FAI...New Manager is Heimir Hallgrimsson

[Jonah]

Hoolahan would never fit into Trap's "system". Much like Andy Reid. He is an attacking central midfielder. Trap always plays his two strikers, two wingers/wide men and two holding central midfielders. Hoolahan doesn't fit into any of those so in Trap's eyes he's about as useful as tits on a bull.

Trap obviously knows the game better than probably anyone in Ireland. He has decided that he will play a team with the likes of Duff & McGeady hugging the touchline. That means 442 and that is the only language most of our players speak. Trap has got the results so it is hard to argue with him.

But dear God Whelan & Andrews lack even the most basic passing ability. It is very hard to watch them. Surely it would be easier to try to teach a footballer to defend, particularly for a man of Traps' stature, than to have purely defensive players who are deficient in other areas, especially in such key positions?

Whelan and Andrews are awful alright. I would think Keith Fahy is a better option to replace one of them.

[BennyCake]

How on earth does McGeady continue to get his place? It baffles me.

[tyssam5]

John Delaney on 400k makes me almost want them to lose.

[BennyCake]

How on earth does McGeady continue to get his place? It baffles me.

Probably by having a superior blend of ability and experience than all other wide options, Duff excepted. It's not as if we have any Ronaldos or Riberys sitting on the line.

No, but there's Stephen Hunt. He makes things happen, and has a fantastic workrate.

[GalwayBayBoy]

How on earth does McGeady continue to get his place? It baffles me.

He's actually played fairly well in this qualifying campaign (bar the last game when he was poor). And even in that he still made one of the goals.

[From the Bunker]

John Delaney on 400k makes me almost want them to lose.

Yeah when we have good servants of the community like 'Joe Duffy' getting the same amount and giving a FAR SUPERIOR service! 

[magpie seanie]

What ever people think of Trap and his tactics you can't argue with that record above he is getting the job done and and the end of the day the results is all that matters not how they play.

The results prove his tactics. He is the only one who has to prove his tactics or his argument by getting the results.
Any moron can say we can achieve better results with better football.

The best football we played was way back in the early 1980's when top teams like Holland would be man marking our midfielders to stop us from playing.

Why do you have to be so insulting?

"The results prove the tactics" - we made playoffs before and qualified when we got a handy draw (Iran). Never did I dread watching the games because we were so bloody boring to watch. I'm sorry if my opinion upsets you but that's just how I feel.

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Anthony Pilkington is playing better stuff for Norwich in my opinion - former irish u-21 international

Did I hear of him being mooted for the England Team on Football Focus?

Yeah, heard a rumour he was considering switching to play for England as he thought he'd a chance of a call up
Trap should have capped him by now for us

Pilkington scored 19 goals in 92 appearances for League One Huddersfield Town between 2009 and 2011. Hardly a glaring ommission from an international squad.

he's a midfielder so pointing to his goal record you just got from wikipedia doesn't say much, he's been very good so far this season and taken to the Premiership easily, u not watched him much i take it?

Im pretty sure he'd be a better option than Gibson, Keith Tracey Andy Keogh or the likes

To be fair, I'd thought he played up front which is entirely my own mistake. But I ask you, based on your knowledge of his performances in League One, on what grounds should Trappatoni have capped him for the Ireland senior team?

[Gaoth Dobhair Abu]

Have to laugh  at the people having a go at Aidan McGeady, he's the best player we have on the wing.
Why do "you" not rate him? open question.

Hopefully we get a 2 - 0 win today, then party time in Dublin on Tuesday.

[michaelg]

Have to laugh  at the people having a go at Aidan McGeady, he's the best player we have on the wing.
Why do "you" not rate him? open question.

Hopefully we get a 2 - 0 win today, then party time in Dublin on Tuesday.

Is it because he is, in effect, Scottish?

[ludermor]

Very poor effort.
Id say it is because he has the potential to be brilliant but frustrates very often, however id still have him start every game.

[Clown]

Anthony Pilkington is playing better stuff for Norwich in my opinion - former irish u-21 international

Did I hear of him being mooted for the England Team on Football Focus?

Yeah, heard a rumour he was considering switching to play for England as he thought he'd a chance of a call up
Trap should have capped him by now for us

Pilkington scored 19 goals in 92 appearances for League One Huddersfield Town between 2009 and 2011. Hardly a glaring ommission from an international squad.

he's a midfielder so pointing to his goal record you just got from wikipedia doesn't say much, he's been very good so far this season and taken to the Premiership easily, u not watched him much i take it?

Im pretty sure he'd be a better option than Gibson, Keith Tracey Andy Keogh or the likes

To be fair, I'd thought he played up front which is entirely my own mistake. But I ask you, based on your knowledge of his performances in League One, on what grounds should Trappatoni have capped him for the Ireland senior team?

never saw much of him in League one, but should have got a call up for his performances in the EPL so far this year, but i understand Trap is a loyal old bugger, if we qualify i dont expect there to be many changes to his usual squads - ie Kilbane, McShane, Keogh etc


Jaysus there are some bitter people on this thread, who cares what the CEO is earning FFS. Would you rather we were sat at home next summer with cheering against the English our only pleasure

[Stevie g 8]

we need an away goal to make things a bit easier on tuesday,anyone know where i might get a ticket for return leg

[Billys Boots]

I understand that the tickets have been sold out for over a week - I hear from Estonia this morning that it'll cost you €250 for a ticket over there today.

[Dont Matter]

Your man Keith Barry was on the radio and he gave his prediction. 2-1 he says. Said something like trying to influence the players or whatever. I stuck a fiver on at 17/2 just incase he's right.