Ireland v Slovakia - Friday September 2nd - 19:45

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Provisional Republic of Ireland squad

Goalkeepers
Shay Given
David Forde
Keiren Westwood

Defenders
Ciaran Clark
Damien Delaney
Richard Dunne
Kevin Foley
Stephen Kelly
Kevin Kilbane
Paul McShane :mad:
Darren O’Dea
John O’Shea
Stephen Ward
Sean St. Ledger

Midfielders
Keith Andrews
Damien Duff
Keith Fahey
Darron Gibson
Stephen Hunt
Andy Keogh :mad:
Liam Lawrence
James McCarthy
Aiden McGeady
Keith Treacy
Glenn Whelan
Marc Wilson

Forwards
Simon Cox
Kevin Doyle
Robbie Keane
Shane Long
Jon Walters

Even though the match is still 19 days away, may as well start it early due to the significance. Win and we should be odds-on for another play-off and go to Moscow knowing a victory, albeit unlikely, will virtually send us to Poland/Ukraine.

Predictions? Even though we're a limited team ourselves, having watched Slovakia's games throughout the campaign, I would be extremely disappointed with anything less than 3 points.

Carroller16

will be in Salou watching this game :-)

briany

Nearly ten years to the day that the Irish team overcame a much fancied Dutch side in what turned out to be the pivotal game of Ireland's successful WC qualifying campaign. A fixture against the Slovaks doesn't quite have the same sort of gravitas to it but it's every bit as important, perhaps more so, because it is the the potential springboard to break an even longer qualifying duck.

Hate to condone vandalism, but what say someone "compromises" the floodlights in the Aviva so that the game has to be moved to a 3PM kick off? Could be lucky. :pac:

Predalien

I really hope that if there are any withdrawals that Hoolahan gets a call-up, he could prove very usful for the last twenty minutes against Slovakia if we need a goal.

dsmythy

briany wrote: »

Nearly ten years to the day that the Irish team overcame a much fancied Dutch side in what turned out to be the pivotal game of Ireland's successful WC qualifying campaign.:

Last time we beat someone in a higher pot than us in qualifiers. It's been a while...

briany

dsmythy wrote: »

Last time we beat someone in a higher pot than us in qualifiers. It's been a while...

True. And in living memory, I don't think I've ever seen Ireland beat a higher seeded team away from home in qualifying. Yes you could technically say France in that we beat them over a 90 minute period but never felt like a victory, did it? Aside from a couple of minnow teams, that must be some kind of record.

paddy kerins

What does Hoolahan have to do to get called up?

paddy kerins

sugarman wrote: »

Thats actually a good point, we have'nt beaten any higher seeded team away from home in a good 10+ years now.

Closed we came were France in 2006 WCQ (0-0) & then Italy in 2010 WCQ (1-1)... We could tech count the playoff as a win away.

Did we draw with Germany in 08 home or away? cant remember.

Lost 1-0. Which isn't bad considering Staunton was in charge

steelcityblues

paddy kerins wrote: »

What does Hoolahan have to do to get called up?

Learn how to flatter Trap in Italian.

joshrogan

We'll beat Slovakia and Russia extending our unbeaten streak.

tolosenc

We have currently the best defence Ireland have ever had. Slovakia managed 1 goal against Andorra. I don't think they pose any risk of scoring

Given - Ward Dunne O'Shea Foley - McGeady Fahey McCarthy Duff - Keane Doyle

Let's also pray that Russia slip up against Pandev and Co. A draw in that one, a win for us, and all we need is a draw in Moscow and the group would be as good as ours (I have full confidence that we can beat Armenia at home if it boils down to it.)

IRISHSPORTSGUY

tolosenc wrote: »

We have currently the best defence Ireland have ever had. Slovakia managed 1 goal against Andorra. I don't think they pose any risk of scoring

Given - Ward Dunne O'Shea Foley - McGeady Fahey McCarthy Duff - Keane Doyle

Let's also pray that Russia slip up against Pandev and Co. A draw in that one, a win for us, and all we need is a draw in Moscow and the group would be as good as ours (I have full confidence that we can beat Armenia at home if it boils down to it.)

