Republic of Ireland V Belgium - Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - Friendly

[Nesta99]

When was the last time we had a full hand to pick from? This was pretty close I think. Im struggling to think what would have been significantly different from tonight to the previous management. Maybe a bit of a release for players that they are not under pressure for a result for the manager. Other than that it was just basics right ie defensively no calamity moments and build forward, that sort of thing is on the players playing. BBC suggesting this was a dress rehearsal for O'Shea getting the job FT - would be underwhelming but maybe he'd be more pragmatic in approach where Kenny stuck to his guns on how he thinks the game should be played irrespective of strengths or weaknesses.

Ogbene is frustrating to watch but he scares defenders by what he can do with his strength and pace, they back off or double up on him and that creates opportunities elsewhere even when his decisions making is off. Havent seen much of him in the EPL but you'd hope that game time there woould have him step up a level with being a more consistant threat and less sloppy at times. Ferguson needs a goal to state the obvious, dunno why as very different stage of career, but reminds me a bit of John Aldridge when he couldnt buy a goal for Ireland but came good. Szmodics is a great addition, will take pressure off Ferguson and share any expectation and there are options with Johnston. Add in Idah plus others and there is plenty to work with in attacking terms. Midfield was fine, but for me there is still that sense of being light, needing someone who will drive things on (a Declan Rice almost exactly the kind of player). We tend to get too many games where one midfielder has a good game but others missing, so again needing consistant good performance across midfield - added to a return to being a bit mean at the back and we're progressing...simple!

Ive never been convinced by the wing back system, feel it exposes more than adds to goals scored. I know its fashionable and it does suit when you have a number of decent centre halves but it is no better than standard full backs with the legs to push on at times so maybe there just isnt the quality to make the wing back system count - why not just add an extra body to midfield, play narrower, have the flexibility to push fullbacks on if opposition are not threatening the overlap on the flanks?

[rebelmusic]

Long time no post. I thought tonight was very encouraging. The simple change of knowing when to press and when not to was really significant over matches under Kenny. Only real criticism I'd have of O'Shea was the substitutions as it felt like replacing with second string players rather than trying to change things up.

All in all though, that's the first time in a long time where the defence looked completely solid and I wasn't biting my nails every time the opposition got into the final 3rd.

I may be cracked but I liked the look of O'Sheas management team as well and the warmth for Brian Kerr was fantastic.

I dunno, I actually feel a bit hopeful after tonight...if we can back it up on Tuesday!

[Dermobohs]

Reasonably good , but for the love of allah, keep Brady away from set pieces!!! He’s ****e, despite what the comms keep saying, truly awful delivery.

[ontheotherhand]

Smallbone and Ferguson were the positives I took. But not a single player on either team got out of 2nd gear really. Mid season friendly with nothing on the line.

We looked a bit more pragmatic and solid. But you'd hope so with Coleman and Brady as the wingbacks.

That's just my take after being there. And pints.

[geysir]

I've been ground down over the years of false and half false dawns to not read too much into an encouraging friendly performance. Belgium fluffed so many gifted viable counterattack opportunities.
I'd fully expect Kelleher to make that save, he is that good. If he didn't I'd be looking at the other keepers. A bonus was Brady at left back, some hesitation on the ball in the first half but overall he's good to go.
Our finishing was poor which obviously includes the penalty effort. One encouraging thing was the bench, considering the starting team did perform well, there was still some talent on the bench even if the subs used didn't make that much impact, that's just the way of friendlies when mass substitutions are made.
is Josh on trial for the permanent 2 year contract?
Personally I don't buy the idea of hiring a managerial team for a team like Ireland. That means you have to pay a sizable salary for a manager then comes the manager's team pushing the costs to the upper limits of insanity. There are what, 6 games a year? Why on earth does a competent coach need his own team? I'd say look for a decent coach in good health, pay an adequate salary and tell him Josh is the nr2 if you approve or select another nr2 from our list of candidates.

