Republic of Ireland V Serbia - Tuesday, 7th September 2021 - 2022 World Cup Qualifier

[geysir]

10/10 to the crowd from start to finish and made it an experience to cherish for the young players, cheering any small positive to the rafters. Probably the crowd willed the equaliser to actually happen.
I'm glad McClean had an impact and Horgan didn't do anything too wild. Bazumu was excellent again, such confidence and skill when in goalkeeping years he's still only a baby at this level. A long career beckons at intl level for him.

[centre mid]

Can't agree with that. It was a one all hammering for us. Outclassed Serbia should have been 4 up so many missed chances bazunu excellent. What a ludicrous goal for Serbia to concede.

This was how we pulled out results inder martin o neill and got very little credit. The crowd drove us on but its all passion which is fantastic but its not a new ireland. We lacked so much control tonight they owned us. Horgan horrific what is he doing been involved if supposedly we are building for the euros and the same with mcclean.

Obobamideile super bazunu class, I love kelleher but going to be very hard for him to get caps now

We missed as many chances against Azerbaijan. Serbia really needed to win that tonight. I thought it was a decent performance in the 2nd half against a very good side.

[Trequartista20]

Omobamidele had a couple of uncomfortable moments but overall was very assured, he's confident on the ball and very mobile. It would be interesting to see him in a defensive midfield role to see how he fares there.

[shakermaker1982]

I thought Buzunu was top class. He’s just spoken to Sky Sports and he sounds really determined and confident. Delighted for him.

Omobamidele looked the business again as well.

We were second best for most of the game but they hung in there. I think we need to get fitter and lack of club game time for some of those players doesn’t help. We missed Robinson’s pace and ability to carry the ball so hopefully he stays fit.

[passinginterest]

41% possession ok we’d prefer a bit more but it’s enough to be competitive. 86% pass completion which is good for us and means we weren’t giving it away cheaply very often. I though that was one of the bigger improvements. There were still a few dodgy ones, but the players are definitely getting more comfortable playing out and trusting each other.

It’s far from perfect, no doubt, but the young lads were excellent, Baz, Omo, and to a lesser extent Idah, performing well beyond their years. I though McClean, Doherty and Hendrick stepped up a level. McClean will never be a brilliant footballer, but he had about as good a game as he’s capable of. McClean suggested maybe the senior players were letting the younger lads down a bit recently and I think the effort to be better for them showed.

It could have been a 4-0 loss, no doubt, there was some luck but also some superb defending and goalkeeping that doesn’t happen by accident either. Still issues with making clear chances from anything other than crosses and still not getting too close to finishing them even. That’s the biggest concern. Hopefully someone can find form for their club before the next break.

One think Kenny has now is some depth. Someone posted and injured 11 earlier in the week that wasn’t much weaker than the starting 11. If players are fit and avoid COVID issues he might have the luxury of picking a squad of players getting regular minutes and that will be a big help.

[Fizzer]

I didn’t think that was great at all.We’re clueless going forward, I can’t make out any kind of plan other than to get it wide and keep crossing it into an empty box.Serbia with 10 shots on target should have been out of sight. At least we’ll have decent goalkeepers and centre backs for years to come.I think Kenny has been brave picking the players he has but it’s mildly embarrassing to see him celebrate that OG as if we’d won the World Cup, maybe that’s harsh as he has to have been feeling the pressure but he just looks like a bit of an amateur carrying on like that instead of urging the players to go for a winner.

[SkStu]

I didn’t think that was great at all.We’re clueless going forward, I can’t make out any kind of plan other than to get it wide and keep crossing it into an empty box.Serbia with 10 shots on target should have been out of sight. At least we’ll have decent goalkeepers and centre backs for years to come.I think Kenny has been brave picking the players he has but it’s mildly embarrassing to see him celebrate that OG as if we’d won the World Cup, maybe that’s harsh as he has to have been feeling the pressure but he just looks like a bit of an amateur carrying on like that instead of urging the players to go for a winner.

He quite clearly and quickly went into coach mode with his staff after his celebration. Which he was entitled to. Give him a break FFS.

[liamoo11]

We missed as many chances against Azerbaijan. Serbia really needed to win that tonight. I thought it was a decent performance in the 2nd half against a very good side.
Serbia s chances were much more clear cut and well created than the so called chances we created on Saturday. I see nothing in tonight to make me think we coukdvtake tge game to a middle of the road side like a finland at home and actually control the game. What formation are we playing? 541 tonight with the 4 playing narrow all basically central midfield players with no one getting anywhere close to idah, how is that ever going to get you a chance of creating openings at home?