I'd love to see that line-up, sadly no chance. I don't think Trap trusts Fahey to be disciplined in that role. McCarthy may be by far our most talented central midfielder and should be an automatic starter despite his inexperience at international level, but again, conservative is Trap's middle name. I'd even go as far as saying he'll probably start Kilbane over Ward because of his 'experience'. If I know how Trap's mind works, he'll want to play it safe going into such a crucial match.

parker kent

paddy kerins wrote: »

What does Hoolahan have to do to get called up?

Grow 6 inches, start giving the ball away and sit on the bench for his club team.

briany

McCarthy may be the best but his commitment has been quite rightly called into question and therefore his international standing has been compromised. Much rather have a limited player who gives one hundred percent of what they have to give than a great player who may or may not be bothered. It's why when Kilbane hangs up his boots, people will laud his career on this very forum even though many here think of him as the international equivalent of the jinxy fat kid at P.E. Cause his commitment and will are always top notch, even though he is physically no longer up to scratch perhaps.

Hank Scorpio

must win game, hate the fact that it's weeks away!

TheRedDevil10

Looks like Leon Best and Anthony Stokes have now been completely frozen out of the squad.

MickShamrock

Feel we will win this one. Unless there are injuries I think this will be the starting line-up we will see:

Given - Ward Dunne St. Ledger O'Shea - McGeady Whelan Andrews Duff - Keane Doyle

I think Kilbane might finally be dropped! :pac:

TheRedDevil10

SIXTY euro for the lower tier :mad:

kerosene

60 euro is steep, is that the cheapest ticket?

NufcNavan

To be fair lads it's been that price for all our home qualifiers so far.

briany

Would the FAI be able to control the price of their ticket allocation if Ireland qualify for Euro 2012? If so, I predict scandal.

tolosenc

TheRedDevil10 wrote: »

Looks like Leon Best and Anthony Stokes have now been completely frozen out of the squad.

Leon Best is alright. Stokes can and should forget it. His attitude sucks donkey balls.

steelcityblues

tolosenc wrote: »

Leon Best is alright. Stokes can and should forget it. His attitude sucks donkey balls.

Apart from maybe Simon Cox, neither player could be considered better than the other forwards in the squad. No big absentees, either.

Nunu

kerosene wrote: »

60 euro is steep, is that the cheapest ticket?

No, 45euro behind either goal and you can get a child ticket for 10euro when bought with an adult ticket.

KungPao

This is the type of game where we need to grab it by the bollocks and go for the win...not think "a point will be enough".

We have a huge chance of potentially winning the group, so beating Slovakia at home should be the minimum target on the 2nd of September.

With the added confidence of that, and if we have a full strength team, they could do a number on Russia.

And then keep the heads for the Armenia and Andorra games...

I live in hope.

briany

KungPao wrote: »

This is the type of game where we need to grab it by the bollocks and go for the win...not think "a point will be enough".

We have a huge chance of potentially winning the group, so beating Slovakia at home should be the minimum target on the 2nd of September.

With the added confidence of that, and if we have a full strength team, they could do a number on Russia.

And then keep the heads for the Armenia and Andorra games...

I live in hope.

A win against Slovakia and a point against Russia, and it would be all to play for in terms of winning the group because Slovakia still have Russia to play at home. A draw against Slovakia and a loss against Russia, however, would make for a very turbulent end to the campaign and a real scrap for second place, hoping other results go our way.

KungPao

briany wrote: »

A win against Slovakia and a point against Russia, and it would be all to play for in terms of winning the group because Slovakia still have Russia to play at home. A draw against Slovakia and a loss against Russia, however, would make for a very turbulent end to the campaign and a real scrap for second place, hoping other results go our way.

Nightmare scenario right there.

There is a chance we could be comfortably beaten by Russia, so it's vital we do our absolute best to get the win against Slovakia.

Even if we win this one and lose against Russia we'd be in the mix for the playoffs.

But to get 1 point from this double header would be curtains I think.

flas

was looking forward to going to this, but il be at a wedding on the other side of the country! ah well, can see a good crowd in the hotel bar all screaming at the tv! the poor bride! if Ireland win, it will be the biggest cheer of the day!

