Predict starting XI and score?

[DeLorean]

We were fortunate for a bit of individual brilliance from McGeady(with a slight bit of luck on the turn he made when the ball came down)

Ah now, not one of those 'he wouldn't do it again if he tried' bits of luck? Everything about the control and turn was totally deliberate and pure class.

could be one of those last minute winners for Scotland even though we have had most of the possession.

Funny you say that, it's a recurring fear running through my mind.

[DeLorean]

I don't think anybody is being deluded either. The biggest margin of victory I've seen is 2-0, most others having predicted a narrow win, a draw or a defeat. It's a pretty evenly matched game, could go either way but I think we have slightly better players overall and the setting should suit us well enough, as opposed to the likes of Tbilisi.

Wales did the double over them in the last campaign, winning at Hampden without Bale. They've improved since then but it so have we. This is definitely one of those games where the team that should have won didn't. That worries me because I think we'll give a performance.

Are you forgetting that free scoring Scotland limped to a 1-0 home win over Georgia, which surely gives some bit of context to our performance over there?

[the doc]

Hard one to pick this game, but true Irish men always stand up and be counted in these games.

Sadly a few in that squad don't fit that description.

If we lose I think we will struggle to make 3rd.

COYBIG

[ArdeeBhoy]

Tbh, a lot depends on our home form which has been generally kack in recent years. Losing to Alba wouldn't be a disaster if we can beat them and Polska at home...which is far from guaranteed IMO.

[jbyrne]

Hard one to pick this game, but true Irish men always stand up and be counted in these games.

Sadly a few in that squad don't fit that description.

If we lose I think we will struggle to make 3rd.

COYBIG

one slag that cant be thrown at this, or any, Irish team I have followed over the years.

who exactly do you refer? baffling statement!

[tetsujin1979]

I don't think anybody is being deluded either. The biggest margin of victory I've seen is 2-0, most others having predicted a narrow win, a draw or a defeat. It's a pretty evenly matched game, could go either way but I think we have slightly better players overall and the setting should suit us well enough, as opposed to the likes of Tbilisi.

Wales did the double over them in the last campaign, winning at Hampden without Bale. They've improved since then but it so have we. This is definitely one of those games where the team that should have won didn't. That worries me because I think we'll give a performance.

Are you forgetting that free scoring Scotland limped to a 1-0 home win over Georgia, which surely gives some bit of context to our performance over there?

it was an own goal too!

[paul_oshea]

Some stats from our game and their game.

They had 17 shots and 9 corners.

We had 6 shots(2 of which were on target and we scored from 100% return there ) and 4 corners.

Granted it shows poor finishing, it also shows they obviously had a lot more chances and created a lot more.

[DeLorean]

I guess that makes us a far more clinical team then.

[paul_oshea]

Perhaps DL, but being clinical and looking like scoring are not the same thing.

[Stuttgart88]

Perhaps DL, but being clinical and looking like scoring are not the same thing.

i saw the game. Scotland weren't impressive at all and Georgia very nearly equalised but for a sloppy finish late on.
Lots of huff and puff from Scotland.

Stats are like bikinis as I said earlier in the week. They can look good but they don't show enough.

[paul_oshea]

To be honest i think they show too much most of the time.

[DeLorean]

I only saw some of that Scotland game but they certainly didn't appear all that creative, were on the back foot quite a bit and appeared very nervy. I'm not fussed about the stats. We were poor against Georgia too, no doubt, but we were never really on the back foot for any extended period. It's far more difficult playing these teams away anyway, so it's not even comparing like with like despite the opposition being the same.

My main point is that you seemed to simplify things by saying, 'we barely beat Georgia and Scotland are better than them'. All I'm saying is that we could say the same about them, regardless of how many corners they had.

[Olé Olé]

A couple of conundrums here- namely, centre half, centre of the park and up front. I fancy the following selections from MON in these regads:
1. Keogh centre-half. I don't think Keogh is as good as McShane or Delaney either. Pearce has a shot of starting too but Keogh has just shaded preference in MON's heart.
2. Whelan out and McCarthy in. Is it that simple? Will Quinn be beside McCarthy? Or will it be Gibson? Or Hendrick? I'd stump for Hendrick but I think Gibson has a bit more fitness than he had for the Germany game so I think he'll get the nod.
3. Up front will be Robbie. Not that I agree with it 100% but the calibre of defender he's up against will surely offer him the chance to employ some guile to manufacture/capitalise on chances for himself. He'll mentally drain them.

