Slovakia V Republic of Ireland - Tuesday, 12th October 2010 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[tetsujin1979]

It's one of those games where you won't know if it's a good result until the return game. If we beat them in Dublin, then yes it was. Any other result and it'll be seen as a missed opportunity.
Given only really had to make one save, and the midfield competed well. Gibson was better than I expected and there was an interesting comment from McGeady about him after the game that he "sees the game very well"
Keane was terrible. I can forgive the saved penalty, I can't remember the last one he missed for Ireland and he scored the one last friday to inspire the comeback. But, apart from a hard tackle to regain possession, and the miss at the far post, he was anonymous in the second half. With Long playing so well, and Doyle being a regular starter at Wolves, his position has to be under threat.

I'd drop the majority of the starters for the friendly against Norway in November, and give the fringe players (Foley, Coleman, McCarthy (??), Wilson, Walters) a chance to show what they can do.

For now, file under "games we probably would have done worse in under previous managers"

[DeNiro]

Caps Goals
9 FW Kevin Doyle 18 September 1983 (age 27) 39 9
10 FW Robbie Keane (C) 8 July 1980 (age 30) 104 45
14 FW Shane Long 22 January 1987 (age 23) 14 4
17 FW Andy Keogh 16 May 1986 (age 24) 14 1

Yes, he is. Totally. However, I agree he shouldn't be played in November, and I agree with everything else you said.

I think dropping him against Norway wouldn't do him any harm on a couple of levels:
- He'll realise there's other contenders for his spot
- He'll know that he will need to move in January
- He might also realise he's droppable. I don't know if that has ever been dropped for Ireland?
- It might give us a look at another captain

[Charlie Darwin]

I thought Robbie looked tired today but against Russia he was our best player. Looked very sharp on the ball, which is why today's performance shocked me.

[tetsujin1979]

- He might also realise he's droppable. I don't know if that has ever been dropped for Ireland?
definitely been subbed off under Trap, don't think he's been dropped

[shaneker]

I think dropping him against Norway wouldn't do him any harm on a couple of levels:
- He'll realise there's other contenders for his spot
- He'll know that he will need to move in January
- He might also realise he's droppable. I don't know if that has ever been dropped for Ireland?
- It might give us a look at another captain

Absolutely, let's look at alternatives against Norway (if nothing else, Robbie could get injured before Macedonia) but short of Long/Stokes/whoever scoring a hat-trick, in my opinion it would be absolute insanity not to have him start in the next qualifiers.

[DeNiro]

I wonder why after he scored the penalty against Russia did he not get the ball. It contrasted with Long racing into the goal after he scored Ireland's 2nd to get the ball. Is Keane's confidence that low? Is his own game more of a concern than the team? Would management have not picked up on this?

Would it be that insane to drop Keane for Macedonia if he still hadn't moved or had played very little? I suppose the same argument could be made about Shay Given?

[Montenegrin]

England 0 Montenegro 0. :party:

Mind you Montenegro are fifa ranked 40, not far behind us. theiir fifa ranking should hit no 1 in 18 months time at the current rate of ascent.


;)


Can any of you please tell me is there any English fans forum?Thanks.

[tetsujin1979]

;)


Can any of you please tell me is there any English fans forum?Thanks.
Try the football365 forum - http://forum.football365.com/
They're pretty hardcore there, and there's little in the way of moderation, anything goes.

[old git]

[QUOTE=shaneker;1411719]You're probably right - I'll revise it to a 5. I did say they were knee-jerk!

That said, I think he's getting too much stick. He did move off the ball, and he did get into goalscoring positions, he just failed to take the chances. I think you could tell that he wasn't used to playing with Long, he looks much more comfortable with Doyle, but that's only natural.

lets be honest here robbie keane for captain of rep of ireland tonight was a joke ,, barr the 3 wonderfull chances he missed what cost us 3 points his workrate / control and biggest disapointment his leadership to rest of his team was woefull he tracked backed with about 15 mins to go when we under pressure down left wing made a token leg up attempt block half slipped let his man bear down on kilbane 2 on 1 and stood and watched..:mad: he is supposed to lead team by example on tonights performance he let team down big time .. funny that shane long did not look to uncomfortable playing alongside keane and maybe robbie should take a long hard look at the workrate both doyle/ long put in when playing or maybee carrying robbie these days ..

