I think home advantage gives the Poles a significantly better chance, coupled with that fact that we're starting to look a bit depleted.
Aye, but it's more than a year till we pay in Polska, rather more important. Even I won't write us off in that one, but in general, we draw too many games, which could be what could cost us v. the Scots & Poles.
The latter might do something next weekend, but realistically a narrow defeat at best?
Hoping for a win in Germany would be fanciful, although it's not as if we therefore ought to just assume defeat/shouldn't bother trying. The terribly depressing and soul-destroying thing about the latter spell of Trapattoni's reign was the seeming loss of heart of the team. Sure, defeat might have been likely in certain games no matter how we played, but to seemingly surrender to the presumption rather than truly giving it our best shot and going out on the offensive (and I don't mean being recklessly gung-ho), even if, in all likelihood, it would ultimately be in vain, was very disheartening. The likelihood is that we will lose to Germany, true, but that small chance we do have of getting something out of the game is one that is worth fighting tooth and nail for. Nobody wants to feel like we've sold ourselves short come the final whistle. Even a draw in Gelsenkirchen would be a tremendous result and a very valuable point in the overall scheme of things. We've had opposition and their fans quietly and confidently write us off before (Italy, Holland twice and, more recently, France...), but we haven't always followed that script. If all goes to plan against Gibraltar, it should provide us with a much-needed morale-boosting springboard from which we can carry a bit of momentum into Tuesday's game.
Just on McCarthy's fatigue/injury, there seems to be this impression amongst some of our supporters that Martinez has something in particular against James lining out for us. Yesterday, the YBIG Facebook page posted up the following, which inevitably drew a few likes and words of agreement:
I don't think such an opinion bears scrutiny though. Martinez has always struck me as an amicable chap and I understand he has a good relationship with our management team. He has never had any problem with releasing fully fit players - including Coleman, Gibson and McGeady - for international games. When McCarthy missed a couple of friendly games for us whilst at Wigan, he was either injured or not 100 per cent fit and protecting himself from aggravating a recurring ankle injury at the time. Our management team and doctor had no issue with this then and all parties were in common agreement that rest from non-competitive fixtures was the best option for the lad. McCarthy has been in plenty of friendly squads since whilst playing under Martinez at club level.Originally Posted by YBIG
As far as McCarthy's absence from the Gibraltar squad is concerned, that's not Martinez's call. He might prefer McCarthy be rested and might well have conversed with our management with regard to the player's fitness, but, ultimately, he has no jurisdiction here. It's completely O'Neill's call as clubs have absolutely no power whatsoever to withhold their players from competitive international duty under FIFA regulations. If McCarthy has been left out for rest and recuperation, it hasn't been the doing of Martinez.
As it stands, there has been no confirmation from the FAI as to whether both McCarthy and Coleman will definitely miss Germany, although things don't look promising if Martinez's words are to be taken at face value. Will both players be assessed by the FAI doctor before Gelsenkirchen? I hope so. I don't think Martinez would try to hoodwink us - and I'm sure both players would be desperate to play in such a massive game if fit - but I would like to think there is still some hope that both can make it. I'll remain in healthy denial until I hear the FAI say neither will partake, preferably after both have had a check-up with Dr. Alan Byrne.
Wenger ought to pick on someone his own size!: https://vine.co/v/OKhFVvJ1UYW
Last edited by DannyInvincible; 06/10/2014 at 11:41 AM.
The Martinez/McCarthy conspiracy theory was embarrassing at the time and it's even more embarrassing that people would bring it up now.
I don't think the bookies would see it that way. Germany are 8/15 to beat Poland by Paddy Power. I haven't seen the odds for our game against them yet but I'd imagine they'll be far less backable, maybe 1/4 or so.
The thing with McCarthy is certainly doesn't matter if plays v. the theme park and probably the Germans too...the former was a game to try to bring in new players, even those of more questionable eligibilty and try to find some of the 'new blood' we desperately need. Or will do in due course.
Ideally MO'N would have his strongest XI who might be capable of giving the Germans a real game, but with even 1-2 of those missing, we're already looking at a damage limitation exercise. Ideally, we'd hold out for 80 mins and then score, but firmly believe even with that 'strongest XI', we're incapable of doing that.
Hence the importance of not irritating their clubs and hoping we have our strongest XI ready for Scotland.
See Adam, Fletcher & Naismith all scored this weekend in the EPL, so far from confident we can keep a clean sheet and without certain players, our chances of a result there are diminished too.
But agreed whilst not world-beaters, their main strength is a more settled team and pattern of play.
The latter has been a failing for years, if only as most experienced Ireland-watchers will tell you there's very little consistency in this respect.
