Azerbaijan V Republic of Ireland - Sat, 9th October 2021 - 2022 World Cup Qualifier

[centre mid]

Delighted for Kenny and the players. A good performance and result. Robinson was excellent as was Cullen I thought.

[boovidge]

We rode our luck defensively a few times but we don't score three away from home too often so well done to the players/management. Robinson is clearly the best best attacking player we've got right now.

[elatedscum]

Performance wasn’t great in the first half in particular but it really should have been 8. Robinson should have scored 5, Doherty, Duffy x2, Parrott/McGrath(?), McClean/Idah, probably other chances I’m forgetting...

[geysir]

Good that SK went with purpose for the third goal. The Azeris were poor, as poor a 5th seed we have ever played away. Just how did TO’D manage to supress his enthusiatic urge to mention the V word to our Cal?

[osarusan]

Overall, a solid performance. We went to a poor team, and made them look poor and showed that we were better than them.

One one hand, a comfortable enough victory over a team you should beat comfortably isn't something to celebrate too much, but seeing as we haven't been doing that until now, it is something to celebrate.

[SkStu]

Delighted for Stephen Kenny.

Only one defeat in the last seven.

[Nesta99]

That Azeri keeper is possibly the worst I've seen since the Gibraltar lad who scored for us.

Not a great performance and Portugal won't be scared, but **** it. We need this

I wish I could say the same too!!! Horgan will divide opinion on what he offers, there were times in other games that his running off the ball would have been priceless. I can see whats meant on the final ball being a mixed bag when a decent cross is needed, but he can pick out good passes from more central positions and is effective if running on to a ball in to space. Is it enough to have him start, well it depends on whats needed and what opposition so horses for courses. We need to uncover or develop players that can play with a lot of width, we have plenty of options when looking more central. Im not always convinced when naturally central players are asked to play with width unless they are to play is inside forwards.

[backstothewall]

Good performance and well deserved result. I've been a critic of Kenny but that was excellent.

[SeanDrog]

One swallow doesn’t make a summer but the panel on RTE I felt were a bit unfair after the Kenny post match interview …. Couldn’t hit him coz he won so they had a pop at him because he was “positive” … seriously Kenny can’t win with some ppl.

[Razors left peg]

I'm surprised to come on here and see comments like "it wasn't great but a win is a win"

I don't remember a game where we've ever created so many chances. That was as close to brilliant as we've been in long time. Very enjoyable game. Made good subs and we controlled the game for most part.

Yeah they created some chances but I was never nervous watching it. There will be bigger tests against better teams but that's a big monkey off our back. A win and good goals from open play from a striker

[paul_oshea]

"Babb saying the move away from possession football and return to hoofing it up from the back was a success tonight."

Got that from a mate so quoted it.

[paul_oshea]

I'm surprised to come on here and see comments like "it wasn't great but a win is a win"

I don't remember a game where we've ever created so many chances. That was as close to brilliant as we've been in long time. Very enjoyable game. Made good subs and we controlled the game for most part.

Yeah they created some chances but I was never nervous watching it. There will be bigger tests against better teams but that's a big monkey off our back. A win and good goals from open play from a striker

Good goals from open play, speculative shots really bar the header, which is our trademark, granted not from a defender this time.

[Trequartista20]

Poor enough performance but a win's a win's a win, and we desperately needed that. We always look a more dangerous team when Robinson's playing. He's an important player for us now.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Ir wasnt a good performance from the attacking Point of view. The spine of the team was tremendous. Horgan assist to Robinson was top class as McClean dribble and through ball for the first. Robinson good just a bit wasteful. Shane Long was needed At some Point. In my opinión. McGrath good bit the substitutuon change the formación. Ogbene went fron a 4 rating to 8 At the end. Toó wasteful as well bit grew and good header.

The defence back 5 and Cullen gave the structure we needed. It was a peno forma them. But eire got rigged by the refs vs serbia and Portugal so a hand

Bazunu 7

Back 3 7

Doherty. Cullen mcclean. 7

Hendrick 6.

Idah and Horgan. 6

Robinson. 7

[Bielsa´s irish]

Yes but I would love him to play off with Shane Long

[Bielsa´s irish]

We were good At pressing we need to be more assured and composed. With Shane Long Seamus Coleman and James McCarthy we would be better

[Olé Olé]

I like Ogbene. He suits us. He creates chaos. He stretches defences both vertically and horizontally, bringing them wide and getting in behind them. He might not work with an isolated striker as he almost gets too wide but he occupies defenders in the way he plays which creates space inside him.

I'd like to see him kick on at club level. He needs goals and assists. Great to see him get one tonight.