[Schumi]

The bench was thin, could have done with Andy Reid's bulk sitting on it

Could be a dangerous combination. ;)

[elroy]

I'd love to see Doyle and Long together up front against Norway. They'd be a handful for anybody. Have they ever played together upfront for us? It's not something I remember, could have happened on that American tour in 2007.


For Norway, yes I agree experimental changes should be made. However, as its a bit ironic writing this tonight, I dont think either are as natural a goalscorer as RK is.

;)


Can any of you please tell me is there any English fans forum?Thanks.

Well done on tonight Montenegrin, ye guys are really on the up

[MeathDrog]

That was extremely annoying and frustrating to watch.

Slovakia were very ordinary, how they got to the WC or even beat Russia, I'll never know.

It was a good, composed, first half hour or so and we deservedly had the lead. The defending for the goal was awful. Dunne should have marked the no.4. It was quite apparent from the line up of the corner that he was the man they wanted to aim it at. Whelan was on the wrong side of him but probably wouldn't have been physically strong enough anyway.

I wouldn't be disappointed if Keane was dropped. He was awful tonight. Terrible first touch, constantly giving the ball away and never going up for a ball, always depending on a defender's mistake that would never happen. Our 3 best chances of the night fell to him, he did nothing with all of them. Start doyle and Long next time, at leats they're playing week in week out. You can see why Robbie isn't getting his game at Spurs.

We can forget about 1st but I would be extremely annoyed if we came 3rd to Slovakia. They're very ordinary and I'd even doubt that they'd get 6 points off Macedonia.

Fahey was very good, very steady and tidy. McGeady was my MOTM but Long was good too though. The 1st half was good but the 2nd was dreadful.

[SwanVsDalton]

I don't think Robbie's work rate was his problem, just nothing came off from him apart from a couple of neat touches (his control in general was poor). He just looked short on confidence and rusty. Needs a move.

[geysir]

Are we the last stronghold of the 'flat back 4' in Europe?

[rebelmusic]

I'm going to wait till sobreity tomorrow to give my opinion of the game but i'll say this, please stop ranting about Walters being the saviour etc. He was barely discussed last season and now that he's scored a couple for Stoke of all teams he's been lauded as the next messiah. McCarthy is another story, but Walters is nothing special and anyone who's watched him playing will see this. He's a direct Doyle replacement, Doyle is ten times the player he is. Don't let the media suck you in so much.

[backstothewall]

I'd love to see Doyle and Long together up front against Norway. They'd be a handful for anybody. Have they ever played together upfront for us? It's not something I remember, could have happened on that American tour in 2007.

The Norway game is important in a formative sense for us. As Stuttgart said there is a good team trying to get out of us, but it still needs a few more pieces to be a complete jigsaw. Definitely CM and LB are problems, but can anyone really see Trappatoni bring a new player in and letting them feel their way around international football while serious points are up for grabs? I doubt he will change the habits of a lifetime.

Team for Norway
1. Given (needs game time)
2. Foley (hanging around the fringes 4 years now)
3. O'Shea
4. St Ledger
5. Dunne
6. Andrews/Whelan
7. McCarthy
8. Fahey
9 Doyle
10. Long
11. Duff

Subs. Keane, Hunt, Coleman, Westwood (needs a game soon), Tracey

I'd leave Keane on the bench. He's not indispensable despite what many say. It would be no harm for him to realise that.
I wouldn't drag McGeady back from Moscow for it either.

I'd go with...

1. Westwood
2. Foley
3. Cunningham
4. Dunne
5. St Ledger
6. Whelan
7. Walters
8. McCarthy
9. Doyle
10. Keogh
11. Duff

Subs: Murphy, Kelly, Ward, Wilson, Fahey, Long, Stokes, Murphy

I would definitely want to get Kelly, Wilson and Ward on at some point. Is there a limit on subs? If not I'd stick them on for Foley, Cunningham and Whelan at half time.

