Ireland "Football" team vs. Cyprus - Post Match Discussion

[backstothewall]

Jewell is 11/10 favorite for the Bolton job. Delaney could surprise us, act decisively and quickly, and announce him as the new manager next early week.

So Jewell to Bolton by friday, and John Aldridge in a few months then...

[CollegeTillIDie]

Here was me thinking there was football left to play...

Do you know their fixtures btw (genuine question)?

Away to Germany and Home to Czech Republic.... dead handy :D

[paul_oshea]

They've gotten to Bill.


That is hilarious. MAROON THAT IS CLASS!!! :D:D

[keenanboy]

Felt a bit sorry for him, he struggles at interviews and looked absolutely gutted. He looks like he realises the game is up. I don't, and never have blamed Stan for the mess, the fault lies entirely with the powers that put him in such a position.

[Billy Lord]

yeah fair play to dunphy...the fai are operating in a disgraceful way

And yet Dunphy didn't finger his mate Delaney, the FAI top man and the guy who gave Staunton the job even though he was clearly unsuitable.
If Staunton goes, Delaney must go too. All Dunphy did was play to the gallery without getting to the kernel of the problem.
Mind you, that's something Irish people love: meaningless, patronising rhetoric.
As I said, if Staunton must go, Delaney must go too. Otherwise it's a waste of time.

[bitored]

Any redeeming features from tonight?

Any at all?

Please do tell...

1. We restricted them to only one goal:rolleyes:
2. McGeady's chip into the box for our goal was class
3. Great finish from Finnan:rolleyes:
4. The pitch seemed to be in good condition:rolleyes:
5. It didn't rain

[Kivlehan]

Delaney obviously needs to be fired. Stan must go too.

Many will hate this idea but the FAI should hire Niall Quinn and Roy Keane to consult on how things should be done moving forward. They are two Irishmen who know how to turn around a football operation headed in the wrong direction. I realize they are busy with Sunderland but perhaps they could help others find a better direction in a consulting role.

[backstothewall]

The next cheif exec and/or managers first 2 phone calls should be to Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane. I think it is quite clear they are the 2 people who know where the problems lie, and the people and problems that caused Saipan, are the people and problms that have caused this.

[Jerry The Saint]

Anyone see fear in the Cypriots eyes before the game? No:confused: Do you think John Delaney did? :rolleyes:



I think John Delaney has done a magnificent job as FAI Chief Exec

Not as good as it sounds, the word "MAGNIFICENT" has been rendered meaningless through Staunton's constant use of it in interviews.

In the spirit of the FAI, I'm imposing a hefty fine on the foppish **** - €5,000 please Mr. Delaney, in cash.

[geysir]

Synopsis of RTE panel discussion would be welcome. I watched it on SKY.
Dunphy more measured this time.
just typing as I hear it

the gist Part One

ED. bad mistakes with team sel. Keogh and O'Brien, Cypriots were the better side. Everybody can see it. right thing is to hire the best available.
The players have worked their socks off to keep him in the job

LB: predicted it. it was bound to happen, embarrassing struggle,
expect trouble all the time with this sat up.

JG: inconsistancies with sel mean that you will get terrible perf more often than not.
We don't know what the team is.

LB: Position was lets see over the campaign can he learn? evidence is, even only on team selection he is not learning, wrong players, players in wrong positions.

ED: Staunton is a fine man, an outstanding pro with Ireland Liverpool and Villa, the responsibility lies with the FAI, viciously spinning lies, threatening intimidating journos, uncomfortable intimidating athmosphere.
After 2 years the organization was wrong everything was wrong about the team tonight. You cant charge E70 for a ticket to watch a man learn a job

JG: the 4 year plan is not on, pick the best available for the next match and the team evolves
too many players being brought in, thought that Stan good ex pro had a chance, give him a chance, but the first thing is team sel. and then learn tthe rest, but we see no evidence of any learning.

LB: its been a spin all along, the seeding, the finish 3rd, Fai, were saying .... thats a reason

ED Ordinary teams out there, czechs germans not great.
Doyle and Keane partnership not working , they have 10 days in Malahide to make it work, thats what coaching is about.

JG: Stan has been an outstanding pro for Ireland but I´m extremly sorry to say the evidence is not there to support him any more.

