Yet more problems for Ireland, from today's Guardian:
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Workers at Lansdowne Road mockingly whistled the Laurel and Hardy theme tune at Steve Staunton yesterday. With this evening representing potentially the last chance for the Republic of Ireland manager to get himself out of a fine mess, he will be cursing an absentee list that has reached an unlucky-sounding 13 and makes a positive result against the Czech Republic harder to achieve than ever.
Five withdrawals yesterday mean Staunton will start with his third-choice goalkeeper, most likely Brighton's Wayne Henderson, and a debutant at centre-half, Paul McShane. Few expected Ireland to avoid defeat after the humiliation in Cyprus, but Staunton would have preferred to enter a game that could end his short spell in charge with a healthier cast.
When Staunton discussed the changes he did not know how weak his grip on his job appears. "We have to bide our time, ride out this storm," he said. At that point he was talking of assurances that he would stay on regardless. Later comments made by the Football Association of Ireland's chief executive, John Delaney, mean that seems far from the scenario.
Aiden McGeady, Kevin Doyle, Paddy Kenny, Stephen Ireland and Andy O'Brien have become the latest to drop out, meaning 10 of his original 25-man squad are unavailable. To them can be added the already injured Shay Given and Ian Harte, and the suspended Richard Dunne. "No country in Europe can cope with the injuries we've had," suggested Staunton, who also strongly criticised the door-stepping of his parents in the aftermath of the defeat in Nicosia.
Henderson is expected to get the nod ahead of Nicky Colgan, and Staunton confirmed McShane would start. The 20-year-old West Bromwich player will partner John O'Shea in a defence charged with controlling Jan Koller, Milan Baros, Tomas Rosicky and others. Most of the team will be experienced, at least at club level, but Staunton seemed concerned about how tonight might unfold when he said: "It would be unfair to go a bit younger because you could ruin them."
A seasoned figure in central midfield will be Lee Carsley, steadfastly ignored by Staunton until yesterday when he arrived as a late replacement for Ireland. His defensive qualities ought to help a team that was horribly exposed in Cyprus. "We know what Lee can offer, he's an experienced pro," Staunton said curtly when asked about the Everton player.
Staunton confirmed only that his defence would be Steve Finnan, Stephen Kelly, O'Shea and McShane, who joined West Brom from Manchester United. Carsley will have a holding role tonight in what could be a five-man midfield, with Alan Quinn or Jonathan Douglas joining Kevin Kilbane in the centre to try to make the team harder to break down. Staunton said he wants passion against the Czechs. "We know they are a top-class side, they have got top-class players but they don't like the aggressive side of the Irish nature and we have to show them that," he said.
According to the FAI website, the Czechs have a fully fit squad to choose from after Milan Baros was passed fit.
That 2.25 seems to be long gone now, they're odds on now in most places, but Centrebet still have the Czech Republic at evens.
rcgills !!!! you have worked hard on that mate!! very impressed , I agree with all you say but sometimes you have to take into account that you will get a big reaction from the players especially at home from Ireland. like you say though will the players brought in be good enough????
Going with the info on the Czechs I think i'll be on. Thanks guys.
They where really impressive against the USA in the World Cup. Can't remember much about Ghana game cause I was on a stag weekend and the 2-0 against the eventual winners Italy - they done OK.
They will be looking to continue their great start of 3 straight wins and will sniff a great chance to beat the Rep of Ire. OK they where fortunate enough to beat Wales but then put 3 past Slovakia which as Wales found out are a decent enough side. OK granted a few defensive howlers gifted them two goals but as 11/10 is still available on Lads Shop coupon - i'll have a piece of that.
whole WC was a disaster for our team, whole strategy was everything on Koler and after his injury the tactics failed, second problem were the old players that were completely out of form like Poborsky (cnut)
New players brought a fresh air to the team and i think we are stronger then we were on WC
I'm on our team too
CR @2,02Betfair
will be a typical after the lord majors show for scotland I hate to say, england draw ane ukraine win for me good double
mellbhoy - i've read all you post and all you've said is Ukraine and England draw. Any reasoning behind these picks ? all you've said is the Lord Majors show but isn't that in the Summer ?
