Republic of Ireland Squad V Armenia 3/9, Andorra 7/9

[Noelys Guitar]

I am/was a big fan of Green on his initial performances for us. Unfortunately I watched the Derby v Coventry game last week and he looked knackered after 70 mins. Made two passes within the space of a minute directly to Coventry forwards from just outside his own box. Hoping it was a one off/early season fitness issue.

[Crosby87]

Seems to be a negative feel on here so far, i will be interested to see if it persists leading up to the game....
I wish some peeps would realize that Things will not be perfect.
But I still think we should win. some Irish fans can pick apart our side like buzzards, but then what are Armenian fans thinking? Its not like they have lit the football world on fire in the last 10 years. (Or ever.)
One thing I will say though, Trap makes a lot of money to win games like this. If they draw or lose there is no sense in my humble opinion to be paying so much for a manager. His salary warrants a win here.

[tetsujin1979]

how many of the Armenian squad were in the U21 game in March?

[irishfan86]

Seems to be a negative feel on here so far, i will be interested to see if it persists leading up to the game....
I wish some peeps would realize that Things will not be perfect.
But I still think we should win. some Irish fans can pick apart our side like buzzards, but then what are Armenian fans thinking? Its not like they have lit the football world on fire in the last 10 years. (Or ever.)
One thing I will say though, Trap makes a lot of money to win games like this. If they draw or lose there is no sense in my humble opinion to be paying so much for a manager. His salary warrants a win here.

I don't see anybody saying Armenia are going to hammer us, only a bit of sensible caution. We are the favourites, and any longtime fan of the Irish side knows we've slipped or come close to slipping up against minnows before.

Against Georgia last campaign, a team of a similar standard, we required a fortunate penalty and a rare Robbie Keane corner goal (off his shoulder, no less) to beat them at home.

I wouldn't bet against us going there and winning convincingly, but it will be a hostile environment and most of us are simply acknowledging the challenges that this sort of game will have.

[Charlie Darwin]

We just don't travel well in Europe. We were the bounce of a ball away from losing in Montenegro, so I can see why people are nervous about this fixture. I'm reasonably confident myself because I think the team has matured and become more steely, but I think our poor goalscoring record particularly away from home makes us vulnerable in fixtures like this.

[irishultra]

We just don't travel well in Europe. We were the bounce of a ball away from losing in Montenegro, so I can see why people are nervous about this fixture. I'm reasonably confident myself because I think the team has matured and become more steely, but I think our poor goalscoring record particularly away from home makes us vulnerable in fixtures like this.

not good news since its the only continent we play in

[Charlie Darwin]

There is this "World Cup" thing we occasionally take part in.

[theworm2345]

We just don't travel well in Europe. We were the bounce of a ball away from losing in Montenegro, so I can see why people are nervous about this fixture. I'm reasonably confident myself because I think the team has matured and become more steely, but I think our poor goalscoring record particularly away from home makes us vulnerable in fixtures like this.

I disagree, I don't think its the playing away so much as it is that we play down to the level of some of the weaker teams, especially on the road. If it was the playing away I would expect to lose to teams like Italy or France, even occasionally to the likes of Bulgaria and the Czechs, two or three nil. If we played like we do against those bigger teams away then we'd beat the likes of Cyprus and Montenegro two or three nil.

[Fergie's Son]

A tough match to be sure but this will be a tight group and we need to win games like this. 6 points over the next two games sets us up nicely. Time for a few players (hello McGeady) to shine and take the game to them.

[shakermaker1982]

Belarus and Moldova have all beaten them at home since beginning of 2009. Estonia managed to get a draw against em. I'm optimistic of 3 points. It will be tense, cagey and one of our playes will no doubt hand them a lifeline at some point but Keane/Doyle will get us through the tie.

If we don't get 6 points from the first two games then we won't be qualifying from this group. The performances our players manage for the big games are all well and good but they also need to make sure they turn up against the so called lesser sides.

I'd be even more confident if McShane and Kilbane were not in the starting 11. O'Shea at RB and Cunningham/Kelly at LB please.

