Italy v Ireland WCQ RTE 2 7:50pm Wed

Nalz · 31-03-2009 3:55pm

Whelan

0-1 to the Republic

Kilbane 30 yarder

feicfidh mé sibh an bliain seo chugainn san Afric!

Spud83 · 31-03-2009 3:56pm

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

You never rated Steven Reid? Are you joking?

He is a great passer of a football. The 2 or 3 games he played for us last year made us look like a good team because he is this gold-dust type of Irish player who can keep the ball.

He has a rocket of a shot and makes surging runs from midfield, something our current CM's are allergic to. When was the last time you saw a good surge from someone in a Ireland jersey?

Steven Reid is a brilliant footballer.

Andrews made one towards the end of the Bulgaria game. Stephen Reid did play well for us in those games but I don't remember surging runs from him.

Now I do rate Stephen Reid especially ahead of Andrews, Whelan and co but just pointing that out.

Also I think it could be more a case of the manager instructions rather than the players that are stopping on surging runs.

aidan24326 · 31-03-2009 4:06pm

el_tiddlero wrote: »

Should you make a change if what you have on the bench is no better than what you have on the pitch?? The idea of a (tactical) substitution is to improve your situation.
I thought, by not making a change in response to the goal, he showed faith in the 11 he'd picked to go and do the job. Keogh came on solely because McGeady couldn't run any more (knee injury).

I'm not talking about making changes just for the sake of it, no. But Trappatoni has been strangely unwilling to make changes in nearly all of the games. Granted we didn't have alot on the bench on Saturday, but we had a few players playing very poorly (Hunt, Whelan to name only 2) and surely throwing in someone like Andy Keogh or even Noel Hunt or Folan would have done no harm. They'd have been no worse than what was out there, and there really is no point in having a subs bench at all if you won't use it.

I take your point about showing faith in the starting 11, but what about showing just a tiny bit of faith in some of the substitutes? Why snub them completely? And why pick certain players in the squad at all if you've no intention of ever giving them a game? It's a complete waste of time picking a player like Folan if you don't intend to use him even for 10 mins, just leave him at home as he's no addition.

gosplan · 31-03-2009 4:06pm

While many are talking about the negatives of Trap's reign I thought that it would be a good idea to examine the massive positive that people seem to overlook.

Our defence has improved immensely. We've conceded only 3 goals in five games. One of them was a loss of concentration in injury time when we were 2-0 up, one of them was an OG when we were pretty much not giving the Bulgarian's any clear cut chances and only one of them (the early one against Georgia) was a really bad goal to concede from a defensive point of view.

And all who have been watching will know that it's not just conceding goals, but how we look as a defensive unit. For a while now, the huge frustration in watching internationals has been the weakness of the team to withstand any pressure. Over the last few years, the habit of the Irish team has been that any time we look like conceding we quickly do.

Now we can actually absorb pressure for the first time in years.

Trap took on the team and showed clearly that he's trying to teach them two things - organisation and defence. Given that he
had only a short time before he was plunged into a qualification campaign with a very limited squad, I think he basically decided to put the team through a crash course on defensive football - the idea being that if you lose as few games as possible, you put yourself in with a good chance of making the playoffs.

As regards the substitutes and the discussion of Andy Reid and others. I think if there was anything that would help the teams defence and organisation, Trap would do it quickly. However bringing in O'Brien, who's never played under Trap, for an away game in Italy, wouldn't exactly help our defensive organisation. Additionally, Andy Reid isn't going to do anything for us there either.

People need to stop saying 'what if?' and 'why not?' and just start saying 'so far, so good'.

So Far, So Good.

pierrot · 31-03-2009 4:32pm

Gibson

Andy Keogh set to start on the right side. Zambrotta and Grosso (i think) against Keogh and Hunt. Kevin Doyle is now our main man with his workrate and ariel ability, and Cannavaro ain't the tallest or the quickest.

el_tiddlero · 31-03-2009 4:38pm

Andrews

aidan24326 wrote: »

I take your point about showing faith in the starting 11, but what about showing just a tiny bit of faith in some of the substitutes? Why snub them completely? And why pick certain players in the squad at all if you've no intention of ever giving them a game? It's a complete waste of time picking a player like Folan if you don't intend to use him even for 10 mins, just leave him at home as he's no addition.

