Predict the Squad/ Starting Lineup for Macedonia

**SwanVsDalton** · 25/03/2011, 1:24 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

And if we do then of course everyone forgets about it. Well not me and Noely or probably john giles

Well when you're wrong 85% of the time, you're right 15% of the time...

**SwanVsDalton** · 25/03/2011, 1:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tipp Townie

Who's our no.14 there? Looks like David Kelly but didnt think he was still playing then?

Definitely Kelly. Was having a bit of a renaissance at Tranmere at the time as I remember...

**Yard of Pace** · 25/03/2011, 1:27 PM

Originally Posted by Tipp Townie

Who's our no.14 there? Looks like David Kelly but didnt think he was still playing then?

It was Kelly. We finished up that game with Kelly and Jon Goodman up front, iirc!!

**paul_oshea** · 25/03/2011, 1:28 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Well when you're wrong 85% of the time, you're right 15% of the time...

IS that noely on the left just before a game?

**Stuttgart88** · 25/03/2011, 1:29 PM

It's a strange selection alright but still relatively marginal. O'Dea has played against good quality non-UK players much more than Clark, for example. It's not a hanging offence. I'd have gone with KK at LB myself and Clark at CB. I hate the nonsense of "if we win, they'll all forget". If O'Dea plays well it'll have been the right decision, if he plays badly it'll have been the wrong decision. Win, draw or lose.

**Noelys Guitar** · 25/03/2011, 1:29 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

IS that noely on the left just before a game?

I was third guy and decided to jump after seeing the team sheet.

**Tipp Townie** · 25/03/2011, 1:29 PM

Originally Posted by Yard of Pace

It was Kelly. We finished up that game with Kelly and Jon Goodman up front, iirc!!

Goodman!! Ah, memories.

**paul_oshea** · 25/03/2011, 1:32 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

It is strange. As someone posted earlier, it can only be Trap having more familiarity with O'Dea, he's been around the squads for a lot longer and perhaps has shown some decent stuff this week in training.

I suppose the example of kelly and foley is not the exact one here, because they were both around the squad for a long time, but Kelly has played very little of late whereas foley is always playing. The example of Ledger coming in after 1 game against Nigeria also doesn't hold true that Trap won't do it if he has to. The only closest thing is the fact that O'dea hasn't played at all he cant get his game for ipswich, kelly cant get his game for fulham, he goes with foley cos he trusts both of them as they have been around long enough but he doesn't trust Clark.

I really think it must just come down to trust.

**paul_oshea** · 25/03/2011, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It's a strange selection alright but still relatively marginal. O'Dea has played against good quality non-UK players much more than Clark, for example. It's not a hanging offence. I'd have gone with KK at LB myself and Clark at CB. I hate the nonsense of "if we win, they'll all forget". If O'Dea plays well it'll have been the right decision, if he plays badly it'll have been the wrong decision. Win, draw or lose.

Yes stutts but these things are often forgottten, and sadly a loss is whats required to force the managers hand - a lot of the time.

**Noelys Guitar** · 25/03/2011, 1:34 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It's a strange selection alright but still relatively marginal. O'Dea has played against good quality non-UK players much more than Clark, for example. It's not a hanging offence. I'd have gone with KK at LB myself and Clark at CB. I hate the nonsense of "if we win, they'll all forget". If O'Dea plays well it'll have been the right decision, if he plays badly it'll have been the wrong decision. Win, draw or lose.

Surely Dunne and other senior players must be wondering how a player who can't get his game at Ipswich is being selected ahead of a player who plays alongside Dunne at Aston Villa.

**geysir** · 25/03/2011, 1:37 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

The only closest thing is the fact that O'dea hasn't played at all he cant get his game for ipswich, ........I really think it must just come down to trust.

Can we trust your facts Paul?
Hasn't O'Dea has been playing regularily for Ipswich since the time of the Norway game?

**Stuttgart88** · 25/03/2011, 1:37 PM

or experience. Clark hasn't even had one full season of first team footy and less than half of that has been at CB. He's prone to the odd rash challenge. We're playing against an in form Inter Milan striker.