[Olé Olé]

We were completely outclassed. Bazunu was excellent overall and kept us in it. McClean had a really good game. We have some young talent coming through. It was nice to get the equaliser. The only downside is that this means Kenny will remain in the job.
"Bazunu was excellent and kept us in it." Okay, does Bazunu play under any other Ireland manager? Does Randolph make all of those saves?

[Olé Olé]

Bazunu and Omobamidele were brilliant tonight. If we are getting a 1-1 draw and those two are playing that well, that young and getting that experience then I'm happy. You get what you deserve in football. Serbia had chances but didn't convert them. The game still finished 1-1.

[Comic Book Guy]

We'll take it, I was thinking SK needed a break and he didn't half get it with the og. Bazunu what a display, Omo excellent too. We could and should have been on the end of a hiding against a fine Serbian team but that result might have cost them outright qualification?
Yes we are limited but there are some good prospects coming up, trust the process, I'd much rather to have watched the game tonight than some of the horror shows thrown up in the last days of Trap and MON.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

"Bazunu was excellent and kept us in it." Okay, does Bazunu play under any other Ireland manager? Does Randolph make all of those saves?

Yes, Randolph makes those saves. Another day we lose 5-0 given those chances though.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Bazunu and Omobamidele were brilliant tonight. If we are getting a 1-1 draw and those two are playing that well, that young and getting that experience then I'm happy. You get what you deserve in football. Serbia had chances but didn't convert them. The game still finished 1-1.

So all those games where Kenny was using the missed chances excuse you were saying the same thing?

[jbyrne]

say what you like but one things for sure... sk and the team havnt lost the home crowd one bit...

[TonyD]

It was a very poor performance from us again, Serbia win this game very comfortably 9 times out of 10.

The Serbian OG was hilarious, though. I laughed out loud at went that went in. If we were ever going to score, that was the only way it was going to happen.

Bazunu was one of very few bright spots, but still almost cost us a couple of goals.

Oh shut up. It certainly was not a very poor performance. Serbia are a better side than us, I don’t think anyone doubts that ? But we competed well with them at times, and never gave up. I think we deserved the point. I understand the criticism after Luxembourg and Azerbaijan, but some people seem determined to only see the negatives. And you can’t say the team aren’t playing for the manager either. Great effort tonight.

[Olé Olé]

So all those games where Kenny was using the missed chances excuse you were saying the same thing?

Sorry, you won't draw me in. You can't impose that view on me. One is allowed to support Kenny without supporting everything he says or every decision he makes. I'm not into extremism.

[SkStu]

So all those games where Kenny was using the missed chances excuse you were saying the same thing?

Was it yourself that said it’s only the result that matters and not the manner of the performance? You and/or a few of your ilk were spouting that after our performance against Portugal. Surely the same applies in reverse? Or from Serbia’s perspective…

[geysir]

Bazunu and Omobamidele were brilliant tonight. If we are getting a 1-1 draw and those two are playing that well, that young and getting that experience then I'm happy. You get what you deserve in football. Serbia had chances but didn't convert them. The game still finished 1-1.
The adage is that a team is built first from the defence, at least we have that defence. Just need to fix the rest of our game.

[TonyD]

Yes, Randolph makes those saves. Another day we lose 5-0 given those chances though.

On another day we get a penalty in Portugal to go 2 up, and the ref doesn’t add five minutes, and we take a couple of those chances against Azerbaijan to win comfortably. Works both ways you see.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Sorry, you won't draw me in. You can't impose that view on me. One is allowed to support Kenny without supporting everything he says or every decision he makes. I'm not into extremism.

If it's the result that matters, then the excuses previously used by Kenny should be brushed aside. That's the conclusion to your point.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Was it yourself that said it’s only the result that matters and not the manner of the performance? You and/or a few of your ilk were spouting that after our performance against Portugal. Surely the same applies in reverse? Or from Serbia’s perspective…

No. I didn't say that.

[Olé Olé]

The adage is that a team is built first from the defence, at least we have that defence. Just need to fix the rest of our game.
Definitely went out to contain the Serbs with four central midfielders. I would also like to see a heatmap.for McClean and Doherty. I don't think it was particularly deep that they were but they did get pinned back for periods of Serbian pressure and Serbia were very good at pressurizing.

Kenny needs to figure out how we can retain solidity in midfield but still stretch sides. Knight is probably integral to that.