There is an aspect of having a squad that gets overlooked a lot. All week, the first 11 line up against the second 11 in training. That's one of the main purposes of the squad - to give you enough players to play 11 on 11 in training and simulate match conditions. From what I can gather, the 2nd 11 are drilled to perform like the side we're going to be playing (as in, they adopt the most likely formation of the opposing team). The 1st 11 then get a chance to see how they will have to play to break them down or indeed, keep them out.

pierrot · 31-03-2009 4:41pm

Gibson

Yep, there's nothing wrong about replacing tired legs with fresh legs with twenty minutes to go. Then again, my managerial CV doesn't exactly compare favourably to that of Trapattoni.

joe123 · 31-03-2009 5:00pm

Gibson

mormank wrote: »

very good point. i think that people are jumping down traps throat way too soon here. look at his experience ffs!!

can i ask one thing tho, people are talking about steven reid like he will be some amazing player for us.and in CM. am i missing something?? i never really rated him personally...

Stephen Reid imo is a great player but has been cursed with Injury his whole career.

He may not be world class but in an Ireland midfield really lacking he is of huge importance. Such a pity hes out.

With him out though I cant understand why Lee carsley has been over looked.

Stephen Ireland can **** off at this stage to be honest.Not wanting to represent your own country is something I will never be able to understand.

Although I would forgive him if he came back in the next round of games :rolleyes:

Bubs101 · 31-03-2009 5:31pm

gosplan wrote: »

While many are talking about the negatives of Trap's reign I thought that it would be a good idea to examine the massive positive that people seem to overlook.

Our defence has improved immensely. We've conceded only 3 goals in five games. One of them was a loss of concentration in injury time when we were 2-0 up, one of them was an OG when we were pretty much not giving the Bulgarian's any clear cut chances and only one of them (the early one against Georgia) was a really bad goal to concede from a defensive point of view.

And all who have been watching will know that it's not just conceding goals, but how we look as a defensive unit. For a while now, the huge frustration in watching internationals has been the weakness of the team to withstand any pressure. Over the last few years, the habit of the Irish team has been that any time we look like conceding we quickly do.

Now we can actually absorb pressure for the first time in years.

Trap took on the team and showed clearly that he's trying to teach them two things - organisation and defence. Given that he
had only a short time before he was plunged into a qualification campaign with a very limited squad, I think he basically decided to put the team through a crash course on defensive football - the idea being that if you lose as few games as possible, you put yourself in with a good chance of making the playoffs.

As regards the substitutes and the discussion of Andy Reid and others. I think if there was anything that would help the teams defence and organisation, Trap would do it quickly. However bringing in O'Brien, who's never played under Trap, for an away game in Italy, wouldn't exactly help our defensive organisation. Additionally, Andy Reid isn't going to do anything for us there either.

People need to stop saying 'what if?' and 'why not?' and just start saying 'so far, so good'.

So Far, So Good.

Trap's done a good job. Ireland have an incredibly average team with a very very hollow centre so he's done the best with what's available. I don't see the problem

ctrl-alt-delete · 31-03-2009 6:41pm

Folan

There is no point in thinking about Steven Reid coming in anytime soon to change things in midfield, there is more chance of Andy Reid coming in,

S Reid although a great player, suffers on a huge scale with injuries, the guy wont be back for long if he does come back, its a pity but thats the way he is.

As for tomorrow nights match, if we play as we did against the Bulgarians, we don't have a chance of picking up anything from the game assuming the Italians turn up.

If we, as usual raise our game because of the venue and nature of the opposition, then i can see us nicking a point.

With a huge amount of luck, with a lot of our better players playing to their best, and with the rest of the team having faultless games we could get a win, anything is possible of course.

PCros · 31-03-2009 7:55pm

Doyle

pierrot wrote: »

Andy Keogh set to start on the right side. Zambrotta and Grosso (i think) against Keogh and Hunt. Kevin Doyle is now our main man with his workrate and ariel ability, and Cannavaro ain't the tallest or the quickest.

