I still think an off form Doyle is better than Sammon having the game of his life though. He barely touched the ball against Poland. It's a clear message to Doyle. Trap was even quoted in the Examiner - he needs to change clubs.
I've seen so many strange results in all sports lately (and over the years) that I always think the underdog has a chance in two-horse race. Around this time I'd be normally dusting off my usual pre-away match quote "we'll get some chances, we'll need to take them". I just don't really feel that way now though. Despite the team being likely to contain Wilson & Coleman, McCarthy in CM and Long and Keane upfront and maybe even both of Brady & McClean, I just don't feel Trap will be approaching this game with anything other than his usual approach of handing all the initiative to the opposition right from the start.
I just hope that we'll attack any vulnerability Sweden have (lack of pace in CB, poor at defending set-pices maybe) and try and play the game behind them, rather than letting them face us for the whole game. A defeat ain't a catastrophe. A win at home against Sweden would negate that and we'll only be a point behind them in the "like for like" stakes with 6 games to go.
Whelan went off early in the WBA game. Anyone know why?
Anyway, my XI would probably be:
--------Forde-------
Coleman-O'Shea-SSL-Wilson
-----McCarthy-Whelan-----
--Long----Hoolahan---McClean
-----------Keane------
I thought SSL looked a bit iffy against Derby but he reminds me of Kenny Cunnigham in his comfort at international level. Choosing between Clark & him is a close call.
I know there's a point of view that Keane doesn't lead the line / can't play as a lone forward but he has usually been isolated in that role. The key for me is to make sure that the 5 men behind him use the ball well and take up good positions, Keane & Long interchanging and taking turns to be furthest forward. Walters will be a useful sub.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 18/03/2013 at 10:21 AM.
Based on the Poland friendly, McCarthy's game was affected adversely by having Whelan around him. I think he's better served by having someone more mobile and alive.
Agreed. The role Trap asks Whelan to play is a bit what you'd ask a Paul McGrath type character with iffy knees and a lot of miles behind him. "Just hang in front of the defence and give the ball to the guy nearest you, or hoof it. Don't worry about getting forward". It leaves a lot for McCarthy to do, just as it asked a lot of Andrews who was game enough to deliver from time to time. This game is crying out for an extra man or a "hybrid" and this is where I am very frustrated with Trap's "we can't change the seestem. It'll show weakness to Sweden". Rubbish.
Anyway, a pal of mine in Sweden says that Sweden's back 4 has big question marks over them (inexperience) as well as doubts over fitness of both full backs who are both just back from injury.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 18/03/2013 at 2:22 PM.
Lustig @RB is back from injury and played on Saturday, he is fit for duty.
Man for man, there is not a huge amount between the two teams. If we can go back to the solid defensive unit we were in the 2010 campaign and in the middle of the last campaign, then we have a good chance. Sweden score plenty of goals, but they also concede alot. My faith in Trap has been on the wane since last summer - I really hope he can get a result here to kickstart the campaign. I think playing Hoolahan from the start would be a very positive move but very unlikely at the same time. We need to show the possession performance we had in the second half against Poland and not the first. We all know by now, the hoof the ball long tactic is a disaster waiting to happen.
I presume the CB pairing will be Clark and JOSH - neither who I will feel overly confident against Zlatan.
I think the same about Doyle. He's having a bad season at a bad club but this could have been a breakout game for him (after all he has proved himself at international level and Sammon has not).Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
As far as the team:
My feelings on O'Shea and Whelan are I would rather play with nine players than have them in the team. I saw O'Shea at the weekend and he is worse now than he ever was, which is saying something. He is the consummate hoof ball merchant who has absolutely no composure when pressured. Whelan will run all day at the same pace and down blind alleys. He is one of the least impressive midfielders ever to pull on a green shirt. I like Hoolahan, Long and McLean but would have Hendrick in for Whelan and Clark in for O'Shea. I believe Robbie Brady has a part to play also, at some stage of the game.
Anyone know where to watch the game online?
You seem to implying here that O'Shea has been a terrible player at some point. You have made an error of judgement. He had a poor game at the weekend alright but historically he's good a very good record.
So is the general consensus that Forde will start then? He is starting regularly for Milwall I suppose which is more than Westwood can say, I know he made a couple of decent saves against Poland but some of his kick outs were terrible and one almost led to a goal IIRC.
Looks like that will be the starting CBs as Traps reluctant to play SSL due to lack of games.
Lets get behind the team whoever plays.
As always I'm 100% backing Ireland come what may.
COYBIG we can do this.
It'll be broadcast live on the RTÉ Player, although that's Ireland-only. Otherwise, I'm sure plenty of streams will appear here on the day close to kick-off: http://www.lshunter.net/ or http://www.footballstreaming.info/st...nks/index.html
was listening to 2FM's Game On driving to Dublin last night (Off The Ball was doing their usual bank holiday "Best Of" show so I gave it a miss)
Dunphy was on talking about the squad selection, mainly the omission of Kevin Doyle, but also about Robbie Keane probably starting. According to Dunphy, he hasn't played in a couple of months, and shouldn't be starting as he won't be match fit. To be fair to the presenter, he did point out the MLS had started, but he didn't have Robbie's appearance stats to hand. Trapattoni had pointed out in an interview broadcast just before Dunphy came on that Keane had scored earlier in the week, and played the day before for LA Galaxy!
You can listen to the interview on their podcast here: http://podcast.rasset.ie/podcasts/au...72737_232_.mp3
Dunphy comes on at the 4 minute mark, the debate about Keane is at 7 minutes
its all out attack on friday so...
http://balls.ie/football/glenn-hysen...ive-frailties/
Danny try the below - have found it to be the best streaming site
www.wiziwig.tv
So is this game not on Sky then for those outside ROI? Want to record it if possible.
I know we dont have much choice with CB's but I really fear Zlatan will make mince meat of JOSH and Clark (i'd prefer SSL over Clark for this one - despite him not being in the best of form and playing at FB for Leicester recently)- They are just not strong enough to hold their own against him. Thats no disgrace, he's a master at using his frame to retain possession and creating space (and putting the chances away!) but I really fear this could look like man against boys out there.
Hopefully we can muster up something up front with the relatively 'hungry' lads such as Long, Brady, McClean etc....
I hope and pray for something but I fear it will be comfratable for Sweden.
Its gonna be baltic as well, temperatures of -5 to -10 degrees.....
I thought you were off the drink Ronnie?
"No, I drink to help me mind my own business....can I get you one? (c) Ronnie Drew
I hear Trapattoni wants the stadium roof open to counter the atmosphere, but I dread to think what kind of game we'd be subjected to if it drops to the expected temperature.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Aye, remember dissing Zlatan before. I was wrong. He can destroy us on his own.
It's less about the personnel, though we are largely mediocre, more about our tactics. Even if Glenn Hysen's right, Trap would probably still just play one up front at home to Bhutan FFS.
It's make or break these two games, 3 points in one game is a minimum, but suspect it may not happen.
didnt think SKY were showing it live at all AFAIK
But Trap plays two up front in every game.Aye, remember dissing Zlatan before. I was wrong. He can destroy us on his own.
It's less about the personnel, though we are largely mediocre, more about our tactics. Even if Glenn Hysen's right, Trap would probably still just play one up front at home to Bhutan FFS.
It's make or break these two games, 3 points in one game is a minimum, but suspect it may not happen.
I was being facetious. The point is one of them normally plays so deep they might as well be in midfield and is appropriate for some opposition, but not all!
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