Republic of Ireland V Norway - Wednesday, 17th November 2010 - Friendly

[Stuttgart88]

By all accounts Folan is injured anyway.

[geysir]

It appears that the lovely Manuela is finding it hard to get a word in edgeways at these press conferences.
There was some interpretation of Trap's english when discussing McCarthy, that he would change the formation to a 4411/4231 with McCarthy in front of the 2 CM.

[paul_oshea]

people are saying oh look loads of new faces, the squad is 27, will he drop green like he should? we know what he can do, he is limited, so good to have as cover but needed for experimentation when we know how limited he is. Why are people also saying that the likes of wilson, foley etc etc are in, these lads were already in the squad? so what? If he starts them all and gives them a good 70 mins then yer point is valid but otherwise is the same old stuff, just rehashed, packaged with a nice wrapping and bow.

[paul_oshea]

It appears that the lovely Manuela is finding it hard to get a word in edgeways at these press conferences.
There was some interpretation of Trap's english when discussing McCarthy, that he would change the formation to a 4411/4231 with McCarthy in front of the 2 CM.

i like the sound of that, interesting to see will it actually happen though.

[geysir]

We have a few players for experimenting with positions eg. full back, but only the inclusion of McCarthy would cause an experimenting with a real change in the formation.
Even if McCarthy was available, Trap would still deploy 2 at CM. Both Green and Whelan will start against Norway and maybe Hunt would give more bite to countering the 5 man midfield that Norway deploy. Trap patiently looks to develop and improve players into their roles, he will also look to Green improving into his role.
Carew is out, so Norway are likely to go with their other classy enough frontman, with plenty of support down the flanks.

[Stuttgart88]

people are saying oh look loads of new faces, the squad is 27, will he drop green like he should? we know what he can do, he is limited, so good to have as cover but needed for experimentation when we know how limited he is. Why are people also saying that the likes of wilson, foley etc etc are in, these lads were already in the squad? so what? If he starts them all and gives them a good 70 mins then yer point is valid but otherwise is the same old stuff, just rehashed, packaged with a nice wrapping and bow.

Wilson was in one squad and he withdrew. There are plenty of untried players in the squad. People were screaming for Coleman and he's in. Unfortunately the "new faces" we were most excited about seeing are unavailable. I stand by my point 100%, and it's not a pro- or anti-Trap comment, just a simple observation. In my opinion the squad is a decent mix of experienced and tested, and players with potential who desereve a look. Like you though I'll be disappointed if a few of the latter don't get a good chance to impress, but the squad selection is 90% right I reckon..

The team could do with some fresh faces, but the squad's OK.

[The Fly]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...s-2409870.html

WHILE Ireland continue to search for eligible players across the UK and beyond, Giovanni Trapattoni has warned that he will not be held to ransom by agents in order to accelerate a decision.

The 71-year-old said he was speaking generally rather than referring to a specific case study when addressing the topic as he named his squad for the upcoming friendly with Norway.

Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark misses out as the FAI wait for confirmation from FIFA that the 21-year-old is free to play for the country where his parents grew up. Trapattoni is delighted to welcome the defender into his plans, after Clark stressed a willingness to prove his worth.

However, Trapattoni is troubled by agents seeking guarantees that their client will be in the first XI, but denied that Spurs' Jamie O'Hara was doing so, and quashed reports that a recent approach has been made to Mark Noble -- the West Ham midfielder who has captained the England U-21 side.

Therefore, it is unclear if the Irish boss was referencing a particular example in the midst of a typically vague answer on the process of recruitment.
"People say, 'we have a question, we have a question'," he said, "Not like (Shane) Duffy. He said, OK immediately, he will come and play for us. Clark the same, he say OK immediately."

"I cannot say to them what the situation is. They cannot expect to come in and just go on pitch. I put on pitch what I think is better. If the agent says, 'He's OK, he deserves to play', then show me.

"There has been no contact with Noble. And with Maguire (Barry Maguire, who plays with Utrecht in Holland). We have to wait for FIFA to decide."

So, as those issues ramble on, the squad for Norway provides few surprises. Stoke's Jonathan Walters is called up for the first time, and is one of three uncapped individuals in the 27-man selection. Seamus Coleman and Marc Wilson, late call-ups to the squad for last month's Euro 2012 qualifiers with Russia and Slovakia, are the others.

Trapattoni indicated that Coleman will win a first cap on the night and drew a comparison with Gareth Bale, just like Everton boss David Moyes had done earlier in the day as he pointed out how the natural full-back has thrived in a wide role. Still, the Irish boss would like to try out Coleman in his preferred right-full position. "I wish to try him as a defender," he said. "He can go forward. I do not forbid my players from going across the halfway line. You can ask them. I say: 'Go forward and make a cross'. But if the No 2 goes forward to make a cross then, obviously, I look for the midfielder to stay."

Damien Duff, Stephen Hunt and Caleb Folan return from injuries, and Keith Treacy is in line for a second cap, despite confusion surrounding his withdrawal from the last squad. Greg Cunningham should figure, with Trapattoni delighted to see the Galway lad gaining first-team experience at Leicester after recommending him to Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Yet he will field a strong team from the outset against the Norway, conscious that Shay Given and Robbie Keane need game-time considering their dire situations at club level.

