Estonia V Ireland - Friday, 11th November 2011 - Euro 2012 Play Off 1st Leg

**TrapAPony** · 14/11/2011, 3:24 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Where'd you get this from?

Edit: Seen it on fbook

FAI's twitter

**Razors left peg** · 14/11/2011, 3:25 PM

surprised that McGeady left out after Duff seemed to be the one struggling with his ribs

**theworm2345** · 14/11/2011, 3:28 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Team for the 2nd leg is :

Given, St.Ledger, Ward, O'Shea, Dunne, Whelan, Duff, Andrews, Doyle, Keane, Hunt

Its good that Trap's taking nothing for granted and is putting out a strong lineup (though no surprise as he does that every friendly to my annoyance). For a second there with the way its typed out I thought Noel Hunt was in there though

**French Toasht** · 14/11/2011, 3:41 PM

Definately think Kilbane should feature, if not start on Tuesday. His contribution to the cause over the last 15 years has been nothing short of immense and I can say with absolute conviction, that there is not one player on the pitch or person in Ireland, that Friday nights result would have brought more joy to.

**Razors left peg** · 14/11/2011, 3:54 PM

Kilbanes time has passed, hes had plenty of games to get all the applause he needs from the fans and tomorrow night is not a testamonial. Id much rather see Cunningham get game time with a proper eye on the future.

**lionelhutz** · 14/11/2011, 4:00 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

For the peno, Hunt had the ball in his own half, lumped it to Robbie, then sprinted 30 yards to get it back off Robbie. I've a lot of time for Steve.

I think the part in bold actually does Hunt a disservice. He played a lovely pass into Keane's path with the bootlaces.

**koneinc** · 14/11/2011, 4:03 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Kilbanes time has passed, hes had plenty of games to get all the applause he needs from the fans and tomorrow night is not a testamonial. Id much rather see Cunningham get game time with a proper eye on the future.

If he goes to Euros it'll probably be as a bench player (as most) and I can see him retiring from the international scene afterwards (although Trap has said he wants his senior players involved for the WC campaign), I'd love to see him getting 10/15 minutes at the end of the game tomorrow (provided we're already safe)

**Razors left peg** · 14/11/2011, 4:08 PM

I wouldnt bring him to the Euros, we dont have any spare places in the squad for sentiment

**Murfinator** · 14/11/2011, 4:12 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

I wouldnt bring him to the Euros, we dont have any spare places in the squad for sentiment

We don't but we have places in the squad for quality players. Kilbane played for us at LB as recently as September and was very good for us then. Ward has been shaky at best in his time at LB and the backup option appears to be Kelly who simply can't play on that side at all. The likes of Cunningham are oceans away from international standard. I agree there's no room for sentiment but Kilbane is flat out one of our best two LBs available.

The notion of "carrying him" is actually quite comical when you consider Ward's performances (bar Estonia) or Kelly on his wrong side. There's a debate there that Kilbane could actually enhance our first team, its possibly undeniable that he would enhance our squad right now. The sentiment in all this from Trap is probably more about showing the FAI and fans that he's embedding players who'll be in our next campaign to make him a more natural appointment if it appears he can continue the building process. Kilbane unfortunately suffers in that regard as he's the only one who absolutely won't be there next campaign.

**TrapAPony** · 14/11/2011, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

I wouldnt bring him to the Euros, we dont have any spare places in the squad for sentiment

Neither would I. Ward, Wilson, Tierney & Cunningham are all currently better players than a Derby County substitute.

**SwanVsDalton** · 14/11/2011, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Neither would I. Ward, Wilson, Tierney & Cunningham are all currently better players than a Derby County substitute.

On paper, maybe. But Kilbane's defied far better players than that with less playing time than he's currently getting and his experience is invaluable.

Having said that, I don't think he'll make it.

