Republic of Ireland V Oman 3rd September 2014 & Georgia 7th September 2014

[Supreme feet]

No player in my opinion encapsulates the malaise of the Ireland national team more than Glenn Whelan. I don't know what he brings to the team other than experience. Any player could fill in and do his job.

Agree with this. The only argument for him seems to be a 'positional' thing, in that he's disciplined off the ball, holds his position, and protects the back four in a way our other 'box-to-box' midfielders don't. I suppose that's why managers like Pulis and Hughes have kept faith with him instead of buying a better midfielder.

Unfortunately, his supposed defensive strengths are really negligible, given that he seems to lack the athleticism to dominate that area or get tackles in when it's needed. He lost his man badly for Sweden's winner last year, so concentration is also an issue. His passing and vision are not up to scratch at this level, and he tends to go into hiding, rather than making space and demanding the ball. I would have Hendrick, Meyler, McCarthy, Gibson and Reid ahead of him, but for some reason I think O'Neill will go with him as a 'safe' option.

[tricky_colour]

Lack of goals from midfield is a problem.

Gibson, Hendrick
Coleman, Reid, Brady/Pilkington
Long/Keane

If we are including players based on their goalscoring threat..

No player in my opinion encapsulates the malaise of the Ireland national team more than Glenn Whelan. I don't know what he brings to the team other than experience. Any player could fill in and do his job. For all the stereotypes about Hoolahan, he has shown more bite and energy when he has played in midfield.

I could not believe how lively Whelan was v Stoke before he got subbed, I am thinking about the bit where
he got a player sent off for bringing him down, I don't initially think it was Glenn because there we no sign of malaise
quite the opposite, he looked a real live wire.
OK it was only one incident but he looked like a player transformed, seemed to be plenty of bite and energy there.

[Fixer82]

any video highlights of Stoke V Hull game?

[Charlie Darwin]

any video highlights of Stoke V Hull game?

http://www.footytube.com/video/hull-...y-aug24-291073

[Charlie Darwin]

All being fit, team I'd like to see for the first qualifier:

Forde (Westwood is probably better but Forde the man in possession)
Coleman O'Shea Wilson Ward
McCarthy Hendrick Quinn
McGeady Long Reid

Gives us the freedom to change to 4-4-2 and bring on Robbie and/or Hoolahan in the second half as Reid will presumably tire.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Why anyone want that tool Ward is beyond me. McShane or Kelly would make more sense FFS.
Plus a few players out of position in that last team.

[zero]

i think robbie deserves a start, these (amongst others) are the kinds of games where he's made the difference in the past. is it possible to accomodate long, keane and hoolahan though? probably not, unless one of long/hoolahan plays wide.

i think we can only be certain of the following starters (fitness permitting): o'shea, coleman, mccarthy. you could make a case for every other position. i would guess that most of the team that starts the first half of the oman game will start in georgia..

[mark12345]

All being fit, team I'd like to see for the first qualifier:

Forde (Westwood is probably better but Forde the man in possession)
Coleman O'Shea Wilson Ward
McCarthy Hendrick Quinn
McGeady Long Reid

What? No Hoolahan?
Essentially you are putting in a less than mediocre player in Ward and jettisoning Hoolahan.
I would prefer to play three at the back, dropping Ward and bringing in Hoolahan at the tip of the diamond with McCarthy at the other end of the diamond.
Would also start Keane instead of Long

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm not essentially bringing in Ward for Hoolahan. I'm playing Reid in his place because I think he's better at playing football.

[IsMiseSean]

Is the Oman game being shown live on TV? Not listed on my Sky guide.
Highlights on RTE at 10.25.

[Charlie Darwin]

It's on Setanta Ireland, assuming you're still in Gaillimh, otherwise I assume it's on Premier Sports. It'll be on stream if you can't access them.

[IsMiseSean]

Yeah, still in Gaillimh. Not coming up on the Sky guide for Setanta Ireland either. Maybe it will closer to the time.

[Charlie Darwin]

That's weird, I read it a while ago but it's not showing up when I search for it. Maybe I read something from the game in 2012. It will definitely be on TV though, probably on Setanta.

[pineapple stu]

On the radio news this morning that Shay Given is in line for a call up, on the condition that he plays?

Interesting.

Can't find anything online though. He played for Villa last night in their loss to Leyton Orient.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Saw it on Facebook too, so must be true then...
Maybe as 'third choice'? Randolph/Westwood injured?

[gastric]

Report here. Don't think this is good for Irish football. Would rather see the likes of Lawlor get a chance than Shay.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30543802.html

[Stuttgart88]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30543802.html

Indo saying it's increasingly likely he'll play if the reports are accurate. These are the reports that say he'll play. So, it's increasingly likely he'll play if the reports that he'll play are accurate. Nice one Indo.

[gastric]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-30543802.html

Indo saying it's increasingly likely he'll play if the reports are accurate. These are the reports that say he'll play. So, it's increasingly likely he'll play if the reports that he'll play are accurate. Nice one Indo.

Thanks Stutts, trying to steal my thunder! And DeLorean, you should have thanked me rather than Stutts' example of very badly written English.

[Stuttgart88]

I've just thanked you to make you feel better.

[paul_oshea]

I have to say i LIke this approach from O'Neill. Too often we hear crap about trying players for the future and breeding in as an excuse for covering losses and downplaying. O'Neill is very much about the here and now and getting the results required through whatever means. Its very refreshing to see and hopefully we wont see as much on here and other sources about building for the next campaign or any of that crap. Get the players in who will get us the results regardless of age or experience.

What can Given add though with so few games? I can't imagine a lot and he was poor for Ireland before being dropped. Seems I'm not the only one concerned about Forde though. If Westwood gets a consistent run at club level it will be interesting to see if he looks better for Ireland than he has done previously. Sorry for forde a very nice fella by all accounts but hopefully it means the shifting of him from the No.1 spot - serious liability as demonstrated over the last few games.