Wales v. Republic of Ireland - Monday, 9th October 2017 - World Cup 2018 Qualifier

[OwlsFan]

p.s. I'd prefer a song with words something like "James McClean's a f####ng goal machine" than the current one doing the round which involves the head of State of the UK, including Wales. I am not sure many of the people singing the song realised how offensive that was to many Welsh people. It was also sung on the plane going home and at least two of the cabin crew were from the UK or perhaps I am just being a bit PC, although it does hark back to the days of a similar song involving Michael Fagan and the same person and their alleged intimate relationship!

[tetsujin1979]

Arter and Meyler interviewed on NewsTalk last night: https://cdn.radiocms.net/media/012/audio/000001/57929_media_player_audio_file.mp3

[DeLorean]

I haven't been able to work out why or how there was a smallish enclave of Irish support in the main stand where James McLean went to at the end of the game - was that his girl friend who snogged him? Relations of the players perhaps?

That's his wife, Erin McClean (with a capital C :)). - http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/touching-moment-as-james-mcclean-and-wife-erin-recreate-robbie-bradys-emotional-euro-2016-celebration-36212231.html

[Olé Olé]

p.s. I'd prefer a song with words something like "James McClean's a f####ng goal machine" than the current one doing the round which involves the head of State of the UK, including Wales. I am not sure many of the people singing the song realised how offensive that was to many Welsh people. It was also sung on the plane going home and at least two of the cabin crew were from the UK or perhaps I am just being a bit PC, although it does hark back to the days of a similar song involving Michael Fagan and the same person and their alleged intimate relationship!

It was sung over and over during the match, particularly after the goal, and was also sung on the streets of Cardiff. It's very widely-sung. I abstain from singing it but I reckon it's as loud as many of our other chants.

Wish we could have, as a group of supporters, come up with something that actually pays tribute to and demonstrates our appreciation for James' tireless workrate and goals. What's currently being sung doesn't do that- it just undermines the stances James has taken in relation to certain things i.e. the poppies.

[nigel-harps1954]

That song and the Fields of Athenry are two songs I refrain from taking any part in. Both are pure dirge.

[DannyInvincible]

I haven't been able to work out why or how there was a smallish enclave of Irish support in the main stand where James McClean went to at the end of the game - was that his girl friend who snogged him? Relations of the players perhaps?

I assumed that was family and friends of the players, as that was his wife Erin that he embraced.


As the 90th minute approached, I guessed 5 minutes injury time as you could see he was adding on time for every slight delay.

The amount of stoppage time added on was ridiculous. Totally unwarranted. Where did the five minutes come from? And about eight minutes were eventually played. A cynic might think they were trying to help Bale along to a World Cup, although I do have to say that the ref was really poor for both sides.

[jbyrne]

The amount of stoppage time added on was ridiculous. Totally unwarranted. Where did the five minutes come from? And about eight minutes were eventually played. A cynic might think they were trying to help Bale along to a World Cup, although I do have to say that the ref was really poor for both sides.

5 mins was called and just over 6 played.
In fairness to the ref we did waste a bit of time at the end and from memory we had two players (arter and hendrick I think) go down with cramp. one of Randolph or duffy was also booked for time wasting

[DannyInvincible]

5 mins was called and just over 6 played.

You sure? I was pretty certain it went deep into a seventh minute. Meyler was booked in the sixth added minute and there was a bit more played after that. The BBC had full-time at 90'+7' in their live text updates: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41464154

I thought Martin could have used up the third substitution to kill some further time.

Some other interesting stats from the BBC:



Wales have won just one of their past 11 matches against the Republic of Ireland (W1 D4 L6) and none of the past eight.
This victory means the Republic end the 2018 World Cup qualifiers unbeaten away from home, winning three out of five matches.
This was Wales' first competitive home defeat since September 2013, ending an unbeaten run of 10 matches (W6 D4 L0).
McClean scored his fourth goal of this qualification campaign, finishing as the Republic's top goalscorer.
All four of McClean's goals came in the second half of away matches.
McClean scored the winning goal in three times - without his goals the Republic would have been six points worse off.
This game saw 58 aerial duels contested - the most in a single game during European qualifying for Russia 2018.



