Denmark V Republic of Ireland - Sat, 11 November 2017 World Cup 2018 Play Off 1st Leg

[geysir]

The Danes didn't create enough chances to earn a deserve to win status. They aren't up to that much as to inspire the type of caution we enacted, O'Dowda and Christie did well in that inferno.

[elroy]

Disagree with Beglin that Denmark deserved to win and made all the running.

I don't think they really deserve much credit for the territory and possession they had when we just handed it to them. It wasn't an achievement.

And for all the possession and territory they had, they didn't create that much. Just a couple of real chances.


The issue for me is that even though I think we saw enough tonight to suggest that we don't need to be so cautious and show them so much respect, I imagine the second leg is still likely to look pretty similar, with us keeping it tight and looking to contain.

Agreed. I think the next leg will be exactly the same. Very good without the ball but would've like to see more with the ball.

Are Serbia better than them? Probably.

We were decent that night, but again didn't create much. I feel like Wes shouldn't start. He went off after an hour against Serbia but we needed him most then. Likely to be very nervy night.

[TrapAPony]

Don't think the Danes are any great shakes myself. I think Ireland will beat them on Tuesday.

[elroy]

Anyone else think Brady football intelligence is poor. Set pieces are nowhere near as good as rated. Too often he is rushed on the ball and/or chooses wrong option. One example been the shot he took on when a through ball to Long was very much on.

[nigel-harps1954]

Job done for now at least. An away goal would have been lovely, but everything to play for in Dublin. Expect a much changed performance on Tuesday with Hoolahan and Meyler likely to come in to start.

[samhaydenjr]

Well, that wasn't exactly pretty but the primary aim has been achieved - keep the tie alive for the return leg. Can't really say that any of the outfield players particularly stood out in achieving that goal - it was more of an organised, collective effort to crowd the Danes out (who were decent but not outstanding). Randolph made the most important interventions with his solid saves, aided by some mediocre follow-up finishing by the Danish players when he had to parry into the danger area. Could have possibly been a bit more proactive going forward a little earlier but of course that might have put the main aim at risk. Not having scored a goal is a worry, as I think the Danes are still good enough to nick one if given a bit more of an opportunity on Tuesday, which would mean we'd have to score two, something I don't fancy us doing, particularly on today's evidence.

[backstothewall]

Anyone else think Brady football intelligence is poor. Set pieces are nowhere near as good as rated. Too often he is rushed on the ball and/or chooses wrong option. One example been the shot he took on when a through ball to Long was very much on.

Yes. 100% yes.

[backstothewall]

Good defensive performance and a smashing result. We've given ourselves a real chance.

[shakermaker1982]

Excellent defensive performance but when we had the chance to punish them at set pieces we let them off with some woeful deliveries.

Home crowd was very subdued throughout. Denmark lacked ideas and I’m amazed they kept going long - one thing we are good at is coping with Sunday league football. Did they not watch the Wales tape? They needed to up the tempo and zip it around but they were content with just being patient.

Hendricks and Brady very quiet. Murphy didn’t get a chance to be in the game and I thought when Long came on he’d buzz about but he was quiet as well. We were set up like a narrow 4-3-2-1 at times. Arter had a good game. Back 5 excellent. Glad to be leaving tomorrow - Copenhagen is gonna bankrupt me!

[brine3]

Absolutely unwatchable god awful excuse for football.

There comes a point when the ends no longer justifies the means.

[Closed Account 2]

That was a brutal game to watch. I don't mind a bit of agricultural football, but our back line seemed to go for the row z option 90% of the time, even when under comparatively little pressure.

Still, if we win on Tuesday you'll have to say the tactics will have been correct.

[brine3]

That was a brutal game to watch. I don't mind a bit of agricultural football, but our back line seemed to go for the row z option 90% of the time, even when under comparatively little pressure.

Still, if we win on Tuesday you'll have to say the tactics will have been correct.

For what? So that we can go to the world cup and stop others from playing football? Maybe reach the second round? For the craic?

It's death by a thousand small cuts. I can't take it anymore.