[Ned Kelly]

He should be sent to that island where lost is filmed..nobody would miss the clown

[onenilgameover]

oh dear god I'm so angry..The lads beside us had this banner... it was up for about 3 mins before taken down. I sent it to all the newspapers photo desks....I ask the guy who took it...why ....he said he got a call from the fai and the head of security to take it straight away. He was told that no banners of that kind were allowed. The lads who had it were from Limerick...A guy called Ian...said he was on foot.ie...fair play to him...so so angry...

[SuperDave]

with a draw in wales, chances are we'll finish third. in fact, even with a defeat, we might nick it. not that it matters one tiny single little bit.

[don ramo]

free speech, should sue the FAI and when you win, theyll be broke and we can take it over,
Foot.ieAI:D

[geysir]

Rte Panel part 2


ED: Its an ordeal for Stan, he should never have been put in there, the conseq are fierce for everybody . I dont like to have a good football man in this position
Stan Interview: silence, no sound, his lips are moving but I cant hear what he is saying, (we are all comfortably numb)
Back to studio
BH: Delaney, a wonderfull man doing wonderfull job, why cant he admit mistake?

JG: it will come to that.

Stan interview back on: In despair, poor job tonight from all, players and manager.
Joey did well on sat, did well in training, was poor tonight, we changed but it was still nil nil when he came off.
we are all dissap and very lucky to get out of jail. no excuses a little bit better in 2nd half but still way off the required standard..
I will get on with my job and see it through

LB: Liam knows his contracts he had to deal with Italians (espec the Ascoli mafia) Liam explains the intricicies to JG that there is a difference between resigning and getting sacked. "There is a difference to Stan, John" he signed for 4 years he wont be resigning after 2.

JG: Toshack was dreadful the other night at least Stan had dignity. John thinks that Stan should resign contract or no contract.

ED: we deserve better fans players, Finnan Dunne.
delaneys credibility is shot to bits in terms of dissapointment which is at the core, the core everything, responsibiliy has to be accepted not just in terms of tonite. Playing for your country is the highest desire, all kids want to play for their country.
Lacking in Staunton is the experience neccessary to coach at this level, there is nothing wrong with Steve Staunton the man the footballer.

Bill: Isnt is possible that England Scotland Wales Irel and NI all will not qualify

[SuperDave]

Rte Panel part 2


ED: Its an ordeal for Stan, he should never have been put in there, the conseq are fierce for everybody . I dont like to have a good football man in this position
Stan Interview: silence, no sound, his lips are moving but I cant hear what he is saying, (we are all comfortably numb)
Back to studio
BH: Delaney wonderfull man wonderfull job why cant he admit mistake

JG: it will come to that

Stan interview back on: In despair, poor job from all, players and manager.
Joey did well on sat did well in training, was poor tonight, we changed but it was still nil nil.
we are all dissap and very lucky to get out of jail. no excuses a little bit better in 2nd half.
I will get on with my job and see it through

LB: explains to JG that there is a difference between resigning and getting sacked. There is a difference to Stan John he signed for 4 years.

JG: Toshack was dreadful the other night at least Stan had dignity.

ED: we deserve better fans players, Finnan Dunne.
delaneys credibility is shot to bits in terms of dissapointment which is at the core the core everything, responsibiliy has to be accepted not just in terms of tonite. Playing for your country is the highest desire all kids want to play for their country.
Lacking in Staunton is the experience neccessary to coach at this level, there is nothing wrong with Steve Staunton.

Bill: Isnt is possible that England Scotland Wales Irel and NI all will not qualify

two definitely won't, one almost certainly won't, and the other two quite possibly won't. the worst now would be if england qualified and scotland didn't.

anyway, scotlands result changes little... it now means they need to beat italy rather than draw, although even if they draw, france will need a point in the ukraine to pip them

[Maroon 7]

Stan on TV3 sports. No intention of resigning. Looking forward to World Cup campaign. Confident of the backing of the FAI, etc, etc.

[backstothewall]

What went wrong....

To big a gap between defence and midfield in the second half as Dunphy mentioned. What he failed to mention was that the gap was caused by O'Brien coming off, and no one in midfield holding or tackling. He was awful going forward in the first half, but that’s not what he was there to do. He should have been told to win it and play the simple ball. He has also played in the middle of the park quite often for his club. This left acres for the Cypriots to play in, which allowed them to create several good chances.