Joeyjoejoe43

TheRedDevil10 wrote: »

Looks like Leon Best and Anthony Stokes have now been completely frozen out of the squad.

Leon Best is ****e.. We have Long, Doyle, Keane and Cox. No room for either of the above IMO, unless there are injuries to the 4 I mentioned..

briany

KungPao wrote: »

Nightmare scenario right there.

There is a chance we could be comfortably beaten by Russia, so it's vital we do our absolute best to get the win against Slovakia.

Even if we win this one and lose against Russia we'd be in the mix for the playoffs.

But to get 1 point from this double header would be curtains I think.

While the former scenario would obviously be preferable, I wouldn't quite say curtains because Slovakia would still have to play Macedonia away. They only managed to scrape a last minute goal against them last time and Slovakia's form against the smaller teams thus far has not been great. They were beaten 3-1 by Armenia away and only managed to beat Andorra by a goal at home plus the aforementioned result.

Ireland, on the other hand, have been able to do the business twice against Macedonia and have also, perhaps crucially, beaten Armenia away and that's something the other two teams at the top have failed to do.

However, we have also lost to Russia, which leaves things so damned even at the moment. A win against Slovakia would pretty much negate that result, though, which is what makes it a could-win-should-win-must-win game. A draw against Russia would tee things up beautifully because it leaves Ireland going into two relatively easy ties while Slovakia and Russia will head off. If the results have been kind to us, then they will both be fighting tooth and nail to both keep their chances alive, hopefully resulting in stalemate. This result, provided that Ireland beat Andorra on the same night, would see Ireland go top. Then it's simply up to Ireland to beat Armenia at home, a fixture which hopefully would see a great turnout of support and optimism.

When it's all said and done ,though, a realistic chance of 1st or 2nd place does hinge on the Slovakia game. That way, even if Ireland lost to Russia and it was for second place, the head to head record would back Ireland up.

tolosenc

Ireland beat Slovakia, Russia beat Ireland, Slovakia beat Russia and we're potentially out on our ear (if we beat Andorra and Armenia, Russia beat Macedonia and Andorra, and Slovakia beat Macedonia and Armenia). That's why 4 points from the next 2 games is an absolute minimum.

TheRedDevil10

keith andrews scored for Ipswich and David Connolly scored for Southampton tonight

briany

tolosenc wrote: »

Ireland beat Slovakia, Russia beat Ireland, Slovakia beat Russia and we're potentially out on our ear (if we beat Andorra and Armenia, Russia beat Macedonia and Andorra, and Slovakia beat Macedonia and Armenia). That's why 4 points from the next 2 games is an absolute minimum.

I think it's unlikely that Slovakia will beat Russia. I think they seriously caught Russia on the hop in their last game. It's certainly not to say it's impossible but Russia will be looking for revenge at the least.

Could it be that we end up with :

Slovakia 22
Russia 22
Ireland 22

With the third place team out even though they have a better head to head record against the top team and the same number of points? That would have to be the most sickening way Ireland has exited a tournament in the last 22 months!

CSF

I don't see Slovakia going to Macedonia and winning. A win against them should pretty much seal 2nd spot, in spite of the fact that it doesn't necessarily do so even if we win all our games.

briany

CSF wrote: »

I don't see Slovakia going to Macedonia and winning. A win against them should pretty much seal 2nd spot, in spite of the fact that it doesn't necessarily do so even if we win all our games.

I wouldn't be confident of them winning either but it's certainly not a result I would want to be counting on.

paddy kerins

TheRedDevil10 wrote: »

keith andrews scored for Ipswich and David Connolly scored for Southampton tonight

Starting XI

JohnnyRyan99

Would have no problems with Walters on the field, every time i've seen him for Stoke he's impressed... Clearly Keane, Long and Doyle are first choice but I think he's great back-up!

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Seeing Andrews on the teamsheet will never inspire, but at least he's getting his game and probably full of confidence after scoring a couple of goals since his move to Ipswich. I'd be gutted if Gibson started instead. And speaking of Darron Gibson, it's all gone quiet on his transfer front. Almost 24 and still hasn't gotten a full season of regular first team football week in, week out at a high standard.

