Ireland VS South Africa Pre Match Thread

**endabob1** · 07/09/2009, 6:37 AM

This was surely his last chance to recall Andy Reid & especially Big Clint, a chance missed methinks.

**ifk101** · 07/09/2009, 7:30 AM

Weak looking squad for this game but offers the opportunity to test players on the fringes.

We are in desperate need for cover at left-full so O'Dea should be given the opportunity to show what he can do.

Nolan is a season or two away from international standard but I'd be inclined to give him a run at centre half with JOSH for this game to see if he could be an option in that position with Kelly getting some badly needed game time by coming in at right-full.

In midfield no harm in trying what the Andrews-Gibson combination can offer with McGeady and Duff on the wings.

Up front I'd like Long or Keogh to get a run with Doyle.

Murphy to play in goals.

**drummerboy** · 07/09/2009, 8:07 AM

Here is the line up I'd like to see

Westwood
Kelly, O�Shea, SSL, Nolan
McGeady, Gibson, Whelan, Duff
Doyle, Keogh

Really hope he gives Keogh a go up front instead of playing him on the wing.
I would bring on Andrews, Folan and Lawrence at ht for McGeady Whelan and Doyle.

**Scram** · 07/09/2009, 8:08 AM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Here is the line up I'd like to see

Westwood
Kelly, O�Shea, SSL, Nolan
McGeady, Gibson, Whelan, Duff
Doyle, Keogh

Really hope he gives Keogh a go up front instead of playing him on the wing.
I would bring on Andrews, Folan and Lawrence at ht for McGeady Whelan and Doyle.

Meaningless joke of a game. What's the point

**shakermaker1982** · 07/09/2009, 8:43 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

What do we learn?

It gives Westwood another run - good keeper and handy to rack up some game time
It gives Nolan a valauble run out & chance to impress
It gives O'Shea and SSL time together - important if Dunne is injured or suspended
It gives Doyle & Folan a look together and a chance to gel
It gives the likely starting midfield 4 against Italy a dress rehearsal and a chance to put Saturday's nervous showing behind them.

Not to mention the likely subs we'll see: Lawrence & Gibson, maybe Best, Keogh or Long, O'Dea may get a run out.

The XI you pick allows the chance to plan for the absence of our big 4 players without totally changing the team. It's actually not a bad XI in my view. I disagree with both you and eirebhoy - it makes Tuesday more interesting in my view.

I'm not sure I said any of this better than Lionel did above.

My biggest problem with the team is the centre of midfield. The team I originally picked and the one I believe the Trap will pick doesn't really differ other than the central midfield pairing. If Andrews and Whelan play together again and disappear/ are overrun by the South Africans what little confidence they have will be shot to pieces for the Italian game. I'd keep O'Shea at RB because that is where he'll play against Italy. Nolan and Westwood both need run outs and I'm pleased with that. On the flip slide maybe Whelan and Andrews need more game time together to gel but deep down I know they are not the solution.

Lawrence can play in the centre of midfield Razor. I've seen him do it for Stoke on a couple of occasions and a bit of experimentation never did anybody any harm. He kept drifting inside when he was put out wide against Nigeria and is comfortable on the ball.

Folan/Best with Doyle isn't a major call I just thought it would be interesting to see how Best gets on. He seems a little bit more pacier than Folan but also has that physical presence.

**Colbert Report** · 07/09/2009, 8:43 AM

Originally Posted by Scram

Meaningless joke of a game. What's the point

No kidding. I just read on the Independent's website that the FAI are hoping to get 10,000 supporters into the stadium. Nobody cares about this game. Pointless. We'd be better off having a closed door match agains the Notts Forest reserves.

**jbyrne** · 07/09/2009, 8:57 AM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

No kidding. I just read on the Independent's website that the FAI are hoping to get 10,000 supporters into the stadium. Nobody cares about this game. Pointless. We'd be better off having a closed door match agains the Notts Forest reserves.

yesterdays papers said only 4,000 tickets sold. the first match was a PR disaster. the tickets were too expensive and I thought the whole occasion was flat. the PA is useless at whipping up a bit of excitement. he just rolls out the same old tired playlist of jokter goes to stuttgart, the boys are back in town and the one road. like it or not people going to these things want it to be a bit of an event and the match day set up by the fai continues to be useless.

disagree that the match itself is pointless though. if we find even one player that puts his name forward for future selection then its worthwhile.

**tetsujin1979** · 07/09/2009, 8:58 AM

Originally Posted by Scram

Meaningless joke of a game. What's the point

I'll remember this comment the next time someone complains Trapattoni never uses friendlies to experiment

**bholg** · 07/09/2009, 9:21 AM

Is the game on the box?

**Predator** · 07/09/2009, 9:24 AM

Originally Posted by bholg

Is the game on the box?

Think it's on Sky.

**tetsujin1979** · 07/09/2009, 9:30 AM

on Sky Sports 2: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12942,00.html
Highlights on RTE 2 and rte.ie at 10:25: http://www.rte.ie/sport/webcastschedule.html

**old git** · 07/09/2009, 4:50 PM

[QUOTE=jbyrne;1226926]yesterdays papers said only 4,000 tickets sold. the first match was a PR disaster. the tickets were too expensive and I thought the whole occasion was flat. the PA is useless at whipping up a bit of excitement. he just rolls out the same old tired playlist of jokter goes to stuttgart, the boys are back in town and the one road. like it or not people going to these things want it to be a bit of an event and the match day set up by the fai continues to be useless.

jesus only 4000 tickets sold ... atmosphere was bad enough at australia match it will be terrible tomorrow night.. tickets still to dear for this match only bonus it will give a few fringe players a chance to impress hopefully

**Scram** · 07/09/2009, 5:21 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Scram
Meaningless joke of a game. What's the point

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

I'll remember this comment the next time someone complains Trapattoni never uses friendlies to experiment

You use fireindlies to find your best team. Not possible if half them are not present. What use is it seeing how players play together in combinations you have no hope of seeing in reality? I'm amazed that the ohter players were allowed return to their clubs, woudl not happen if it was an English friendly.

**Colbert Report** · 07/09/2009, 5:41 PM

If it was an English friendly you'd have 80,000 people playing fifty pound a ticket to watch them play. The FAI have only sold 4000 tickets to this match. Big difference.

**Razors left peg** · 07/09/2009, 5:50 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Here is the line up I'd like to see

Westwood
Kelly, O�Shea, SSL, Nolan
McGeady, Gibson, Whelan, Duff
Doyle, Keogh

Really hope he gives Keogh a go up front instead of playing him on the wing.
I would bring on Andrews, Folan and Lawrence at ht for McGeady Whelan and Doyle.

Id go along with that, still keeps the general shape of the team with lads that are next in line for their positions along with some first choice lads

**EastTerracer** · 07/09/2009, 6:07 PM

Here's the team .....

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (v South Africa):
K Westwood
S Kelly
E Nolan
P McShane
S St Ledger
D Gibson
K Andrews
L Lawrence
A Keogh
C Folan
K Doyle (capt).
Subs to be confirmed.

Good to see Kevin Doyle being given the captaincy....

**eirebhoy** · 07/09/2009, 6:22 PM

One positive thing is that there's only 2 first team players in that team yet 8 of them play in the Premiership.

McGeady is injured apparently. I hope it's not serious.