Republic of Ireland V Uruguay - Tuesday, 29th March 2011 - Friendly

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone a bit sceptical about that? Was he playing in the warm up game?

Oh God, don't start another flippin' conspiracy! Worst thing is, it's not implausible.

[SwanVsDalton]

I don't think Keogh starting is so bad in the scheme of things. Trap's cleared the deck, everyone originally named in the squad, bar Treacy and the goalies, are getting a start. I think that's a good thing. If Keogh's playing wide and deep, I'll be more disappointed but I suspect he'll play further forward and look to link with Long and McCarthy.

As has been pointed out Wilson and Whelan have gone home, with Stokes and Delaney called up so bench will be something like:

Darren Randolph
David Forde
Damien Delaney
Anthony Stokes
Keith Treacy
Aidan McGeady
Darron Gibson

[Stuttgart88]

So, more likely 4-3-1-2?

------Goalie------
RB-----CB---CB----LB
Lawrence--Green--Fahey
------McCarthy----
----Long--Keogh----

Makes sense. Maybe just a plain old 4-4-2 with Green and McCarthy.

[ifk101]

I'm pretty sure that Tony O'Donoghue asked Trappatoni in the aftermath of the Macedonia game would he consider changing the system. And the answer was no.

He has started every game with the same formation. I'd like him to try something different but I'm not convinced he feels the need to do so. I think we'll line-up as follows

Westwood
Foley, Kelly, O'Dea, Clark;
Lawrence, McCarthy, Green, Fahey;
Long, Keogh.

[paul_oshea]

Thats even better if its the case that he is willing to put Mccarthy in midfield in his normal 4-4-2 system, as it means we could realistically see him start there if away to Macedonia if he performs really well in the next 3 games.

What height is mccarthy? He looked physically imposing Saturday.

[ifk101]

What height is mccarthy?

Ask Google. That chap knows everything.

[tetsujin1979]

What height is mccarthy? He looked physically imposing Saturday.

google returns vary between 5"9 and 5"11, I'd have him at the upper end of that scale, he looked huge when he came on against Macedonia

[Duggie]

pic of him in the star standing tall for the anthem, hes around the same height as shane long, tiny bit smaller just.

[tetsujin1979]

rte.ie have updated their page with the lineup: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/...nd_kellys.html

Having made his first competitive appearance off the bench against Macedonia, Wigan's James McCarthy will start behind the lone striker Shane Long between Andy Keogh and Liam Lawrence and in front of Keith Fahey and Paul Green.

Kelly will be in the centre of defence with Ciaran Clark on the left, Darren O'Dea in the centre and Kevin Foley on the right.

Keiren Westwood continues in goal in the absence of Shay Given.

so it's going to look like this

             Westwood
Foley    Kelly(c) O'Dea  Clark
Lawrence Fahey    Green  Keogh
             McCarthy
               Long

Keogh was on the left for the South Africa game in Limerick, and was terrible. I said at the time it was clear he had no control with his left foot and never should be played there again. Clark could be in for a busy night

[SwanVsDalton]

Presumably Keogh and Lawrence will play further forward than in our traditional flat four? I'd hope Keogh can cut inside from the wing and link closely with McCarthy and Long as opposed to playing up and down the touchline. I'd share your concern if that happened.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd be really happy with that team except for Keogh LHM. He's on a hiding to nothing if they line up like that.It'll just have people on his back.

[DannyInvincible]

Oh God, don't start another flippin' conspiracy! Worst thing is, it's not implausible.

Wilson grew up supporting us and has been playing with our various under-age sides for about seven years. I wouldn't doubt his commitment.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm talking more about a possible row with Trap over not being picked. Still, he's probably ill or injured as said.

[Razors left peg]

Delighted with that team. it brings a bit of excitement to the game. Green and keogh are the only issues I have with it, green is one of the worst players I've ever seen in an Ireland shirt while keogh has proved time and again that he can't play on the wing.

[TrapAPony]

I'd be really happy with that team except for Keogh LHM. He's on a hiding to nothing if they line up like that.It'll just have people on his back.

Would someone like Wes Hoolahan not have been a better option there.

[geysir]

Does a fan ever achieve a state of complete satisfaction?

[Charlie Darwin]

Kelly will start in the centre for two reasons: he's the most experienced defender left in the squad and he's right footed.

I'm surprised Treacy isn't playing instead of Keogh. With five men in midfield, Keogh is probably going to have to push out wide and, as mentioned, he's not got a great left foot. If he comes inside as you'd expect him to, he'll be running into congestion all the time.

Still, it's good to see Trap varying the system and obviously very excited to see how McCarthy gets on. With Fahey, Lawrence and McCarthy all in midfield, we have no excuses for not being able to control our fair share of the possession.

[geysir]

McGeady causes an extra problem for defenders because he can take them on the outside or cut inside and hit the ball with his right or left.

[Stuttgart88]

Would someone like Wes Hoolahan not have been a better option there.

I think there are better options in the squad - Treacy & McGeady. I like Hoolahan but he has been playing very much in the Zidane-role lately, albeit not quite with such applomb.

[Kingdom]

That team looks fine except Keogh makes no sense in that position, and it's not fair to him either. It's got to be McGeady with Treacy getting a look later.

I agree, I was just lining it up as I thought they will tomorrow.