I have always thought friendlies are about seeing partnerships together. It would be good for example, to see Ward and Cunningham play on the left with Duff. Similarly, as we now know Long can replace Doyle if we ever lose him again. It would be great to know how Doyle and Keogh look together, in case we lose Robbie for a game. I am leaving Dunne in with Sledge as if the goalkeeper and fullbacks are changed, it would be good to keep the consistency of the regular centre backs, and I would like to see McCarthy in with Whelan, as it looks as if our midfield will be Whelan + one for the foreseeable future.

[Sullivinho]

Happy enough with that albeit with some regret at an opportunity missed. Slovakia looked very ordinary. I think we can reasonably expect to finish above them. Macedonia games will be pivotal.


Knee jerk immediate thoughts:

- Robbie needs a move in January, his confidence is gone. One of those matches where nothing went his way, but Robbie used to make his own luck. He couldn't buy a goal tonight.
- Green isn't going to happen. For forty minutes he was a disaster with the ball at his feet, if a decent at making a few tackles. Gibson was a big improvement, even if he wasn't great, simply because he seemed to lift Whelan. It was a better combination and at least Gibson attempted to take the ball on. Whelan was better than Friday but his poor marking conceded a set-piece goal for the second game in a row. Possibly could use a move too...
- Fahey and Long played well, particularly Fahey even if he faded in the second half.
- McGeady did well too though we're still crying out for him to sort out his delivery.
- Our defence was immeasurably better albeit against poorer opposition that Russia. All four played well.
- Trap desperately needs to look into some new options against Norway, we were desperately short on the bench after only 2-3 injuries. He needs to blood a couple of players, in particular McCarthy, Wilson and possibly Walters.
- It's not over yet and we're still alive. Macedonia home and away will be crucial though.
-

Fully agreed with all of that, well said.

[Fixer82]

I'm going to wait till sobreity tomorrow to give my opinion of the game but i'll say this, please stop ranting about Walters being the saviour etc. He was barely discussed last season and now that he's scored a couple for Stoke of all teams he's been lauded as the next messiah. McCarthy is another story, but Walters is nothing special and anyone who's watched him playing will see this. He's a direct Doyle replacement, Doyle is ten times the player he is. Don't let the media suck you in so much.

Agreed
He's got a lot more to do before he warrants a call-up.
Murphy and Stokes are far ahead of him at this stage in my opinion
McCarthy HAS to be called up v Norway

[mark12345]

Robbie was Rubbish tonight, but he shouldn't be in the forward line anymore, he should be playing just behind the front two. It would give us that much more presence up front. We need a big man up front with Doyler (because as everyone saw tonight even when we played it on the floor a bit, we still opt to pump it long to set up anything in attack) and Robbie playing just behind them.

The defence is a huge concern - some of the passing and clearances were awful.

If Trap's squad was all about being a settled one before, surely now it's time to change. He needs to unsettle a few people - Whelan, Kilbane (goes without saying) and even Dunne and O'Shea are not immovable. Fahey is useful, Gibson also and I think McCarthy should be given the chance to replace Whelan. We also have to look at maximizing our potential for the remainder of this group. I think Andrews at center back or Lawrence at right back need to be tried to strengthen the back four.

[backstothewall]

Agreed
He's got a lot more to do before he warrants a call-up.
Murphy and Stokes are far ahead of him at this stage in my opinion
McCarthy HAS to be called up v Norway

Have to say I disagree. I don't think anyone used the word saviour, or anything like it. He has been playing well for Stoke, and the right of midfield is not a position where we have a dearth of options. The alternatives for the Norway game are Lawrence or McGeady, and there is nothing to be learned from playing either. So why not give him a go.

The only thing I disagree with about McCarthy is that he has to start as well as be called up

[Fixer82]

Have to say I disagree. I don't think anyone used the word saviour, or anything like it. He has been playing well for Stoke, and the right of midfield is not a position where we have a dearth of options. The alternatives for the Norway game are Lawrence or McGeady, and there is nothing to be learned from playing either. So why not give him a go.

The only thing I disagree with about McCarthy is that he has to start as well as be called up

I'm all for giving him a go but there are others I'd have before him at this stage

ps I thought he was playing up front for Stoke???

