Republic of Ireland V Slovakia - Friday, 2nd September 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[tetsujin1979]

Coleman is the obvious one there to miss out on the game

[SkStu]

Why does he even bother naming James McCarthy? There is a better chance of Elvis showing up healthy for those 2 matches than that kid.

class!

[Sullivinho]

''Trap talks of players desperate to join Team Trap, including Jermaine Pennant (gulp) & others I couldn't understand...basically lots.'' - Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh (Twitter)

Trap wants new deal

Giovanni Trapattoni says that he would be to happy sign a new contract with the FAI. The Republic of Ireland manager says he wants to stay on in the job after the Euro 2012 Qualifying campaign, regardless of whether his side qualify or not. Trapattoni says that he must be doing something right with the Irish team because there are a number of players looking to get involved with the squad. The Irish boss says players like Jermaine Pennant, David Myler (sic) and James McClean are all eager to get call ups.

The accompanying photo on that page captured Manuela's reaction upon mention of Jermaine Pennant's name. Great snap.

[Irish_Praha]

What a revelation David Meyler wants to play for Ireland? Who would have expected that?

Give Trap a 10 year contract extension now!

[TrapAPony]

The accompanying photo on that page captured Manuela's reaction upon mention of Jermaine Pennant's name. Great snap.

Are you sure that wasn't when Trapattoni announced Andy Keogh's name in the squad?

[Crosby87]

Or when he said "Manuela loves Cox?"

[paul_oshea]

I can't be arsed looking for the kevin kilbane thread, but I think Traps recent musings re:kilbane prove he doesn't watch enough of our players or fringe players. Anybody could see how many times and how easily Ward was caught out last season. I would blame him directly for at least 6 of the goals I saw conceded down the left. He has an awful habit of standing too far off his man too, giving him too much time and space to execute.

I never thought I would be asking for kilbane, but I honestly feel his experience if nothing else would be of greater benefit to the team than Ward. Good to know though that Trap at least doesn't see kilbane as a player he ever really wanted, but needed to fill a hole. I have faith in his judgement. If only he could actually watch (more of) our players in the premiership.

[Crosby87]

Yeah Paul seriously do you think he gets DVD's of players playing for their club teams? I always wonder about that. I can see him sound asleep in front of the TV with a half bottle of limoncello about to fall out of his hand snoring loudly in some Armani bathrobe as Cox sticks it in vs Luton.
I'm not putting Trap down just wondering if he ever watches film. Or if the FAI sends him DVDs in the first place. Or if he is too old to have a DVD player. It was a big mess getting one for my Gran last Xmas.

[paul_oshea]

Ah ya but your gran was irish(or polish). I think he watches some, im just not sure what ones he does watch.

[Noelys Guitar]

We are very close to serious time again. Very happy we drew 0-0 in a drab game rather than winning and looking good/slick. Even better both our upcoming opponents won. The way I like it. Would definetely love to see a fully fit Kevin Doyle back. Reports today from the Wolves forum suggest he will be back very soon and might even play this weekend. Key player for me in both up coming games. Interesting to hear Trap suggesting that we might play 5 in midfield in Russia (Doyle up front Robbie dropping back). Don't want to mention that game again until after the very difficult Slovakia game. A game we have to win. And one I believe we will win.

[gastric]

Wasn't sure where to put this - not a bad team , I 'm sure they would easily beat Russia. However, Delap in midfield is a bit of a shock!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...i-2847402.html

[Closed Account]

Squad Watch

Goalkeepers:
Shay Given		Started
David Forde		Started
Keiren Westwood		Bench

Defenders:
Stephen Ward		Started	Goal
Richard Dunne		Started
Darren O’Dea		Started	
Damien Delaney		Started
Kevin Kilbane		Started
Kevin Foley		Bench	Used
Ciaran Clark		Bench	Used
Stephen Kelly		Bench
Sean St. Ledger		Bench	
John O’Shea		Injured
Paul McShane		Injured
Seamus Coleman		Injured

