Advertisement
Walters has been in good form for Stoke this season. INPHO/Donall Farmer

Poll: Should Jon Walters start up front for Ireland?

The Stoke man is being tipped to play following comments made by Trapattoni at a press conference yesterday.

SPECULATION IS RIFE this morning that Trapattoni will start Stoke’s Jon Walters up front against Estonia, with some media outlets reporting that he is strongly considering the option.

The decision would come as something of a surprise, as Walters would likely come in at the expense of West Brom striker Simon Cox, who had been tipped to start following his impressive showing against Armenia last month.

However, Walters also made an impressive cameo in the Armenia game, which seems to have convinced Trapattoni that he is the right man for the job in Estonia.

Trap also indicated in his press conference yesterday that Walters style complemented Keane’s, whereas Cox was too similar a player to the LA Galaxy striker.

Meanwhile, Leon Best, who was only called up after Shane Long was ruled out, is unlikely to feature, particularly as he is an injury doubt himself.

So what do you think, who should Trap start with, assuming that Keane is guaranteed his spot in the side?


Poll Results:

Jon Walters (474)
I hear Dunphy's looking for a new job (60)
Simon Cox (59)
Leon Best (51)
Play an extra man in midfield (19)

Read: Trapattoni cautious as he readies Tallinn battle plan>

Read: Trap optimistic on O’Shea’s recovery>

Close
16 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BlaaBoy
    Favourite BlaaBoy
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 11:42 AM

    I voted yes. He is the “in-form” Irish striker in the Premiership this season. Fair enough, Best has scored a few goals but his all round play isn’t as good as Walters. The Stoke man offers pace, strength, work rate and can bang in a goal or two.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Morrissey
    Favourite Paul Morrissey
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 10:28 AM

    Would it be mental to put McCarthy or Fahey in behind Keane?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Woods
    Favourite John Woods
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 10:37 AM

    Yip, it would. We need a physical presence up front. Jon Walters is the man.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sharon Mulhall
    Favourite Sharon Mulhall
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 10:40 AM

    What about Skokes? Maybe manager should be looking at what’s best for team and putting personal differences behind him…

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Brackett
    Favourite Terry Brackett
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 8:53 PM

    yes i agree stokes is the manor best

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thinkshpake
    Favourite Thinkshpake
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 11:59 PM

    Stokes?? Are you for real??

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul M Brady
    Favourite Paul M Brady
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 12:51 PM

    I feel it would be foolish to play an extra man in midfield because the team is used to playing together in a 442. Probably not a good idea to go messing about with players and tactics. If keane was up front on his own he would forget to stay on the central defenders toes and be running all over the place. We need the physical presence of Walters in the frontline battle.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute G Charles Osborne
    Favourite G Charles Osborne
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 2:43 PM

    Walters deserves a shot. He was impressive during his cameo versus Armenia. Dont forget the cat is no in the bag!

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bazza
    Favourite Bazza
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 10:40 AM

    No, he should stick to the journalism !!
    :)

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Int. Wilderness
    Favourite Int. Wilderness
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 2:49 PM

    I would be very happy if Walters starts. He is a prescene but much more than a “big man” up front. Has a good first touch and a decent range of passing. We have a surprisingly decent range of options up front at the moment with Keane, Doyle, Long, Walters, Cox and Best. If Conor Sammon starts to get a bit more playing time at Wigan he could sharpen up too

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Farrelly
    Favourite Mark Farrelly
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 12:20 PM

    Eh Ch’yeah!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Cahill
    Favourite Tony Cahill
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 2:07 PM

    yes walters should start up front with robbie keane,we have to stay with a 4 4 2 formation and go for it

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gavin Mckenna
    Favourite Gavin Mckenna
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 3:00 PM

    Personally I would choose Walters up front with Best. Keane is rusty and his best days are behind him! Either way a One nil to us will set us up nicely.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Keegan
    Favourite Jack Keegan
    Report
    Nov 9th 2011, 12:49 AM

    Scored a great goal for Galaxy last week? I think Doyle being sent off v Armenia showed us the potential of Walters up front on his own..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathan Hayes
    Favourite Jonathan Hayes
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 2:17 PM

    James McCarthy – good player, should be starting every game

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute william davies
    Favourite william davies
    Report
    Nov 8th 2011, 2:12 PM

    Perry groves !!!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.