The match is being repeated on Setanta Ireland at 11.30 for all you diehards and YBIGers out there.
The match is being repeated on Setanta Ireland at 11.30 for all you diehards and YBIGers out there.
Sorry, what did you know exactly? I noticed the whole incident, and explained it to my mate beside me. Next.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
It was a good performance. Acknowledge it. It may be a false dawn, it may not. Given our status as a football nation it's much easier to predict failure, as it'll probably be right.
Wrt Ward , I thought he let a high ball over his head very late on, letting his man attack the ball at the back post. Ball watching they call it. If he gets away with it, it's a nothing incident. If not, it's a calamitous error.
He did play a decent game though.
The whole game was a real eye opener, our seats being so low down and close to the pitch. Totally different experience to my upper tier Aviva seats.
That must be how he missed the advantage that the ref played in the lead up to Long's penalty shout.Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
I hope you did a good impression of Paul when you were explaining it to your (slow on the up) mate. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Good one bs.
I saw that from ward also, there were about 4 other big ones as well throughout the game.
For the couple of wes incidents mentioned I cant count on both hands how many times he was out muscled when the ball was in the air or "off the ground" - I know that sounds like one and the same but ye get me.
Their players are better than ours. It's only natural that our players would find it harder to retain the ball. Wes did perfectly well, always wanting the ball and usually using it well. Better than anything else we've seen for Ireland in about 6 years, maybe more.
Yet, without resorting to hoofball, we created great chances, had some long continuous passages of pressure and had some really encouraging individual performances.
This wasn't a glass half full, half empty performance. It was more full than we have seen in a while yet you moan about spilling a few drops.
That Italian team may not have been their best, but I'd bet it's a better team than either Scotland or Poland with a bit to spare too.
I'm a fan. I'm sad when we're cr@p and I'm happy when we're good. We were good yesterday. We weren't good against Serbia or Turkey.
I thought co-commentator Andy T was spot on when he picked out the wide midfield switch, McGeady/Pilks as having a main positive effect on our game in the 2nd quarter.
Is it us who just do this? I don't notice other teams doing it so much or as much. We have been doing it since Kilbane retired from left midfield. As sure as night follows day, if we can switch our wide midfielder then that's what we do. I suppose it's okay to show off that we have ambipedal footballers.
We've been doing it for a good bit longer than that. I remember Mick would switch around Duff (when he played him as a winger), Kennedy, Kilbane, O'Neill and McAteer. Kennedy scored that incredible goal against Yugoslavia from the right when I'm positive he started on the left. It's a great flexibility to have, especially when you have guys like McGeady who can play off either foot. It means defenders can't just show your winger down the line and think his job is done.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Wouldn't agree about 6 years, I think. But essentially agree, though even more essentially your post suggests our biggest problem then, is consistency.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Consistency is it, right enough AB. We've seen some decent friendlies in the past go by without any follow up. But it was certainly a pleasing performance. Next step is a win and a couple of goals.
Just been watching some of the game, in decent quality as opposed to a stream,
it is quite a transformation on what has gone on before when we play against a decent
time.
For example in the past the only time we *ever* "won" the ball was when a shot missed
or was saved or they scored. (or so it seems), we are so much better organised now we are
willing the ball pretty easilly ie I saw a number of interceptions, I don't recall us ever making an interception
in the past.
Furthermore when we do get the ball there always seems to be a passing out let a player waiting and available
for it, in the past there was never anything on bar a hoof up the pitch.
Also on another slightly less positive point Coleman gave the ball a way a few times with bad passes
I though that was Stephen Ward's job? Did they swapped sides?
Another notable thing is it is actually watchable!!!
The big question is who is primarily responsibly for the transformation?
I hope it's not the man who is currently packing a Glaswegian-English dictionary into his suitcase.
Don't think MO'N will be returning to Glasgow anytime soon...we should remember his past trials and tribulations up there!