And a graph showing the average positions of our players over 90 minutes:

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/624/cpsprodpb/140E0/production/_98244128_capture.png

We weren't as stuck in our own half as we'd been against Georgia (http://foot.ie/threads/225065-Republic-of-Ireland-V-Serbia-Tuesday-5th-September-2017-World-Cup-2018-Qualifier?p=1934783&viewfull=1#post1934783) in Tbilisi. We also had a bit more width on Monday night.

[seanfhear]

I wouldn’t be complaining about that Ref . McClean could have had two yellows . He got the Joe Allen accidental collision correct . He missed the accidental head collision of Brady:) .

Ok , I thought the Daryl Murphy yellow was wrong . He certainly did not do it on purpose .

Had we been Wales we would have expected 5 minutes of injury time .

[DeLorean]

The amount of stoppage time added on was ridiculous. Totally unwarranted. Where did the five minutes come from? And about eight minutes were eventually played. A cynic might think they were trying to help Bale along to a World Cup, although I do have to say that the ref was really poor for both sides.

I thought the ref was decent enough and, if anything, we definitely came out the better side of it, especially early on. We escaped a couple of yellows which a fussier referee might have given.

I remember Robbie Brady going through the back of Ben Davies a couple of minutes after Allen's deserved yellow for one. It was his second foul as well so I was expecting the yellow to come out. Christie was a bit clumsy and late going into a challenge with Andy King also. McClean and/or Meyler weren't booked either for the Joe Allen incident. McClean, in particular, might have been a little guilty here! Hard to know if he meant the nudge to cause harm but it definitely put Allen in a vulnerable position. Arter swung the leg at Lawrence as well, breaking up a quick counter attack after he had taken a heavy touch.

I can't really remember all the specifics, but I was expecting a decent amount of injury time too. Hendrick and Arter were both down for a while, as was Ben Davies. Clark & Randolph were both booked for time wasting. I think if the shoe was on the other foot we'd absolutely expect the referee to add a decent amount of time for these transgressions. The first minute at least was taken up with the Daryl Murphy substitution, as he made his way across from the other side of the pitch. Then McClean kicked Ramsey in the stomach after that!

[BonnieShels]

I thought the ref was decent enough and, if anything, we definitely came out the better side of it, especially early on. We escaped a couple of yellows which a fussier referee might have given.

I remember Robbie Brady going through the back of Ben Davies a couple of minutes after Allen's deserved yellow for one. It was his second foul as well so I was expecting the yellow to come out. Christie was a bit clumsy and late going into a challenge with Andy King also. McClean and/or Meyler weren't booked either for the Joe Allen incident. McClean, in particular, might have been a little guilty here! Hard to know if he meant the nudge to cause harm but it definitely put Allen in a vulnerable position. Arter swung the leg at Lawrence as well, breaking up a quick counter attack after he had taken a heavy touch.

I can't really remember all the specifics, but I was expecting a decent amount of injury time too. Hendrick and Arter were both down for a while, as was Ben Davies. Clark & Randolph were both booked for time wasting. I think if the shoe was on the other foot, we'd absolutely expect the referee to add a decent amount of time for these transgressions. The first minute at least was taken up with the Daryl Murphy substitution, as he made his way across from the other side of the pitch. Then McClean kicked Ramsey in the stomach after that!

I was with you on this. I groaned when I saw 5, more from a "I want the game over ASAP" pov rather than any sort of "the ref is doing us here" feeling.

[IsMiseSean]

Are yellow cards wiped for the playoffs?

[KrisLetang]

Are yellow cards wiped for the playoffs?

Says they still count on Wiki so...maybe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_G roup_D

[Stuttgart88]

He missed the accidental head collision of Brady:) I still haven't seen that. foot.ie verdict?

[IsMiseSean]

Says they still count on Wiki so...maybe.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_G roup_D

That seems to suggest suspensions carry into the playoffs, hence why Meyler is suspended for the first leg. It doesn't say that players already on a yellow carry them into the playoff rounds.
All our back five are currently on yellows.