[elroy]

For what? So that we can go to the world cup and stop others from playing football? Maybe reach the second round? For the craic?

It's death by a thousand small cuts. I can't take it anymore.

Because you'd sooner be like Wales and Scottish fans watching their team play semi decent football from time to time but nothing to look forward to for over 12 months?!?!

[Olé Olé]

Excellent defensive performance but when we had the chance to punish them at set pieces we let them off with some woeful deliveries.

Home crowd was very subdued throughout. Denmark lacked ideas and I’m amazed they kept going long - one thing we are good at is coping with Sunday league football. Did they not watch the Wales tape? They needed to up the tempo and zip it around but they were content with just being patient.

Hendricks and Brady very quiet. Murphy didn’t get a chance to be in the game and I thought when Long came on he’d buzz about but he was quiet as well. We were set up like a narrow 4-3-2-1 at times. Arter had a good game. Back 5 excellent. Glad to be leaving tomorrow - Copenhagen is gonna bankrupt me!

Up the tempo and zip it around? I don't think they were capable. Tonight demonstrated we need not fear these likes.

Randolph did well but I don't think any of their efforts were of the point blank, nailed on goal type. He consistently saved on target shots.

Good result. I never considered before the match that a 0-0 away would mean we come home in dire need not to concede in the Aviva. Concede one and score two. Tough ask but we have a chance. A big chance. It will be a memorable night.

[Diggs246]

For what? So that we can go to the world cup and stop others from playing football? Maybe reach the second round? For the craic?

It's death by a thousand small cuts. I can't take it anymore.

Good news, you dont have to take it, while the rest of us are cheering on our team, you can watch nationwide or emerdale farm

[tricky_colour]

It's all set up for a huge nail-biter in the second leg!

[tricky_colour]

I think we can safely say we are not playing against great Danes.

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/6d/96/58/6d9658eda58e5ead5f7f895a96546090--great-dane-funny-large-dogs.jpg

[geysir]

Good news, you dont have to take it, while the rest of us are cheering on our team, you can watch nationwide or emerdale farm

Even worse, he can watch Netherlands.

[Fixer82]

Awful game to watch. Arter put himself about but Hendrick was anonymous.
It will matter little though if the lads have a proper go in Dublin. Which they must

[tricky_colour]

We will have to keep it tight in Dublin, there is no away goals rule on penalties!

[brine3]

Even worse, he can watch Netherlands.

Why the hell would I watch Holland?

[mark12345]

Randolph man of the match?

Wow

Randolph was brilliant no doubt about it. But I'd give it to Arter. How many times did he break up a Danish attack? And how ineffectual was Eriksen on the night because of Harry?

[brine3]

Good news, you dont have to take it, while the rest of us are cheering on our team, you can watch nationwide or emerdale farm

I've probably watched more minutes of Irish matches than yourself. I think the FAI are starting to take us for granted.

[Fixer82]

I’m gonna go out on a limb here. I think O’Neill plays Hoolahan on Tuesday. Different game plan

[mark12345]

Agreed. I think the next leg will be exactly the same. Very good without the ball but would've like to see more with the ball.

Are Serbia better than them? Probably.

We were decent that night, but again didn't create much. I feel like Wes shouldn't start. He went off after an hour against Serbia but we needed him most then. Likely to be very nervy night.

Wes absolutely should start on Tuesday night. Danes will be expecting more of the same but they'll get a rude awakening when Hoolahan is picking passes behind their backline. Pray to God that Murphy doesn't start or be anywhere near that team. His worth to our cause is non existent. Great Trier but Long can do everything he does and a lot more. Scott Hogan cannot be too far away from a start

[pineapple stu]

Randolph was brilliant no doubt about it
If Randolph was motm, it was a ****e match.

Which it was.

He had one good double save early on. His fumble shortly after gifted Sisto a chance. And he had little to do afterwards. His one real save - which was a tame enough tap over - came after he was given motm. Then he handled crosses well, which I'd expect.

I have no idea who you give the award to in a match like that. But it's a bad indictment of the game that it went to Randolph, with all due respect to the guy.