Andy Reid was given no time on the ball by the Cypriots, and was unable to dictate the game as he did in Saturday. It was disappointing he was this easy to upset, but we need to have a plan B. He certainly looked out of shape coming off. Fitness a question. He didn't seem to be working much harder than anyone else, but it is hard to tell on TV. If he worked up that sweat fair play to him, but he didn't seem to do enough to me to merit a shirt sodden with sweat. Benefit of the doubt as carrying a knock, but dubious that his ankle was a reason

Keogh was awful. Hadn't a clue what he should be doing out there. Hunt was one of the brighter players on the other side, but was swapped onto the right side when McGeady came on, leaving us with the farcical situation of Hunt and McGeady cutting inside every time they got the ball. This lead to the entire game being played in front of the Cypriots. They were not stretched, and we never got behind them after McGeady came on. Neither McGeady, Keogh nor Hunts fault to my eyes

Robbie was pretty poor, but he had nothing at all to work with. Again when he got the ball it was because he was coming wide or short where he has less impact. As captain he probably feels he has to do this, and it is a result of the shambles in midfield meaning he gets no supply. Not his fault imho

McShane lost his man for the goal, and as Giles (I think) pointed out we missed Dunne organising the offside trap on a few occasions, which could have let them in, and which a better side would punish.

On the up side Given was outstanding, and the full backs did their job with no fuss.

Given 8 - did everything he could
Finnan 7 - One of the better performances. Good finish
Kilbane 6 - Looked solid against poor opposition
O'Shea 5 - Should have been a bigger influence as the senior centre back
McShane 5 - Lost his man for the goal
Keogh 4 - Out of position. Awful
O Brien 5 - Not a bad as some suggesting. Was missed when taken off
Reid 5 - Couldn't get into the game. Benefit of the doubt as carrying a knock
Hunt 6 - Worked hard, did better than most until taken out of position by idiot manager
Keane 5 - Couldn't get into it, especially in second half. No supply. (Another) bad miss with header
Doyle 6 - Put in an honest shift. Far from the worst performance in the game

McGeady - Cut inside every time he got the ball. This guy clearly needs to be on the right. Just because Strachan plays him on the left doesn't make it right
Miller - Can't remember anything he did, despite being on for 45 minutes
Murphy - Not on long enough to rate

[tetsujin1979]

for the first time after a game, I don't feel anything, not anger, not shame, just numb.
That's probably the worst thing I can say about the setup at senior level right now, they've lost the ability to inspire emotion in me.
Words fail me.

[Billy Lord]

Billy Lord - Dunphy did lay the blame at John Delaney - he mentioned him specifically and the rest of the FAI as the person/s responsible.
If Dunphy named him specifically it was after I'd stopped watching (I was with my wife at home and she has a lower pain threshold than mine when it come to football), then fair play. Dunphy was a big Delaney fan - I don't know why - but if he's come around to reality after an undeserved 1-1 draw v Cyprus at a GAA stadium I congratulate him and his perception. Words eaten.
Next home games at the RDS?

[backstothewall]

for the first time after a game, I don't feel anything, not anger, not shame, just numb.
That's probably the worst thing I can say about the setup at senior level right now, they've lost the ability to inspire emotion in me.
Words fail me.

It'll come.

[geysir]

If Dunphy named him specifically it was after I'd stopped watching (I was with my wife at home and she has a lower pain threshold than mine when it come to football), then fair play. Dunphy was a big Delaney fan - I don't know why - but if he's come around to reality after an undeserved 1-1 draw v Cyprus at a GAA stadium I congratulate him and his perception. Words eaten.
Next home games at the RDS?
Yeah Dunphy named him "Delaneys credibility is shot to bits"
For more info
please refer to the Dunphy "The chameleon of pundits" thread

[4tothefloor]

