Corcaigh

That's the spirit BOF Team confirmed: Westwood, Coleman, O'Shea, O'Dea, Ward, McCarthy, Andrews, Fahey, McGeady, Walters, Cox. I wouldn't start with Cox on the wing myself but nice to see Coleman and McCarthy playing.

Robbie 'Big Ecks only decent signing' Keane looks to be out for the Germany game. Press are saying Walters looks to be replacing him but I'd have Long playing instead. He looked rather decent as the only striker for WBA a few weeks back.

I can't see Trap picking Clark ahead of O'Shea - O'Dea in the centre, its not his style.

Clark called into the squad for the Germany/Faroes fixtures. It's going to be quite the baptism of fire for Ciaran if he gets picked for the Germany game.

I think we are as good as we look which is not brilliant, not terrible, just solid. And, taking into our account our qualifying record under Trap, I think we're pretty good, ugly yes, but results wise quite good. Yeah the Euro's were massively disappointing, but we're still a decent team who'll be there or thereabouts by the end of the qualifying series. You think we're as good as we currently look. You think using Walters and Doyle on the wing is as good as we can be. You think McClean would not improve the side. You think hoofball is the extent of the abilities of players who (Stoke notwithstanding) don't even play that game for their clubs. Fair enough. I strongly disagree with you. I think you're a mile off to be frank. Re: Doyle playing out wide, he's played parts of his career there and can definitely do a job there. Indeed, I'm quite sure when he came onto the international scene originally he was played out wide the odd time? (am open to correction). Re: McCLean, I'd like to see him in the team eventually, but he's blotted his copybook, just like Darron Gibson and Marc Wilson have. I don't think its acceptable for players, especially these two who were sitting on a bench or playing in the LOI until 12 months ago, from getting uppity, patience is a virtue, there time will come and all that. To prove my point let's recall the case of James McCarthy, here he is now getting selected and will probably start against Germany. Irrespective of who is Ireland manager and who is or who isn't in the first XI I would consider a group with Germany and Sweden to be a tough a group to qualify out of. Which is what I said, it IS a tough group but that misses the wider and more important point of building for the future. "building for the future" is such a loaded term tbh. I'm quite happy for the gradual introduction of players into a national side without upsetting the balance or making us uncompetitive. This is the way it should be done? Again witness the emergence of McCarthy this campaign, or the integration of Walters and Long in the previous campaign or Whelan and Andrews in the one prior to that to show that Trap does "build for the future". Tbh BOF the kind of radical "building for the future" you propose evokes how Stan went about selecting his squads and first teams, what with throwing players in at the deep end and seeing if they sink or swim. I don't want that and I'm sure you don't either. As an example, look at Seamy Coleman last night, not great, not terrible but still raw. Many have been clamouring for the guy to be in the first team for important game's and been harshly critical for Trap for not doing so. Same with Clark, there's still plenty of Ireland supporters who keep on banging on about him being Ireland's next Left Back. Both these guys need time and regular first team football before they come into the Ireland XI for the big games, I don't think its a crime on Trap's part for not selecting them. What past it players are left in the first team? Keane and Dunne maybe, but I'd expect both of them to be pushed out of the team over the course of the campaign if neither is getting game time with Clark (hopefully) and Long replacing them. Not only past it in terms of age. I mean past it in terms of being first choice for the country. In that respect there are many who are. Most of whom are in midfield. I think both Andrews and Whelan can still do a job for us. Hopefully McCarthy will enhance our midfield. Fair enough BOF you're vehemently anti-Trap and I doubt I'm going to change your opinion. I'm still going to stick up for him and wish the team well. See you at Lansdowne Rd. in October *I note in my editing I seem to have parsed the relevant bits of BOF's quotes which I'm replying to, my bad, apologies etc.

I think we are as good as we look which is not brilliant, not terrible, just solid. And, taking into our account our qualifying record under Trap, I think we're pretty good, ugly yes, but results wise quite good. Yeah the Euro's were massively disappointing, but we're still a decent team who'll be there or thereabouts by the end of the qualifying series. Irrespective of who is Ireland manager and who is or who isn't in the first XI I would consider a group with Germany and Sweden to be a tough a group to qualify out of. What past it players are left in the first team? Keane and Dunne maybe, but I'd expect both of them to be pushed out of the team over the course of the campaign if neither is getting game time with Clark (hopefully) and Long replacing them. Trap can be ruthless when he wants to be, witness the retirement of Kilbane. But using that as an example I'd fully expect the Irish media to have a go at Trap if he announced tomorrow he was dispensing with both players mentioned, cries of 'bad communication' and the like would no doubt be used from Fanning, Early, Sadlier et al. With Robbie Keane in particular its a difficult one, he's made it clear in previous years if isn't a starter for Ireland then he's going to retire. Although I'd like Long to start ahead of him I still think Keane could be extremely useful for Ireland coming off the bench. And, with memories of his time at Villa still fresh, I don't think he's ''past it'' either. All in all I'm happy to continue with Trap for the campaign and wish the Irish media and some supporters would let up on him.