Should be the same line-up as Saturday. Aiden McGeady trained today with the rest of them.

Thank God!:D

parasite · 31-03-2009 8:00pm

Doyle

McGeady has just been ruled out, according to Newstalk

Headshot · 31-03-2009 8:05pm

parasite wrote: »

McGeady has just been ruled out, according to Newstalk

ffs

PCros · 31-03-2009 8:12pm

Doyle

parasite wrote: »

McGeady has just been ruled out, according to Newstalk

Your right.....McGeady has been ruled out. Oh Jesus.

http://newstalk.ie/newstalk/news/18090/mcgeady-out-of-italy-clash.html

pierrot · 31-03-2009 8:54pm

Gibson

Yep, just as i thought. Rossi, Pazzini and Pepe up front for the italians. No real height there, but they're quick. No experience there either, Dunne should have them in his pocket!

ctrl-alt-delete · 31-03-2009 9:05pm

Folan

pierrot wrote: »

Yep, just as i thought. Rossi, Pazzini and Pepe up front for the italians. No real height there, but they're quick. No experience there either, Dunne should have them in his pocket!

Pazzini to me could be quality player in a few years,

he seems to have found his way recently with Sampdoria,

Given how we were on Saturday, id fancy him to cause us trouble

Mr.Nice Guy · 31-03-2009 9:07pm

Doyle

I think it's going to be a very tough evening for Doyle and Keane as they will struggle to get any service without Duff and McGeady and that gaping chasm in the centre of the pitch.

pierrot · 31-03-2009 9:17pm

Gibson

Pazzini is no spring chicken by this stage. He must be 24 by now. Used always rate him cos he's class in Champ Manager, but he seems a little limited technically, even if he's done very well this season. Can see Rossi getting one on his debut though.
Doyle and Keane will struggle, but at least Doyle will run.

monkey9 · 31-03-2009 9:20pm

Gibson

I just can't see Ireland doing anything tomorrow. Hunt and Keogh will offer nothing and the Italians will trapse through our joke of a centre midfield.
Three nil Italy

ctrl-alt-delete · 31-03-2009 9:22pm

Folan

pierrot wrote: »

Pazzini is no spring chicken by this stage. He must be 24 by now. Used always rate him cos he's class in Champ Manager, but he seems a little limited technically, even if he's done very well this season. Can see Rossi getting one on his debut though.
Doyle and Keane will struggle, but at least Doyle will run.

Yeah he is 24, he never lived up to the young player of the year award he won, but he seems to be more of a key player with Sampdoria, i know he isn't for Italy - but he is going into this with high confidence,

You are right about doyle though, he may struggle, but he goes looking himself, will run forever.

monkey9 · 31-03-2009 9:23pm

Gibson

pierrot wrote: »

Pazzini is no spring chicken by this stage. He must be 24 by now.

Jaysus, you must have players retired at 29 or something!!

ctrl-alt-delete · 31-03-2009 9:30pm

Folan

monkey9 wrote: »

Jaysus, you must have players retired at 29 or something!!

i think it was more in reference to me saying he would make a great player,

you would expect him to show more signs by now.

population · 31-03-2009 9:36pm

Keane has to step up to the plate tommorow.

He is the only player in that first 11 that actually has the ability to turn it on from time to time.

No use running aimlessly and gesturing at refs the way he normally does. He has to show that he has talent and can be a captain

monkey9 · 31-03-2009 9:42pm

Gibson

ctrl-alt-delete wrote: »

i think it was more in reference to me saying he would make a great player,

you would expect him to show more signs by now.

You know he's gonna score a hat-trick tomorrow, don't you? Not because he's world class or his ability, but simply because fate was tempted on Boards.ie
Well thank you, thank you very much. There's no point even watching the match tomorrow. I may as well just watch Emmerdale, Coronation St and Fair City as well as whatever sh!te is on RTE1 at half eight. Probably something about me living not very long or what to do with a house or how to cook under the pressure in the surrounds of a kitchen in a busy restaurant.
Cheers for that. Thanks for jinxing things!!!!!

