Euro 2016 Play-Offs - November 13th and 16th

[Kingdom]

I'm going to use the criteria that O'Neill will throw a curve-ball per selection. I think he's going to play Arter in the Hoolahan role.

Randolph
Coleman Keogh Clark Ward
Hendrick Whelan McCarthy Brady
Arter
Murphy

With Hendrick and Brady playing more inside than touchline hugging.

[jbyrne]

I'm going to use the criteria that O'Neill will throw a curve-ball per selection. I think he's going to play Arter in the Hoolahan role.

Randolph
Coleman Keogh Clark Ward
Hendrick Whelan McCarthy Brady
Arter
Murphy

With Hendrick and Brady playing more inside than touchline hugging.

interesting thought but I think Arters lack of game time may count against him. I think it will be a very conservative selection with possibly meyler in midfield with McCarthy pushed on

[DeLorean]

Shane Long has been ruled out for the first leg. He has returned to Southampton for treatment but remains in contention for Monday. Alan Judge has been cleared to join up with the squad.

Edit- Link

[Closed Account]

Westwood, now at Sheffield Wednesday, had a pre-existing ankle injury flare up today in training at the FAI National Training Centre in Dublin and has been replaced by Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

[Charlie Darwin]

Expected Long to miss out, so Meyler still the big worry for me. Was brilliant when he came on against Germany and we may need a player like him late on in either game.

[DeLorean]

Expected Long to miss out

Just out of curiosity Dr. Darwin, do you expect him to miss Monday?

[Charlie Darwin]

Just out of curiosity Dr. Darwin, do you expect him to miss Monday?

Are you asking my opinion as a fan or as a scientist?

[DeLorean]

Whatever experiences you draw upon in forming your conclusions is good by me Charlie.

[DeLorean]

Btw, I hadn't seen this press conference with MON from last week. Lots of interesting stuff in it for anybody else that was in the dark.

[Charlie Darwin]

Whatever experiences you draw upon in forming your conclusions is good by me Charlie.

I think MON will risk him if he's allowed. Or, to put it in evolutionary terms, MON is red in tooth and claw.

[MeathDrog]

Wilson at left back then hopefully Brady gets to play further up the field.

[SwanVsDalton]

Team for me:

-----Randy--------

--Coleman---Keogh---Clark---Ward

----Whelan--McCarthy--

--Hendrick--Brady----McClean------

-----Murphy------

McClean was pretty poor against Polan, but I'm backing him to do better in this game that will probably require more perspiration than inspriation.

We lack pace and directness, a need McClean can fill. I reckon McClean's engine will help keep things tight and use any available counter-attacking space in the final third. I think Hendrick and Brady will keep things tight around him and there's some opportunity for switching around.

The other main alternative to McClean (assuming Hoolahan is saved for the home leg) is McGeady, but I just can't see it being a game for him. This is going to be a scrap, and I'd rather have one of our few Prem regulars digging in for the fight. Also don't see this as a game for Arter or Judge, although with so many players out there's no easy options for that final midfield spot.

Chose Ward over Wilson simply because he's a squarer peg.

Not a particularly ambitious selection, I grant you, but my ambitions extend only to getting back to Dublin with a decent chance.

[Charlie Darwin]

Team for me:

-----Randy--------

--Coleman---Keogh---Clark---Ward

----Whelan--McCarthy--

--Hendrick--Brady----McClean------

-----Murphy------

McClean was pretty poor against Polan, but I'm backing him to do better in this game that will probably require more perspiration than inspriation.

We lack pace and directness, a need McClean can fill. I reckon McClean's engine will help keep things tight and use any available counter-attacking space in the final third. I think Hendrick and Brady will keep things tight around him and there's some opportunity for switching around.

The other main alternative to McClean (assuming Hoolahan is saved for the home leg) is McGeady, but I just can't see it being a game for him. This is going to be a scrap, and I'd rather have one of our few Prem regulars digging in for the fight. Also don't see this as a game for Arter or Judge, although with so many players out there's no easy options for that final midfield spot.

Chose Ward over Wilson simply because he's a squarer peg.

Not a particularly ambitious selection, I grant you, but my ambitions extend only to getting back to Dublin with a decent chance.

I don't think he'll move away from the diamond unless he has to. McClean was poor against Poland but playing him infield like that was never going to go well.

[Crosby87]

Have the flying Bosnies any injuries?

[paul_oshea]

I've been thinking about this recently but Keane is far more suited to international management than club management.

[DeLorean]

Confirmation of the yellow card situation. I hadn't mentioned Begovic and Whelan earlier in the thread. Wasn't Whelan suspended for Germany though? Is it only two yellow cards to get suspended once you received an earlier suspension maybe. Anyway...

Disciplinary

• Bosnia and Herzegovina's Muhamed Bešić completes a three-game suspension in the first leg; Asmir Begović, Edin Džeko, Anel Hadžić, Miralem Pjanić, Emir Spahić and Toni Šunjić are all within a yellow card of a ban.

• Ireland's John O'Shea and Jonathan Walters are banned for the first leg, the latter having collected three yellow cards during the qualfying group stage while O'Shea was sent off against Poland last time out. Seamus Coleman, Wes Hoolahan, James McCarthy, Glenn Whelan and Marc Wilson will all incur a suspension with their next bookings.

[DeLorean]

Have the flying Bosnies any injuries?

Interesting read, and it's answers your question too Crosby.

Mehmed Bazdarevic - the nearly man of international football

[backstothewall]

I don't think he'll move away from the diamond unless he has to.

I agree he will be loath to move away from it, but I think he does have to. I don't see any other choice. Without Long & Walters we are realistically down to one fit striker. We will have to build a side around Murphy who can offer some threat, at least on the counter

With the players we have available I can see him going to a 4-3-3. Maybe something like

--------------- Randolph ---------------

---- Coleman Keogh Clark Brady ----

--------------- McCarthy --------------

----------- Meyler Hendrick ----------

-- Hoolahan ------------- McGeady --

---------------- Murphy ---------------

[DeLorean]

I'd be shocked if he didn't start Whelan in an away fixture where he wants to keep it tight, especially with Meyler being an injury doubt as well. Whelan picking up a booking and missing the home leg could be a blessing though, when we will probably need to play with more energy.

[OwlsFan]

Westwood, now at Sheffield Wednesday, had a pre-existing ankle injury flare up today in training at the FAI National Training Centre in Dublin and has been replaced by Charlton Athletic goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

Hmmm. First I have heard of a "pre-existing ankle injury". Slightly worried that Westwood is fed up playing second fiddle to inferior keepers when he is in the form of his life (well, last season at least). The return of Given was a real slap in the face and the selection of Randolph ahead of him he wouldn't have enjoyed either. Will be interested to see does he tog out against Huddersfield next weekend.

The team (O'Neill's): Randolph, Coleman, Keogh, Clarke, Brady, McCarthy, Whelan, Hendrick, McGeady, Hoolahan, Murphy.

Would be worried about it defending at corners but hopefully Murphy will add something there