Ireland team v Slovakia

**Crosby87** · 01/09/2011, 11:50 PM

I can't wait for this. What's the latest with the Slovakia lineup?

**dr_peepee** · 02/09/2011, 9:28 AM

Amid the whole Doyle Long starting debate.. It will be interesting to see who would make way if Doyle should come off the bench...

**pineapple stu** · 02/09/2011, 9:28 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

When was the last time we've had a proper selection headache up front? It's great we finally have a handful of strikers in form.

My thoughts too. It's great we can drop Doyler. And I've looked at the bench a few times and wondered who we have there who could really change things; now we have a great option there too.

**brine3** · 02/09/2011, 9:43 AM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Amid the whole Doyle Long starting debate.. It will be interesting to see who would make way if Doyle should come off the bench...

Yes, do we play the strikers who have been regular starters for their clubs and are in form and scoring goals, or the ones who have spent the last season and a half warming various benches? Answers on a postcard.

**Supreme feet** · 02/09/2011, 9:53 AM

People on ybig are reporting (via twitter) that Long has a calf injury and will be replaced by Doyle.

**geysir** · 02/09/2011, 9:53 AM

Originally Posted by brine3

Yes, do we play the strikers who have been regular starters for their clubs and are in form and scoring goals, or the ones who have spent the last season and a half warming various benches? Answers on a postcard.

Yeah Robbie is all hype and no substance, should Trap leave him on to the end, it just shows what a deluded fool he is to pander to the hype of Robbie

**geysir** · 02/09/2011, 9:57 AM

I see Trap has hinted that he would have played Ward regardless of KK's fitness. I'm sure he had decided this at the last friendly.

**MagicMon** · 02/09/2011, 9:59 AM

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

People on ybig are reporting (via twitter) that Long has a calf injury and will be replaced by Doyle.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/0902/longs.html

A 'light calf strain'. I'd be willing to bet that Dunne or Given would play with the same sort of injury, but it might be that Doyle has been busting a gut in training all week.

**Supreme feet** · 02/09/2011, 9:59 AM

Confirmed by Daniel McDonnell.

How bizarre. Shane Long out of tonight with a calf strain. Not a word of it yesterday. Kevin Doyle starts instead

http://twitter.com/#!/McDonnellDan

**Duggie** · 02/09/2011, 10:06 AM

if he was fine after training yesterday how did this happen?? disappointed Long wont play. Still have Doyle, so not to bad news.

**BonnieShels** · 02/09/2011, 10:12 AM

Long to come on for Keane after an hour then.

He's hardly out of tonight altogether?

**geysir** · 02/09/2011, 10:30 AM

Highly irresponsible to pick up an injury at this stage.

**jbyrne** · 02/09/2011, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

Highly irresponsible to pick up an injury at this stage.

unfair. sports injuries only manifest themselves sometimes a day or so after training / match. the team have to train in the build-up to matches and these things inevitably will happen

**Murfinator** · 02/09/2011, 10:53 AM

Maybe somebody showed trap a compilation video from 2004-2009 of shane long and he suddenly had a change of heart.

**paul_oshea** · 02/09/2011, 10:53 AM

I thought geysir was being sarcastic.

**Sullivinho** · 02/09/2011, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Duggie

if he was fine after training yesterday how did this happen??

Jumping for joy after Trap named the team.

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

He's hardly out of tonight altogether?

Looks like he is..

Just as well we've got options up front these days.

**John83** · 02/09/2011, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

Looks like he is..

rte.ie's report said it wasn't clear whether or not Long's fit enough to make the bench, so it's not clear-cut yet. I wonder if Trap's maybe fecking with the Slovakian manager's head? Long and Doyle offer relatively different threats to prepare his defence for.

**paul_oshea** · 02/09/2011, 11:21 AM

He said: "If the manager will give me permission, I'll watch the match in the pub near home instead - lemonade only, of course. But I'm gutted I'm not playing.

"Obviously I am very proud of the record. I feel thankful and proud that I have played so many games for my country and grateful that managers have continued to pick me."

Go on kilbane, im the first to complain about ye, but I love your attitude.

I think this Doyle/Long saga, could all be to put off the Slovakian manager....when did they name their team? He might also have had a rethink