Slovakia 2-2 Ireland Post Game Discussion Thread

[Naitch]

Im absolutely gutted, its the same old story. I really dont understand the inept tactics of Stan. Bringing on Gibson is an absolute joke, the guy plays reserve football. John O'Shea should be brought out and shot.

[cheifo]

Kelly at lb =mistake
Ireland at cm=mistake
No Hunt=mistake
No Reid=mistake
Douglas at rm=big mistake

We need a manager who knows to pick players in their right positions.Slovakia were awful and were disinterested and we still couldnt beat them.:mad:

[biscuit]

I feel like my girlfriend has just left me for a blind, dwarf, one-legged, hump-backed Unionist. And told me she still wants to be friends.

POTM:D:ball:

[dynamo kerry]

Kelly at lb =mistake
Ireland at cm=mistake
No Hunt=mistake
No Reid=mistake
Douglas at rm=big mistake

We need a manager who knows to pick players in their right positions.Slovakia were awful and were disinterested and we still couldnt beat them.:mad:

slovakia disinterested? were you wathing the same game as the me? I doubt it. I thought they were well up for it, pumped and had a hard-on to win to be honest...

[Rovers fan]

does anybody else feel that they would actually be a better manager than staunton. i honestly think a lot of people on here would probably manage the team better, well at least pick a better team. is stunton thick or someting? jonathan fcuking douglas. why wasnt hunt brought on? its a farce

[carloz]

Why does Stan bring so much **** on himself. I dont think O'Shea should be seen in an Ireland shirt again, he was awful and everything, and i mean every damn thing he did was awful. Stan's selection was beyond stupid. Stephen Ireland should never be seen again in central midfield, the lesson from Cyprus should have been learned. In my view Andy Reid should have been the first name on the sheet. One thing we learned from the 2 games in Croker last year was that Long and in particular Hunt were excellent impact subs. Instead he brings on Gibson,a kid who whould not be near getting an international cap yet, and Douglas...which i really dont understand for the life of me. I hate attacking everything than Stan does but he brings so much onto himself, his selections are shocking, absolutly shocking. His tactical knowledge was shown up completly tonight...and yes i would have said the same had we hung onto the 2-1 win. Even his interview before the match was cringe worthy. Asked a simple question of 'Are we playing 4-4-2' and he did his usual *****ish answer. Staunton brings it all on himself. We finished the game we three defensive central midfielders......where in gods name is the logic behind that. All the talk during the week about no longer accepting draws away from home was so obviously bull**** if he has to go down the old McCarthy route of packing the midfield whenever we are leading with 15 mins to go

[cheifo]

With ten minutes to go they had more or less given up.Their right backs tackle on KK summed it up.They were there for the taking.We rolled out the red carpet and invited them into it.Any half decent team would have whacked them.

[The Optimist]

8,500 clowns in selthick jerseys with bodhráns and rubber hammers singing Olé olé olé, i'm f*cking delighted for every single f*cking one of you.

Have you not got something more costructive to say!.Its not the fault of 8,500 (clowns as you put it) that we threw away 3 points tonight.
If thats what you think of irish fans why do you bother posting here?

[DmanDmythDledge]

Overall it was a poor performance- good in patches but not enough to win these sort of games. Slovakia were poor but looked more dangerous than us going forward. I didn't agree with the team selection but it still should have been good enough to win the game.

The defence was solid for the most part- O'Shea lost concentration at the end and drifted too far inside. Douglas should have been tracking his man also. Dunne was superb and Kelly looked a bit dodgy. Poor defending for the first goal also.

McGeady was useless- should have been taken off at half time. Ireland was very quiet- took his goal well but didn't contribute anything else. Carsley and Kilbane were ok. Gibson looked decent when he came. Keane and Doyle were pretty quiet but didn't get much service. Brilliant goal by Doyle.

