Republic of Ireland V Poland - Wednesday, 6th February 2013 - Friendly

**bishbash** · 06/02/2013, 12:17 AM

Joey O'Brien surely feels hard done by. Is there anyone apart from The management and the man himself who believes that McShane has something to offer? It's 4-4-2 till death then I presume, which is probably gonna come sooner as a result. He's been to see Hoolahan, he played off the front man, played really well in that position so lets play him as a winger. Genius.

**geysir** · 06/02/2013, 7:37 AM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

Team lists him at 1.88, or 6'2" for the ex-pats. I would include a picture but apparently Nigel takes my picture posting way too seriously.

Derby have him at 1.80cm.
I don't trust Trap's virtual measurement of a player's height. There was some full back who he justified playing over another, because he had a height advantage. The height advantage boiled down to a hair cut.
Anyway, we'll see how Sammon does on the pitch. I was (mildly) impressed with him in his appearances for Wigan, I suppose mainly because he didn't fall over himself and had a bit of skill.
But like others, I'm not impressed with Trap reverting to type, after the 2nd half against Faroes and the difference Hoolahan made to the team in his first real appearance for us. Unless he has a perfect ballplayer in midfield and the perfect lone striker, he's afraid to try and retune his fallible system.

**Bungle** · 06/02/2013, 8:09 AM

Originally Posted by bishbash

Joey O'Brien surely feels hard done by. Is there anyone apart from The management and the man himself who believes that McShane has something to offer? It's 4-4-2 till death then I presume, which is probably gonna come sooner as a result. He's been to see Hoolahan, he played off the front man, played really well in that position so lets play him as a winger. Genius.

I love Paul McShane's commitment to the team, but going on his form O'Brien is a very good premiership player and at 25/26 could be a regular for years to come. Surely with our next manager, Paul won't be anywhere near the starting x1. I'm happy with Cunningham on the other side, as it gives him a bit more experience and I'm happy to give Clark another cap in the centre, even if I am concerned about his form for Villa. Forde is a good choice as GK. Westwood has done nothing wrong for us, but it's good to give Forde some game time. I can't argue with the midfield. Would've liked to see Wessi play, but will be interested to see what Sammon brings to the table!!

Surely it's a no brainer that barring injurys, Wilson and O'Brien/Coleman will be our full backs for the games in March. Put JOS in with Dunney, Clarke or SSL.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 06/02/2013, 8:24 AM

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Isn't there a clich� out there defining idiocy as the policy of doing the same thing, over and over again, and expecting different results?

Looks like we're sticking with 4-4-2 for Sweden and Austria then, which should pretty much guarantee defeats from the two games. No Hoolahan, no link between midfield and attack, just two isolated target men and an outnumbered midfield. Persisting with this formation was understandable when the point of it was to get the best out of Robbie Keane's ability in the six-yard box against weaker opposition, but it is suicide in this campaign. Euro 2012 illustrated how easily our 4-4-2 could be beaten by high-line pressing and simple maintenance of possession. Keane is playing at several levels beneath the preparation needed for European top-tier international football, and should not, by any objective analysis, start in Stockholm. Sammon is an awful choice, when the alternative would be to play our best attacking players - Hoolahan and Long - in their familiar club roles with a view to the future.

Yet another opportunity wasted to develop and improve this team.

Reasonable synopsis, but why are you (or anyone) surprised?

Though we probably won't lose both next games next month; we might even beat Osterreich, it's just delaying the inevitable...

We'd need more embarrassing results before Trap resigns, sadly.

**DeLorean** · 06/02/2013, 8:46 AM

I actually thought Westwood was injured? He really should be starting if not given his club situation. He's an excellent keeper, I'd love to see him get away from Sunderland as unfortunately Mignolet is excellent as well.

**the doc** · 06/02/2013, 9:34 AM

Well the team has been selected and match day is upon us.
Time to stop the moaning and back the BIG.

Plenty of time for the moaning feckers on here after the game to try and justify their opinions on the result, team, players, tactics, Mr Trappatoni, the price of Guinness, the euro, lack of jobs, investment, Giles, Humpty Dunphy, air fares, immigrantion, twitter, Budget Airlines, World Cup Qualifiers, Hotels in Brazil and Euro 2012 just to name but a few!

**Charlie Darwin** · 06/02/2013, 9:39 AM

You're a bit mad, aren't you Sean?

**p2011** · 06/02/2013, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by the doc

Time to stop the moaning and back the BIG.

Maybe we are moaning precisely BECAUSE we back the BIG....

**Crosby87** · 06/02/2013, 11:22 AM

Predictions?
3-2 Polska
Trap's post match quotes: "We learn lot. Some, they move a faster. Some have play good. we get it fix."

**DeLorean** · 06/02/2013, 11:45 AM

2-0
(Long Sammon)

**paul_oshea** · 06/02/2013, 1:10 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

You're a bit mad, aren't you Sean?

He reminds me of Mike, the one-armed-man, i think he has a personality disorder flipping between Sean and Trap.

**DeLorean** · 06/02/2013, 1:25 PM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

3-2 Polska

Can't believe the negativity. I'd trust these guys with my life....

**TrapAPony** · 06/02/2013, 1:33 PM

2-1 Poland

**Wangball** · 06/02/2013, 3:38 PM

Predicitions - Drunk by half time, in bed before full time.

Full of regret remorse and fear by morning time. The game will most likely be a draw - 1-1 McClean to score.