[tricky_colour]

Tight margins to be sure. Hennessy looked around for someone to throw the ball to - or he could have kicked it long. You can see him considering his options. Luckily for Ireland he threw it to Ashley Williams.
Don't buy this thing about O'Neill's tactics being somehow masterful. He always does the same thing: Eleven men behind the ball; kick it into the 'channels' and hope at some stage to score from a set piece. The only deviation from this is to throw Wes Houlihan in when we're playing Moldova, then substitute him after we score with Glenn Whelan; then back to eleven men behind the ball; kick it into the 'channels' and hope at some stage to score from a set piece. His luck will run out at some stage. It's neanderthal stuff for international football.

Actually if you watch the video, it is Hendrick who points out Williams to the keeper!!


Here at about 7 seconds. Pretty stupid, a keeper taking directions from the opposition, but blame on Williams too, he could have done better
there and made it easier for the keeper to release the ball.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KueXCT9VA-Y

Williams was poor even after the event.

[seanfhear]

Actually if you watch the video, it is Hendrick who points out Williams to the keeper!!


Here at about 7 seconds. Pretty stupid, a keeper taking directions from the opposition, but blame on Williams too, he could have done better
there and made it easier for the keeper to release the ball.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KueXCT9VA-Y
You could say that 3 welsh player performed badly for that goal . Probably not good for them psychologically . You’d wonder if Ashley Williams is fully fit at the moment . Apparently he has not been playing well for Everton this season either .

[irishfan86]

Actually if you watch the video, it is Hendrick who points out Williams to the keeper!!


Here at about 7 seconds. Pretty stupid, a keeper taking directions from the opposition, but blame on Williams too, he could have done better
there and made it easier for the keeper to release the ball.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KueXCT9VA-Y

Williams was poor even after the event.

I don't think Hendrick is pointing out Williams to the keeper....I believe he's signalling to teammates behind him that he is marking Williams and is aware that he's there so they don't double up.

Of course I could be wrong. Thanks for sharing the video though. Great moment and what a strike.

[backstothewall]

I agree. Surely we are past this sort of chip on the shoulder stuff.

I can see why there might be some references to the various political controversies he has been involved in as part of a hypothetical song but the one being sung about him isn't remotely subtle.

[KrisLetang]

That seems to suggest suspensions carry into the playoffs, hence why Meyler is suspended for the first leg. It doesn't say that players already on a yellow carry them into the playoff rounds.
All our back five are currently on yellows.

I'm sorry Sean i don't see anything about it in here.

http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/84/35/19/regulationsfwc2018en_neutral.pdf

[DannyInvincible]

5 mins was called and just over 6 played.

You're right actually. Here's the moment the final whistle was blown, just after the six-minute mark on Sky Sport's timer:

http://i66.tinypic.com/2jercjd.png

Somehow, I'd thought there was a bit more added on. :o


I can't really remember all the specifics, but I was expecting a decent amount of injury time too. Hendrick and Arter were both down for a while, as was Ben Davies. Clark & Randolph were both booked for time wasting. I think if the shoe was on the other foot we'd absolutely expect the referee to add a decent amount of time for these transgressions. The first minute at least was taken up with the Daryl Murphy substitution, as he made his way across from the other side of the pitch. Then McClean kicked Ramsey in the stomach after that!

I'd forgotten some of those incidents you mention. I suppose when you're desperately willing a game to end, your perception of time changes and the minutes seem like an eternity! No doubt, when the shoe is on the other foot and you're desperate for more time, the smallest of interruptions or delays stick in the mind.


I wouldn’t be complaining about that Ref . McClean could have had two yellows . He got the Joe Allen accidental collision correct . He missed the accidental head collision of Brady:) .

Ok , I thought the Daryl Murphy yellow was wrong . He certainly did not do it on purpose .

Had we been Wales we would have expected 5 minutes of injury time .

