Republic of Ireland V Switzerland 25th March & Slovakia 29th March 2016 - Friendlies

**DannyInvincible** · 30/03/2016, 9:05 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

think it was for the end of the Easter celebrations. Doubt we'll see it again

Also, the anthem was well sung, one of the best I can remember.

We had bagpipes before for a home game against Germany a few years back. Anthem was played with them and all.

Edit: Video here:

**tricky_colour** · 31/03/2016, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Tricky's gonna faint when he sees this!

That is really bad luck, I don't really see how a keeper can injure himself doing next to nothing, same thing
happened with Jack Buckland for England. What is up with these keepers that they can barely walk without
injuring themselves? I had better luck with my bet but I am not allowed to comment on it.

**SkStu** · 31/03/2016, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

That is really bad luck, I don't really see how a keeper can injure himself doing next to nothing, same thing
happened with Jack Buckland for England. What is up with these keepers that they can barely walk without
injuring themselves? I had better luck with my bet but I am not allowed to comment on it.

I'm sorry but I'm not buying any of that without some FIFA16 stats to back it up!

**Kingdom** · 31/03/2016, 12:55 AM

I'd love to see him try the three centre back's and wing-backs in a friendly.

Keogh O'Shea Clark

Coleman McCarthy Brady

Arter Hoolahan

Walters Long

Westwood Randolph Given

Coleman Christie Clark Keogh O'Shea Duffy Ward

McCarthy Whelan Arter Hendrick Hoolahan Brady Judge/McGeady McClean

Long Walters Keane

**Charlie Darwin** · 31/03/2016, 1:39 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I'd love to see him try the three centre back's and wing-backs in a friendly.

Keogh O'Shea Clark

Coleman McCarthy Brady

Arter Hoolahan

Walters Long

Westwood Randolph Given

Coleman Christie Clark Keogh O'Shea Duffy Ward

McCarthy Whelan Arter Hendrick Hoolahan Brady Judge/McGeady McClean

Long Walters Keane

While I agree with you that three at the back is meant to provide more defensive stability, I'd still try and play with a goalkeeper, at least for the first half.

**DeLorean** · 31/03/2016, 7:28 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I'd love to see him try the three centre back's and wing-backs in a friendly.

With the midfield diamond it pretty much frees up the space to allow Brady and Coleman to bomb forward anyway. The only difference is that instead of having three centre backs, we have an extra midfielder to try to close off the space vacated by the attacking full back(s). I've found with teams that have used the wing back formation (three centre backs), it only works for so long. Celtic under O'Neill and Liverpool under Roy Evans both enjoyed initial success, but after a while the opposition seem to be able to pick holes in it. That said, I was eager for O'Neill to try it out with us as well, because I thought it would suit our personnel, Coleman & Brady in particular, but I think he's come up with something better in this diamond shape. It allows us to get more of our best players on to the pitch and have a bit more solidity in midfield. Where do you see the potential advantages of a 5-3-2 (3-5-2)?

**DeLorean** · 31/03/2016, 7:38 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Darida must play a lot then because Rakitic is a Croat

I chickened out of of saying anything in case there was some blossoming Czech by the same name I wasn't aware of

**jbyrne** · 31/03/2016, 7:47 AM

reports this morning that jon walters needs a knee operation and will be out for 8 weeks

**DeLorean** · 31/03/2016, 7:52 AM

Was that on the radio or something? Heard the same from another guy but don't see anything online. If it's true they'd want to get cracking on it pronto to give him some hope of making France. (I'm sure they're aware of this!)

**jbyrne** · 31/03/2016, 8:00 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Was that on the radio or something? Heard the same from another guy but don't see anything online. If it's true they'd want to get cracking on it pronto to give him some hope of making France. (I'm sure they're aware of this!)

yes radio. I think it was newstalk at 8am. It suggested that it would be tight for the euros and as a minimum he may not be match fit

**SkStu** · 31/03/2016, 8:05 AM

Would be a shame if this is accurate and he didn't make it. That said, fearing the worst, who might this open the door for do you think? Pilkington? Judge? On the basis of versatility?

**Fixer82** · 31/03/2016, 8:14 AM

I think Pilkington should definitely make the squad. A winger who can score or even play striker. Long and Walters do Murphy's job better than him. I like Murphy but feel Pilkngton is more mobile and skilful.

**DeLorean** · 31/03/2016, 8:28 AM

Originally Posted by Balls.ie

Philip Quinn has the exclusive in the Irish Daily Mail today that Walters faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines after it was discovered that a cartilage problem in his knee will likely require surgery, something that is far from ideal in terms of Martin O'Neill's plans for Euro 2016.That news has yet to be confirmed, but speaking to Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Quinn gave an update on the situation with Mark Hughes set to confirm later today whether or not Walters' situation is as bad as is now feared.