Stan's substitutions were bizzare. Bringing off McGeady and Ireland were the right decisions but Douglas and Gibson?:confused: Can't see why he brought off Doyle either- seemed to just to do it for the sake of it.

[waide]

I think a lot of the comments about the republics performance tonight are very unpatriotic.

[Adrianovic]

Well, after a late heartbreaker, which brought back terrible memories of the 94th minute in Zagred, Skopje or similar bottlings in Tel Aviv - I am as gutted as a man can be about a game of football.

We are now left with the footballing equivalent of praying for rain (a win) in the worst drought a country has ever known (not getting a decent away win in .... decades?).

It hurts so bad because at times we really looked the real deal. There was naievity at times, which cost us at the end, but we can come back to that, the positives were carried on from the away friendly against Denmark. Getting a first touch on the ball and then playing it became our trademark for the first 20 minutes, and the Slovaks didn't get near it.

The Dunne-McShane-Carsley triangle at the back often set up good attacking moves. We had composure not seen away from home since I was tall enough to see over advertising hoarding (I'm 20 and and a shade below the six foot mark, now). Kilbane was industrious and McGeady had an occasional decent touch. On such a poor pitch, the passing was worthy of much praise.

Our first came from excellent play, first from Kilbane, then Keane unsighted their defence, before Stephen did what a goalscoring midfielder must.

Long before the end of the first half we lost our way. Slovakia deserved to be level, but it is like this: either Stan is a defender and should be able to coach it accordingly, or O'Shea et al need a serious wake up call. The ball should not flash across your goal without someone heading it, even if it kills them.

Ireland again started well in the second half, and Stan showed a bit of nous in taking off McGeady and putting on someone else. I can accept Gibson coming on ahead of Hunt this time, as he proved himself against the Danes, he's a talented lad and naturally central, and it really ****ed off Nigel Worthington. Gibson was good, I thought, and sured us up in the middle, whilst Ireland gave O'Shea much needed help.

Doyle scored a great goal and got a lot better after he had scored it. All at once he came into form. He was at his best when he was coming short, and then dropping off, and generally surprising the defenders who took too long on the ball. A real pain in the arse, you might say. All round, what you want your bigger centre forward to do when your away from home (without being regularly offside in the first half).

Now, I'm a Forest fan and our gaffer does it all the time, if we're winning with 20 minutes to go we cease to exist as an attacking force, defenders camp in the box and the midfielders make sure they are within whispering distance. We get burnt last minute a lot. Surprise, surprise.

Cobra is exactly spot on in saying Hunt should have come on. As he says, he covers every blade of grass and puts himself about. If he has any flaws as a footballer it is not for the want of trying - and he tracks back with a purpose. You have to in the Premiership. Douglas, who I'm not sure is even a Leeds regular, doesn't appreciate this and **** me, it cost us.

I'm really struggling writing this. This shouldn't be so disappointed because frankly, out of our last 5 or 6 qualifying campaigns, this is probably the one we least deserve to be successful.

It will now take an act of god to beat the Czechs in Prague. Let's all pray for rain.

Other than the substitute incident and not playing Hunt or Reid at any point during this fixture, I do not blame Stan. I'm sure he fully expects a midfielder to know the value of tracking back, or for John O'Shea to not be as nervous as **** whenever he pulls on a green shirt. The side is young, and if you think I'm talking like this campaign is over - wake up, and will improve. But experienced pros like O'Shea are the ones that need to lead by example. Take Dunne's last ditch block seconds before.

I'm going to watch a film and take my mind off the football.

Last word goes to the travelling fans though, looked impressive.

