Nigeria Post Match Thoughts and Analysis

[shakermaker1982]

It was a solid performance and I thought we were the better team. My judgement might be clouded because of the heat and booze but on the whole the Trap can take some encouragement from that run out. St Ledger will have impressed and I think there is a good chance he starts on Saturday. Dunne and St Ledger worked well as a pair and I'd have no qualms if he kept them as the central pairing and moved O'Shea to full back.

Miller and Andrew's were nice and tidy.

Keano played well and I think if he stayed on we'd have won the game. Best impressed me as well. Strong, quick and always on the move.

[Crosby87]

Keith Fahey, Kevin Foley. Funny. That dude looks 17 years old. Can he even drive yet?

[SwanVsDalton]

Was an ok game and an ok performance. Typical Ireland friendly really. Was a decent run out though and we were the better team I thought. Agree that Sledge was the best of the debutants - assertive and largely comfortable after he settled down. Dunne beside him was always going to be a help.

Nolan was ok but didn't seem overly comfortable on the left. Lawrence showed some nice touches but it didn't really happen for him and Best was a handful although his first touch at times was woeful. But he's only going to get better and could be a useful option.

Was fairly disappointed with Foley - he's been built up in some quarters but he shown little to back it up. He had a chance tonight to stake a claim but didn't. Ball's back in Stephen Kelly's court now.

McShane had 15mins at right back and was again well out of it. He also provoked the quote of the night. Remember when he let a long cross field ball bounce through his legs? A guy behind me disgustedly said: "Jesus christ, how can anyone be nutmegged from 50 yards?" :D

[lopez]

I'm sure he was referring to the sizeable Nigeria population in Ireland. A match between Ireland and Nigeria played at an Irish venue would of attracted a bigger crowd than that which attended the game in Craven Cottage.No sh*te, sherlock! An even bigger crowd might have turned up in Lagos.

There is a far bigger Nigerian population in London than Dublin. I don't have the figures, but I'd put money on it. I'd put money on it being bigger than Colombia's too. I'm dissapointed that more didn't come.

I'd guess Irishultra feels aggrieved that Ireland are playing games for its emigrant diaspora's benefit rather than for the 'Metropolitan' population's benefit. That's his prerogative just as it's mine to feel that a drive down the M40 is preferable to a flight to Dublin. Maybe if he had to emigrate to London - as may well be a future option - he might agree. Personally, I would have liked a visit to Lagos.

Dunno what point he's making about the Tans playing in Ireland seeing the last time they came they smashed up the stadium. A better suggestion would be for a Poland - Nigeria game or Lithuania - China at Tolka Park. But just as we've forgotton about emigration, we've forgotten about that incident too. So put it to the FAI, mate. Be a moneyspinner alright, because there are enough tossers who put clubs they've never been to, in cities and a country they have absolutely no connection to, ahead of their national side, who will go along to see players of these teams. Daily Star and the Independent will give it all the publicity you need.

[theworm2345]

We haven't had a June qualifier for 4 years?:confused:

He would've played Killer, Whelan, McGeady/Hunt, McShane from the start if that was his main aim.
I can't believe its really been 4 years since Israel and the **** Aouate and the Faroes?

[NeilMcD]

No sh*te, sherlock! An even bigger crowd might have turned up in Lagos.

There is a far bigger Nigerian population in London than Dublin. I don't have the figures, but I'd put money on it. I'd put money on it being bigger than Colombia's too. I'm dissapointed that more didn't come.

I'd guess Irishultra feels aggrieved that Ireland are playing games for its emigrant diaspora's benefit rather than for the 'Metropolitan' population's benefit. That's his prerogative just as it's mine to feel that a drive down the M40 is preferable to a flight to Dublin. Maybe if he had to emigrate to London - as may well be a future option - he might agree. Personally, I would have liked a visit to Lagos.

Dunno what point he's making about the Tans playing in Ireland seeing the last time they came they smashed up the stadium. A better suggestion would be for a Poland - Nigeria game or Lithuania - China at Tolka Park. But just as we've forgotton about emigration, we've forgotten about that incident too. So put it to the FAI, mate. Be a moneyspinner alright, because there are enough tossers who put clubs they've never been to, in cities and a country they have absolutely no connection to, ahead of their national side, who will go along to see players of these teams. Daily Star and the Independent will give it all the publicity you need.

