Ireland V Germany(A) 11th October & Kazakhstan(H) 15th October 2013 - World Cup '14 Q

[Stuttgart88]

Today's Indo is saying Robbie Brady (hernia operation) is to miss both games, Gibson is likely to return to the squad while Stephen Ireland will wait until the New Year to make a decision. Kevin Doyle and Andy Reid are unlikely to be selected and they haven't a rashers about Stokes.

Dunne and O'Shea are both suspended while Walters is an injury doubt.

I read elsewhere that Wilson will be considered for a CB berth.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29620560.html

Squad announced later today I think.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Think I'd take a 0-3 defeat and 2-1 win now...

The important game is the Kazakh one. Koln is a write-off at this stage.

[Stuttgart88]

From the Germany game I just want see some positive signs. Signs that perhaps 442 need not be the be-all and end-all, that the team can be trusted to play the ball to feet at the appropriate times and that players that Trap may not have trusted have it in them to play a leading role. I can't imagine Koln being anything other than a backs to the wall job but there may still be room for some to shine.

I'd like to see the same signs of progress against Kazakhstan, but also with a win.

[the doc]

Today's Indo is saying Robbie Brady (hernia operation) is to miss both games, Gibson is likely to return to the squad while Stephen Ireland will wait until the New Year to make a decision. Kevin Doyle and Andy Reid are unlikely to be selected and they haven't a rashers about Stokes.

Dunne and O'Shea are both suspended while Walters is an injury doubt.

I read elsewhere that Wilson will be considered for a CB berth.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29620560.html

Squad announced later today I think.

Ireland should not be brought back into the squad.
He turned his back on Ireland which was very disrespectful to both the players and the fans.

It's an honour to play for Ireland, he thinks he's above all that.

Lets move on from him and join together and focus on our next few games and then prepare for the Euros.

[Crosby87]

I'm rooting for Khazhakhsthanh.

[Serb]

The centre back situation is precarious. With both first choice defenders gone, we're looking at Ciaran Clark and... who knows? St. Ledger, who played for Leicester's under 21s a week ago, could be in line for a recall. There's mention of Marc Wilson moving into CB but I think McShane and Clark would be the partnership before trying Wilson in there. Alex Pearce is the only other centre back that I can think of that has feature for us in the past year. Either way, we're probably looking at a new pairing. Definitely something to be worried about when facing one of the best teams in the world.

[the doc]

The centre back situation is precarious. With both first choice defenders gone, we're looking at Ciaran Clark and... who knows? St. Ledger, who played for Leicester's under 21s a week ago, could be in line for a recall. There's mention of Marc Wilson moving into CB but I think McShane and Clark would be the partnership before trying Wilson in there. Alex Pearce is the only other centre back that I can think of that has feature for us in the past year. Either way, we're probably looking at a new pairing. Definitely something to be worried about when facing one of the best teams in the world.

St Ledger is one if Irelands first choice defenders too, I wouldn't bet against him playing in Cologne and Dub.

[passinginterest]

Squad: Forde, Westwood, Randolph, O’Brien, St Ledger, Wilson, Coleman, Kelly, Clark, McShane, Gibson, Whelan, McCarthy, Green, A Reid, McGeady, Pilkington, McClean, Brady, Quinn, Hoolahan, Long, Keane, Walters, Doyle, Stokes.

[IsMiseSean]

No Sammon?? #KingOut

[Stuttgart88]

So far so good!

[ArdeeBhoy]

#Kingin

[Stuttgart88]

Dunne and O'Shea to report after Germany game.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Gibson, Reid, good. Doyle, not so much.

Is Cox injured or dropped?

[paul_oshea]

No he is sh1t didn't you know?!

[Stuttgart88]

O'Dea, Keogh, Cox and Sammon seem to be the Trap picks that didn't make the cut. No Meyler though. Injury or just didn't make it? He'd be marginal for me anyway and I'm glad Stephen Quinn gets another shot.

I feel (hope) that King has a better grasp what roles potentially suit these players.

With the CB situation perilous I was half expecting Shane Duffy to get a call up, and maybe Conor Henderson as an outside chance as well.

[SwanVsDalton]

With the CB situation perilous I was half expecting Shane Duffy to get a call up, and maybe Conor Henderson as an outside chance as well.

Or Richard Keogh. Unless he's injured or something.

Quite pleased to see Andy Reid back. Possibly no love lost between Paul Green or Darron Gibson on the training ground though.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Doyle won't play;he barely gets a game for Wov-les these days. O'Dea would have been ano.centre-back option, though almost irrelevant who plays v.Germany...

[p2011]

What I would expect/like to see from these games:

- An alternative to 4-4-2, especially against Germany. Ideally Hoolahan behind a mobile striker.
- Less hoofball, and an attempt to keep the ball for short periods in the game, again especially against Germany
- A team that looks like it knows what it is doing from dead balls. Our corners and frees have been poor in recent months
- A deserved recall for Andy Reid, who is in good form for Forest. Gibson too, but not yet Ireland until he shows some form over a few weeks. I don't see how Sammon (on the bench in a poor Derby side) should be in our squads.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd like to see Whelan dropped too, over and above what I posted earlier.

[Yard of Pace]

I would LOVE to see Whelan dropped. 50 caps. A travesty. Did good the odd time but his day has come and gone.