Republic of Ireland V England - Sunday 7th June 2015 - Friendly

[pineapple stu]

Cheers. Arter looking lively. Rooney did nothing. Vardy sounds like the Irish Conor Sammon (there's a jinx!)

[DannyInvincible]

Actually, the Galaxy game was last night: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2015/06/07/la-galaxy-0-vancouver-whitecaps-1-mls-match-recap

Galaxy lost 1-0.

[DannyInvincible]

We've been poor this half. Nothing going on in midfield at all. Shay not convincing either when he's been tested; scuffed an easy kick and parried two efforts that might have been caught by a more agile keeper.

[pineapple stu]

Walters looks surprisingly like David Kelly

[pineapple stu]

That's a foul on Walters, not by him

[DannyInvincible]

That's a foul on Walters, not by him

Definitely. Awful decision.

That was a bit of an anti-climax. We did very little in the second-half. England were passing it around with ease. At least we didn't concede. I suppose it's what you'd expect from a Summer friendly, but I expect there will be a lot more urgency next week. And hopefully some more fluidity.

[pineapple stu]

30 years and counting

More positives than negatives overall

First half much better than the second, but an encouraging game all told

[DannyInvincible]

We could have done with a bit of rioting to enliven things in the second half!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Dare I say this, but since Whelan went off have we totally lost midfield?

Is that not to be expected when we make 6 changes in the first 20 minutes of the second-half? There was one moment, however, where Ross Barkley slipped completely off the radar just outside the box and was left in acres of space that probably wouldn't have been allowed to happen if Whelan was still on.

Mid second-half crying out for Hoolahan. Take it he won't be starting against Scotland?

Westwood inspired a lot more confidence than Given did. As has been said, Given managed to look shaky and cumbersome several times despite being on the pitch for half an hour.

Murphy did pretty well but he has to be scoring those free headers. I'm not sure if McGoldrick is a luxury we can afford to risk in a competitive game. RE: Walters/Jagielka. That just encompasses why Long needs to start and Walters needs to be on the bench. He just doesn't have the pace or speed of thought that Long does to force a defender into mistakes like Long did with Hanley in Glasgow.

McGeady did pretty good all things considered. Hendrick was relatively quiet again; lacking that X factor.

O'Shea very commanding in defence. Brady silenced a few doubts, although he always plays well against Sterling. As has been said by Stoke fans about Wilson recently, he is always capable of making a brainfart or two in every other game and he's lost his place in the team because of it. It lets him down because, otherwise, he has great qualities.

[DannyInvincible]

Good evaluation. Broadly agreed, for once. :)

[tricky_colour]

Jack Grealish has announced his retirement from international football.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/grealsiretires.html

[peadar1987]

Is Sterling being singled out for booing because of his situation at Liverpool? Jesus wept.

Yeah, that's embarrassing alright! I wonder do the Olé Olé crowd know how much proper English football fans laugh at them?

[DannyInvincible]

Jack Grealish has announced his retirement form international football..

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/grealsiretires.html

Ha! May I (re)tweet that, tricky?

[Olé Olé]

Not that it'll happen in a competitive game but Arter and Hendrick midfield was very unsettled. I've said it before that I worry about Hendrick on the ball there. He seems very good at one touch stuff but when he has to take a second and there are bodies around he seems to panic. Arter looked lively but a lot of his touches resulted in England regaining possession. Not meaning to be too harsh on them though. They'll definitely add something going on and beside either McCarthy or Whelan they'd be more settled.

I think our best midfield would still be McCarthy, Whelan and Hoolahan but I'm not sure does it suit to play all 3 because O'Neill would still fancy two wingers (2 of McGeady, Walters and McClean with the two former looking most likely) which means Hoolahan would be playing more of a 10 role in behind, probably, Keane. That results in having one striker in a home game which is not preferable either, I don't think. In terms of Hoolahan's potential involvement against Scotland, I see it as positive, in that regard, that he wasn't involved because he's known to have been carrying a knock so maybe he has been rested.. Wishful thinking.

McShane made one error out on the right then came in and made a lovely sliding interception which got good distance in it's clearance. If we were going with a 3-5-2, I think he'd be ideal to start. Don't see it happening though. There were a couple of times we were caught in possession at the back but I think that was down to the nature of the game in that England seemed to be fairly unpredictable in their pressing which was probably due to the fact that it was a June friendly.

0-0 was the fairest result and it was a good, injury-free (I hope/think) run-out against good quality opposition. All that means that we can expect maximum exertion and enjoy a bit of home passion on Saturday, I hope.