[mark12345]

Yes. 100% yes.

Agree. Brady's first free kick was pathetic, but the other 3 or 4 we're better. Overall he had no bearing on the game. Left back Is his best position, but he's not going to displace Ward now. Brady is almost expendible now, crazy as that sounds. It should also be said that Hendrick was completely ineffectual. Does Meyler get his spot on Tuesday? Might not be a bad idea

[mark12345]

Absolutely unwatchable god awful excuse for football.

There comes a point when the ends no longer justifies the means.

There's an element of truth in what you say. You have to give the team credit, a lot of it, and let's be fair, MON deserves a lot of credit too, for our ability to keep Wales and Denmark off the scoresheet in successive games. But is it a crime to find a teammate with a pass or to look to play a couple of one- twos in the opposition half.? We have a long way to go in the development of our football, but if we win Tuesday night no one will care

[tetsujin1979]

I've probably watched more minutes of Irish matches than yourself. I think the FAI are starting to take us for granted. less of that. You watch Ireland, you're a fan. You don't, then you're not. There are no degrees of fandom.

[Olé Olé]

I’m gonna go out on a limb here. I think O’Neill plays Hoolahan on Tuesday. Different game plan

I think Meyler is definite to come in. Which makes giving Wes a start awkward. Who do you drop? Before the match I would have said Arter but not now. O'Dowda?

Long for Murphy?

[Olé Olé]

Btw, I think Wes would make a real difference. The Danes ain't great and he makes us better against teams like that. Particularly when he's fancied in home games. I reckon a goal is so much more likely with him. It never reaaally seemed likely last night.

[brine3]

less of that. You watch Ireland, you're a fan. You don't, then you're not. There are no degrees of fandom.
Well I'm fed up of being told that if I don't like the football then I should go watch another team. Some of the Ireland fans remind me of American Republicans refusing to criticise Trump. And whoever criticises Trump, they accuse of being unpatriotic.

Fact of the matter is that all of Ireland's greatest results came when we had ball playing midfielders on the pitch and tried to play a bit of football. Yet we keep getting stuck, as a nation, in this defeatist narrative that we can't play football and that our only hope is shutting up shop and scoring off a set piece. But this team scored in crunch games against Germany, Sweden, Bosnia, Wales, Austria, Serbia from open play. I believe we can play, and I'm fed up of managers who don't believe we are any good. If the managers have no belief in the team, then why are they managing the team?

[Fizzer]

Agree. Brady's first free kick was pathetic, but the other 3 or 4 we're better. Overall he had no bearing on the game. Left back Is his best position, but he's not going to displace Ward now. Brady is almost expendible now, crazy as that sounds. It should also be said that Hendrick was completely ineffectual. Does Meyler get his spot on Tuesday? Might not be a bad idea

Yes you’re right Mark,that does sound crazy.Probably because it is crazy.Brady isn’t having his best season by a long shot but he has qualities that none of our other players have,he can beat his man and pick a pass.Also,he and Hendrick have a brilliant understanding.Jeff was quiet last night offensively but he broke up play well in his deeper role and helped the ball on in those rare moments he got forward.he can be quiet for an entire game but can produce moments of magic all by himself.he’s undroppable plain and simple,first name on the sheet every game. Agree on Brady’s free kicks,
they’ve been very frustrating especially when we’ve a nuclear weapon like Duffy just waiting for quality deliveries.i thought O’Dowda’s set piece deliveries haven’t been bad.

[mark12345]

Yes you’re right Mark,that does sound crazy.Probably because it is crazy.Brady isn’t having his best season by a long shot but he has qualities that none of our other players have,he can beat his man and pick a pass.Also,he and Hendrick have a brilliant understanding.Jeff was quiet last night offensively but he broke up play well in his deeper role and helped the ball on in those rare moments he got forward.he can be quiet for an entire game but can produce moments of magic all by himself.he’s undroppable plain and simple,first name on the sheet every game. Agree on Brady’s free kicks,
they’ve been very frustrating especially when we’ve a nuclear weapon like Duffy just waiting for quality deliveries.i thought O’Dowda’s set piece deliveries haven’t been bad.