[Sonic]

Im not entirely convinced about andy reid but surely hunt should have started. I could see myself that McGeady was poor after 20 mins and should have been taken off at half time. Douglas my lord god is playing league one football for leeds and if thats changed it shouldnt have because he is shocking bad and the young lad gibson- its a horrid pity he didnt play with northern ireland he is so bad. O shea is a disgrace the man is dire. Stephen Kelly should have cleared their first goal off the line but showed a complete lack of agression or spunk to stick his head in there and get rid of it. The attacker you will notice didnt shirk his responsibility. Apart from Stan completely out of his depth which is obvious to the extreme the players themselves know how to flippin hold out or kill off a game with a minute to go. There was so much wrong with the performance you could be here all night analyzing it. We will be beaten wednesday playing with that team and with that set up. I could see after 10 mins even after our goal we wouldnt win. McGeady and Kilbanes crossing was Eircom League standard in fact its doing a disservice to the Eircom League John Reilly and Jamie Duffy from my team could deliver better balls into the box then they did. Kilbane is such a trier and a work horse with guts and determination but he simply isnt good enough. Hunt should have played and of all stans errors tonight that remains the most galling. That and the fact he persisted with McGeady so long and his subs. It was ridiculous. Stan is not an imbarrasment to Ireland he is an imbarrasment to himself!!
__________________

[as_i_say]

The only morsel of comfort Im taking out of this is the fact that even had we won tonight we still needed to beat czechs away to avoid relying on them to mess up later on.

But Staunton just didnt learn a single thing from Denmark. Johnathan Douglas??? Why on earth would he be brought on (apart from the fact that he looks in atrocious condition and wouldnt even run for the time he was on the pitch).

Same old rubbish away from home. When are we going to learn that the only way to win away from home is to continue to attack even when we go ahead. Why notmake a positive sub and bring on reid or hunt???

I cant believe I actually changed my mind about Staunton. Wednesday will be the same-we will probably take the lead and draw or lose.

[Torn-Ado]

Its over.

Plain and simple. We f*cked up against a poor Slovakia side and the Czechs will hump us now that our confidence is finally in the tiniest possible pieces.

Get a win in Prague and I will dance around Croke park naked against Germany.

[liaml]

Currently the standings are as follows

Czech R 8 17
Ireland 8 14

Assuming (it's a big if) the remaining games for both teams result in

Germany v Czech - 0pts
Czech v Slovakia - 3pts
Cyprus v Czech - 3pts

Ireland v Germany - 0pts
Ireland v Cyprus - 3pts
Wales v Ireland - 3pts

That leaves us with

Czech R 8 23
Ireland 8 20

So basically we have to win the game in Prague. A draw means we're out. Also - I'm not too sure but I was under the impression that if a group finishes with two teams tied on points the results between those two teams are taken into consideration. There is still hope - we need a win.

[Sonic]

I'm not too sure but I was under the impression that if a group finishes with two teams tied on points the results between those two teams are taken into consideration. There is still hope - we need a win.


That is true but can you honestly really see us beating them in Prague. I think not!

[Stuttgart88]

how much more of this do we have to take? So what if manager didn't play his cards right and so on, but a goal up and 92 mins on the clock and the real stan laurel could be in charge an 99 times out of a hundred you'd win.

O'Shea could have stopped the goal if he'd thrown his arse in the way, but at this stage I've got to question untouchable Shay. He was 8 yards off his line and hernce had no time to react. If he'd been inside his 6 yard box he'd have saved it.

Livid but used to it. Regardless of losing the moment, Wednrsday is the key game and always was anyway.

Did nayone else piuck up on the hypocrisy of RTE? Panel says team lacks a leader in the middle. Dummmy says this pack of players deserves better than Stan. But, if they had a leader in the middle then problem solved in my opinion.

Just like Israel a golden opportunity to grow up has been spurned due to an opportunistic long range snap shot. fair enough, you can say we deserved it, but I see world class teams ride their luck in same circumstances and they get awy with it. Makes me mad. Why not just once? If they'd scored after 85 mins fair enough but I'm sick and want to hibernate until Wednesday evening because I feel beyond consolation.

[sligoman]

Vent your anger here (http://www.mostfungames.com/beat-up-your-pc.htm).

[Stuttgart88]

So basically we have to win the game in Prague. A draw means we're out. Even if we'd won 10 nil tontight that was realistically the case anyway.