Great post lopez, spot on. I was going to reply to the post but I could not find the words to articulate what I thought. You have managed to do that.

[ifk101]

I'd guess Irishultra feels aggrieved that Ireland are playing games for its emigrant diaspora's benefit rather than for the 'Metropolitan' population's benefit.

Hardly... ;)


That's his prerogative just as it's mine to feel that a drive down the M40 is preferable to a flight to Dublin. Maybe if he had to emigrate to London - as may well be a future option - he might agree. Personally, I would have liked a visit to Lagos.

Dunno what point he's making about the Tans playing in Ireland seeing the last time they came they smashed up the stadium. A better suggestion would be for a Poland - Nigeria game or Lithuania - China at Tolka Park. But just as we've forgotton about emigration, we've forgotten about that incident too. So put it to the FAI, mate. Be a moneyspinner alright, because there are enough tossers who put clubs they've never been to, in cities and a country they have absolutely no connection to, ahead of their national side, who will go along to see players of these teams. Daily Star and the Independent will give it all the publicity you need.

His comment was tongue in cheek because you suggested that more games should be played in Craven Cottage. But go OTT on it - that's your prerogative.

[lopez]

His comment was tongue in cheek because you suggested that more games should be played in Craven Cottage. But go OTT on it - that's your prerogative.Thanks for clearing that up, which is remarkable, seeing you didn't post the comment. OTT? I'll give you that one. I just thought it was - from a financial point of view at least (damages - to stadiums, pubs, faces, trauma to kids being filmed by TV looking on in shock, lawsuits by idiots buying tickets for the Tan section complaining about getting a slap - excluded) - a good idea for the Tans to play internationals in Ireland. :D

Anyway, I'll reckon it'll be one more year at Fulham at the very most. Then ALL our friendlies for the foreseeable future will be at Lansdowne Road. It will be the inverse of what most African and Latin American countries currently do with their friendlies.

[eirebhoy]

Thought Dunne was our man of the match by a distance. St Ledger was very impressive on his debut. The 2 full backs were poor. Lawrence and Duff didn't set much up and surprisingly it was the 2 midfielders creating most. Andrews again looks an intelligent player and doesn't just keep it simple. Keane was very good and I thought Best also impressed on his debut. He has some burst of pace.

The move for the goal was brilliant. It looked like Miller meant that pass to Andrews and was literally a world class pass.

[Stuttgart88]

yeah, agree with eirebhoy though if you look at the goal again Duff also played a big part, winning the ball back from the toes of a Nigerian guy and then feeding Miller.

That was actually one of the best goals I've seen from us in a while: Duff, Miller, Andrews, all one touch, then brilliantly finished by Keane. I thought he may have looked offside at the time though.

[eirebhoy]

Can anyone remember if St Ledger played on the left of central defence on Friday? I just remember him playing there and looking back I thought that was odd. Unless he's actually a left footer? Dunne and O'Shea are right footers but it's usually always Dunne that has to play left side.

[paul_oshea]

he played on the left, but they interchanged i thought halfway through the second half.

[Junior]

Left side definitely

[eirebhoy]

So even more reason for St Ledger to play. By the sounds of it he was actually the organiser of defence, even with Dunne in there.

Jaysus we must have a strong defence if McShane can't even make my first choice. :D ;)

[Paddy Garcia]

So even more reason for St Ledger to play. By the sounds of it he was actually the organiser of defence, even with Dunne in there.

Jaysus we must have a strong defence if McShane can't even make my first choice. :D ;)

I really think that McShane must be the worst player to ever pull on an Irish shirt. I can't recall a greater liability in all my years - makes Butler look like McGrath.


PS Has anyone apologised to The Doc ?

[eirebhoy]

PS Has anyone apologised to The Doc ?
I don't think anyone on here ever said St Ledger doesn't deserve a callup.

