Macedonia V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 4th June 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[Noelys Guitar]

Starting eleven likely to be

Given
McShane, O'Shea O'Dea Kilbane
Lawerence Whelan Gibson McGeady
Keane Long

I believe that is going to be Trap's starting eleven

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think you can say Sledge is likely considering he hasn't played any football in months. I think O'Dea will play if fit and Delaney otherwise. I hope O'Shea's absence from Manchester United's team yesterday was tactical and not enforced by injury.

Don't think Lawrence will start and may not make the bench. McGeady is a certainty with Hunt on the opposite side. Andrews will definitely start, hopefully with Whelan. I think Kilbane is more likely to start but I think Ward has ticked all the boxes in the last two games and Trap trusts him.

[Noelys Guitar]

I don't think you can say Sledge is likely considering he hasn't played any football in months. I think O'Dea will play if fit and Delaney otherwise. I hope O'Shea's absence from Manchester United's team yesterday was tactical and not enforced by injury.

Don't think Lawrence will start and may not make the bench. McGeady is a certainty with Hunt on the opposite side. Andrews will definitely start, hopefully with Whelan. I think Kilbane is more likely to start but I think Ward has ticked all the boxes in the last two games and Trap trusts him.

I have changed it to O'Dea because your probably right about St Ledger not being fit enough. I would play Hunt ahead of Lawerence and Foley and Ward ahead of McShane and Kilbane but I don't believe Trapatonni will. And I can't see Andrews starting ahead of Gibson.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Starting eleven likely to be

Given
McShane, O'Shea O'Dea Kilbane
Lawrence Whelan Gibson McGeady
Keane Long

I believe that is going to be Trap's starting eleven

Sadly, you're probably right.

[Sullivinho]

Given
McShane - O'Shea - O'Dea - Kilbane/Ward
McGeady - Andrews - Whelan - Hunt
Long - Keane

That would be my prediction. I don't know which way Trap would lean re Kilbane and Ward. For a long time Ward wasn't even making the squad but he's done well enough these past two games. Andrews has probably done enough in the same time to remind Trap why he liked him to begin with. I imagine it would have been Gibson starting otherwise. I'm never confident in McShane but we are where we are. I wouldn't be too enthusiastic should the injury permutations lead to Kelly starting the middle either. Hopefully Long comes through the playoff unscathed (and victorious) tomorrow.

[backstothewall]

I reckon

------------ Given ------------
Foley Kelly O'Shea Ward
McGeady Andrews Whelan Hunt
--------- Keane Long ---------

[Hibs4Ever]

Starting eleven likely to be

Given
McShane, O'Shea O'Dea Kilbane
Lawerence Whelan Gibson McGeady
Keane Long

I believe that is going to be Trap's starting eleven

Stephen Kelly will start I reckon

[Charlie Darwin]

I reckon

------------ Given ------------
Foley Kelly O'Shea Ward
McGeady Andrews Whelan Hunt
--------- Keane Long ---------

I don't think it'll be Kelly and O'Shea. Even though O'Shea is comfortable on his left foot, I think he'll go with a genuine southpaw beside him, meaning either O'Dea or Delaney.

[IsMiseSean]

I'd like to see Kelly at CB but I reckon he'll pick O'Dea with JOSH
McShane & Kilbane at FB even though I'd pick Foley at RB
I think the midfield will be McGeady Whelan Andrews & Hunt
Keane & Long upfront

[backstothewall]

I reckon Kelly based on him starting both CNC games, and playing all 180 minutes at centre back. Foley because he is the man in possession from the last Macedonia game but the full backs are guesses really. Trap could easily go with Killer and Johan McShane

[Dunners]

Given
Foley O'Shea O'Dea Ward
Coleman Andrews Whelan McGeady
Keane Long

[Kingdom]

What I'd pick:
---------------------Given-----------------------

Foley---------JOSH---------Delaney--------Ward

McGeady-------Whelan-----Fahey--------Treacy

---------Keane---------------Cox------------

Forde, O'Dea, Kilbane, Gibson, Hunt, Long, Andrews

What I expect:

---------------------Given-----------------------

McShane---------JOSH---------O'Dea--------Kilbane

McGeady-------Whelan---Andrews--------Hunt

---------Keane---------------Long------------

Forde, Kelly, Foley, Gibson, Lawrence, Cox, Keogh

[mastershake]

Something else which should be noted is that their national stadium has under gone a major revamp and is now a fairly sharpish looking ground.The re-opening is against us so we should expect a boisterous evening.

[Charlie Darwin]

That is very nice. Could do without the running track though.

[CraftyToePoke]

That is very nice. Could do without the running track though.

Impressive looking stadium, better than looking like one side of it is missing, like the Aviva.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Is it on the site of the old one?
Gary Spain mentioned it in another thread.

The problem last time wasn't the ground, but the place overall....

Expecting a draw at best. They're not great, but far better, than say Armenia.

[Noelys Guitar]

Does anyone know the exact situation regarding St Ledger? Is he completely ruled out? Why was he a sub today?

[boovidge]

They're not great, but far better, than say Armenia.

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert on the Armenian and Macedonian sides but the results of the group don't seem to support your assertion there?

[Sullivinho]

Is it on the site of the old one?

Expansion. Same place, bigger capacity.

Whoever among us can get through saturday night with nerves unshredded should be venerated for their cucumber like qualities.

Some good news: Goran Stavrevski is retired and can't hurt us anymore.

[the doc]

Does anyone know the exact situation regarding St Ledger? Is he completely ruled out? Why was he a sub today?

From what I'm told he's recovered from the knee Injury, if he gets through training next week then theres a good chance he will play in Macedonia.

Match fitness would be a concern, so who knows, maybe better to play safe and play one of the other players who featured in the recent Cetlic Cup games.