Should Robbie Keane start the play-off if fit?

Long was very impressive at the weekend alright- he never stops running- i would pick walters and long for the first game

You'd still have to pick Keane because of his nack of scoring big goals for us when it matters. But if he's having a bad game i wouldn't be as reluctant to take him off as before. Long was immense on Sunday and has a genuine case to be starting. Cox and Walters have impressed too so it's time for Keane and Doyle to step up to the plate. Keane's in the twilight of his Ireland career but if he's not performing then there's no time for sentiment and he should be taken off - but still merits a start if fit.

If Keane is fit I'd say it will be Long and Keane starting, as it seems Trap considers Long to be Doyles replacement and Cox to be Keane's. Keane not fit, it will be Long and Cox (finally Long Cox....the headlines write themselves...."Estonia buggered by Long Cox") That will still leave the option of Walters to come off the bench and potentially Best too. I fancy ANY of the above mentioned strikers to get goals

Edited by DangerHere - 18 Oct 2011 at 6:16am

DangerHere wrote: If Keane is fit I'd say it will be Long and Keane starting, as it seems Trap considers Long to be Doyles replacement and Cox to be Keane's. Keane not fit, it will be Long and Cox (finally Long Cox....the headlines write themselves...."Estonia buggered by Long Cox") That will still leave the option of Walters to come off the bench and potentially Best too. I fancy ANY of the above mentioned strikers to get goals

Don't forget the venue is called Le Coq.

Doyle has been well of the pace the last three games too. We're blessed we have some good options up front.

Keane and Doyle are not undroppable and Trapattoni isn't doing his job if he doesn't look at alternatives

Keane would need to have had a game or two under his belt before playing in the playoff. He's not playing well and he has missed a handful of sitters for us in recent games. My feeling is Long and Walters.

Why would Trap drop Cox? If Robbie's not fit then he'll stick with him. Remember, Trap always goes by what he's gotten from people before. So Walters won't get a start unless it's instead of Robbie/Long.

trapped wrote: You'd still have to pick Keane because of his nack of scoring big goals for us when it matters. But if he's having a bad game i wouldn't be as reluctant to take him off as before. Long was immense on Sunday and has a genuine case to be starting. Cox and Walters have impressed too so it's time for Keane and Doyle to step up to the plate. Keane's in the twilight of his Ireland career but if he's not performing then there's no time for sentiment and he should be taken off - but still merits a start if fit.

Indeed. If he's not playing well or looking badly out of sorts, he should be subbed.

Irish2011 wrote: Robbie was a great player but unfortunately in his last 3 games he has a been a pale shadow of his former self. I for one would not start Robbie in he play off's, Walter's and Long are in much better form than Robbie at the moment. How anyone can say Robbie is world class at the moment is beyond me.

Hes the man with the experience in playoffs so no doubt he should start, also hes our captain and hes our top scorer in this campaign, needed a ridiculous own goal and our centre back to get the goals against Armenia. Also Trap will start him if he is anywhere near fit!!  but the problem is how fit will he be, not very id say