[irishfan86]

A tough match to be sure but this will be a tight group and we need to win games like this. 6 points over the next two games sets us up nicely. Time for a few players (hello McGeady) to shine and take the game to them.

While I think this is definitely a game a fit McGeady could shine in, he's hardly kicked a ball since last season, so I'd have doubts about him figuring at all let alone making an impact.

Fingers crossed I'm wrong on this one!

[Lionel Ritchie]

I like the look of Paul Green as well, but let's keep in mind that the three games he's been involved in have been friendlies at home.

I remember Liam Miller looking phenomenal in a couple of friendlies only to go missing in the big games. Given the fact that Green seems to be a feisty sort I don't think this will be as much of an issue for him as it would be for a more stylish "luxury" player, but there is a difference between a game played at a relaxed pace in front of a home crowd and a hostile away ground with players going full tilt.

Saw the friendlies and was reasonably impressed but the performance that, for me, ticks the boxes you've mentioned was opening day of the season at Elland Road where he bossed Leeds out of it. He'll be fine.

[gustavo]

were going to lose in armenia guys i can sense it. our whole squad is in shocking shape atm.

given-doesnt start

mcshane-reserve with a championship team
dunne-in defence of a team that has conceded 9 in 2 games
o'shea-doesnt play in the position he does with club as he does with country

duff-decent
andrews-injured but wont start for blackburn
whelan-sub for stoke
mcgeady-not match fit

keane-bench
doyle-off the pace

if we can be optimistic when players are doin well for their clubs then its only fair that u look at the squad for what it is atm, very uninspiring partially due to bad management

I'd give us more chance of getting a result in Armenia if we had 11 men

[Colbert Report]

Doyle - off the pace. How do you figure that?

[Stuttgart88]

I think Noely posted that Doyle isn't looking 100% sharp having been injured until recently. However, I agree with Noely when he says that lack of club selection & form may actually be to our benefit.

Anyway, players like Robbie have had protracted spells on the bench at club level and still delivered for Ireland. The recent WC showed that teamwork & organisation counted for a lot more than club pedigree & form. We've got a good spirit, good work ethic and very strong sense of purpose under Trap. We just need to use the ball better and be more clinical.

[Noelys Guitar]

It is going to be 90F+ when the game kicks off on Friday going by the 5 day forecast.
http://weather.yahoo.com/armenia/yer...revan-2214662/

[Wolfie]

Anyone with even the most passing of interest in the Irish teams qualifiers over the last 30 years and beyond will attest to that heady mix of wariness, naseau and mild bouts of panic that these far flung places inflict on the long suffering supporter. To dimiss Armenia would be the height of folly.

I'm slightly comforted in the fact that its a credo of Trapps to respect all opposition and prepare accordingly. I'm just hoping Kelly gets the nod at right full. I'm far from a fan of Kelly either but there's no other blooded alternative.

I still believe that, given his experience and ability, Rory Delap was tailor made to slot in at right full for the last couple of campaigns - but too late now.

A few mentioned McShane as a weak link and who could blame them?? It has to be said - McShane's selection at the back will give Armenia hope of unsettling us at the back and a target for presenting them with easy possession. A harsh assessment - but a realistic view, I fear.

To compound this, Kilbane is far past international standard full back on the other side.

There will have to be a huge effort to eradicate stupid errors that dogged our last campaign. We're vulnerable at the back - no getting away from that.

[Noelys Guitar]

We will probably need to score two goals to win this game. For me the key players will be Duff and probably Fahey if selected. We have to get decent balls into the box especially from corners and free kicks I have a feeling having watched the clips of Armenia's recent games that we can exploit them in the air. Dunne and O'Shea as well as Doyle could be our match winners.

[Razors left peg]

Breaking news on sky sports just said that Duff and Andrews are out of the Armenia game. Thats a absolute disaster havin Duffer out. I dont know any details so far

[Stuttgart88]

The curse of Duffer. That's awful news. No HUnt to deputise. Step up young McGeady.