I liked a lot about this game and didn't like other parts. I think it's harsh to say we rode our luck. We should have had more goals and a lot of their chances were long range strikes.

It was the result Kenny needed and now he needs one against Luxembourg. Playing like that would give me more hope he will get a result there. However, he needs to get consistently better at picking his first 11. If that means Horgan not starting or maybe McClean or Idah being dropped then he needs to do it. There could be a case for Robinson through the middle with Ogbene on one side and McGrath another and consideration for Connolly as part of it too maybe. That kind of call.

[jbyrne]

Poor enough performance but a win's a win's a win, and we desperately needed that. We always look a more dangerous team when Robinson's playing. He's an important player for us now.

poor??? some excellent build up play, enough chances to win 3 games, 3 goals and a clean sheet. couldnt ask for more really. came on here expecting some whinging and of course wasnt disappointed

[Bielsa´s irish]

"Babb saying the move away from possession football and return to hoofing it up from the back was a success tonight."

Got that from a mate so quoted it.

This is the best tema we could field with in my opinion. Seamus Coleman for McClean doherty on the left. James McCathy for Hendrick and Shane Long for Idah atm.

[Bielsa´s irish]

"Babb saying the move away from possession football and return to hoofing it up from the back was a success tonight."

Got that from a mate so quoted it.


I like Ogbene. He suits us. He creates chaos. He stretches defences both vertically and horizontally, bringing them wide and getting in behind them. He might not work with an isolated striker as he almost gets too wide but he occupies defenders in the way he plays which creates space inside him.

I'd like to see him kick on at club level. He needs goals and assists. Great to see him get one tonight.

I liked a lot about this game and didn't like other parts. I think it's harsh to say we rode our luck. We should have had more goals and a lot of their chances were long range strikes.

It was the result Kenny needed and now he needs one against Luxembourg. Playing like that would give me more hope he will get a result there. However, he needs to get consistently better at picking his first 11. If that means Horgan not starting or maybe McClean or Idah being dropped then he needs to do it. There could be a case for Robinson through the middle with Ogbene on one side and McGrath another and consideration for Connolly as part of it too maybe. That kind of call.
.... Atm ....

.,................bazunu.......

...Omobamide duffy. Egan...

Coleman....cullen mccarthy. Doherty

...,......Mc Grath............Robinson....

........................Shane Long.....

[pineapple stu]

I think we didn't make the keeper the work he should have done given their insistence at giving us possession back so easily.

That's a sign of a weak attack - but we know that anyway.

It could have been a different game if the keeper had saved the two easy chances and had they scored that injury-time chance.

But they didn't, cos they were crap. So we wonder how we didn't beat them at home and move on to Tuesday

[Bielsa´s irish]

"Babb saying the move away from possession football and return to hoofing it up from the back was a success tonight."

Got that from a mate so quoted it.


I like Ogbene. He suits us. He creates chaos. He stretches defences both vertically and horizontally, bringing them wide and getting in behind them. He might not work with an isolated striker as he almost gets too wide but he occupies defenders in the way he plays which creates space inside him.

I'd like to see him kick on at club level. He needs goals and assists. Great to see him get one tonight.

I liked a lot about this game and didn't like other parts. I think it's harsh to say we rode our luck. We should have had more goals and a lot of their chances were long range strikes.

It was the result Kenny needed and now he needs one against Luxembourg. Playing like that would give me more hope he will get a result there. However, he needs to get consistently better at picking his first 11. If that means Horgan not starting or maybe McClean or Idah being dropped then he needs to do it. There could be a case for Robinson through the middle with Ogbene on one side and McGrath another and consideration for Connolly as part of it too maybe. That kind of call.


Horgan and MaClean should never be selected. Believing that either of them is at this level is more than a blind spot it’s delusional.
Two assists today. Mate.

[Bielsa´s irish]

"Babb saying the move away from possession football and return to hoofing it up from the back was a success tonight."

Got that from a mate so quoted it.


I like Ogbene. He suits us. He creates chaos. He stretches defences both vertically and horizontally, bringing them wide and getting in behind them. He might not work with an isolated striker as he almost gets too wide but he occupies defenders in the way he plays which creates space inside him.

I'd like to see him kick on at club level. He needs goals and assists. Great to see him get one tonight.

I liked a lot about this game and didn't like other parts. I think it's harsh to say we rode our luck. We should have had more goals and a lot of their chances were long range strikes.

It was the result Kenny needed and now he needs one against Luxembourg. Playing like that would give me more hope he will get a result there. However, he needs to get consistently better at picking his first 11. If that means Horgan not starting or maybe McClean or Idah being dropped then he needs to do it. There could be a case for Robinson through the middle with Ogbene on one side and McGrath another and consideration for Connolly as part of it too maybe. That kind of call.