Definitely, but we could we waiting for that win...Costa Rica maybe, Portugal probably a repeat of yesterday, at best.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
So next season more likely, though happy to wait for Georgia, hopefully.
Didn't we beat Italy in a friendly in 2011 and I thought we played well that day but best paint that one out of Trap's history? So why are we "much better organised now" and in all the games under Trap you never recall us making an interception? Bizarre statement.Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Style of play has never interested me. If we qualify with "hoof ball", I am over the moon. If we don't qualify with the "passing game". I am dejected. If we qualify by both methods, I am equally happy. The end results are all that interest me i.e. effective football.
I wouldn't get too excited by a draw against Italy B but at least we didn't lose which I think was important. We also played well but two swallows and all that. However, scoring remains a problem. Let's see what Robbie can do later this month.
On a separate note, what's with Keith Andrews' hair? Looks like a wig.
The more I see Long's header the more I think he should have scored. He was stretching a bit but he has to put it wide of the goalkeeper.
Possibly the Cascarino school of thought - if you're getting on a bit and want your contract renewed you better make damn sure you've good hair!Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Having just seen it I think he did technically "the right thing" by heading it back where it came from but the Italian keeper was slow coming across and this gave him the opportunity to save - in this instance it may have been a better choice to head for the far post but I wouldn't call it a glaring miss. Overall (based on the three minute highlight package I saw), some good play, creating good chances but we still need to be more clinical in front of goal - again there weren't any real "glaring misses" - it's just that we need to cross that fine line between making a keeper make a save and making it impossible for the keeper to prevent a goal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Well I definitely though we saw something better than we had in the past, it's hardQuote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
to put it into words. I'd love to see some stats on the game.
As for Andrew's hair, if youve got it, flaunt it!!!
But back to football! It is interesting to see the team that played on
that glorious game in 2011.
Republic of Ireland: Forde, McShane, Ward, St. Ledger, O'Dea, Foley, Coleman, Andrews, Hunt, Long, Keogh
Subs: Murphy, Kelly, Cox, Delaney, Whelan, Lawrence, Treacy
Must admit I would not remember the game, or the team, it certainly is *not* the the team I expected to see!!
Where are the 'big names'? I suppose out of that lot Long would be the biggest name.
Unfortunately I don't appear to have a copy of that game.Quote:
He virtually fielded a second XI, having left out Shay Given, Kevin Kilbane, Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane on top of the absent Richard Dunne, Damien Duff and Kevin Doyle after Saturday night's 2-0 Euro 2012 qualifying victory in Macedonia.
He didn't header it back where it came from though, he just headered it in the middle of the goal, which is always going to be the most likely place for the goalkeeper to end up.Quote:
Originally Posted by samhaydenjr
The goalie was well positioned in the middle just before Shane got his head to the ball, he probably would have been favourite to save most headed attempts.
I agree with Owlfans on this one, granted he has previous with regard to Trap and the horn he has for him.
I watched many passages of play in that game where as usual in tight angles we hoofed it without playing it out, whereas in similar circumstance the italians played long crossfield passes or triangular 1-2s to get out of trouble, their passing and control had us flaffing about as usual, and they turned this on whenever they needed to, granted midway through the second half till the end of the game i saw this less and less, perhaps they tired or just took the foot off the pedal so to speak.
I think having two big strong and atlethic midfielders did make a difference to us though, i know someone else pointed out the athelticism id put it down to physique and strength moreso, as they should all be fairly atheltic and fit at this level. I just wish there was more bite about meyler, he seems to be happy just to sit back too much.
Long was really stretching backwards for that header, im not sure he had enough control over where it was going, and with the keeper coming back over it seemed like a good place to put it, because i dont think he could get it to the far corner, its kind of like those shots in tennis where a player plays out wide right, and as the opposition player returns he runs back towards the middle, hitting it back to the side he is coming from as he runs to reposition himself, is more often than not the saftest bet.
