Republic of Ireland V Greece - Wednesday, 14th November 2012 - Friendly

[dotsycam]

What Trap had to say after the match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuMJoEjdWpIextratime.ie

[Hibs4Ever]

Coleman was brilliant, thought Clarke had a very good game too. McClean woeful, again. Seriously don't get all the hype about him

[Kingdom]

never mind that, where was manuela for the post match interview with trap??

Probably off learning some new instrument. The flute or something. I know, I know....

[Stuttgart88]

Look on the bright side. Last time we lost to Greece at home we went on to qualify for the WC!

We're miles off the standard required to challenge Sweden. That's about all I learnt from last night.

[paul_oshea]

I think Steven reid somes it up quite well here, there wasn't a great deal of positives to take from the game, and there was no urgency. All these fringe players should really have been pressing and showing some urgency but they didn't.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/well-need-to-call-on-old-guard-for-swedish-trip-as-fringe-brigade-not-ready-for-world-cup-heat-just-yet-3294563.html

[DannyInvincible]

They need a reality check.

There have been quite a few of those already of late, but there appears to be little happening to stamp out the malaise.

Wasn't able to see the match myself due to work, but was able to catch some highlights here:


http://youtu.be/sTcos4PoDsg

We didn't start off too badly by the looks of things before reverting to type. Greek goal was well-finished but O'Shea should have been much closer to his man by the time he got the shot in. We did create a few more goal-scoring chances, but it's impossible to judge an overall performance without having seen the full 90 minutes.

The atmosphere sounded pretty flat; little surprise given the poor attendance and lack of excitement surrounding the team of late.

[paul_oshea]

Ouch glad I missed the second half, went to play football instead.



what?

[SwanVsDalton]

what?

I play 5-a-side on a Wednesday which ordinarily I might skip if Ireland are playing, but didn't last night. Good call as it turns out.

[paul_oshea]

Nope not at all. Supporting is not a part-time game, when it suits. And my point was, you did not miss the game, you chose to do something else. Completely different

DI no you can't watch the highlights and think we did ok or guage performances. That's why you have to watch the full game.

McClean is very limited. Holohan did ok, I didn't feel he could do an awful lot as he was played too high up the pitch, out of position, and we chose to hit high ball after high ball. Trap should be on the sideline instructing to change this approach when its not working, it was clear as the light of day that we couldn't and wouldn't score against a physically imposing Greek team from high balls, with no height or strength up front, holohan was playing piggy in the middle. Whoever thought McClean had a good game doesn't have a clue about football and I think i will block them now.

[DannyInvincible]

I play 5-a-side on a Wednesday which ordinarily I might skip if Ireland are playing, but didn't last night. Good call as it turns out.

Heresy!

http://www.tillhecomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/burn-at-stake.jpg

[DannyInvincible]

DI no you can't watch the highlights and think we did ok or guage performances. That's why you have to watch the full game.

I've found it on Irish Torrents. ;)

Rather annoyingly, I have to work two week-day evenings of my job - those being Wednesday and Thursday - due to my other day commitments during the week, and when negotiating which evenings I'd work with my employers, I informed them I wanted Tuesday nights and Friday nights off if possible so I wouldn't miss our World Cup qualifiers (well, I left out the latter bit). I overlooked the friendlies, unfortunately, neglecting to think that the FAI might continue playing those on Wednesday nights. First match I've not been able to see in I can't remember how long. That Delaney; why, I ought'a...! *shakes fist*

[SwanVsDalton]

Nope not at all. Supporting is not a part-time game, when it suits. And my point was, you did not miss the game, you chose to do something else. Completely different

Don't be a self-righteous WUM POS.


Heresy!

http://www.tillhecomes.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/burn-at-stake.jpg

Attend nearly every match possible, watch those I can't go to obsessively, camp out in the Ireland anorak forum and then miss half a friendly and it goes all Papillion...

[DannyInvincible]

Attend nearly every match possible, watch those I can't go to obsessively, camp out in the Ireland anorak forum and then miss half a friendly and it goes all Papillion...

I know, I know. My tongue was firmly wedged in my cheek. :)

[SwanVsDalton]

I know, I know. My tongue was firmly wedged in my cheek. :)

Don't worry Danny, I know!

[paul_oshea]

Mine wasn't - which I'm sure you knew too :D Nothing to do with WUMing either.