Felt sorry for Cyprus. They deserved a win and Ireland needed a defeat. The sooner this jokeshop regime ends, the better.
On another note, the attendance showed up 'the best fans in the world' cliche as pure fantasy. It was like watching a GAA game at Croker as there were so many empty seats at the start (were there slow barman operating in the boozers around Croker?) and thousands poured out before the end (Jayze, Mick, we could get an extra pint in if we left now!).
Proper fans stay till the final whistle. Part-timers leave early.
Who'd want to stay to watch that s**t? In fact, who'd even want to go to the game in the first place? You'd say something if we were sending out a team that was selected properly, that knew what they were doing and that played with pride, passion and fight. Why should a fan blindly follow a team when none of those things are in place? Why should fans travel long distances, miss work and fork out on an expensive day out in Dublin to watch that garbage? When they know it's going to be garbage?! Real fans my @rse, that's a load of idealistic rubbish. Fans vote with their feet and display displeasure with their voice. Always have, always will. You're not related to Delaney by any chance? :rolleyes:


And yet Dunphy didn't finger his mate Delaney, the FAI top man and the guy who gave Staunton the job even though he was clearly unsuitable.
If Staunton goes, Delaney must go too. All Dunphy did was play to the gallery without getting to the kernel of the problem.
Mind you, that's something Irish people love: meaningless, patronising rhetoric.
As I said, if Staunton must go, Delaney must go too. Otherwise it's a waste of time.
That's all wrong because Dunphy pin pointed Delaney a number of times. But don't let that get in the way of a good arguement :rolleyes:


oh dear god I'm so angry..The lads beside us had this banner... it was up for about 3 mins before taken down. I sent it to all the newspapers photo desks....I ask the guy who took it...why ....he said he got a call from the fai and the head of security to take it straight away. He was told that no banners of that kind were allowed. The lads who had it were from Limerick...A guy called Ian...said he was on foot.ie...fair play to him...so so angry...
Well those of us who are travelling to Cardiff know what to do. They can't take the banners off of us there, and we should make sure that the RTE cameras know that we have the banners as well. Focus it on Delaney and Staunton for he entire game and GET THEM OUT. Enough is enough :mad:

[eirebhoy]

for the first time after a game, I don't feel anything, not anger, not shame, just numb.
That's probably the worst thing I can say about the setup at senior level right now, they've lost the ability to inspire emotion in me.
Words fail me.
I wasn't bothered when Cyprus scored, wasn't bothered when Ireland scored. I'm going to Wales and I think it'll just be a match for protest.

[soccerc]

I haven't seen the RTE post match stuff with Dunphy but he's right. There has been intimidation not only over the past week.

It's no surprise that there is now no independent Irish football website in existence. ( ..and no they did not cease due too hissy fits)

Wake up and smell the bitter coffee served from Merrion Square.

How about the lads who had a "Delaney Out" banner confiscated because " ...you can't have anything negative towards the FAI", that according to the steward/supervisor who said he was acting on direct instructions from the FAI's head of security.

If any of you are punters then lay, for fun, a small wager on Paul Jewell

[Billy Lord]

As I said, if Dunphy laid into Delaney, fair play. But WTF is Paul Jewell? How about getting in a coach who a) wants Ireland to play football, b) wishes to develop the game technically at home and at underage level, c) will discourage kids going to England at an early age and d) commands the respect of the senior players? Because that's the type of coach we need.

[Closed Account 2]

We have become a team of mincers... The players are all floppy drips. They're fairweather players, when the going is good they can put in a performance, but as soon as the opposition show some resistance then they cave in. We need someone who'll go in there and shake things about a bit.

There is no passionate ball winner, we can't afford to have these dandy mincers who just swan around. Of the players who have played in the last few games only Dunne and maybe Carsley have shown anything like the passion to win. Given is good too but his passion has limitations - he's in goal, he can't really inspire the team from back there.

The manager can't inspire the players, to be honest he's totally uninspirational and devoid of any tactical knowledge. In international management you have to either (a) inspire passion (like Bilic, Blazevic, Sanchez, Scolari) or (b) have to have tactical acumen (like Hodgson, Jacquet, Lippi, Largerbeck etc). Stan can't do either, so he really has to go.

If I was in charge I'd pack the middle of the park with passionate ball winners. Carsley, Stevie Reid, Garvan - these guys have to be in the team on a regular basis. As I see it, in the 1990s we had players like Townsend who would battle and fight for the full 90mins, then Roy Keane, then when he went we slipped. We got Kava in and he injected a bit of passion (but he's too old now) and we nearly got back on track for Euro 2004 and started WC2006 fairly well.

