Bulgaria V Ireland (Pre Match Thread)

**NeilMcD** · 03/06/2009, 1:54 PM

No other alternative at the moment. If you were to go around through life wondering what is the worst case scenario all the time you would never leave the house. Must be terrible being a pessimist.

**Duggie** · 03/06/2009, 2:04 PM

we could push o'shea up into midfield possibly ?? given the fact that gibson is out aswell.

**shakermaker1982** · 03/06/2009, 2:13 PM

I'd rather have Miller than O'Shea in the centre of midfield. Lawrence should be able to do a job in the centre as well if asked?

**weldoninhio** · 03/06/2009, 2:20 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

If he's going to play Hunt AND Duff then I'd prefer to see Duff on the left. He's one of our real danger men and needs to be played in his proper position.

Anyway I'd start with this:

Given

O'Shea St Ledger Dunne Kilbane

Hunt Andrews Whelan Duffer

Keane Folan

Bring on McGeady and Best when the sun starts to sap the strength from both teams. I told Karl Spain outside the Cottage on Friday it would be 1-1 but I hope I'm wrong.......if we win this then we can top the group.

"Karl Spain" - I think you dropped this

**Den Perry** · 03/06/2009, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I was thinking about Lawrence over McGeady too (marginal call), but I'd have had McGeady over Hunt.

I wonder will Folan's presence make it easier for Hunt / McGeady & Duff to find their man in the box, or create space for them to find others. Same thing from set pieces. In fact we could now have Folan, St. Ledger, O'Shea and Folan to offer a threat from set-pieces.

Doyle is good in the air but just isn't the potential handful that Folan could be if he plays well. They offer very different options.

I'd have Tony Galvin over hunt

**Den Perry** · 03/06/2009, 2:26 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Hunt had an excellent game against the world champs away from home in a competitive game. He should be in the driving seat for the right midfield position. The best way of keeping Petrov "at home" is by letting Hunt do what he did in Bari. Skin the oppositions full back and win free kicks in dangerous positions.

I was at that game and while Hunt did cause problems, people are way over exagerrating his performance. Tevhnically he is is poor and has the brains of a bird

**weldoninhio** · 03/06/2009, 2:42 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

No other alternative at the moment. If you were to go around through life wondering what is the worst case scenario all the time you would never leave the house. Must be terrible being a pessimist.

NO. OTHER. ALTERNATIVE. ?????

The Republic Of Ireland International Football Team has no other alternative in midfield than a player who was released by Sunderland for not being up to Premiership standard, then was released by midtable, mediocre QPR for not being up to midtable Championship quality.

Now i know if i roll out names like Owen Garvan, James McCarthy, John Joe O'Toole, Steven Quinn or Stephen McPhail, who have all had solid, if unspectacular seasons in the Championship/SPL, i'll be told that they are untried or untested in a game of this importance.

But so was sledge until last friday!! The only way someone can go from being untried is to try them and untested is to test them. I don't think enough players have been looked at by Trappaponi to get us through an injury crisis or suspensions.

And thats without mentioning proven internationals like AR or LC who can both play centre mid.

I know he was trying to build a core group etc. etc. etc, but nowadays football is very much a squad game. And whilst Traps core XI have done a decent job for him so far he has not developed the squad enough.

**Noelys Guitar** · 03/06/2009, 2:47 PM

Originally Posted by Den Perry

I was at that game and while Hunt did cause problems, people are way over exagerrating his performance. Tevhnically he is is poor and has the brains of a bird

I won't repeat Brian Clough's comments about what makes a good footballer. Trap is going on what he sees and Hunt was one of our best players against Italy. I like everyone else on here wish Hunt's distribution was better (that goes for Duff and McGeady re dead ball situations). But we have to go with what worked away in our last competitive game. Hunt never disappears in games and we will need strong characters in Bulgaria. I am hoping for a 1991 away to Turkey type performance. I can't see Petrov being allowed the space he got in Croker. And I feel with Folan and Keane we can score 2 goals. Remember Doyle won almost everything in the air against the Bulgarians and I feel Folan can do the same.

