Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

[Stuttgart88]

We never ever win these games comfortably. It will be the same old same old. We always get our hopes up and say oh well maybe we have turned a corner or perhaps this will be the point in the campaign where we proved we have moved up a level under trap blah blah blah.

I think SF is right by saying that on paper and if everything clicks we could win comfortably. We could, but probably won't. Trap has definitely improved the team since Stan, but one corner we have definitely not turned is the careless defensive mistakes and less than clinical finishing. The definitive test of turning a corner (other than results obviously, but it's all related) will be consistently defending better and taking more chances. Slovakia away summed up the last 2 years for me - good enough to win, but let it slip away. Very frustrating. I think this team has it in them to win well on Saturday, but we're out of the habit of winning consistently so it'll be more of a dogfight.

[Supreme feet]

I'd agree about the defensive mistakes and lax finishing; but a lot of those issues are exacerbated by poor ball retention. If we're not creating chances, then our missed ones become much more of an issue. Likewise, if we're conceding possession and inviting teams on to us, eventually the floodgates are going to break at some stage. If Foley and Clark start, that'll be one of our Achilles heels sorted - distribution from defence. Even O'Shea at right-back has a tendency to knock aimless balls up the line, and I'd expect Foley to be more measured. Whether this gets a bit more from our timid central midfielders remains to be seen, but we'll certainly give away less ball (and be less prone to mistakes) than with McShane and Kilbane at full-back.

Just hoping Clark starts.

[DannyInvincible]

Tardelli is confident that we can get 90 minutes out of Robbie based on the past two days of training.

[Junior]

Probably the closer to Roscommon one is, the more mellow the heart becomes.

Well, the Achilles heel being Achill, excluded of course.

I'd imagine we'll start with Duff on the left. If McGeady starts they may interchange, depending on how the game is going. It's happened before. However, Trap might play Lawrence to give some protection to Foley, and for set-pieces.

Interestingly Duff seems to have played all his football on the right for Fulham this season.

The definitive test of turning a corner (other than results obviously, but it's all related) will be consistently defending better and taking more chances. Slovakia away summed up the last 2 years for me - good enough to win, but let it slip away.

But that doesnt just sum up the last 2 years though, that trait has been evident for many many years (Stan reign excepted where we didnt manage to get in to that stratosphere). 2-2 in Israel immediately springs to mind under Kerr, never mind the whole McCarthy era and last minute goals conceded. Perhaps its just not fair to expect Trap to reverse the physcological deficiencies within the irish gene

[Wolfie]

Score two deflected goals and completely lose the plot in the last 15 minutes?

Most can identify that Russia completely played us off the park in the first half of that game.

Their domination of the first half was so complete that it provided the cushion for their losing of the plot, the sub plot, the script and some of the cast in the last 15 minutes and still yielded a win for them.

Is it unreasonable to speculate that future oppositions managers would note that Russia had amassed a 3 goal lead and not wonder how they had managed to completely over run us????

[geysir]

Well, Slovakia couldn't speculate enough to do it on their home turf.
Things ain't so straightforward.

[Wolfie]

Well, Slovakia couldn't speculate enough to do it on their home turf.
Things ain't so straightforward.

Point taken, but I'm more specifically referring to our home games and how the opposition will approach those games.

[SwanVsDalton]

The lesson can be learned both ways though. Russia exploited the gaps between our banks of four, but it would've helped if the CM's were a bit smarter, the wing-back's a bit tighter and the whole team wasn't sleeping for the first 45 minutes.

[Murfinator]

So, back on topic, it looks like Westwood, Foley, Dunne, St. Ledger, Whelan, Duff, Keane and Doyle are nailed on to start. The variables are Kilbane/Clark for left-back, McGeady/Lawrence/Coleman for the right-hand side, and Gibson/Fahey/Green fighting to partner Whelan. The selection of Kilbane, Green and Lawrence will have the Trap critics sharpening their knives again, and in KK and PG's case, for good reason.
.

In fairness Lawrence has played very well for us since he joined the setup, unquestionably better than McGeady has in the same space. Couldn't begrudge him a starting place. Green and Kilbane starting would like you said be worrying. Although we don't really have strong alternatives unfortunately.

I'd probably say myself he'll go with Kilbane / Gibson / Lawrence.

[paul_oshea]

The lesson can be learned both ways though. Russia exploited the gaps between our banks of four, but it would've helped if the CM's were a bit smarter, the wing-back's a bit tighter and the whole team wasn't sleeping for the first 45 minutes.

I know there were some poor individual mistakes but i dont think they were sleeping, i think they were shellshocked, the fact they were so cruelly exposed and caught out over the top, on the wings, through the middle and they just didn't know what to do. What was that George Bush said again? Shock and Awe....

[Stuttgart88]

They were just rubbish and off form, as well as outnumbered.

[paul_oshea]

Just been thinking about this, would he put a player out for media duty if he wasn't going to pick them? I mean i know the FAI arrange it all and what not but I gather Trap has a decision in who faces the media?

Makes me think that wings will be duff and lawrence, with mcgeady coming on if things aren't working out with lawrence. I think we need to start with mcgeady and finish with lawrence to be honest.

[EastTerracer]

From TV3's Tommy Martin on Twitter after today's training

"Likely #ROI team for Sat based on training today: Westwood, Foley, Dunne, St Ledger, Kilbane, Duff, Whelan, Gibson, McGeady, Doyle, Keane."

"Kelly: Duff had to be dragged off training pitch - really up for it #ROI"

"Alan Kelly: Concern about St Ledge, will assess tomorrow. Westwood monster kickouts will be key tactic on Sat #ROI"

" McCarthy: never any doubt about commitment to Ireland, Martinez delighted he's playing Int. football #ROI"

"#ROI update: Duff trains, St Ledger and Coleman don't. McCarthy about to speak to media"


The summary from all the press tweeters seems to be as follows:
It sounds like O'Dea played alongside Dunne in the training match due to St.Ledger's injury. Kilbane seems to have edged ahead of Clark for left-back slot. If Sledge doesn't make it will O'Dea play or will Clark get a chance at centre-back?

[geysir]

Martinez will give a press conference in Wigan taking credit for guiding James towards his decision to declare for Ireland.

[paul_oshea]

i hope lawrence gets some game time.

[geysir]

Where did the e come from?
Clark just plain old Clark.
Clark's shoes.

[Stuttgart88]

Clark Kent.

Clark Gable.

Ciaran Clarke played rugby for Ireland. Old schoolmate.

[Sullivinho]

Where did the e come from?

Found it on the dancefloor, honest.

[DannyInvincible]

"Martinez delighted [McCarthy's] playing Int. football #ROI"

He's changed his tune.

Hopefully Gibson can be more effective than Green if he's to start. I would have hoped for Clark to start on the left, or at centre-back if it's looking like St. Ledger mightn't play. O'Dea in the centre over Clark? Can't fathom that. Surely it would makes sense to go with Dunne and Clark considering they're team-mates and everything.

[paul_oshea]

I think its a thing of Trust for Trap, he doesn't know clark well enough and therefore doesn't trust him. He has seen O'Dea he has been around for a long time now, knows what he can what he cant do, and he has traps ideas engrained in his brain at this stage.