ScummyMan

I can see us doing all the hard work, beating Slovakia,







then making a balls of Armenia at home :mad:

Cypher_sounds

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

Seeing Andrews on the teamsheet will never inspire, but at least he's getting his game and probably full of confidence after scoring a couple of goals since his move to Ipswich. I'd be gutted if Gibson started instead. And speaking of Darron Gibson, it's all gone quiet on his transfer front. Almost 24 and still hasn't gotten a full season of regular first team football week in, week out at a high standard.

No way should Gibson be anywhere near the first 11, he got his chance for United last season and never showed anything more than having a decent shot on him, his time is up as a united player as far as i can see with better younger players coming through this season, and the fact that it seems no one has come in to sign him over the summer shows his mediocrity.

As regards ireland, as you have said at least Andrews is getting his game for his club.

briany

Cypher_sounds wrote: »

No way should Gibson be anywhere near the first 11, he got his chance for United last season and never showed anything more than having a decent shot on him, his time is up as a united player as far as i can see with better younger players coming through this season, and the fact that it seems no one has come in to sign him over the summer shows his mediocrity.

As regards ireland, as you have said at least Andrews is getting his game for his club.

I agree but I don't think he should be disregarded either. Nice to have him there in the squad to give it depth. That shot of his might come in handy.

Whelan and Andrews have been lamented as a combo overall but they are Trap's go to pairing and they give it 100 percent every time. I greatly admire their work rate and they are perfect examples of two players who love playing for their country. One thing that you have to say about Trap's preferred line up is that there isn't a player there who can't be bothered. A together team, an organized team always has a chance.

tolosenc

Man.UnitedLad wrote: »

then making a balls of Armenia at home :mad:

No way. It's the last game and we'll know exactly where we stand. Trap will have us grind out a 1-0.

briany

No way. It's the last game and we'll know exactly where we stand. Trap will have us grind out a 1-0

If it meant the difference between qualifying top and second or maybe not qualifying at all, I don't think that country's collective heart could take an early goal grinder. I admire the poise that may be shown in achieving such a result but I don't need it in the last game and especially against an inferior team who will be playing for nothing more than pride at that stage.

Ireland have an unfortunate habit of blowing an opportunity in the final group game of qualifying campaigns so hopefully that's a habit they can break.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Ireland v Spain was just on ESPN Classics. How Kilbane missed that rebound still baffles me. :mad:

LuckyLloyd

briany wrote: »

I agree but I don't think he should be disregarded either. Nice to have him there in the squad to give it depth. That shot of his might come in handy.

Whelan and Andrews have been lamented as a combo overall but they are Trap's go to pairing and they give it 100 percent every time. I greatly admire their work rate and they are perfect examples of two players who love playing for their country. One thing that you have to say about Trap's preferred line up is that there isn't a player there who can't be bothered. A together team, an organized team always has a chance.

Super post.

Redzer7

I'm 18 on the 2nd of September so dying to go out and be legally able to have a pint watching it .

Lumbo

McCarthy left out of the squad :mad:

Shay Given (Aston Villa), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland), David Forde (Millwall), John O'Shea (Sunderland), Kevin Foley (Wolves), Stephen Kelly (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Fulham), Stephen Ward (Wolves), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa), Kevin Kilbane (Derby), Sean St. Ledger (Leicester City), Darren O'Dea (Leeds Utd), Glenn Whelan (Stoke City), Darron Gibson (Manchester Utd), Keith Andrews (Ipswich), Keith Fahey (Birmingham), Andy Keogh (Leeds Utd), Damien Duff (Fulham), Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow), Stephen Hunt (Wolves), Liam Lawrence (Portsmouth), Keith Treacy (Burnley), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Kevin Doyle (Wolves), Shane Long (WBA), Simon Cox (WBA).

LuckyLloyd

Have no problem with McCarthy's omission. He deserves to be excluded given his apparent commitment to being involved.

G.K.

Who is Stephen Ward (Fulham)?

LuckyLloyd

G.K. wrote: »

Who is Stephen Ward (Fulham)?

Wolves left back / utility player.

gustafo

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Have no problem with McCarthy's omission. He deserves to be excluded given his apparent commitment to being involved.

i'd still have him in the squad ahead of a few of the championship players that he picked.