[Colbert Report]

I'm blown away by the fact that Robbie Brady is younger than Kyle Walker. It was great to see him back in the team and whipping in free kicks. Would have liked to have seen him take the penalty, but ah well.

Why were there so many empty seats? I was watching on television in America with a seventy year old man who had never watched a football match in his life. He was extremely unimpressed and said he'll never watch again. Hard to blame him. Really tough to imagine someone paying money to watch it in person.

[liamoo11]

I thought overall it was a very good team performance. Brady and Coleman justified their selection. Coleman made a couple of mistakes on the ball but his defending was excellent. He was right in front of me second half and it was very encouraging to see him play so well.

I thought Ferguson shouldn’t have taken the pen. Brady clearly wanted it and I think it was Coleman’s call as he had a word with Ferguson and Brady. Looks like his left foot slipped just as he was striking the ball, typical luck of a player out of form!

Smallbone and Cullen put in a good shift, keeper and centre backs all effective. Front three all had some moments and could have scored. I think the positive impact of Ogbene was most obvious as soon as he went off. Knight couldn’t get in the game at all in that role and then Festy showed that it’s not all just about pace! I think Ogbene is still largely underrated to be honest, not always the best at holding the ball, makes the odd poor decision, but good far outweighs the bad and terrifies defenders.

Idah probably the best of the subs without doing a huge amount. Again, his attributes are so obvious, if he learns to really use them he’s still potentially a massive weapon.

It certainly looked like a more organised performance than the Kenny era. I think they may have actually worked on closing down shots from 20-25 yards out!!! Hard to read too much into it though, there was quite a few good performances followed by poor ones under Kenny (including a not dissimilar strength Belgium). Hopefully it’s the start of a team building on the obvious potential and the new manager can develop it further.

Festy has been playing his football as a wingback. I think bringing him on as wide of a front 3 is u fair to him, why not just bring him on for Coleman?

[geysir]

Was the motm announced as Josh Coleman?

[texidub]

Kenny had me baffled most of the time. This performance felt more solid. It wasn't very exciting, but by the same token we didn't look as vulnerable and lost as we did at times under Kenny. Ferguson unlucky to slip on the peno. He played well though. Ogbene is one of my favourite Irish players and he caused trouble at times as he always will... but his miss was worse than Ferguson's. Brady a pleasant surprise, though he was caught for pace a couple of times. A bit of a 'meh' event overall.

A 2-2 competitive away draw against Belgium began a golden era in Irish football, so I am going to take a 0-0 home draw against Belgium as the beginning of..... an improvement.

[CraftyToePoke]

Why were there so many empty seats? I was watching on television in America with a seventy year old man who had never watched a football match in his life. He was extremely unimpressed and said he'll never watch again. Hard to blame him. Really tough to imagine someone paying money to watch it in person.

Irish TV coverage pointed to this friendly window games only being available as a double ticket, which for people travelling to Dublin, from down or up the country / out side the country, would have ruled Tuesday out, so they passed.

[Razors left peg]

I'm blown away by the fact that Robbie Brady is younger than Kyle Walker. It was great to see him back in the team and whipping in free kicks. Would have liked to have seen him take the penalty, but ah well.

Why were there so many empty seats? I was watching on television in America with a seventy year old man who had never watched a football match in his life. He was extremely unimpressed and said he'll never watch again. Hard to blame him. Really tough to imagine someone paying money to watch it in person.

If you had got to 70 years old without watching a game of football chances are you're not the target audience for that game on tv or in the stands. For those of us that have an investment in it it was as enjoyable a friendly in March as you could hope for

[elatedscum]

Was absolutely freezing though. Jesus the wind…

Brady impressed me. Really progressive passing. I said before the penalty was taken that it was mental he wasn’t taking it. Management should have had that sorted. Bit of an opportunity wasted there.

Last penalty I can remember Ferguson taking for club or country was the one he missed vs Israel.