**NeilMcD** · 03/06/2009, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by weldoninhio

NO. OTHER. ALTERNATIVE. ?????

The Republic Of Ireland International Football Team has no other alternative in midfield than a player who was released by Sunderland for not being up to Premiership standard, then was released by midtable, mediocre QPR for not being up to midtable Championship quality.

Now i know if i roll out names like Owen Garvan, James McCarthy, John Joe O'Toole, Steven Quinn or Stephen McPhail, who have all had solid, if unspectacular seasons in the Championship/SPL, i'll be told that they are untried or untested in a game of this importance.

But so was sledge until last friday!! The only way someone can go from being untried is to try them and untested is to test them. I don't think enough players have been looked at by Trappaponi to get us through an injury crisis or suspensions.

And thats without mentioning proven internationals like AR or LC who can both play centre mid.

I know he was trying to build a core group etc. etc. etc, but nowadays football is very much a squad game. And whilst Traps core XI have done a decent job for him so far he has not developed the squad enough.

Ahhh get off your hobby horse you know what I mean. Miller is the only other central midfielder in the squad he is not going to call up any of the guys you say and play them ahead of Miller.

**Duggie** · 03/06/2009, 2:55 PM

if were looking to win the game mcgeady has the ability to open up a defence with his good technical ability, one touch feet. hunt hasnt got that ability. im thinking back to the montenegro game when he was desperate, his passing was kack that night along with his deaball delivery. aghhhhhhh i want mcgeady in my team.

**Stuttgart88** · 03/06/2009, 3:11 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Hunt never disappears in games

He disappeared down the tunnel in Prague

**Stuttgart88** · 03/06/2009, 3:12 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Lawrence should be able to do a job in the centre if asked?

That's what I've often thought.

**Stuttgart88** · 03/06/2009, 3:24 PM

Originally Posted by weldoninhio

whilst Traps core XI have done a decent job for him so far he has not developed the squad enough.

In fairness Andrews was brought through by Trap and SSL and Folan are likely starters on Saturday - both brought through by Trap.

Gibson's injury prompted him to look at Miller and giving credit to him he impressed on Friday, doing everything I like to see in a midfielder.

Andy Reid is an old debate - we can only guess why he's been left out but that's the way it is. Carsley is not the answer in my opinion and while I'm optimistic about the young bucks there haven't really been opportunities to test them. It's also important to make sure that the Whelan / Andrews partnership develops so they've needed time together.

I think Trap has been slow to develop the squad but I think it's going the right way. I doubt Gibson's absence will be a telling factor on Saturday.

**paul_oshea** · 03/06/2009, 3:27 PM

Originally Posted by Den Perry

I'd have Tony Galvin over hunt

I'd have Tom instead

**corkboy360** · 03/06/2009, 3:29 PM

Thunder storms and showers there today my Dad said.

While we have the sun.That eases the pain of missing out on the trip because of exams a small bit.

**Duggie** · 03/06/2009, 3:31 PM

Originally Posted by corkboy360

Thunder storms and showers there today my Dad said.

While we have the sun.That eases the pain of missing out on the trip because of exams a small bit.

prefer that than sweltering heat for our boys on sat

**paul_oshea** · 03/06/2009, 3:32 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

In fairness Andrews was brought through by Trap and SSL and Folan are likely starters on Saturday - both brought through by Trap.

Gibson's injury prompted him to look at Miller and giving credit to him he impressed on Friday, doing everything I like to see in a midfielder.

Andy Reid is an old debate - we can only guess why he's been left out but that's the way it is. Carsley is not the answer in my opinion and while I'm optimistic about the young bucks there haven't really been opportunities to test them. It's also important to make sure that the Whelan / Andrews partnership develops so they've needed time together.

I think Trap has been slow to develop the squad but I think it's going the right way. I doubt Gibson's absence will be a telling factor on Saturday.

Shouldn't, rather than doubt. I hope shouldn't is the case also.