[Crosby87]

England team headed to crackbird en masse after the snoozer, players tweeted.

Robbie Keane is maintaining his climb up the LA scene as Claudine recounts adventures with A listers backstage at U2s LA show last week. Honestly, who would want to see U2 anymore? Is it 1994?

[shakermaker1982]

That game needed a goal....

Ground very flat. Need to take our chances next week. Still not sure what our strongest 11 is, quite a few spots still up for grabs.

Thought O'Shea had a good game.

[Olé Olé]

That game needed a goal....

Ground very flat. Need to take our chances next week. Still not sure what our strongest 11 is, quite a few spots still up for grabs.

Thought O'Shea had a good game.

I think you're spot on there re O'Shea. I don't think he made any error on the floor and anything aerial he seemed to be fully able to cope with.

[tricky_colour]

Ha! May I (re)tweet that, tricky?

Sure!!

[tricky_colour]

We we better with Whelan on.

[Stuttgart88]

Is that not to be expected when we make 6 changes in the first 20 minutes of the second-half? There was one moment, however, where Ross Barkley slipped completely off the radar just outside the box and was left in acres of space that probably wouldn't have been allowed to happen if Whelan was still on.

Mid second-half crying out for Hoolahan. Take it he won't be starting against Scotland?

Westwood inspired a lot more confidence than Given did. As has been said, Given managed to look shaky and cumbersome several times despite being on the pitch for half an hour.

Murphy did pretty well but he has to be scoring those free headers. I'm not sure if McGoldrick is a luxury we can afford to risk in a competitive game. RE: Walters/Jagielka. That just encompasses why Long needs to start and Walters needs to be on the bench. He just doesn't have the pace or speed of thought that Long does to force a defender into mistakes like Long did with Hanley in Glasgow.

McGeady did pretty good all things considered. Hendrick was relatively quiet again; lacking that X factor.

O'Shea very commanding in defence. Brady silenced a few doubts, although he always plays well against Sterling. As has been said by Stoke fans about Wilson recently, he is always capable of making a brainfart or two in every other game and he's lost his place in the team because of it. It lets him down because, otherwise, he has great qualities.
Yep, I just think that Whelan plugs gaps, gaps that seem to appear when he goes off or isn't there! De Lorean put this argument down, quite well too, but I still think there's some truth to it.

[Charlie Darwin]

That was probably the boring performance we needed ahead of next week, but our lack of attacking threat is worrying considering we need to win. Brady's deliveries were excellent and, as O'Neill said after, they'll be vital if we're to get anything from Scotland.

[zero]

no injuries - played reasonably well against a team ranked far higher than us. england it has to be said were very poor.

our play deteriorated in the last half hour. i didn't feel walters did much when he came on - had a couple of opportunities but never looked like capitalising. a good afternoon for brady who must be in prime position now for that left back slot. overall a good exercise, if a poor enough game.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.balls.ie/football/the-vaguely-embarrassed-twitter-reaction-to-raheem-sterling-being-booed-by-irish-fans/295883



Hopefully we can play the booing of Sterling off as racism to try and avoid embarrassment

LOL.

[SwanVsDalton]

Think the team in the second half more or less coalesced in the team O'Neill will play next week - with Whelan and McCarthy in the middle, McGeady and McClean and Walters/Long up front.

Murphy may have played himself into contention with a productive day, albeit I'd like to see him take those chances. I suspect O'Neill will stick with Walters.

It was a very flat game. Feel like England barely turned up, they were exceptionally sloppy. A lot of players got caught in possession repeatedly. But a decent exercise nonetheless. Thought we did quite well in stretches and we can definitely lift it for next week's intense occasion.

The referee was a bit strange at times - haven't seen it on TV, but thought that free out against Walters in the last minute was ridiculous. I'm prejudced though cause he reffed a Derry match a couple of weeks ago and was completely mince.

[geysir]

Dare I say this, but since Whelan went off have we totally lost midfield?
They were not replaced with like for like.
We didn't have a CM after McCarthy and Whelan went off. I really don't know how it survived.
Before they were subbed, we had a holding midfield of 2, but it has to be said that technical ability was completely absent. That starting 11 are 2 technical players in midfield short of a team who can compete for qualification,
Possibly that can be rectified by moving Brady more forward and Hoolahan. Overall, I think we can take Scotland.

Positives
Westwood.
Witnessing the evidence of Murphy's radical transformation from a donkey to something decent
McGeady, looks injury free and sharp
Brady's in-swinging free kicks on his left foot

[Olé Olé]

You've hit a couple of nails on their head there, geysir.

