Ireland v Wales - Nations Cup - 08/02/11 - 7:45PM

Het-Field · 08-02-2011 3:46pm

I like the idea of this tournament.

At least it will be semi competitive. February always means International Friendlies. I dont believe there would be any more benefit playing a non-competitive friendly, even against some of the World's footballing super-powers.

In May 2010 we played two successive friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria. Neither was competitive, nor inspiring. At least there will be some pride to play for against Scotland and Northern Ireland.

All round, I believe this competition will be more advantageousthen three friendlies against Brazil, Paraguay and Algeria.

NUTZZ · 08-02-2011 3:47pm

Ireland team news

Ireland boss Trapattoni will hand debuts to Seamus Coleman and Ciaran Clark in midweek.

Coleman, who has been in fine form for Everton this season, will start on the right side of midfield, while promising Aston Villa defender Clark has been named at left-back.

Trapattoni has yet to choose between Darron Gibson and Paul Green for a central midfield berth alongside Glenn Whelan, but the Italian has confirmed that Stoke striker Jonathan Walters will make his first start up front, partnering Kevin Doyle.

Wales team news

Speed has handed the Wales captaincy to Aston Villa centre-back James Collins, with Craig Bellamy having relinquished the role.

He will be partnered by namesake Danny Collins at the heart of the defence and they will be flanked by Neal Eardley and Sam Ricketts, with Wayne Hennessey in goal.

Andrew Crofts, Andy King and David Vaughan will line up in midfield, while Reading duo Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu will be in attack alongside Rob Earnshaw.

The likes of Bellamy, Ashley Williams and Joe Ledley are being rested after playing in tough local derbies on Sunday.

Het-Field · 08-02-2011 3:52pm

Boskowski wrote: »

How do you guys actually think about this tournament anyway?

I think it's the most pointless idea anyone organizing football tournaments ever had. Maybe it's different when you're Irish and obviously I wouldn't know about that but what is the Irish squad going to get out of repeatedly playing 3 of the arguably poorest sides in Europe?

Between the schedule, the ticket prices and the participants it seems totally uninteresting. Or is it just me thinking that?

Sorry. I dont think anybody could advance the argument that Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are amongst the poorest sides in the world. Most of the former soviet states, and the Principality teams remain the poorest in Europe. In fact, Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland are resident in Pot Three. They may not be great sides, but by UEFA calibrations they are not poles apart in terms of ability, and this could make for competitive games. At least 24 teams rank below Northern Ireland.

Boskowski · 08-02-2011 3:55pm

Het-Field wrote: »

Sorry. I dont think anybody could advance the argument that Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales are amongst the poorest sides in the world. Most of the former soviet states, and the Principality teams remain the poorest in Europe. In fact, Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland are resident in Pot Three. They may not be great sides, but by UEFA calibrations they are not poles apart in terms of ability, and this could make for competitive games. At least 24 teams rank below Northern Ireland.

You misread, I wrote 'Europe' and I do believe that argument can be made.

Het-Field · 08-02-2011 3:58pm

Boskowski wrote: »

You misread, I wrote 'Europe' and I do believe that argument can be made.

Sorry, you cant call it "Europe" and not include the likes of Latvia, Lithuania, San Marino.

kraggy · 08-02-2011 4:05pm

Des wrote: »

anyone hoping to watch on S4C, be warned that the commentary will be in Welsh

Can you get S4c on Upc?

roryc · 08-02-2011 4:27pm

I might be mistaken, but aren't N. Ireland only 3 or 4 places behind us in the rankings?

tonycascarino · 08-02-2011 4:46pm

roryc wrote: »

I might be mistaken, but aren't N. Ireland only 3 or 4 places behind us in the rankings?

Ya, we are 35th, they are 38th, Scotland are 53rd and Wales are 116th.

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html#confederation=0&rank=201

roryc · 08-02-2011 4:54pm

Jesus Wales have gone to sh*t... didn't realise they had fallen so much. In fairness though, I can't remember them beating anyone in years other than Lichtienstein or Luxumbourg.

Boskowski · 08-02-2011 5:02pm

roryc wrote: »

I might be mistaken, but aren't N. Ireland only 3 or 4 places behind us in the rankings?

Scotland - 15
Ireland - 31
Wales - 46
Northern Ireland - 49

out of a total of 53.