In conclusion, I predict a 4-4-2 with the distinct possibility of it shifting to the same formation as the Germany game (McGeady at 10, Walters on the right).

Forde
Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward
McGeady, Gibson, McCarthy, McClean
Keane, Walters

[Wangball]

Perhaps DL, but being clinical and looking like scoring are not the same thing.

Now you're being cynical about us being clinical!

I'm not a fan of that kind of linear thinking with statistics when it comes to stuff like this, its like school yard logic, if you can bash him and I can bash you then I can bash him...etc..

With regards to the team selection I reckon there's a chance that Hendrick could be slotted into the Holohan role behind a lone striker.

Forde
Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward
McGeady, Gibson, McCarthy, McClean
Hendrick
Keane

[mark12345]

A couple of conundrums here- namely, centre half, centre of the park and up front. I fancy the following selections from MON in these regads:
1. Keogh centre-half. I don't think Keogh is as good as McShane or Delaney either. Pearce has a shot of starting too but Keogh has just shaded preference in MON's heart.
2. Whelan out and McCarthy in. Is it that simple? Will Quinn be beside McCarthy? Or will it be Gibson? Or Hendrick? I'd stump for Hendrick but I think Gibson has a bit more fitness than he had for the Germany game so I think he'll get the nod.
3. Up front will be Robbie. Not that I agree with it 100% but the calibre of defender he's up against will surely offer him the chance to employ some guile to manufacture/capitalise on chances for himself. He'll mentally drain them.

In conclusion, I predict a 4-4-2 with the distinct possibility of it shifting to the same formation as the Germany game (McGeady at 10, Walters on the right).

Forde
Coleman, O'Shea, Keogh, Ward
McGeady, Gibson, McCarthy, McClean
Keane, Walters

I know everyone is picking Robbie in their starting eleven (many I'm sure because they can't see MON dropping him rather than him being capable of performing at the highest level over the 90 minutes). It is a big mistake, I reckon. It is sticking out that Ireland's front pairing should be the little and large variety of Walters and Long. One can challenge, and challenge quite capably, for the aerial ball, while the other can pick up the pieces and run at speed at the defence. Shane Long gives up an edge right now that Robbie cannot.

Don't get me wrong I would have no hesitation at all in bringing on Robbie with 20 - 30 minutes to go, no matter what the score was, but to start him is a bit of a waste.

Much as we try to pretend otherwise, there will be very little "culture" about the football played by both sides. Sure they'll try to keep it on the floor for the first 15 minutes but then it will be bombs (long balls) away for the remainder of the game.

[Duggie]

I know everyone is picking Robbie in their starting eleven (many I'm sure because they can't see MON dropping him rather than him being capable of performing at the highest level over the 90 minutes). It is a big mistake, I reckon. It is sticking out that Ireland's front pairing should be the little and large variety of Walters and Long. One can challenge, and challenge quite capably, for the aerial ball, while the other can pick up the pieces and run at speed at the defence. Shane Long gives up an edge right now that Robbie cannot.

Ya and one can finish...and that one is Robbie. Not even a question he is the number one name on every teamsheet for me. Personally i wouldn't mind seeing Long and Keane for this game, scored two at the weekend, might get him at the right time. Could play on the wing either and he has more pace than Walters.

[backstothewall]

Much as we try to pretend otherwise, there will be very little "culture" about the football played by both sides. Sure they'll try to keep it on the floor for the first 15 minutes but then it will be bombs (long balls) away for the remainder of the game.

I hope you're right. Scotland only have 2 specialist central defenders in the squad, and one of them is a 33 year old with 5 caps.

Looking at their squad I feel Walters must start up front with Long.

[Stuttgart88]

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.

[DeLorean]

That could depend on our central midfield selection more than anything. If we have a mixture of McCarthy, Hendrick or Gibson, it's more likely that we'll keep the ball on the ground. If it's a combination with Whelan and Quinn involved, it will probably be more of the same in terms of (not) retaining possession. I'm not putting Quinn in Whelan's bracket a such, but I think he's included for different reasons other than keeping the ball or controlling the game.

[tetsujin1979]

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.