Ireland v Czech Republic

Raskolnikov · 13-02-2012 11:19pm

paddy kerins wrote: »

Ah right. Was wondering why he didn't get the nod ahead of Duffy

Most of his games for Villa have been in central midfield, so I doubt he is in the frame to to take the place of central defence.

briany · 14-02-2012 3:48am

It's a real pity about Dunne being out but since he knows the system so well, it's a better time to be injured than with only weeks to the Euros. That said, it would've been nice to see him in there for any tactical experiments, if any, Trap might try.

I can't think that Trap is taking any player out of loyalty. When we saw his post match interview in Estonia, what we saw was a very emotional man who believed in his players and who's players returned that belief by being totally dedicated and passionate. He's really the first manager since Jack who has been able to instill that kind of group mentality in his players right from the outset. However, that group has remained largely unchanged since he took over, certainly the starting XI, he was picking Whelan and Andrews almost right from the outset and consistently from then on when fit even though there were all the other options so he obviously does, and always has, see something there. I'm not sure what that is exactly with the likes of Whelan, Andrews or Keogh but at this stage I'm happy enough to wait and see whether his faith in them is justified at the Euros.

That_Guy · 14-02-2012 2:22pm

From 3 Football's Facebook page.

Not long now ‘til Three and the FAI release 1,000 tickets for €10 (booking charges will apply) for the friendly against the Czech Republic in Aviva Stadium on February 29th! Just before 3pm today we’ll be posting the live link to where you can buy the €10 tickets. Happy Valentine's Day!

http://www.facebook.com/3Football

IRISHSPORTSGUY · 14-02-2012 4:34pm

I wonder if McClean scores, say, 10 goals this season for SAFC (already has 4) and Stephen Hunt stays glued to the Wolves bench what will happen.

Rhys Essien · 20-02-2012 7:05pm

So Paul Green gave an interview a few days ago about his desire to be recalled by Trap,and today low and behold.

The mind boggles with Trap,Green is not international standard.
Meyler,Clark,Wilson and Hoolahan must be gutted.Also Robbie Brady.

Maybe these players should be ringing up the Sunday World or whoever next time round.

briany · 20-02-2012 7:54pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

So Paul Green gave an interview a few days ago about his desire to be recalled by Trap,and today low and behold.

The mind boggles with Trap,Green is not international standard.
Meyler,Clark,Wilson and Hoolahan must be gutted.Also Robbie Brady.

Maybe these players should be ringing up the Sunday World or whoever next time round.

You know that Green is bad when he makes Whelan/Andrews look good. Actually, that's not fair to say because Whelan and Andrews can play but under most circumstances, as it pertains to Ireland, they are told not to and to break up play, to give defensive cover etc. Maybe then that's why Green was called up, because he's the type of player who fits that role as it's a role that doesn't demand as much wit and skill, qualities that Green probably wouldn't and couldn't attempt to call on where a flightier CM might and we know how Trap feels about players who don't adhere to his word and his system. Still, because he's been so clumsy and so mistake prone in his appearances for Ireland, I'm a bit shocked and disappointed that he got the call up even though he probably will just be a bench warmer, if that.

The_Kew_Tour · 20-02-2012 8:13pm

Green should never have even got a smell of getting back into the squad after his performance against Russia alone.

corcaigh07 · 20-02-2012 9:11pm

at least mcclean is getting a chance, maybe just to be part of the squad this time around but still....

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2012/0220/republicofireland.html

markie29 · 22-02-2012 7:01pm

a limited amount of tickets are available on ticketmaster for 10euro for this game.
i got 2 and seats are on east stand lower level.

http://www.ticketmaster.ie/Republic-of-Ireland-tickets/artist/1123642

darkman2 · 26-02-2012 7:06pm

RTÉ Soccer ‏ @RTEsoccer Close
@RTEsoccer: Giovanni Trapattoni is to give James McClean and Shane Duffy their Rep of Ireland debuts on Wednesday.

McClean and Duffy to both make debuts according to RTE soccer twitter feed.

Rhys Essien · 26-02-2012 7:12pm

Who did Trap call up to replace Gibson.As ever predictable.....Nobody.

briany · 26-02-2012 7:22pm

Rhys Essien wrote: »

Who did Trap call up to replace Gibson.As ever predictable.....Nobody.

Wish he had nobody instead of Paul Green. That would be sweet.

Professional Griefer · 27-02-2012 7:11am

Looking forward to this, first ever Ireland match.

Rekop dog · 27-02-2012 1:19pm

Is there a midfielder in the English football league whose played over 20 games with a better goals to game ratio than Andrews?

Jesus Shaves · 27-02-2012 1:39pm

Rekop dog wrote: »

Is there a midfielder in the English football league whose played over 20 games with a better goals to game ratio than Andrews?

Van Der Vaart

Rekop dog · 27-02-2012 1:42pm

darokane wrote: »

Van Der Vaart

This season! I probably should have added that.

