Republic of Ireland V Sweden - Friday, 6th September 2013 - World Cup 2014 Qualifier

[jbyrne]

brady has started the season very well from what i have heard / seen and i would start him ahead of mcclean.
westwood was wobbly against wales but has played well for Sunderland this season so far, again from what i've heard.

[Stuttgart88]

You're not fussed about the loss of our most creative winger and arguably our best player?

Well that makes a lot of sense, considering we need at least 4 points from these two games.

I don't consider him to be our best player. I think we rarely see McGeady play to potential and I don't think he gels well with our forwards. I said I'm not fussed because I think that the players we have instead are good enough to be more than competitive against Sweden in what I expect will be an English-style game.

If Coleman, Keane or Long was crocked, then I'd be very fussed. In fact I would add Westwood, Wilson, McCarthy, Hoolahan, O'Shea, Dunne and Clark as players I'd be more concerned about if they withdrew. With back-to-back games in 4 days the absence of any of these would leave a hole but we have decent back-up for McGeady (and that assumes he's a starter if fit, which I wouldn't be sure of). Of course there's always the fear that Trap will pick Cox instead but I doubt it.

[Sullivinho]

CMs: Whelan looks like his legs have gone though Trap will pick him.

I realise we're not blessed with options in that area and it feels harsh to say, but he's become exasperating to witness. Both on the teamsheet and the pitch.

Like one of those dreams (to tenuously continue a theme) where you're trying to get away from some nasty and your legs are in perpetual slow motion.

[Stuttgart88]

How was Whelan against Wales?

[Grafter]

At the risk of being shot here I wouldn't start Long against Sweden. Bring him on later on by all means but dropping him and playing Walters upfront with Keane would be my move. Trap is cautious but has shown that when it's do or die he does act eg. Faroes away when Wilson was brought in and Ward jettisoned.
Honestly, I think Trap could start Hoolahan and Pilkington against Sweden, incredulous as that sounds...

The team I hope Trap will have an epiphany in picking would be:

Forde
Wilson Dunne O'Shea Coleman
McClean McCarthy Hoolahan Pilkington
Walters Keane

[Supreme feet]

How was Whelan against Wales?

Not really noticeable. Didn't drop as many clangers as he usually does, like passing the ball straight out of play, missing team-mates from five yards, or passing it back to the goalkeeper from the opposition half. Any possession he had, he was under no real pressure, so his deficiencies weren't as obvious.

[Stuttgart88]

Forde
Wilson Dunne O'Shea Coleman
McClean McCarthy Hoolahan Pilkington
Walters Keane

Very bold selection but not unfeasible and definitely exciting.

[DannyInvincible]

Heard about this one on SSN. They mentioned "three key players" pulling out of the Ireland squad before pausing for dramatic effect.

Oh s**t, I thought. Don't say that trio includes McCarthy, Keane or Coleman!

It came as varying degrees of relief but relief nonetheless when they followed up with McGeady, St. Ledger and O'Brien.

Ah, SSN... McGeady and St. Ledger, fair enough, but how they can so convincingly hyperbolise things like O'Brien's role in our squad is quite the gift.

[the doc]

So much for Lazaurus being spotted in East Midlands. Shame about O'Brien. Not fussed about McGeady as I think we have cover in wide positions, including Walters.

How many times must I tell you?

DON'T believe what's written or said in the media.

Lazaurus has risen as we speak.

[Supreme feet]

How many times must I tell you?

DON'T believe what's written or said in the media.

Lazaurus has risen as we speak.

I love this guy. The most unbiased, rational and analytical poster we've had since McGeady10.

[Charlie Darwin]

How many times must I tell you?

DON'T believe what's written or said in the media.

Lazaurus has risen as we speak.

OK, so why did the FAI send out a statement saying he had withdrawn from the squad?

[DannyInvincible]

OK, so why did the FAI send out a statement saying he had withdrawn from the squad?

It's obviously all part of our Sweden shock-and-awe plan.

[Crosby87]

There is legit talent on our starting eleven. I am excited.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Great photo but the fans of 12 years ago have limited relevance to this week's game.

More's the pity.

[Crosby87]

Can you spot Stutts? He's in there.

[Closed Account]

Squad Watch

1. David Forde	Millwall FC	Starting
2. Keiren Westwood	Sunderland AFC	Starting
3. Darren Randolph	Birmingham City FC	Starting
4. John O’Shea	Sunderland AFC	Starting
5. Marc Wilson	Stoke City FC	Starting
6. Seamus Coleman	Everton FC	Starting
7. Stephen Kelly	Reading FC	Not in Squad
8. Darren O’Dea	FC Metalurh Donetsk	Sunday
9. Ciaran Clark	Aston Villa FC	No Game
10. Richard Dunne	QPR FC	Starting
11. Paul McShane	Hull City FC	Substitute
12. Glenn Whelan	Stoke City FC	Substitute
13. James McCarthy	Wigan Athletic FC	Starting
14. Paul Green	Leeds Utd FC	Starting
15. Anthony Pilkington	Norwich City FC	Substitute
16. James McClean	Wigan Athletic FC	Substitute
17. Robbie Brady	Hull City FC	Starting
18. Wes Hoolahan	Norwich City FC	Substitute
19. Shane Long	West Bromwich Albion FC	Starting
20. Robbie Keane	LA Galaxy	Starting
21. Conor Sammon	Derby County FC	Substitute
22. Jon Walters	Stoke City FC	Starting
23. Simon Cox	Nottingham Forest FC	Substitute

11 Starting, probably reach 13 out of 23 starting over the weekend.

[Stuttgart88]

Soccer Saturday saying Elmander just rolled an ankle for Norwich and is in pain.

[Charlie Darwin]

Good man Agent Hughton, keeping the Irishmen fit on the sideline while his sole Swede is picked off by a marksman

[Stuttgart88]

Can you spot Stutts? He's in there.

I was in the East Upper that day but I still have the green t-shirt given out free by FAI / eircom to those in the terrace seats. One was left behind in Bellamys after the game. Great pic though. Come on boys, a big home win, no matter how nail biting or ugly, is due

[DannyInvincible]

Sunderland concede a very shabby goal away to Crystal Palace. Ball was knocked in from a corner - not dealt with at all by the Sunderland defence - and bobbled off some shins before bouncing past Westwood who was pinned to his line by a Palace player and rather sluggish to react. The slow-mo replays certainly didn't do Westwood any favours.