So on one level, I'm correct? Small; far away.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
You took a blind shot on goal, it was going well wide of the mark until it took a wicked deflection for a corner.
A player born to an irish born parent is automatically eligible to play for Ireland, as they are automatically an Irish national at birth.
EG, harry Kane does not have to apply for irish citizenship as he is an irish citizen at birth. His choice is just whether he wants to activate it or not.
He is an irish national whether or not he applies for an irish passport, just the same as any irish born person who does not have a passport.
An english born player with only an irish grandparent has to apply for Irish citizenship, he is not an irish national at birth. He just has the right to apply for irish citizenship but he is not regarded as irish until his application has been successfully processed.
Squad reduced to 27: http://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/marti...face-gibraltar
Baffling how Delaney isn't getting in these squads.
I suppose if it's Delaney and not Coleman, Reid or Hoolahan being ostracised then it's progress, but I would rather have Delaney than Keogh at the back in the event of an emergency against a team like Germany. It could literally make a significant difference to our goals against column. At least we know Delaney can keep a handle on players like Lukaku and Suarez on a weekly basis.
Randolph, Kelly, McShane, Duffy, Delaney Green, McCarthy, Reid, Cox and Sammon left out. Assume that means McCarthy and Reid haven't recovered from injury.
McCarthy is out? Who will play in midfield now?
I would hope that it's a case of leaving Mac out in order to let the body heal ahead of Germany. That would be the sensible approach. If he's not fit for Germany, it's a huge blow.
Disappointed for Delaney, as I think he is comfortably ahead of Keogh, Pearce, and I have to say Wilson too. Also, from looking at that list, it would seem Given is backup keeper. I think that will be a poor decision if it's the case. DOn't understand why there are 4 keepers in the squad. Surely, too, keeping on Duffy to get him acquainted with the setup, wouldn't have hurt.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Delaney the only issue for me. I can't understand it at all.
I think I said after Georgia that Coleman, McCarthy and McGeady should sit out the Gibraltar game as there's no need to risk injury. I'd probably add O'Shea too, even if that means picking some iffy CBs against Gibraltar.
Hopefully McCarthy will be back for Germany.
For me the first real acid test of the MON era will be whether he persists with Walters wide in Germany. If he does I'll be livid.
I hope he gives Long and Doyle time on the pitch against Gib. Keane can't put in the effort we'll need, nor has he the pace. By all means bring him on if we need a goal in the second half.
I'm glad to see Murphy there too. His club form is good and he deserves his place.
Did Clark play left back in Cologne?
Kelly was left back in Cologne, as far as I remember. Strangely enough, we went with two left-footed centre halves in Delaney and Clark.
Delaney should be in there without doubt. He'd be a nailed-on starter for many; not merely a squad member. He's had a few run-ins with Roy throughout his career - once turning up late to training at Ipswich due to being caught speeding and then blaming his "unreasonable boss" for his speeding in court - but you'd imagine the management would be professional enough to see past such things now if it would be in the best interests of the team to have Delaney there?
If McCarthy doesn't recover in time for Germany, it'll be a big blow, although we do have competent cover in Gibson.
Gibraltar:
------------Westwood-----------
Meyler-Wilson-Pearce or Keogh- Clark
-----Gibson---Whelan-----
Stokes-------Hoolahan--------McClean
---------------Long----------
Can Pilkington play on the right?
Germany:
----------Westwood
Coleman - OShea - Wilson - Clark
------McCarthy - Whelan
McGeady --Hoolahan -McClean
---------Long-------
Well Delaney evidently should be in the squad. Not sure what he's done wrong.
I find the four goalkeepers thing fairly bizarre. Actually makes me think Given is there less as back-up and more as a player-coach. To have his influence over three other goalkeepers.
He did, hit the bar too. [Edit: Well corrected CD, I assumed it was left-back]
I'd play a totally different defence but try and establish a unit from thereon for Germany. That'll probably mean Whelan and either Gibson or Hendrick, with McGeady, McClean, Long and Hoolahan. Let them pile forward and, hopefully, score a pile of goals to aid confidence. Withdraw Long, Hoolahan and McGeady after an hour and throw on some combination of Stokes, Doyle, Brady, Pilkington, Quinn...whoever the most likely options off the bench are against Germany.
We might be playing the football equivalent of chalk and cheese, but I'd be all for telling several attacking players that they are the main men for Gelsenkirchen and fill your boots against Gibraltar. This side needs confidence any which way it can get it.
Last edited by SwanVsDalton; 04/10/2014 at 1:57 PM.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
Yep, good points.
There really is no excuse for not picking attacking players for Germany. There's no way we'll outfox them and keep them away from goal like Trap used to try to do. It's asking for trouble.
Best approach is to pick some quick attacking players and hope to capitalise on their vulnerability on the break.
McCarthy is out of the squad. Apparently a small chance he will make the Germany game.
Is McCarthy essential for Germany? He has yet to show his best club form for Ireland.
Anyway, one of Hendrick, Meyler or Gibson will benefit. I named Gibson above but I was impressed by Hendrick's mobility against Italy. Whoever he plans to start in Germany should also start in Dublin.
With Hendrick yet to start since coming back from injury and Meyler harshly cast aside at Hull, we could do with Gibson getting a start this weekend but I'm sure Besic or someone else will get the nod. Stephen Quinn could be the man to benefit either but even he has lost his place in the Hull team despite a fine start to the season - as Huddlestone and Livermore can seemingly do no wrong.
I have long resigned myself to the fact that Walters will continue to start at this stage. And no doubt he will look even more sluggish than he usually does with a lack of first team football and match fitness. Brady, McClean, Pilkington, Long, Stokes, Doyle amongst others would offer more anywhere on the wing or up front.
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