Those are my thoughts after watching the sloppy mess that was put on tonight.

Of course all of this is irrelevant as Stan is staying on, and worst of all that féckless muppet, the mothership of ineptitude, Oscar Wilde is still atop his Ivory Tower at the FAI.

[mypost]

Who'd want to stay to watch that s**t?

Because it's called supporting a football team. A real fan stays to the end, regardless of the score, or how sh!t it is.

[4tothefloor]

Because it's called supporting a football team. A real fan stays to the end, regardless of the score, or how sh!t it is.
Well you're the last person I'd take notice of or listen to on here so don't bother. Good man ;)

[citizenerased]

we are in the doldrums lads...very sad time to be a fan..but relentlessly we willl march on to cardiff....please resign stan you are killing our soul

[Soko]

Because it's called supporting a football team. A real fan stays to the end, regardless of the score, or how sh!t it is.


If I went, I would have only stayed to boo

[Dallasirish]

stan should do the right thing and resign. Delaney needs to be forced out. He is the root of the problem. Unless there is a change we will not be going to any tournaments any time soon. We will be the most talented warm up fixture for major tournaments available.

The Irish fans and players deserve a world class manager! Staunton has had a campaign to prove that he is everything but world class. Why should we have to put up with this Shi+e because of one MUPPETT. The welsh game needs to be used as a means to show the peoples feelings towards Delaney. Otherwise these gut wrenching feelings of despair and disapointment are all ahead of us for a long time to come. Have never felt such a lack of hope in the national side before ever!!


What odds would you get on Mc claren, tosack and Stauton getting handed their notices at the end of this campaign. Paddy power is all the excitment i have left!

[Kivlehan]

The next cheif exec and/or managers first 2 phone calls should be to Mick McCarthy and Roy Keane. I think it is quite clear they are the 2 people who know where the problems lie, and the people and problems that caused Saipan, are the people and problms that have caused this.

I assume you are not knocking Keane and McCarthy by saying this and that you are saying that the same people at FAI who created the conditions that led up to and into Keane and McCarthy's dispute are the same who are responsible for the disaster that is the Euro 2008 campaign. If so, I agree 100% with your sentiment.

While Stan needs to go, it is clear the problems go above him and right at the top. As many are saying, firing Stan alone is pretty much worthless since the root cause of the bad decisions will still be in place. Executive management at FAI should be cleaned out. Develop a task force with actual successful Irish football managers/coaches/executives to select the new manager and set other issues right. This task force would include Niall Quinn, Roy Keane, Mick McCarthy, Liam Brady, etc. True, this is a group of people who have personal disputes but if you said, gentlemen, Ireland needs your help to set this right, please spend a couple days a year in meetings on setting Irish football right. Topics would include: picking a manager for the national team, setting general best practices into place in terms of training, conditioning and other preparations, making the League of Ireland a better product, improving the Irish youth football system and more. These gentlemen could be well compensated for their time. They could function like a board of directors for a corporation, meeting semi-annually and help make sure management stays on the right course.

[sonofstan]

How about the lads who had a "Delaney Out" banner confiscated because " ...you can't have anything negative towards the FAI",

Just an idea, but, while Delaney can send in security to protect his fragile ego at Croke park, he can't very well do it in every stadium in the country; Drogs v Cork on Friday is on RTE, as are the two FAI cup semis next weekend - a few Delaney Out banners at each?

[Réiteoir]

Because it's called supporting a football team. A real fan stays to the end, regardless of the score, or how sh!t it is.

Sure you'd know about following utter garbage mypost :D

[drinkfeckarse]

4tothefloor is right in saying they can't stop any protests in Cardiff. I would love to see as many banners as possible.

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH"
"STAN & DELANEY OUT"

[Row Z]

Think thats a great idea about Banners at any televised eircom league game. Something has to be done. Surely the FAI have to take into account the majority of fans feelings on the subject of THEIR national team. Or at least the mgr should take stock and see that he hasnt got the support of the nation and do the honourable thing. :mad:
how comfortable did the Cypriots look on the ball last nite?made us look like amateurs.

[Dotsy]

I wasn't bothered when Cyprus scored, wasn't bothered when Ireland scored. I'm going to Wales and I think it'll just be a match for protest.