I was critical of the ref from the perspective of both sides. Somehow, Brady got away with shoving Woodburn over at the edge of our box. The ref inexplicably gave us a free out. Presumably, he thought Woodburn had dived. I wasn't complaining, but I'd have been annoyed at that if I was a Wales supporter. It was actually very close to being a penalty.

Murphy's booking (for a trailing arm making minimal contact with Ramsey's head) was a joke, considering it should have been a free for us. Ramsey's foot was high and I thought Ramsey's head actually moved more so towards Murphy's arm - which was in the air as Murphy tried to maintain his balance - rather than the other way around.

Just on Joe Allen's concussion, McClean's contact definitely caused him to bang the front of his head off Meyler's body, but Allen's head hitting the ground may also have contributed to the injury. He did bang the back of his head quite hard off the turf as he fell.


I still haven't seen that. foot.ie verdict?

There's video footage of it here: https://twitter.com/SeanOR95/status/917742405343961088

The contact was light, but Brady definitely attempted to head-butt Williams' upper-arm/shoulder and did make contact. Williams didn't react - he may not even have realised it was an attempted head-butt - but it was nevertheless stupid on Brady's part and now leaves him open to being penalised.

I assume (or hope) that it would have to constitute violent conduct (https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/refereeing/law_12_fouls_misconduct_en_47379.pdf#page=61) for a ban to be imposed, so the fact excessive or brutal force was not used may be Brady's saving grace. Brady already received a suspension this campaign for kicking a ball away in Austria; we can't really afford for one of our best players to be missing out for petty nonsense like that.


You’d wonder if Ashley Williams is fully fit at the moment . Apparently he has not been playing well for Everton this season either .

He was very sluggish and cumbersome, so my guess is he isn't fully fit, or is that just the way he operates?


I don't think Hendrick is pointing out Williams to the keeper....I believe he's signalling to teammates behind him that he is marking Williams and is aware that he's there so they don't double up.

Of course I could be wrong.

No, you're definitely right. There's no way Hendrick was trying to direct or influence Hennessy. Hendrick's gestures were obviously for the benefit of Irish players as he also signalled to the left - presumably for Murphy to pick up on - just before signalling right.

[IsMiseSean]

I'm sorry Sean i don't see anything about it in here.

http://resources.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/02/84/35/19/regulationsfwc2018en_neutral.pdf

Thanks for that Kris, some night time reading for later. :D

[seanfhear]

^^^^^^^^

Brady was lucky with that push alright . Brady needs to get his discipline under control. He is doing some daft stuff and getting too many silly suspensions .

[DannyInvincible]

There's some criticism of Eamon Dunphy's post-match "Where would we be without Londonderry?" joke (as he applauded the contributions of Shane Duffy and James McClean) here: https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/eamon-dunphy-derry-londonderry-mcclean-139099


As top scorer for his country in this World Cup road, McClean's effect is too often whittled down to his passion. It's a nice story, it's a heroic image, the boy from Creggan who might as well have his heart tattooed alongside those sleeves on his arm and there's truth to the pure, raw emotion that underlines everything he does for Ireland but he's got class too. He's got nerve.

And then Eamon Dunphy goes and makes him out to be different (https://twitter.com/Mickybrennan14/status/917500892269678592).

Dunphy, I'm sure, appreciates the contribution of three of Ireland's most important figures as much as anyone and, surer, he welcomes them as Irish brethren. But even when he jokes like that, he makes a pointed statement which almost suggests these guys are blow-ins.

People in Derry are well used to the jibes by now. The footballers are too used to the abuse that comes with choosing the Republic of Ireland when it was never really a choice in the first place. They can deal with that - unfortunately, they still have to - but this wasn't about Derry on Monday night, it was supposed to be about Ireland. Everyone in Derry thought it was about Ireland. Then, over the head of a stupid joke, it was about Ireland plus those other lads.

My own interpretation of Dunphy's comment - and I'm giving Dunphy the benefit of the doubt here, as I'm sure he's well aware of the potentially incendiary or provocative nature of such a remark (and he's a self-declared supporter of Sinn Féin) (http://www.anphoblacht.com/contents/22980) - was that he was using the term ironically/sarcastically to mock the notion of Derry as a British city/county on a night when two (or three, if you include O'Neill) of its sons had served their country - Ireland - so well.

