Ireland vs Georgia pre-match

**TerryPhelan** · 04/02/2009, 1:54 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

I hope he goes with Andrews in midfield. Impressed when he came on against Poland. The rest of the team will be same old same old barring last minute injuries.

I'm with you on all three points. I think I read somewhere recently that Andrews came off injured in his last game for Blackburn, and that's very worrying. Andrews is, right now, the best like-for-like replacement we have for Steven Reid: tall, strong, good work-rate and a first-team (Blackburn!) player. Gibson has not done enough in a United or an Irish jersey to merit a starting place ahead of him - though of course Trap's selection choices thusfar indicate that one's fortunes at club level are no barometer of one's chances of being selected (Liam Miller in the squad ahead of Andy Reid, for example).

I also agree with the subsequent post: while I readily admit I tend towards pessimism as Ireland games approach, I've long seen this one involving us going behind - within the first half an hour. We're incredibly reliant on our wingers to produce the goods, and while Duff and McGeady have been reasonably strong for their clubs, both are equally, unfortunately, prone to 'going missing' during games. McGeady still strikes me as a guy who is a bit cowed by the international game and doesn't fully back himself to give guys the runaround. There's a reticence about some of his play, and the sloppiness of his finishing, that hopefully he can be coached out of.

But basically, if Georgia shut out our wingers, I can't see where the goals are going to come from. Hunt and McGeady had strong games against them in Mainz - but I can't see Cuper not having identified our wingmen as our sole creative outlet. Putting Kaladze and Khizanishvilli at wing-back could make it a frustrating evening for us. Georgia's competitive matches in recent years have always been very close affairs - not that you'd back us to score more than 1 or 2 anyway. And I have a strange, queasy feeling we're going to concede early and at best eke out a 1-1.

TerryPhelan welcomes anyone with reasons for a more positive outlook...

**Diarmo** · 04/02/2009, 8:09 PM

I agree with you. If they take Duff and McGeady out of the game, our plan could be a little screwed.

What also worries me are out "like-for-like" replacements. If we lack penetration on the wings, another winger (Hunt) will be brought on for Duff or McGeady. If Doyle and Keane aren't making an impression, now that Folan's out, we only have Hunt or Long to try and mix it up.

Makes me wish Andy Reid was being considered. Whatever about starting the match, his passing from the wings or between the midfield and the strikers could make a goal out of nowhere for us.

However, maybe I'm being overly pessimistic. If Andrews starts (and I hope he does) we could get more attacking from the centre, which might surprise the Georgians.

Or, we could look at re-runs of Whelans goal and just tell everyone to shoot from distance....

**Razors left peg** · 04/02/2009, 9:27 PM

Kakha Kaladze might not be fit. Would be big boost if that was the case
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/...k_georgia.html

**elroy** · 05/02/2009, 9:44 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Kakha Kaladze might not be fit. Would be big boost if that was the case
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/...k_georgia.html

I think its a certainty, the guy cant train at the moment.

**Colbert Report** · 08/02/2009, 5:27 PM

Does anyone know Finnan's status? Is he a match time decision? Or is he definitely out already? Who would go in as right back if he is unfit? Surely not Eddie Nolan, just like that.

**tetsujin1979** · 08/02/2009, 5:57 PM

Finnan didn't play today for Espanyol. Kelly completed 90 minutes yesterday for Stoke.

**Razors left peg** · 08/02/2009, 6:04 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Does anyone know Finnan's status? Is he a match time decision? Or is he definitely out already? Who would go in as right back if he is unfit? Surely not Eddie Nolan, just like that.

Surely Foley has to next option at right back?

**L37Ultra** · 08/02/2009, 7:05 PM

What about Stephen Kelly?

**Razors left peg** · 08/02/2009, 7:17 PM

Originally Posted by L37Ultra

What about Stephen Kelly?

I forgot about him to be honest

**tricky_colour** · 09/02/2009, 1:31 AM

Originally Posted by Diarmo

I agree with you. If they take Duff and McGeady out of the game, our plan could be a little screwed.

What also worries me are out "like-for-like" replacements. If we lack penetration on the wings, another winger (Hunt) will be brought on for Duff or McGeady. If Doyle and Keane aren't making an impression, now that Folan's out, we only have Hunt or Long to try and mix it up.

Makes me wish Andy Reid was being considered. Whatever about starting the match, his passing from the wings or between the midfield and the strikers could make a goal out of nowhere for us.

However, maybe I'm being overly pessimistic. If Andrews starts (and I hope he does) we could get more attacking from the centre, which might surprise the Georgians.

Or, we could look at re-runs of Whelans goal and just tell everyone to shoot from distance....

I woud certainly be more than happy with either of the Hunt brothers playing, combined with Doyle they have a sackful of goals between then, even if it is at a lower level. When you compare 37 to the 8 scored by Keane, Duff and McGeady, well I have to say 37 at Championship level
seem far better than 8 or so at (partially Scottish) Premiership level.
That's a factor of 4.5 to one.

I can certainly understand Trap beinig defensive because with Keane Duff and McGeady you don't get goals too often.
Take away Doyle and you have 16 goals from the Hunts and just 3 from
Duff and McGeady, a ratio of 5:1.
OK football is not all stats and they don't tell the full picture, but well 4:1 and 5:1 well I would certainly consider it.
They do tot up the number of goals at the end of the day I believe

I would try a few things in training.

**gspain** · 09/02/2009, 8:27 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Kakha Kaladze might not be fit. Would be big boost if that was the case
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/...k_georgia.html

He was on the bench for Milan yesterday but didn't come on.

He'll probably play but can't be 100%.

**Pike B** · 09/02/2009, 9:12 AM

Going for 2-0 home win. Keane and Doyle in first half.

**geysir** · 09/02/2009, 11:43 AM

Keane, Doyle and Duff, all fit and ready to play with nothing too serious elsewhere on the latest injury front.

**richieos** · 09/02/2009, 2:27 PM

lets throw in a few more predictions. i wouldnt be surprised with a 2-0 or 3-1 irish win, and i think doyle will probably score a goal or two

does anyone know what traps opinion of stephen kelly is? id much rather see him play at right back ahead of mcshane or bruce

**Cloggs** · 09/02/2009, 2:40 PM

is andrews fit to play in the game?still think that trap will opt for gibson but would much prefer to see andrews play.i think that we'll score an early goal through doyle and sit back relying on shay given (yet again!!) to pull us through.hope i'm wrong and we try to attack the georgians but its hard to see trap changing his tactics