Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

**geysir** · 16/03/2011, 5:05 PM

I doubt that Dunne is ready to relinquish his position just yet and is wiling to do anything to lead the line, even fervently follow the 12 steps.

**the bear** · 16/03/2011, 6:40 PM

gk westwood
rb foley
lb clarke
cb sledger
cb wilson

very inexperienced but i like the look of it

**Stuttgart88** · 16/03/2011, 8:18 PM

Originally Posted by the bear

gk westwood
rb foley
lb clarke
cb sledger
cb wilson

very inexperienced but i like the look of it

Me too. I hope that's the back 5 that starts against Uruguay!

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/03/2011, 9:42 PM

Originally Posted by the bear

gk westwood
rb foley
lb clarke
cb sledger
cb wilson

very inexperienced but i like the look of it

Wilson just played well against West Ham so thats a good sign and although a litle slow seems to have a very good football brain. Foley has had a good season with Wolves. St Ledger scored our goal last game and never really lets us down and Clark is also having a good season at Villa and looked good against Wales. I would hope this would be the back four if Dunne is not able to make it.

**Jicked** · 16/03/2011, 9:52 PM

That's way too inexperienced a back four to go with for a competitive game. Wilson has still yet to impress me, he's been better this season but last year was at McShane levels of atrociousness. We'll need some sort of experience considering we'll be without Given, O'Shea and possibly Dunne in that defence, and for me that requires asking KK for one last effort for Ireland, his voice and knowledge of how we should be shaping up could be vital even if his legs aren't quite.

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/03/2011, 9:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jicked

That's way too inexperienced a back four to go with for a competitive game. Wilson has still yet to impress me, he's been better this season but last year was at McShane levels of atrociousness. We'll need some sort of experience considering we'll be without Given, O'Shea and possibly Dunne in that defence, and for me that requires asking KK for one last effort for Ireland, his voice and knowledge of how we should be shaping up could be vital even if his legs aren't quite.

Only if there able to play. O'Shea is almost certainly out and Dunne we still don't know about yet. Believe me the nerves will kick in for everyone if we have to go with the back four mentioned. But there is a real possibility the back four could be Foley, Wilson , St Ledger and Clark. So lets hope they can all step up if needed. They could be brilliant on the day. Or not.

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/03/2011, 10:00 PM

I'm trying to think of an (internationally) experienced defender we could call upon and who can play centre half in the absence of Dunne and O'Shea and the only one who hasn't ruled himself out from selection is... Ian Harte. Stephen Kelly maybe?

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/03/2011, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I'm trying to think of an (internationally) experienced defender we could call upon and who can play centre half in the absence of Dunne and O'Shea and the only one who hasn't ruled himself out from selection is... Ian Harte. Stephen Kelly maybe?

McShane can't be that far away from a call up. And that is worrying. It is not beyond the bounds he could yet start against Macedonia even if he wasn't selected in the original 29. Circumstances and his international experience could yet push him up the order.

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/03/2011, 10:14 PM

I don't think so. Italy away I think was Trapattoni's epiphany that he wouldn't be able to use him there.

**Noelys Guitar** · 16/03/2011, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I don't think so. Italy away I think was Trapattoni's epiphany that he wouldn't be able to use him there.

I thought so as well but if Trap decides he needs experienced heads then Kilbane will play at left back and then he would probably go with Kelly at right back with St Ledger and Clark central. With McShane next in line if anything happens to Clark or St Ledger.

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/03/2011, 10:23 PM

In that scenario I still think Kelly would be CH cover and McShane would be right back cover.

**SolitudeRed** · 16/03/2011, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by Jicked

That's way too inexperienced a back four to go with for a competitive game. Wilson has still yet to impress me, he's been better this season but last year was at McShane levels of atrociousness. We'll need some sort of experience considering we'll be without Given, O'Shea and possibly Dunne in that defence, and for me that requires asking KK for one last effort for Ireland, his voice and knowledge of how we should be shaping up could be vital even if his legs aren't quite.

To be fair to Marc Wilson he has said himself that MF is he preferred position and he was put into defence for Portsmouth during last season as they were stuck, since then I think he has mostly been playing in MF

**SwanVsDalton** · 16/03/2011, 11:00 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

In that scenario I still think Kelly would be CH cover and McShane would be right back cover.