Coleman also looked in better condition than I expected. Collins was solid. Everyone did well without anyone being excellent… and we restricted them to a small number of chances. Szmodics a real bright spot.

Overall decent game of ball. People are right about the subs. Knight out wide didn’t work. We lost momentum taking off all the front 3 at the same time.

On to Tuesday, hopefully Obafemi gets some minutes…

[Nesta99]

Ferguson needed the goal, peno was a good opportunity, it backfired. But it was a friendly, if it was a competative game it would have been pre planned and experience, form etc would have seen Brady taking it no question. If picking up weighted ranking points with a win against a top 10 side and made a differnce to potential seeding then again you'd expect Coleman to hand the ball to Brady.

[elatedscum]

Ferguson needed the goal, peno was a good opportunity, it backfired. But it was a friendly, if it was a competative game it would have been pre planned and experience, form etc would have seen Brady taking it no question. If picking up weighted ranking points with a win against a top 10 side and made a differnce to potential seeding then again you'd expect Coleman to hand the ball to Brady.

Not sure about that. He’s maybe 50/50 at best to score given his penalty history and his form. And the missing the penalty hurts his confidence more than scoring it would boosts him

[irishfan86]

Friendlies are about learning things. Brady taking a penalty wouldn’t really give us any new information. Even though the ball didn’t go in, we learned a bit about how Ferguson performs from the spot.

[Dermobohs]

Friendlies are about learning things. Brady taking a penalty wouldn’t really give us any new information. Even though the ball didn’t go in, we learned a bit about how Ferguson performs from the spot.
While Brady’s passing and general play were excellent, I thought his set pieces added little. Never bought into the “ Brady is great at set pieces” thing, he’s no better or worse than anyone else. Wasted a couple too.
Having said that he was I felt very good as lwb

[pineapple stu]

Friendlies are about learning things. Brady taking a penalty wouldn’t really give us any new information. Even though the ball didn’t go in, we learned a bit about how Ferguson performs from the spot.
I'd rather have learned how we played with a lead, and maybe after prompting a reaction from Belgium.

But it's only a friendly, so not mad fussed either way. The slip was unfortunate.

[OwlsFan]

Was absolutely freezing though. Jesus the wind…

Brady impressed me. Really progressive passing. I said before the penalty was taken that it was mental he wasn’t taking it. Management should have had that sorted. Bit of an opportunity wasted there.

Last penalty I can remember Ferguson taking for club or country was the one he missed vs Israel.

Coleman also looked in better condition than I expected. Collins was solid. Everyone did well without anyone being excellent… and we restricted them to a small number of chances. Szmodics a real bright spot.

Overall decent game of ball. People are right about the subs. Knight out wide didn’t work. We lost momentum taking off all the front 3 at the same time.

On to Tuesday, hopefully Obafemi gets some minutes…

Beginning to think I'm getting too old for this in my 69th year, soon to be 70. Had the ar@e frozen off me for the duration with very little entertainment to be honest and you don't even get a rerun of any of the controversial moments on the big screen unlike the barstoolers. It's a joke that those who pay to see a game don't get replays unlike the rugby spectators and GAA ?? It is so insulting to the football supporter. All that came out of that game really (other than frostbite) that we didn't know already is that Szmodics looks useful. Omabamidele seems to have gone backwards but he was ok.

[CraftyToePoke]

"I was ready three or four years ago for it. Things have happened. To finally make it, have a debut here against a good Belgium team with my family in the crowd, I couldn't have asked for anything more."

Ireland's best chance fell to Evan Ferguson, who missed a first-half spot-kick after Arthur Vermeeren was penalised for handball.

It was a disappointing moment for the 19-year-old, but Szmodics has no doubt he'll shrug it off.

"I've missed penalties this season, it's how you bounce back," he said.

"Ev is a confident guy, a young lad that scores goals. I thought he was brilliant. That penalty miss will be nothing for him. I'm sure if we get one Tuesday and he's playing he'll step up again and he'll slot it."