Describes my feelings perfectly. THe performance up to the goals sucked whatever enthusiasm I had out of me. I can't describe the anger I feel towards that wa**k*r Delaney and the rest of the FAI for allowing this to happen.:mad:

[Dublin12]

The booing was good and deserved until we scored and I couldn't understand alot of people jumping around like we had just scored in the last minute of the WC final against Brazil and then it was back to the booing:rolleyes:. clap clap..clap clap clap.. clap clap clap clap ..Ireland:rolleyes:

[Dotsy]

The booing was good and deserved until we scored and I couldn't understand alot of people jumping around like we had just scored in the last minute of the WC final against Brazil and then it was back to the booing:rolleyes:. clap clap..clap clap clap.. clap clap clap clap ..Ireland:rolleyes:

I'm guessing it's because most people still support the team and the players and most of the booing was aimed at Stan and Delaney.

[G-Man]

Describes my feelings perfectly. THe performance up to the goals sucked whatever enthusiasm I had out of me. I can't describe the anger I feel towards that wa**k*r Delaney and the rest of the FAI for allowing this to happen.:mad:

first game I hadnt travelled to in a long while, and when they scored I didnt budge or feel anything, much the same for our goal. I was even wondering why so many people were celebrating like they were, but sure I suppose if there it was at least something to shout about. Just feel so drained from it all and as if it doesnt give a cr@p anymore. I genuinely felt sorry for Staunton last night. He doesnt know what he is at, and he shouldnt have taken the job, but at the end of the day he is a decent sort but is just totally inept at his job. He shouldnt be there. Dunphy et al eluded to that last night too, and could see they were genuinely sympathetic to him after hearing his interview.

[paul_oshea]

Of course all of this is irrelevant as Stan is staying on, and worst of all that féckless muppet, the mothership of ineptitude, Oscar Wilde is still atop his Ivory Tower at the FAI

edmundo, that is the best line i have ever read on this site. All hail.

Your post in general is spot on too.

[elroy]

Spineless disorganised performance from the team, dont think any player emerged from the game with an ounce of credibility except maybe finnan and given.

This campaign has seen three of the worst results in living memory, wheres the progresss- there is none!!
Lets analyse the campaign:
1: Germany away, solid performance, at times over ran and never troubled the germans. Fortunate goal but signs of encouragement.
2: Cyprus away - one of the very worst nights in Irish football.
3: Czech Rep, best performance of the campaign, took the lead only to throw it away after. If everyone hadnt been in severe shock after the previous game, no one would have been happy with the draw. opportunity lost
4: San Marino, good if unimpressive win.
5: San Marino - one of the very worst nights in Irish football.
6: Wales and Slovakia - two wins but on reflection, two poor performances, with the slovakia game slightly better. In hindsight both opposing teams had chances to equalise - narrow wins.
7: Slovakia - Great start, which slowly deteriorated at the game wore on, baffling substitutions resulting in a late goal conceded.
8: Czech Rep - over ran for the first half hour, have a decent 30 mins after until the sending off. Not the worst performance of the campaign by any means but never looked close to getting the required win.
9: Germany - solid performance, however were the Germans that bothered seeing as the already had qualified. Bit like the czech home game, opportunity lost for a good home win.
10: Cyprus - one of the very worst nights in Irish football.

After that brief summary, how anyone can say there has been progress throughout the campaign is beyond me. From the first time in years, we were out of the runnning with 3 games to go. Yes new players have been blooded etc but there the positives end, the team lacks direction and organisation which is essential in a team of Irelands ability. Ireland do not have many top class players but we have always had a spirit and organisation to do ourselves proud and more often than not punch above our weight. This team is without doubt underperforming.

I do think we are missing quality players in key positions - ie CM, that we used to have in previous years, but we are not playing to our strengths and using what we have. Our strikers had nothing to work with last night - against Cyprus! This team has consistently failed to impress throughout this campaign and last night illustrated how devoid of ideas, plans, direction, organisation.......this team is.

Please for the sake of Irish football let this not continue anymore, I saw plenty of young kids there last night watching on, would you want to come watch Ireland again after that? No way, not only is the current team being destroyed, the future for Irish football is at stake as well. These kids dont remember the glory days that we were lucky to experience. If we dont sort our house out and quickly, we may be in the doldrums with the 4th and 5ths seeds for a long time to come. I wish I had an answer, the obvious thing is to sack the manager, but this time we need an experienced organised manager to replace him, not another set of false empty promises.