[youngirish]

I don't think anyone on here ever said St Ledger doesn't deserve a callup.
There were posts from people claiming that there couldnt be much difference in ability between Alex Bruce and Sean St Ledger because they both play in the Championship which was lets face it a rubbish argument anyway. Its akin to stating that there is little to choose from between Kevin Kilbane and Ronaldo because both play in the Premiership.

I couldnt be arsed finding them I have work to do. The doc knows what I mean.

Anyway Ive always rated St Ledger but would advise some caution here. He had a decent debut, nothing more. That still doesnt mean hes going to be a solid international player. I personally think he will turn out to be a valuable player for us but its early days yet and there could be hiccups along the way (lets hope none occur on Saturday).

To put things into perspective Paul McShane was man of the match for his debut.

[Jicked]

There were posts from people claiming that there couldnt be much difference in ability between Alex Bruce and Sean St Ledger because they both play in the Championship which was lets face it a rubbish argument anyway. Its akin to stating that there is little to choose from between Kevin Kilbane and Ronaldo because both play in the Premiership.

I couldnt be arsed finding them I have work to do. The doc knows what I mean.


You're probably thinking of me! I got in numerous arguments with doc about Ledger. I never said St Ledger wasn't worthy of a call up, all I said was the doc was wrong to demand the termination of Trapattoni, Brady and Tardelli's contracts simply because Alex Bruce was preferred as 3rd choice centre half over St Ledger, which really isn't a very controversial decision at all. This game is the first time Trap has considered changing his succesfull thus far defence, and so he looks at St Ledger. No big deal.

fwiw I still don't believe doc is an Ireland fan, he comes across as a Preston fan who stumbled across this website.

[youngirish]

You're probably thinking of me! I got in numerous arguments with doc about Ledger. I never said St Ledger wasn't worthy of a call up, all I said was the doc was wrong to demand the termination of Trapattoni, Brady and Tardelli's contracts simply because Alex Bruce was preferred as 3rd choice centre half over St Ledger, which really isn't a very controversial decision at all. This game is the first time Trap has considered changing his succesfull thus far defence, and so he looks at St Ledger. No big deal.

fwiw I still don't believe doc is an Ireland fan, he comes across as a Preston fan who stumbled across this website.

Fair enough man I only caught the tail end of the argument. Maybe the doc is St Ledger in the same way as ManBlue is Stephen Ireland.

[tetsujin1979]

I couldnt be arsed finding them I have work to do.
So you keep telling us

Anyway I'm off. I have work to do. Sometimes this can feel like beating a christian fundamentalist creationist over the head with a fossil and getting nowhere.

Please stop quoting my posts and leave me be. I have work to do.

Anyway again I have to go. I have work to do.
I'm sure there's more

[youngirish]

So you keep telling us



I'm sure there's more

Doesnt matter how many times its repeated its still relevant. Have to go to do some work now.

[ifk101]

Doesnt matter how many times its repeated its still relevant. Have to go to do some work now.

If you don't have the time to discuss your opinion - don't bother posting it in the first place. By signing off each and every post with "I have work to do" you're basically saying I don't care what others have to say, here's my viewpoint and that's all that matters. By doing so you come across as an arrogant snot but thanks for confirming my viewpoint of you. Have to go do some work now.

[danonion]

Doesnt matter how many times its repeated its still relevant. Have to go to do some work now.

Cows to be milked

[Paddy Garcia]

I don't think anyone on here ever said St Ledger doesn't deserve a callup.

Semantics. I was really just joking and suggesting we could be a little bit gracious to the Doc - rather than scoring a point. He has been vindicated - not to worry.

[Junior]

and where has been? I thought hed be revelling in his prodigys success in the last two games?

[shakermaker1982]

and where has been? I thought hed be revelling in his prodigys success in the last two games?

I think the Doc is St Ledger :D no other explanation for it!

[irishfan86]

I think the Doc is St Ledger :D no other explanation for it!

Yeah, I have a feeling he could be.

And ManBlue is probably Stephen Ireland.

[SkStu]

Manblue is definitely stephen ireland. Without doubt.

I hope the doc is St. Ledger - he thanked one of my posts once...