Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

**SolitudeRed** · 14/03/2011, 6:01 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Westwood
Randolph
Forde

Foley
O'Shea
Clark
Coleman
Dunne
St. Ledger
Kelly
O'Dea
Kilbane
Wilson

Andrews
McCarthy
Whelan
McGeady
Duff
Gibson
Green
Lawrence
Treacy
Fahey

Keane
Doyle
Walters
Best
Long
Keogh

Isn't Wilson more of a center MF player now he seems to be a younger version of Whelan at Stoke?

Also what about Foley for RB? I suspect he may be playing more of a MF role at Wolves these days.

**TrapAPony** · 14/03/2011, 6:10 PM

Originally Posted by SolitudeRed

Isn't Wilson more of a center MF player now he seems to be a younger version of Whelan at Stoke?

Also what about Foley for RB? I suspect he may be playing more of a MF role at Wolves these days.

Wilson is currently playing right back for Stoke after starting off there in midfield. Foley is back at right back for Wolves - was in the last game against Spurs anyway.

**EastTerracer** · 14/03/2011, 6:23 PM

Knowing how conservative Trap is I do think he will pick Kilbane over Clark for the Macedonia game - I think he'd prefer to see Clark get a few more caps before making him first-choice full-back. As a result I predict a very familiar line-up assuming Dunne is fit.

Westwood
O'Shea Dunne St.Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Gibson Whelan Duff
Doyle Keane

Average age of 28, over 50 caps on average and a total of 82 international goals. I think McCarthy and Long are almost certain to get a run as well.

**Kingdom** · 14/03/2011, 6:31 PM

I dunno - if Dunne wasn't playing, then you could understand why he might prefer to keep Killer in at LB, so that as he'd have to make a change on the other side. With Dunne likely to play, it's a straight like for like (in so many ways), bringing in Clark.

**CraftyToePoke** · 14/03/2011, 6:53 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I dunno - if Dunne wasn't playing, then you could understand why he might prefer to keep Killer in at LB, so that as he'd have to make a change on the other side. With Dunne likely to play, it's a straight like for like (in so many ways), bringing in Clark.

I think maybe if he had his usual safe pair of hands in Given behind them we might have seen Clark, but the loss of his experience might see Kilbane selected.

**rebelmusic** · 14/03/2011, 7:53 PM

In truth Kilbane tends to play his better games against weaker opposition and i'm sure Trap will note that.

**gilberto_eire** · 14/03/2011, 9:13 PM

Trap makes out that it's important that his players are...

1. Playing regularly

2. Playing at a decent level

3. Playing in position

On the basis of that, and considering Kilbane has always been pretty rubbish at LB anyway, it would be criminal to overlook Clark in favour of a man playing CM for a League 1 side.

I don't think he will play Kilbane though. He has proved himself to be conservative(during games, reluctant to make changes) but I don't think he's as stubborn as we expect him to be(I also don't think Green will start)

**Dunners** · 14/03/2011, 9:14 PM

Killer offers nothing at left back an experienced manager like Trap should be able to see that. He has got to go with Clark
experience or not its a no brainer.
If McCarthy does not get a cap then i'm afraid Trap wants taking out back and capping

**Noelys Guitar** · 14/03/2011, 9:21 PM

Dunphy on Squad selection.
http://www.rte.ie/sport/ click on Dunphys mush for interview. And no way should Kilbane be selected ahead of Clark. Kilbane is no longer anywhere near the standard required at this level anymore. Great servant for Ireland but sentiment should play no part in a game we have to win.

**IsMiseSean** · 14/03/2011, 9:22 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

Westwood
O'Shea Dunne St.Ledger Kilbane
McGeady Gibson Whelan Duff
Doyle Keane

Ya I reckon that will be the team.
McCarthy is a certainty to get a cap just like Gibson was capped in Slovakia a few years ago, if he shows up....

**Charlie Darwin** · 14/03/2011, 9:23 PM

If Kilbane offered nothing at left back it would have taken less time than this to replace him. He's a player with some notable flaws but some great attributes as well and regardless of what people say we do tend to concede less goals when he's in the team. He doesn't offer an awful lot going forward anymore but that's because he's always been more a winger than a natural full back.

**gilberto_eire** · 14/03/2011, 9:32 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

If Kilbane offered nothing at left back it would have taken less time than this to replace him. He's a player with some notable flaws but some great attributes as well and regardless of what people say we do tend to concede less goals when he's in the team. He doesn't offer an awful lot going forward anymore but that's because he's always been more a winger than a natural full back.

Or maybe it was because nobody else came on the scene until recently.

**Crosby87** · 14/03/2011, 9:34 PM

I think it's a good time to pass the baton from Killer to Clark.
And Stutts you made a great point on the previous page about McCarthy with the press. National tragedy to: Oh he's in the team? Meh.
What a waste of enegry all that was!
All in all, I think Macedonia will have their hands full.

**geysir** · 14/03/2011, 9:35 PM

Kilbane has been on death row for a while now.
I wouldn't at all mind him getting another cap before he goes to the chair but I'm more keen to see Clark get settled into the team.

**paul_oshea** · 14/03/2011, 9:37 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

If Kilbane offered nothing at left back it would have taken less time than this to replace him. He's a player with some notable flaws but some great attributes as well and regardless of what people say we do tend to concede less goals when he's in the team. He doesn't offer an awful lot going forward anymore but that's because he's always been more a winger than a natural full back.

how can you make that assertion when he has played over 100 caps for us?

**Dunners** · 14/03/2011, 9:45 PM

I am not knocking him Killer has been a great servant to the team over the years. In my opinion he has had his day its time to move on
I have always been a big fan of the man , still am but we have a better option with Clark.
Managers tend to take the easy option and trust with what they know. Traps no different McCarthy until his injury was our only
midfielder starting in the EPL yet he could'nt get into the squad.

**geysir** · 14/03/2011, 9:47 PM

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

**Stuttgart88** · 14/03/2011, 9:58 PM

East Terracer, didn't Trap throw St. Ledger into the mix in Sofia just after he made his debut against Nigeria?

Possible precedent for picking Clark? I'm not fussed - I have reservations about each at left back, but I like the balance that KK brings.

**EastTerracer** · 14/03/2011, 10:05 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

East Terracer, didn't Trap throw St. Ledger into the mix in Sofia just after he made his debut against Nigeria?

Possible precedent for picking Clark? I'm not fussed - I have reservations about each at left back, but I like the balance that KK brings.

Stutts, that is true about St. Ledger and Green made the move up to competitive games very quickly as well. I just think Trap is very loyal to the older players and Kilbane has actually started this campaign better than he played in the World Cup campaign. My suspicion is that he'll stick with the players he knows best for the moment.

**Charlie Darwin** · 14/03/2011, 10:12 PM

Originally Posted by gilberto_eire

Or maybe it was because nobody else came on the scene until recently.

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.

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

how can you make that assertion when he has played over 100 caps for us?

What assertion?