Serbia V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 15th August 2012 - Friendly

[EastTerracer]

... or the League of Ireland, presumably. I've been watching the team for over thirty five years, and I've never been less interested. I find the League of Ireland, with all it's problems, far more interesting these days.

No, I deliberately didn't include the League of Ireland because I've been supporting Shamrock Rovers just as long as the Ireland team and it is the only thing that comes close to international football for me (in terms of passion and interest).

....surprised you there, didn't I?

[Charlie Darwin]

According to James McClean's twitter account. He is playing CM tonight???
"great weather for the game! cant wait for tonights game! new position in centre mid! #decent ha #COYBIG #eireabu"
James McClean

Walters/Long on the wings then?

[geysir]

It might be interesting this evening, though I have an amount of trepidation ready to burst out. I suspect Tardelli has been teasing the press a bit.
There's a couple of fresh faces, McCarthy and McClean, who won't be carrying the burden of Euro 2012 and who will be keen to establish themselves in the first team.
At least tonight, McCarthy should be in the role he plays for Wigan. This is an important friendly.

Unfortunately for Gibson, his never-ending injury record will surely rule him out of the first team in the qualifiers, just as it has done previously.

[SkStu]

I think Gibson has deliberately taken this decision by the way. He was (rightly in my opinion) extremely disappointed with Trap after the Euros and this could be his way of distancing himself from the squad or at least not busting his balls for friendlies while Trap remains inexplicably in charge. Nothing to back my post up, just a hunch.

[Irwin3]

I think Gibson has deliberately taken this decision by the way. He was (rightly in my opinion) extremely disappointed with Trap after the Euros and this could be his way of distancing himself from the squad or at least not busting his balls for friendlies while Trap remains inexplicably in charge. Nothing to back my post up, just a hunch.

He is definately injured though. I agree he won't be taking any bullets for Trap though any time soon.

Any player with any fitness doubt is not going to play a friendly days before the season starts. Hence our and pretty much every other sides depleted squads.

Do you think Moyes would say, "Gibbo, come off after 19 mins today and then don't play in our final pre-season game and also pull out of the Ireland squad". Gibson's only played 45, 76 and 19 mins this pre-season which is hardly ideal from Moyes' point of view.

[back of the net]

Predictions Lads??

Im going going for a 1-1 myself.
Basing that on nothing more than we have somewhat new blood in the team who will be out to prove something rather than anything tactically that trap will do

[BonnieShels]

1-0 to Serbia.

We will play okay but not okay enough.

[OwlsFan]

I think Gibson has deliberately taken this decision by the way. He was (rightly in my opinion) extremely disappointed with Trap after the Euros and this could be his way of distancing himself from the squad or at least not busting his balls for friendlies while Trap remains inexplicably in charge. Nothing to back my post up, just a hunch.

He sat on his backside most of the time at Man U for 7 years. Was he righly disappointed with Fergie for not picking him but he took 7 years to decide to leave. Now after three games where he didn't play in Poland he has taken the huff?

[nigel-harps1954]

Yet another hammering one could suggest. Don't expect very much from this game.

[DannyInvincible]

Trapattoni has used the same tactics and formation under his 4 years of management. Can you change an approach you have drilled into your players for four years, hold your hands up and say I was wrong with the approach, and expect to keep the trust, support and belief of your players?

I don't think being able to admit to a mistake should necessarily be viewed as a weakness. If anything, adapting rather than sweeping things under the carpet would surely draw respect?

[DannyInvincible]

Any Setanta streams for the game? All I can find is this Serbian stream: http://www.belovedsport.com/channel-2.php

Looking forward to kick-off and seeing how Trap sets us out. McCarthy and McClean starting excites me and I'm a fan of the giving the Walters-Long partnership another try-out.

Edit: Found a Setanta stream: http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/66577/1/s...am-online.html

[EastTerracer]

@FAIreland posted on Twitter a few minutes ago:

News just in: After an assessment on his leg this evening, it has been decided that Simon Cox will start in place of Shane Long.

So the team is as follows: Westwood, McShane, O'Dea, O'Shea, Kelly, Whelan, McCarthy, McGeady, McClean, Walters, Cox

[paul_oshea]

what time is kick off lads?

[pineapple stu]

7:45 Irish time.

[fionnsci]

Notice the names on the back of the jerseys. Is this a thing now?

[Straightstory]

No, I deliberately didn't include the League of Ireland because I've been supporting Shamrock Rovers just as long as the Ireland team and it is the only thing that comes close to international football for me (in terms of passion and interest).

....surprised you there, didn't I?

Yes!!!!

[DannyInvincible]

McGeady's on the left and Cox is on the right. McClean is in the centre with McCarthy and Whelan behind him. Walters is on his own up front.

[paul_oshea]

That sounds like another trap veiled attempt at appeasing to play a 4-51, play with the players capable of it in the wrong positions and then have a told you so afterwards like uruguay.

WHy not play mcgeady in there, where he has excelled for us before and mcclean out left like he does at sunderland?

[p2011]

Any streams lads?

[paul_oshea]

Some nice passing there.

Its lovely to see a midfielder with their hands in the air calling for the ball. So refreshing and simple yet we've never got to see it for years!!