Republic of Ireland V Poland - Sunday, 29th March 2015 - Euro 2016 Qualifier

[DannyInvincible]

Brady was filling space with lazy and idle speculation that plays on the insecurities of fans. He had that debate here with Dunphy from 03:00 onward after listening to McCarthy talk passionately about having just played for us and then making vague and suggestive gestures about "a few [of his] pull-outs":



If Brady had anything concrete, he had his chance to say it then, but all he can do is "hmm..." and ask questions. He doesn't even offer a solid judgment; he just admits his uncertainty. He's not in the know. Besides, for how long did he work with McCarthy anyway? McCarthy made his senior debut in the same year that Brady left the assistant role. Not sure which game was Brady's last.

Edit to add: Also, we all know Trap didn't have much time for perceived time-wasters or those of questionable mentalitee. Trap had a very good relationship with James and the way he spoke about him always suggested he believed he was an honest and dedicated lad. The respect was mutual: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24050440

McCarthy added: "It took me a while to get into the [Republic] team and thankfully I got in.

"He [Trapattoni] stuck by me and gave me my chance. He's been good for me. I'm disappointed to see him go. I'm gutted, to be honest. The players enjoyed working under him."

[geysir]

Robbie & MON press conference today, live on rte player, available worldwide



EDIT, sorry that link is not good anymore, the world moves on.

[the doc]

I'll be mightily annoyed if Clark doesn't play. Talk about a form choice. Been having visions of him crunching Lewandowski after five minutes and setting the tone ala Roy against Holland.

Of course, he'll probably try it and get sent off but here's hoping.

Clarky deserves his chance, started off 5th choice at Villa but took his chance after injuries to CBs ahead of him.

He's still prone to diving in and making rash challenges, they will cost us at some point, hopefully not tomorrow.

Good luck to him.

[DannyInvincible]

That's the spirit, doc.

[DannyInvincible]

Robbie K press conference today, (co starring MON) live on rte player, available worldwide

Dang, just managed to catch the end of it.



Those dark green-light green hooped polo shirts were really green.

[Crosby87]

Don't forget about the Irish going against 37-0 Kentucky tonight lads. Good things happen in three's. Good juju for Ireland. Just trust me on this one.

[DannyInvincible]

Martin, who is working with James at this very moment and has been doing so since 2013, also jumps to his player's defence against Brady's lazy insinuation: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-31101716.html

[Brady's] comments were put to O’Neill in his pre-match press conference ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Euro 2016 showdown with Poland.

“I don’t think I’ve any need to question anyone’s passion to play for Ireland,” said O’Neill. “I genuinely don’t think that. It’s not just a soundbite, I genuinely feel that. They might not perform as well but that doesn’t mean the players don’t want to play.

“James has had a few problems, as you know, he had hamstring problems way back some time ago and had to take quite a few weeks out. In one year, he has only played one game for us. He’s back, he’s played a number of games now in quick succession and he’s got a couple of days here to get over things, as did Seamus Coleman.”

Interestingly, the team did try 3-5-2 in training:

O’Neill again kept his cards close to his chest with regard to team selection, although his group did appear to be practising a 3-5-2 set-up in training with Robbie Brady and Seamus Coleman as full backs. The Derryman inferred that he was merely exploring his options so players would be familiar with different systems in case change was necessary.

“Some players here play that system at club level,” he says, “It’s something that they’re used to. Some players, they would have to adapt. I think if some particular system solved every problem, everybody would be using it. There are advantages in a certain system, whatever system you want to play.”

[BonnieShels]

Nathan Murphy on Newstalk (just back from Malahide) speculating that we're going 3-5-2.

Forde
McShane-O'Shea-Wilson
Coleman- didn't hear- Hoolahan - didn't hear - McGeady
Robbie-Walters

[ifk101]

Worrying we are trying out a new formation 2 days prior to an important qualifier. Even if we don't play a 3-5-2, why are we wasting time trying it out so close to kick-off?

[Charlie Darwin]

Emmet Malone thinks Keogh is a likely starter too. Jaysus. Surely CD is right though it pains me. Clark is nailed on.

Chuck: I took the young fella to Tallaght last night. Despite an awful game he loved it and is now proud owner of the Rovers away kit! Really good crowd I thought.

Haha yeah, if anyone was going to keep up an interest in going to Rovers after last night, it certainly wouldn't have been because of the football. Great atmosphere though and great crowd. Bodes well for the season with three successive gates of 4,000+ although it'll be hard to maintain when the likes of Bray and Limerick visit. Delighted to hear your young lad enjoyed it, you'll have to get him watching the rare live game on RTE player

[Crosby87]

Your colleagues on the Polish board are no match for you fiery chaps. MOL "Does anyone know of a good footballer with Irish Grandparents?" The Guanlet has been thrown.

http://polishsoccer.com/forum/viewto...6288&start=100

[Charlie Darwin]

To be fair, that is pretty much what MON goes around saying.

[DannyInvincible]

To be fair, that is pretty much what MON goes around saying.

I don't think it's remotely accurate, to be honest.

Rather, doesn't O'Neill say: "Anyone know of a someone who can kick a ball with an Irish grandparent?"

[Stuttgart88]

Worrying we are trying out a new formation 2 days prior to an important qualifier. Even if we don't play a 3-5-2, why are we wasting time trying it out so close to kick-off?

I dunno. I like to think professional footballers can change system, as long as they are asked to perform roles that suit their abilities. I think it's refreshing rather than worrying, although I'd accept its not without risk.

But:
We have two good attacking options from full back.
We have decent centre backs, all of whom have played full back.
We get overrun when we play just two in midfield.
We are short upfront when we play three in midfield
We are predictable in 442 and our wide players aren't always effective.
442 often means leaving one or two decent players out

352 addresses a lot of those issues.

As for wasting time if we don't use it, MON said specifically it was as a contingency.

[Charlie Darwin]

One of the dangers with 3-5-2 is for, particularly technically limited sides like us, it just becomes an ultra-defensive formation.

[geysir]

Also it's not such a great difficulty for a a decent team to defend against and find weaknesses. But if it meant Hoolahan was on the pitch, then I would be attentive.

[Crosby87]

Indo preview:
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-31101072.html

[Crosby87]

Balls.ie simulated match 2-2
http://balls.ie/football/381923-irel...-manager-2015/

[IsMiseSean]

I hope there is no truth in the 352 rumour. Madness to go with a new untested formation in such a crucial game.

[paul_oshea]

The formation would be ok but it would be more mad to go with the selection that bs put forward! !We get awful overrun and countered with that!