Walters withdrew from the recent squad to face Switzerland and Slovakia with what was initially diagnosed as tendonitis. It had been thought that he'd return for the second of those games but that proved to be wishful thinking and now it would appear that Walters trouble could be worse still.

If the operation is indeed needed then you'd have to think it's good news he's going under the knife now to give him sufficient time to recover in time for the trip to France. Having said that however, it's far from ideal situation if Walters can't play again for Stoke this season with those final two warm up games against the Netherlands and Belarus looking particularly crucial to ensure Walters is fighting fit ahead of the game against Sweden on June 13th.

We'll know a bit more later on I guess.

This is the link to the article (Warning: Daily Mail)

**DeLorean** · 31/03/2016, 8:46 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

O'Neill versus Trap?

Ken Early had a crack at the comparisons as well.

Encouraging words from O'Neill about Hoolahan at the end also, I didn't know he was asked about it.

**Ol� Ol�** · 31/03/2016, 8:52 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

With the midfield diamond it pretty much frees up the space to allow Brady and Coleman to bomb forward anyway. The only difference is that instead of having three centre backs, we have an extra midfielder to try to close off the space vacated by the attacking full back(s). I've found with teams that have used the wing back formation (three centre backs), it only works for so long. Celtic under O'Neill and Liverpool under Roy Evans both enjoyed initial success, but after a while the opposition seem to be able to pick holes in it. That said, I was eager for O'Neill to try it out with us as well, because I though it would suit our personnel, Coleman & Brady in particular, but I think he's come up with something better in this diamond shape. It allows us to get more of our best players on to the pitch and have a bit more solidity in midfield. Where do you see the potential advantages of a 5-3-2 (3-5-2)?

Only thing about playing the diamond and allowing the full-backs bomb on is that we looked a tad vulnerable on the counter on Tuesday night. That might have a lot to do with the fact that Whelan and McCarthy didn't have their best nights and 2 of the centre halves on show are unlikely to make the squad (McShane and Pearce).

You would hope that the lapse from Whelan won't happen again from him and that our first choice centre halves (two of O'Shea, Clark and Keogh at this point I think) won't read a situation like that as badly as McShane did for the first goal.

I think, otherwise, the diamond definitely suits us. 3-5-2 would sacrifices an extra body in midfield and any time we played the diamond during the tail-end of qualifying I thought it brought out the best in Hendrick and didn't limit Hoolahan's influence much.

If Walters isn't fit (which would be a bummer and I'm sure he'll be given every chance to prove his fitness and will be named in the squad once he can limp on for the Belarus match), then a diamond with McClean and Long up front would be pretty great. They'd be pretty relentless in their running and harrying. Would it be out of the question to suggest that they'd tire the opposition so much that Keane could come in and nick it for us?

Goals, as ever, are still an issue. We were fairly on top against Slovakia but they scored two from play and we scored two from pentalties.

**jbyrne** · 31/03/2016, 9:34 AM

if walters injury is cartilage related, as is being reported, it shouldn't be too serious. had a similar op last year and if I really wanted to I could have been back running a week or two later. hopefully the 8 weeks is an innacurate media assumption

**Ol� Ol�** · 31/03/2016, 9:55 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

if walters injury is cartilage related, as is being reported, it shouldn't be too serious. had a similar op last year and if I really wanted to I could have been back running a week or two later. hopefully the 8 weeks is an innacurate media assumption

Yeah, the 8 weeks assertion is a lovely headline. Very convenient timeframe to rattle the confidence of a public that have placed a degree of reliance on Walters following his heroics against Bosnia. Further down the article in the Mail there's this paragraph:
"The FAI refused to comment on Walters’ fitness status last night but Sportsmail understands through sources in the Midlands that the rugged forward is likely to be out of action for an unspecified period."

**tetsujin1979** · 31/03/2016, 11:25 AM

Back in six weeks according to quotes in the Independent: http://www.independent.ie/sport/excl...-34587343.html

**jbyrne** · 31/03/2016, 12:12 PM

surprise surprise...
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/...6-fears-for-w/

the cartilage "operation" is more of a procedure really. in and out in a few hours

**Ol� Ol�** · 31/03/2016, 1:09 PM

Seriously like. What were Newstalk playing at on this? Are they not a reputable broadcaster? Entertaining some Mail scaremongering isn't the act of a reputable broadcaster.

Still, I'm sure there were a few extra rags sold this morning so all's well in the Mail.