything that says freeview on Setanta is available without subscription. It's a bit astonishing that this is freeview though as it's one of the few decent events they have. I feel a bit robbed as a €5 per month subscriber

Thanks. Yeah a bit strange alright.

[DeLorean]

I don't see anything about it being freeview on their TV listings

[noddy102]

Del Bosque has said that Valdes will start in goal and David Villa will start up front.

[KK77]

I don't see anything about it being freeview on their TV listings

Showing on the sky platform as freeview still.

[Fixer82]

I think Sammon and Keane could be a good partnership.
Sammon has set Keano up twice for goals in last two games so there seems to be some sort of understanding between them.
Can't see them seeing too much of the ball tonight though

[geysir]

Somewhere between 4-0 and 8-0 - unless Spain are too knackered from too many games/travel/partying.

Hot tip for Tricky,
58c on Spain @2/1 with a 2 goal handicap.

[paul_oshea]

CD you have also been saying Keogh for the last few years is going to score in a big game.2/11 (2/10 really)heightens your chances anyway...