Republic of Ireland V Uruguay - Sunday 4th June 2017 - Friendly

[tetsujin1979]

Great reflexes from Westwood, was convinced it was a goal

[pineapple stu]

Fairly routine save I'd have thought

[pineapple stu]

Super goal there

[DannyInvincible]

What a finish. Great pace and power from James. A bit like Austria all over again.

[DeLorean]

Love that goal, power, pace and a rocket finish. Pure McClean determination.

[Closed Account]

Brilliant all round . Top top class.

[tetsujin1979]

Great goal, love to see McClean play like that

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Excellent ball by Murphy, who has been superb since coming on.

Sublime strength and finish by McClean, similarly to Austria.

Murphy posing questions to O'Neill.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Fairly routine save I'd have thought

Hollywood save.

[Closed Account]

Fairly routine save I'd have thought
Keeping the ball out was routine yes but he added power to the ball to push it to safety with attacker in 6 yard box.
Hope he gets a proper chance to start the Austria game.

[Closed Account]

About to name MOTM. I'd give it to Arter myself.

Edit, Keith Andrews has indeed given it to Harry

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

About to name MOTM. I'd give it to Arter myself.

He hasn't really contributed much offensively, but, with a lifeless performance from Hendrick, he could slot in alongside Whelan.

Hoolahan was as impressive as Arter and central to the improvement in our play after we came on.

I'd say it should be two from Whelan, Hendrick, Arter and possibly even Brady if Walters takes his usual position in wide midfield, and then either Murphy or Walters up top (I think, goal aside, Murphy showed as much as Walters and that was an excellent pass to put McClean through).

We have to take the incentive and start Hoolahan.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Randolph 6, Christie 7, Duffy 7, Long 8, Ward 6, Brady 8, Arter 7, Whelan 6, Hendrick 6, Hayes 6, Walters 7
Westwood 7, Hoolahan 8, Pearce 6, McGeady 6, Murphy 7, McClean 8

[pineapple stu]

Good performance, even if the absence of Cavani and Suarez will diminish it slightly.

But it was only a friendly still. Next one is the one that counts

[DannyInvincible]

Decent performance all round and a good result. Needed a result after two losses on the trot. That should boost confidence and create some excitement in the build-up to next weekend.

Hoolahan was really impressive, as ever. Thought Murphy did well too when he came on. Arter deservedly won MOTM. Long did fine at the back and didn't commit any clangers or anything, which sometimes is more crucial than necessarily standing out.

I got the sense Uruguay weren't giving it their all, but it was still a very positive and encouraging performance from us, especially in the second half, against a top side.

[rebelmusic]

Agrhgrhrhr i missed it - thought it was 7:45....3am here now ffs!
Can someone do a detailed player rating if they have time? I trust ye'res more than the papers

[mark12345]

Thanks Man

[sparky12345678]

random question. It seems Austria havent played a game, friendly or otherwise since a friendly v Finland 28th march (finished 1-1). Ireland have played 2 friendlies... but one involved a trip to the US; jet lag? A win will be a good boost... but how advantageous is it? Will Austria's players be more rested after the end of their season etc? thoughts?

[mark12345]

Randolph - Good until he came to no man's land for the goal. His stock has fallen with this performance. Replaced at the half by Westwood
Duffy - Attocious the other night. A lot more assured today. Looked good on the ground and in the air.
Long - Kevin was a pleasant surprise. Would need to see more of him at club and international level to call him a prospect.
Ward - Not one of his better games. Gave up a couple of needless free kicks, including, if I'm not mistaken, the one we conceded from.
Christie - Looked slow and way off the pace against Iceland. Couldn't get past the full back that night. Improved on that against Mexico and improved still further tonight. Goal was a bit lucky but I like when he cuts inside.
Arter - Simply brilliant. He's everything Whelan is not. Runs hard, harries, wins the ball back and distributes it beautifully. Simply has to start against Austria.
Whelan - Never a fan of his, but in all honesty Glenn was not to bad tonight. He worked well with Arter. Better than Hendrick but that would have been easy.
Hendrick - Jeff is in a slump right now at international level. Poor performance. Did not look like getting on the ball and stamping his authority on the game. Season can't end fast enough for him. A start for him next Sunday would not be in Ireland's best interests.
Brady - Brilliant. Every time he gets possession he is danger to the opposition. Whether he is playing a forward pass behind the defence or doing a one-two with a team mate. He was and is crucial to our success.
Walters - Took his goal superbly and held up play nicely. Missed a real howler but no one will care if he can net the winner next week.
Hayes - Looked energetic and promised much at times. He looked like a threat when ever he got the ball, but his game petered out before and after half time
Hoolahan - Brilliant, but did we expect anything else
McClean - Full of running and took his goal brilliantly. Still can't find out (from replay) who played him in. Was it Wes?
McGeady - Neat and tidy in the two or three possessions he had during his late cameo.

