Republic of Ireland V Armenia - Tuesday, 11th October 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[Stuttgart88]

OK, Andorra's over so new thread for Tuesday.

I think it's fair to say we all admire Armenia. I'm not sure this is a case of showing too much respect. They probably have better basic skills than us and play with much less restriction.

I still just about fancy us to come through though.

Keane's possible absence might allow for Trap to play Doyle as a lone front man, with Long adding numbers to midfield, maybe RHM but having freedom to support Doyle where necessary.

I'd like to see Coleman & Hunt start just to inject pace and tempo, but it ain't gonna happen.

This game is the litmus test of the Trap tenure for me. They need no motivation whatsoever so this game will validate the system or show it up as out of date, conservative twaddle.

[Hale]

We never play well at home, we were kinda in the same situation last month against Slovakia at home in the sense that we hoped our home form could get better with a win.

The dodgy midfield is a huge problem (no invention they don't want the ball, don't know how to pass it forward) and the long ball game is disappointing when we get nervous.

Armenia i think were 4th seeded in our group although yes playing attacking good football,they have to come at us which may play into our favor in a counter attacking way, we should be still good enough to beat them, or even a nervy draw.
2 v 1 Ireland

[geysir]

Trap's tactical system has already peaked but Trap thinks the mentality strengthening process has a bit further to go. Didn't he say as much, that the Rugby chaps failed because they lacked having enough of the right mentality (o.O)

Brady thinks if we get through the Armenia game and playoffs, that Trap will indeed bring in the young players like McCarthy and Coleman into friendlies.

[Sullivinho]

Armenia remind me too much of Cyprus for comfort. My fear for tuesday is that we'll (typically) give our opponents too much freedom in midfield and see them build up rhythm and momentum. It'l be a long night.

The blow of Keane's potential absence is softened having guys like Long and Walters about. Dunne's return is welcome and reassuring. O'Dea or Kelly at left-back I presume? As luck would have it their right winger is very threatening. They'll be under severe pressure though, I s'pose that shouldn't be underestimated.

Prediction: 2-1 victory.

Didn't he say as much, that the Rugby chaps failed because they lacked having enough of the right mentality (o.O)

I knew there was something Paul O'Connell lacked and thanks to Trap, I no longer have to agonize over the answer: the right mentality.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Me being a half-glass empty man and getting more so, am not so optimistic.

Armenia to rip us a new one and lose 0-2.
And for once not 'bad-minding' in the hope we get a result.

That said the WC is far more important than the Euros but this could be a last chance to get to any Finals in a while?
Sorry am so downbeat.

But for me, Trap's star is seriously on the wane.

[Stuttgart88]

Trap's tactical system has already peaked but Trap thinks the mentality strengthening process has a bit further to go. Didn't he say as much, that the Rugby chaps failed because they lacked having enough of the right mentality (o.O)

Brady thinks if we get through the Armenia game and playoffs, that Trap will indeed bring in the young players like McCarthy and Coleman into friendlies.

I think "mentality" is one of Trap's few words of English. He just rolls it out whether it's appropriate or not.

[pineapple stu]

This game is the litmus test of the Trap tenure for me. They need no motivation whatsoever so this game will validate the system or show it up as out of date, conservative twaddle.

Absolutely. Whatever about the results, the performances have been awful this campaign. The only thing we have for us is that we play at our best when we're either level or behind. That might make it a good game.

Not confident though. This lot went to Slovakia and won 4-0. They went to Russia and took the lead. Lansdowne Road won't intimidate them. I can see losing 2-1. Hope I'm wrong.

I see also looking back at their games that they only drew in Macedonia after conceding a 96th-minute penalty. Thank God for that...

[Noelys Guitar]

We're one or two really good midfielders away from being a very good side. So if we do qualify who knows what the midfield might be come the summer of 2012. Back to the massive game against Armenia. I am delighted the Irish media are bigging Armenia up. They will be the current Barcelona team combined with Brazil 70 by Tuesday night. The good thing about this is it sells tickets and creates a great atmosphere. Almost certainly will be Doyle and Long upfront but don't be surprised if Walters starts instead of Long. Especially if we intend playing mostly long ball stuff. Armenia couldn't handle Pavlyuchenko's aerial ability in the 3-1 win in Russia.

[ArdeeBhoy]

the Rugby chaps failed because they lacked having enough of the right mentality (o.O)

Sorry, what do the 2 circles mean?

[wonder88]

A real test this one. However if we can't win or at least draw, considering we are at home, it will confirm that some of our star players and the manager have been grossly over-rated for a long time. The football played by us in this group has been really bad. But I'll be optimistic for once and go for 2 nil home win as there must be one decent performance in this group of players.

[Bungle]

I think this game will be 1-1. I think we could score early on, but then we'll sit back and give the Armenians lots of time on the ball. They'll equalise and we'll be very lucky to get the draw.

In to the playoffs, but potentially then a much harder draw for us, if we were not one of the seeded teams. Once in the playoffs, I could see another repeat of France games i.e us being awful at home and conceding an away goal and then being heroic away and possibly going out on goal difference.

The importance of a good midfield cannot be underestimated. In most positions, I would say we have decent players with some very good ones, but our central midfield is atrocious. For example, man for man, we're far better in most positions than lets say Scotland, but they have Fletcher/Adam, so if we played them, they'd boss the middle of the park.

[geysir]

Sorry, what do the 2 circles mean?

One small and one large.
A kind of bemused shock.

Not an out and out 2 large eye shock

[geysir]

I see also looking back at their games that they only drew in Macedonia after conceding a 96th-minute penalty. Thank God for that...

They only took the lead in that game with a 90th minute penalty.
Fairs fair.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Ah, thanks.
Where are the smilies anyway on here?

[Dunny]

Would we be seeded for the draw??

[geysir]

So if we get through this game and qualify (as was expected by fans) for the play offs and possibly/probably as a seeded team
A, the manager has been justified, player mentality strong?
or
B, the manager is
1 lucky
2 just a game away from being really exposed
3 should have done better.

My own opinion is that we can give a fair opinion on Trap when the campaign is over, it is results which justify a manager's argument.
The manager's argument is not finished yet and Trap is far from being the anachronistic bogeyman

[Crosby87]

Is this game going to be a sellout? I don't mean to start any bickering I'm just curious.

[paudie]

We probably would be but it depends exactly what countries qualify for playoffs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_Euro_2012_qualifying

[paudie]

According to Sweeney in the Sindo 5 of the last Armenian starting XI play in their own league, which is ranked 50th in Europe. Interesting but the whole team obviously raise their game when playing for the National team.

The first goal will be crucial. If we get it, most likely from a set piece, they will have to attack even more, which may suit our system.

[geysir]

Ah, thanks.
Where are the smilies anyway on here?

In your reply, select go advanced my good man,
then if you want more smilies, click on more