Spain V Republic of Ireland - Thursday, 14th June 2012 - Euro 2012 Group C

[eekers]

Cox instead of Gibson in midfield, the exact same way Cox was ahead of Hunt and McClean on Sunday. Keane upfront on his own? We have no outlet at all anymore. We needed someone to bully Spain at the back.
I wonder if Given couldn't play, would Cox be ahead of Westwood as his choice of keeper?

[dancinpants]

no way dancy pants tonight we are world beaters

Really hope you're right bear, but I can see us shipping atleast 4 tonight...we were so shaky in defence against Croatia.

[SkStu]

Cox instead of Gibson in midfield, the exact same way Cox was ahead of Hunt and McClean on Sunday. Keane upfront on his own? We have no outlet at all anymore. We needed someone to bully Spain at the back.
I wonder if Given couldn't play, would Cox be ahead of Westwood as his choice of keeper?

His selection policy is quite bizarre. If you want to play an extra midfielder make it a flippin midfielder... *Sigh*

[Charlie Darwin]

Really hope you're right bear, but I can see us shipping atleast 4 tonight...we were so shaky in defence against Croatia.
All our goals were conceded from crosses though, and two were set pieces. Spain won't be attempting that.

[the bear]

it was a bad team performance against croatia, it won't be tonight now they have nothing to lose.

fabregas isn't starting, torres was very wasteful v italy when he came on, we can do it

[Maroon 7]

If you are playing one up front then surely Long or Walters are far more suited than Keane. Long is quick and can use his pace to run the channels while Walters is physical enough to put himself about. Keane at this stage of his career is neither quick or physical.

[Charlie Darwin]

His selection policy is quite bizarre. If you want to play an extra midfielder make it a flippin midfielder... *Sigh*
I assume it's because Cox will also attempt to get beyond Keane on the rare occasion we can break, which Gibson wouldn't do. I'd have still thought Andrews would be a better option for that though.

[the bear]

If you are playing one up front then surely Long or Walters are far more suited than Keane. Long is quick and can use his pace to run the channels while Walters is physical enough to put himself about. Keane at this stage of his career is neither quick or physical.

that would make to much sense for trap

[tricky_colour]

Fook me the Irish team looked like they had lost before they had kicked the ball.

[tricky_colour]

Got Spain on the ropes already.

[shakermaker1982]

Shay Given?!!!!

[Maroon 7]

1-0 Torres

Another defensive error. Dunne slipped and Shay wasn't exactly convincing again either. Wouldn't mind but we had actually started pretty well for the first few minutes.

[tricky_colour]

Rule 1 no back passing.
Just play the long ball and we will score.

[tricky_colour]

Robbie Offside, total waste.

[tricky_colour]

Just play the long ball we will catch them out as they are pressing us.

[tricky_colour]

Robbie Keane off side again.
Killing off what few chances we have.

[Maroon 7]

OK ref they are good enough as it is. No need to help them out.

[tricky_colour]

Bent ref too

[Maroon 7]

We have them exactly where we want them.

[backstothewall]

I have never seen us so comprehensibly outplayed. Never.

[tricky_colour]

Spain looking a bit rattled.

[backstothewall]

ted the bear said it better than I ever could

[Philly]

We need to bring on Walters or something. Anything. Hoofing to Keane won't work. The players have so few options to get the ball to and just keep giving it away as they wait for an option....

[tricky_colour]

We are slowly turning the tide on them.
I predict a deluge in the second half, I had Spain down to get a goal anyway, backed Ireland 2-1 and 3-1 if we get any more
than that so be it.

[SkStu]

Painful but expected.

Shay just doesn't look fit by the way. I'll have more to say on that later...

[the bear]

defense switched off for the goal. brutal from shay went straight through him

[Noelys Guitar]

Now I know why cacks are sold in 3 packs. We are still in it and ahve to stop them from scoring again. We will probably get 2 to 3 really good chances as the game becomes even more stretched. This game looks made for Shane Long not Walters or Doyle. And I would also consider bringing on McClean and Gibson if it reamins at 1-0 20 or so mins to go.

[horton]

We'll win 2-1! positive thinking folks!!!!

[Maroon 7]

Walters on for Cox. To be honest Cox was doing OK.

[dancinpants]

Absolutely embarrassing defending.

And we've conceded a goal inside the first 5 minutes of every half we've played so far.

[Philly]

We bottled it. :(

[BonnieShels]

I'm disgusted. Is this not an opportunity to say fupp it and start throwing on McClean and Gibbo.

[dancinpants]

Even the ESPN commentator is asking for McClean FFS.

[tricky_colour]

Trap out!!

[backstothewall]

In fairness, if you turn it on it's head, seeing how limited we are against top class opposition shows how huge and achievement it was to qualify.

And yes, I started drinking after about 15 minutes and it's been pretty intensive since then

[backstothewall]

We got a corner!!!!

Small victories

[tricky_colour]

Time to get Green on.

[dancinpants]

Can't pass, can't tackle, can't cross. Trap out, and several players need to go with him.

[shakermaker1982]

Aiden McGeady that round thing needs to be won when it's next to you on the floor.

[horton]

For poops and giggles, why not just throw McClean on just to give him a go? whats the worst that can happen now?!

[micls]

He was listening!

[Real ale Madrid]

Poops?

[horton]

well Adam has a swear filter on so I assumed I couldn't use the s word.

[Philly]

Gibson must be annoyed that Cox and Green are ahead of him for a midfield place...

[Philly]

Bleak :(

[dancinpants]

Spain to get another couple? :(

[horton]

Surely that was a handball?!

[tricky_colour]

That was lucky, for a minute there I thought we were gonna get hammered :p

[SkStu]

Whimper.

[the bear]

jaysus our fans were unreal. proud to be irish

pity we cant play football;)