Georgia v Ireland - 2 September - You Boys in Green Forum

deise316 wrote:

As the above stat shows, in a decade under Trap & MON, we simply do not give debuts in competitive games to lads who have not been in the squad for a duration of time, or have played in a friendly or 2 beforehand. Kevin Long is the closest thing we have to an exception, making his competitive debut after 2 friendlies and unlike most, seldom being in any squad beforehand, or maybe O'Dowda V Moldova, though again, he had played in a few friendlies and been part of a good few squads, plus McGeady was injured for that trip otherwise, it would have been McGeady off the bench.

Kevin Long - 3rd cap
Duffy - 4th
O'Dowda - 3rd
Christie - 2nd
Keogh - 2nd
Brady - 2nd
McClean - 3rd
McCarthy - 2nd
Wilson - 3rd
Cox - 3rd

Curiosity got the better of me, seems the average is usually 2nd cap after the better part of a full game behind them in a friendly debut or else they were around the squad for some time before hand ...and most were out of necessity, due to injury or against weaker team i.e Gibralter, Macedonia etc..

With Moldova coming up, it wouldnt be a bad idea to have someone like Maguire, Rice etc.. in the squad for the next 2 games.. then give them a bit of time v Moldova.

It'll all go out the window next year when then Nation League kicks off anyway!

Moldova may be distinctly average (I'm being kind) but we can't be taking any chances against them at the same, if we had San Marino or Gibraltar we could of course be looking to play Kelly, Maguire, Rice or whoever knowing the result will be a formality but Moldova have a bit more about them.

Anyhow if these lads impress at club level their time will come.

"He drives two Ferraris; I think he's a very lucky lad to have 50 caps for Ireland,"

Eamonn Dunphy on Glenn Whelan

it should not be a reason..however the game and players loyalties have changed im afraid

What lineup are people thinking? Bit of a selection headache for O'Neil I think. Not that, that is a bad thing!

This is the best form our players have been in in a very long time, no excuses here, expecting 6 points out of 6

I'd like to see Long in defence but not sure who he'd replace. Realistically it will be Walter,Long,McClean in the front 3 but I would like to see McGeady in there.

Hi Lads

doherty wrote:

i'm not so sure Long will start. has no form coming into this and Murphy is scoring goals in the champ.

Agree I think Murphy and Walters will start up front

He'll play 1 up front and it will be Walters, end of.

YBIG Table Quiz winner 2016 & 2017
AS YOU WERE McGx

Unless Shane Long has a stunning 2 weeks, I can't see him getting near the starting 11.Currently benched for Southampton, so doesn't look good.

Would have no problem him being introduced the last 25 minutes to stretch the game and take advantage of a tired (and battered from Jon Walters) defence.