We all know there are no style marks awarded, only points for wins and draws, but is it not the case that playing hoofball in this day and age is a tactic that is highly unlikely to work – at least as Plan A when there only is a Plan A?
It’s a recipe to lose possession and the ball just keeps coming back at you.
Italy, even Italy B, are better than us. That’s why they work the ball better and play nice cross-field passes – none of which hurt us mind. That’s why we have to hoof it into space sometimes. Why is that such a crime or something to moan about?
And why is Paul so begrudging about the strong second half performance by Ireland? Is it all down to the Italians losing interest or getting tired?
Add 4 players to that team and it becomes an Italy A team.
All those players who were on the pitch, go to Brazil, except Montolivo of course.
Italy's tempo of play, has increased dramatically under Prandelli.
The point is we need to follow up with 'decent' performances in the next 3 matches and take that into the Georgia game...though suspect inconsistency will continue to be an issue.
Ah here, respect to Shane. Most of the chances he had, were due to his athleticism, but don't make excuses for him.
I've played with at least 20 strikers who'd of glanced that header away from the keeper. Similiarly the chance from Wes's pass, he sidefooted it. If you're going to sidefoot it then give the keeper the eyes, otherwise put your foot through it and find a corner, he was 12/13 yards from goal ffs.
I like Shane. He'll get more chances than most strikers and he'll miss a fair few. Seems he missed a bit of coaching on the subject. I'd start him more often than not and hopefully he'll score when it counts but I won't make excuses for him when he misses. Strikers miss sometimes, some strikers more often than others.
ya I was referring more to the header and he took it round the keeper well the other time but the side foot one he definitely should have done better
Did anyone else notice how deep in thought O'Neill was coming off the pitch on Saturday?
No, you were the only one.
I think the talk about Long's misses is largely based on some shocking misses in earlier games and nobody can deny that he has had a poor time in front of goal. However, in both instances on Saturday I think the keeper would have been favourite, though maybe not if the cross for the headed chance was 3-4 inches lower. For the second chance, even if he had put his foot through the ball I'd still have fancied the keeper from that angle, but yes, I'd agree that side-footing it was the lesser option.
I don't think the missed chance against Turkey was bad either. He made it himself and the keeper got a great block in. But his finishing is a worry because he has fluffed the easier chances and there is now a lot of focus on his finishing and his confidence is low. That's unfortunate but it is a problem.
Almost...Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Italy announce World Cup squad
By the way, where's that full back from the Euros, Balzaretti? I thought he was pretty class but seems to have gone off the radar, maybe injured? I used enjoy referring to him as "Balls are sweaty"... childish I know :o
Only played 11 times for Roma this season, it seems. Hasn't played for Italy since October. Missed a good chunk of this season; dunno did he fall out of international favour as a result.
Interesting, he seemed like another one of those Grosso-like late bloomers that appeared from obscurity, on the international scene at least. The left full back the other night looked excellent as well, Coleman really had his hands full down that side. You'd have to wonder when you see £30m being lined up for Luke Shaw, is he really any better than a lot of these guys? Time will tell I suppose.
Meant to say "missed a good chunk of the season through injury" Oops!
With all due respect, the players playing in The Isthmian League are far better footballers than we are. It's ridiculous comparing what went on in the Ireland v Italy game to what happens with lads on the astroturf.Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Maybe you should coach Shane and then maybe his record of 1 goal in every 3 starts will improve to Robbie Keane/Ali Daei/Jan Koller proportions.
So it seems a reality that this Costa Rica game isn't televised. I was kind of expecting something to change closer the time!
Like said before, it will be on, on a stream somewhere. Check much nearer the time!
What's the time and dates of both games
Costa Rica's Teletica Canal 7 is broadcasting the game live. So there's some hope yet of finding a stream.
I've a wedding Friday so unfortunately streaming isn't an option this time.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Isn't it on after midnight, Irish time?
Though do know weddings can go on, late into the night....