Its all about choice that's all, for you. For me, personally, its completely different.

And actually I'd go as far as to say, especially after reading SRs piece, that the team needs less of that mentality, which is why they lack such urgency, especially in these friendly games, no can-do attitude. Their application should be the exact same no matter who or when or what context the game is being played in.

[SwanVsDalton]

Mine wasn't - which I'm sure you knew too :D Nothing to do with WUMing either.

Its all about choice that's all, for you. For me, personally, its completely different.

And actually I'd go as far as to say, especially after reading SRs piece, that the team needs less of that mentality, which is why they lack such urgency, especially in these friendly games, no can-do attitude. Their application should be the exact same no matter who or when or what context the game is being played in.

Come on POS - it was a smug and condescending jibe at the quality of my 'choices', designed to position your 'choices' as better and more committed to supporting the team.

A disappointingly churlish thing to say because, while I may not measure up to your standards in just this instance, it's hardly worth having a scoffing dig about it.

As for your attempt at marrying me not watching half-a-friendly to the side's lack of commitment on the field - ridiculous.

There's all sorts of reasons for people not turning up but it shouldn't equate to a disinterested team.

Anyway if you want to try and make that point fine, but kindly do so without reference to me.

[Kingdom]

You Derry guys, you're neither in nor out are ye, free to do what you want .....**jokes**

[BonnieShels]

I play 5-a-side on a Wednesday which ordinarily I might skip if Ireland are playing, but didn't last night. Good call as it turns out.

I play 5-a-side on Tuesdays and as a result I missed the second half of the Faroes game. I'm not fit to call myself an Ireland supporter.

POS, open the manbag and break out the cat-o-nine-tails, for clearly I am not worthy!

Though I did attend that práisce last night so... Hmmmm... maybe I'm back in the game.

[Stuttgart88]

I used to fly home for the friendlies even, but TV is just fine for this type of night.

I thought we started OK. I actually thought it was as if Trap had let them just go out and do their thing. Coleman in particular seemed to enjoy license to play his natural game.

Then after 20 or 25 minutes we seemed to revert back to "stand off them" mode. I couldn't tell whether this was because Greece started to find their feet and started playing more fluently, or whether it was because we started to stand off them that they did so.

Anyway, I hear John Devine is organising a Festival of Football for kids on 8th December with young kids from all around the country playing 3x3 non-competitive games. I hope to hell it's successful! I'm very envious of how teams like Greece have an effortless fluency about them at times.

[paul_oshea]

Come on POS - it was a smug and condescending jibe at the quality of my 'choices', designed to position your 'choices' as better and more committed to supporting the team.

A disappointingly churlish thing to say because, while I may not measure up to your standards in just this instance, it's hardly worth having a scoffing dig about it.

As for your attempt at marrying me not watching half-a-friendly to the side's lack of commitment on the field - ridiculous.

There's all sorts of reasons for people not turning up but it shouldn't equate to a disinterested team.

Anyway if you want to try and make that point fine, but kindly do so without reference to me.

A good friend of mine once said, a Country's football team is a good representation of its people.

There is a general feeling of disinterest amongst the Irish public with regards to the national football team and that resonates in the teams performances.

Maybe not you individually, but sum up all those "individuals" and you get the point.

Its not an "i'm not more metal than you" argument, if that's what you are reading from it.

To sum up, there is a general malaise affecting the Irish team at present, and it could be charactierised from a support point of view as well. All stakeholders appear somewhat disinterested*

Funny that everyone who thanked your post didn't attend the game and/or missed some of it though :D And incase you were wondering I didn't attend the game, but I didn't have a choice, I did ensure though that I got to see all of it. As bad and as dour as it was.

*There are always exceptions

[Crosby87]

Swan did you at least score? During the game I mean?

[Supreme feet]

Forde - Hadn't much to do, one good save from a long range shot.

Coleman - Outstanding. Seems to have settled into the RB role, really growing in confidence.
O'Shea - Poor. Too many long balls as usual, fell asleep for the Greek goal.
Clark - Hadn't much to do, no major clangers. Experience will do him good. Deserved a booking for that challenge, but it wasn't the 'horror tackle' that the Greeks made it out to be.
Ward - Again, too many aimless balls forward, and always vulnerable defensively.

