Republic of Ireland V Serbia - Wednesday, 5th March 2014 - Friendly

[geysir]

For this game, Nutjob's is about the best quality stream, followed by Coolsports (http://www.coolsport.tv/sky-sports-3-live-stream-online.html).

[geysir]

McGeady's misfortunes continue.
What a brain fárt by Wes!

[tricky_colour]

I'm not 100% sure it was going in.

[Stuttgart88]

On that next replay, did no 18 not play Wes on, at the moment Whelan struck it?

[DannyInvincible]

Wasn't the number 18 playing Wes onside? Terrible decision. Not even marginal.

[the 12 th man]

100 % onside.

[tricky_colour]

Yeeeeeessssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

[geysir]

Hoofball's not dead yet.

[DannyInvincible]

Yes! 1-0. Some very poor defending there but great to see Long take advantage. Positive start.

[tricky_colour]

Hoofball's not dead yet.

Long high passes are the new short ball.

[tricky_colour]

Farewell Trap and don't come back!!

[geysir]

100 % onside.
You're right but Wes wasn't to know that

[the 12 th man]

You're right but Wes wasn't to know that

Not worried about Wes knowing about it, it was the Lino we wanted to know...:D

[DannyInvincible]

Alert header off the line from McCarthy.


On that next replay, did no 18 not play Wes on, at the moment Whelan struck it?

I have a feeling Ray Houghton still has great difficulty with "this new offside rule". Initially, he seemed to be saying that it was a good decision by the linesman/ref because Wes was in an offside position when he touched the ball (indeed, Wes was, although that's not relevant), but someone has either since quietly pointed out to him the error of his ways or it has dawned upon him that he was blathering absolute nonsense.

Before the game, Niall Quinn, who does strike me as quite Premier League-centric regardless, also suggested that McGeady might have suffered as a result of having gone to Russia rather than having "stayed" in the Premier League. McGeady did very well with Spartak, so I'm not sure what justifies such a comment other than McGeady having been outside of our general scope (i.e. Sky Sports) for an extended period of time, but that doesn't mean he was playing sub-standard football.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

First bit of good play in ages and our midfield is bypassed as per usual. Wilson taking the intitiative, Long comes out to receive the ball and McClean wins the corner after some good interplay. Whelan just stands there like a statue offering precisely nothing from an attacking perspective. It's not good enough. He has to take on more responsibility and get more involved.

[paul_oshea]

Good man wardy launch it high and far time and again

[ger121]

Long should have finished that one.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

GREAT pass from Hoolahan and Long springing the defence. The finish was typical though. Folly of Long. The first goal is what he does well. That chance.... just not good enough. If only.. he could be the perfect forward.

[geysir]

Houghton's rule of co commentary,
Whatever a player tries and doesn't work, means he should have taken the 'better' option.

[DannyInvincible]

Long should have finished that one.

Christ sake, reversion to type...

[tricky_colour]

Very clever of Ward to surprise them with a Long ball, despite us giving them
a big clue in the strikers name.

[zero]

Before the game, Niall Quinn, who does strike me as quite Premier League-centric regardless, also suggested that McGeady might have suffered as a result of having gone to Russia rather than having "stayed" in the Premier League. McGeady did very well with Spartak, so I'm not sure what justifies such a comment other than McGeady having been outside of our general scope (i.e. Sky Sports) for an extended period of time, but that doesn't mean he was playing sub-standard football.

really? that wasn't my understanding of the situation. i was under the impression his spell there would be considered around 6/10, maybe 6.5.

this is hoolahan's most impressive performance in an irish shirt for me so far.

[tricky_colour]

Christ sake, reversion to type...

I though he took his goal very well, I think would have done better taking the ball round the keeper
that time but maybe the last goal went to his head and he fancied he was the new Robbie Keane.

[DannyInvincible]

Dominant start with 65 per cent of possession so far. I've been very impressed, although get the impression Serbia mightn't be too bothered.


Houghton's rule of co commentary,
Whatever a player tries and doesn't work, means he should have taken the 'better' option.

