GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI IS likely to stick with his tried and trusted 4-4-2 for Friday’s World Cup qualifier against Sweden.
Ireland trained again in Malahide this morning as thoughts turned to the starting XI for a game which will go a long way towards deciding their Group C fate.
With Aiden McGeady out injured, Trap will have to improvise slightly in midfield but assistant manager Marco Tardelli said they are unlikely to use the 4-4-1-1 formation tried against Wales last month.
Maybe it’s possible to use this style with other teams but I think against Sweden we need to use two strikers.
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Tardelli refused to be drawn on whether Jon Walters and Simon Cox are both likely to start in wide positions but if Ireland do go with two up front captain Robbie Keane, who flew in from America yesterday, will almost certainly be the focal point.
“Robbie Keane is important for the young players and for the team. When Robbie is on the pitch, the team is more confident. He is important for us.”
He added: “We need four points. That is very important to keep the qualification hopes alive.”
Marc Wilson remains the major doubt with an ankle injury. The Stoke City defender sat out again this morning though Tardelli said he is “confident” that Wilson will be ready in time.
Goalkeepers David Forde and Darren Randolph also skipped part of the session to spend some extra time in the gym but otherwise it was a full-strength squad with Shane Long and James McCarthy both taking part following their mixed fortunes on transfer deadline day.
Long was in Malahide for yesterday’s first day of camp but then flew out to England in the hope of completing an 11th-hour move from West Brom to Hull City.
“In his mind something [was going to] happen, but these are professional players,” Tardelli said as he brushed off concerns that the striker might take time to get over the disappointment of the move falling through.
I think he will be [mentally] fit for the match. He is happy.
This is football. Sometimes it happens, sometimes not.
McCarthy had a chance to catch up with his new club-mate Seamus Coleman after Wigan finally signed off on his transfer to Everton in a deal thought to be worth £13 million.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for him,” Tardelli said. “It’s an important year for him. It can decide if he can be a very good player or just a player. I think James can become a very good player.”
BATE turned off the lights during Dundalk’s training in the stadium last night and threatened to put on the sprinklers if they didn’t leave. Up against it already!! COME ON DE TOWN!!! Nobody wants us winning!! Stick it to de man!!!!
Dave ,why don’t you draw a a little sad face on your profile picture ,because that’s what you are ,a sad loser. It’s only half time and the tie is still alive, come on the town.
Half Time. Very solid defensively, Gary Rogers has had little to do but we need a little bit more going forward. There was one attack that we cleared and BATE had 1 outfield player in there own half, that shows that there is space there for a counter attack and going all out defence is important but its a recipe for disaster. At this moment it looks to be reminiscent of Ireland vs Belgium at the euros an we need to ask more questions for the BATE defence.
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BATE turned off the lights during Dundalk’s training in the stadium last night and threatened to put on the sprinklers if they didn’t leave. Up against it already!! COME ON DE TOWN!!! Nobody wants us winning!! Stick it to de man!!!!
Not everyone can say that there cousin has played in one of the big European competitions, COME ON LADS!!!
Useless clowns. Shat the togs
Embarrassment to the league
Dave ,why don’t you draw a a little sad face on your profile picture ,because that’s what you are ,a sad loser. It’s only half time and the tie is still alive, come on the town.
Huge game for the league. An away goal and a draw would suit nicely
The two commentators are so depressing too listen to on eir … jesus christ
Where can we watch this game?
Setanta/Eir
The match is being shown on 872 for anyone without eir sport.
Sean’s favourite channel..
Well i can see men playing with balls so it will do thanks sean
Dundalk look rattled, they need to get there head right soon. This BATE side is there for the taking!
Dundalk FC…the team for me lol best of luck
Bate Borisov. BATE THEM GOOD.
Are Bate sponsored by Tampax??
Sorry – my mistake it’s Tpax… lettering looks very similar though. Dundalk putting up a brave performance..
Horrendous goal to give away – shocking pass
Stupid goal to give away but BATE were different class after that. Dundalk were heroic in the last 10 mins to keep it 1-0.
*channel number 872
Half Time. Very solid defensively, Gary Rogers has had little to do but we need a little bit more going forward. There was one attack that we cleared and BATE had 1 outfield player in there own half, that shows that there is space there for a counter attack and going all out defence is important but its a recipe for disaster. At this moment it looks to be reminiscent of Ireland vs Belgium at the euros an we need to ask more questions for the BATE defence.
I was right, hopefully it doesn’t end like the Belgium game now.
If they came out and played further up they’d get caught badly on the counter I think. Oriel park would have been a big advantage, feck UEFA.
Away on hols, link anyone?
If dundalk loose the tie are they in Europa league group stages or another qualifying match??
If they lose over the two legs they go to a Europa league qualifying match
They’re s h i t e
They’ll only loose the tie if they get hot under the collar.
There is a tie their yet, well done Dundalk