Whelan - Awful. Never knows what he is going to do before he receives the ball, no vision, no technique. Some of his passes were truly dreadful. Offers nothing.
(Andrews) - Did the simple things well enough, put himself about more than Whelan, but nothing more than a workhorse.
McCarthy - Pretty tidy. Still growing into the international game, but the talent is there, at least.
(Meyler) - No better than Whelan/Andrews, on this evidence. Some shocking passes. The search for young central midfield talent continues.
McClean - Awful. He will have better games, but he's in danger of turning into a less likeable version of Kilbane in his younger days. Some wasteful shooting, poor vision and abysmal crossing.
Brady - Some nice touches and link-up play with Coleman. Good technique and movement, hopefully he'll kick on with regular football at club level.
(Hoolahan) - Thought he did well, always looking for the ball and using it intelligently.

Cox - A lot of running, little effect. Limited. Getting more game time than he deserves. Certainly not a winger.
(Keogh) - As above.
Long - Pity he was taken off at half-time (must have been an agreement with Steve Clarke, surely?). Good pace, led the line well, may have worked better with Hoolahan if he had stayed on. Certainly offers more of a threat than Doyle.
(Doyle) - Best days seem to be over, sadly. No goal threat. Won a few 50-50s, but we need more than that if we're looking to eventually play one up front in big games.

Overall, a 6/10. We have played worse under Trap. Passed and kept the ball well at times, didn't always resort to hoofball, and a few of the young lads showed up well. Lack of penetration is a big worry.

[shakermaker1982]

We are just going to go through the motions until the Trap stands down at the end of this campaign.

Only unearthing a young Roy Keane can help the cause and let's face it that isn't going to happen. Investing heavily in youth football across the island is the only way forward from here. World Soccer ran an excellent piece on Mexico a couple of issues ago about how they focused on the under age national teams and it's now starting to pay dividends. Obviously their population and playing pool is much larger but club sides do work together to help the national cause. Something isn't right with the set up in Ireland at present and heads need to be banged together to come up with a solution. Where is the next Damian Duff going to come from? Are talented kids playing rugby instead?

[geysir]

I don't mind that we stuttered and struggled to be fluent with trying something different, a basic passing game against a team who can defend and pass the ball blindfolded.
I would mind if the opportunity was dismissed to build upon this experience like it has been in the past.
I didn't expect Hoolahan to come in the game after half time, impose a passing fluency and every other player would tune in.
I'm not convinced at all that Trap has the wherewithall to organise our team this way but definitely as long as he's around I hope he persists. So far he has applied himself with a wishy washy deference to the alternatives to relentless hoofing.
I was impressed with Brady for an out and out rookie at club senior level, he has the makings of fine player. I'd hope he will be around the squad until he's ready for a starting place. I'm not perturbed by McClean, poor at times but who knows he might be on a learning curve, if not then so be it.

[SwanVsDalton]

A good friend of mine once said, a Country's football team is a good representation of its people.

There is a general feeling of disinterest amongst the Irish public with regards to the national football team and that resonates in the teams performances.

Maybe not you individually, but sum up all those "individuals" and you get the point.

Its not an "i'm not more metal than you" argument, if that's what you are reading from it.

To sum up, there is a general malaise affecting the Irish team at present, and it could be charactierised from a support point of view as well. All stakeholders appear somewhat disinterested*

Funny that everyone who thanked your post didn't attend the game and/or missed some of it though :D And incase you were wondering I didn't attend the game, but I didn't have a choice, I did ensure though that I got to see all of it. As bad and as dour as it was.

*There are always exceptions

I hear that point but I still think it would be better made, say, by the flat atmosphere/empty seats last year when playing Slovakia at home in a must-win qualifier rather than last night's dour fest at the end of an international year when morale's taking a bit of a shoeing.

Also, in general, you're preaching to the choir here - must of us round this forum have likely seen more than our fair share of dour Irish friendlies. I think we've paid our dues if we skip out every once and a while!


Swan did you at least score? During the game I mean?

It was a goal fest 16-15 victory and I only managed one - a long range optimistic effort that the keeper should've kept out. Hit the post a couple of times. In line with Ireland, it wasn't my night in front of goal but we did at least win!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Like us all, myself included (Wouldn't even watch a home friendly on TV, FFS), PO'S has also missed 'many' games, so my spies tell me.