Murphy had two chances and should have done better with the second but did very well with the first. Given the goals he has scored this season and the physical presence he provides, could he be the best option against Scotland? Especially given that he probably has scored when playing against many of their Championship defenders this season and that we're relying on Robbie heavily for a goal.

I fancy MON to pick the following, if he goes with Murphy:
Given
Coleman O'Shea Wilson Brady
Walters McCarthy Whelan McGeady
Murphy Long

I think that's a decent side that can take the game to the Scots but not too frail defensively. I suppose one drawback is the exclusion of Hoolahan and the deficit of possession that this normally inflicts on our performances.

EDIT: Also, nice to see Brady looking defensively assured. The Scots are bound to go with Matt Ritche, it appears. He's a man playing with a lot of confidence and managed an excellent tally of 15 league goals there for Bournemouth. Beating Sterling, even an out-of-sorts Sterling, can surely boost the confidence for Brady, especially combined with some threatening set pieces that haven't always been apparent since the USA game.

Did anyone notice the Scots went with Anya at right-back against Qatar? That might be another match up down the right that goes in our favour after McGeady looked sharp today. Not to mention the fact that he won't be playing with the whole crowd on his back. I think he'll be very, very warmly received. I intend to make plenty noise for him anyway.

[paul_oshea]

Our midfield was woeful after whelan and mccarthy went off, it was like we had a big gaping hole in the middle, hendrick and arter both play further up field, at times i counted 5 up front and 5 in the back and nothing in the middle. It wasnt to do with Whelan, don't get sucked into that way of thinking. I felt we played more 4-3-3 in the first half with mccarthy, whelan and hendrick but they were saying it was 4-4-2, not really what i saw, he barely played out on the right wing.

Brady and McGeady good, but we were very poor in the second half, which was a bit disappointing, long didnt do much and walters is just too slow, if mcgoldrick and murphy to a lesser extent had taken the right decision/ball we would have had a goal. I also think Long/keane would have done better with that headed chance. McGoldrick was not really at the races today and lost the ball a little too often, all the players did, but geysir has pointed out before that Wilson is consistent in his ability to make at least one error per game. Coleman is begining to follow that suit too. BRady still confident messing about in the back considering his mistake against Poland.

England were very poor, but in spurts they showed they could open us up easily, in a competitive they would have beaten us well.

Given is definitely a worry for me, i always felt he slowed the game up, he still does that, but he is too slow now, and he does not inspire confidence in defence, westwood was a lot better and his clearances and balls out were a lot better, plus his kickouts were too.

What really irked me was how poor that performance was overall in the second half, lads were trying to play their way into contention and they were half arsed, half bothered most of the time, see Vardy he got stuck into everything, typical of a first capper or someone trying to play their way into contention, I really couldnt understand the lack of motivation or urgency, all these words are very shallow, everytime going into games great talk, but nothing shows. I can't see that changing against Scotland. Not sure where we will nick a goal from either(only hope is a set piece from brady), i hope we can, but i am not sure where it will come from.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.the42.ie/harry-arter-bournemouth-ireland-debut-england-2148337-Jun2015/

I'm obviously not going to judge him after 30 minutes in an Ireland shirt but I don't know where the 7 out of 10 ratings and glowing compliments for Arter are coming from (not talking about here necessarily).

He was enthusiastic and energetic but there was no poise or composure in his performance at all, reflected in the way he shot well wide when he could have put Long through. He also gave the ball away under little or no pressure a couple of times. The way he left pockets could have been punished on a different type of day but England weren't up to snuff.

Still an option for the future. I'd put it down to first day nerves but, so far, I wouldn't see much between Arter & Quinn.

[OwlsFan]

Positives:

(a)restricted England, apparently one of he top teams in Europe, to 1 shot in the first half and a few half chances in the second.
(b) John O'Shea commanded the defence and would be my man of the match.
(c) In fact the whole defence played well.
(d) unbeaten by England since......(?)
(e) Westwood got a game as did some others like Arter.
(f) Reception for Big Jack.
(g) Brady getting better at f/b.

Negatives

(a) Pathetic booing of Sterling by Liverpool fans. Defies belief at an Irish international game.
(b) Some small amount of boos for GSTQ but within acceptable proportions. Was at the game so don't know how loud it came across on TV.
(c) Lack of movement when we have the ball - Hoolahan seems to be the only one (I know he wasn't playing) who seems to know how to show for the ball.
(d) I see a lot of pro McGeady comments. I thought he faded badly after a good first half and gave the ball away carelessly on occasions. Heresy?
(e) Where were all the people around me at previous internationals I have been at. Over at Anfield it would appear.