[DannyInvincible]

Personally, I would omit Hendrick who is still living off the performance against Sweden and the one great goal he got for Burnley. He is Mr. Anonymous more often than not. The team is always unbalanced looking trying to accommodate him in any case.

I agree that Hendrick shouldn't be an automatic starter around whom the rest of the midfield should be built, but I think it's a tad harsh on him to say he's living off one performance against Sweden and a goal for Burnley.

For example, he contributed with a very important assist for Walters against Georgia at home in the qualifiers for the Euros after some lovely footwork in a tight spot (see from 0m36s in the video):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPfBHDOhf_U&feature=youtu.be&t=36s

And then there was the assist for O'Shea away in Germany, of course. That was a very difficult ball from Hoolahan for him to deal with, particularly as he had his back to the approaching ball and had to quickly turn to get it back to O'Shea, but he controlled it perfectly with one touch on the full volley.

[mark12345]

random question. It seems Austria havent played a game, friendly or otherwise since a friendly v Finland 28th march (finished 1-1). Ireland have played 2 friendlies... but one involved a trip to the US; jet lag? A win will be a good boost... but how advantageous is it? Will Austria's players be more rested after the end of their season etc? thoughts?

Next Sunday's game is all about pshchology. We need to go at them full tilt from the off. Austria are four points behind us and will not have Auratovic and possibly Alaba. How motivated are they going to be (remember it is the last game before the summer break) if they run into an Irish buzz saw?

[DannyInvincible]

random question. It seems Austria havent played a game, friendly or otherwise since a friendly v Finland 28th march (finished 1-1). Ireland have played 2 friendlies... but one involved a trip to the US; jet lag? A win will be a good boost... but how advantageous is it? Will Austria's players be more rested after the end of their season etc? thoughts?

If anything, I'd say they'll be rusty as they're out of season and won't have played together for so long.

[DannyInvincible]

Christie - Looked slow and way off the pace against Iceland. Couldn't get past the full back that night. Improved on that against Mexico and improved still further tonight. Goal was a bit lucky but I like when he cuts inside.

Christie arranged a personal training camp for himself in California prior to the Mexico game (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/emotion-hangs-over-christies-vital-summer-of-opportunity-35780560.html) and met up with the rest of the squad after they travelled across the Atlantic.


Cyrus Christie takes his football so seriously that he marked the end of his club season with Derby by heading off on a personal training camp.

...

When his season at Derby finished, Christie decided to head off to Los Angeles for eight days of fitness work to ensure he was ready for Irish duty. He trained at EXOS, a high-performance facility for athletes that was first recommended to him by Lee Carsley when he was a teenager.

It seems it may well have benefited him as he has definitely looked quicker and more powerful these past two games. Great to see him really grasping the opportunity that has been presented to him by virtue of Coleman's injury.

[zero]

Christie arranged a personal training camp for himself in California prior to the Mexico game (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/emotion-hangs-over-christies-vital-summer-of-opportunity-35780560.html) and met up with the rest of the squad after they travelled across the Atlantic.



It seems it may well have benefited him as he has definitely looked quicker and more powerful these past two games. Great to see him really grasping the opportunity that has been presented to him by virtue of Coleman's injury.

ended up watching the 2nd half on a spanish language stream on bein sports and both commentator and co-commentaro were surprised arter got MOTM. both went for christie.

and i don't even speak spanish!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

On reflection, I would be tempted to go with Arter and one other, possibly Whelan going by this game.

But Hoolahan has to play.

So if that means Arter has to settle for a place on the bench, tough cookies.

[Stuttgart88]

Nearly fell off my seat laughing when Christie scored (again) with his left foot :) I like Christie and thought criticism after Wales was harsh.

Randolph judgement under the microscope again. He had clearly pre-decided to take charge after the defence had looked at sea for previous set pieces. Never pre-decide. Westwood was nearly tempted by a similar ball, made the right decision and made a good save as a result.

A lot of second half a blur as super hot Ukrainian chick sat beside me in The Kingdom in Kilburn, along with a nice Romanian pal and a racist South African rugby player who thought Uruguay had done well in the last Euros.

Good goal by Walters, bad miss and then two near carbon copies of previous goals by Christie and McClean.

Good night's work.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Can't figure Eastern European women out, Stutts.

That's a story for another day.

I don't think Randolph will be phased by his mistake and I don't think Westwood will be phased if he comes in.

I think they are much of a muchness.

They strike me as remarkably similar in their body language and general attitude.

[paul_oshea]

Privet! Kak dela! Dobrasam, otlichno!

Suka dubijob

[mark12345]

On reflection, I would be tempted to go with Arter and one other, possibly Whelan going by this game.

But Hoolahan has to play.

So if that means Arter has to settle for a place on the bench, tough cookies.