"I think we employed what we wanted to do off the ball very well," added Szmodics.

"We showed aggression, we took them the other way, and we created chances which we knew we would do if we implemented the tactics John wanted to do. I think on another day we'd have got the win.

"The triggers, when the ball goes to the full-back we have to jump with aggression. There's no point jumping if we can't make it there or impact the play. I thought we done that well.

"Everyone pushed up as a team like a domino effect, so Belgium couldn't get through us, they went around us. I thought it worked well. We worked on it through the week and we implemented it quite well."

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0323/1439639-szmodics-savours-ireland-debut-years-in-the-making/

Bit of confidence / arrogance to him which we lack these days. Also in his play yesterday, there was a guy who started in L2 and is well used to proving himself and having to against more illustrious names. Gave a Belgian a totally unnecessary kick also which was super. Full marks so far, hopefully more to come.

[Colbert Report]

Irish TV coverage pointed to this friendly window games only being available as a double ticket, which for people travelling to Dublin, from down or up the country / out side the country, would have ruled Tuesday out, so they passed.

Who came up with that business model? Madness. The stadium looked to be at around half full on tv.

[ontheotherhand]

Who came up with that business model? Madness. The stadium looked to be at around half full on tv.

Check your avatar.

[CraftyToePoke]

Who came up with that business model? Madness. The stadium looked to be at around half full on tv.

Very tone deaf to people being able to afford both even if both were doable, which if you live outside of Dublin they aren't. Stand alone tickets for Tuesday are now available it seems so if it there were rows of empty seating on Saturday, Tuesday must be shaping up horribly for these muppets, & damage limitation is the order of the day. Belatedly.

You'd wonder where fan liason groups were on this ?
If there are any open channels ? Were they asked ?
Because a first year marketing student wouldn't have ballsed it up like this.

[jbyrne]

Who came up with that business model? Madness. The stadium looked to be at around half full on tv.

yes, totally stupid.
Its a lot to ask people to travel from hours away twice in a few days for two friendlies.
Also, you would bring a young child to a 5pm ko but maybe not the 7.45 evening swiss ko. I cant think of a single good reason for selling these two games as a package.

[Olé Olé]

They're selling individual tickets now for Switzerland I think? Shows how flawed the logic was in the first place. Forcing people to pay for two friendlies if they want or can go to just one is silly. I get it if there are two games and one is a high profile or important qualifier. People will pay and they might make off the lesser of the two games if they can or are willing.

Smart thing might have been to offer the individual tickets and the package of the duo of tickets with a slight discount.

[Jd2793]

1771991453696209075

collins as the 6 should be binned off on this clip alone. if hes struggling with the game being played in front of him I dont want to see what hes like on the half turn with 3 midfielders and a forward pressing him.

[backstothewall]

Thoughts on the Belgium game.

It was freezing.

I really liked the 3-4-3 O'Shea went with. I've thought that's potentially our strongest system for a good while. Delighted someone gave it a go.

Regardless of his performance, playing Brady is a complete waste of time. He'll likely be retired by the time we have a competitive game. Manning or O'Dowda should have had the opportunity.

Delighted to see Coleman back, but something similar applies. Festy should have had much longer than he got.

Smallbone and Szmodics both did well.

[pineapple stu]

Regardless of his performance, playing Brady is a complete waste of time. He'll likely be retired by the time we have a competitive game.
He's just gone 32 and we have competitive games in September?


Festy should have had much longer than he got.
You might be in a minority on that one!

[Razors left peg]

Festy is a weird one to me. He's continuously played in a more forward role in the Ireland set up but more defensively at his clubs. He's only a kid and is a fantastic athlete, he's definitely worth more looks in the future but he was very poor when he came on against Belgium

[JR89]

Thoughts on the Belgium game.

It was freezing.

I really liked the 3-4-3 O'Shea went with. I've thought that's potentially our strongest system for a good while. Delighted someone gave it a go.

