We only beat them 2-1 at home with a team containing Duff and Dunne (both out) so it is going to be a very difficult game. But I still fancy us to just shade it 1-0.
Now that would be a fantastic night's work. I can't see Armenia keeping the Russians out mind, but until matchday's end you are the oracle whose prophecy I'm on fire for.Originally Posted by Kingdom
We only beat them 2-1 at home with a team containing Duff and Dunne (both out) so it is going to be a very difficult game. But I still fancy us to just shade it 1-0.
Didn't realise Brady had said on RTE (Sunday)that there was a media campaign to get rid of Trapatonni. Plus some other interesting snippets from Trap on Ian Harte's comments.
From the Irish Examiner
Meanwhile, Trapattoni calmly dismissed Ian Harte’s criticism over the weekend that he doesn’t watch enough Irish players in action for their clubs.
"I can learn more, more, more from DVDs," said Trapattoni. "80 per cent of the players I have gone to see usually didn’t play or played only ten minutes. In one day on television or DVD I can see three or four games every Saturday, every Sunday. As well as that, we have not only Marco (Tardelli) watching players but three or four scouts giving us references.
"Harte, we know Harte. (Stephen) Ward for me now is better, he can improve. Harte is 33. I already said that we look to improve this squad. Or else we stay again with Lee Carsley, with Steven Reid. In the past it was like this. Now, no. In two years we have changed the squad, bringing in many young players. Who knew about (Simon) Cox before? We look for young energy. You need fresh energy."
And Trapattoni said that he didn’t agree with Liam Brady’s claim, made on RTE on Sunday night, that there is a media campaign designed to force the Italian from his job.
"I never said this, I haven’t this opinion," said Trapattoni. "I think we have made until now a good job. We take the team, we change it a little bit, we discover other players. It’s important if we can conclude this work. I don’t have any preconceptions about any of the players, coming or not. I do what I think is best for the national team. My personal opinion is that when I meet people in the city, they are happy."
He shouldn't mention S. Reid in there like it would be a bad thing having him in the lineup. We haven't looked organized since he retired from Intl Play.
Much better Int'l player than club player IMO.
No Somos muchos pero estamos locos.
Yes, mentioning Reid in that context wasn't right.
So it'll be Andrew and Whelan in the middle now that Gibson is out. Not too worried about that. Gibson has a shot and little else. Good commitment out of Andrews and he's well capable for a decent performance. Looking forward to this already and its only flaming Tuesday.
Our defense is gonna give us a lot of scary moments Saturday night. If it's McShane at RB the players near him always need to offer themselves for the pass when McShane is in possession. His passing is awful. I don't trust him passing back to Given so if in doubt McShane just kick it out for a throw in!
"If God had meant football to be played in the air, he'd have put grass in the sky." Brian Clough.
You'll NEVER beat the Irish.......you'll just draw with us instead!!!
With Fahey to come in. Happy enough with that myself.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
assuming Fahey is even fit. Foley may end up in the middle at some stage. I'm beginning to think that going 1 down in this match might suit us. It'll put us on the front foot and hopefully we'll be good enough to recover.
All our best spells have come when we are looking to establish a lead or looking to recover from a deficit. When we do actually go ahead we fall to pieces and find it hard to regain momentum.
I'm not as fussed as I thought I'd be over McShane. Of course there are mistakes in him and his distribution is going to cost us a lot of possession, but he's a positive guy and a battler.
Whelan and Andrews are actually our no. 1 midfield pairing and this will be the first time they've played together this campaign - in game no. 6.
We really are down to the bare bones but at least we'll have a tough team of committed battlers.
" I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams.... I hope."
very good doctor. anything you can prescribe for Sat?
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Hunt & O'Dea both coming out with positive comments
At least there's no talk of "draw away, win at home" nonsense. They going for a win. We may not have our best XI available on Saturday but we will have a very determined XI who won't be bullied around.
Interesting to hear Shay describe Macedonia as a strong team going forward but poor defensively.
That may have been the case in the game against us, but their recent results suggest otherwise. They are unable to score but have kept a fair few clean sheets or only conceded one goal in recent games. I think we may have made them look good going forward due to us a having a nightmare of a game in that match. Yes Pandev is a threat but I still think we can contain him.
Is that dodgy keeper of theirs due a start? Pity we are missing Gibson but Whelan can get a fair amount of power behind his shots.
Andrews has a decent boot on him too.
I see the Russia game kicks off at 4pm, so we'll know what they have done before we kick off in Macedonia at 8.30pm.
Slovakia V Andorra is at 7.15pm but doubt we'll need to check the result there.
Back in the good ole days, Setanta wouldve showed the Russia game, but no so luck showing England instead. Much use to us that is.
I'm at my father-in-law's 75th. Luckily he's having a birthday lunch, not a dinner.
Injuries clearing up?
Sledge seems to be making progress. O'Shea fit and Whelan played full part in training.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6iUAfT3pSE
Robbie's been warming his voice up in case he needs to let a few roars at his back 4 in Skopje
Folding my way into the big money!!!
A minute in... it's definitely better than his Amhrán na bhFiann. Which isn't saying much to be fair.
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