[geysir]

Shay looked a bit hesitant when he went to throw the ball out, as if it wasn't a natural action or perhaps in dread of what will happen next.

[Sullivinho]

The defence is a huge concern - some of the passing and clearances were awful.

O'Shea's pass completion column wouldn't look too clever i imagine. Very poor distribution these last two games, an aimless punt more often than not.

[rebelmusic]

We also have to look at maximizing our potential for the remainder of this group. I think Andrews at center back or Lawrence at right back need to be tried to strengthen the back four.

Wait...is this a joke? Andrews at CB?? God save us!

[rebelmusic]

I'm all for giving him a go but there are others I'd have before him at this stage

ps I thought he was playing up front for Stoke???

Aye he's up front for Stoke - used to play the right for Ipswich and Pulis has shifted him out there a couple of times but mainly he's a FF. And that's my point - If you have actually watched him play you would realise he's a lesser version of Doyle. He just gets better service than Doyle does at Wolves.

[strangeirish]

Was travelling to the US, gutted i missed the game. Any one got links to highlights?

http://www.mysoccerplace.net/video/slovakia-vs-ireland-11

[rebelmusic]

By the way, i don't know if ye watched the webcast, but Brady was under the impression that McCarthy is tied to us from the Brazil friendly. That's actually quite scary and a damning advertisemtn for the FAI. Fair deuce to Bill for making the comment about him being the assistant manager. There's a phone call that's needed to James asap.

Also Bill brought up Barry Maguire and the panel didn't have a clue who he was talking about. I love Eamonn and Johnny normally, but there lack of knowledge is depressing. We're all a bunch of Ireland lovers with no involvement with the FAI (I think!) and i think anyone on this forum could list out more players available to the irish squad than the staff of the FAI combined. That's very very sad in my opinion.

[Charlie Darwin]

That was extremely annoying and frustrating to watch.

Slovakia were very ordinary, how they got to the WC or even beat Russia, I'll never know.

It was a good, composed, first half hour or so and we deservedly had the lead. The defending for the goal was awful. Dunne should have marked the no.4. It was quite apparent from the line up of the corner that he was the man they wanted to aim it at. Whelan was on the wrong side of him but probably wouldn't have been physically strong enough anyway.

I wouldn't be disappointed if Keane was dropped. He was awful tonight. Terrible first touch, constantly giving the ball away and never going up for a ball, always depending on a defender's mistake that would never happen. Our 3 best chances of the night fell to him, he did nothing with all of them. Start doyle and Long next time, at leats they're playing week in week out. You can see why Robbie isn't getting his game at Spurs.

We can forget about 1st but I would be extremely annoyed if we came 3rd to Slovakia. They're very ordinary and I'd even doubt that they'd get 6 points off Macedonia.

Fahey was very good, very steady and tidy. McGeady was my MOTM but Long was good too though. The 1st half was good but the 2nd was dreadful.
Our next competitive game isn't until, what, March? Robbie could be at a different club by then so there's no use saying he should or shouldn't be dropped.

[Sullivinho]

By the way, i don't know if ye watched the webcast, but Brady was under the impression that McCarthy is tied to us from the Brazil friendly.

Not only that, but he appeared aghast upon hearing that Scotland had actually been in contact with McCarthy regarding playing for them. Fair enough, Brady isn't directly involved anymore but I can well imagine Trap and co. being similarly surprised if it was put to them. For what it's worth though, I fully expect McCarthy to stick with us and I believe he told them as much when contacted.

[elroy]

[INDENT

We can forget about 1st but I would be extremely annoyed if we came 3rd to Slovakia. They're very ordinary and I'd even doubt that they'd get 6 points off Macedonia.



All jokes aside, as of right now I wouldnt be entirely confident of us getting six points off them either.


By the way, i don't know if ye watched the webcast, but Brady was under the impression that McCarthy is tied to us from the Brazil friendly. That's actually quite scary and a damning advertisemtn for the FAI. Fair deuce to Bill for making the comment about him being the assistant manager. There's a phone call that's needed to James asap.