Not great in terms of playing against stronger opposition in order to improve.
I would even argue that Scotland - albeit being much higher in the current ranking - is not actually stronger than the Republic.

So the question remains what is the Republic getting out of this? Are we expecting this tournament to create some sort of tradition thing over a 'British Isles' competition, like e.g. the Six Nations in Rugby?

roryc · 08-02-2011 5:09pm

Boskowski wrote: »

Scotland - 15
Ireland - 31
Wales - 46
Northern Ireland - 49

out of a total of 53.

Not great in terms of playing against stronger opposition in order to improve.
I would even argue that Scotland - albeit being much higher in the current ranking - is not actually stronger than the Republic.

So the question remains what is the Republic getting out of this? Are we expecting this tournament to create some sort of tradition thing over a 'British Isles' competition, like e.g. the Six Nations in Rugby?

Where are you getting these figures from.

As for what are we getting out of it... errrr... we might actually win something? The World Cup is unlikely to ever be on show in Merrion Square...

Boskowski · 08-02-2011 5:11pm

roryc wrote: »

Where are you getting these figures from.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient#Current_ranking

P.S. I think I may have made a mistake, this seems more like a club league ranking?

Oat23 · 08-02-2011 5:14pm

Boskowski wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UEFA_coefficient#Current_ranking

That's league not International teams.

Only thing England will come first in.

roryc · 08-02-2011 5:16pm

So our ranking is low in the UEFA rankings mainly because we have such a sh*t domestic league? That sucks...

IRISHSPORTSGUY · 08-02-2011 5:43pm

We actually have a half decent team apart from the central midfield. Unfortunately, it's also the most critical outfield position. If you can't control the engine room, every match will be a struggle.

Fancy the Welsh to take us tonight tbh.

IRISHSPORTSGUY · 08-02-2011 5:47pm

Mildly amusing that the 'stars' in the radio ad have all pulled out now.

Het-Field · 08-02-2011 5:53pm

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

We actually have a half decent team apart from the central midfield. Unfortunately, it's also the most critical outfield position. If you can't control the engine room, every match will be a struggle.

Fancy the Welsh to take us tonight tbh.

Beyond their reasonably competent looking defence, the dont have anything to offer. The absence of the likes of Bale,Ledley, Ramsey, Collison, Bellamy and Gabbidon is a major bonus for Ireland.

I expect a 2-0 victory to the Boys in Green.

L'prof · 08-02-2011 5:54pm

roryc wrote: »

So our ranking is low in the UEFA rankings mainly because we have such a sh*t domestic league? That sucks...

How else would it be ranked??? It decides how many of our domestic teams get entered into UEFA's competition and at what stage!

IRISHSPORTSGUY · 08-02-2011 6:18pm

Het-Field wrote: »

Beyond their reasonably competent looking defence, the dont have anything to offer. The absence of the likes of Bale,Ledley, Ramsey, Collison, Bellamy and Gabbidon is a major bonus for Ireland.

I expect a 2-0 victory to the Boys in Green.

David Vaughan has been class for Blackpool this season and have you seen Andy King's goalscoring record in the Championship for a central midfielder? Only a matter of time before he's playing in the Premier League. Both would walk into this Irish team.

Hope you're right about the victory, really wouldn't be surprised if they turn us over though.

SantryRed · 08-02-2011 6:34pm

roryc wrote: »

So our ranking is low in the UEFA rankings mainly because we have such a sh*t domestic league? That sucks...

L'prof wrote: »

How else would it be ranked??? It decides how many of our domestic teams get entered into UEFA's competition and at what stage!

I think you have your wires cross! Ireland, the national team's ranking is so low because they are sh1t. Not the league. Just to clear that up.

poisonated · 08-02-2011 6:38pm

roryc wrote: »

So our ranking is low in the UEFA rankings mainly because we have such a sh*t domestic league? That sucks...

Yeah. You can't really compare it to the premier league or anything. That being said, there is a lot more people in England.

BTW, that's mad that you're from Alcaidesa. I go there all the time.

L'prof · 08-02-2011 6:46pm

SantryRed wrote: »

I think you have your wires cross! Ireland, the national team's ranking is so low because they are sh1t. Not the league. Just to clear that up.

Nope, not my wires...UEFA rankings = club competitions.