But as fans we live for each game and what a pain in the arse we didn't win.

[Torn-Ado]

how much more of this do we have to take? So what if manager didn't play his cards right and so on, but a goal up and 92 mins on the clock and the real stan laurel could be in charge an 99 times out of a hundred you'd win.

O'Shea could have stopped the goal if he'd thrown his arse in the way, but at this stage I've got to question untouchable Shay. He was 8 yards off his line and hernce had no time to react. If he'd been inside his 6 yard box he'd have saved it.

Livid but used to it. Regardless of losing the moment, Wednrsday is the key game and always was anyway.

Did nayone else piuck up on the hypocrisy of RTE? Panel says team lacks a leader in the middle. Dummmy says this pack of players deserves better than Stan. But, if they had a leader in the middle then problem solved in my opinion.

Just like Israel a golden opportunity to grow up has been spurned due to an opportunistic long range snap shot. fair enough, you can say we deserved it, but I see world class teams ride their luck in same circumstances and they get awy with it. Makes me mad. Why not just once? If they'd scored after 85 mins fair enough but I'm sick and want to hibernate until Wednesday evening because I feel beyond consolation.

You've summed up my feelings. Im asking myself, God, my missus, the ould Swedish neighbour next door, any F**ker that will listen basically the same question: Why does this happen to us?

:(

[liaml]

That is true but can you honestly really see us beating them in Prague. I think not!

The Czech Republic are an aging squad, however they're big, powerful and playing at home. One thing in our favour is that we know going into the game that we _have_ to win it, and hopefully that will spur the lads on.

[theworm2345]

best ireland goal since houghton v italy in '94?
It reminded me of it quite a bit, I doubt he would've saved it regardless but he was way off his line (much like the Italian keeper against Houghton), again, I doubt he could've gotten to it anyway.
http://www.attachmax.com/Doyle_vs_Slovakia.html

and
http://www.attachmax.com/Ireland_vs_Slovakia.html

[DannyInvincible]

Bitterly disappointed. I'm not sure how John "Pansy" O'Shea has managed to rack up 40-odd caps for Ireland and still remains a frequent participant in Manchester United's first-team, let alone the Manchester United set-up. He is the absolute dogs b*llocks. There's so much wrong with him: he just doesn't take the time to get the ball under control, ever; he always passes it off in a rush and 9 times out of 10 to the opposition; and his shot tonight that was so far off that it looked like he was crossing back to the edge of the box. Crap, crap, crap.

Doyle's goal was fantastic and while he didn't leave the keeper standing still as Houghton excitedly exclaimed he certainly gave him no chance. Would have been a worthy winning goal had it not been for Stan Laurel and his inept strategy to see the game out.

George Hamilton once again called the Slovaks "the Czechs". He did the same during the game in Croke Park.

By the way, did anyone spot the UVF flag behind Given's goal in the second half?

[Paddy Garcia]

You've summed up my feelings. Im asking myself, God, my missus, the ould Swedish neighbour next door, any F**ker that will listen basically the same question: Why does this happen to us?

:(

To be fair they could easily have had 5.

[brine3]

So basically we have to win the game in Prague. A draw means we're out. Also - I'm not too sure but I was under the impression that if a group finishes with two teams tied on points the results between those two teams are taken into consideration. There is still hope - we need a win.

That's true, it's mutual games, I had forgotten that.

Czechs had trouble in San Marino, were leading 1-0 and only late into the second half when San Marino had a man sent off did they increase to 3-0.

We may yet well become the worst ever team to qualify for a European Championship! :D

[billybunter]

please, please - just give one win to celebrate!! - there are so many irish supporters in far off lands that crave such a result!!

[carloz]

We bring it on ourselves every time

[as_i_say]

The Czech Republic are an aging squad, however they're big, powerful and playing at home. One thing in our favour is that we know going into the game that we _have_ to win it, and hopefully that will spur the lads on.