Do we get some FIFA ranking points for that or do they come in brown envelopes ;) ?

I would be worried that we will find it difficult to break Scotland down without Hoolahan. Alas I have to go to a party of an old friend in Durham and will miss the game. The last competitive home game I missed was against Russia: hope that's not a bad omen.

[MeathDrog]

The trust is gone with Given, and has been for a long time.

He has been past his best for nearly 5 years now and shouldn't really be considered as a regular starter anymore.

He was at fault for the last two goals of the Euro 2012 campaign, against Armenia and Estonia at home respectively.

He was an abomination at the European Championships. It was like watching him using a stairlift for the first Croatia goal he was that slow to get down to it. I lost respect for Given when he later admitted to not being 100% during that tournament. It was a selfish thing to do. I get the whole 'last chance saloon' aspect of playing in the Euros, but if he really felt like that then why is he back again.

I'm maybe being slightly harsh on him for the Poland game but I thought he could have done a little better for the goal. His stance was wrong to start with but to be fair it was a decent strike. Forde got slack for the fluke against Georgia so Given should come under scrutiny in this campaign too.

I would be fearful of Given starting on Saturday and letting in a clanger, fcking up everything in the process. That's the worry for me. Don't get me wrong, Given was one of my favourite players growing up and at his peak he was the 3rd best keeper in the world, but time to move on. Please.

[drummerboy]

Westwood has to start. Given not the player he once was. Even his distribution has deteriorated, kicked two into touch.

[Stuttgart88]

They were not replaced with like for like.
That starting 11 are 2 technical players in midfield short of a team who can compete for qualificationi don't know if you remember but I used to always say around here that there's nothing wrong with our team that a good central midfield wouldn't sort out. I stopped even saying that a few years ago. So, if you're right (I think you are) it's an improvement!

[Stuttgart88]

Westwood for me too. No brainer.

[geysir]

The trust is gone with Given, and has been for a long time.

He has been past his best for nearly 5 years now and shouldn't really be considered as a regular starter anymore.

He was at fault for the last two goals of the Euro 2012 campaign, against Armenia and Estonia at home respectively.

He was an abomination at the European Championships. It was like watching him using a stairlift for the first Croatia goal he was that slow to get down to it. I lost respect for Given when he later admitted to not being 100% during that tournament. It was a selfish thing to do. I get the whole 'last chance saloon' aspect of playing in the Euros, but if he really felt like that then why is he back again.

I'm maybe being slightly harsh on him for the Poland game but I thought he could have done a little better for the goal. His stance was wrong to start with but to be fair it was a decent strike. Forde got slack for the fluke against Georgia so Given should come under scrutiny in this campaign too.

I would be fearful of Given starting on Saturday and letting in a clanger, fcking up everything in the process. That's the worry for me. Don't get me wrong, Given was one of my favourite players growing up and at his peak he was the 3rd best keeper in the world, but time to move on. Please.
Given may well be past this standard but I will not lose respect for him. He is a living outstanding example of the highest professional standards in Irish football. He is not to be faulted for wanting to play and it would be certifiable madness for a player like Given not to desperately want to turn out for his country at the Euro Finals, regardless of his fitness levels.

[geysir]

Positives:

(a)restricted England, apparently one of he top teams in Europe, to 1 shot in the first half and a few half chances in the second.
(b) John O'Shea commanded the defence and would be my man of the match.
(c) In fact the whole defence played well.
(d) unbeaten by England since......(?)
(e) Westwood got a game as did some others like Arter.
(f) Reception for Big Jack.
(g) Brady getting better at f/b.

Negatives

(a) Pathetic booing of Sterling by Liverpool fans. Defies belief at an Irish international game.
(b) Some small amount of boos for GSTQ but within acceptable proportions. Was at the game so don't know how loud it came across on TV.
(c) Lack of movement when we have the ball - Hoolahan seems to be the only one (I know he wasn't playing) who seems to know how to show for the ball.
(d) I see a lot of pro McGeady comments. I thought he faded badly after a good first half and gave the ball away carelessly on occasions. Heresy?
(e) Where were all the people around me at previous internationals I have been at. Over at Anfield it would appear.

Do we get some FIFA ranking points for that or do they come in brown envelopes ;) ?

I would be worried that we will find it difficult to break Scotland down without Hoolahan. Alas I have to go to a party of an old friend in Durham and will miss the game. The last competitive home game I missed was against Russia: hope that's not a bad omen.
Was it not McGeady's first game since the Scotland game, when he was medicated in order to play through an injury?
His performance has to be seen in that context, therefore a bright start was regarded as positive and I'd say O'Neill deliberately left him on past his game time, in order that he gain some match practice.