I agree with all the points you make about Brady. But that's the frustrating thing about it. We know what he can do but he doesn't do enough of it for Ireland. Not his fault 80 per cent of the time due to the way we are set up. I think we can get an awful lot more out of him. How to do it is the question

[Fixer82]

O’Neill mentioned that we need more creativity in the second leg which might suggest a start for Wes

[mark12345]

Well I'm fed up of being told that if I don't like the football then I should go watch another team. Some of the Ireland fans remind me of American Republicans refusing to criticise Trump. And whoever criticises Trump, they accuse of being unpatriotic.

Fact of the matter is that all of Ireland's greatest results came when we had ball playing midfielders on the pitch and tried to play a bit of football. Yet we keep getting stuck, as a nation, in this defeatist narrative that we can't play football and that our only hope is shutting up shop and scoring off a set piece. But this team scored in crunch games against Germany, Sweden, Bosnia, Wales, Austria, Serbia from open play. I believe we can play, and I'm fed up of managers who don't believe we are any good. If the managers have no belief in the team, then why are they managing the team?

Republicans refusing to criticize Trump? They do nothing but. They are the biggest back stabbers on two feet. And don't even get me going on the Democrats. Anyway let's keep this to football, it's a llot less complicated

[Kingdom]

Anyone else think Brady football intelligence is poor. Set pieces are nowhere near as good as rated. Too often he is rushed on the ball and/or chooses wrong option. One example been the shot he took on when a through ball to Long was very much on.

Unfortunately Long showed why he's not a top-level striker by properly getting himself offside before the pass could be played - shot was the only option.

[Kingdom]

First of all, it's hard to criticise the players for their performances, because quite simply we've not one iota what is expected of them by the manager. Given the anti-football that we play, and consistently play without any real change to the personnel, the logical assumption is that the manager wants the team to play this way.

As someone said last night, the question marks about Randolph just don't go away. Case point 1, the palm back into the box, gifting Denmark a second chance. Case point 2, the poor Clark clearance - that was Randolph's ball all night long, he never called. Case point 3, the brain fart in the first half where he called for the ball through at the edge of the box, didn't commit himself fully and Duffy had to clear leaving Randolph stranded. Does he make great saves? Yes, but he is not the best keeper we have. I'd keep him on Tuesday and then Rob Elliot deserves a run.

There are little things that annoy me about how we play. If O'Neill thinks that we're better off without the ball that's his call. However it's the consession of territory that annoys me. He obviously is afraid of our lack of pace at the back and is willing to allow us to defend inside the 18 line and then work the set-pieces. This will be the rock that we flounder on. Sure it narrows the space in behind for someone to get through, but drawing the guts of 16/17 players into and around your own penalty area is not clever. All it takes is one deflection, or one loss of concentration, or one misjudgement (see N.Iron penalty) and the game plan is undone.

How many times did Schmeichal, Kjaer and Bjelland bring the ball up to and over the halfway line with no challenge being made? I lost count. At least in the second half Arter made the effort to put the pressure on. And for me that's a crucial point. Early on in (maybe the 3rd minute) we put the ball out for a throw on the camera side, about 5 yds up from the Danish box. Our defenders (incl. Christie) had dropped about 20m inside our half. It was totally unnecessary. If we held the line at halfway, it condenses the space that Denmark have to play with. Makes it easier for us to pressure them. This is simple stuff. O'Neill obviously wants the back 4 and the middle 5 to be compact, but that isolates the target man completely as it either leaves 30/40m between Murphy and midfield, or it forces Murphy back into our half (as happened last night) and it then means when we get the ball, the natural conclusion is that we've to punt it upfield to nobody due to the sheer pressure placed on the player receiving the ball as everyone is in our half.
It is so frustrating and it's so easy to remedy.

People need to give Hendrick a break. It was obvious last night he was being tasked with protecting the inside channel between Christie and Duffy, the inside channel that Serbia scored down. He had a defensive mandate all night and he performed that task well. Did he see the football, no, but that is his manager's doing.
O'Dowda gave a glimpse of what he could be for us when he got the ball to feet. 2 or 3 times he took lovely touches and went for a slalom. All 3 times he was felled.