Regardless of his performance, playing Brady is a complete waste of time. He'll likely be retired by the time we have a competitive game. Manning or O'Dowda should have had the opportunity.

Delighted to see Coleman back, but something similar applies. Festy should have had much longer than he got.

Smallbone and Szmodics both did well.

Kenny used that system quite a few times.

[irishfan86]

Festy is a weird one to me. He's continuously played in a more forward role in the Ireland set up but more defensively at his clubs. He's only a kid and is a fantastic athlete, he's definitely worth more looks in the future but he was very poor when he came on against Belgium

Some players struggle with spatial awareness. When the game is in front of them while playing as a defender, they can do well by advancing play by dribbling or passing, as we’ve seen Ebosele do at Udinese.

But when the ball is behind these types of players, they don’t really know where to go, what kinds of runs to make, etc.

Sometimes coaching can sort that out. Other times, they’ll just be limited and maybe play at a lower level. I think if we are going to use Ebosele it should be exclusively as a wingback/fullback and not further up the pitch.

[Razors left peg]

Some players struggle with spatial awareness. When the game is in front of them while playing as a defender, they can do well by advancing play by dribbling or passing, as we’ve seen Ebosele do at Udinese.

But when the ball is behind these types of players, they don’t really know where to go, what kinds of runs to make, etc.

Sometimes coaching can sort that out. Other times, they’ll just be limited and maybe play at a lower level. I think if we are going to use Ebosele it should be exclusively as a wingback/fullback and not further up the pitch.

I'd agree, I'd like to see him as a full back for us. That being said Seamie was very good defensively the other day and I'm not sure I'd be writing him off yet. Pepe still playing for Portugal at 41. Full back is a bit different but there looks to be a bit of life in Seamie yet

[irishfan86]

Yes, certainly not suggesting Ebosele should be picked ahead of Coleman — just that if we are going to use him, let’s put him in his actual position. It’s not a crisis putting him on late out of position just to get a run out/feel part of the group, just not ideal way to properly integrate him IMO.

[backstothewall]

You know what. I'm wrong about Brady.

He's still only 32. Miraculously he's played a decent amount of games this last few seasons. In my mind I'd written him off as being permanently injured but when I look at the numbers I can't argue with them. 24 games this season, and 36 last season. And he has 61 caps and one of the great Irish goals in his locker.

Whatever was going on in his late 20s he's clearly either got over it or he's found a way to manage it. Either way I'll have to update my thinking.

On Festy, I didn't see a second of his very brief cameo. My dad has mobility issues so we had left the ground to avoid the crowds by the time he got on. But those few minutes hardly feel like a fair amount of time to make an assessment on him.

[Razors left peg]

You know what. I'm wrong about Brady.

He's still only 32. Miraculously he's played a decent amount of games this last few seasons. In my mind I'd written him off as being permanently injured but when I look at the numbers I can't argue with them. 24 games this season, and 36 last season. And he has 61 caps and one of the great Irish goals in his locker.

Whatever was going on in his late 20s he's clearly either got over it or he's found a way to manage it. Either way I'll have to update my thinking.

On Festy, I didn't see a second of his very brief cameo. My dad has mobility issues so we had left the ground to avoid the crowds by the time he got on. But those few minutes hardly feel like a fair amount of time to make an assessment on him.

If Brady could have an Indian summer to his career and give us a legitimate option at left back for a couple of years that would allow time for us to see if the likes of Adaramola can be a footballer

[backstothewall]

If Brady could have an Indian summer to his career and give us a legitimate option at left back for a couple of years that would allow time for us to see if the likes of Adaramola can be a footballer

I'd still be worried that now that I've got my hopes he'll pick up another injury next week, but the numbers are the numbers. He's playing regular at a higher level than any left back we have (excluding Manning).

[Razors left peg]

I'd still be worried that now that I've got my hopes he'll pick up another injury next week, but the numbers are the numbers. He's playing regular at a higher level than any left back we have (excluding Manning).