Nothing would ever happen if Ray were boss. There'd be no risks taken whatsoever. Players would be permitted to perform an act only if they were one hundred per cent certain it would result in a positive outcome, or a goal in other words.

[backstothewall]

Houghton's rule of co commentary,
Whatever a player tries and doesn't work, means he should have taken the 'better' option.

He also obviously doesn't know what offside is. The producers clearly had to explain why Hoolahans goal should have been given.

One thing he did get right is how pleasing that possession stat was to see

[tricky_colour]

FFS that was close

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Fordinho.

[Paddy Garcia]

Ward - shocking clearance...

[shakermaker1982]

Ward really needs to learn how to clear a ball properly. How many times has he passed to a Serbian player in a dangerous position tonight?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

McGeady is really giving Paul some ammunition. McClean offering a lot more, as is usually the case.

[DannyInvincible]

Great save by Forde. Feared he'd dandered too far forward for a second there.


really? that wasn't my understanding of the situation. i was under the impression his spell there would be considered around 6/10, maybe 6.5.

He was very popular in Moscow and had pretty good goals and assists ratios, as far as I know. Am open to correction, mind.


this is hoolahan's most impressive performance in an irish shirt for me so far.

That's good; he's most often received his highest ratings for us when he's not even been in the squad. :p

[ger121]

Jesus Houghton comes out with some drivel when he's commentating

[tricky_colour]

Jesus Houghton comes out with some drivel when he's commentating

True but he was good on crosses.

[Stuttgart88]

Hmm, I'm not sharing all the positivity here. I'd say that was good in parts but pretty poor in parts too. I want McCarthy to be more assertive, McClean to be smarter and Long to become a natural finisher! Our defending from corners was poor and a wake up call for MON.

There are times when we look decent going forward and it's nice to see Hoolahan playing with his head up in their half, seeing what his options are. McGeady is not always on same wavelength though.

Coleman is class.

[Keen2win]

Hoolahan, Ward, Long and Whelan... We need a tad better!

[paul_oshea]

Hoolohan playing well.McClean ok and long full of running.

Mccarthy is he playing I missed the lineup....

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Meyler should be in that midfield, on merit. He gets stuck in more, he's more enthusiastic and he's more of a goal threat than McCarthy and Whelan put together.

[tricky_colour]

Serbia look like they have a goal in them, they seem to have sorted out
how to deal with us going forward now, we are not creating chances any more.
Keane and O'Neil will sort it out!

[paul_oshea]

Long can't score 1 on 1s!!! At least in an ireland shirt!!

[texidub]

Quite a few messy moments there, but all in all good to see the urgency from some players. McGeady's mind seems to be elsewhere.. and some defensive mistakes. We look like a team that will score --but also concede-- a lot of goals. I know it's a friendly, but I'm not sure I like things being *this* open.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Pretty brainless stuff rushing out, by Keogh.

[Yard of Pace]

I know it's a friendly, but I'm not sure I like things being *this* open.

Indeed.

[paul_oshea]

Awful poor defending.how lucky was trap with duff keane dunne and given in their prime?what we would do for 4 of them now at their peak!

I'm very worreid how poor we actually are the players I mean.

[tricky_colour]

FFS same again from long, shot too early.

[paul_oshea]

Does long lack confidence one on one?keane would have a far better understanding with hooligan and finish.

[SwanVsDalton]

That was flat out dreadful from Long. Again.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

You would think Long would be confident enough to take chances like that after his recent performances for Hull and the goal tonight.... Those two misses are inexcusable. I feel sorry for Hoolahan. A perfectly good goal ruled out and he should have two assists in the bag only for Long's shoddiness in front of goal.

[DannyInvincible]

Exquisite ball through from Wes, but another infuriating miss by Long. Frustrating.

[paul_oshea]

Shot the load too early...

Stutts you are right about long I always agreed he doesnt have the confidence cos he doesnt have the skill 1 v 1 so he doesnt know what to do and fluffs it.

[shakermaker1982]

I'd say that chip shot was overconfidence/cockiness if anything. Bizarre thing to attempt. Messi or Ronaldo then yep you are allowed to chip the keeper from there.