[backstothewall]

Wish we could have, as a group of supporters, come up with something that actually pays tribute to and demonstrates our appreciation for James' tireless workrate and goals. What's currently being sung doesn't do that- it just undermines the stances James has taken in relation to certain things i.e. the poppies.


That song and the Fields of Athenry are two songs I refrain from taking any part in. Both are pure dirge.

I was messing about with something about McClean to the tune of Roddy McCorley/Sean South, which in theory at least is a cracking tune for a football song, but it ended up being about the match in Cardiff. I'm aware that it's rubbish and I've only got 1 verse but it's a start

See the fleet foot host of men
Who went to Wales that day
Christie, Duffy, Clark & Ward
Bold and brave were they
There were men from Dublin and from Cork.
A goalkeeper from Bray
And a Derryman, called James McClean
Who put the ball away.

Thank god the internet is anonymous. It's there as an idea to be improved on.

[tricky_colour]

We were much better organised than we have been in the past, we pressed the Welsh and denied them time and space, yes they had possession, but it was not good possession they created little with it. If we carry on like that we will always have a chance. Good team work can take you a long way, you don't need a Gareth Bale, Wales didn't have one anyway.

I think the McClean chant is fine, football chants are essentially a bit of fun for a laugh, no need to take them too seriously.

[DeLorean]

I still haven't seen that. foot.ie verdict?

It was a needless thing for him to do but I'm surprised it's even being investigation. It was beyond harmless, to the point that Williams didn't even notice it. I don't think it was meant in an aggressive way, more a "damn you Williams for flinging me to the ground", kind of way, if that makes any sense. I don't think he'll be punished.

[Olé Olé]

I was messing about with something about McClean to the tune of Roddy McCorley/Sean South, which in theory at least is a cracking tune for a football song, but it ended up being about the match in Cardiff. I'm aware that it's rubbish and I've only got 1 verse but it's a start

See the fleet foot host of men
Who went to Wales that day
Christie, Duffy, Clark & Ward
Bold and brave were they
There were men from Dublin and from Cork.
A goalkeeper from Bray
And a Derryman, called James McClean
Who put the ball away.

Thank god the internet is anonymous. It's there as an idea to be improved on.

I like the idea but we seem to have very short attention span in terms of singing anything with over one line (COYBIG, Olé Ole).

Don't get me started on that bloody Don't Take Me Home song. That got bandied out too!

[DannyInvincible]

"President praises Irish soccer team for ‘rising to occasion’": https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/president-praises-irish-soccer-team-for-rising-to-occasion-1.3253500


“The fact that we took a difficult path through all of this is going to stand to our advantage,” he said on a visit to Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia’s largest stadium.

“I very, very much want to congratulate the squad and the manager and very particularly the team who rise to the occasion when necessary.”

He applauded the team’s performances in the final group games.

“These last two must-win games have been marvellous and I am sure the Irish public will be strongly behind them. There is so much to look forward now,” said Mr Higgins.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Usual blog on the trip and game for those interested, enjoy reliving it!

http://afalsefirstxi.blogspot.ie/2017/10/james-of-thrones.html

[geysir]

I had another look at the game, this time in english, the rte version.
Wales played like a broken team after we scored, needing 2 goals appeared a forbidding task, they functioned less as a unit against a solid team that we were, willing to scrap to the death, eg Meyler's late lunge, reckless and unnecessary but the man was in full uncompromising battle mode.

Possibly in that last 30 mins, the dashing brilliance of Bale could have imposed some real rallying effect on the Welsh, but in his absence they had no such personality.
Perhaps Bale could have been named a sub and taken on the Ronaldo (Euro Final) role on the sidelines.

Our high pressing game was a thing of chaos, absence of method, sudden lunges towards a Welsh player in possession and dashing hither and thither of at full belt towards the next. That just burns up the energy, still the goal came about from such enthusiastic pressure.

Over the campaign, Ireland's stock game was below standards, that situation remains.
Possibly the play offs, another do or die scenario, will suit us and inspire a similar effort.

