Ireland v Slovakia - Pre Match thread

**Torn-Ado** · 27/03/2007, 2:42 PM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

that begs another question. are we capable of successifully playing any other system than 4-4-2?

Yes. Against many sides we reverted to a 11-0-0 system.

Never really worked.

**Nailer77** · 27/03/2007, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by galwayhoop

in fairness nailer the players who are playing tomorrow were named. there was no insuination as to their positions. i won't hold my breath on them lining up in their correct positions!

No and I wouldn't be either. I said that more in hope than with any conviction. Its how we should line up but whether we will or not is another matter.

**geysir** · 27/03/2007, 2:47 PM

It's more attack minded team than what faced Wales. We have made progress of sorts, the luxury of having Hunt on the bench instead of O'Brien.

**galwayhoop** · 27/03/2007, 2:47 PM

as i said successifully playing any other systam than 4-4-2. i can't really remember our players being as comfortable without it. not a negative just an observation

**DotTV** · 27/03/2007, 2:49 PM

Hunt is unlucky not to start but I think he's a great asset to have on the bench.
I think Ireland playing off Doyle with mcGeady and Duff on the wings is the way to go but he could also play Kilbane on the left, put Doyle and Duff up front with Ireland and carsely in the middle, mcGeady on the right.

With McGeady and Doyle we should have great pace going forward.

**NeilMcD** · 27/03/2007, 2:49 PM

I would say under Staunton we have not played well under a 4 4 2 yet. Our best performances defensively have been Sweden Czechs and Wales and they were all 4 5 1 or modifications of that.

**DotTV** · 27/03/2007, 2:50 PM

Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 looks like a decent bet too!

**ChrisRed** · 27/03/2007, 2:53 PM

Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has named his side to face Slovakia in Croke Park on Wednesday.

The suspended Robbie Keane has been replaced by Reading striker Kevin Doyle, while Celtic starlet has been drafted in to the starting line-up at the expense of Leeds United midfielder Jonathan Douglas.

In Keane's absence, Shay Given will lead out the team after recovering from a knee injury sustained in a collision with Welsh striker Craig Bellamy.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (v Slovakia): Given, O'Shea, Dunne, McShane, Finnan, Carsley, Kilbane, Ireland, McGeady, Duff, Doyle.

**Torn-Ado** · 27/03/2007, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by DotTV

Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 looks like a decent bet too!

Nah.

1-0 or 1-1 me thinks

**mickdlk** · 27/03/2007, 3:00 PM

Agree with stan with 2 exceptions, should be 442, with Kilbane relaced for Stokes and o shea and finnan to switch full backs, like everyone else agrees with, although good to see he finally starts McGeady[he is a fantastic talent, better than Duff at his age]

**cavan_fan** · 27/03/2007, 3:01 PM

I now expect this to be a 4-4-1-1 with Ireland behind Doyle, hopefully he gives Doyle enough support as I dont think we have a player capable of playing on his own up front (except Morisson??)

**TeamOfStevens** · 27/03/2007, 3:07 PM

Why are we so scared of the Slovakians?

They've scored a couple more goals than Ireland in qualifying so far but have conceded more too.
They are weak in the back having let in more goals then everyone else bar San Marino and Cyprus.
They managed a 'comeback' against Cyprus only after the Cypriot keeper was sent off giving them a one man advantage (damn, even we could have done that!...well, then again???)
They were well beaten by Czech at home while we held them off. Germany hockeyed them, we didn't fair too bad.

Looks like their heavy wins against Cyprus and Wales have scared the beejaysus out of us all then.

Come on lads, if Stan picks the right team, there's no reason we shouldn't beat them if we play to our abilities. On paper, we are the better side, Ignoring FIFA rankings.

And besides, the player who has hit the most shots off target in the whole EURO 2008 qualifying campaign out of every country, Robbie Keane, won't be there to go out of position and miss a load of shots.

**Torn-Ado** · 27/03/2007, 3:11 PM

I read on another site that it has been said on the Irish sports news that there will be five in themiddle tommorrow.

Looks like:

Given

O Shea Dunne McShane Finnan

McGeady Carsley Ireland Kilbane Duff

Doyle

Maybe

**TeamOfStevens** · 27/03/2007, 3:12 PM

Not bad but what about Hunt?? He was very effective down that left side when he came on against Wales.

**NeilMcD** · 27/03/2007, 3:13 PM

Lads do we really expect Staunton to tell the Slovaks exactly how he is going to play. The team is nicely ambiguous for the Slovaks to not be sure how he is going to go.

**Torn-Ado** · 27/03/2007, 3:16 PM

A lot of their players are playing with mediocre clubs in mediocre leagues. In saying that, they will be a lot more skilful and technically gifted than the Irish.

**gufct** · 27/03/2007, 3:16 PM

id say Stephen Ireland will be taking up a more forward role than saturday.

**NeilMcD** · 27/03/2007, 3:19 PM

It could very similar to Scotland V Georgia on Saturday.

**Pablo** · 27/03/2007, 3:19 PM

Further proof the man is an incompetent idiot. Steven Hunt should have been the first name on his team sheet.

And why not play Douglas? He chose 2 holding midfielders against Wales but then drops them against a technically better footballing team? The one situation where it would almost be a good idea.

Idiot.

**Nailer77** · 27/03/2007, 3:23 PM

On paper we should be a match for them, but footballs not about whats on paper its about how you make the best of what you have. If we do that we're easily in with a shout but we haven't done it up to now.