Albania beat the Russians 3-1 today. They have a new manager (German, I think) and seem to be in good form. Will Kerr make any changes? And how hard will this match be?
Well, t'would seem that the group is wide open now. I expect Robbie Keane to be brought in up front with Duff moved out to the left and Kilbane to make way. I think RK will be extra keen to make an impression, especially in the light of last week's sad event. Other than that, I think it will be the same line-up, with Carsley (who actually impressed me today) continuing in the right-side berth and JOS remaining at left-back. Roll on Wednesday. But first, the small matter of an egg-chasing contest to settle tomorrow. My fragile nerves are shot through... PP - Thank God for Prozac...
What about putting Duff on the right and Carsley in the middle to sure up the mid field a bit? Both possibilitys, but I'd imagine Keane and Doherty will be our strikers, which will give us alot of options. Can't see any other changes tbh, we played better today then the scoreline would suggest., if we can grind out another 3 points we should be able to get another six in the return fixtures, which are our next two competitive fixtures, when we have a full squad. If Russia and the Swiss keep dropping points, we'll be right on course to top the group. Of course, if we don't win against Albania, or at least draw, we could struggle to make the playoffs. Personally, after seing Albanias result today, a draw wouldn't be a bad result given our injury problems, provided we get 6 points the home games, we should still be doing okay, but we can't afford to lose. I think Kerr should send them out to try and win though, it's never a good thing to just look for the draw, but if that's all we get then I wont be too disappointed.
although a draw in Tirana would be a good result, we have to go for the 3 points. If we win out there that will give us three points on the Russians now, in effect canceling out our defeat in Moscow. It will also give us 2 points back on the Swiss, who drew 1-1 out there.
A win in Tirana would definitely be our best result since the Germany match. They've taken 4 points from games against Russia and Switzerland there, and I remember them playing well against England in the last World Cup qualifiers. A draw would be by no means a bad result - especially as the Swiss and Russia will drop points when they meet each other. I have a feeling there's going to be an awful lot riding on our home match against Russia in the Autumn.
Our goal difference isn't looking too healthy though - I'd like to see us bag a few in the home games in June. I hope it doesn't come down to this. Despite Albanias win on Saturday, I still think a win is imperative on Wednesday. 4 points from 4 games will not be good. Its strange because before Saturday I was more worried about the Georgia game, but it seems the Albanians are no longer the pushovers of yesteryear. With Robbie back and the team on a high after Saturdays outstanding performance (I do feel it was outstanding), we should do it. A 2-0 win with Keane and Holland scoring is my prediction
3 Points needed I think we can beat Albania!! I would put Duffer back in left midfield & use Keane & Doherty up front for the next game, no way would I play Duff on the right, that would be a a total waste of his skills!! It's a pity we are missing Reid on the right, he is a great battler in midfield. I think the Albania game is going to be tough, but a win out there will go a long way to qualifying, Russia losing was a great result for us.
The question is if Keane returns to the attack, who will go? Kerr did not substitute anyone on Saturday because he didnt see any weaknesses. He could put Duff out on the left wing but Kilbane gave a battling performance against Georgia. Tough decision.
Thats me away for my planes trains and 'ferry'mobile journey to Albania. Leave Manchester tomorrow morning 0600 Fly from Stansted to Pescara - 1200 Train from Pescara - Bari 1600 Overnight Ferry to Durres - 2300 ************ knows how we get from Durres to Tirana . ...probably one of those lovely Lada taxi's or such equivalant (about an hours drive). Please god we'll enjoy a tough but deserved win, while the Swiss drop points in Georgia. then everythng in reverse made easier by the cheap bevvy carryout for the way back... enjoy the game all!!! Jnr
Expect an unchanged team for Wednesday. Apparently Kerr doesn't reckon Robbie Keane is fit enough to start, he's only had one game in five weeks and no training done for over a week. However, he could be an inspirational sub if we need a goal in the last quarter.
Where'd you hear that? I doubt they'd ask Keane to travel after all that's happend just to sit on the bench, mind you if he's not fit and is willing to travel to do a job off the bench then it's the right decison.
It'll be interesting to see what Kerr does with the team now. Admittedly, we weren't great on Saturday but it was a great result and I would have taken that on Friday night. He's got a couple of tough calls to make now but that's why he's the gaffer.