Deedsie · 31-03-2009 10:41pm

Im hoping we can get a draw, Kilbane might tear into the game too make up for the OG on Satuurday.

Performance is key, if they work hard enough they will get something. Five unavailable midfielders might give the Italians the edge.

pierrot · 31-03-2009 10:44pm

Gibson

population wrote: »

Keane has to step up to the plate tommorow.

He is the only player in that first 11 that actually has the ability to turn it on from time to time.

No use running aimlessly and gesturing at refs the way he normally does. He has to show that he has talent and can be a captain

And you'd think he'd want to prove a point to Lippi. I hope.

monkey9 · 31-03-2009 10:57pm

Gibson

Deedsie wrote: »

Im hoping we can get a draw, Kilbane might tear into the game too make up for the OG on Satuurday.

Even if he wanted to or was able to, he wouldn't be allowed.

redout · 01-04-2009 12:24am

Gibson

Just under 20hrs to go lads. Lets keep it positve from here on in.

Carroller16 · 01-04-2009 11:15am

O'Shea

redout wrote: »

Just under 20hrs to go lads. Lets keep it positve from here on in.

SEE MY SIG!!!!!

TwoShedsJackson · 01-04-2009 11:48am

2-0 to Italy. Our midfield is incapable of winning the ball resulting in aimless long balls which an Italian defence will deal with no problem.

dubmick · 01-04-2009 11:55am

Doyle

pierrot wrote: »

Pazzini is no spring chicken by this stage. He must be 24 by now. Used always rate him cos he's class in Champ Manager, but he seems a little limited technically, even if he's done very well this season. Can see Rossi getting one on his debut though.
Doyle and Keane will struggle, but at least Doyle will run.

24 is not young?

Giuseppe Rossi if that's who you are talking about, has already played for Italy a few times.

yom 1 · 01-04-2009 12:08pm

redout wrote: »

Just under 20hrs to go lads. Lets keep it positve from here on in.

Anyone got a "Fcuk Schillaci" teeshirt from Italia 90 still! :P

Carroller16 · 01-04-2009 12:10pm

O'Shea

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

2-0 to Italy. Our midfield is incapable of winning the ball resulting in aimless long balls which an Italian defence will deal with no problem.

WE SAID POSITIVE!!!

redout · 01-04-2009 12:32pm

Gibson

Only 7hrs to go lads. Here are the most likely lineups from the teams.

Italy probable lineup

Buffon

Zambrotta

Chiellini

Cannavaro

Grosso

---Brighi

Pirlo

De Rossi

Rossi

Pazzini

Quagliarella

Ireland probable lineup

Doyle

Keane

Hunt

Whelan

Andrews

Keogh

Kilbane

O'Shea

Dunne

McShane

Given

pierrot · 01-04-2009 12:33pm

Gibson

dubmick wrote: »

24 is not young?

Giuseppe Rossi if that's who you are talking about, has already played for Italy a few times.

To clarify; i meant Pazzini is not the wonderkid with tonnes of potential going to be a great, which was thought by many when he first broke through at Fioretina. I'm not saying 24 is old, come on.
Rossi has a few caps, but i think this is his first start, no?

Vokes · 01-04-2009 12:39pm

Folan

That Italian midfield trio is class. Don't think we'll have the ball all night

Possibly Grosso might be the only weak link in the defence? - He has always seemed to be of a lax defender to me.

Carroller16 · 01-04-2009 12:41pm

O'Shea

redout wrote: »

Ireland probable lineup
Doyle
Keane

Hunt
Whelan
Andrews
Keogh

Kilbane
O'Shea
Dunne
McShane
Given

SQUADFAIL

pierrot · 01-04-2009 12:44pm

Gibson

^ spot on(that lineup) , don't think anyone's expecting Trap to spring a surprise.
Anyone want to have a go at the Italian line up? Pirlo in the hole again?

Highsider · 01-04-2009 1:04pm

Doyle

I'm really worried about tonight. Think we will suffer our heaviest defeat in a long long time. The lack of quality in the Ireland squad is shocking. I really hope i'm wrong but i can see us getting beat 3 or 4 nil. Italy's midfield will have the ball all night and we will be knacked after 60 minutes running after them.