Stevecw · 27-02-2012 6:11pm

sugarman wrote: »

Westwood & Kelly are out according to RTE news, ontop of Gibson...

...Squads looking fairly bare now, replacements should definately be called in.

Would be no harm having Brian Murphy, Darren Randolph, Colin Doyle or someone as a third choice keeper. We already know what Given can do by now, time to give the younger lads a run out.

Same goes for defence, Marc wilson should be givin a shout since theres a void in the back & middle of the field now.

Murphy & Doyle are not getting games with their clubs. Randolph is doing ok in a poor league, either him or Henderson who is after taking over as Portsmouth keeper last few months could be brought in if a 3rd choice is really needed. But prob no need for 3 keepers for a friendly.

Just hope McShane is not called in to take Kellys place, but would say Trap wud go for McShane before Wilson.

eire4 · 27-02-2012 7:49pm

Stevecw wrote: »

Murphy & Doyle are not getting games with their clubs. Randolph is doing ok in a poor league, either him or Henderson who is after taking over as Portsmouth keeper last few months could be brought in if a 3rd choice is really needed. But prob no need for 3 keepers for a friendly.

Just hope McShane is not called in to take Kellys place, but would say Trap wud go for McShane before Wilson.

Randolph was excellent for Motherwell on Saturday against Celtic. It would easily have been 3-0 if not for him.

Fratton Fred · 27-02-2012 10:48pm

Apparently Stephen Henderson has been called up to the squad.

Jimmy Iovine · 28-02-2012 3:16pm

Starting XI taken from the FAI's facebook page.

Starting XI for the Czech Republic match tomorrow: Given, O'Shea, O'Dea, St. Ledger, Ward, Duff, Whelan, Andrews, McGeady, Keane and Long. Come on Ireland!!!

Won't be too far off the starting team for the championships imo. Hopefully we see a few changes at the half.

Pinturicchio · 28-02-2012 3:32pm

What is the point of this match if that is the line up? What does anyone learn from it? Fairly ridiculous really.

Jesus Shaves · 28-02-2012 3:45pm

Pinturicchio wrote: »

What is the point of this match if that is the line up? What does anyone learn from it? Fairly ridiculous really.

the point is to keep as high up the fifa ranking table for future tournament qualifying seedings.

Rekop dog · 28-02-2012 3:51pm

You guys are crazy. You'd swear these play together week in week out the way you're going on, the truth is they only meet up every month or so. The more game time our likely Euro starting 11 have together so that's Traps system is like second nature to them the better. People always find something to moan about. I'd take our situation any day over say England's were it's anyones guess whose going to make the starting 11 come the Euros.

Pinturicchio · 28-02-2012 3:55pm

darokane wrote: »

the point is to keep as high up the fifa ranking table for future tournament qualifying seedings.

No wonder they can't sell the tickets...

Corholio · 28-02-2012 5:04pm

Rekop dog wrote: »

You guys are crazy. You'd swear these play together week in week out the way you're going on, the truth is they only meet up every month or so. The more game time our likely Euro starting 11 have together so that's Traps system is like second nature to them the better. People always find something to moan about. I'd take our situation any day over say England's were it's anyones guess whose going to make the starting 11 come the Euros.

Second nature to them? If it's not second nature to them by now then something is very wrong, considering it was almost the same team for every single qualifier. Not to mention they were in training camps before the games too. Personally, I don't have a problem with the starting line-up, the problem I do have is, knowing Trap, he will be very slow to try anyone else at all.

ronsgonawin · 28-02-2012 6:03pm

Rekop dog wrote: »

You guys are crazy. You'd swear these play together week in week out the way you're going on, the truth is they only meet up every month or so. The more game time our likely Euro starting 11 have together so that's Traps system is like second nature to them the better. People always find something to moan about. I'd take our situation any day over say England's were it's anyones guess whose going to make the starting 11 come the Euros.

We will see now if trap pays any attention. If he doesnt play keane in between midfield and long, as he did for the whole time he was at villa, and played his best football in years then its goes to show he is worse than I thought he is.

WoollyRedHat · 28-02-2012 6:20pm

Robbie Keane is instrumental up front for us though

Pro. F · 28-02-2012 6:24pm

ronsgonawin wrote: »

We will see now if trap pays any attention. If he doesnt play keane in between midfield and long, as he did for the whole time he was at villa, and played his best football in years then its goes to show he is worse than I thought he is.

Whatever reasons or arguments you might have, you should discount any idea that Trap might change his formation. He hasn't shown any inclination to do so yet and he always talks about players ''learning/knowing the system''.

ronsgonawin · 28-02-2012 8:00pm

Robbie has been a legend for Ireland but he showed with his time with villa that he has an eye for a pass and can still score while dropping deeper. With long's the pace the could be a great partnership.

clsmooth · 28-02-2012 8:06pm

Which channels is this on?

Ireland v Czech Republic

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