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

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/10/2013, 12:24 PM

Loew names squad: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...quad-1.1550396

**jbyrne** · 04/10/2013, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by brine3

Stokes and Long could exploit Mertesacker's incredible lack of pace. Andy Reid and Hoolahan pinging balls past Mertesacker and Stokes and Long running on to them.

yes, exactly the way fenerbache, marseilles, spurs and napoli have shown this season. oh wait.....

**ArdeeBhoy** · 04/10/2013, 3:41 PM

Tbf, most Gooners will tell you Mertesacker's still easily their worst player when he fluffs up. Also the most improved this season...bizarrely enough.

Regardless of how he plays, it's irrelevant. Probably need 7 in midfield to cope with three of theirs...

**Stuttgart88** · 04/10/2013, 6:09 PM

More improved than Ramsey and Sczezczhczcszny (or however he spells his name)?

**Charlie Darwin** · 04/10/2013, 6:52 PM

Greg Cunningham is on standby, according to this article on Bristol City's match with Crawley being called off due to international call-ups: http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Getti...#axzz2gmTTIP9G

**ArdeeBhoy** · 04/10/2013, 7:05 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

More improved than Ramsey and Sczezczhczcszny (or however he spells his name)?

'Chesney', and Ramsey, at least gave the impression of being decent before. Not a quality previously observed upon with Per.

**Stuttgart88** · 06/10/2013, 10:24 AM

McShane, Green and Quinn dropped from original squad to make it 23. Randolph injured (looked poor yesterday on TV) and Elliott called up.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 06/10/2013, 11:05 AM

As in yer man at Newcastle?
Hmm.

And

Football Association of Ireland (Official)

3 minutes ago via Mobile

Following medical examination, Jon Walters has been ruled out of the Ireland squad to face Germany and Kazakhstan. Paul Green has been called up in his place. Keiren Westwood has also withdrawn to receive medical treatment during the international window and he will be replaced by Stephen Henderson.

**TrapAPony** · 06/10/2013, 3:05 PM

Westwood and Walters out. Henderson and Green in.

**Charlie Darwin** · 06/10/2013, 3:07 PM

Strange that Elliott was called up ahead of Henderson.

**CraftyToePoke** · 06/10/2013, 3:17 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Strange that Elliott was called up ahead of Henderson.

No sign of Kenny Paddy availing himself of the fresh start / bygones nature of recent weeks either. He would have a good shout for the jersey at present surely ?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 06/10/2013, 5:19 PM

Leeds fans wouldn't agree. The vast majority seem to be constantly moaning about Kenny...

**DannyInvincible** · 07/10/2013, 9:12 PM

Looks like the FAI aren't even prepared to fork out for a new bag for poor Noel!: http://thescore.thejournal.ie/noel-k...facebook_short

**paul_oshea** · 07/10/2013, 9:18 PM

The picture of gibson, mccarthy and reid was very good. They all looked either confused or agitated or in disbelief or all 3!

**CraftyToePoke** · 08/10/2013, 2:11 AM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Leeds fans wouldn't agree. The vast majority seem to be constantly moaning about Kenny...

Did not know that. Any links?

Forde has retrieved the football from the net behind him nine times in the last two games and Randolph followed a dropped catch with a fresh air punch for the second, having been beaten along the ground on his near post for the opener at the weekend. Anyway, surely King offered the option to him also.

**DeLorean** · 08/10/2013, 11:11 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

The picture of gibson, mccarthy and reid was very good. They all looked either confused or agitated or in disbelief or all 3!

Where's this picture Paul?

**Stuttgart88** · 08/10/2013, 11:32 AM

King seems set on 4-2-3-1

Whatever about the back 4 and GK, I'd say he will go with something like:

----Gibson-- McCarthy
Long------Reid------Pilkington
---------Keane-------

Let's call these positions

----Defensive M-----Defensive M-----
Wide Forward- Advanced Midfield--Wide forward
----------Central Forward----

And looking at the possible personnel:

Whelan, Gibson and McCarthy = most likely DM options
Pilkington, Stokes, Long, McClean, Brady (not this week obviously) are the WF options, with license to cut in. Walters when he returns and Doyle wouldn't be ridiculous as a wide-right forward cutting in.
Reid and Hoolahan would be the most likely AM options, possibly Brady in due course
Long, Keane, Doyle and Stokes are all CF options, as is Walters

WF is a kind of a hybrid forward & midfield role in essence, pretty common on the continent.

**Closed Account** · 08/10/2013, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Where's this picture Paul?

This one?

**p2011** · 08/10/2013, 11:52 AM

That's a decent looking formation, S88, and probably what we should have been playing for the last 1-2 years or more. I'd have Hoolahan in there ahead of Reid, just slightly. Neither are world-beaters, nobody thinks that, but they are decent footballers who can play an important position used by most modern teams. They can help us to retain possession and move up the pitch a little.

Was never a fan of this "strikers on the wing" business, but Long out right is a decent option. If Keane is undroppable, then Long has to be accomodated somewhere.

**Stuttgart88** · 08/10/2013, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by p2011

Was never a fan of this "strikers on the wing" business, but Long out right is a decent option. If Keane is undroppable, then Long has to be accomodated somewhere.

I think there's a difference between a "striker on the wing" and a forward who cuts in from wide. Pilkington and McClean are proper wide players, but Long & Stokes, for example, could probably have a good go at the Muller / Podolski type role.