Also Bill brought up Barry Maguire and the panel didn't have a clue who he was talking about. I love Eamonn and Johnny normally, but there lack of knowledge is depressing. We're all a bunch of Ireland lovers with no involvement with the FAI (I think!) and i think anyone on this forum could list out more players available to the irish squad than the staff of the FAI combined. That's very very sad in my opinion.

Ya you could tell from Giles face when he mentioned Barry M that he hadnt a clue who he was. These guys are first paid good money to be on the show and second are meant to have a strong interest in Irish international football. Its not much to ask of them to just be aware of whats relevant to the team and what options are out there.

I know the webcast is more relaxed but still Brady not knowing (and hinting that Trap doesnt either) about the rule re tying a player down when it has been known by pretty much every poster here for months is a bit alarming.

[Spudulika]

If a player isn't playing in the sky leagues our venerable "3 wise men" (copyright rte.ie) haven't a clue who they are. Then again, most football fans in Ireland are in the same boat. Apparently football doesn't go beyond Norwich. The hilarious interjection of Dunphy about Wes Hoolahan was great. Obviously they've forgotten his performances in the CL against Hajduk and Deportivo! Then again, for them the CL doesn't start until our sides, ie the sky league foursome and now Spurs, start playing.

[paul_oshea]

Lads this was a terrible performance bar 25 mins or so of the first half, we reverted to type hoofing it up after a good opening spell where we kept it on the ground and their fans started jeering and getting frustrated. Slovakia are very poor, but unfortunately we are too, we will not win away against macedonia either. I can see us struggling to get 2nd at this stage. How does the 2nd place work again? Is there a chance of finishing second in one group and not qualifying?

I thought mcgeady did well the last few games, and was the only outlet last night. fahey tired very quickly, or was he actually injured? Gibson was frustrated as he showed on a couple of occasions, when he received the ball and no one ran to him. One thing i cant understand about our team is they dont make short runs towards the player to receive a pass rather sit further up and expect the pass to land at their feet, this isn't skill this is just awareness and drive, i cant figure out whey we dont do it. It happened with the throws as well, we were taking an age to take throws because no one was making a run to receive the ball in tight areas. Trap also said that when he came in he thought the one thing he could improve on and quickly was our defending from set pieces and making us tighter at the back, he has completely failed in this regard as we are just as bad as ever, we cant hold onto a lead and most of our goals are conceded from set pieces. Now you can blame the individuals but its up to the manager to have us organised and well drilled in training for this.

We lost 3 points this time around, it is a terrible terrible return. We looked happy to play for the draw against slovakia if you ask me, even once they came back in, its the same old story. I feel sorry for robbie, when was the last time he missed a penatly? His touch was very poor, and his finishing was just as bad, but he has been good for ireland and recently having a hard time at spurs so I wont blame him, because overall we didn't deserve to win that game, we didn't create half enough chances.

I said it before and Ill say it again, we are exactly the same as under kerr, even with mccarthy we looked like winning till the last minute away from home. Arguably mccarthy had a worse centre half pairing at his disposal, far less options on the wings, and he certainly hadn't doyle and keane, the keane of the last couple of years that is, quinn isnt a patch on doyle, and shay in goals is definitely more experienced too. Kerr definitely didn't have the options we have. Trap is definitely not worth 2mil a year, thats for sure.

One thing this board needs is a sense of realism when judging the team, that is the most I have gained over the last week or so.

I cant really be arsed writing too much more at this stage, as im still seriously frustrated.

[harpstilidie]

2 points lost there, absolutely no doubt about it. They were there for the taking. We seemed to be happy with a draw at half time. So so annoying that we didn't go out in that 2nd half and believe that we could go on and win the game. Slovakia are poor, so are we yes, but that was a great opportunity to keep our hopes alive of winning the group. A place in the play-offs is the best we can hope for now.

My MOTM was Fahey, thought he was excellent. Long did well too.