Sometimes people here can only see things in black or white terms.

Either player is a risk. We're missing SSL and JO'S FFS. All I can say is thank Jaysus we're not relying on McShane.

Just a thought: does anyone reckone Dunne would have been consulted?

**Stuttgart88** · 25/03/2011, 1:38 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Can we trust your facts Paul?
Hasn't O'Dea has been playing regularily for Ipswich since the time of the Norway game?

Including keeping Arsenal scoreless for 150 minutes, albeit at left back I think.

**SwanVsDalton** · 25/03/2011, 1:39 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Yes stutts but these things are often forgottten, and sadly a loss is whats required to force the managers hand - a lot of the time.

O'Dea may not be the favoured choice - and I don't agree with it - but, as Stutts said, there's every chance he'll put in a performance tomorrow. And we could still lose. What then?

Don't agree with the selection but let's save the doom-mongering until after the game.

Also from Ken Early's Twitter:

Ken Early
trap irate at suggestions he tells full-backs to stay back. he cites cabrini and brehme. expect similar from foley and kilbane

**Stuttgart88** · 25/03/2011, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Surely Dunne and other senior players must be wondering how a player who can't get his game at Ipswich is being selected ahead of a player who plays alongside Dunne at Aston Villa.

I thought Collins plays beside Dunne at Villa?

Tets, dig out the last 12 weeks' appearance stats please!

**paul_oshea** · 25/03/2011, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Can we trust your facts Paul?
Hasn't O'Dea has been playing regularily for Ipswich since the time of the Norway game?

My Facts, i only put up what is the case:
1-Feb-2011 Championship Derby County 1-2 Ipswich Unused Substitute.
5-Feb-2011 Championship Ipswich 3-0 Sheffield United Unused Substitute.
12-Feb-2011 Championship Barnsley 1-1 Ipswich Started on bench, introduced on 86 m.
15-Feb-2011 Championship Doncaster Rovers 0-6 Ipswich Unused Substitute.
19-Feb-2011 Championship Ipswich 1-1 Hull City Unused Substitute.
22-Feb-2011 Championship QPR 2-0 Ipswich Unused Substitute.
26-Feb-2011 Championship Ipswich 0-2 Portsmouth Unused Substitute.
5-Mar-2011 Championship Cardiff 0-2 Ipswich Started on bench, introduced on 29 m.
8-Mar-2011 Championship Ipswich 1-3 Reading Started, played whole game.
12-Mar-2011 Championship Leeds United 0-0 Ipswich Started, played whole game.
15-Mar-2011 Championship Ipswich 0-3 Watford Unused Substitute.
19-Mar-2011 Championship Ipswich 2-0 Scunthorpe Unused Substitute.

2 full games in 2 months pretty much....hardly every game now geysir.

I'm sure if DUnne was consulted he is going to select his team mate given how comfortable he would be with him. I doubt it happened, it would completely undermine trap to be asking senior players who they want playing/who they prefer playing.

**Fixer82** · 25/03/2011, 1:41 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

I don't remember oslo, but why henrys free kick as being a sick one? Cos we were still in with a chance of qualification or because it ruined our 10 year competitive avoiding defeat streak(unbeaten)?

Henry's goal wasn't a free kick. It was sublime but not a free.

Re starting line-up I think it's ludicrous having O'Dea in centre back. He looked very shaky in last friendly and is not playing regularly. Clark in there as Dunne's team-mate at Villa is the obvious choice.

Didn't realise O'Shea and St.Ledger were both injured

**SwanVsDalton** · 25/03/2011, 1:41 PM

More Twitter:

Ken Early
trap explains that gibson is preferred to green because macedonia like to defend a line on the pitch that is just inside DG's shooting range

**TrapAPony** · 25/03/2011, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Surely Dunne and other senior players must be wondering how a player who can't get his game at Ipswich is being selected ahead of a player who plays alongside Dunne at Aston Villa.

Trapattoni would sicken you. Wouldn't be surprised to see Green & Keogh brought on at half time.