Cionád · 01-04-2009 1:09pm

Gibson

Highsider wrote: »

I'm really worried about tonight. Think we will suffer our heaviest defeat in a long long time. The lack of quality in the Ireland squad is shocking. I really hope i'm wrong but i can see us getting beat 3 or 4 nil. Italy's midfield will have the ball all night and we will be knacked after 60 minutes running after them.

I'm not so pessimistic. I think we will lose, but Italy haven't scored many goals in this campaign so far, so I don't think it will be an absolute mauling.

event · 01-04-2009 1:11pm

pierrot wrote: »

And you'd think he'd want to prove a point to Lippi. I hope.

why would he need to prove a point to lippi?

lippi purchased him and was then sacked.
it was tardelli (our assistant coach) who didnt fancy him and never played him

el_tiddlero · 01-04-2009 1:24pm

Andrews

Vokes wrote: »

That Italian midfield trio is class. Don't think we'll have the ball all night

Possibly Grosso might be the only weak link in the defence? - He has always seemed to be of a lax defender to me.

have you not seen Cannavaro playing recently? he's been having shockers every game for about a month.. even on saturday against montenegro he was lucky to stay on the pitch, got a booking where a red was more likely - lucky boy.. Doyle should run him ragged..

I know people don't like the long ball, but i can really see keane or doyle latching on to one and scoring of first phase possession..

I also think Italy's 4-3-3 might suit us, with them intent on attacking and controlling the game in our half, there's every chance we can cause chaos down their end if we get early ball up there..

obviously I'm feeling highly optimistic.. but sure, that's the point right?? Believe you can do it, and you just might. Believe you're beaten and you already are..

Het-Field · 01-04-2009 1:37pm

Highsider wrote: »

I'm really worried about tonight. Think we will suffer our heaviest defeat in a long long time. The lack of quality in the Ireland squad is shocking. I really hope i'm wrong but i can see us getting beat 3 or 4 nil. Italy's midfield will have the ball all night and we will be knacked after 60 minutes running after them.

Italy dont go in for maulings. One goal will suffice for them, perhaps two.

I think it will be a 1-0 or 2-0 defeat. I really cant see the team scoring tonight. The midfield looks highly lightweight, and inexpereinced. Im disapointed in Trappatoni that he didnt put petty squabbles aside and recall Carsley and Andy Reid, who have more experience, and could partner, and nurture Glen Whelan or Andrews, and offer a real attacking threat on the right.

am i bovvered · 01-04-2009 2:00pm

for me its time for the positive thinking..... 1-1

PCros · 01-04-2009 2:30pm

Doyle

el_tiddlero wrote: »

have you not seen Cannavaro playing recently? he's been having shockers every game for about a month.. even on saturday against montenegro he was lucky to stay on the pitch, got a booking where a red was more likely - lucky boy.. Doyle should run him ragged..

Very true point, I saw that and was amazed that he stayed on the pitch.
Take a look at the highlights.......http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLQJmpvxxak&feature=related (0:55 mark)

How was that not a red? Hope he trys something like that tonight and we get a penalty.

Also their second goal was handed to them, very bad defending I dont think we're anywhere near as bad as that.

Kingp35 · 01-04-2009 2:49pm

Doyle

If Dunne can emulate McGrath's heroics from '94 then we are in with a shout. I think tonight is the night to play the long ball and hope to nick something off a Doyle flick on. Our midfiels is incapable of stringing 2 passes together so it's the only option.

JPA · 01-04-2009 2:51pm

Who will be on the left for Italy?

Soby · 01-04-2009 3:29pm

Gibson

Haha good few sober lads on SSN there

Balfa · 01-04-2009 3:31pm

Doyle

Is there anywhere to watch this online?

newballsplease · 01-04-2009 3:31pm

N. Hunt

heres the italian team that I think will play.

Buffon
---Zambrotta----Cannavaro----Chiellini----Grosso

Brighi

De Rossi

Pirlo

----Pepe

Rossi

Pazzini

Italy v Ireland WCQ RTE 2 7:50pm Wed

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