Certainly Georgia was full of misplaced passes which doesn't augur overly well IMO.
I normally don't get too worried with highlights of Irish players, but it was a fing nightmare to watch the best(worst) of Stoke & Sunderland. Wilson looked absolutely hapless against one of the most dysfunctional forward lines of recent times, I mean for the second Fletcher goal (that's a joke in itself, Fletcher scoring two goals, nevermind in a game) he is walking away before the ball is even struck into the net. That was nearly eclipsed by O'Shea's defending for Charlie Adam's goal. For me, a connoisseur of decent defending, that was a freakin' nightmare.
And not to show bias, Delaney didn't cover himself in glory against Hull either. Although he was very unlucky not to score with a header cleared off the line.
I know that generally Irish players raise their game when they go on duty for the national side, but it's one thing going into a game with the National team looking to prove people wrong (if you're not getting game time at your club - Quinn, Ward, Walters, Gibson), and a totally different thing trying to gain some form if you or your team are in the doldrums. I think that's probably what has me in so much trepidation going forward in this campaign, and really it's of no fault of the management. We have average defenders (in comparison to midfield and attack) and compounding this is their lack of form.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Looks like Stokes is free to play. Trial date set for May 2015.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1006/650375-anthony-stokes/
That's a shame, he was pretty poor yesterday...
Just saw Daryl Murphy's goals on SKY. Very impressive.
Stephen Henderson looked a bit slow down for Birmingham's equaliser.
Oh, and Jordan Rhodes missed a penalty
But will Murphy play v.Scotland? I doubt it. And Fletcher/Naismith/Rhodes look on paper, as good as our strikers. Also a joke Damien Delaney keeps being ignored too...worthy of a place on the bench at least.
Only Naismith of their forwards worries me really. Our defenders have coped with far better forwards than the others.
Our other forwards are at least as good as their other forwards.
I think Scotland v Ireland will be really good actually. Regardless of the nature of these games, O'Neill has nearly two weeks with the team which can only be a good thing. By the time we go to Glasgow O'Neill will have had two more games and a lot more touch time with the squad. This is our own chance to generate some of the momentum that Scotland have.
I still think its too early to have any real idea of how O'Neill is doing. The friendlies were all over the shop for all kinds of reasons and Georgia was worryingly like Trap. My hope is that O'Neill is continuing to learn and continuing to seek to adjust and adapt. I'm praying he isn't as one dimensional as his predecessor.
Don't see anything like that scope for optimism, but unlike Deutschland, we can get a draw v.Scotland.
McCarthy formally ruled out of both games: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30640598.html
Delaney, in his curious absence from the squad, will be elevated to (previously unhoped for) supreme legend status, by the RTE panel this weekend.
"Stephen Kelly is a good, honest lad, and the way he's been treated by this clueless..."
"There is no natural right back in the squad"
Richard Keogh has plenty of experience playing in that position; we could play him there where he wouldn't be as exposed. If Damien Delaney was still in the squad we could play him on the opposite flank against Germany rather than Ward. There you have four defensively minded players who all have experience playing in the positions they are playing in and it's not like we will be going gung ho against Germany so they don't have to venture too forward.
Other than that, it looks like Meyler.
Re: Stephen Kelly
I think what offended people so much about how he was treated was not that he was an extremely talented player, rather he was a thorough professional and quiet, inoffensive lad - and the fact that Trapattoni managed to offend him said a lot about how lousy and downright incompetent his man-managing skills were.
Some of the stuff Trapattoni came out with about Kelly, Steven Reid and Andy Reid could have resulted in legal action in any other profession.
Bummer. Could force MON into being more attacking than he would have liked. With Meyler likely to fill in at right back in Coleman's absence, then that probably leaves Quinn and Gibbo battling for the central midfield spot, or Wes if he decides to play the same type of formation as against Georgia.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
I'd be as amazed if Meyler doesn't start at right back now as I was when he started at right back in the Oman game!
On the bright side, if Coleman doesn't play then at least he won't give away a penalty
The McCarthy that plays for Ireland is more easily replaced than the one who plays for Everton. I hope O'Neill goes back to the Italy friendly template which worked pretty well. As far as I can recall Meyler, Hendrick were in the middle, McGeady, Pilkington and Hoolahan played with more attacking license and Long worked his nuts off up front and on another day might have scored a couple.
Whelan will be picked no doubt and Meyler will probably play RB.
I was rather hoping he'd get his inevitable penalty out of the way against GibraltarI'd be as amazed if Meyler doesn't start at right back now as I was when he started at right back in the Oman game!
On the bright side, if Coleman doesn't play then at least he won't give away a penalty
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