Ireland v Wales pre-match thread

**Golfer** · 20/03/2007, 9:03 PM

Doyle called up this evening Henderson with a thumb ligament damage.

**pineapple stu** · 20/03/2007, 10:45 PM

He replaces Nicky Colgan according to the Birmingham site?

**eirebhoy** · 21/03/2007, 5:46 PM

Strachan on O'Dea:

"Darren can play at that level, no problem at all.

This is a fantastic chance for him. He's certainly having a great time of it just now, playing at the San Siro, getting a new contract, and now receiving this call-up from his country."

Pressley on O'Dea:

"Darren is a fantastic prospect. He is a lad with an old head on his young shoulders.

He is level- headed and has acquitted himself superbly since coming into the team.

After the game in Milan, I said to him that his performance was one of the best I've seen from a young player at that level. I was really delighted for him.

To top all of this off, he has been named in the Irish squad, which is fantastic for him.

Darren has a big future, and if he continues to improve and learn, he will certainly turn out to be a fantastic player for this club."

O'Dea on his progress:

"I'm happy with my progress at the moment, but all I've done is play first-team football for six months.

I look at certain players in the top team at the moment and they have been playing at the top level for 13 or 14 years.

I've achieved nothing yet. I need to kick on, work harder, train harder and move to the next level."

and O'Dea on being dropped after Milan game:

"Steven deserved to go back in. He'd done nothing wrong and the only reason I was playing against Milan was because he was cup-tied."

**carloz** · 21/03/2007, 8:31 PM

Persnally id like a defence that would somehow accomodate Finnan, Dunne, O'Dea and mcShane. For two young players McShane and O'Dea have extrely good attitudes towards the game. If only that attitude would rub off on Robbie Keane

**DeNiro** · 21/03/2007, 9:11 PM

My team for saturday would be

Given

Finnan - McShane - Dunne - Kilbane / Harte (only for free kick value)

McGeady - Ireland - Carsley - Duff.

Doyle - Keane

I do have concerns about an over attacking midfield but I rather see that than John O'Shea

in it. I reckon, with no injuries to anyone, Staunton has to make some real calls in this game. Does he drop McShane for O'Shea? Will he drop Kilbane? It's real make or break stuff but he put himself in this position.

**dr_peepee** · 22/03/2007, 5:07 AM

Stan won't drop O'Shea or Kilbane.... It's the only consistency of his tenure thus far!!

**ParkLife** · 22/03/2007, 8:13 AM

Is it just me or do the goals look like they've been moved to the bloody half way line.I was expecting them to be moved some way up the pitch obviously,but not that far.Looking at pics in the papers yesterday and it looks ridiculous. It seems that anyone in the Canal End are getting shafted,myself included.Has anyone any links to pics of the pitch,preferably an aerial view.

**citizenerased** · 22/03/2007, 8:26 AM

He was also continiously giving the ball away as he always does with sloppy stray passes...I dont know how he can start both O'Shea and Kilbane, Id say Kilbane will make way...Do you not remember Kilbane playing left back against the dutch, he directly caused 2 of the goals, horrendus...

**eirebhoy** · 22/03/2007, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by ParkLife

Is it just me or do the goals look like they've been moved to the bloody half way line.I was expecting them to be moved some way up the pitch obviously,but not that far.Looking at pics in the papers yesterday and it looks ridiculous. It seems that anyone in the Canal End are getting shafted,myself included.Has anyone any links to pics of the pitch,preferably an aerial view.

Hampden Park:
http://www.thesonsofscotland.co.uk/i...ampden%207.jpg

Most of the play is in the middle of the park. It can't be that bad.

**NeilMcD** · 22/03/2007, 9:43 AM

Lads I think Wales are going to play a 5 3 2

of Duffy Nytanga Collins Collins Bale

Davies Robinson Fletcher

Giggs Bellamy

I think we should play 3 in central midfield to win the midfield battle .

**tetsujin1979** · 22/03/2007, 9:48 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Lads I think Wales are going to play a 5 3 2

of Duffy Nytanga Collins Collins Bale

Davies Robinson Fletcher

Giggs Bellamy

I think we should play 3 in central midfield to win the midfield battle .

have Wales played a 5-3-2, or 3-5-2 under Toshack?

**NeilMcD** · 22/03/2007, 9:51 AM

Yeah most of the time. I have seen them.

**eirebhoy** · 22/03/2007, 9:53 AM

I'm guessing it's a bit of a 4-1-3-2 with one of the central defenders playing a role like Caldwell did for Scotland against France.

**Jerry The Saint** · 22/03/2007, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by ParkLife

Is it just me or do the goals look like they've been moved to the bloody half way line.I was expecting them to be moved some way up the pitch obviously,but not that far.Looking at pics in the papers yesterday and it looks ridiculous. It seems that anyone in the Canal End are getting shafted,myself included.

That was a training pitch maybe

Laid out for 5-a-sides. Pitch will still need to be centered in the same way, otherwise the Ard Cohmairle wouldn't have the best seats

Papers reported that the goal line will sit on the 21-yard line at each end to avoid confusion. So Canal End seats are further from the Canal goal but nearer to the Railway End goal than for GAA games.

**eirebhoy** · 22/03/2007, 10:34 AM

I think it's pretty clear if Robson had his way he wouldn't play Kilbane. It came across in an interview after the San Marino match that he would have played Hunt instead of Kilbane. Yesterday he was talking about our best players...

"We want Robbie Keane and Damien Duff, John O'Shea, McGeady if he plays, and Ireland and Lee Carsley to be at their best. As I said, the power of your team is in your best players."

Kilbane is our most experienced outfield player (I think) yet Robson doesn't include him in that list along with the rest of our midfield.

**citizenerased** · 22/03/2007, 10:37 AM

I wouldnt have him in the list either if its any comfort...

**galwayhoop** · 22/03/2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

So Canal End seats are further from the Canal goal but nearer to the Railway End goal than for GAA games.

refreshingly Jerry you have found the half-full glass! Kudos

**NeilMcD** · 22/03/2007, 11:54 AM

Staunton reports clean bill of health

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Steve Staunton should have a clean bill of health when the Republic of Ireland take on Wales at Croke Park on Saturday afternoon.

Staunton put his squad through their paces in Malahide this morning with Paul McShane and Stephen Ireland, both injury concerns earlier in the week, playing a full part part. The two are expected to be fully fit for the visit of John Toshack's side.

Staunton will run the rule over his players in one final training session at GAA headquarters tomorrow but is not expected to name his starting line-up until shortly before Saturday's 3pm kick-off.

Further details to follo