Republic of Ireland V Switzerland 25th March & Slovakia 29th March 2016 - Friendlies

[DeLorean]

Skrtel is the Slovakian Paul McShane. Street-smart by Long for the first one, looked a penalty to me on first viewing too. Kind of weird he didn't take the second one, would like to hear the reasoning.

[DeLorean]

We're playing at a serious tempo.

[SwanVsDalton]

Skrtel is the Slovakian Paul McShane. Street-smart by Long for the first one, looked a penalty to me on first viewing too. Kind of weird he didn't take the second one, would like to hear the reasoning.

Yeah weird one. Maybe there's a bit of training ground questioning over who steps in if Walters/Keane arn't on the pitch so they split the duty. Wouldn't see Robbie doing that anyway.

[DannyInvincible]

2-1 ahead all of a sudden. We were unfortunate to be behind. I think the second penalty was a fair enough call. There was definite contact with Shane and not the ball.

Is Elliot's right knee a recurring issue for him? He's very injury-prone.

[SkStu]

Christie has been excellent so far.

[DannyInvincible]

Definite contact from Skrtel I thought, dived in rashly. Whether it was another contact for Shane to go down well...

I'm really enjoying this. End to end to end stuff.

'Tis really enjoyable for a friendly alright.

[Closed Account]

Definite contact from Skrtel I thought, dived in rashly. Whether it was another contact for Shane to go down well...

I'm really enjoying this. End to end to end stuff. Probably was contact alright. I'm just not a fan of how Shane deliberately steps across him to draw the contact. I accept it happens in professional football though.

[pineapple stu]

Interesting to see two different penalty takers in two minutes.

Spreading the practice, or just taking any psychology (Same way? Other way?) out of it?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

More proof if ever you needed it how objectionable it was not to call up at least one replacement forward.

Long ginger.

[pineapple stu]

Belgium 2-0 down to Portugal at the moment.

[Deckydee]

McShame

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Poor McShane..

Not helped by Whelan's basic lack of composure in passing it straight to Hamsik in their half during the build up when we were under no pressure.

Ward caught out too.

At least O'Kane is doing well and Randolph is the picture of composure.

We know that Long is a boss.

[paul_oshea]

Stephen ward?

Mcshane and ward combine effortlessly to score an own goal.

[SwanVsDalton]

As exciting as this half as been, we have defended really poorly.

McShane deserves his share of the blame but lack of shape and organisation through midfield have done us twice and out of absolutely nothing. This high press needs refining when we don't have the ball.

[Paddy Garcia]

McShane took that well to be fair .............

[paul_oshea]

Oh an glenn whelan lost it originally.

[Flexy]

McShame
McShane should not be allowed anywhere near an Irish squad again. Hes murder. Theres better LOI defenders than him

[CraftyToePoke]

fairly decent here http://www.eplsite.com/stream53.html

Doing a fine job.

[paul_oshea]

We'd probably be 2 or 3 nil down against the Italians or even belgiques at this stage.Slovakia are poor at the back.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Elliot has twisted his knee.

Reports that Shay Given was spotted interfering with the turf in the goal box shortly before kick off have yet to be confirmed.

[SwanVsDalton]

"It's a big concern," says Shay Given on Rob Eliot, only the slightest hint of a smile in his voice...

[tricky_colour]

We were opened up like a tin of sardines.

[geysir]

Jeckyll and Hyde from Mo'N
Tonight we have a totally different approach from the hoofball v Swiss and it's a much better game from us
Slovakia are giving us harder game than the Swiss did, in that they are much more dangerous and have the best player on the pitch, Homesick.
Why don't we just play this type of game and just work on it to improve our ball retention and defense, instead of next game playing hoofball.

[DeLorean]

The second penalty is stone wall I think.

[Stuttgart88]

Friday's defending and today's attacking would be a great combination.

Everyone bar Ward, McShane and Whelan is making a strong case for inclusion. Neutral on O'Shea. Whelan will be included anyway. Ward not making a case for Brady to be moved forward. Christie doing well.

Hoolahan is just excellent. Makes a huge difference. Finds space on the ball between the lines effortlessly.

First penalty was soft but Long did the right thing trying to get a toe to the ball and get fouled. I thought second one was a clear penalty. He didn't have to have any intent to stay up once he got fouled. Skirtle was unbelievably slow on the turn.

It'd be nice to get a well worked goal from open play.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Good to see Whelan proving an effective shield for the defence yet again.

Culpable in just the two goals so far.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Pearce and McShane!

And no forwards left!

Priceless...

[SwanVsDalton]

Hard to get on to Whelan too much about the second goal since three players after him made errors that contributed to it. Unless you hate Whelan of course.

[SkStu]

No striker on the pitch... It's just like watching Spain!

[SwanVsDalton]

Regardless of anyone's feeling on the false nine situation, it's still nice to see us have so much possession around the opposition's box.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Hard to get on to Whelan too much about the second goal since three players after him made errors that contributed to it. Unless you hate Whelan of course.

His was the first in a line of errors; a shocking pass from about 5 yards straight to an opposition player under no pressure whatsoever...

I understand you being defensive though after being so protective of him ahead of his (so far) inept performance. Just gave away the ball again there..

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Christie doing well out wide to send dangerous balls into the box, McClean too.

Maybe Wes Hoolahan or Eunan O'Kane can be the target man to get on the end of them..

[SkStu]

Give it a rest with the point scoring crap TOWK. Beyond insufferable and negative.

[tricky_colour]

That was a peno :D

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

"Unless you hate Whelan of course"

Wasn't me who started it.

[SwanVsDalton]

"Unless you hate Whelan of course"

Wasn't me who started it.

You absolute tout! If this was the playground, Tets would be dragging us off by the ear for detention...

Don't be so defensive. If a player made a mistake, followed by three other players making a mistake, and was then blamed for a goal, that's spin and narrative. It's beyond hypocritical (but typical) that you'd accuse someone else of spin after you posted what you said.

You're such a rascal TOWK and it's adorable when you huff.


Give it a rest with the point scoring crap TOWK. Beyond insufferable and negative.

Don't worry Stu, he's the victim remember?

[SkStu]

Why always me? :)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Whelan doing brilliantly again there. With his presence. As Slovakia breeze straight through the midfield.

[pineapple stu]

The pace of Christie there to track back; great stuff.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I'm surprised Keogh - who I also apparently hate - wasn't brought on at half-time instead of Pearce.

Weird O'Shea didn't complete 90 minutes. He needs the match practice.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Christie doing superbly.

[SwanVsDalton]

Thon Slovakian left-back will be having Cyrus Christie-shaped nightmares.

[SkStu]

Lovely from Pilks.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Says he's going to be working on his set-pieces before the Euros. I hope so.

[SkStu]

Relentlessly negative.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Relentlessly negative.

Give it a rest.

[tricky_colour]

Good job we are not playing the quickvaks.

[tricky_colour]

Ward seems to have lost weight, must be on the Andy Reid diet.

[SkStu]

Give it a rest.

Exactly.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Doing superbly again!