Wales V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 14th August 2013 - Friendly

**harry crumb** · 15/08/2013, 1:57 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

We played Germany with a five man midfield and were 2-0 down after half an hour.

Team that lined up

01 Westwood
02 Coleman
03 Ward
04 O'Shea
05 O'Dea Booked
06 McCarthy
07 McGeady (Keogh - 69' )
08 Andrews
11 Fahey (Long - 51' Booked )
09 Cox (Brady - 84' )
13 Walters

Should have been shown the door after that. Joke of a lineup.

**Charlie Darwin** · 15/08/2013, 2:05 PM

It was still a five man midfield and the three best central midfielders we had available.

**IsMiseSean** · 15/08/2013, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by harry crumb

Should have been shown the door after that. Joke of a lineup.

Out of interest, what would you have gone with?

**harry crumb** · 15/08/2013, 2:32 PM

Originally Posted by IsMiseSean

Out of interest, what would you have gone with?

Hindsight is 20 : 20.

Wilson for Ward.
Long (our No.1 striker) should have been playing. He was ahead of Cox at club level and had started the season very well for West Brom.

Even those 2 would have made a huge difference.

Hoolahan was not even in the squad.

1.5m a year and he couldn't even get our best players on the pitch. Basic stuff.

**OwlsFan** · 15/08/2013, 3:48 PM

Originally Posted by harry crumb

Hindsight is 20 : 20.

Wilson for Ward.
Long (our No.1 striker) should have been playing. He was ahead of Cox at club level and had started the season very well for West Brom.

Even those 2 would have made a huge difference.

Hoolahan was not even in the squad.

1.5m a year and he couldn't even get our best players on the pitch. Basic stuff.

I don't disagree that Long should have started instead of Cox but as to making a "huge difference" - what huge difference did they make last night? There were huge calls to play McCarthy. He played him. There were huge calls to play Coleman. He played him. It's always the players he doesn't select that the reason for a defeat. Just as I can say that the reason we didn't win last night is because Robbie Keane didn't play. Easy to say but who knows.

21 games unbeaten away from home. The man has to be doing something right (away from home). Bring on the Germans and 4-4-2. I'd like to see a different system at home against the Swedes and Hoolahan playing and Robbie fitted in somehow.

**Fixer82** · 15/08/2013, 3:50 PM

Anyone got highlights of the match? saw the first half.

I think these pre-season International friendlies should be scrapped. Not much is ever really learned from them, other than showing that players are cautious before the season starts. Having said that, it was better than recent years

**harry crumb** · 15/08/2013, 3:59 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

I don't disagree that Long should have started instead of Cox but as to making a "huge difference" - what huge difference did they make last night? There were huge calls to play McCarthy. He played him. There were huge calls to play Coleman. He played him. It's always the players he doesn't select that the reason for a defeat. Just as I can say that the reason we didn't win last night is because Robbie Keane didn't play. Easy to say but who knows.

21 games unbeaten away from home. The man has to be doing something right (away from home). Bring on the Germans and 4-4-2. I'd like to see a different system at home against the Swedes and Hoolahan playing and Robbie fitted in somehow.

maybe huge difference was a bit much. He decided to play an untried 4-5-1 with an unfamiliar team against the 2nd best side in the world.

But, Trap invites all this on to himself by not playing our best players. Don't think anyone could complain about last night's side. It was the best we had available. 2 1/2 years too late however.

**IsMiseSean** · 15/08/2013, 4:01 PM

Originally Posted by harry crumb

Hindsight is 20 : 20.

Wilson for Ward.
Long (our No.1 striker) should have been playing. He was ahead of Cox at club level and had started the season very well for West Brom.

Even those 2 would have made a huge difference.

Hoolahan was not even in the squad.

1.5m a year and he couldn't even get our best players on the pitch. Basic stuff.

Wilson for Ward is a no brainer. I agree with Owlsfan post above, summed it up really well.

**mark12345** · 15/08/2013, 8:21 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

The handling of Stephen Ireland, you mean? Or his general handling of the entire national team? I'll assume you're not being melodramatic and go with the former. What's your gripe there?

How many years ago? Anyway, he was in the team years ago. Trap gave him his debut in 2008. He played for the 'B' team in 2007. Trap is stubborn; I think you overplay the influence the fans and media might have on his selections.

Not really. What was wrong there?

Hoolahan was in the team for half a game and then kicked to the curb. His performances thereafter went totally unnoticed while we were graced with the presence of Whelan and Green.

Look all I'm saying is that Trap needs to put out his best players. That's a basic requirement. In fairness to him he doesn't have too much to work with, but any way you cut it up he has to use his best 11. His actions over the last several months would indicate that he doesn't know the strengths of his players or even some of the players at his disposal.

**DannyInvincible** · 15/08/2013, 8:39 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Anyone got highlights of the match? saw the first half.

This is the best I could find: http://eplayer.performfeeds.com/face..._GB/country/UK

Originally Posted by mark12345

Look all I'm saying is that Trap needs to put out his best players. That's a basic requirement. In fairness to him he doesn't have too much to work with, but any way you cut it up he has to use his best 11.

A balance must be struck between accommodation and tactical organisation. You can't just throw on 11 players in any position and expect them to win because they're your "best 11".

**Grafter** · 16/08/2013, 1:15 AM

Welsh Match of the Day entire show of game highlights - Tony Pulis is sort of scary IMO

**Grafter** · 21/08/2013, 11:40 AM

All this stuff about Chris Coleman and a new contract is like Trap during 2011 qualifying campaign wanting a deal done before his existing contract was over....

I'd hardly think Coleman is turning away suitors though and really, his record as Wales boss is nothing to shout about...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23774483