Horgan and MaClean should never be selected. Believing that either of them is at this level is more than a blind spot it’s delusional.

It was an ok game. They had a penalty call

[Razors left peg]

If we are back to the days that Ireland win 3 nil while people say it was a poor performance I'm happy enough

[geysir]

And apart from his non pass to Idah, McClean had a very good game, he gave every ounce getting up and down, though again any praise has to be qualified by the poor standard of the opposition.

[Razors left peg]

And apart from his non pass to Idah, McClean had a very good game, he gave every ounce getting up and down, though again any praise has to be qualified by the poor standard of the opposition.
Yeah credit where it's due, it was one of his better games in recent years

[liamoo11]

Credit to Kenny for pulling off horgan at half time. Duffy as the middle central defender was also a positive I thought compared to him been one of the wide central defenders in previous games.

Jeff wasn't as good as last window and couple of horrible give away balls in front of our own box in tge second half to invite pressure was sloppy.

Bazunu had a poor night in possesion kicked away an awful lot of aimless ball and couple of poor throws. That corner he came for was a mess. Thought he had 2 excellent saves in the second half the one that hit Duffy was very good and tge long range one he tipped over was dipping and swerving away from him I thought that was much better than he was given credit for. Tge one that hit the bar would have been poor if it went in but deserved a bit of luck. Love how quick he comes off his line although didn't think he played as high tonight as previously

Cullen is growing into it and that position is tough in this team with Kenny wanting to play 2 wide players off the central striker. Mcgrath helped the centre midfield out alot more second half than the hapless horgan but the focus still was very much on having width in the top third rather than that central presence behind the front man. It leaves us so open centrally when teams break the press like they did tonight and are straight away flowing through the midfield. I think you need 2 outstanding centre mid players to make that work which with no disrespect we just don't have .

Idah did better with hold up second half i was surprised they took him off when they did. We still haven't created a chance for him that I can remember other than a header chance in the home game that was tough because it was so fat in front of the near post. I think people are seeing him as a work horse who can't score goals which in my opinion is absolutely not what he is and hopefully we give him a few actual chances soon to show people that his main attribute is actually his finishing and its things like hold up play he has really improved over tge last 2 years.

Delighted for Robinson. So badly treated during the week . Our best number 10 at the moment , I'd like to see him play at the point of a midfield 3 behind a front 2

We definitely went more direct tonight. We hoffed tge kick off aimlessly forward. We kicked loads of goal kicks aimlessly. I'd say they had more possediin than us

[geysir]

Idah did better with hold up second half i was surprised they took him off when they did.
Fitness issues I presume.

[liamoo11]

Horgan and MaClean should never be selected. Believing that either of them is at this level is more than a blind spot it’s delusional.


Fitness issues I presume.

True. At tge tome it felt like there would surely be an actual chance coming his way cause they seemed to be giving us back the ball in their fdefensive third consistenly

[pineapple stu]

Delighted for Robinson. So badly treated during the week .
Well done Robinson for the goals, but he deserved every bit of criticism he got during the week.

To argue otherwise is to argue that football is more important than public health. In which case, you need a serious perspective shift

[The Fly]

Most convincing argument not to get it I’ve seen put forward yet 

:laugh:

[da bishop]

A clean sheet away from home,3 goals ,the first one absolute class finish from good move .some very decent passages of play,restricted the opposition to shots outside the box bar maybe one chance ,well done Kenny and Co an excellent away performance from a squad containing one player playing regularly in the Premier league.

[Diggs246]

Its a v good result. Trap, mick mon would all be proud of a 0-3 away result.

[liamoo11]

Horgan and MaClean should never be selected. Believing that either of them is at this level is more than a blind spot it’s delusional.


Well done Robinson for the goals, but he deserved every bit of criticism he got during the week.

To argue otherwise is to argue that football is more important than public health. In which case, you need a serious perspective shift

He had covid twice he has some level of immunity hence he is allowed eat indoors luke the rest of us vaccinated people . In fact in ireland you have to wait 4 weeks after having covid to get first vaccine so he couldn't be double vaccinated by now anyway as he only had covid during the last international window .

[geysir]

Well done Robinson for the goals, but he deserved every bit of criticism he got during the week.

To argue otherwise is to argue that football is more important than public health. In which case, you need a serious perspective shift
It has already been explained that Callum is in full compliance with current Covid regulations, your opinion is in compliance with the current Liveline herd instinct and has no place in this thread.

[elatedscum]

It has already been explained that Callum is in full compliance with current Covid regulations, your opinion is in compliance with the current Liveline herd instinct and has no place in this thread.

