Republic of Ireland V Andorra - Wednesday, 7th September 2010 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[geysir]

We also received updates on the Scotland game.
Normal enough to hear how your neighbours are doing. And I'm sure George also keeps us informed when NI are playing.
But does anybody care about Wales?

[MeathDrog]

To be honest, I think people need to lower their expectations atmosphere wise. We don't play entertaining football. The game in Paris being the obvious exception. The crowd take their lead from the pitch and if you're playing a team of skiing instructors there isn't a whole lot to get excited about. The first proper big game against the Russkies is the real test of the new stadium.
It'll disappoint if the first two games are anything to go by.

[OwlsFan]

Mc Geady - wonderful dribbler, but can't cross or shoot..

Yet to score a goal for Ireland but when you have 3 men marking you, it's hard to be effective. Played an important part in the Keane goal.


Lawrence - the opposite - can strike the ball, but can't run.

Lawrence covers a lot of ground. He's not a dribbler ok but he is still effective both in attack and defence.


Dunne - looked bored from the off, and at fault for Andorra goal.

Yes, not one of Dunne's better games but hopefully he'll sharpen up for the Ruskies.


Keane - over celebrated his goal.

Disagree. He missed a couple in Armenia. Not getting his game at Spurs. Delightful finish when the score was 2-1 and anything could happen. Entitled to celebrate.


Doyle - cracking effort - great goal.

Despite the goal, I thought Doyle had a poor enough game by his standards. Not helped by the man mountain belting him everytime he went for one in the air. I expect the other teams will not have picked up on Doyle's ability in the air and we won't have much success in that area in the forthcoming games. Won't stop Shay still launching it at him.


Can't they use the screens to update scores of other matches going on?.

Not sure about that. Need to concentrate on the game in front of us. However, at half time and full time would have been nice to have been informed of the scores elsewhere as they do in most other grounds.


Stadium announcer - what a plonker - maybe everone could slow handclap everytime he speaks .

Agree. Posted about him before. Talks to us as if we are all 5 year olds. "Let's give a Big Aviva Stadium welcome to......"


Also maybe we could rebuild our economy by exporting our expertise in building 3 sided stadia?.

Does take the effect away ok but not the fault of the IRFU or FAI - residents at that end don't like losing their light apparently.


€70 a ticket? They are having a laugh in this day and age. Need to start reducing prices to have fuller attendances soon.

Alas, double edged sword. Stadium needs to be paid for yet price keeps people away. Strangely enough I bet the stadium will be full for the Russia game which means some people just want to spend their money on the "big games". It has always been like that even before the price hike.

[shakermaker1982]

It was the kind of performance I was expecting if being truthful.

Started off well but didn't kick on when we went 1 nil up early. McGeady was a menace until he had to cross/shoot. Whelan and Green were disappointing and I think we'd be a real danger to other teams if we had a quality central midfielder. We missed Duff big time and springing Hunt from the bench would have given the team a lift if he was fit.

Houghton made a good point during the game about Given needlessly kicking the ball away when he should be giving the ball to our full backs. Not only is it a bit of a lottery as to whether the ball will fall to an Irishman it also slows up our attacks and allows the opposition to set themselves for the aerial bombardment.

[Duggie]

people saying that whelan didnt have a good game is off the mark IMO. i have no doubt he stayed off people as much as he could in fear of getting a yellow, in his mind he knew andorra wouldnt hurt us anyway. he did enough just to keep out of trouble. thats the way i read it anyway.

[Wolfie]

Most talking points covered but a few observations:

McGeady won't be playing Andorra every match - Russia will have him on a tight leash, if selected. Its imperative that having done all the work of getting behind or turning the defence that the right ball is played. Otherwise, may as well hoof it into the corner anyway.

Having had high hopes for him, Green disappointed over the two games. In fairness, its early days for him but Andrews will justifiably slot back alongside Whelan for Russia game (if fit).

Whelan didn't have the best of games against Andorra but he will be crucial against the Russians.