So what...

[geysir]

Did he not lose his way (at least) once, trying to get from the pub to the ground?

[Stuttgart88]

There's a big bandwagon element to Irish sport and particularly football, but even with that in mind it's worth noting that the public isn't stupid.

They know full well what they're going to get served up and they know that the game counts for nothing.

Home performances under Trap have been dross for the most part and the economic climate is crap.

I'd always go myself if I was living in Dublin but on the evidence of the last 3 years' home games, it'd be out of a sense of duty and loyalty and not in the expectation that it'd be time or money well spent. Anyone living beyond the pale or overseas is fully justified picking and choosing in my opinion.

There's plenty of better football to watch in Ireland and on TV for the punters to choose from.

[paul_oshea]

Like us all, myself included (Wouldn't even watch a home friendly on TV, FFS), PO'S has also missed 'many' games, so my spies tell me.

So what...

What spies, just cos i don't hang around with the ones you hang around with, doesn't mean I haven't gone :evil: :D


Did he not lose his way (at least) once, trying to get from the pub to the ground?

that was only 15mins fast walking.....:D

[Predator]

Based on last night's performance, Trap must realise that Glenn Whelan's days are numbered. He looked robotic in the centre alongside McCarthy, lacking any kind of "fantasia" to get his head up and look around. His simple passing is quite poor too. He often plays a pass through the air, which is more difficult for the recipient to control, when a simple along-the-ground pass would suffice - that is schoolboy stuff.

[jbyrne]

There's a big bandwagon element to Irish sport and particularly football, but even with that in mind it's worth noting that the public isn't stupid.

They know full well what they're going to get served up and they know that the game counts for nothing.

Home performances under Trap have been dross for the most part and the economic climate is crap.

I'd always go myself if I was living in Dublin but on the evidence of the last 3 years' home games, it'd be out of a sense of duty and loyalty and not in the expectation that it'd be time or money well spent. Anyone living beyond the pale or overseas is fully justified picking and choosing in my opinion.

There's plenty of better football to watch in Ireland and on TV for the punters to choose from.

there are only about 6 home matches a season so not a huge commitment for a fan. yes, a lot of the time the football isnt great but i cant see myself ever prefering to stay at home rather than go to a home match. i saw some positives last night that i feel i would have missed if watching on telly. its also great to meet up with the lads i have gone with to matches for years, compare our expectations before kick off and then discuss what inevitably went wrong over a few pints afterwards (paid for it this morning though!)! you just cant beat the feeling of attending a live match

[jbyrne]

McClean - Awful. He will have better games, but he's in danger of turning into a less likeable version of Kilbane in his younger days. Some wasteful shooting, poor vision and abysmal crossing.


traps insistence on playing our wingers on their wrong side greatly contributes to this. its baffling really particularly for a very direct wideman like mcclean. his strength is knocking it past a player and whipping the ball in. having to check back onto his stronger foot takes away his threat

[punkrocket]

Lack of penetration is a big worry.

What do you expect with Long Cox?

[DeLorean]

I'd always go myself if I was living in Dublin

I would as well.


it'd be out of a sense of duty and loyalty and not in the expectation that it'd be time or money well spent.

This is where we differ. I don't feel a sense duty at all. I pick and choose games that suit me, whether it be at home or away. I'm 100% selfish in my decision making. If it's a trip that appeals to me, I will look into it. Stockholm in March is a must and Vienna appeals to me also. Shoot me down but Cologne probably depends on our qualification chances. Life is too short and money is too hard to come by to be throwing away on a sense of duty if you ask me.

I might be overly cynical but it always makes me cringe a little when I hear people talking about 'going to support the team' as if it's the only reason they're there. I go because I love football and there's usually a lot of craic involved. It's for me I go, not the team. That's not to say I don't support them when I'm there, or that I'm not a bit depressed when they lose. Fair play to those who spend all their money and give up their time soley for the Irish team, and not their own satisfaction but I'd be lying if I claimed that was me.

[paul_oshea]

traps insistence on playing our wingers on their wrong side greatly contributes to this. its baffling really particularly for a very direct wideman like mcclean. his strength is knocking it past a player and whipping the ball in. having to check back onto his stronger foot takes away his threat

Do you think he believes perhaps that it improves their game and adds an extra dimension? As though, when he speaks of young players, he thinks they are u12.