Wont make an arse of a difference. Last time that happened it was away to the swiss in 2003 and we were shocking-not a single shot on goal in entire game.

[DannyInvincible]

I'm nearly certain I saw a thread already on the match in here somewhere.

Edit: Not sure how this got here as I posted it in another thread.

[as_i_say]

That's true, it's mutual games, I had forgotten that.

Czechs had trouble in San Marino, were leading 1-0 and only late into the second half when San Marino had a man sent off did they increase to 3-0.

We may yet well become the worst ever team to qualify for a European Championship! :D

Hah that'd be funny! though the latvian team of 2004 probably takes that prize.

[Stuttgart88]

Was I imagining or was George saying 3 points in the bag seconds before they scored? If he actually cared he'd have been biting his nails like anyone else who gave a sh1t. Useless cnut. We'd have won Euro 88 but for that short arsed norn irin *****.

[as_i_say]

Bitterly disappointed. I'm not sure how John "Pansy" O'Shea has managed to rack up 40-odd caps for Ireland and still remains a frequent participant in Manchester United's first-team, let alone the Manchester United set-up. He is the absolute dogs b*llocks. There's so much wrong with him: he just doesn't take the time to get the ball under control, ever; he always passes it off in a rush and 9 times out of 10 to the opposition; and his shot tonight that was so far off that it looked like he was crossing back to the edge of the box. Crap, crap, crap.

Doyle's goal was fantastic and while he didn't leave the keeper standing still as Houghton excitedly exclaimed he certainly gave him no chance. Would have been a worthy winning goal had it not been for Stan Laurel and his inept strategy to see the game out.

George Hamilton once again called the Slovaks "the Czechs". He did the same during the game in Croke Park.

By the way, did anyone spot the UVF flag behind Given's goal in the second half?

Probably some dumb northern ireland sh it who got confused between riga and bratislava.

[Sonic]

I'm nearly certain I saw a thread already on the match in here somewhere.

Exactly we dont need ten threads on the one topic. Mod might wanna delete this!

[DmanDmythDledge]

Was I imagining or was George saying 3 points in the bag seconds before they scored? If he actually cared he'd have been biting his nails like anyone else who gave a sh1t. Useless cnut. We'd have won Euro 88 but for that short arsed norn irin *****.
No, complete gob****e. Also Ray Houghton saying the keeper never moved for Doyle's goal after he flung himself across the goal.

[Colbert Report]

I can't say anything that hasn't been said in this thread already. Doyle's goal was well worth the price of admission. Absolutely unreal goal.

In our heart of hearts, we all know we didn't deserve three points from that. For about ten minutes before the first half ended we were under the kosh and could have given up two or even three. Substitutions were indeed ridiculous - the only thing I can say is perhaps Reid and Hunt were injured in training and couldn't play? Murphy for Doyle made no sense whatsoever, Hunt should have come on instead of Gibson, Douglas was terrible....I'm terribly disappointed.

We have to win on Wednesday and then get a point off Germany and then beat the Welsh away.......lots of "ifs".

We're f----cked

[DmanDmythDledge]

Substitutions were indeed ridiculous - the only thing I can say is perhaps Reid and Hunt were injured in training and couldn't play?
When Stan was asked why Reid didn't come on he couldn't and didn't try to answer the question. Just some drivel about Ireland doing well when moved out wide, got injured etc.

[sligoman]

Another thing annoyed me was the pundits, particularly Giles, and Houghton saying young before almost everyone in the squad. "Young Kelly, young Gibson" etc.

I know they're young but stop ****ing saying it.

[DannyInvincible]

Probably some dumb northern ireland sh it who got confused between riga and bratislava.

I thought I spotted a banner beside it with that not-for-women sign that Yorkie put on their wrappers.

Some Slovakian neo-Nazi group, maybe?

[Paddy Garcia]

When Stan was asked why Reid didn't come on he couldn't and didn't try to answer the question.