[TonyD]

Just on a side note, Kenny was shaking Robinson’s hand afterward and Robinson didn’t seem too interested.
Are there certain players who don’t respect him I wonder?

Think you might be seeing what you want to see there. It was hardly Keane and McCarthy after the Dutch game in 2001. In fact I didn’t see anything off about it.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

On another day we get a penalty in Portugal to go 2 up, and the ref doesn’t add five minutes, and we take a couple of those chances against Azerbaijan to win comfortably. Works both ways you see.

On another day Portugal win 4-1 you mean? Missed penalty, missed open goal, post.

What's the excuses for the other 15 games under Kenny. What happened v Luxembourg? Why can't this tactical genius have us scoring more than a few goals?

[Olé Olé]

If it's the result that matters, then the excuses previously used by Kenny should be brushed aside. That's the conclusion to your point.

Maybe, yes. But I don't necessarily believe that inexcusable defeat means he should be sacked so you can't lead me to what you feel is the natural (though biased) conclusion here.

[centre mid]

Serbia s chances were much more clear cut and well created than the so called chances we created on Saturday. I see nothing in tonight to make me think we coukdvtake tge game to a middle of the road side like a finland at home and actually control the game. What formation are we playing? 541 tonight with the 4 playing narrow all basically central midfield players with no one getting anywhere close to idah, how is that ever going to get you a chance of creating openings at home?

Kenny has played more than one formation. 541 is a good formation to play agasides who will dominate possession - we played the same in Faro.

I'd imagine we will revert to 4 3 3 against sides we will expect to have more possession against.

[Trequartista20]

I just don't see any signs of improvement or progression at all under Kenny, that's the most damning indictment I can make of his tenure so far. What we saw tonight is no different to what we saw in the first couple of matches.

We're ponderous, predictable and so very easy to play against. Even with 20 minutes to go in a match we had to win to keep our slim, slim qualification hopes alive and we were tapping the ball around at the back. It's dire to watch.

What does Kenny send his team's out to do? Because I have no idea. The ball is slowly, and to no obvious purpose, knocked around amongst the back three, giving the oposition all the time in the world to organise themselves defensively and mark our midfielders and forwards, played into a midfielder who's inevitably under pressure, and then the ball is either lost, hurriedly knocked back to one of the centre-halfs, or hit into one of the channels in a ball always favouring the opposition defence. Just awful.

There's no urgency, no creativity, no moves that look like they've come off the training ground. And other than Duffy's height at corners, we carry absolutely no goal threat. Tonight's goal was simply a freak occurance. Just what does Kenny do with his players all week on the training pitch.

We go into matches, seemingly, without any definitive game plan, we look too stretched out from front to back, with Idah often completely isolated. We often have three defenders, as well as the goalkeeper in close proximity in the penalty area, attempting to tap the ball around in a triangle, while the rest of the team is strung out across the park, the ball then often gets played back to Bazunu, who under pressure, then has to punt it long onto the head of one of the giant Serbian defenders. Honestly, what's the point?

Is this the 'good' football we keep hearing so much about? Because from what I've seen of us we're one of the most boring teams to watch around.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Maybe, yes. But I don't necessarily believe that inexcusable defeat means he should be sacked so you can't lead me to what you feel is the natural (though biased) conclusion here.

To be honest, Kenny could lose every single game and there would be those who won't admit that he should be sacked.

[osarusan]

So all those games where Kenny was using the missed chances excuse you were saying the same thing?
Even by my standards as a vocal critic of Kenny (and who wants him gone) you're coming across as very whiny.

We put in a decent shift. Serbia were better for long periods but that's because they're a better team. When you get a result against a better team you're doing something right. Yes, they could have scored more, and yes, the goal was lucky, but so what, that's Serbia's problem. You take what you get from games.

Positive in terms of the result, some very good individual performances, and team performance and belief in the last 10-15 minutes or so. Just a pity this is the last of the 3 games, and there isn't another home game 3 days from now.

[Diggs246]

Matter what happens to kenny, and I've no confidence in him but we will be incredibly grateful for his introduction to Andrew Omobamidele. He is going to be a star. If I had a choice if being his agent or gavins or troys. I would puck him all day.long

[TonyD]

On another day Portugal win 4-1 you mean? Missed penalty, missed open goal, post.

What's the excuses for the other 15 games under Kenny. What happened v Luxembourg? Why can't this tactical genius have us scoring more than a few goals?