[jbyrne]

Do you think he believes perhaps that it improves their game and adds an extra dimension? As though, when he speaks of young players, he thinks they are u12.

id say its a defensive thing. i've lost count of the times over the years that our wingers in very promising positions in behind the oppositions full back messed up the cross or had to check back onto their stronger foot thereby wasting the chance to get in a decent cross

[tricky_colour]

Missed it as at work but have it recorded- worth watching later?

Yes it was a pretty good game, I thought, we had a quite a bit of possession and I was on the edge of my seat at times
thinking a goal was coming, however as you know the scoreline you might not get the same effect, I have seen a lot
worse Ireland matches lets put it that way. A few incidents in the match worth seeing.

[tricky_colour]

Coleman was brilliant, thought Clarke had a very good game too. McClean woeful, again. Seriously don't get all the hype about him

Possibly a bit of second season syndrome, he was always a bit of a rough diamond but there seems more rough than diamond at the moment.

[trevy]

What was the attendance for the game? It looked a poor enough crowd but can't really blame fans for not turning up for friendlies the way we are playing at the moment.

[DeLorean]

16,256. Not great on a night we received an award for our support :)

[SkStu]

Yes it was a pretty good game, I thought, we had a quite a bit of possession and I was on the edge of my seat at times
thinking a goal was coming, however as you know the scoreline you might not get the same effect, I have seen a lot
worse Ireland matches lets put it that way. A few incidents in the match worth seeing.

Actually watching it now against my better judgement. It's half time and I thought Brady looked good and is going to be hugely influential for us in the future. I loved Clark's tackle - get into them lad - a touch of the Roy Keanes bout that tackle. O'Shea did some good things but people don't tend to notice the good stuff strangely. Very flat performance and atmosphere though. When i was, ahem, a superfan (like some here) that went to every game it was always a full house, sad to see the deterioration.

McClean played like an ill-informed loudmouth, obviously...

[SkStu]

This is where we differ. I don't feel a sense duty at all. I pick and choose games that suit me, whether it be at home or away. I'm 100% selfish in my decision making. If it's a trip that appeals to me, I will look into it. Stockholm in March is a must and Vienna appeals to me also. Shoot me down but Cologne probably depends on our qualification chances. Life is too short and money is too hard to come by to be throwing away on a sense of duty if you ask me.

I might be overly cynical but it always makes me cringe a little when I hear people taking about 'going to support the team' as if it's the only reason they're there. I go because I love football and there's usually a lot of craic involved. It's for me I go, not the team. That's not to say I don't support them when I'm there, or that I'm not a bit depressed when they lose. Fair play to those who spend all their money and give up their time soley for the Irish team, and not their own satisfaction but I'd be lying if I claimed that was me.

Great post - nice to see a bit of sense.

[SkStu]

Oh yeah, and Papadopoulos looks like the sort of dick who looks for fights against harmless dweebs outside chippers at 3am...

[CraftyToePoke]

World Soccer ran an excellent piece on Mexico a couple of issues ago about how they focused on the under age national teams and it's now starting to pay dividends. Obviously their population and playing pool is much larger but club sides do work together to help the national cause. Something isn't right with the set up in Ireland at present and heads need to be banged together to come up with a solution. Where is the next Damian Duff going to come from? Are talented kids playing rugby instead?

Well, we have a comparable population to Uruguay and they seem to manage. There was a great piece in Four Four Two about a year ago on their youth systems. Great read. (albeit they don't have the GAA codes & Rugby to compete with)

Its funny you say about the next Duff, by that I understand, when will the English academy system fix this for us. But the present squad contains as many ex L.O.I players, or players largely forged in L.O.I. & players who chose Ireland despite not being born here as it does English academy products surely? I don't know the exact breakdown, but isn't the Keane/Duff/Dunne type produced player a diminishing resource for us at present at least ?

[DeLorean]

Oh yeah, and Papadopoulos looks like the sort of dick who looks for fights against harmless dweebs outside chippers at 3am...

I pretty much knew the guy you were on about before I googled it for confirmation! I think you might be on to something there...

http://www.fussballtransfers.com/bilder/a/kyriakos-papadopoulos-koennte-schalke-04-noch-verlassen_30431.jpg

[DannyInvincible]

O'Shea did some good things but people don't tend to notice the good stuff strangely.