Yeah I thought it was just silly he was even in the squad to be honest, but he was good the other day and if he can stay fit, which is always key with him, hes a good footballer

[JR89]

He's playing regular at a higher level than any left back we have (excluding Manning).

Garcia MacNulty says hello.

[liamoo11]

Kenny used that system quite a few times.

I'd struggle to call what we saw a 343. Oit was a 523 all day. Our wing backs never joined in in midfield to make a narrow 4 in midfield . Very occasionally Brady got forward as an orthodox wingback out wide to put in a few crosses and Coleman never did anything close to that. To genuinely call it a 343 Brady and Coleman would need to be coming into midfield to overload centrally and that just never happened

[backstothewall]

Garcia MacNulty says hello.

I'd have called up at least one of him or Adaramola, and put one of them on for 10 minutes. Probably Garcia MacNulty. It's hard to see either of them play but from what i read he seems to be doing the better of the 2 of them.


I'd struggle to call what we saw a 343. Oit was a 523 all day. Our wing backs never joined in in midfield to make a narrow 4 in midfield . Very occasionally Brady got forward as an orthodox wingback out wide to put in a few crosses and Coleman never did anything close to that. To genuinely call it a 343 Brady and Coleman would need to be coming into midfield to overload centrally and that just never happened

You would assume that the wing backs would get further forward against inferior sides if we adopted that system. It wasn't Belgium's strongest side, but man for man it was superior to ours. We'd give our eye teeth for a player like Trossard

[JR89]

I'd have called up at least one of him or Adaramola, and put one of them on for 10 minutes. Probably Garcia MacNulty. It's hard to see either of them play but from what i read he seems to be doing the better of the 2 of them.



You would assume that the wing backs would get further forward against inferior sides if we adopted that system. It wasn't Belgium's strongest side, but man for man it was superior to ours. We'd give our eye teeth for a player like Trossard

Hopefully both develop into senior internationals because each player brings something different. With MacNulty you've got a fullback that's defensively strong. With Adaramola you've got someone that's more suitable for the WB role.

[elatedscum]

i actually think in the long run, Festy will be a good winger (as well as a wing back). I've seen enough at 17s, 19s, 21s and at Derby to think it'll come good. I just think he's not comfortable yet at international level. It's not like we were playing minnows. Whoever he ran at pace against (Deman maybe?), he did poorly, but they're a good defender. Long run, he's got pace, quick feet, the ability to go both ways and he can score goals. He'll get better in time in those key moments when it matters. he is only 21...

[Razors left peg]

i actually think in the long run, Festy will be a good winger (as well as a wing back). I've seen enough at 17s, 19s, 21s and at Derby to think it'll come good. I just think he's not comfortable yet at international level. It's not like we were playing minnows. Whoever he ran at pace against (Deman maybe?), he did poorly, but they're a good defender. Long run, he's got pace, quick feet, the ability to go both ways and he can score goals. He'll get better in time in those key moments when it matters. he is only 21...

I agree he'll be a very good player in the long run, but do you not think he's a better defender than attacker?

[Stuttgart88]

i actually think in the long run, Festy will be a good winger (as well as a wing back). I've seen enough at 17s, 19s, 21s and at Derby to think it'll come good. I just think he's not comfortable yet at international level. It's not like we were playing minnows. Whoever he ran at pace against (Deman maybe?), he did poorly, but they're a good defender. Long run, he's got pace, quick feet, the ability to go both ways and he can score goals. He'll get better in time in those key moments when it matters. he is only 21...

I hope you're right because his late cameo didn't show much in the way of finesse! The ViaPlay commentator bemoaned that "he didn't see a picture". I once wrote Petr Cech off after a ropey 45 minutes at Lansdowne before he played for Chelsea mind you. Ebosele did look really dynamic at Derby though, no doubt.

[tetsujin1979]

Thread locked and archived
DIb7tqpgJV0