I'd like to see a little ingenuity for some of our free-kicks. A number of occasions Denmark had dropped off so much there was maybe 35/40 metres between the ball and the huddle in the box. We had 2 men over: play it short, attack the space, draw a defender out, use the overlap, and increase the chances of working an opportunity.

I thought Kvist played well for them, as did Delaney.

Tuesday night:
----------Randolph---------
Christie Duffy Clark Ward
----------- Meyler----------
--O'Dowda-Arter-McClean
-----------Hendrick--------
-------------Long----------
Wes for O'Dowda, Brady for Arter, and as usual Murphy for Long if we're desperate late on. I see this one going right through to penalties. In that situation, I wonder will he hold one or two substitutes back for the extra-time and penalties? I suspect that is why we didn't see Wes last night. Wasn't necessary to push for a goal, and he could need to play for the full 90 on Tuesday.

[brine3]

Unfortunately Long showed why he's not a top-level striker by properly getting himself offside before the pass could be played - shot was the only option.

Shot was not the only option. McClean was available on the left.

The shot was a terrible decision. But if we are talking half chances here.

[Kingdom]

Shot was not the only option. McClean was available on the left.

The shot was a terrible decision. But if we are talking half chances here.

I agree with you about his footballing intelligence. It's not as good as it should be. But I wouldn't throw him to the dogs over that effort. The pass to Long was the obvious one - and he was looking for it, you could see the camera pan to him afterwards - but Long was clearly offside. I feel it was worth the shot. Momentum was with him.

[geysir]

O’Neill mentioned that we need more creativity in the second leg which might suggest a start for Wes
Fewer unenforced errors would be nice as well. As was said during the game, the margins are very thin between these teams but for who ever loses, the manager's game plan will be relentlessly hammered by critics.
Somehow I think O'Neill will start with the more creative rather than start cautious and try to change things later in the game.

O'Neill's minimum target of nil nil was achieved, trading off our one chance to their 2. He wasn't interested to change the pattern of our game, if goal chances didn't come our way with what was out there, he wasn't going to deviate from the priority of keeping them scoreless. I seriously doubt that we could have overcome a 0-1 deficit.
I can see him using an altered version of his 4231 Meyler and Hendrick/Arter in defense midfield mode with Brady McClean and Hoolahan in midfield and Long up front,

[DeLorean]

Well I'm fed up of being told that if I don't like the football then I should go watch another team. Some of the Ireland fans remind me of American Republicans refusing to criticise Trump. And whoever criticises Trump, they accuse of being unpatriotic.

Fact of the matter is that all of Ireland's greatest results came when we had ball playing midfielders on the pitch and tried to play a bit of football. Yet we keep getting stuck, as a nation, in this defeatist narrative that we can't play football and that our only hope is shutting up shop and scoring off a set piece. But this team scored in crunch games against Germany, Sweden, Bosnia, Wales, Austria, Serbia from open play. I believe we can play, and I'm fed up of managers who don't believe we are any good. If the managers have no belief in the team, then why are they managing the team?

What ball playing midfielders were on the pitch when we scored against Serbia and Wales that we didn't have last night?

[Fixer82]

The more I think about Tuesday the more I actually think he won’t start Wes. Meyler is to come back in and I don’t see him dropping Hendrick, Brady or Arter. Nor do I see him moving Brady to LB to make way for Wes.

Then again, it’s impossible to predict O’Neill’s line-ups.

[mark12345]

If O'Neill thinks that we're better off without the ball that's his call. However it's the consession of territory that annoys me. He obviously is afraid of our lack of pace at the back and is willing to allow us to defend inside the 18 line and then work the set-pieces. This will be the rock that we flounder on. Sure it narrows the space in behind for someone to get through, but drawing the guts of 16/17 players into and around your own penalty area is not clever. All it takes is one deflection, or one loss of concentration, or one misjudgement (see N.Iron penalty) and the game plan is undone.