[OwlsFan]

That song and the Fields of Athenry are two songs I refrain from taking any part in. Both are pure dirge.

I quite like Fields of Athenry - especially the part where the crescendo goes to "Loooowwww lie...". It reverberates across the stadium. I composed an Irish version of Men of Harlech on the plane coming over (based on the song in the film ZULU ) but when I got my friends to sing it in the pub after the game, this Welsh supporter thought we were taking the pi@@ and we had to can it (I had revised it after the win):

Men of Ireland start your dreaming
the spires of Moscow they are gleaming
Shane Duffy - James McClean
Ireland's goal machine.

The back four stood ye steady
for the onslaught you were ready.
Welsh attacks you did defy
Resist to qualify

Though the Welsh surrounded us
This was our chorus
Summon all we will not perish
You will never beat the Irish

Men of Ireland onto glory
This shall ever be your story
The greatest victory on the field
Ireland will not yield.

[elroy]

Listening to a few podcasts over the week, notably football weekly and totally football. Seems to be a feeling that we murdered the game but we're defensively superb - no difficulties with that. But also a strong current that we are very physical, even too much so. Maybe I've the green goggles on but I just don't see it, the Welsh fans forum still bitching about how physical we were and that ref was poor.

[KrisLetang]

The bet this guy made that James helped him win...I really hope it was Tricky. Pringles stock will be up 1000% if so.

http://www.sportbible.com/football/gaming-take-a-bow-james-mcclean-goal-wins-ridiculous-bet-for-punter-20171013

[irishfan86]

Listening to a few podcasts over the week, notably football weekly and totally football. Seems to be a feeling that we murdered the game but we're defensively superb - no difficulties with that. But also a strong current that we are very physical, even too much so. Maybe I've the green goggles on but I just don't see it, the Welsh fans forum still bitching about how physical we were and that ref was poor.

My sense was that we bullied them out of it. Full blooded tackles all match, plenty of aerial duels, and also some unnecessary extras from time to time.

I think those unnecessary things from time to time gaves Wales needless set pieces at points, but also conversely rattled our opponents.

I remember one particular play where McClean was chasing a Welsh player toward the sideline -- the player was running away from our goal and had no support, yet McClean barged into the back of him needlessly. It gave the Welsh a free kick from a peripheral position but the point is it was needless to give up as jockeying would have been more effective in theory.

But there is an attritional effect when you barge into your opponents time and time again. It can wear them down physically and make players want to get rid of the ball more quickly than they normally would, perhaps forcing them into bad decisions.

To be clear I'm not criticizing the approach because it helped us get to the playoffs. But I'd say the Welsh have legitimate grievances. But then again, their man broke our captain's leg with a horror tackle so I won't be shedding any tears.

[backstothewall]

To be clear I'm not criticizing the approach because it helped us get to the playoffs. But I'd say the Welsh have legitimate grievances. But then again, their man broke our captain's leg with a horror tackle so I won't be shedding any tears.

Or to put it another way...


Your boys did not come off with halos above their heads.

[DannyInvincible]

Listening to a few podcasts over the week, notably football weekly and totally football. Seems to be a feeling that we murdered the game but we're defensively superb - no difficulties with that. But also a strong current that we are very physical, even too much so. Maybe I've the green goggles on but I just don't see it, the Welsh fans forum still bitching about how physical we were and that ref was poor.

We're undoubtedly more physical and graft-oriented than finessed, but they're seriously lacking in self-awareness if they think they weren't just as physical (at the very least) over the course of their two games against us. In the first game, Taylor broke Coleman's leg, for heaven's sake.

http://i3.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article12796495.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Football-2018-FIFA-World-Cup-Russia-Qualifying-Group-D-Republic-of-Ireland-v-Wales.jpg

Bale should also have been sent off for a nasty studs-up lunge on O'Shea.

http://i3.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article12796114.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/Football-2018-FIFA-World-Cup-Russia-Qualifying-Group-D-Republic-of-Ireland-v-Wales.jpg

And Glenn Whelan finished the first game with a bandage on his head because of a high foot from Ramsey.

http://i2.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article12804441.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/RamboWhelan.png

In fact, Ramsey did the exact same last Monday on Murphy, but Wales were bizarrely awarded a free-kick from that clash because Ramsey's forward motion caused his head to connect with the trailing arm of the off-balance Murphy. For some Welsh fans to assert that we are uniquely physical is a denial of the reality that was apparent for all to see over the course our two games against them.