AgileMyth · 08-02-2011 6:52pm

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

David Vaughan has been class for Blackpool this season and have you seen Andy King's goalscoring record in the Championship for a central midfielder? Only a matter of time before he's playing in the Premier League. Both would walk into this Irish team.

Hope you're right about the victory, really wouldn't be surprised if they turn us over though.

A goalscoring central midfielder in the championship would walk into the Ireland team?

Let me just go inform Wes Hoolahan.

SantryRed · 08-02-2011 6:54pm

L'prof wrote: »

Nope, not my wires...UEFA rankings = club competitions.

Right I'm lost :pac:

Ireland are 25th in the rankings list for seeding for UEFA events.
Whereas the LOI is 31st ranked in the leagues.

Where the LOI is ranked 31st is what is used to see how many teams enter european competition.
Where Ireland is 25th is what is used for qualification for European events yes?

Pro. F · 08-02-2011 7:02pm

Boskowski wrote: »

So the question remains what is the Republic getting out of this? Are we expecting this tournament to create some sort of tradition thing over a 'British Isles' competition, like e.g. the Six Nations in Rugby?

I would guess that the associations are not aiming anywhere near that high. But changing meaningless friendlies into something slightly more interesting is sounding like a good idea to me.

Even though the quality of opposition isn't great (for anybody in the competition), it's still a good run out and chance for the team to work together.

Actually, I think competition with teams around your own level does have benefit. The test might not be as difficult, but the team gets to hone their skills in a lower stress environment.

Coillte_Bhoy · 08-02-2011 7:07pm

Is this being streamed live on rte.ie? I dont see any mention of it in their line up

L'prof · 08-02-2011 7:09pm

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Is this being streamed live on rte.ie? I dont see any mention of it in their line up

I'd be surprised since it's live on Sky!

Desire to Aspire · 08-02-2011 7:12pm

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Is this being streamed live on rte.ie? I dont see any mention of it in their line up

No, they're showing highlights later tonight though.

IRISHSPORTSGUY · 08-02-2011 7:15pm

AgileMyth wrote: »

A goalscoring central midfielder in the championship would walk into the Ireland team?

Let me just go inform Wes Hoolahan.

Andy King is younger and better than Hoolahan though. But you have a point though, change 'would' to 'should'. Hoolahan should in the Irish squad at the very least, and ahead of Whelan or Gibson on current form but isn't.

newballsplease · 08-02-2011 7:16pm

Pillow-check
Duvet-check
Ear plugs- not needed
Dreamy Sleepy Nitey Snoozey Snooze-not needed

Ready for Borefest 2011 at 7.45

Coillte_Bhoy · 08-02-2011 7:22pm

L'prof wrote: »

I'd be surprised since it's live on Sky!

Ya, thought i may have misheard that on the radio earlier. Oh well, the pub it is then.:)

Desire to Aspire · 08-02-2011 7:28pm

Hoping my training gets cancelled so I can watch this.

I really do love international matches.

newballsplease · 08-02-2011 7:31pm

Think this game will suit Sheamus Coleman down to the ground. Trap usually lets the wingers do all the attacking.

The_Kew_Tour · 08-02-2011 7:37pm

3-1 to Ireland for me

Can see few goals tonight.

Could be good game.

Diabhal Beag · 08-02-2011 7:40pm

2-1 win for Ireland. Can see Robbie Earnshaw and Church causing problems.

Stevecw · 08-02-2011 7:56pm

0-0 at 7/1 is my bet. Hope i'm wrong and there are a few goals. But if not, i'll happily take my money instead

Desire to Aspire · 08-02-2011 7:58pm

Stevecw wrote: »

0-0 at 7/1 is my bet. Hope i'm wrong and there are a few goals. But if not, i'll happily take my money instead

I put everything I have on Ireland to win.

NUTZZ · 08-02-2011 8:14pm

Team Lineups

Ireland: Shay Given, John O'Shea, Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne, Ciaran Clark, Seamus Coleman, Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson, Damien Duff, Jonathan Walters, Kevin Doyle.

Wales: Wayne Hennessey, Neal Eardley, James Collins, Danny Collins, Sam Ricketts, David Vaughan, Andrew Crofts, Andy King, Simon Church, Robert Earnshaw, Hal Robson-Kanu