[Closed Account]

Westwood has to start. Given not the player he once was. Even his distribution has deteriorated, kicked two into touch.
It's always been Shocking. Really let's him down and he knows it.

[zero]

when watching the game i thought it was a bit odd for given to come on after an hour. i half wonder if maybe that was it for shay? i'm sure he will be available for the scotland game but after that?

the fact that he wore the armband aswell... just wondering was it a send off.

[paul_oshea]

armband cos most senior player on the field.on because he is the starter for Scotland and Westwood his understudy.

[tricky_colour]

Anyone else noticed the stadium looks like a toilet seat?

http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/content/theirfu/stadium495x300.jpg

[Charlie Darwin]

Yes, everyone.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Looks like a bedpan.

¾ of a stadium.

[tricky_colour]

I suppose in years to come when the ruins of the stadium are found, legend will have it that is the toilet seat of of football giant John Delaney
and that he would walk along the giants causeway to the seat to take a dump, and then walk back again.

"Legend has it the seat cost $5 million...paid for by a secret pot of gold"

[Wolfman]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33039395

[jbyrne]

He was an abomination at the European Championships. It was like watching him using a stairlift for the first Croatia goal he was that slow to get down to it. I lost respect for Given when he later admitted to not being 100% during that tournament. It was a selfish thing to do.

very unfair. id say the management were well aware of Givens fitness state in the euros and its up to them to make the decision if its better to go with a semi fit Given or someone else.
as I said on a previous thread I don't think given even took part in most / all of the pre-match warm-up for the Croatia match so I am sure his fitness issues were well know to management.

[the doc]

Shay, Josh and Richie were all carrying injuries at the Euros, their hearts ruled their heads.

Shays been great for us, so get off his back.

Let's just focus on beating Scotland after our televised training session against England.

On a side note, great to see Big Jack at the game.

[DannyInvincible]

The trust is gone with Given, and has been for a long time.

He has been past his best for nearly 5 years now and shouldn't really be considered as a regular starter anymore.

He was at fault for the last two goals of the Euro 2012 campaign, against Armenia and Estonia at home respectively.

He was an abomination at the European Championships. It was like watching him using a stairlift for the first Croatia goal he was that slow to get down to it. I lost respect for Given when he later admitted to not being 100% during that tournament. It was a selfish thing to do. I get the whole 'last chance saloon' aspect of playing in the Euros, but if he really felt like that then why is he back again.

I'm maybe being slightly harsh on him for the Poland game but I thought he could have done a little better for the goal. His stance was wrong to start with but to be fair it was a decent strike. Forde got slack for the fluke against Georgia so Given should come under scrutiny in this campaign too.

I would be fearful of Given starting on Saturday and letting in a clanger, fcking up everything in the process. That's the worry for me. Don't get me wrong, Given was one of my favourite players growing up and at his peak he was the 3rd best keeper in the world, but time to move on. Please.

I think it's harsh on Shay to accuse him of selfishness and to talk about having lost respect for him. He doesn't select the team and he has never turned an opportunity down when called upon (with the exception of his "retirement" post-Euro 2012). If the manager rates him, it's the manager's call and he'll be selected. If the manager selects him over somebody more capable and we suffer as a result, that's a managerial decision problem. Why would any player who loves playing for Ireland ever turn down the opportunity when a manager favours him? Besides, even an 80-90 per cent Shay might have been our best goalkeeping option at Euro 2012 anyway.

I'd like Westwood to start on Saturday, however. Shay didn't convince me at all yesterday and his form has been deteriorating for quite some time now, as you highlight. I don't think there is any doubt that Westwood is the more agile keeper. Westwood also kicked convincingly with both feet. Shay scuffed a clearance completely, directed another one or two poorly and either parried or failed to bring under control two tame enough efforts on goal.

[punkrocket]

Big Jack at the big jacks?
Ye's are all potty.

[DannyInvincible]

Anyone else noticed the stadium looks like a toilet seat?

http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/content/theirfu/stadium495x300.jpg

Ha, you're not seriously trying to say this is the first time you've noticed this? Half a decade after it was built?

[punkrocket]

The true home of bogball.

[DannyInvincible]

I wonder what President Higgins said to Rooney (http://www.balls.ie/football/michael-d-higgins-raheem-sterling/295917) after shaking hands with Sterling. Rooney and Lallana found it amusing, but Sterling didn't look impressed at all.

http://giant.gfycat.com/SingleInformalIlladopsis.gif