No-one could reasonably answer that question !

[Torn-Ado]

Was there boos at the final whistle?

Just curious because I kept with tradition and grabbed my jacket and stormed out in a huff.

[tricky_colour]

I can't understand why Hunt and Reid did not play/start, expecially when
you consider Douglas and Gibson (whoever they are) did.

[kingdomkerry]

Why take off doyle, hes better than keane at holding up the ball. Its all been said though.

[cobra]

Why take off doyle, hes better than keane at holding up the ball. Its all been said though.

When stan took Doyle off that time, I could not believe the grin on his face(stan). I was on my 5th jameson in 5mins with tension, yet he is smiling thinking game won..that smile had there going to level written all over it when i seen it

[brine3]

exactly what i thought. doyle was trying to stay composed and stan was all delighted like the points were in the bag.

[theworm2345]

exactly what i thought. doyle was trying to stay composed and stan was all delighted like the points were in the bag.
This is the best I could come up with my lowsy stream cap
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/6573/asdbt5.gif

[Maroon 7]

At the end of the day I have very little faith in Staunton but the players keep ****ing up away from home. Under successive managers. It can't be the managers fault every time.

There is a chronic lack of leadership on the park.

[Sonic]

The Czech Republic are an aging squad, however they're big, powerful and playing at home. One thing in our favour is that we know going into the game that we _have_ to win it, and hopefully that will spur the lads on.

Same could be said for tonight. Realistically we had to win tonight but didnt!

[ken foree]

whatever about the substitutions and starting players, i think lee carsely has to shoulder a largish portion of blame tonight. i didn't see from him the kind of composed leadership that ireland desperately needed in midfield. towards the end of the first half he p!ssed it away a couple of times in our third and they built up wave after wave of pressure. and he was primarily at fault for their first goal, allowing his man a free flick-on at the near post. criminal defending. at one point he tried to do a turkey redux and rolled around on the ground with the ball on the edge of our box before presenting it on a plate to one of their midfielders for a shot. he made some tackles but even a stopped clock tells the right time etc. very disappointed in the performance and the game as a whole but you can't say the slovaks didn't deserve a point.

[SkStu]

disappointing result after taking the lead twice but in reality the damage was done with the soft defeat to Germany and the horror show that was Cyprus. One thing is the team (and Stan) seem to be slowly improving. Id be happy with 3rd in the group this time round and would see that as a sign of progress with a squad of promising young players. I would expect us to challenge strongly for WC2010 if Stan keeps learning and brings the future stars through from the underage teams (Garvan please) and blends them well with the talented "old heads" like Keane, Dunne and Duff. One thing he must do short term is figure out what his best squad (2 goalies is enough Stan) is and his best team. The lack of continuity in this team is shocking and doesnt do anything to imcrease our chances of winning games.

We wont qualify this time so lets look instead for positive displays, good results (as many wins as possible) and continuous improvement. Calling for his head wont achieve anything - if he was going to be sacked he wouldve been sacked after Cyprus/San Marino.

[onceahoop]

Why take off doyle, hes better than keane at holding up the ball. Its all been said though.

Actually I'd have taken Doyle off earlier. Apart from his goal he looked lethargic at times, showed a serious lack of pace and more importantly was making half hearted atempts to close down defenders when they had the ball, with the result that the Slovaks were able to build out of defence too easily.

Does anyone know how much fotball Douglas has played this season. Thought he'd fallen out with Denis the menace at Leeds. Should be banished to the wilderness for that second goal.

Most teams, even beer belly elevens, know who takes throw ins. At one point in the second half Ireland (central midfielder) took a throw in with O'Shea and McGeady standing beside him. Too many times, especially in the last 15 minutes of the first half, Ireland was missing in action.

When watching the replay of their second goal I couldn't help thinking that if Given had been palying regularly he might have got it.

We had so much possession for long periods of the game yet we looked awful.

We're going nowhere with that team.:(