[Noelys Guitar]

Spineless disorganised performance from the team, dont think any player emerged from the games with an ounce of credibility except maybe finnan and given.

This campaign has seen three of the worst results in living memory, wheres the progresss- there is none!!
Lets analyse the campaign:
1: Germany away, solid performance, at times over ran and never troubled the germans. Fortunate goal but signs of encouragement.
2: Cyprus away - one of the very worst nights in Irish football.
3: Czech Rep, best performance of the campaign, took the lead only to throw it away after. If everyone hadnt been in severe shock after the previous game, no one would have been happy with the draw. opportunity lost
4: San Marino, good if impressive win.
5: San Marino - one of the very worst nights in Irish football.
6: Wales and Slovakia - two wins but on reflection, two poor performances, with the slovakia game slightly better. In hindsight both opposing teams had chances to equalise - narrow wins.
7: Slovakia - Great start, which slowly deteriorated at the game wore on, baffling substitutions resulting in a late goal conceded.
8: Czech Rep - over ran for the first half hour, have a decent 30 mins after until the sending off. Not the worst performance of the campaign by any means but never looked close to getting the required win.
9: Germany - solid performance, however were the Germans that bothered seeing as the already had qualified. Bit like the czech home game, opportunity lost for a good home win.
10: Cyprus - one of the very worst nights in Irish football.

After that brief summary, how anyone can say there has been progress throughout the campaign is beyond me. From the first time in years, we were out of the runnning with 3 games to go. Yes new players have been blooded etc but there the positives end, the team lacks direction and organisation which is essential in a team of Irelands ability. Ireland do not have many top class players but we have always had a spirit and organisation to do ourselves proud and more often than not punch above our weight. This team is without doubt underperforming.

I do think we are missing quality players in key positions - ie CM, that we used to have in previous years, but we are not playing to our strengths and using what we have. Our strikers had nothing to work with last night - against Cyprus! This team has consistently failed to impress throughout this campaign and last night illustrated how devoid of ideas, plans, direction, organisation.......this team is.

Please for the sake of Irish football let this not continue anymore, I saw plenty of young kids there last night watching on, would you want to come watch Ireland again after that? No way, not only is the current team being destroyed, the future for Irish football is at stake as well. These kids dont remember the glory days that we were lucky to experience. If we dont sort our house out and quickly, we may be in the doldrums with the 4th and 5ths seeds for a long time to come. I wish I had an answer, the obvious thing is to sack the manager, but this time we need an experienced organised manager to replace him, not another set of false empty promises.

Good post. And spot on.

[OwlsFan]

Looks like Scotland, Wales, Norn Iron and England all will not qualify along with us and like us will probably finish third or worse. I think all their Football Associations should resign en masse along with their managers.

[Stuttgart88]

Now now Owls fan, less of that.

Scotland out up a gallant effort and may well still do it. I'd bite your arm off to be in their shoes now. Wales never had a chance in this group and i've no idea whether the FAW is doing a good job or not.

Norn Iron have given it a good shot. They're done their status in the game the world of good.

We have been a bloody disatster in this campaign and the fault lines from the top of the FAI down are there for all to see.

[bigmac]

Given 8 - Did everything asked of him (again) and played a lot more quick ball to his full-backs and wingers.
Finnan 6.5 - Got done for pace once or twice and left the Cypriots through in the first half from that quick free-kick when he couldn't decide whether to follow his man or play offside and half tried to step up. The one time he linked up with Keogh he put in a decent cross. (Gets a bonus half point for being there to score)
O'Shea 7 - Amazingly, one of his better games for Ireland. Talked a lot to the people around him and tackled well. Was the only one covering back when Hunt gave the ball away and the Cypriot tried to lob Given.
McShane 6 - Looked a bit lost at times but gave 100% as always.
Keogh 4 - Out of position, can't be doing anything for his confidence, lots of space down his flank but he never looked like he knew how to exploit it. Several times he played the ball to Finnan and should have turned looking for the ball over the top into space.
O'Brien 5 - Was fine when he did his job but shown up badly when he tried/had to do Reid's job - too many passes went astray.
Reid 5 - Mixed bag. Lots of poor balls, but still the only person on the pitch delivering quality passes. His awareness was far above his execution last night.
Hunt 5 - 100% effort, didn't play well by his own admission, two balls that he failed to control on the sideline in the second half epitomised the performance really. Along with Keogh, the crossing was abysmal. Missed a good headed opportunity.
Keane 6 - lots of effort again. His running won several throws and corners and he defended well from the front. One header missed (so did Doyle and Hunt) and at times looked like he was trying too hard. Never really linked up with Doyle to any great effect. It's still not a coherent partnership.
Doyle 5 - Slightly anonymous game. Put a header straight at the keeper but didn't really get a sniff after that.