At least a couple of options emerging in midfield - not one mention of us lamenting Stephen Reid's retirement.

[Razors left peg]

didnt get to see the game and this is the first opportunity Ive had to read up on it properly.The general opinion on here is that even though we won we played pretty rubbish. That was always going to be the case I thought.I think in recent years we have always played to the standard of the opposition.We seem to always just do enough against the weaker sides and then step it up massively in big games. Im not saying its a good thing but I dont understand why some people are still surprised by it now.

It a results business and 6 points from the opening 2 games was what everyone on here was calling for when the draw was made and the team has delivered on that so personally I couldnt be more happy.When the Russia game comes around next month it will be a whole different ball game as regards the performance on the pitch from the players and also from the crowds in the stands.For me there has to be a bit of tension before the crowd will create a good atmostphere,friendlies and Andora dont give u that but I fully expect every single person in the stadium to be really up for the Russian game

If we come away from the next double header with another 6 points I cant imagine anyone will be complaining

[punkrocket]

Yes McGeady always seems to frustrate. he's got great talent etc. but his decision making is dodgy, maybe when you are up high in the stands you have a better perspective on the options available but he's a professional and should take the time to look around him a bit more otherwise he will forever try to take on one man too much or head for the corner rather than cutting inside.
As for the prawn sandwiches, if only, worst bag of chips I think I've ever been handed.:poo:

[rebelmusic]

For me, the only real unhappy point i have is Green, and that position in General. I like Whelan a lot and i'm happy he gets his game. He plays week in week out with a decent PL team aswell.

Green, Andrews, Gibson are just not good enough for the other CM position and it annoys me Trap hasnt done more about it. McCarthy is the logical replacement, but he's being ignored sadly. Simply put, McCarthy is the only other one that is playing in the PL every week against decent oppostion. Surely he can be trained to play Trap's game

[Charlie Darwin]

McGeady won't be playing Andorra every match - Russia will have him on a tight leash, if selected. Its imperative that having done all the work of getting behind or turning the defence that the right ball is played. Otherwise, may as well hoof it into the corner anyway.
Russia tend to play attacking full backs, though. Having a player who can force them to think twice about rampaging forward isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Wolfie]

Russia tend to play attacking full backs, though. Having a player who can force them to think twice about rampaging forward isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I agree, but as a byproduct - we'll need him supplying Keane and Doyle with better quality ball first and foremost.

[Stuttgart88]

didnt get to see the game and this is the first opportunity Ive had to read up on it properly.The general opinion on here is that even though we won we played pretty rubbish. That was always going to be the case I thought.I think in recent years we have always played to the standard of the opposition.We seem to always just do enough against the weaker sides and then step it up massively in big games. Im not saying its a good thing but I dont understand why some people are still surprised by it now.

It a results business and 6 points from the opening 2 games was what everyone on here was calling for when the draw was made and the team has delivered on that so personally I couldnt be more happy.When the Russia game comes around next month it will be a whole different ball game as regards the performance on the pitch from the players and also from the crowds in the stands.For me there has to be a bit of tension before the crowd will create a good atmostphere,friendlies and Andora dont give u that but I fully expect every single person in the stadium to be really up for the Russian game

If we come away from the next double header with another 6 points I cant imagine anyone will be complainingI don't think we did play rubbish. I thought we played very well in parts, just didn't get the goals we might have had. We played poorly in parts too, but we're Ireland not Spain.

Lawrence missed two great chances, Kilbane could have scored another header and Doyle had a nailed on penalty - dead certain. Central midfield underperformed, no question. Green just didn't cut it and Whelan was playing cautiously. For the first time in yonks we actually scored some "telegenic" goals. Keane's in particular was very well crafted & executed.

I watched the highlights again last night, professional performance that can definitely be improved upon but certainly not rubbish. Nation of beedin' moaners methinks.