[harpstilidie]

Lads this was a terrible performance bar 25 mins or so of the first half, we reverted to type hoofing it up after a good opening spell where we kept it on the ground and their fans started jeering and getting frustrated. Slovakia are very poor, but unfortunately we are too, we will not win away against macedonia either. I can see us struggling to get 2nd at this stage. How does the 2nd place work again? Is there a chance of finishing second in one group and not qualifying?
I thought mcgeady did well the last few games, and was the only outlet last night. fahey tired very quickly, or was he actually injured? Gibson was frustrated as he showed on a couple of occasions, when he received the ball and no one ran to him. One thing i cant understand about our team is they dont make short runs towards the player to receive a pass rather sit further up and expect the pass to land at their feet, this isn't skill this is just awareness and drive, i cant figure out whey we dont do it. It happened with the throws as well, we were taking an age to take throws because no one was making a run to receive the ball in tight areas. Trap also said that when he came in he thought the one thing he could improve on and quickly was our defending from set pieces and making us tighter at the back, he has completely failed in this regard as we are just as bad as ever, we cant hold onto a lead and most of our goals are conceded from set pieces. Now you can blame the individuals but its up to the manager to have us organised and well drilled in training for this.

We lost 3 points this time around, it is a terrible terrible return. We looked happy to play for the draw against slovakia if you ask me, even once they came back in, its the same old story. I feel sorry for robbie, when was the last time he missed a penatly? His touch was very poor, and his finishing was just as bad, but he has been good for ireland and recently having a hard time at spurs so I wont blame him, because overall we didn't deserve to win that game, we didn't create half enough chances.

I said it before and Ill say it again, we are exactly the same as under kerr, even with mccarthy we looked like winning till the last minute away from home. Arguably mccarthy had a worse centre half pairing at his disposal, far less options on the wings, and he certainly hadn't doyle and keane, the keane of the last couple of years that is, quinn isnt a patch on doyle, and shay in goals is definitely more experienced too. Kerr definitely didn't have the options we have. Trap is definitely not worth 2mil a year, thats for sure.

One thing this board needs is a sense of realism when judging the team, that is the most I have gained over the last week or so.

I cant really be arsed writing too much more at this stage, as im still seriously frustrated.

I think the best 2nd place qualifies and then the other 8 2nd placed teams are in the play-offs.

[Duggie]

ok a few things, firstly as far as im concerned robbie has earned a night off due to the fact hes netted 45 times, 45 times in the past.

Given - I was uncomfortable watching him, the backpasses he looked shaky with them. Just get it out.

Kilbane - He so slow on the ball, just pass it off. Need a change here.
Dunne - Ok night.
St Ledger - Solid enough i thought and got the goal. ok here.
O 'Shea - Poor night from him. His passing is brutal though, brutal.

McGeady - Has to be a definate starter IMO. Yes his final ball is still suspect but his pace and trickery out of defence is vital at the minute.
Green - Hes awfull, lads i dont think hes ever actually passed to a green shirt.
Whelan - Another poor night from him. Lost something since the last qualifiers.
Fahey - Great performance, composed on the ball and great delivery. Only thing is id like to see him in the centre, will lose his place on the wing when duff/lawerence/hunt all come back into contention.
Gibson - He wasnt great when he came on, i expected a lot more.

Long - A bit clumsy at times with his tackles but gave 200%. Just a pity we couldnt get him in the box on the end of a few balls. Should give him the belief he could get more gametime now.
Keane - Had an off night but as i said hes earned a poor night or two.
Keogh - Didnt have much involment.

[harpstilidie]

Are people happy with a point? I don't know but 1 point from these 2 games is not good enough.

Have we still got a chance at topping the group?

[Duggie]

Are people happy with a point? I don't know but 1 point from these 2 games is not good enough.

Have we still got a chance at topping the group?

look around at all the other groups, there all tight. this group could go any way yet. russia have to play slovakia away yet, armenia 2 times, who knows. we need to beat macedonia twice for definate and we could yet top the group. all to play for IMO.

[Stuttgart88]

No, I'm not happy with a point but it is what it is. We're in a dogfight now rather than having some breathing space. It's not optimal, but it's not a disaster.

Paul, I disgree about the performance. I've watched plenty of these type of games, not just Ireland but other teams. What we did last night is what other teams who win away do. We missed 3 great chances and conceded relatively little - a few shots and set-pieces (Slovakia's biggest strength). The general performance could easily have resulted in a win.