**Razors left peg** · 14/11/2011, 4:20 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

We don't but we have places in the squad for quality players. Kilbane played for us at LB as recently as September and was very good for us then. Ward has been shaky at best in his time at LB and the backup option appears to be Kelly who simply can't play on that side at all. The likes of Cunningham are oceans away from international standard. I agree there's no room for sentiment but Kilbane is flat out one of our best two LBs available.

The notion of "carrying him" is actually quite comical when you consider Ward's performances (bar Estonia) or Kelly on his wrong side. There's a debate there that Kilbane could actually enhance our first team, its possibly undeniable that he would enhance our squad right now. The sentiment in all this from Trap is probably more about showing the FAI and fans that he's embedding players who'll be in our next campaign to make him a more natural appointment if it appears he can continue the building process. Kilbane unfortunately suffers in that regard as he's the only one who absolutely won't be there next campaign.

Kilbane was very poor in the last World Cup campaign and I thought he should have been moved aside before he was. Ward,O'Shea and Kelly are all better options than him now in my opinion

**Closed Account** · 14/11/2011, 4:20 PM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

I think the part in bold actually does Hunt a disservice. He played a lovely pass into Keane's path with the bootlaces.

When I say Lump, it's not an insult. A casual observer would reckon I don't know any other way to kick a ball.

**mypost** · 14/11/2011, 6:24 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Given didn't have a shot worth talking about to save the whole game yet Ronnie Whelan talked about us being "overrun" in the second half. When we went three up he retracted this to "slightly under pressure" earlier in the half. FFS. Thank heavens for Brady and his loyalty to Trap and the team for some balance in RTE. End of usual rant.

Like everyone else I get annoyed when the ball is just pumped up aimlessly but in this campaign we have seen Robbie pouncing on two misplaced passes between defenders resulting in a goal and a sending off. If in doubt. I think lump it is the best policy. Our first goal came from such a long ball. However, whether we can afford to give the ball away so often against the better teams, I am not so sure although we did come away with draws in France and Italy. England tried it against Spain and won with 30% possession. Who knows.

Tbh, I don't think it matters whether we are "creative" or not, as long as we don't concede. And the records back it up. 19 goals scored, a goal difference of +13 in 11 games, tells you how effective the team has been at both ends of the pitch.

It's worrying and depressing though, that watching 5 minutes of Estonia possession, a dive outside the box and a corner to defend = Ireland getting "overrun" according to some pundits. If they have the ball in midfield for a while, let them. If we defend our 18-yard box stoutly, what damage can they do?

**drummerboy** · 14/11/2011, 7:14 PM

Don't think he will be brought despite his wonderful service. O'Shea is quite accomplished at left full, and will fill in there if Ward is injured or proves inadequate.

**Charlie Darwin** · 14/11/2011, 7:16 PM

It's probably more likely Kelly and, possibly, O'Dea will fill in at left full. Trap has a preference for O'Shea at right full if at all possible.

**Stuttgart88** · 14/11/2011, 7:41 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

Tbh, I don't think it matters whether we are "creative" or not, as long as we don't concede. And the records back it up. 19 goals scored, a goal difference of +13 in 11 games, tells you how effective the team has been at both ends of the pitch.

It's worrying and depressing though, that watching 5 minutes of Estonia possession, a dive outside the box and a corner to defend = Ireland getting "overrun" according to some pundits. If they have the ball in midfield for a while, let them. If we defend our 18-yard box stoutly, what damage can they do?

Trap couldn't have put it better, even with help from Manuela.

**tricky_colour** · 14/11/2011, 7:49 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Team for the 2nd leg is :

Given, St.Ledger, Ward, O'Shea, Dunne, Whelan, Duff, Andrews, Doyle, Keane, Hunt

That's trap all over, the first time I would have been happy with McGeady starting he drops him!!!

**tricky_colour** · 14/11/2011, 7:58 PM

I think Kilbane should be brought on when it is safe to do so as a tribute and a farewell,
I don't think he should be in the finals squad, he is not getting any younger, fair enough if
can get there on merit then so be it, but not for sentimental reasons.