No tough cookies. Arter has to start and Wes too along with Robbie Brady. Three ball players on the same pitch at the same time means we have a decent chance of beating Austria.

[mark12345]

So the big question right now for everybody is: PICK THE IRISH STARTING TEAM FOR NEXT SUNDAY.
Not even sure I know the best team myself. There are certain players who must start and then there are others who are 50/50

[mark12345]

Christie arranged a personal training camp for himself in California prior to the Mexico game (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/emotion-hangs-over-christies-vital-summer-of-opportunity-35780560.html) and met up with the rest of the squad after they travelled across the Atlantic.



It seems it may well have benefited him as he has definitely looked quicker and more powerful these past two games. Great to see him really grasping the opportunity that has been presented to him by virtue of Coleman's injury.

Fair play to Cyrus. His head is in the right place and it showed tonight.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Randolph; Christie, Duffy, O'Shea, Ward; Brady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean; Hoolahan; Walters

[mark12345]

Randolph

Christie, Duffy, Keogh, Ward

Arter

McGeady Brady
Hoolahan

Walters McClean


Ambitious starting team I know, but there are some lads there who can hold the ball and keep the pressure on Austria.
I would like us to have a lead with 20 minutes to go and bring on O'Kane and Hourihane to shore up the defence.
There is always Horgan and Hayes there on the bench to replace McGeady, McClean and add pace to the team in the final half hour.

[mark12345]

Randolph; Christie, Duffy, O'Shea, Ward; Brady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean; Hoolahan; Walters

Not bad. But wouldn't have either O'Shea or Hendrick.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I wouldn't complain if Whelan or Keogh were selected.

Marginal calls.

[mark12345]

Looking forward to next Sunday, we really need to do some homework on set pieces.
Ward, Duffy, Keogh and Walters are all big lads. They need to be present and accounted for for corners, free-kicks with Arter, Brady, McClean latching onto the breaking ball.

[mark12345]

I wouldn't complain if Whelan or Keogh were selected.

Marginal calls.

I've said it before - I was never a fan of Whelan. But in all honesty he looked halfway decent tonight.

[tetsujin1979]

Coincidentally enough, both goalkeepers earned their 21st cap against Uruguay

[DannyInvincible]

O'Neill's post-match interview with Eirsport's Adrian Barry: https://twitter.com/eirSport/status/871447310856843265/video/1

He complimented Christie, who was also praised very highly on the RTÉ highlights programme by Richie Sadlier and Kenny Cunningham, although was ambiguous when asked about who might start in goals next Sunday.

Here's his interview with Tony O'Donoghue: http://www.rte.ie/player/ie/show/international-soccer-extras-30003423/10734756/

[DeLorean]

Hendrick gets written off every so often and generally responds by showing he's an important player for us. He's an important player at club level too. He does go through phases where his form dips a bit but invariably his teams play better with him than without him. Even when he's not at full throttle I think he brings a tactical awareness that managers like. He'll start against Austria, I've no doubt about that, and rightly so.

His court case starts next month I think.

[geysir]

The game was entertaining, harking back to our tradition of sometimes having a very enjoyable friendly in June, complete with skill and goals. However, it's hard to ignore that Uruguay, a quality team, were at low tempo.
The big pluses were Christie and Arter working hard to earn a starting place and Duffy getting match fit.

[DeLorean]

McClean - Full of running and took his goal brilliantly. Still can't find out (from replay) who played him in. Was it Wes?

Daryl Murphy.

[liamoo11]

Really don't think o Neill rates whelan or Keogh as in if McCarthy and Clark were here they wood play. I wouldn't be shocked to see Hendrick and arter anchoring midfield behind wes Robbie McLean and Walters up top. Leaves us aiden and Murphy to change it off the bench. Long to start centre half with Duffy Randolph will keep place

[CraftyToePoke]

Daryl Murphy.

Was a wonderful ball wasn't it ?

[tetsujin1979]

Some facts and figures from the two friendlies: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=6867659104670672659

[DeLorean]

Was a wonderful ball wasn't it ?

Definitely. Similar to Hoolahan's in Vienna but he had less space to work it. McClean's pace and determination ensured it was a brilliant pass as well to be fair.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Frky-ga7dmg

[tricky_colour]

Is Cyrus Chrisie related to Smilie Cyrus?

[tricky_colour]

Great goal from James McClean, I was reading somewhere he is one of the fastest in the Premiership.

The goal has some similarity to this one from Bale?



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYzdhwG5fcE

Could be a bid from Real.

[Fixer82]

Did anyone watch highlights on RTÉ player app? There's weird subtitles that get in the way and spelling mistakes all over the place. Weird and very annoying. You can actually see words being typed, then being deleted and re-typed

[Drumcondra 69er]

Blog on the game below for anyone who fancies a read. Few thoughts on the Austria game too.

http://afalsefirstxi.blogspot.ie/2017/06/christies-left-foot-writes-another.html