Starting XI V Poland

[FootballsKing]

I dont understand why Hunt is expected to get a run out when both Stokes and Long were selected in the squad ahead of him initially.

Surely this defeats the purpose of excluding Hunt in the first place, and without considering whats deserved, would be ridiculous in terms of simple logic

[irishfan86]

While I agree with your points Manc, and would have Foley over McShane on the right, Trap's decision to pick a Premiership right back who is playing on a team that is performing well in the Premiership (Hull), is hardly controversial "on paper."

People who know the game know that who you play for isn't everything, and I'm not saying Trap doesn't know the game, but I would question his knowledge of our players, certainly those playing south of the Premier division.

[Superhoops]

There is a chance they could come on as subs.
Then they would be the first brothers on the same team since Tony and Pat Dunne over 40 years ago.

Wrong! David and Pierce O'Leary played together 3 times:
v Bugaria at Lansdowne in October 1979
v Northern Ireland in Belfast in November 1979
v Holland at Lansdowne in September 1980

[Manc Irish Wolf]

While I agree with your points Manc, and would have Foley over McShane on the right, Trap's decision to pick a Premiership right back who is playing on a team that is performing well in the Premiership (Hull), is hardly controversial "on paper."

People who know the game know that who you play for isn't everything, and I'm not saying Trap doesn't know the game, but I would question his knowledge of our players, certainly those playing south of the Premier division.

Agree on paper that McShane looks like a better option on paper - older, slightly more experienced, playing for a Premiership side - however that is my point, Trap had never seen Foley in a competitive game in the flesh. Eveyone on this site has seen McShane and are well aware of his defensive capabilities and limitations - for one he's a centreback not a natural rightback with no natural instinct to assist the midfielders (a pre-requisite of the modern fullback, especially with two centre midfielders who sit deep).

Having just read that Trap has attended just 3 live games, I think that he needs to stop making his opinions based upon logic on paper, video analysis (in which the full extent of someones talent can never be truly analysed) and a scouting network partially consisting of Don Givens and Frank Stapleton (One a sychophantic tool and the other an arrogant gobsh*te who was instrumental in ruining Willo Flood's confidence having lambasted him publicly for a below-par performace against France) and instead start earning his money and getting to games. He might not be here beyond 2 years, but we will and how else are the kids going to get a chance?

That said, Trap is a ledge and is fully deserving of our support, it's just frustrating that he chooses to be so brave in selection with unestablished premier players, but not burgeoning championship players.

[Crosby87]

No James McCarthy?

[theworm2345]

Trap and Given on SSN
http://sharebee.com/acc0a424

[Razors left peg]

No James McCarthy?

wasnt in the squad

[shelbourne1904]

simple he thinks he maybe better than his first inxclusions .but what worries me is persisting with McShane wo looks game but lost in every match I see him in whether with Hull or Ireland.

[theworm2345]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game

[Razors left peg]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game

Jesus where are his priorities......

[Sligo Hornet]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game

Are you sure it's "his" wife?.....is she "really" in labour?....is he getting a wig fitted?....maybe a certain someone has had a word in his ear!

[Hibs4Ever]

I just heard Dunne's wife went in to labor in England and he flew back and is a doubt for the game

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/1119/ireland.html

[Lenny82]

Manc makes some very good points.

Shame about Dunne heading back to Manchester. The team looks very ordinary without the likes of Dunne, Reid, McGeady and Keane. In a way I'm glad to see Whelan and Gibson start together in Central midfield, Trap can always bring on Andrews for the last half hour for one of them and he probably will as he seems to talk very highly of him.

I'd love to see Noel Hunt be rewarded for the fantastic season he's having so far and he certainly deserves to be selected ahead of Murphy, Folan, Long and Stokes.

However, I think this could be our 1st defeat under Trap tonight!!! 2-1 Poland. I hope I'm wrong!!!

[Dr. Ogba]

oh dear looks like a McShane O'Shea centre half combination then Traps reluctance to call up more cover for this position is really being shown up now....

Well at least Kevin Foley will get a deserved start anyway...

[ifk101]

oh dear looks like a McShane O'Shea centre half combination then Traps reluctance to call up more cover for this position is really being shown up now....

Well at least Kevin Foley will get a deserved start anyway...

I'm not so sure. I think Alex Bruce will come in for Dunne. Nevertheless our starting eleven looks much weaker now in the absence of Dunne.

[elroy]

As with Robbie K, i dont think this is necessarily a bad thing, we know how good Dunne is. No harm to give one of the untried lads a go and see how they get on. Worse case scenario is that they play terrible but what the hell its only a friendly and least we know for if we ever lose Dunne for a competitive game.

[Dr. Ogba]

I'm not so sure. I think Alex Bruce will come in for Dunne. Nevertheless our starting eleven looks much weaker now in the absence of Dunne.

you're probably right actually. forgot about Bruce even being there to be honest!

[Jicked]

oh dear looks like a McShane O'Shea centre half combination then Traps reluctance to call up more cover for this position is really being shown up now....

Well at least Kevin Foley will get a deserved start anyway...

Jesus H Christ, are we whinging about Trap not calling up Sean St Ledger to sit on a bench nowadays?!

[lionelhutz]

My starting team would have been;

Given

McShane Dunne Bruce Foley

Duff Andrews Reid Hunt

Hunt Doyle

I completely disagree with Traps policy of always playing what he believes is the strongest team. There's always going to be injuries, suspensions, etc for competitive games and other options have to be looked at. And not just for the 20 or 30 mins that he might give Andrews, hunt, etc.

And with regards Andrews, I've watched him play several times this season (my GF is a BBurn fan) and I think he's a much better CM than either Gibson or Whelan. The one game he was overrun in was against Arsenal, besides that he's been very solid. He's a good passer, seems to have an excellent engine and positional sense.

I wonder whether Trap has ever seen him play. Reid and Andrews are our best option at CM at this moment but unfortunately thats never going to happen under this manager.

[third policeman]

What does Foley need to do to get into the team .

Get dropped by his club side and play badly for us if he ever gets time on the pitch. This appears to be the main selection criteria at the minute.

Totally agree that at the minute are better players are the ones excelling in the Championship and not the ones bench warming in the Premiership. I reckon the following team of non-selected Championship players would probably give Trapp's 11 more than a run for their money

Westwood
Foley St Ledger McCarthy Ward
McCann Garvan
Walters O'Toole S.Hunt
N.Hunt

subs
Kenny
Naughton (is he still eligible?)
S.Quinn
Scannell
Tabb
Morrison