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

[SUB of the day]

I know a lot of the players are not regulars at their respective clubs,but the list of teams where our starting 11 are based is certainly impressive, when compared to the 3 British teams of Wales Scotland and NI.

[yablazer]

I think Staunton's decisions tended to be riduculed after it was clear that they had turned out to be the wrong ones. We'll see how Gibbo gets on 2m, cud go wither way. And anyway, as you've rightly pointed out, so far trap has been right more than he's been wrong. ah blazes i can't wait for 2m night

[Fergie's Son]

Shocked to be honest. I think he must have seen that Cyprus were too physical for Miller. Huge gamble but then again, this is Cyprus. At home.

Time to step up Mr. Gibson and do your country proud!

[eirebhoy]

On a side note, I find it interesting that most people are commending Trap's courage here for making a bold selection instead of calling him out for making a bizarre decision- we would have slaughtered Staunton for doing something similar.

That's Stan, this is Trap.. Trap gets the benefit of the doubt, fans genuinely felt they knew more than Stan and they probably did.

[Armando]

On a side note, I find it interesting that most people are commending Trap's courage here for making a bold selection instead of calling him out for making a bizarre decision- we would have slaughtered Staunton for doing something similar.

In Trap's defense he was right about Whelan, O'Shea at centre-half, etc, but I still find the attitude about this questionable decision interesting.

Let's hope the gamble pays off tomorrow.

Very good point....and I did slaughter Staunton for doing something similiar...
it was in this very same game against the cypriots last year that an inexperienced Joey O'Brien lined out in centre mid after excelling at centre half against Germany a few days earlier. However, the main absurdity as I saw it was not his lack of experience but the fact that he was shifted out of a position he proved himself in and now he was under pressure to prove himself all over again....and as we all know, and as I thought it would go before hand, he had a shocker. I felt very sorry for Joey O'Brien that night.

I don't agree with playing Gibson ahead of Andy Reid, especially at home, but have to admit he is a good like for like replacement for Steven Reid - same sort of composure on the ball and they're even a similiar build. One things for sure he will see more of the ball than any other irish player tomorrow so hopefully he steps up to the plate and has a blinder

[Razors left peg]

I think overall I'm happier with Gibson getting a chance over Miller, but as people have said here, it's a huge gamble.

On a side note, I find it interesting that most people are commending Trap's courage here for making a bold selection instead of calling him out for making a bizarre decision- we would have slaughtered Staunton for doing something similar.

In Trap's defense he was right about Whelan, O'Shea at centre-half, etc, but I still find the attitude about this questionable decision interesting.

Let's hope the gamble pays off tomorrow.

Its a fair point but at least Trap is explaining his decisions and has a set system that the players have to fit in to whereas Stan seemed to be making it up as he went along. He wants a physical presence in midfield and he obviously thinks having seen them in training that Gibson has more than Miller.
Its a gamble but with Trap you get the feeling that it is a highly calculated gamble rather than total guess work from Staunton

[charliesboots]

Hope Howard Wells enjoys watching Gibson playing for Ireland from the job queue tomorrow!

[richieos]

Darron Gibson will be thrown into the heat of World Cup battle on Wednesday night as Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni gambles on one of his new finds.
The 20-year-old Manchester United starlet will win his third senior cap alongside Glenn Whelan, who himself will be playing just his sixth full international game, against Cyprus at Croke Park.

opinions? personally i trust traps judgment completely and i dont think he'd make a decision like this without being confident. also i hope he doesnt break up the o'shea + dunne partnership but i dont think he will

[jmurphyc]

Its a fair point but at least Trap is explaining his decisions and has a set system that the players have to fit in to whereas Stan seemed to be making it up as he went along. He wants a physical presence in midfield and he obviously thinks having seen them in training that Gibson has more than Miller.
Its a gamble but with Trap you get the feeling that it is a highly calculated gamble rather than total guess work from Staunton

Also, a major difference is that this is a home game. Staunton gambled with Gibson away from home. Even though this an important game, with us being at home and having more of the ball Gibson should - in a sense - be under far less pressure. Even though Cyprus have been a bit of a thorn in our side in recent times, we are still far superior to them. We should win it relatively comfortably, even with a gamble like this.

[kingdomkerry]

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

[eirebhoy]

Looks like McShane's gonna play centre half thanfully.

Trapattoni: "McShane is a stopper, but on the left, they have Aloneftis, and he is one of the most dangerous players in their team.

"I can start with him or I can start with John. In the last game, John and Dunne played very well in the middle, but Aloneftis is very, very dangerous and maybe he needs particular attention."

[noddy102]

Playing Andrews would have been a huge call; putting him into the mix on his debut in a qualifying game.

Gibson may not have regular football going for him, but he does have 2 caps to his name, one of which was competitive. Fair enough, he may not have played many minutes, but he is a talented footballer and very athletic too.

I trust Trap's call on this.

[Razors left peg]

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

Same here

[Closed Account]

Looks like McShane's gonna play centre half thanfully.

Trapattoni: "McShane is a stopper, but on the left, they have Aloneftis, and he is one of the most dangerous players in their team.

"I can start with him or I can start with John. In the last game, John and Dunne played very well in the middle, but Aloneftis is very, very dangerous and maybe he needs particular attention."

Hadn't considered this. McShane was my previous opinion to be best option at right back but if Cyprus do have a pacy winger, it may be a better option to stick O'Shea out there. Hopefully we will dominate possession and it won't be much of a problem as there wingers will be used to track back and defend away from home.

[Brendan 82]

I think we may just have to accept that Andy Reid is not part of this team. Gibson over Miller is a good choice in my opinion.

No sense in being outraged by the midfield selection. Even if Andy Reid started we would still have one of the other inexperienced lads in there so...meh

[Carrigaline]

Poor Andy Reid must be wondering what he did to not get called up.

[Carrigaline]

Gibson over Miller is a good choice in my opinion.

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.

[Junior]

Also, a major difference is that this is a home game. Staunton gambled with Gibson away from home. Even though this an important game, with us being at home and having more of the ball Gibson should - in a sense - be under far less pressure. Even though Cyprus have been a bit of a thorn in our side in recent times, we are still far superior to them. We should win it relatively comfortably, even with a gamble like this.

Im not as confident as yourself. Cyprus already have an away point in the Group and were only beaten with a 92nd minute winner by Group favourites Italy. Add to that our ropey record against them plus an untried an inexperienced central midfield partnership. Ill gladly take a low scoring win with an accomplished, solid performance.

[Kingdom]

Hadn't considered this. McShane was my previous opinion to be best option at right back but if Cyprus do have a pacy winger, it may be a better option to stick O'Shea out there. Hopefully we will dominate possession and it won't be much of a problem as there wingers will be used to track back and defend away from home.

I can't believe regular posters such as yourself hadn't considered this. With Okkas (if he plays) pushing wide as well, I never expected McShane to start full back.

[richieos]

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.

there was no bigger fan than me of miller back in his celtic days but the only thing hes been decent at lately is giving away free kicks at the edge of his own box.