Doherty & Keane Would you start Doherty up front with Keano or would you go with Connolly?? One thing I will say about the Georgia game is fair dues to Kerr for being patient & sticking with the same team throughout the 90 mins, that's something big Mick would never have done, he seemed to panic a bit in those circumstances. Surely the teanm should be as follows: Given O'Shea O'Brien Cunningham Carr (c) Duff Holland Carsley Healy Doherty Keane I would be concerned with the lack of 1st team football both Breen & Kinsella have been getting this season, I would defo have O'Brien ahead of Breen anyway, especially after his performances in Europe this year!!
Healy has hardly played at all this season - Kinsella has to be ahead of him. I felt he played well on Saturday. Centre midfield is our weak link but I don't think sticking in a Celtic reserve will help. Breen v O'Brien is a tough one though. I think everyone would agree that Cunningham is a cert. Breens last ditch tackle will see him picked as will his general Irish form. I must admit I've winced this season when watching him play for West Ham. Doherty and Keano up front - Kilbane dropped fo Duff. Otherwise same as Saturday.
Look you lot, the team will undoubtedly be : Shay Given. Stephen Carr, Kenny Cunningham, Gary Breen, John O'Shea. Lee Carsley, Mark Kinsella, Matt Holland, Kevin Kilbane. Robbie Keane, Damien Duff. *Gary Doherty will once again start up front if Mr. Kerr deems Robbie Keane unfit for the full 90 minutes.
I think that's our best team (with the players avaailable) the way we have played under Kerr. The possible exception is Breen Vs O'Brien, although Breen hasn't done anything worng. Kerr didn't play Duff as a central striker anyway, he was everywhere on Saturday, more of a free role. So I don't believe we'll suffer like we did during the world cup when Duff was up front. Carsley and Kilbane seem to be getting much further forward now (they both got into great scoring positions vs georgia) than under McCarthy.
The main problem with that will be when he plays with Keane, as that's pretty much Keanes role aswell. Will give him a selection headache alright, but I still prefer Duff in the mid field, but in saying that, he was great against Georgia.
The Albanian players are on a win bonus of £95,000 Sterling for a win on Wednesday. http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/03/04/01/manual_075116.html The Albanians will go one of two ways here, I believe. They will either still be on such a high from Saturday, that Ireland will have an easy run. On the other hand, they could keep up their winning ways. While football quality has evened out in recent years and there are no more easy games, one thing still distinguishes the good from the also rans - it is very difficult for these 'minnows' to put together back to back great performances in a short period of time. Look back at Ireland's away game to Estonia in the WCQs. The Saturday before Estonia played out of their skins and was leading Holland 2-1 with 7(?) minutes left, collapsing to lose 4-2. But they were shot for the Wednesday game against Ireland who ran out comfortable 2-0 winners. I think, but am very far from confident, that Albania just might be the same. Perhaps Breigel is the X factor here.
I heard noises today that Robbie will start on the bench, but I can't remember where I heard it so I'm not sure how reliable it is - bearing in mind that his sum total of football in over a month was 70-odd minutes against Bolton though, it makes sense. If Doherty doesn't recover from his knock, I'd say Keane will be pushed in, but otherwise, I'm expecting an unchanged side. In any event, I can't see Kerr dropping Kilbane - he did a lot of important work helping out O'Shea - who is still learning the trade, especially at this level - on the left (as well as getting forward), and both Kerr and O'Shea made a point of publicly acknowledging Kilbane's influence on that side of the game. Doherty's in the same situation, although to a lesser extent, in that the theory of a target man holding up the ball away from home in a tough venue still applies. If Keane does come back, he'll probably slot in on the right, with either Carsley dropping to the bench or moving in at the expense of Holland/Kinsella - Holland, for my money, although that's purely my own choice. The defence will remain unchanged.
Might have heard it here, Pat Mustard posted it in another thread I thought Robbie played the full Bolton match, if he didn't he'll almost definitely not start I would say.
Albania cannot be considered minnows anymore, as others have stated already they have improved a lot in the last 5 years or so. I saw them play Germany in the last WC qualifiers and they were very impressive losing unluckily to a late goal. This could actually be the most difficult of our remaining matches.