The weak points of the last campaign - careless defending, inadequate finishing - are still present.

5 months to get it right. Macedonia double header is critical.

[paul_oshea]

Lads stop being deluded, it will nto go any way. The outcome is inevitable for us. Russia will walk away with this group now. Be realistic and tell me how based on the last 10 years of any away games etc, or when we needed to win games home or away have we done it? yes we have holland 2001, 9 years ago. We are fighting for second now, and we will do well to get it i reckon, remember slovakia still have russia at home and we have them away.

[paul_oshea]

No, I'm not happy with a point but it is what it is. We're in a dogfight now rather than having some breathing space. It's not optimal, but it's not a disaster.

Paul, I disgree about the performance. I've watched plenty of these type of games, not just Ireland but other teams. What we did last night is what other teams who win away do. We missed 3 great chances and conceded relatively little - a few shots and set-pieces (Slovakia's biggest strength). The general performance could easily have resulted in a win.

The weak points of the last campaign - careless defending, inadequate finishing - are still present.

5 months to get it right. Macedonia double header is critical.

You can disagree, but the result is like every other game we've played away from there and what happened? yep we drew. we went 1 - 0 up years ago against switzerland through morrisson, same happened, israel, same happened. the performance are not good enough to win and thats why we haven't won. You can say what you like but the results are there as proof. We had very little possession in the second half, they had plenty and only for poor final passes and shooting they would have won. Plenty of teams can go away to these places and win.

[OneRedArmy]

You can disagree, but the result is like every other game we've played away from there and what happened? yep we drew. we went 1 - 0 up years ago against switzerland through morrisson, same happened, israel, same happened. the performance are not good enough to win and thats why we haven't won. You can say what you like but the results are there as proof. We had very little possession in the second half, they had plenty and only for poor final passes and shooting they would have won. Plenty of teams can go away to these places and win.What are the results proof of Paul, that we're not a football superpower?

If you think last night was a terrible performance your expectations are completely unrealistic and unrepresentative of the entire history of results of the Ireland team.

[paul_oshea]

What are the results proof of Paul, that we're not a football superpower?

If you think last night was a terrible performance your expectations are completely unrealistic and unrepresentative of the entire history of results of the Ireland team.

Or maybe I think we are simply a better team than last nights performance showed, against a team who were torn apart by Armenia.

[Jicked]

Are people happy with a point? I don't know but 1 point from these 2 games is not good enough.

Have we still got a chance at topping the group?

Technically we're still in it to top the group, but in reality that would require taking 6 points from Macedonia, beating Slovakia and taking a point from Moscow. That's a big ask, and won't be achieved unless we get guys like Doyle, Duff and Hunt back and improve the situation of Robbie/Given.
In reality, we're in the hunt for second yet again. On the plus side, I think we're looking in a much better position that Slovakia.

Their result in Moscow seems like a freak result, for both those teams, Russia look strong and have gotten 6 points out of tough trips to Dublin and Skopje.
if we beat Slovakia in Dublin we'll be looking very good to finish ahead of them. To be honest I don't think we'll even need to do that, I can see them being more likely to drop points against Macedonia than us, while I think Russia will be targeting a win in Slovakia for revenge and to basically clinch top spot.
That would mean that even if we slip up against Macedonia and only got a draw away, we could lose to Russia in Moscow, and beat Slovakia in Dublin and still come second.


So, we're aiming for second again. This time we're in a very good position to make it, and that's not a bad situation to be in up against a side that reached the knockout stage of the World Cup and a Russian side who can play some fantastic stuff. Just a little dissapointing/frustrating when you think a late equaliser against russia, and Robbie's penalty going in in Zilina and we'd be looking great for first.

[Stuttgart88]

"Plenty of teams go to these places and win".

Yes, and they do so by scoring from the clear cut chances they create. We didn't do this in Switzerland or Israel.

I think we played better last night than, for example, NI did in Slovenia. Look, if Slovakia had missed a penno and 2 clear cut chances, and yet we drew the whole country would be on the "lucky Trap" bandwagon and we'd be berated. We let 2 points slip, no doubt whatsoever, but the general performance was good enough to win a game like this.