James McCarthy misses out through injury, but was discussed in detail. Trapattoni tripped over his words when asked if he was concerned that the 19-year-old might switch back to his native Scotland as he has yet to win a competitive cap, although Irish fans shouldn't be worried.

The Wigan midfielder has no intention of changing his mind, and family members are aggrieved that the issue continues to crop up considering the player endured so much grief to declare for Ireland in the first place. Craig Levein's assertion that the door remains open matters little when the Glaswegian has already decided not to walk through it.

[paul_oshea]

wilson was in the last squad....and on the bench against slovakia.

coleman was also called into the last squad as back up. the squad is what we expected really, and its not at all different from the last squad except the additions of walters, duff and hunt....2 who were injured.

But overall, the point is still the same these guys have to feature over the more senior players, and those who shouldn't be there....kilbane and green.

[Sullivinho]

However, Trapattoni is troubled by agents seeking guarantees that their client will be in the first XI, but denied that Spurs' Jamie O'Hara was doing so, and quashed reports that a recent approach has been made to Mark Noble -- the West Ham midfielder who has captained the England U-21 side

I'm not sure I buy Trap's denial. O'Hara likes to name himself in first XI's. Usually England's.

[Charlie Darwin]

wilson was in the last squad....and on the bench against slovakia.

coleman was also called into the last squad as back up. the squad is what we expected really, and its not at all different from the last squad except the additions of walters, duff and hunt....2 who were injured.

But overall, the point is still the same these guys have to feature over the more senior players, and those who shouldn't be there....kilbane and green.

Coleman was called in at the expense of the injured Kelly but has been retained despite the latter's return. You'd have to assume he did enough to impress Trap over the last international break.

[paul_oshea]

CD, this squad is 27 players. there was 20 left by the last wasnt there? thats 7 extra.

It will be interesting to see who are the 5 that get chopped.

[geysir]

Does that mean you accept Charlie's post about Coleman making the squad or are you trying to make another point?

Natural attrition of injury will reduce the squad to at least 23.

[tommy_c12000]

My team V Norway is:

Westwood
Coleman Dunne O'Shea Cunningham
McGeady Wilson Whelan Duff
Stokes Doyle

Trap's team will be:

Given
O'Shea Dunne St Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Whelan Green Duff
Keane Doyle

[AlaskaFox]

My team V Norway is:

Westwood
Coleman Dunne O'Shea Cunningham
McGeady Wilson Whelan Duff
Stokes Doyle

Trap's team will be:

Given
O'Shea Dunne St Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Whelan Green Duff
Keane Doyle

Stokes isn't in the squad.

[tommy_c12000]

Stokes isn't in the squad.

He is in my squad

[shakermaker1982]

If he starts with the team below then I'll be extremely annoyed. The starting 11 needs shaking up.

Given
O'Shea Dunne St Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Whelan Green Duff
Keane Doyle

[SwanVsDalton]

But overall, the point is still the same these guys have to feature over the more senior players, and those who shouldn't be there....kilbane and green.

If you're saying Kilbane shouldn't be in the squad then you're way off.

As a general point - as with previous squads, the calls are all marginal at best. Personally I'd like to see Stokes in, others Ward, maybe Maguire or whoever, but no one who's been omitted has made a cast-iron case for inclusion. The only one would be the unfortunately crocked McCarthy and it seems obvious by now he's very much in the manager's plans.

We do have the opportunity to see new faces - possible (actually, probable) debuts for Coleman, Wilson and Walters; opportunities for the likes of Foley, Kelly and Cunningham to make a claim; the chance for Fahey, Long and McGeady to kick on for encouraging performances in Zilina; the welcome return of Duff and Hunt.

Whether or not some of these guys are 'brand new' isn't the point. There's plenty to interest any Irish fan on how many of these guys perform. Just looking at the squad there's appears an abundance of options compared to even a month ago.

[geysir]

I had a look at the Derby v Portsmouth game (alternative was the rugby) and Green was the motm, he had an excellent game.

[CraftyToePoke]

I had a look at the Derby v Portsmouth game (alternative was the rugby) and Green was the motm, he had an excellent game.

Yeah, I've watched him twice for Derby this season and been impressed both times, but the international step up does seem a bridge too far for him, for me he hasnt even showed glimpses of what would be required to adapt at the level, never mind impress. Did he play a more advanced role for Derby? just behind a tall frontman?

[Junior]

I know we cant allow every newcomer a 20 or 30 caps settling in period to become adjusted to International standard football. However.....Both Duff and McGeady have needed that amout of time to even start to show some level of consistency at this level.

Whats Green got at this stage, 6 or 7 caps? (perhaps 2 or 3 competitive). I think he has done ok, a few decent games and a few poor ones but Id be inclined to give him a little longer unless of course he simply cannot retain his place because we have other untested players who are simply going to walk in to the side and look comfortable against Macedonia home and away next year.