Really? Not sure what Trap's thoughts are, but McShane's a much better CH than RB, particularly with a good partner. He didn't have a good outing in Italy, but his better Ireland performances have been at centre half to my mind.

**geysir** · 16/03/2011, 11:06 PM

O'Dea is the CH cover. Kelly is not in the frame for CH, unless the spanish inquisition strikes.

**Charlie Darwin** · 16/03/2011, 11:10 PM

Is the Church strongly in favour of Kelly at centre half?

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Really? Not sure what Trap's thoughts are, but McShane's a much better CH than RB, particularly with a good partner. He didn't have a good outing in Italy, but his better Ireland performances have been at centre half to my mind.

That's probably true but at right full he's less likely to cause damage. Considering Irish full backs don't provide much of an attacking outlet for Trapattoni, it's a less important position than centre half.

**the bear** · 16/03/2011, 11:10 PM

Originally Posted by Jicked

That's way too inexperienced a back four to go with for a competitive game. Wilson has still yet to impress me, he's been better this season but last year was at McShane levels of atrociousness. We'll need some sort of experience considering we'll be without Given, O'Shea and possibly Dunne in that defence, and for me that requires asking KK for one last effort for Ireland, his voice and knowledge of how we should be shaping up could be vital even if his legs aren't quite.

its not an ideal situation but due to injury i think it is our best available. killer doesn't merit a place in the team. quality over experience. the 3 unexperienced internationally in that back 4 all play prem every week and should be more than capable of playing macedonia. i would of had kenny in goals though

**Jicked** · 16/03/2011, 11:32 PM

Originally Posted by the bear

its not an ideal situation but due to injury i think it is our best available. killer doesn't merit a place in the team. quality over experience. the 3 unexperienced internationally in that back 4 all play prem every week and should be more than capable of playing macedonia. i would of had kenny in goals though

Quality over experience if it was an ordinary back 4 the left back would be playing with, but for me, and I'm sure 9 out of 10 managers would do the same, you've got to have some experience in there somewhere, especially for a team like ours that relies on positional sense and working as a unit so much more than individual flair or talent. From what I've seen of Clark and Wilson both seem to be quite rash in how they defend, the type of players who if put under pressure from a guy like Pandev could really do with someone there to try to steady the ship in the way Dunne, Given or even O'Shea would. If those three were missing I'd line up: Kilbane - Clark - St Ledger - Kelly or Coleman (would be a choice for the manager seeing Coleman in training and seeing if he'd be disciplined enough to remember he isn't a winger once again. Personally I've never been impressed with Foley anytime I've seen him)

**the bear** · 16/03/2011, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Jicked

Quality over experience if it was an ordinary back 4 the left back would be playing with, but for me, and I'm sure 9 out of 10 managers would do the same, you've got to have some experience in there somewhere, especially for a team like ours that relies on positional sense and working as a unit so much more than individual flair or talent. From what I've seen of Clark and Wilson both seem to be quite rash in how they defend, the type of players who if put under pressure from a guy like Pandev could really do with someone there to try to steady the ship in the way Dunne, Given or even O'Shea would. If those three were missing I'd line up: Kilbane - Clark - St Ledger - Kelly or Coleman (would be a choice for the manager seeing Coleman in training and seeing if he'd be disciplined enough to remember he isn't a winger once again. Personally I've never been impressed with Foley anytime I've seen him)

get your point. don't agree in this case though. kilbane (in defence) has experience of playing left back badly. not the type of experience i want in the team. especially giving the back four positional help.

not impressed with foley? realy, i thought he looked like a very good full back every time ive seen him, reminds me of finnan

**Colbert Report** · 17/03/2011, 3:09 AM

Too bad Stephen Carr is injured, I reckon he could do a good job for us at right back if he could be persuaded...

**paul_oshea** · 17/03/2011, 8:37 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I'm trying to think of an (internationally) experienced defender we could call upon and who can play centre half in the absence of Dunne and O'Shea and the only one who hasn't ruled himself out from selection is... Ian Harte. Stephen Kelly maybe?

hmm yes remember the last time ian harte played CH against eastern european opposition? Header straight out to the opposition player who scored....