Republic of Ireland V Nigeria - Friday, 29th May 2009 - Friendly - Craven Cottage

[paul_oshea]

To be fair , they're not going to be experienced if they don't play in games like this

thats not what i meant though, i meant balance, its unlikely lawrence and foley will play together to be honest in those positions within the next year in an important game. better to balance it with one or the other etc and then change at half time. Heres hoping im wrong though

[Manc Irish Wolf]

What I'm hoping to see Friday week.

Westwood

Foley-St Ledger-Dunne-Kilbane

Lawrence-Whelan-Gibson-Duff

Keane-Folan

I'm really looking forward to the match. Duff needs a run out so he's familiar with playing left wing after rotting away at left back for his club. Foley, Lawrence and St Ledger have a chance to shine and let the boss know they can do a job if required.

I'd love to see that team get a run out - need to blood as many for the future as we can - no need for conservatism, as previously displayed.

Great news that Lawrence has been added to the squad in arguably our weakest position. Also, looking forward to see McCann & McCarthy added to that midfield eventually.

Would be equally happy to McGeady playing in his more natural left sided position.

[Newryrep]

is this live on TV on any channel ?

[tetsujin1979]

It's on Setanta Sports 1 in Ireland

[paul_oshea]

Stutts are you going to the game?!

If so, a nice swift walk with tets from brogans is in order!

[Sligo Hornet]

Stutts are you going to the game?!

If so, a nice swift walk with tets from brogans is in order!

20 minute jog you mean!

[Stuttgart88]

I'm going though not sure how sociable I can be. A mate lives nearby and she's having drinks for the gang of us going at her flat. One of the group is celebrating a birthday and another is mourning the loss of his father last weekend so I guess it'll be an odd affair.

[Colbert Report]

I'd like us to play a full team, minus perhaps O'Shea who will be starting in the Champions League final two days beforehand.

Given
Foley-McShane-Dunne-Kilbane
McGeady-Andrews-Gibson-Whelan-Hunt/Duff
Keane

[elroy]

I'd like us to play a full team, minus perhaps O'Shea who will be starting in the Champions League final two days beforehand.

Given
Foley-McShane-Dunne-Kilbane
McGeady-Andrews-Gibson-Whelan-Hunt/Duff
Keane

Maybe for 45 mins but i dont see the value of playing the likes of Keane, Given, Dunne, Kilbane and Duff other than to keep them match sharp for the year.

I def would like to see Folan start up front as he is likely to be an option to replace Doyle for the Bulgaria game.

[Stuttgart88]

Lawrence & St. Ledger each needs at least 45 mins in my opinion, and in the framework of an XI featuring most of the regulars. SSL should be beside Dunne for example...

[Colbert Report]

I disagree with all the guys on here who think that now is the time to experiment. Need I remind you that Ireland's biggest match in almost six years is only twelve days away. We should be using this warm-up match against Nigeria to prepare the squad for the Bulgaria match on the 6th of June. What do we stand to gain by throwing in fringe players like Sean St. Ledger and Darren O'Dea when they have no chance of starting the Bulgaria match? Enter a friendly tournament early next season and use that for that purpose.

[Supreme feet]

I disagree with all the guys on here who think that now is the time to experiment. Need I remind you that Ireland's biggest match in almost six years is only twelve days away. We should be using this warm-up match against Nigeria to prepare the squad for the Bulgaria match on the 6th of June. What do we stand to gain by throwing in fringe players like Sean St. Ledger and Darren O'Dea when they have no chance of starting the Bulgaria match? Enter a friendly tournament early next season and use that for that purpose.

Normally I'd agree, but this Irish team is undergoing a transition, and fresh blood needs to be introduced, as the squad has looked threadbare up to now. Throughout the campaign we've had difficulties at right-back, and in our back-up for the wide midfield and striker positions.

I certainly don't want to see McShane playing at right-back again, so if Foley does well against Nigeria, he should start against Bulgaria. Likewise, I don't want to see Keogh in a wide position again, so it would be a good idea to blood Lawrence while we have the chance. Obviously, Folan will have to start, with St. Ledger perhaps getting a half or more. Trap knows what the O'Shea-Dunne partnership can do, and by bringing another accomplished CB in, it would at least give us options if someone picks up a knock before Sofia. Ideally, I'd like to see us play 10 more friendlies before Bulgaria, just to fill out the squad and settle players in, but we don't have that luxury of course. So - do we stick with the limited squad that scraped through until now; or do we take calculated risks on blooding two or three uncapped players who have had excellent seasons for their clubs?

Trap will put out a strong team against Nigeria anyway, but there's no harm in giving the likes of Lawrence, St. Ledger and Foley a chance, keeping in the spirit of the gradual transition that Trap has presided over.

[shakermaker1982]

I disagree with all the guys on here who think that now is the time to experiment. Need I remind you that Ireland's biggest match in almost six years is only twelve days away. We should be using this warm-up match against Nigeria to prepare the squad for the Bulgaria match on the 6th of June. What do we stand to gain by throwing in fringe players like Sean St. Ledger and Darren O'Dea when they have no chance of starting the Bulgaria match? Enter a friendly tournament early next season and use that for that purpose.

O'Shea won't be playing Friday because of the Barca game so it's either St Ledger or McShane. O'Shea will slot right back in for the Bulgaria game so the Trap has nothing to lose by using St Ledger now.

[Razors left peg]

Normally I'd agree, but this Irish team is undergoing a transition, and fresh blood needs to be introduced, as the squad has looked threadbare up to now. Throughout the campaign we've had difficulties at right-back, and in our back-up for the wide midfield and striker positions.

I certainly don't want to see McShane playing at right-back again, so if Foley does well against Nigeria, he should start against Bulgaria. Likewise, I don't want to see Keogh in a wide position again, so it would be a good idea to blood Lawrence while we have the chance. Obviously, Folan will have to start, with St. Ledger perhaps getting a half or more. Trap knows what the O'Shea-Dunne partnership can do, and by bringing another accomplished CB in, it would at least give us options if someone picks up a knock before Sofia. Ideally, I'd like to see us play 10 more friendlies before Bulgaria, just to fill out the squad and settle players in, but we don't have that luxury of course. So - do we stick with the limited squad that scraped through until now; or do we take calculated risks on blooding two or three uncapped players who have had excellent seasons for their clubs?

Trap will put out a strong team against Nigeria anyway, but there's no harm in giving the likes of Lawrence, St. Ledger and Foley a chance, keeping in the spirit of the gradual transition that Trap has presided over.

Id agree with all of that

[Scram]

Fair point on E Nolan

It would be great if Doyle were past fit

S Quinn plays in Playoff final on Monday 25th -

Game against Nigeria is on the 29th. He was simply not picked.

I think you mean "passed" fit e.g. Paul Gascgoine is "past" fit !

[elroy]

Folan is unlikely to be fit for Nigeria game which is a shame considering that he is a realistic option for the Bulgaria game and it would be good to give him a run out in advance.

Given is to be rested with Westwood playing which makes sense imo.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/law...se-412418.html

http://www.breakingnews.ie/sport/cal...ia-412412.html

[bwagner]

that ***** folan seems to pick and choose his games

[Stuttgart88]

Interesting conclusion.

[Closed Account]

So whats the concluded starting XI?

          Westwood

Foley    Dunne  St Ledger Nolan

Lawrence Whelan Andrews   Duff

         Keane   Best

[bawn79]

Is Noel Hunt injured or was he dropped from the squad? Was just thinking its a big drop from sub in Italy to out of the squad.