Midfielders:
Keith Fahey		Started	Goal
Damien Duff		Started
Stephen Hunt		Started
Liam Lawrence		Started
James McCarthy		Started
Keith Treacy		Started
Keith Andrews		Bench	Used
Glenn Whelan		Sunday
Marc Wilson		Sunday
Darron Gibson		Sunday
Andy Keogh		------
Aiden McGeady		Injured

Strikers:
Kevin Doyle		Started
Jon Walters		Sunday
Shane Long		Sunday
Simon Cox		Sunday
Robbie Keane		------

Interestingly, while only 18 of these players could make Dublin on Wednesday, 20 have made the matchday squad today.

[Stuttgart88]

Great info Joe, thanks.

[Fixer82]

It's a bit strange the match is on a Friday though no? Is this correct?

[pineapple stu]

It's the way things have been done this campaign. More time for players to recover before their next club game.

[Fixer82]

Cool. Suits me better as i'm going to the Electric picnic the next day

[Littlest Hobo]

My team for slovakia game. Trap will approach this with 3 points in mind. So think this would do the job;

Given

Foley
Dunne
St Ledger
Ward

Duff
Whelan
Gibson
Hunt

Keane
Long

Foley is more dependable than Kelly. Ward has impressed for Wolves at LB and was good against Croatia. Can't see O'Shea make a return on time, so Dunne and St Leger should work well together.

Mc Geady is injured at the moment, so Duff and Hunt are natural choices on either wing. Whelan was decent against chelsea recently and has been getting good game time. Not sure who else to partner him in MF, so Gibson seems obvious choice, as don't see trap having faith in either fahey or mc carthy.

Keane to play even though he's now in LA. Would play Long as he scored against man utd and looked decent against croatia. Doyle is still off the pace so would be a good substitution.

This team will beat slovakia. I'm going for 2-1.

The result from dublin, will determine how Trapp approaches russia. So cannot predict lineup yet...

[DannyInvincible]

Trap will approach this with 3 points in mind.

Jesus, you'd hope so anyway.

I wouldn't be too surprised if Ward got the nod, although Kilbane hasn't done badly there in more recent times. Is Clark completely out of the reckoning?

I heard McGeady is back in training and may be fit to play for Spartak within the next week or two. Is that correct?

It's worrying that Gibson may have to start for us in such a crucial game. His recent performance against Croatia indicated we might as well be starting with ten men.

[Sullivinho]

Foley is more dependable than Kelly. Ward has impressed for Wolves at LB and was good against Croatia. Can't see O'Shea make a return on time, so Dunne and St Leger should work well together.

Mc Geady is injured at the moment, so Duff and Hunt are natural choices on either wing. Whelan was decent against chelsea recently and has been getting good game time. Not sure who else to partner him in MF, so Gibson seems obvious choice, as don't see trap having faith in either fahey or mc carthy.

Keane to play even though he's now in LA. Would play Long as he scored against man utd and looked decent against croatia. Doyle is still off the pace so would be a good substitution.

This team will beat slovakia. I'm going for 2-1.

The result from dublin, will determine how Trapp approaches russia. So cannot predict lineup yet...

I like Foley but he's been a bit (unusually) shaky for us during the limited opportunities he's been given. If I know Trap and O'Shea doesn't make it, I think Kelly would get the nod.

It's worrying that Gibson may have to start for us in such a crucial game. His recent performance against Croatia indicated we might as well be starting with ten men.

I share your concern but I reckon Trap will favour Andrews, especially now he's playing regularly. As limited as he is, you know what you're going to get from him.

[Junior]

I like Foley but he's been a bit (unusually) shaky for us during the limited opportunities he's been given. If I know Trap and O'Shea doesn't make it, I think Kelly would get the nod.



I share your concern but I reckon Trap will favour Andrews, especially now he's playing regularly. As limited as he is, you know what you're going to get from him.

Agree with that. Thinks its what Trap would do and tbh its what I would do. KK or Wardy toss of a coin at the moment for me.