Ireland V Cyprus - pre- match thread

**geysir** · 14/10/2007, 5:33 PM

Starting off with Dunne and Carsley out suspended.
Shane Long definitely out injured.
Andy Reid is suffering with his ankle.

Return of Hunt and McShane should compensate something.
Would Potter be fit?
Joe O'Brien to midfield maybe.
Liam Miller might get a sniff, if Andy Reid needs a rest.

**Hibs4Ever** · 14/10/2007, 5:41 PM

Given

Finnan - McShane - Joey O'Brien - Kelly

Miller - Reid - Kilbane - Hunt

Keane - Doyle

4-0 Win

**nui-harp** · 14/10/2007, 5:44 PM

Best thing that could happen is for Ireland to get humiliated and beaten 3-0 or along those lines. Shock results are the only way that Stan is going to jump now, he's too thick to see that everyone hates him. A half full stadium would be great also and really hit the FAI where it hurts. Incidently, does anyone know how much a sniper costs? Just incase Delaney doesn't bugger off too.

**zenokelly** · 14/10/2007, 5:53 PM

Originally Posted by nui-harp

Best thing that could happen is for Ireland to get humiliated and beaten 3-0 or along those lines. Shock results are the only way that Stan is going to jump now, he's too thick to see that everyone hates him. A half full stadium would be great also and really hit the FAI where it hurts. Incidently, does anyone know how much a sniper costs? Just incase Delaney doesn't bugger off too.

No, that post is just completely stupid. A 3-0 loss is not the best thing that could happen. You know we're nearly definitely not going to lose. A draw would still be a complete shock and you know it.

A half full stadium does not hit the FAI where it hurts, it has sold most of the tickets its just a question, how many people will turn up?

And I think the sniper thing is just immature. A bit too much GTA?

**** off and just support the team. Stan is not going to walk or be sacked. Deal with it!

**nui-harp** · 14/10/2007, 6:02 PM

Just venting my frustration at a complete tosser being in charge. Someone should ask him that if he was just a normal joe soap in the street, would he be happy with the way the team was being run.

**Armando** · 14/10/2007, 6:04 PM

I really hope Reid lines out. It was a priviledge to pay and watch his performance against Germany. And another performance like that against Cyprus would be worth the entrance fee alone again.

**nui-harp** · 14/10/2007, 6:05 PM

[QUOTE=zenokelly;790079]You know we're nearly definitely not going to lose.QUOTE]

And there is nothing definite yet....we all know wat Stan is or isnt capable of.

**stojkovic** · 14/10/2007, 6:22 PM

McShane back for the suspended Dunne.

Hunt MUST start.

I'd be happy with a 3-0 win, but it DOES NOT, i repeat, DOES NOT compensate for the shambles that this team (management & players) have served up in this campaign.

The fans (loyal, ole olers & event-junkies) have filled Croker and the FAI's coffers. Let the money be well spent with a new stadium and new 'world-class' FAI and manager.

Mr. Delaney, you will not sell the tickets next time around, if you Sir are still around.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/10/2007, 6:55 PM

This is the team I'd like to see line out.

Code:

              Given
Finnan   McShane O'Brien  Kilbane
McGeady  Reid    Miller   Hunt
         Keane   Doyle

While I think Keogh improved as the match went on yesterday, with Long out of the game on wednesday, we'll have no recognised striker on the bench if he starts. Of course, he could still start on the right and McGeady could get introduced for Doyle or Keane with Keogh going up front.
From the highlights of the Cyprus game I saw on Sky Sports, their main threat came from crosses from the left wing, so McGeady will have to play more defensively than he normally does for Ireland, but there's enough attacking talent in the midfield + forward line to score against Cyprus, compare it to the team that lined out for Wales against Cyprus:

Code:

Nyatanga Ledley  Robinson Davies 
         Bellamy Eastwood

Apart from possibly Bellamy, you wouldn't pick any one of those ahead of the Irish players

**conlonn** · 14/10/2007, 7:51 PM

Given

Finnan - McShane - Joey O'Brien - Kelly

Miller - Reid - Kilbane - Hunt

Keane - Doyle

Agree with this team, altohugh I would only bring Keane on to make him think about his miss last night. Also Stan (Ginger gimp) may not start Miller or maybe even Hunt. Do not know why, Have they fallen out with him? He will prob start Douglas. Why does he start an 11 bring on three subs for one game then for the next game he changes everything around, there is no consistency in selection. Is it Bobby Robson's influence????

**Morbo** · 14/10/2007, 9:08 PM

Given

Finnan - McShane - A O'Brien - Kilbane

Miller - Reid - Joey O'Brien - Hunt

Long - Keogh

Whats the story with AOB is he injured? Anyway there isn't much at stake so we might as well experiment and give Long and Keogh a go up front and see how JOB does in midfield

**Noelys Guitar** · 14/10/2007, 9:09 PM

Watched the Cyprus v Wales game and Wales at the back were a shambles. Almost a carbon copy of our performance out there. We should beat Cyprus. But I would'nt put the house on it. And it will be a completely different game from the German one. This will be a very tricky one and Stan could be found wanting on both tactics and selections.

**NeilMcD** · 14/10/2007, 9:28 PM

Kilbane in centre midfield against Cyprus, do you not remember what happened the last time Kilbane played centre mid against Cyprus.

**tetsujin1979** · 14/10/2007, 9:37 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Kilbane in centre midfield against Cyprus, do you not remember what happened the last time Kilbane played centre mid against Cyprus.

I remember he had Stephen Ireland beside him, and Andy Reid is far more defensively minded. Kilbane has performed well in central midfield when he has a defensive partner beside him, I wouldn't play him there, but I wouldn't
be disappointed to see him line out there either. With the squad Stan has picked and the ensuing injuries and suspensions, central midfielders are a bit thin on the ground. Given the alternatives (Douglas/Miller/Potter) who would you pick, and why?

**eirebhoy** · 14/10/2007, 9:55 PM

I agree with tets. There's a big difference between Ireland-Kilbane and Reid-Kilbane. Reid will naturally be in good positions. Kilbane can just follow his line. Kilbane played beside Potter in America and you could see the difference.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 14/10/2007, 9:55 PM

Given

Finnan McShane O'Shea Kilbane

Keane Reid O'Brien Hunt

Keogh Long

**NeilMcD** · 14/10/2007, 10:18 PM

I would play Joey O Brien and Andy Reid in the centre and Hunt on the left with Kilbane behind him and O Shea and McShane at centre back with Finnan at right back. I would play Liam Miller on the right and I would Keogh and Keane or Keogh and Doyle.

Given

Finnan O Shea Mc Shane Kilbane

Miller O Brien Reid Hunt

Keogh Doyle/Keane