Mistakes in that position are more costly and will naturally stand out as having more impact on the final result. In O'Shea's case last night, his error/poor positioning/lack of urgency cost us a goal which directly led to us losing the game.


McClean played like an ill-informed loudmouth, obviously...

Touché. :D

[jbyrne]

I might be overly cynical but it always makes me cringe a little when I hear people talking about 'going to support the team' as if it's the only reason they're there. I go because I love football and there's usually a lot of craic involved. It's for me I go, not the team. That's not to say I don't support them when I'm there, or that I'm not a bit depressed when they lose. Fair play to those who spend all their money and give up their time soley for the Irish team, and not their own satisfaction but I'd be lying if I claimed that was me.

i dont think anyone would travel if they were not getting satisfaction out of the trip. and if that satisfaction comes out of their desire to purely support the team then good luck to them. i dont think anyone would ever let on travelling to support the team is a chore no matter what their motivation is for travelling.

[elroy]

There's a big bandwagon element to Irish sport and particularly football, but even with that in mind it's worth noting that the public isn't stupid.

They know full well what they're going to get served up and they know that the game counts for nothing.

Home performances under Trap have been dross for the most part and the economic climate is crap.

I'd always go myself if I was living in Dublin but on the evidence of the last 3 years' home games, it'd be out of a sense of duty and loyalty and not in the expectation that it'd be time or money well spent. Anyone living beyond the pale or overseas is fully justified picking and choosing in my opinion.

There's plenty of better football to watch in Ireland and on TV for the punters to choose from.

You've kinda hit the nail on the head for me. I live in Dublin so almost would feel bad if I didnt go to these games, even though I know 90% of the friendlies arent exactly going to be riveting - you get the odd one. If I had the time to check back the last 10 - 15 years, I'd say you'd find the average attendance at friendlies is between 25k - 30k. Reality is in the old LR, that was almost full so perhaps there wasnt such attention towards attendace. But in the larger Aviva, I think the FAI should use some common sense and close more if not all the upper tier for the friendlies - I know this would screw up their pricing structures but at least it would optically make a big difference. And god knows so many Irish football fans see most of their football on tv anyway so if it looks better on tv............

The reality is following/attending Ireland games isnt exactly entertainment, its a passion, on your edge of the seat at nil nil in the last ten mins in a must win against Macedonia. You cant buy or create that feeling. I grew up in Cork so didnt start going to games till late teens but always had the passion for them, then my first game was the 2-1 win against Yugoslavia - hooked!!! From an entertainment point of view, every one in ten games maybe more, you have a cracker (to name a few: Paris, 2-2 Italy, Israel 2-2, Holland 1-0, Portugal 1-1, Albania 2-1) that knocks you for dead and that keeps you going through all the friendly dross. unfortunately we havent had one of those days/nights in the Aviva yet.

On the general malaise toward the team, I see it creeping into the rugby team now. Sadly, fans are dismissing the Irish team in favour of the more successful provinces. Reality is success brings success and brings more fans to the ground.

[geysir]

Competitive games are games where you turn up, if you can.
For various reasons, for various fans, friendlies have become more optional.

[Stuttgart88]

I would as well.



This is where we differ. I don't feel a sense duty at all. I pick and choose games that suit me, whether it be at home or away. I'm 100% selfish in my decision making. If it's a trip that appeals to me, I will look into it. Stockholm in March is a must and Vienna appeals to me also. Shoot me down but Cologne probably depends on our qualification chances. Life is too short and money is too hard to come by to be throwing away on a sense of duty if you ask me.

I might be overly cynical but it always makes me cringe a little when I hear people talking about 'going to support the team' as if it's the only reason they're there. I go because I love football and there's usually a lot of craic involved. It's for me I go, not the team. That's not to say I don't support them when I'm there, or that I'm not a bit depressed when they lose. Fair play to those who spend all their money and give up their time soley for the Irish team, and not their own satisfaction but I'd be lying if I claimed that was me.What I was trying to say was that I go but not in any expectation of it being some sort of occasion or a treat - which has been the case down the years at times. Living at home I'd never miss a game as I just enjoy being there. Being at lansdowne for a bad football match is better than most other entertainment options in my view. Obviously I enjoy it more if it's good. But I do have a strong sense of "loyal fandom" too. I go because it's a part of what I am.