Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

**Kingdom** · 18/03/2011, 8:04 AM

If there is an injury crisis, and the manager has the choice of picking a player that has been in the squad consistently over the past two campaign, liked by his peers, and is decent enough to be considered part of the long term future, or picking a player, out of the international game for at least 2 and a bit campaigns, in a lower league, in a position he never, ever excelled in, I know which player I'd be going for.

Any talk of selecting Carr or Harte for the Macedonia game, or any other qualifier is madness. Foley, Kelly, Clark, Wilson, are all fine young players. Put the faith in them now and reap the rewards in 12 months time when we're preparing for Euro 2012 with a hugely competitive squad.

**SwanVsDalton** · 18/03/2011, 10:25 AM

Well said. My fingernails will be bitten to points, but I'd be hugely excited to see how our inexperienced defenders fare.

**Stuttgart88** · 18/03/2011, 11:00 AM

-------Westwood------
Foley-Sledge-Clark-Kilbane
McGeady-Whelan-Gibson-Duff
-----Keane--Doyle-----

**AlaskaFox** · 18/03/2011, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

-------Westwood------
Foley-Sledge-Clark-Kilbane
McGeady-Whelan-Gibson-Duff
-----Keane--Doyle-----

Replace Foley with Kelly and I think you have it.

**Kingdom** · 18/03/2011, 11:23 AM

Killer is a definite now. I don't think Trapatoni rates Kelly (didn't he make a big boo-boo early v Georgia?), which would push me to think Foley might start - but then again, Foley has seen f-all game time for us either, so maybe he doesn't rate either!

Also, I don't believe he trusts Gibson enough. As much as I hate the thought, there is a big chance he'll go for two battlers in front of the inexperiened back 5 (incl Westwood), which makes me think Paul Green. I feel dirty.

I'll plump for*

Westwood
Foley
Kilbane
Sledge
Clark
McGeady
Whelan
Green
Duff
Doyle
Keane

*subject to change until the craziness ends.

**the doc** · 18/03/2011, 11:24 AM

Relax, Dunne will play!

**TrapAPony** · 18/03/2011, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

which makes me think Paul Green. I feel dirty.

You better give yourself a good washing after saying that.

**SwanVsDalton** · 18/03/2011, 11:33 AM

Yeah Kelly will get the nod I feel. He seems to be Trap's anointed number two RB, and his relative experience should stand up well.

**SwanVsDalton** · 18/03/2011, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

Killer is a definite now. I don't think Trapatoni rates Kelly (didn't he make a big boo-boo early v Georgia?), which would push me to think Foley might start - but then again, Foley has seen f-all game time for us either, so maybe he doesn't rate either!

Trap rates Kelly enough, he's played him plenty either from the start or off the bench since Georgia. As for Green, I think it's more likely Andrews will be back in team if the's going to go for robust presence.

**geysir** · 18/03/2011, 11:49 AM

Andrews hasn't got much playing time in months, therefore Green (bless his heart) would have more trust to partner Whelan.
Me thinks it's between Gibson/Whelan or Green/Whelan.
More probably McGeady, Green, Whelan and Duff

Nervy weekend coming up.

**Kingdom** · 18/03/2011, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Trap rates Kelly enough, he's played him plenty either from the start or off the bench since Georgia. As for Green, I think it's more likely Andrews will be back in team if the's going to go for robust presence.

I wouldn't be too sure of that? Certainly more than Foley, no doubt about that, but how many times has he been selected in the 20 matches in that period of time.

Originally Posted by geysir

Andrews hasn't got much playing time in months, therefore Green (bless his heart) would have more trust to partner Whelan.
Me thinks it's between Gibson/Whelan or Green/Whelan.
More probably McGeady, Green, Whelan and Duff

Nervy weekend coming up.

That's exactly what I was basing my selection on.

**paul_oshea** · 18/03/2011, 12:08 PM

Geysir you are full of images today.

**geysir** · 18/03/2011, 12:16 PM

Isn't that an improvement on what I'm usually full of?

**SwanVsDalton** · 18/03/2011, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I wouldn't be too sure of that? Certainly more than Foley, no doubt about that, but how many times has he been selected in the 20 matches in that period of time.

According to ESPN Soccernet, in 21 games (all since Georgia) he's played five full games (all friendlies), came off the bench three times (all competitive games), was an unused sub ten times and wasn't in the matchday squad three times. Foley's played 72 minutes of a friendly against Nigeria, has come off the bench two other friendlies, was an unused sub in four matches and not in the matchday squad for 14 games.

It's not loads of game time, admittedly, but Kelly's been in ahead of Foley in pretty much every occasion despite the performance against Georgia. Trap seems to trust him enough and the selection's show he's the number 2 RB. Would be a surprise if Trap didn't pick him imo.

Edit - To elaborate with a recent example, Kelly missed out on the Russia/Slovakia games with injury and Foley sat on the bench against the Slovaks (but not Russia). In the next friendly against Norway, Kelly returned and got a full 90 minutes whereas Foley came on in the 67th minute for O'Dea (Kelly reverted to CB). Foley's been in great form, Kelly hasn't been playing much at Fulham (I don't think...) but would still be unusual for Trap to switch them round.

**geysir** · 18/03/2011, 1:02 PM

My impression (mistaken or otherwise) is that Foley missed out on the chances (due to injury), where Trap would have tried him out in the friendlies.
His transition to the tried and trusted category has been somewhat retarded.

**Kingdom** · 18/03/2011, 1:02 PM

Good man SvD, can't beat stats.

**Stuttgart88** · 18/03/2011, 1:04 PM

What about the Wales game - didn't Foley come on in that? Was Kelly available?

I'm not convinced about Whelan and Gibson and hear the arguments about Green - I'm assuming Andrews is too rusty. Come back Steven Reid!!

I think we would revert to "stand off them but in a good shape" if it was Whelan and Gibson. Geysir made the good point after Slovakia that although we lost the ball more often with Green on the pitch, we also won the ball further up the pitch more often, and our best attacks came from that.

McCarthy and Fahey are also options of course.

**Noelys Guitar** · 18/03/2011, 1:24 PM

I don't see any chance of Foley getting picked at right back(would have been selected by now). Between Kelly, Wilson and Coleman. I see Dunne starting so St Ledger and Clark at left back. Whelan seems to be a shoo in. I think he will go with Fahey as his partner with McGEady and Duff both certs to start. Doyle and very tight call between Keane and Long. Keane stated earlier this week he wasn't match fit which was very honest. I have a feeling Long is going to start with Keane on the bench.

**The Fly** · 18/03/2011, 1:35 PM

At least Ciaran Clark should be fully fit and refreshed for the match against Macedonia, as he begins a two match ban this weekend after picking up 10 bookings.

**SwanVsDalton** · 18/03/2011, 1:56 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

My impression (mistaken or otherwise) is that Foley missed out on the chances (due to injury), where Trap would have tried him out in the friendlies.
His transition to the tried and trusted category has been somewhat retarded.

Think that's probably true, although Foley was an unused sub against Brazil, Algeria and Argentina last year (Kelly played 90 mins in the former two games).

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

What about the Wales game - didn't Foley come on in that? Was Kelly available?

Kelly was on the bench, didn't get any game time. Foley wasn't in the squad, think he was injured or just back from injury though someone else can probably clarify.