The ref last Monday was poor, I thought, but for us too, and he gave them more than enough additional time to score - over six minutes of stoppage time were played - but they were ultimately toothless when it came to breaking down our rear-guard and putting the ball in the back of our net. Too bad...

[DannyInvincible]

An amusing read on Monday night's game and the experience of being an Ireland supporter, this...

'How I love the Irish team but still hate the way they play': https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/how-i-love-the-irish-team-but-still-hate-the-way-they-play-qxzgrqhsf?shareToken=aff22dfabdf70e646c2c3e78a7c39 5d7


It’s possible to will Ireland to win while being worn down by how they play. It’s also possible to look forward to seeing Ireland at any major tournament while quietly dreading the state of them compared with everyone else.

Monday in Wales captured that conflict perfectly. By the end of the game, every apparently patronising press conference cliché ever uttered about Ireland by opposition coaches rang true. Ireland are strong and physical. They play long balls. They have a good mentality. What elevates Ireland about those clichés is the sheer force of will that reduces a stylish passing team like Wales, crafted and nurtured in an exemplary way, to a spiritless, beaten rabble. By the end it was even possible to say that the classiest moment of the game was James McClean’s finish to win the game. Ireland had actually won every battle, and the war.

[elroy]

Brian Kerr has a piece in the indo today which sums up a lot of my feelings. We don't play football to a level that our players are capable but the end result justifies the means. Last Monday really defined the fine margins between euphoria from an Irish win and promotion to play off and a draw where team/manager would be slaughtered for tactics/lack of possession etc.

[DeLorean]

For some Welsh fans to assert that we are uniquely physical is a denial of the reality that was apparent for all to see over the course our two games against them.

The ref last Monday was poor, I thought, but for us too

It really is bonkers. We had 13 free kicks each, so nothing suggests that we were overly malicious in our approach. The fact that we came out the better of most arial duels and 50/50 tackles should not be a criticism in any way. We had five yellow cards, two for time wasting which were actually dubious enough, but I do like a referee who clamps down on it before it gets out of control.

McClean on Ramsey was the only poor foul that I can remember on our side, but it wasn't much different to Allen's wild swipe at Meyler.

I thought the ref managed the game pretty well overall. He didn't get everything right but he got most things right, that I can recall. That Murphy one was strange alright.

Any sign of Cymro since the match? Hard luck if you're lurking, would be interested in your post match take on it.

[DannyInvincible]

An analytical piece on our style of play by Brian Kerr here...

'I take little pleasure or satisfaction from seeing Ireland play like minnows on the back foot constantly': http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/i-take-little-pleasure-or-satisfaction-from-seeing-ireland-play-like-minnows-on-the-back-foot-constantly-36225955.html


Several days on from the unique euphoria delivered by the final whistle from the Slovenian referee, and that immediate outpouring of celebration from within the squad and amongst the supporters, when it seemed as if the World Cup trophy itself had been secured, I find myself somewhat conflicted.

...

Like many, I was brought up on the idea that a football team should try to dominate the game and win football matches by creating and scoring more goals than the opposition. Of course, if there is an enormous gulf in the quality of the respective players, the challenge to nullify that threat, by good tactical organisation, is a crucial and valued part of the game. However, the responsibility on our national team to play and take the game to teams of a similar standard still remains.

[jbyrne]

An analytical piece on our style of play by Brian Kerr here...

'I take little pleasure or satisfaction from seeing Ireland play like minnows on the back foot constantly': http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/i-take-little-pleasure-or-satisfaction-from-seeing-ireland-play-like-minnows-on-the-back-foot-constantly-36225955.html

cant remember too many of kerrs senior teams taking the game to the opposition and he had much better players at his disposal.

