Republic of Ireland V Wales - Monday, 8th February 2011 - Carling Nations Cup

**Noelys Guitar** · 08/02/2011, 1:40 PM

Wales are going to play 4-3-3. Andrew Crofts (Norwich), Andy King (Leicester) and David Vaughan (Blackpool) will be the midfield three. Speed's first game in charge no experience. He will have a look at our midfield and choose to play around it. I'm saying this before the game not after the game. We are just too slow in midfield and opposition teams have kopped onto the fact. If we persist with the long ball to Doyle because the central midfielders can't get on the ball then we are heading for a disaster against Macedonia. It negates what Coleman and Clark might bring to the team. We need something different in central midfield and pronto.

**Duggie** · 08/02/2011, 2:31 PM

if only cunningham hadnt broke his leg, played him at left back and tried clarke in central midfield. ifs i know.

**paul_oshea** · 08/02/2011, 2:34 PM

that if is a nested-if. If only mccarthy had come over, then there would be no other ifs, and he could have played there.

**Duggie** · 08/02/2011, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

that if is a nested-if. If only mccarthy had come over, then there would be no other ifs, and he could have played there.

true, a mccarthy/clarke midfield would have been a nice experiment with cunningham left back and coleman right midfield.

**SkStu** · 08/02/2011, 2:53 PM

Does tonights result mean anything to anyone? What if we get our asses handed to us by a Wales team that will be keen to impress their new manager and a new manager that will be keen to get one over on Il Duce.

I wouldnt be surprised if Wales made things very uncomfortable for us tonight.

**Duggie** · 08/02/2011, 2:57 PM

im glad bellamy and bale arent there tonight thats for sure anyway.

**paul_oshea** · 08/02/2011, 3:01 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Does tonights result mean anything to anyone? What if we get our asses handed to us by a Wales team that will be keen to impress their new manager and a new manager that will be keen to get one over on Il Duce.

I wouldnt be surprised if Wales made things very uncomfortable for us tonight.

There is not much interest in the game, but there will be in the result*

*if what you state above occurs.

**irishfan86** · 08/02/2011, 3:06 PM

The game itself doesn't appeal much, but getting to see how Coleman and Clark fit in should excite any Ireland fan.

**geysir** · 08/02/2011, 3:07 PM

Is Trap waiting for the Wales midfield to be selected before he chooses between Green or Gibson?
I can�t think of any other reason unless one of them is preferred and has a knock to recover from.

**paul_oshea** · 08/02/2011, 3:09 PM

He is donkey tailing. He started with one, then best of 3, now its just endless and tardelli has got involved.

**geysir** · 08/02/2011, 3:32 PM

I like Tardelli to be involved.

**theworm2345** · 08/02/2011, 3:40 PM

When Ireland haven't played in 3 months, any match is exciting for me.

**AlaskaFox** · 08/02/2011, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by Duggie

true, a mccarthy/clarke midfield would have been a nice experiment with cunningham left back and coleman right midfield.

Clark isn't a midfielder. As a Villa fan, I've watched most of their games (in full) this season, and he's in no way a midfielder. Much better in defence. His positioning isn't good enough in central midfield.

**SwanVsDalton** · 08/02/2011, 6:12 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Does tonights result mean anything to anyone? What if we get our asses handed to us by a Wales team that will be keen to impress their new manager and a new manager that will be keen to get one over on Il Duce.

I wouldnt be surprised if Wales made things very uncomfortable for us tonight.

It's a hiding to nothing. If we turn them over four nil, it's just cos it's Wales...

Far more interested in seeing Coleman, Clark, Wilson et al.