Predict starting XI and score?

[backstothewall]

I can't decide. Keane's effectiveness is determined by how well we are contending in midfield and in the final third. I think Wes feeding Keane could tie a lesser CB pairing in knots. I think a Championship centre back pairing could handle the attritional stuff all day long. I know Owls Fans has cautioned against the view of The Championship being all rough and tumble, and I agree, but at the same time a Championship CB pairing won't be afraid of a bit of physicality.

Can we get decent enough ball to warrant Keane playing? I'm not sure. Can Keane and Long/Walters keep them busy? I think so.

I'd stick my neck out and go Long/Keane. Only problem is that if it needs changing it means more brawn as the solution.

After my last post i had exactly that thought. Lumping it into the box will be meat and drink to a couple of journeyman centre backs. Might be better to bamboozle them with movement.

Maybe a 4-2-3-1 with Long up front in a sort of false 9 role with McGeady, Hoolahan & Brady behind making runs all over the place.

[Kingdom]

one thing I noticed about Quinn in the Oman game is he does try to move the ball very quickly, but the other side of that is that he doesn't give the impression of being comfortable in possession. Even when there was space to move with the ball, he was looking to make a pass as soon as possible.

Correct. I wouldn't be surprised to see a 3 man midfield with Quinn in it, but only if Whelan or McCarthy are playing. If they're not playing, then MON will have to go with a different strategy, more attack minded and I would see Quinn lose out to Hendrick in that situation.

[bishbash]

I really hope he goes with McCarthy & Gibson in a 3 man central midfield. Granted Gibson's fitness is suspect but he & McCarthy are our best footballers in that area. Hendrick ahead of them with Mclean & McGeady out wide. Its gonna be Keane up front. I think 3 in midield helps us to be compact but also with the right players it allows us to be dangerous on the counter. mcgeady & McLean can be good out balls for us but we need the likes of Gibson's better range of passing to allow that.

[Olé Olé]

I really hope he goes with McCarthy & Gibson in a 3 man central midfield. Granted Gibson's fitness is suspect but he & McCarthy are our best footballers in that area. Hendrick ahead of them with Mclean & McGeady out wide. Its gonna be Keane up front. I think 3 in midield helps us to be compact but also with the right players it allows us to be dangerous on the counter. mcgeady & McLean can be good out balls for us but we need the likes of Gibson's better range of passing to allow that.

That team you've come up with there sounds very sweet, I do agree. Only there are two players that MON has shown preference for who I think will be factored in: Walters and Whelan (if fit). Whelan in for Gibson and Walters for Hendrick (note that McClean, McGeady and Keane are unlikely to be budged).

All of a sudden, the team changes from a 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 (depending on whether Walters is on the right and McGeady at 10 or Walters is up front with Aiden on the right).

Actually, what about the following: drop Hendrick, stick Long on right and put McGeady at 10. That's where Long has been playing for Southampton (although maybe more advanced in a 4-3-3).

Again, Walters is going to play. It's an away game and he got a goal the weekend. I'm not overly disappointed with this but we have more exciting (or maybe just popular) options.

I'll be happy once Long makes an appearance, at least off the bench. Unlike the Germany game.

[Fixer82]

The team I think O'Neill will put out:

- - - - - - -Forde - - - - - -

Coleman Keogh O'Shea Ward

Walters McCarthy Quinn McClean

- - - - -McGeady- - - - -

- - - - - Keane- - - - -


The team I'd like to see:

- - - - - - Forde - - - - - -

Coleman Delaney* O'Shea Ward

McGeady McCarthy Hendrick McClean

- - - -Walters - - Long - - - - -


with McGeady and Walters interchanging if we're under the cosh and McGeady playing in the hole

*not in squad I know

[ArdeeBhoy]

Agreed. Usually there's a lot of waffle on these threads but (Posters!) bb and oo making good sense too.

[BonnieShels]

Agreed. Usually there's a lot of waffle on these threads but bb and oo making good sense too.

The Billy Boys and the Orange Order?

[osarusan]

I'll go for 1-1.

[geysir]

The team I think O'Neill will put out:

- - - - - - -Forde - - - - - -

Coleman Keogh O'Shea Ward

Walters McCarthy Quinn McClean

- - - - -McGeady- - - - -

- - - - - Keane- - - - -

It's a question whether he will persist with McGeady in that central role. Why do you think O'Neill would favour Quinn over Hendrick in that line up?

[Duggie]

It's a question whether he will persist with McGeady in that central role. Why do you think O'Neill would favour Quinn over Hendrick in that line up?

McCarthy out now.

[Duggie]

id like to see this team now..

---------------------Forde---------------
Coleman-------O'Shea---------Keogh-----------------Ward

Walters----------Hendrick-----------Gibson-----------McGeady

-----------------------------Long--------------------------
-------------------------Keane----------------------------

Long has the lungs to drop back a bit if we need more bodies in midfield. I think if we have a real go we will defo score. Scotland have nothing we should be scared off. Possibly Walters/McClean, couldn't decide, maybe Walters from the start.

[ArdeeBhoy]

The way it's going, I'll take a 0-0...

[paul_oshea]

Whatever look Mon has with fashioning goals at the death, he certainly has been very unlucky when it comes to injuries.

I can see our midfield being bypassed quite a bit tomorrow night.

[Stuttgart88]

Our midfield is always bypassed!

[Fixer82]

It's a question whether he will persist with McGeady in that central role. Why do you think O'Neill would favour Quinn over Hendrick in that line up?

I think he will because he has played every game until now. I think he likes him.

With the injuries now I think I'd go for.

-------------------Forde -------------

Coleman O'Shea Keogh Ward

McGeady Hendrick Gibson McClean

----------- Keane/Long Walters -----


Or maybe Long up front with Walters coming out for Quinn and Quinn playing no.10 role

[osarusan]

I'll go for 1-1.

We suddenly look a bit threadbare in midfield, and our defence will be doing more work than I would have expected...but I still don't think the Scots are that good.

I can see them having lots of possession but not doing much with it. We could be just as productive with less possession.

I will stick with 1-1.

[Fixer82]

I'm going for 1-1.
I think the Scots will be good.

[passinginterest]

- - - - - - -Forde - - - - - -

Coleman O'Shea Clarke Ward

-------------Gibson------------
McGeady Hendrick Quinn McClean

- - - - - - -Keane- - - - -

1-0 Scotland

[Fixer82]

- - - - - - -Forde - - - - - -

Coleman O'Shea Clarke Ward

-------------Gibson------------
McGeady Hendrick Quinn McClean

- - - - - - -Keane- - - - -

1-0 Scotland

Nah can't see Clark starting ahead of Keogh

[Littlest Hobo]

With mc Carthy out, my out-look on this has changed. Instead of 2-0, my head is now telling me a draw will be the best we can realistically achieve. I'd now go for a conservative 4-2-3-1...

Forde

Coleman O Shea Keogh Ward

Gibson Quinn
Mc Geady Hendrick Mc Clean

Keane

Walters and Long to play some part if we're chasing a goal.