Yeah sorry 'bout that, I remember now the group specific threads. I'd disagree with your take on it BOF. I don't rate the new crop much higher then what's there already. As stultifying as Trap's system and tactics are, I'd rather stick with the tried and trusted then mix it up again with a new manager and all the unpredictably that can bring. The only exception I'd make to that would be seeing the promotion of Tardelli as manager if the Germany/Sweden games go awry. Nah it's not becuase they were in the USSR, if that were the case we'd have the likes of Turkmenistan & Uzbekistan in the Euro's. OTB had Jon Wilson on last night who said that they're in UEFA as the Russians wanted them in there and the Kazakhs wanted to leave Asia to play a higher standard of football. I think that's bollocks, shur let's have Pakistan and India in the Euro's as well if that's the case. Call me old fashioned but let's leave the Euro qualifiers to teams actually from Europe, fawk Isreal and the old soviet republics.

LOL at how this thread went oh so quite around the time the team were getting their arses handed to them in June. Anyway the knives are out for Trap, the wannabee fleet streeters and jaded former pro's who make up the Ireland team press corps have already made up their minds and want him out. **** 'em I say. I know nothing about K-stan, wtf are they even doing in the European WC qualifiers anyway? They border Mongolia and China FFS!

I've much love for Doyler having watched him run up and down the channels for Cork City in years gone by. But....no to him coming to Villa, just no. Doesn't score, will have a huge price tag and poor resale value and he goes missing in games imo, not what you want or expect in a target man.

Surely if we start the season with Vlaar - Clark at the back looking solid and keeping clean sheets then it should be Villa compensating the FAI for the good fortune of having Dunne crocked and out of the team?

Saw it on Monday, overall it was decent enough although I thought the 'climb out of the prison hole' plot line was a bit silly tbh. Not as good as no.2 imo.

Heard Spurs are supposedly close to announcing new Arab investors who're paying for the stadium. This true or is my spurs chum on a wind up?

Yeah twitter is full of clearings in the woods talking shite alright :winkold: Reckon Bin Laden would be elected by your fellow UK citizens as a Member of Parliament within twenty years, do you? Queen Elizabeth's own son is the colonel-in-chief of the British soldiers that decided to massacre innocent marchers in McGuinness' home city, and then take forty years to admit it. Elizabeth is also the head of state of a nation whose government refuse to release files to the Irish government about British security involvement in blowing up 26 innocent people (plus one unborn) in Dublin. I doubt McGuinness brought these issues up. Why? Both sides are moving on. Yours is a dangerous, chip-on-the-shoulder, stuck-in-the-past attitude that would continue the bloodshed, be it in Derry or in Birmingham. Two people shaking hands. Not a huge deal, but it's the type of thing that stops war/terrorism and saves lives. It's great that it's happened, and just a pity it didn't happen sooner. Well said that man.

It's political theatre lads, (provisional) Sinn Fein took a hammering last year down south for not meeting Lizzy Windsor when she was on tour round these parts. This is their way of making up for it.

Loved Ash when he was with us, but I left out a whoop of joy when he missed the penalty last night. That's what you get for diving against Villa at Old Trafford Ash, Karma is a bitch. Take that ya diving prick.

4 points should, with a bit of luck, take us through. We're well able to get results out of Croatia & Italy, Spain less so. I'd tend to agree with posters who are negative about Irelands chance's. On paper we've the weakest team in the group, but you never know what'll happen when Ireland are at the party....

And you're quibbling over paying it? Wow, what a big club you are. And when you do eventally have him and a top 6 club suddenly needs a manager, enjoy looking over your shoulder. keep sucking on those lemons old bean!

Optimistic and nervous in equal measure with regards to Irelands chances as the tournament draws closer. Obviously Traps team are outsiders to get out of the group, but being underdogs suits us best. Convinced one of McGeady or McLean will make a big impact on the tournament along with Walters & Long if they get picked. Whatever happens, that moment when the lads are lining up for the anthem and with Poznan turned green, and with the whole country & diaspora watching on, its going to be an emotional one on Sunday week. Ireland are back in the big time again, its been too long.

What's so "disgraceful" about Trap dropping Foley? Ruthless yes, disgraceful no. too many people too quick to jump on the old man for every perceived mistake.

Fingers crossed the only game time Green will get will be in the Italy game when Trap will be resting the regulars after picking up 6pts in the first 2 games

Good workout in the sunshine against the Bosnian-Herzegovinians. McGeady looked lively, as did Walters. I was less impressed with Gibson but he seems to have won plaudits. All in all its all good and I'm feeling confident going into the Euro's, especially with a cloud over the dodgy Italians. Highlight of the day was after the game and leaving the ground then who should cross my path? why it was GOD himself! a cry of 'up the Villa' was met with a smile and a wave of the hand. What a legend!

Anyone watching this? Part 2 was on last night, quality programme so far. http://www.rte.ie/player/#s=latest&g=2012-05-16 (Don't know if link works in the UK)

Good riddance.

Is the game still going to be shown on Sky?

Sadly, on the pitch, CCFC are having an even grimmer time of currently then Villa are!