[tetsujin1979]

Kinda bored and there's nothing on TV, so I checked out the attendance records for Andorra's 2010 campaign on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_–_UEFA_Group_6
Turns out only England had a higher attendance for their home game against Andorra, and only the stadiums with a capacity of 9000 and 16873 had a higher percentage attendance


Date Home Result Away Attendance Capacity %Full
20/08/2008 Kazakhstan 3-0 Andorra 7700 25057 30.73
14/10/2008 Croatia 4-0 Andorra 14441 38293 37.71
06/06/2009 Belarus 5-1 Andorra 8500 9000 94.44
10/06/2009 England 6-0 Andorra 57897 90000 64.33
05/09/2009 Ukraine 5-0 Andorra 14870 16873 88.13
07/09/2010 Ireland 3-1 Andorra 40283 51700 77.92

Puts the attendance on tuesday night into perspective. Opposition like Andorra will always struggle to attract a large crowd. Still, never let the facts get in the way of a good argument.

[DannyInvincible]

Puts the attendance on tuesday night into perspective. Opposition like Andorra will always struggle to attract a large crowd. Still, never let the facts get in the way of a good argument.

Certainly not doubting that Andorra's appeal is miniscule in comparison to that of Europe's powerhouses and even the FAI statement today proudly announced how Tuesday night's attendance was the third-highest in all of the qualifiers taking place within the UEFA zone that night. I assume the argument you're referring to is the one about extortionate ticket prices and the related (?) number of empty seats visible in the stands? Fact is, if tickets had been more reasonably-priced, the game could have sold out. I can speak for myself in that I was contemplating travelling to the game bar me being in no position to fork out €50 for a match ticket alone. I'm sure others were in a similar situation.

Furthermore, if we're to look at this fairly from all perspectives, it must be acknowledged that this wasn't just any match against Andorra. Whilst Andorra mightn't be expected to draw a sell-out crowd under normal circumstances, no matter where they visit, you would expect the appeal of the game having been the first competitive international taking place in the new stadium to have added a certain flavour of significance or momentousness to the occasion. No doubt, on this front, it was a special occasion for those who attended, but there were plenty of seriously interested others shut out of the experience by the price of entry.

[ramondo]

So the game against us was their best away result in at least 2 years?
(I'm guessing more...)

[Charlie Darwin]

They lost 1-0 to Cyprus last month.

[geysir]

.............(place name of minnow here) will be a handful for the other teams, as the group evolves.

[osarusan]

Looking at highlights again, was I hearing music being played when the goals were scored?

You know, some tune for the crowd to sing along to as happens at Burnley games (and other clubs which I can't specify right now).

Or when a goal is scored, do they let the fans make their own noise?

[backstothewall]

Certainly not doubting that Andorra's appeal is miniscule in comparison to that of Europe's powerhouses and even the FAI statement today proudly announced how Tuesday night's attendance was the third-highest in all of the qualifiers taking place within the UEFA zone that night. I assume the argument you're referring to is the one about extortionate ticket prices and the related (?) number of empty seats visible in the stands? Fact is, if tickets had been more reasonably-priced, the game could have sold out. I can speak for myself in that I was contemplating travelling to the game bar me being in no position to fork out €50 for a match ticket alone. I'm sure others were in a similar situation.

Furthermore, if we're to look at this fairly from all perspectives, it must be acknowledged that this wasn't just any match against Andorra. Whilst Andorra mightn't be expected to draw a sell-out crowd under normal circumstances, no matter where they visit, you would expect the appeal of the game having been the first competitive international taking place in the new stadium to have added a certain flavour of significance or momentousness to the occasion. No doubt, on this front, it was a special occasion for those who attended, but there were plenty of seriously interested others shut out of the experience by the price of entry.

