Ireland v Slovakia - Pre Match thread

[BohsPartisan]

Know what you are saying LR but he deserves a chance IMO, and if he wins frees in dangerous positions he's worth the shot.

[clearskies]

given (if he is fit)

finnan
dunne
mcShane
harte
mcgeady
carsley
kilbane
hunt
stokes
doyle

[KopKiller]

I suppose the only fair way to do this is to pick from the squad Staunton has called up, but if i was starting again, i wouldn't start from here.

Shay Given (Newcastle), Nicky Colgan (Barnsley), Colin Doyle (Birmingham City), Paul McShane (West Brom), Richard Dunne (Man City), Steve Finnan (Liverpool), Ian Harte (Levante), Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City), Darren O'Dea (Celtic), John O'Shea (Man United), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan), Stephen Ireland (Man City), Lee Carsley (Everton), Jonathan Douglas (Leeds), Aiden McGeady (Celtic), Stephen Hunt (Reading), Alan Quinn (Sheffield United), Damien Duff (Newcastle), Darron Gibson (Royal Antwerp), Robbie Keane (Tottenham), Anthony Stokes (Sunderland), Kevin Doyle (Reading), Shane Long (Reading), Andy Keogh (Wolves).


But with the squad available,

Given
Finnan Dunne (c) McShane O'Shea
McGeady Carsley Gibson Hunt
Doyle Stokes

If Doyle hasn't got 90 minutes in his legs and will have to come off, I really have to question why there is not another big physical forward in the squad, like Ward or Lee to replace him with. I think dropping Duff might be the kick up the arse he needs, we can't afford any passengers on wednesday.

Has anyone actually seen Gibson playing? i dont know if he deserves a chance at international level, just because he plays (is contracted to) for man u, i mean look at John o'Shea...

[KopKiller]

Christ, just read that Shay is a doubt for wednesday ... thats all we need.

[ChrisRed]

Hunt and McGeady should start in replace of Douglas and Ireland, assuming Ireland is injured. Why Douglas, who is likely to be plying his trade in League 1 next year, was playing ahead of the likes of McGeady and Hunt is beyond me.
It seems to me Stan isn't a big fan of McGeady.

[brine3]

Given is doubtful, pity we don't have Paddy Kenny. (thanks stan) Maybe Dean Kiely could be convinced to come out of international retirement.

I'd play, assuming Ireland is injured...

....................Given

Finnan - McShane - Dunne - O'Shea

...........Carsley - Douglas

.......Hunt - McGeady - Duff

....................Doyle

But Killer is going to get in, isn't he.

Douglas will not be in League 1 next year. Leeds fans I know say he's the only thing that has kept the club from being relegated already.

[Bottle of Tonic]

Agree with that Chris. A few weeks ago we saw McGeady in the San Siro looking like he belonged on that sort of stage, yet Stan will shuffle players into unaccustomed positions to accomodate Douglas, an honest but limited clogger from a team going down to englands third tier. Hunt is worth a start too. He was nearly my man of the match and only played 15 mins. Says it all. Against weaker opposition like Wales and Slovakia we need the likes of himself and McGeady playing to commit defenders and create chances, not a midfield full of grafters who'll do nothing with the ball except pass it sideways to the full backs in order for them to fanny about on the touch line and eventually try and hoof it into the box. Worst game ever played at Croker I'd say.

[Qwerty]

Has anyone actually seen Gibson playing? i dont know if he deserves a chance at international level, just because he plays (is contracted to) for man u, i mean look at John o'Shea...

Only once, he reminded me of Ronnie Whelan. Potential yes. Ready no.

[Fergie's Son]

Sadly, Kilbane will get his game. He was useless yesterday. Hunt played well yesterday for the 15 minutes he was on. He didn't lose the ball. My seats were right by him and he's a tough enough tackler.

Staunton makes me ill. A 4-5-1 at home against Wales is a $@#@ disgrace.

Here's my team for what it is worth (assuming both Keane and Ireland are out):

Given


O'Shea (lb) McShane Dunne Finnan

Duff (lm) Carlsely McGeady Hunt

Doyle Stokes.


Won't happen though. Stan will put Duff up front....the muppet.

[eirebhoy]

Might aswell make this the pre match thread.

Slovakia's Matej Krajcik and Jan Durica Durika are suspended after picking up 2 bookings. I haven't a clue who either player is but anyway. They're also without their best player, Marek Mintal, who's injured.

[geysir]

Cyprus had their goalkeeper sent off at half time against Slovakia.
Less than 3,000 at that game, even after beating Ireland and drawing with Germany.

[McGinty]

it'll still be a strong Slovak side, remember these boys hammered wales 5-1 in Cardiff...

[Soko]

it'll still be a strong Slovak side, remember these boys hammered wales 5-1 in Cardiff...

And beat Cyprus 3-1 in Cyprus. They;d probably put 10 past San Marino too


As Long as he realises he MUST make changes. Saturday was dire and Duff is not a striker. McCarthy got away with as Duff was in the form of his life, he could have playe CB then and been world class. Make changes or we will embarrassed

[charliesboots]

he won't pick this team but this is who and how I think we should play from the squad that prat has picked.

--------------Given------------

Finnan--McShane-Dunne--Harte

-------------Carsley-----------
------Ireland------Kilbane-----

McGeady------------------Duff
-------------Doyle------------

[backstothewall]

Has anyone actually seen Gibson playing? i dont know if he deserves a chance at international level, just because he plays (is contracted to) for man u, i mean look at John o'Shea...

True, i suggest him because he plays midfield, i am led to believe he can be creative, and most importantly, he isn't Kevin Kilbane. If I had picked the squad Stephen McPhail would have been in it and would have been in that position

[paul_oshea]

Worst game ever played at Croker I'd say.

have to agree with this worst ever!!! Also worst ever fans at a game in croker no atmosphere. everytime i got up i was roared at to sit down, even when trying to get people singing. load of sh1te

[TheBoss]

This game is guaranteed goals, Slovakia always score and concede against any teams, You should never try to play for a clean sheet against these, it is about out-scoring them, if we have standard 4-4-2, we will score, 4-5-1, we will lose.

[Scram]

he won't pick this team but this is who and how I think we should play from the squad that prat has picked.

--------------Given------------

Finnan--McShane-Dunne--Harte

-------------Carsley-----------
------Ireland------Kilbane-----

McGeady------------------Duff
-------------Doyle------------

Like that selection a lot , and you're right , he won't pick it.

I'd have Douglas ready to come in for Kilbane but no problem with that 11 and formation, provided Duff and McGeady are told they have to work their respective bo!!ocks off to chase back etc.

[IsMiseSean]

A basic 4-4-2
Given
Finnnan, Dunne, McShane, Harte
Duff, Carsely, Ireland, Hunt
Doyle, Stokes

Stan is probably goin to pick the same team with Doyle in for Keane

I'm not looking forward to this game, I really think this could be a bad night

[Nailer77]

he won't pick this team but this is who and how I think we should play from the squad that prat has picked.

--------------Given------------

Finnan--McShane-Dunne--Harte

-------------Carsley-----------
------Ireland------Kilbane-----

McGeady------------------Duff
-------------Doyle------------

I'd probably go with much the same with maybe O'Shea instead of Harte (althought neither are anyway convincing) and Hunt instead of McGeady, I think he showed he can offer a direct threat in his cameo on Saturday.

If Stephen Ireland is out I'd probably go with Carsley and Kilbane in the middle with Hunt and McGeady either side and Duff up off Doyle.