Is it because England failed to impress on Saturday or that Schevchenko is back for Ukraine ?
Not sure whether you're serious or not Kegman, but just in case you are (and for the benefit of any foreign readers who might not know the expression), after the Lord Mayor's Show is an expression meaning that after everything going great last time, and with expectations high, the follow-up often turns out to be a bit of an anticlimax.
Injuries bite as qualifying resumes
Tuesday, 10 October 2006
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Fredrik Ljungberg will be sidelined for Sweden's UEFA EURO 2008™ Group F qualifier in Iceland, joining fellow midfielders Tobias Linderoth and Anders Svensson on the unavailable list. Ljungberg has failed to recover from a calf problem, while Svensson is suspended and Linderoth is with his wife who is due to give birth.
England will be without defender Ledley King for tomorrow's Group E qualifier in Croatia after the Tottenham Hotspur FC player withdrew with a knee injury. King, 25, started Saturday's 0-0 draw with F.Y.R. Macedonia as a late replacement for Rio Ferdinand, but the Manchester United FC centre-half has recovered from a back spasm allowing him to reclaim his place in Zagreb.
Everton FC midfielder Lee Carsley has been called into the Republic of Ireland squad for the first time in three years for Wednesday's Group D fixture against the Czech Republic. Carsley, 32, announced the end of his international retirement last month, but was not selected in the initial party that lost 5-2 in Cyprus on Saturday. Stephen Ireland, who did feature, has withdrawn through injury.
Defender Ioannis Goumas has not joined Greece on their trip to Zenica for the Group C qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina after picking up a groin injury. Coach Otto Rehhagel is expected to field 34-year-old Theodoros Zagorakis in the starting lineup as the captain makes his 119th and final appearance for his country. "I thank God I was able to have an international career and experience such important moments with the Greece squad," said Zagorakis.
FCS Pasching midfielder Péter Kabát will sit out Hungary's Group C qualifier in Malta after suffering a knee ligament injury during his country's weekend defeat by Turkey. The 29-year-old is expected to be sidelined for the next four weeks.
Iceland have been hit by a triple injury blow with defender Kari Árnason, striker Veigar Páll Gunnarsson and midfielder Helgi Valur Daníelsson all ruled out of the Sweden game in Group F. Ólafur Örn Bjarnason, Ásgeir Gunnar Ásgeirsson and Jónas Gudni Sævarsson all come in as replacements, while Brynjar Gunnarsson is banned after collecting his second caution of the campaign at the weekend.
Finland will be deprived of suspended defender Markus Heikkinen and injured striker Jonatan Johansson for their Group A game in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, full-back Toni Kallio and midfielder Mika Väyrynen are expected to overcome knocks to play.
Obtained this info from another forum, Georgia missing a number of key players
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Arveladze, Kobiashvili, Gogua, Asatiani, Demetradze and Mujiri are all missing for sure, maybe one or two others. These are important players and several are seen as team leaders.
Not sure how important this players are and the Italians after the 2-0 win over Ukraine should be aiming for 3 points as they now lie 3rd in the table bhd Scotland and France. What worries me is their awful away form. Anyone with more insights into the clash mates.
Cheers
CROATIA-ENGLAND
I have analized this two teams, and you know what? England is better team
but that is just looking by the names of the players, let's be honest, did you ever heard of Petrić? well I'm a Croatian and heard of him few months ago and he scored 4 goals in last match, he is in great shape, allso did you hear ever for eduardo dasilva... well anyway I would be on England but one fact is on Cro side and that is that Croata never lost oficial home game!
be careful on this one!
Euro 2008 Qualifiers: 11th Oct
