Slovakia V Republic of Ireland - Tuesday, 12th October 2010 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[Dodge]

I'm being told now that Lawrence has a fitness test tomorrow. He starts if he passes it

[tetsujin1979]

confirmed on newstalk
Long to start, Lawrence to have fitness test tomorrow

[Fergie's Son]

I agree that Green can't start tomorrow. The reality, however, is that he will. As such we're in for a nervy match where we will be delighted for a draw.

[Noelys Guitar]

Only change is Long with Lawerence having a late fitness test but likely to start.

[paul_oshea]

I do now see where trap is going with this.

I admire his trust I must say, but trust can never be enough in this case.

[Noelys Guitar]

Maybe Green will score a diving header again as we go on and win 3-0.

[FarBeag]

We need to get through this tomorrow somehow. It does not matter how, we just have to. Whatever about achieving a win we cannot lose or we are doomed imo. Come the next qualifier in the new year hopefully we will have blooded in McCarthy, Duff and Andrews will have come back, he will have forgiven Andy Reid and Gibson will have more Man u games under his belt. We can then say bye bye to Paul Green. This guy is brutal . I don’t care how much effort he puts in it does not change this fact. James O Connor is a much better player than he is in fact many of the central midfielders in the LOI are better than him. The thoughts of him in the line up tomorrow puts shivers down my spine. I am not at all optimistic, hopefully Traps luck has not completely run out.

[Noelys Guitar]

The key tomorrow as ever is to take our chances. Send Dunne up early in the match for corners and free kicks. McGeady is getting closer to scoring a goal. Tomorrow would be an excellent time to start. Keane will get one or two clear chances and he has to take them in a game like this.

[IsMiseSean]

Send Dunne up early in the match for corners and free kicks.

I never understood sending Sledge up for corners and free kicks. I know he scored against Italy but he really isn't that good at attacking the ball in the air and he doesn't look very tall. Dunne and JOSH are better options.

[Sullivinho]

Send Dunne up early in the match for corners and free kicks.

Absolutely. Scored two against Bulgaria last campaign when the delivery was good. Their own defensive monster (Skrtel) will be absent.

[SwanVsDalton]

I never understood sending Sledge up for corners and free kicks. I know he scored against Italy but he really isn't that good at attacking the ball in the air and he doesn't look very tall. Dunne and JOSH are better options.

I think it's typical Trap conservatism. Keep your best defender at home to thwart any possible counter attack. I agree though he's a great threat from set-plays.

[Crosby87]

I think Slovakia wins 2-1 on two less than stellar goals, people go crazy on this website and Stephen (we don't need him) Ireland is begged to come back through a seriously organized online petiton.
I also think Trap steps down a few days after the loss, frustrated with his percieved lack of options and tired of the Irish media.
Good news is I'm usually wrong about this stuff although I did win my office football pool this weekend.

[tetsujin1979]

I think it's typical Trap conservatism. Keep your best defender at home to thwart any possible counter attack. I agree though he's a great threat from set-plays.

It could just be as simple as Dunne not being able to make it back into defence in time after a set piece breaks down. He has been playing with a back problem, and doesn't want to aggravate it.

[Fixer82]

In fairness to Long he is quite good in the air and won a few knock-downs to Keane when he came on against the Rooskys

[Fixer82]

And...in fairness to Green he was thrown in at the deep end. From playing Scunthorpe to playing Russia. Big jump
I remember when Andrews first came on the scene people were calling for his head but now he's a definite starter when fit...

[DannyInvincible]

I think Slovakia wins 2-1 on two less than stellar goals, people go crazy on this website and Stephen (we don't need him) Ireland is begged to come back through a seriously organized online petiton.
I also think Trap steps down a few days after the loss, frustrated with his percieved lack of options and tired of the Irish media.
Good news is I'm usually wrong about this stuff although I did win my office football pool this weekend.

I don't think there's much interest in bringing Stephen Ireland back into the squad, never mind begging him to return. Even if we were to lose tonight, I can't see that changing and it would disappoint me if we were to stoop to such. As for Trap feeling he may have a lack of options, if that ever was the case, I'm genuinely not sure who he could blame other than himself.

[Lionel Ritchie]

I think we'll get something out of tonight. In fact i think it's entirely possible there'll be three teams on seven points tonight and all.

[paul_oshea]

Why cant we never come out like teams and say we are going to win, only one winner etc etc, instead from the off defeatist attitude. Look at russia last week, slovakia tonight. I could see us being 1 -0 up and hten conceding and being happy to play for the draw, it really does get frustrating after a while.

[paul_oshea]

I think we'll get something out of tonight. In fact i think it's entirely possible there'll be three teams on seven points tonight and all.

All the more reason why we should be on 10 after tonight.....

Lads Russia are not going to slip up in Skopje if they play like they did against us.

[DannyInvincible]

All the more reason why we should be on 10 after tonight.....

Indeed, I have always thought we ought to petition FIFA for four points per Irish win after the Paris fiasco. :P