How many times did Schmeichal, Kjaer and Bjelland bring the ball up to and over the halfway line with no challenge being made? I lost count. At least in the second half Arter made the effort to put the pressure on. And for me that's a crucial point. Early on in (maybe the 3rd minute) we put the ball out for a throw on the camera side, about 5 yds up from the Danish box. Our defenders (incl. Christie) had dropped about 20m inside our half. It was totally unnecessary. If we held the line at halfway, it condenses the space that Denmark have to play with. Makes it easier for us to pressure them. This is simple stuff. O'Neill obviously wants the back 4 and the middle 5 to be compact, but that isolates the target man completely as it either leaves 30/40m between Murphy and midfield, or it forces Murphy back into our half (as happened last night) and it then means when we get the ball, the natural conclusion is that we've to punt it upfield to nobody due to the sheer pressure placed on the player receiving the ball as everyone is in our half.

Excellent points here. I will tell you one thing I learned in barely six months of playing football after leaving Ireland - it was something I never learned in my whole life (20 plus years) while playing and being coached at home. I played for an all Irish team against Italians, Portuguese, Brazilians, Polish - all different ethnic groups. Bottom line is they all love to build from the back. We would take a shot at goal - ball would go wide (invariably) and then their keeper would play it short to the full back. He would find the center half, the playmaking midfielder would come and pick it up, play a one-two and they were off to the races. The way you counteract that is place two players (or three if need be) sitting right on their defenders. Keeper would never take the risk of playing the ball to his defenders at that point. He is consequently forced to kick it long, and then, it's up in the air at the center circle - exactly where we wanted it. Martin O'Neill will be reading this right now, I know, and say to himself "oh yeah, let's try that on Tuesday night."

In all seriousness though, it is not complicated. If we pressure the Danes from the kick outs, the ball is there for Duffy, Clark and Ward to win in midfield and we will have two or three attackers in place once they head it forward. It is not sophisticated, but it is miles better than the "Russian roulette" football of last night.

[mark12345]

The more I think about Tuesday the more I actually think he won’t start Wes. Meyler is to come back in and I don’t see him dropping Hendrick, Brady or Arter. Nor do I see him moving Brady to LB to make way for Wes.

Then again, it’s impossible to predict O’Neill’s line-ups.

You probably are right. MON will be thinking of it this way. "We went to do a job in Copenhagen and we did the job. I asked my players to follow my instructions and they did it to a tee. How can I drop any one of them after they performed so well for me."
And that is fair. They did get a job done in Denmark so who can fault manager or team. However there are different horses needed for the course on Tuesday night. Just think of the aftermath if we defend well all night and then, with say, 15 minutes left, Denmark break the deadlock and hold out for a 1-1 draw. MON will be slated in all corners for his negative approach to the two ties. This game on Tuesday is all about mind over matter. We have to pose a threat to them and a far greater one than just from set pieces.

[Bungle]

I love wes and he has to play a part on tuesday,be it from the bench.

The personnel wasn't the issue yesterday. It's the mindset. The result was not too bad but it's hard to see us getting two if they score. If we offer up 65% possession to a team with a player like erikson then that is a major risk. We got somewhat lucky yesterday. If Sisto took the chance,i'd be feeling very concerned.

We simply have to adopt a performance of real intent and while possession isn't everything we need to keep the ball. If we do that,i'm confident. If not, it will be a long night and i could see us going out on away goals.

[Kingdom]

Then again, it’s impossible to predict O’Neill’s line-ups.

It's not. I did it on Sat and I've to screen-grabs to prove it! :D

[geysir]

It's not. I did it on Sat and I've to screen-grabs to prove it! :D
The only proof required is to refer to a previous post on this thread or provide a link to a post elsewhere on the WWW.
Everything else has 100% spoof potential :)

The spoof quota here overfloweth already

[Kingdom]

What if I'm in a secret club that I don't want to divulge? Like the no-Homers club or some-such? Delorean will back me up.........yeah.

[geysir]

Possibly you would pass the roscommon test of integrity (anything goes), but you haven't a chance of flapping Delorean's gull-wings.