You can like Callum Robinson as a person, acknowledge his actions are incredibly stupid and be aware that he qualifies for a Covid cert under current rules - all at the same time.

He contracted Covid for a second time in august 2021. The vaccine was available to him long before that and his decision not to get vaccinated back in early summer meant that he was far more likely to contract Covid. Had he been vaccinated in august and not contracted covid, he would have been available in our home game against Azerbaijan, along with the games against Serbia and Portugal. It’s not unreasonable to think if he had played against Azerbaijan, we would have won. It’s not unreasonable to think if he had come on after 88 mins when we were 1-0 against Portugal, that we wouldn’t have conceded. It’s also not unreasonable to imagine the draw against Serbia might have turned to a better result had he been available.

In both his lack of care for himself and his lack of care for others, he’s shown terrible judgement. Nonetheless his honesty was refreshing and hopefully he’ll reflect on what’s gone on over the past few days and finally books a vax appointment

[Eirambler]

I think if Callum learns anything from the last few days it will most likely be that he should be less honest in interviews in future!

[Diggs246]

The funny thing about him was he was an illegal player ( didn't qualify for us)for about a year after his debut.
They changed the rule recently so he is kuscher now

[pineapple stu]

It has already been explained that Callum is in full compliance with current Covid regulations, your opinion is in compliance with the current Liveline herd instinct and has no place in this thread.
Yeah, we're not talking about whether he was breaking international travel rules.

We're talking about how generally stupid he is to go prattling on about "My body my choice", while fools who think the same thing clutter up ICU wards unnecessarily.

It seems for some people, the idea that he scored two goals in a football match makes up for his attempt - as a relatively public figure - to legitimise this daft viewpoint for others. It doesn't. He deserves every bit of criticism he got

[Real ale Madrid]

You can like Callum Robinson as a person, acknowledge his actions are incredibly stupid and be aware that he qualifies for a Covid cert under current rules - all at the same time.

He contracted Covid for a second time in august 2021. The vaccine was available to him long before that and his decision not to get vaccinated back in early summer meant that he was far more likely to contract Covid. Had he been vaccinated in august and not contracted covid, he would have been available in our home game against Azerbaijan, along with the games against Serbia and Portugal. It’s not unreasonable to think if he had played against Azerbaijan, we would have won. It’s not unreasonable to think if he had come on after 88 mins when we were 1-0 against Portugal, that we wouldn’t have conceded. It’s also not unreasonable to imagine the draw against Serbia might have turned to a better result had he been available.

In both his lack of care for himself and his lack of care for others, he’s shown terrible judgement. Nonetheless his honesty was refreshing and hopefully he’ll reflect on what’s gone on over the past few days and finally books a vax appointment

Great post. Well said. Sums up my thoughts.

[Bielsa´s irish]

CHEERS LADS

cool it a bit tiny time

team had patches of footie but not great similar to Serbia away bar the quality of rivals

ratings

bazunu 7 clean sheet and a few key interventions a long shot on the woodwork and a few chances he covered well he is improving and after 10 caps we may get stronger and better


Omobamidele 7 we need a younger defender next to duffy and egan very good as Oshea one of them could play in midfield very easily

duffy 8 very much improved and revigorated, though I prefer Egan as libero, because of his distribution the sweeper role is better for Duffy plus he had a few chances missed a sitter and another

Egan 7 very good game very comanding and so cool on the ball to move it around he is the real voice and football sense at the back 3

Doherty 7 very nice one two toiches and had a chance to scored plus his lob was a sitter that Callum Robinson missed

Cullen 8 is like Glen Whelan but more mobile he could improve with Jimbo McCarthy next to him

Hendrick 6 a passenger most of the game, but worked hard, had an hospital pass to McClean put him under pressure. not his best game not the worst ,. James McCarthy can be the player there to lead the line in midfield

McClean 8 great assist for the first and as he has lost a bit of pace he is very solid in a position he could excel at club level and internationally if he keeps his mouth shut.

Horgan 6 great assist for the 2nd and was an asset because of his speed of course he could have been better with that killing pass that wont work yesterday for him, bar that great through ball

Idah 6 same game as usual for Idah he had a few good movements had a chance to score but he must improve, I would play Shane Long if he was called up there kid is in the learning curve

Robinson 7 he scored a classic goal after McClean pass lovely goal, second was good too!! But too wasteful and sometimes a bit selfish and tried too much when the team was attacking that produced counter attacks .
Good player but too wasteful for my liking, need to get a bit more serious with his football sense and could be a tremendous player

mcgrath 7 good touches and passes he needs to get better and could attack carry the ball and defend a joy of player

ogbene as i said started very poor . raised his game by the end and had a few options 6

for me MCCLEAN was motm

[tetsujin1979]

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