Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

**Scooby Doo** · 14/03/2011, 10:21 PM

Tried listening to the Trap interview on TV3's website but the sound quality is sh!te. Can anyone provide details on what he spoke about re: Stephen Ireland/James McCarthy/O'Hara/Pennant etc etc? I assume the hacks questioned him on these!?

**geysir** · 14/03/2011, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

What assertion?

I suspect that Paul has learned a new word today and just thought he'd try it out somewhere.

**Sullivinho** · 14/03/2011, 11:22 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Tried listening to the Trap interview on TV3's website but the sound quality is sh!te. Can anyone provide details on what he spoke about re: Stephen Ireland/James McCarthy/O'Hara/Pennant etc etc? I assume the hacks questioned him on these!?

Nothing about those players in that piece. Most of his comments are without context due to some horrible editing but he expresses confidence in Westwood, says that Dunne is already in training and Robbie's fitness will be evaluated when he turns up. Some token compliments for the Macedonians whom he believes will be defeated if we play as we did against Wales.

I read somewhere earlier that his thoughts on Pennant and O'Hara will be in one of the newspapers tomorrow.

**Scooby Doo** · 14/03/2011, 11:30 PM

Cheers for that. Decent squad more or less. Should be enough to do the business next Saturday.

**Noelys Guitar** · 14/03/2011, 11:42 PM

Some very interesting stuff in this article from Trap.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...292163042.html

Reading between the lines I see Green and Kilbane starting against Macedonia. O'Hara is still *****ing around. And if McCarthy proves himself good enough then we will change tactics.

**Sullivinho** · 15/03/2011, 12:23 AM

I think/hope the mention of Green was as an example of how a strong showing in training can improve someone's chances of getting a game.

**Noelys Guitar** · 15/03/2011, 1:13 AM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

I think/hope the mention of Green was as an example of how a strong showing in training can improve someone's chances of getting a game.

Hope your right Sullivinho. It is going to be the most anticipated starting 11 for some time as their are so 3 or even 4 positions up for grabs.

**Stuttgart88** · 15/03/2011, 8:29 AM

Some good coverage of the press conf from Trap in the Examiner

Seems like both sides made good use of the press conference, for a change. Trap was quite defensive of Stephen Ireland.

**AlaskaFox** · 15/03/2011, 8:54 AM

Clark may be better than Kilbane at this stage, but I still don't think he's the answer to our prayers. From what I've seen of him (which is every game he's played, as I'm a Villa fan), he's an average player, prone to late challenges and occasional ball-watching. I'd almost be tempted to start Kevin against Macedonia.

**Kingdom** · 15/03/2011, 9:14 AM

Emmet Malone is the schnizzle.

What I like about Clark is that he looks very comfortable on the ball, and is eager to keep it in play and on the deck. He probably isn't the long term solution (more than likely Cunningham; possibly O'Halloran) but it's another string to his bow. It's nice to have a versatile squad - Foley, O'Shea, Clark, Wilson, McGeady, McCarthy, Doyle, Long, Fahey - are all players that are comfortable in different positions, different areas of the pitch and it's a quality that in theory should allow for a more fluid type of game from Ireland. In theory.

**SwanVsDalton** · 15/03/2011, 9:20 AM

Originally Posted by AlaskaFox

Clark may be better than Kilbane at this stage, but I still don't think he's the answer to our prayers. From what I've seen of him (which is every game he's played, as I'm a Villa fan), he's an average player, prone to late challenges and occasional ball-watching. I'd almost be tempted to start Kevin against Macedonia.

Kind of agree, but would take issue with 'average player'. Think he's raw, but once he develops into a CB, which is where I think he'll end up, he could be very exciting. He's a natural footballer, looks very assured for a young guy to me.

**paul_oshea** · 15/03/2011, 9:41 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Well obviously. But we have had left-sided defenders and presumably they all had something to offer but Kilbane offered more. Therefore he can't have been as useless as the person I was responding to (but forgot to quote) said.

What assertion?

That without kilbane in the side we concede more goals. Given that he has missed very few games over the last few years and made over 100 appearances. All i know is we have conceded goals directly because of him in the last few years.

Geysir, desist, its getting tiring at this stage, your attempts at sarcasm are failing your generally intelligent posts. Oh look another new word!

**geysir** · 15/03/2011, 9:42 AM

The Examiner has a bit more clarity with Trap's quotes

on McCarthy
"Maybe he will not be on from the start," said the manager, "but we will see how the game goes and once the situation is clear we can put him in. On the other hand, if he convinces me in training that he is ready to start, then why not? Sean St Ledger did that in the away match against Bulgaria."

On Damien Duff.

"We hope he stays in the same form," said Trapattoni. "He’s one of our best players, and a good guy. There are periods in a player’s career where, with maturity, they reach a level of calm which, psychologically, allows them give the best they can because they’re happy what they’re doing."

**paul_oshea** · 15/03/2011, 9:42 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

McCarthy has been in most every squad since the Brazil game.

Correction, he has been called into most of the squads

**Noelys Guitar** · 15/03/2011, 9:43 AM

I would choose Clark over Kilbane for his link up play with Duff (and mcGeady when /if they switch positions during game) and whoever plays on the left side of midfield. Kilbane's understandable loss of pace effects the whole left side of the team. Clark is very good going forward and can get to the byline if need be. Both players are good headers of the ball but for me it is Clarks ability to link up quickly with other players that sees him get the shout.

**tetsujin1979** · 15/03/2011, 9:47 AM

Originally, I picked Foley - O'Shea - St Ledger - Clark, but it does look a little inexperienced (despite O'Shea's presence) so Kilbane would solve that problem
With Dunne's apparent availability, I'd move O'Shea out to the right and play Dunne in the centre

**paul_oshea** · 15/03/2011, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

I would choose Clark over Kilbane for his link up play with Duff (and mcGeady when /if they switch positions during game) and whoever plays on the left side of midfield. Kilbane's understandable loss of pace effects the whole left side of the team. Clark is very good going forward and can get to the byline if need be. Both players are good headers of the ball but for me it is Clarks ability to link up quickly with other players that sees him get the shout.

Ya, all those qualities, which we all have seen from kilbane is that he always goes across or backwards, cant do quick 1-2s or play the ball in tight areas and doesn't really offer anything going forward either. Defensively he reminds me of harte, but harte always looked heavier(and at least offered solutions with some great diagonal and long balls to, and also dead ball expert - again kilbane doesn't have any of this), Kilbane comes in too deep sometimes and his pace is then exposed by balls over the top. The question is, is Clark any worse defensively than kilbane, in my opinion no, but i haven't seen enough of him either to judge, and if he is not then he has to play, because kilbane offers very little overall to be honest and is dodgy defensively too.

**Yard of Pace** · 15/03/2011, 10:18 AM

Clark needs to gain experience at some point so a home game against Macedonia would seem like as good a game as any to do that. On the other hand, if I knew Kilbane was able to continue playing at the level he did against Slovakia for the rest of the campaign, I'd stick with him for his experience.

**AlaskaFox** · 15/03/2011, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Kind of agree, but would take issue with 'average player'. Think he's raw, but once he develops into a CB, which is where I think he'll end up, he could be very exciting. He's a natural footballer, looks very assured for a young guy to me.

At the moment, for me, he's an "average player". However, due to his youth, I'm sure he can become a fantastic talent for both club and country.

**ofjames** · 15/03/2011, 7:24 PM

O'Shea has had to go off with what looks like a hamstring injury after 35 mins against Marseille tonight.

Has to be a major doubt for the Macedonia game now.