I think we have to accept the financial reality that the new stadium needs to be paid for, and that gate receipts at Lansdowne Road are the main revenue stream supporting grass roots football in this country. 51,700 tickerts sold at €50 each nets the FAI €2,585,000. 55,000 tickets sold at €35 only brings in €1,925,000. Financially the FAI got the pricing pretty much perfect, and got the best return possible from a fixture like Andorra.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think we have to accept the financial reality that the new stadium needs to be paid for, and that gate receipts at Lansdowne Road are the main revenue stream supporting grass roots football in this country. 51,700 tickerts sold at €50 each nets the FAI €2,585,000. 55,000 tickets sold at €35 only brings in €1,925,000. Financially the FAI got the pricing pretty much perfect, and got the best return possible from a fixture like Andorra.
I'm not sure you've got the figures right.

The Aviva holds 50,000 at capacity. Attendance on Tuesday was 40,000.

Out of this you can take the 10,000 premium seats, which are priced differently, and the 2,000 or so (?) kids tickets, which are significantly cheaper.

That leaves 38,000 normally-priced tickets.

The FAI say they've sold about 7,000 premium tickets, while the Indo says they've sold around half as many. For the sake of clarity, I'll take the mid-point and assume that 5,000 of Tuesday's attendance were premium ticket holders.

40,000 - 5,000 - 2,000 kids tickets = 33,000

So 33,000 of the 38,000 general admission tickets were sold at €50, or 86%. That's a gross take of €1.65 million from a possible €1.9m.

To generate the same take from the full allocation, general admission tickets would need to have sold for about €43.

That's probably not much to travelling fans, but to people in Dublin it could easily be the difference between buying a ticket and not buying a ticket. Add in that an extra 10,000 people would boost the take on concessions and it has to be considered a missed opportunity.

Like I said before, though, there's more to pricing football tickets than the particular appeal of that one match. To get the full picture, you'd need to analyse the taking across all five (possibly six) qualifiers to see if they've gotten it right or wrong.

edit: I just remembered that there were two bands of prices: €50 and €70. As far as I know, there's no breakdown of how well those sold, so it's difficult to factor it in. I'll have a look later to see how many seats were on sale in each bracket and try to update the figures, but the general principle above holds.

[jbyrne]

Looking at highlights again, was I hearing music being played when the goals were scored?


yes, been doing it for years. complete tacky and needless. why not let the fans just celebrate themselves??
no brainer that the one time you definately dont need to jazz things up is after we score!! this and the complete eejit pa that we have to endure actually kill atmosphere. could never work out why anyone ever thought music after goals would actually add to the atmosphere

[MeathDrog]

Who is that dude on the PA? His voice simply isn't suited to hype a game up or even talk about it in any way. God knows how he got the job.

[jbyrne]

Who is that dude on the PA? His voice simply isn't suited to hype a game up or even talk about it in any way. God knows how he got the job.

http://declanking.com/

[geysir]

Basically he would not be a problem for us if the morons who think he does a good job, did not hire him.

[rebelmusic]

http://declanking.com/

Hahaha that's the worst designed website i've seen in 15 years!

[Wolfie]

Who is that dude on the PA? His voice simply isn't suited to hype a game up or even talk about it in any way. God knows how he got the job.

Indeed. His voice reminds me of that character in the Simpsons with the high pitched voice that carries out all of those menial jobs like the Drive Thru, petrol pump attendant etc etc. "Keep watching the Ski's!!!"

[shakermaker1982]

Am I the only person on here who thinks he does a decent job?!

[jbyrne]

Am I the only person on here who thinks he does a decent job?!

id say so. any reason why you think he does a decent job??
he is dreadful in my opinion. just awful really

[shakermaker1982]

id say so. any reason why you think he does a decent job??
he is dreadful in my opinion. just awful really

I find his voice soothing.

[jbyrne]

I find his voice soothing.

here, one of these classics should keep you soothed...

http://declanking.com/narration.htm

[tetsujin1979]

seriously? He sounds like your least favourite uncle DJ'ing at his kids 18th trying desperately to fit in with the young people

[OwlsFan]

I find his voice soothing.

I'd like to give you a big Aviva Stadium (the new home of Irish football) thumbs down for that one!

[DeLorean]

Bumping thread.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPIY1DAokEI

[DeLorean]

Closed thread.