[tricky_colour]

The bet this guy made that James helped him win...I really hope it was Tricky. Pringles stock will be up 1000% if so.

http://www.sportbible.com/football/gaming-take-a-bow-james-mcclean-goal-wins-ridiculous-bet-for-punter-20171013


I should not really mention it but James also helped me win however it was not an 18 game accumulator rather single win bet on
Ireland at just under 3-1 (14/5). I though that was pretty decent odds, I would have backed them to win at evens, I thought
that was a fair price for such a game, so I was pleased to get such long odds. I also has a small bet on Cyrus Christie to score
first as his goals to games ratio was much shorter than the odds offered.

I certainly did not feel we murdered the game we played good fair defensive football, I didn't even feel
it was particularly physical really.

[tricky_colour]

An analytical piece on our style of play by Brian Kerr here...

'I take little pleasure or satisfaction from seeing Ireland play like minnows on the back foot constantly': http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/i-take-little-pleasure-or-satisfaction-from-seeing-ireland-play-like-minnows-on-the-back-foot-constantly-36225955.html


What nonsense, no doubt Chris Coleman took great satisfaction from dominating possession and losing!

Possession is irrelevant, it is the result that matters.

[tetsujin1979]

An analytical piece on our style of play by Brian Kerr here...

'I take little pleasure or satisfaction from seeing Ireland play like minnows on the back foot constantly': http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/i-take-little-pleasure-or-satisfaction-from-seeing-ireland-play-like-minnows-on-the-back-foot-constantly-36225955.html
Does he realise Hoolahan didn't play against Wales, and we won?
I was listening to his radio commentary against Moldova, and he wanted to give Wes the MOTM award over Murphy!

He made some crack about the announcement of the number of season tickets sold when the new contract was signed as well, something like "it doesn't look like the 18,000 tickets he personally sold turned up"

[DannyInvincible]

Just recalled these comments from the other week:


And there is no need to be worrying about us making the play-offs either.


Dont worry we wont have to worry about any of that [finishing second]

https://media.giphy.com/media/l4FGuhL4U2WyjdkaY/giphy.gif

Admittedly, after the deflation of the Georgia and Serbia games, I was, like Paul, very resigned and pessimistic with regard to our chances of making the play-offs, but I'm delighted to have been proven wrong and, besides, I'm surely entitled to a pardon, as, unlike Paul, I'm not the Oracle of Truth.

[gastric]

Good on you Danny to admitting to being pessimistic, it's amazing the value of one goal. Hopefully tomorrow brings good news in terms of the playoffs.

[shakermaker1982]

Brian Kerr is just a miserable sod. I put him in the ‘cranky, grumpy and bitter old man’ bracket along with Dunphy. The kind of pundits who take some pleasure out of us losing but when we get a result they’ll still focus on the negative because the win doesn’t suit their ‘narrative’.

[DannyInvincible]

Good on you Danny to admitting to being pessimistic, it's amazing the value of one goal. Hopefully tomorrow brings good news in terms of the playoffs.

There was a loss of faith after some really poor displays on the trot, no doubt. I'll hold my hand up. It felt like a return to the Trap era, but nothing like a good result to re-inspire the confidence.

The margins are still a lot finer than I'd prefer - I'm not saying all is rosy - but it's hard to argue with the fact that O'Neill works his magic when it really comes to the crux. As another poster said, Germany, B&H, Italy, Austria and Wales can't all have been flukes. Even if the style of play remains quite agricultural - although O'Neill, to his credit, does usually favour a higher degree of pressing and intensity than Trap did - there's at least a heart and a passion there that went missing under Trap.

The play-off draw is on Tuesday (1PM Irish time), by the way. :)

[Charlie Darwin]

Brian Kerr is just a miserable sod. I put him in the ‘cranky, grumpy and bitter old man’ bracket along with Dunphy. The kind of pundits who take some pleasure out of us losing but when we get a result they’ll still focus on the negative because the win doesn’t suit their ‘narrative’.
Are you talking about Kerr or Paul O'Shea? :o