Subs
McGeady 6 - Did a Hunt when he came on and started to run at the defenders a bit more. Good cross for the goal, but one good cross in 45 minutes is not a good return. Ran sideways a lot and the strikers not alive to passes.
Miller 5 - Meh.. didn't do much noticeable. Looked like he was getting in the way and had no clear instructions from the bench.
Murphy - Pushed Doyle out on the right where he looked relatively dangerous but never got a chance himself.



The main things that struck me were
lack of movement off the ball
woeful crossing
very slow passing - everyone needed 3 or 4 touches, especially when switched across the back 4
no attacking threat from full-backs - the one time Finnan got forward gave us the only chance of the first half.
lack of footballing build-up - the tactics seemed to be "give it to a wide man, let him beat a defender and put a cross in" - surely we could have kept the ball a bit better and been more patient.

[WembleyGreen]

A shambles yet again! Absolute dross, so much for Keanes "revenge for Nicosia" nonsense. It's fairly obvious from that display last night that these players have either lost the will to play for Stan or are just plain un-interested in playing for Ireland? I find it hard to believe that the players don't want to play for their country so I have to conclude that they don't want to play for Stan. After last night I really can't see how we can go into the WC qualifiers with this set up. It's bad enough being out of the running 3 games left but to out by so many points is telling and with 3 points picked up from a possible 12 that's just not good enough and certainly does not represent progress as the FAI and Delaney are trying to spin. This is woeful, this squad may not be blessed with 'world class' players and in truth many are average to say the least but they should be doing better than they are and we had a tiny glimpes of what they can do when they are 'managed' and motivated. I fear for our International future if this is allowed to continue, we are now in serious danger of being 4th seeds for the WC and lets face it under Stan that's going to mean one thing 'disaster' The FAI who appointed Stan have put Irish football on the road to oblivion and commercial suicide. Nobody is going to want to pay big money to watch or be associated with a bunch of bottlers and losers and if that idiot Delaney can't see the writing on the wall then someone within the FAI needs to develop a set of balls and ram it home to him pretty fast because there's only so much people will take before they walk away and judging from the numbers walking out of Croker last night that scenario is already under way!

[youngirish]

Felt sorry for Cyprus. They deserved a win and Ireland needed a defeat. The sooner this jokeshop regime ends, the better.
On another note, the attendance showed up 'the best fans in the world' cliche as pure fantasy. It was like watching a GAA game at Croker as there were so many empty seats at the start (were there slow barman operating in the boozers around Croker?) and thousands poured out before the end (Jayze, Mick, we could get an extra pint in if we left now!).
Proper fans stay till the final whistle. Part-timers leave early.

Proper fans should do what needs to be done and boycott games irrespective of privileges lost as only then may this farce be finally brought to an end. Yes proper fans keep going to the games and giving the FAI your money and follow our country further into the abyss (impossible as we are at rock bottom already and have been for about a year now) while having the occasional moan on here. That's the way to change things alright.

As for Stan f**k him being a loyal servant to his country. Any good he may have done as a player has been long since undone with his stubborn refusal to step down from a job he so clearly is unable to perform. If he had any loyalty for Ireland and the fans he would have resigned over a year ago after those pathethic performaces to the Dutch and the Cyrpiots.

He's an arsehole of the highest order.

[co. down green]

Absolute shambles last night, No drive or determination, no fighting spirit, no organisation, control or game plan.

That's the managers fault.

What's worse, is our young players are being severley damaged by this. Mcshane, O'Brien, Keogh etc.. are having the confidence kicked out of them by Staunton's inability to grasp the basics of management.

Words fail me.