No, my point is there’s no point talking about “on another day.” All of the games, including tonight, went the way they went. Players miss chances in games, it happens. As to the other 15 games, the “excuse” if you’re looking for one, is that we are a team in transition. Too many senior players not good enough, while the youngsters are only coming through and need time. We’re by no means there yet, but I still believe in a year or two we’ll have a competitive team. Wales, Scotland, and the North have all been through this, and are all improving, so will we.

Oh, and I don’t think anyone ever claimed that SK is a “tactical genius”. I don’t think he’s an out of his depth clown either though.

[SkStu]

Matter what happens to kenny, and I've no confidence in him but we will be incredibly grateful for his introduction to Andrew Omobamidele. He is going to be a star. If I had a choice if being his agent or gavins or troys. I would puck him all day.long

There’s definitely a typo in there; I’m just not 100% sure how to correct it… :D

[RiffRaff]

I desperately wanted Kenny to succeed for a number of reasons, the main one being his man management skills and ability to make players believe they were on a same level as better players. However in a short time he has made us approach matches as though we are Andora or Malta. We played Serbia today, a half decent international team who we traditionally would like to think we are slightly better than. Today we made then look like Brazil and approached the game like we were playing Brazil. Enough is enough

[TonyD]

There’s definitely a typo in there; I’m just not 100% sure how to correct it… :D

;);) Fnar fnar

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Even by my standards as a vocal critic of Kenny (and who wants him gone) you're coming across as very whiny.

We put in a decent shift. Serbia were better for long periods but that's because they're a better team. When you get a result against a better team you're doing something right. Yes, they could have scored more, and yes, the goal was lucky, but so what, that's Serbia's problem. You take what you get from games.

Positive in terms of the result, some very good individual performances, and team performance and belief in the last 10-15 minutes or so. Just a pity this is the last of the 3 games, and there isn't another home game 3 days from now.

Oh no, contrary to what the Kenny fans would have us believe, I think we've got some decent players and I think we should be doing far better than battling it out at the bottom of the table. The myth is that Kenny has taken over a bunch of no hopers and is doing a magnificent job with nothing to work with. The reality is that he's taken a team who were close to qualifying for a major tournament and turned them into no hopers who should be delighted to get a lucky draw at home to Serbia.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

No, my point is there’s no point talking about “on another day.” All of the games, including tonight, went the way they went. Players miss chances in games, it happens. As to the other 15 games, the “excuse” if you’re looking for one, is that we are a team in transition. Too many senior players not good enough, while the youngsters are only coming through and need time. We’re by no means there yet, but I still believe in a year or two we’ll have a competitive team. Wales, Scotland, and the North have all been through this, and are all improving, so will we.

Oh, and I don’t think anyone ever claimed that SK is a “tactical genius”. I don’t think he’s an out of his depth clown either though.

Like I said, those senior players were part of the team who battered the European championship semi finalists in the last game under McCarthy and some of the young players coming through are the most exciting we've had in a long time. This transition talk is nonsense.

[backstothewall]

I'm trying to be balanced and just call balls and strikes, so i re-watched the second half before posting anything. This is what I took away from the game

- Serbia should have buried us with the chances they had.

- It is very encouraging that we aren't giving the ball away as easily as we used to.

- Bazunu had another good game, but there are question marks over his positioning and decision making. He charged out for a ball he was never getting to in the 76th minute, and the one that hit the bar was a heart in the mouth moment. He does make saves others might not, though and clearly has time on his side

- McClean had a better game. But he lacks pace. He has been covering for Stevens in this round of games, but with them both being the wrong side of 30 introducing new blood needs to be a priority.

- Omobamide. What else could anyone say. Brilliant.

- Duffy and Hendrick are back. Those 2, Coleman and Egan are the wise old heads in this squad now, and it's great to have them back looking themselves.

- McGrath looks like he might be a find. Can't put my finger on anything he did particularly well, but he looks the part. There's just something about him.

- Daryl Horgan's second touch is a tackle. If he was playing in Socceraid you would assume he was one of the celebrities.

- Molumby has real issues with his discipline. I admire the passion, but he's no good to us in the shower.

- Loads of out-swinging corners. Not sure why, but it does suggest someone was scouting the opposition and saw something. Encouraging that a bit of thought is being given to set pieces, even if it didn't get us anything.

- Idah was terribly isolated for large chunks of the game, but he works like a trojan for the team. Not sure if he has a

- Robinson has to play. He gives us something different, and we look completely toothless without him.