We have good players who were unavailable (Duff, Hunt, Doyle, Andrews) and I think most of us agree that we probably have better players in some positions currently being overlooked. The good news is that Fahey & Long have really stepped up. The team / squad needs a bit of refreshing and the cobwebs need to be dusted off defending set-pieces and in front of goal.

Anyway, Indo self-loathing watch: neutral ref gave Slovakia nothing and the penalty was unnecessarily harsh.

[paul_oshea]

It was a clear penalty.

Stutts, i dont really know what yer other point is? Of course the team who scores more goals wins.

[ifk101]

In the context of the Russian game, I thought our first half performance last night was quite good. The inclusion of Fahey in the team certainly made the difference as we had a player in midfield that wasn't afraid to put a foot on the ball and he had a player that was capable of actually doing something on the ball. Indeed our two best players on the night were Fahey and Long, which I think puts pay to the notion that we don't have anybody to bring in.

We certainly died in the second half - whether that was because of the disappointment of missing the penalty or something said at half time I don't know.

I think we could have done with a player like Stokes on the bench last night. I see him as an ideal replacement to have for Robbie when things aren't going Robbie's way like last night.

Also think there's an urgency to have something done about our full backs. Foley needs to be given a go and I think St Ledger should be dropped with JOSH moving into the centre to make this happen. I'd actually continue with Kilbane for the time being - half the problem with Kilbane is the lack of help he's getting from McGeady.

[Real ale Madrid]

Last night's result would have been lauded as wonderful if we had beaten or drawn against the Russians on Friday night. On rte, on here and in the papers.

It was Friday night where we had the setback and our weaknesses exposed by a technically superior outfit. Not last night.

Last night was a typical Irish away performance, 100% from everyone, some shaky moments, some good play - generally though I thought we looked very solid, especially in the second half. They are a big strong physical side who will cause anyone a problem from set pieces, and they caused us a few from those positions last night. In open play we looked the better side when we got the ball down, and I thought and only for our top striker being out of form we probably would have won the game.

Its a bit of a scrap now alright but if we win our home games ( Armenia, Slovakia, Macedonia ) , get draws away to Macedonia and Russia and beat Andorra away - that should be good enough for second.

Not sure if topping the group was ever realistic.

[Jicked]

What are the results proof of Paul, that we're not a football superpower?

If you think last night was a terrible performance your expectations are completely unrealistic and unrepresentative of the entire history of results of the Ireland team.

I think it's fair to say at this stage that this team has major problems with winning games, they have absolutely no killer instinct as they've shown time and time again. It's a huge problem, we don't look like winners, ever. Just about the only time we looked a little like a winning team was when we hit late on to draw in Italy, and even then we could have won it even later and fluffed it. To have not one a single big game in so long is ridiculous, you'd think we'd have had one lucky win by now at least.

[twoenz]

Another poor night at the office.

They were there for the taking and we let them off the hook. If Robbie had scored the penalty would we have won? Doubtful.

We're no worse off than we were at the start of the game. Let Russia run away with it now, and gear up for a fight for 2nd. Has to be 6 against Macedonia, then things should look a bit better.

As for the 3 wise men, Giles and Dunphy don't watch any football unless they're sitting in the RTE studio. Their lack of knowledge could fill several libraries.

[SwanVsDalton]

Or maybe I think we are simply a better team than last nights performance showed, against a team who were torn apart by Armenia.

Paul, I can see what you're getting at - I think all of us here would like to see a tangible improvement in turning near-misses into successes. That's what we'll judge Trap on and, based on that, we haven't really progressed in the last year. It's frustrating.

But we're competing and I think playing better, with less options, than under Kerr and Staunton. I think ORA's right - it's unrealistic to suppose we're going to blow these teams off the park. There's absolutely no evidence to support that idea. It is realistic to expect us up our game and really get at teams away from home - and last night we did that.

The performance was a great improvement on Friday. We played some nice stuff, defended better and created far more chances than them, away from home. As far as away performances go, it was one of our better ones. Just unfortunate our main finisher had an off night. Frustrating, yes, but there's plenty of room for optimism based on the performance. As Stutts said, five months to get it right before two big, big games against the Macedonians.