- Kenny needs to beat Azerbaijan.

[osarusan]

The myth is that Kenny has taken over a bunch of no hopers and is doing a magnificent job with nothing to work with.
I don't think I've seen a single post on foot.ie express that sentiment. I don't think i've seen a single post say he is doing a magnificent job. Maybe you could quote some of these posts, but I doubt you can actually.

The discussion (on foot.ie at least) is quite a bit more nuanced and less binary than you are making out...and again, that's from somebody who has been far from nuanced in saying I think Kenny should already be gone.

[Diggs246]

There’s definitely a typo in there; I’m just not 100% sure how to correct it… :D
Brilliant !

[paul_oshea]

The crowd clearly loves that team and is backing what Kenny is trying to do. Maybe the cranks on here are in the minority?

At the game on Saturday the general consensus was young lads in the team and they need the support behind them and given the confidence as things are so bad. Supporters did their bit tonight and Stephen Kelly and George Hamilton completely misread that.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

I don't think I've seen a single post on foot.ie express that sentiment. I don't think i've seen a single post say he is doing a magnificent job. Maybe you could quote some of these posts, but I doubt you can actually.

The discussion (on foot.ie at least) is quite a bit more nuanced and less binary than you are making out...and again, that's from somebody who has been far from nuanced in saying I think Kenny should already be gone.

Who cares about foot.ie? The narrative is that Kenny is building us up from the depths of the international game. This myth needs to be quashed.

[osarusan]

This myth needs to be quashed.
Perhaps your energy would best be expended in quashing that myth in wherever those places are that the myth is being propagated, rather than here, where it isn't.

[backstothewall]

As i watched the second half again, I'm only getting to the Kenny interview now.

It's hilarious how bad he is at this. It doesn't really matter at the end of the day if he starts getting results, but he really is awful at the media bit.

[pineapple stu]

Strange game. Encouraging result, for sure. Kenny probably a bit stronger in his position than before the match. Bazunu with his first performance to really justify his reviews (trying to think of when an Ireland keeper had so many saves to make; Ireland v England in Euro 88 comes to mind?) yet still with the absolute howler in his game, and if we're really honest Serbia's finishing was poor - none of the shots were bottom corner, or they had a bad first touch that brought them too close to the keeper. Missing that late 7-on-4 break was criminal. (The exception was their goal, which was a really excellent finish and probably their hardest chance of the night) Bit disappointed to see backstothewall didn't give Bazunu a rating in his post cos if Portugal was 9.5/10, then tonight was probably about 12. :p

Omo grew into the game (although I did hear Hamilton/Houghton gushing over him when he kicked the ball off a Serbian lad for a throw in the second half; I think there's an element that we're a bit too eager to build these guys up at times) and Hendrick was good too, putting the lie to those who reckon he has nothing to offer. Even McClean mayn't be finished yet. The subs seemed to work for once - we grew into the game as we adopted a more attacking formation (and after Serbia subbed off Dusic)

On the downside, we gave up a hell of a lot of chances for a team lining up 5-4-1. We didn't really have anything to offer going forward bar long balls into the box, and they had to score our goal for us which and really we hadn't looked like scoring until then. Idah seemed to be on the right win an awful lot of the time which gave us nothing in the box, and the one header he got was really poor; he holds the ball up well but his finishing needs a lot of work still. It all felt like classic Ireland - hearts on sleeve to cover the lack of skill - and it was good fun in the last 10 minutes and the crowd really got behind it, but it's not the way I thought Kenny was looking to take the team.

Azerbaijan away next. I wonder are we back where we were last Wednesday - a decent battling performance as underdogs against one of the top sides, but it'll mean nothing if we don't follow it up with a result against Azerbaijan. We failed at that on Saturday. Do we have it in us to do it next month? The jury's probably still out on that one, and if we keep failing to beat the bottom seeds, we can't really claim progress.

[paul_oshea]

Kenny has played more than one formation. 541 is a good formation to play agasides who will dominate possession - we played the same in Faro.

I'd imagine we will revert to 4 3 3 against sides we will expect to have more possession against.

He said 3-4-3 on the interview before the game, but we clearly had idah all alone up front all the time, until Robinson came on

[texidub]

The performances are bafflingly inconsistent but also entertaining. Unrpedictably bad results, unexpectedly good performances. Don't know what to make of Kenny's tenure so far except that I find it a bit confusing and certainly different to what has gone before.

One thing that seems to have happened is that expectations have dropped to a really low level, so that a draw feels like a massive win. In fairness to Kenny, a draw with Serbia is a typical Irish result, no matter who the manager is.

The own goal kinda papers over the cracks til the next round of matches. Wasn't a great performance, but there was some exciting play and some great young players are being blooded. He also got unexpectedly strong performances out of Hendricks and McClean. Glad we got that bit of good fortune, with the OG, especially after the ref's antics in Portugal.

Still baffled though.

[Olé Olé]

Matter what happens to kenny, and I've no confidence in him but we will be incredibly grateful for his introduction to Andrew Omobamidele. He is going to be a star. If I had a choice if being his agent or gavins or troys. I would puck him all day.long

He has Incredible ability on the ball. Serbia had a fierce press but he manage it with relative ease and never panicked on the ball. There were stages when himself and Bazunu were knocking the ball back and forth and I just had take a second to realise their age.

Things are little more difficult for Idah in terms of how he can prosper in this team at present given how isolated he was today. But he played well.

On the other hand, in a backs to the wall game like that your keeper and defenders have plenty opportunity to impress or otherwise. Bazunu and Omobamidele took the opportunities with both hands.

I see also that Bazunu was successful with 10 long balls. There were some he played onto Doherty's foot or chest that were absolutely awesome. There are not many keepers who could execute those passes. Maybe it's the green tinted glasses of mine but if I were the Man City loan manager or goalkeeping coach I'd be very, very happy watching that game.

Given how much we have struggled in recent years with young Irish talent coming through (there have been some very sparse years since the Class of 92 born lads), it's amazing to see technically brilliant players like Bazunu, Omobamidele and even Parrott coming through. Collins and O'Shea are another pair of lovely ballers.

[SkStu]

The reality is that he's taken a team who were close to qualifying for a major tournament and turned them into no hopers who should be delighted to get a lucky draw at home to Serbia.


We played Serbia today, a half decent international team who we traditionally would like to think we are slightly better than. Today we made then look like Brazil and approached the game like we were playing Brazil. Enough is enough

These two posts just demonstrate the lack of sincerity and decency from a lot of posters on here over the last couple of years.

Anyone with a bit of objectivity would realize that today’s result was a very positive result. The performance was also very, very good at times. The passing and composure in the second half was, at times, excellent. Of course there were some mistakes too but that 45 mins was a nett positive from all aspects.

Why was the result so positive? 5 of the Serbian team have won international tournaments at u19 and u20 level (Mitrovic just won the u19 euros), incl the u20 World Cup. Their team has a number of winners of Europa league etc in the team and players being selected on the team of the tournament. Their 2 most inexperienced players at club level (Pavlovic and Vlahovic) have more club appearances than Bazunu, Omobamidele, McGrath and Idah combined. Vlahovic is 21 with 28 goals for Fiorentina by the way.

We can’t hold anything in our squad up as a reasonable comparison.

To try and play down the quality and strength of Serbia and the achievement to get a draw is indicative of the unreasonableness of many on here. All of which ultimately makes the atmosphere here way more polarized than it has to be.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, Serbia have underachieved in recent years but this looks like their golden generation alright. They brought on Jovic of Real Madrid. We brought on Horgan of Wycombe. There's points to be made about their poor finishing or the number of chances we coughed up or how really it was inevitable they'd have to score for us, but it's a decent result and it's daft trying to undermine that by downplaying what is a decent side

[TonyD]

These two posts just demonstrate the lack of sincerity and decency from a lot of posters on here over the last couple of years.

Anyone with a bit of objectivity would realize that today’s result was a very positive result. The performance was also very, very good at times. The passing and composure in the second half was, at times, excellent. Of course there were some mistakes too but that 45 mins was a nett positive from all aspects.

Why was the result so positive? 5 of the Serbian team have won international tournaments at u19 and u20 level (Mitrovic just won the u19 euros), incl the u20 World Cup. Their team has a number of winners of Europa league etc in the team and players being selected on the team of the tournament. Their 2 most inexperienced players at club level (Pavlovic and Vlahovic) have more club appearances than Bazunu, Omobamidele, McGrath and Idah combined. Vlahovic is 21 with 28 goals for Fiorentina by the way.

We can’t hold anything in our squad up as a reasonable comparison.

To try and play down the quality and strength of Serbia and the achievement to get a draw is indicative of the unreasonableness of many on here. All of which ultimately makes the atmosphere here way more polarized than it has to be.

Well said.