Agree, well on top but didn't take our chances. Ronan has been poor imo. He needs to step up it, get on the ball more and be better in possession. Collins at back wouldn't look out of place at senior.
Printable View
Agree, well on top but didn't take our chances. Ronan has been poor imo. He needs to step up it, get on the ball more and be better in possession. Collins at back wouldn't look out of place at senior.
So far all the debutants have done well. Bazunu has looked calm and dominant. McNamara hasn’t been amazing but you can see why they like him. Good composed footballer. O’Connor’s deliveries have been good from set pieces and he’s been an outlet for his centre halves and for Elbouzedi. Nat Collins has been really impressive.
As for the rest of the side, collectively we need to take our chances. Idah, Collins, Knight and Elbouzedi probably should have all scored and didn’t. Elbouzedi has shown both his qualities and his weaknesses. Not enough lads are breaking into the box.
They’ve really missed Molumby and his presence and driving and leadership. Kilkenny has been anonymous so far. Would think that Mandriou might come on for Knight and someone for Kilkenny…
Nice finish from Elbouzedi, after nice link up play by knight with cross from Idah, step over from Ronan. 1-0. Let’s push on. Dominating performance
Another red card, so O'Shea misses the Sweden game on Tuesday. It wasn't a great decision by the ref. Any contact between the two players was minimal, and the Armenian player made sure to go down.
Excellent 1-0 win in Armenia. Hanging on a bit in the end after losing O'Shea to a red card, but good performance. Bring on Sweden next week.
Debutants did well - Bazunu didn't have a lot to though but did make a couple of solid saves second half. He looks to be a fantastic prospect although he needs to work on his kicking and distribution over the next couple of years. McNamara was solid if not spectacular. O'Connor a bit better going forward, has a nice left foot, appears to be a better option than Leahy. Collins looked assured and will start again vs Sweden.
O'Shea was good again. Red card probably justifiable though being last man despite an innocuous crossing of legs. Coventry was very good first half faded a bit second. Such a sharp passer. Knight didn't have the greatest of games but came into it in the second half, Molumby will be back in here next week. Ronan showed some touches of class in the second half, playing a bit better than the previous 2 games when he had come back from a lengthy lay off. Kilkenny was poor enough. Elbouzedi ran his socks off. Although he was wasteful at times, he took his goal very well and made some important runs when it counted at the end. Idah gets a 10/10 for effort, he did well for our goal - but he didn't set the world alight again, struggling without the appropriate support up front. It's a thankless task.
Any word on Masterson? Could do with him vs Sweden now, although Scales will be a reasonable option and is experienced. I wonder how bad the injuries to the 5 who pulled out were? The prospect of any 5 leg journey to Eastern Europe certainly has the potential to exacerbate any muscle strains .....
Didn't take our chances and holding on at the end following the sending off. And we were helped with their number 10 going off injured. But given the numbers of players we were missing, getting the win is the positive to take. Sweden have called up a couple of their U21s to the seniors so weaker (on paper) than the first game.
Do you have to provide a squad to UEFA a certain amount of time before a game, or could players like Parrot be in both the Monday and Tuesday night squad?
I think Mc Carthy is doing the right thing by the way bringing u21s up to senior for the week to have a look at them. The reality is that we're probably looking at ending up in a play off in March and maybe Mick would prefer bringing players up to the seniors now and getting them acquainted to the senior squad, in case they take off over the winter playing in the premier League or whatever
I think the likes of Parrott and Travers could theoretically be used in both squads if we wanted them to...Quote:
Originally Posted by Insidetherock
Long time since I've seen Keena play. He really didn't look like a speedster there. Was like he was running really fast with maximum effort but his legs were up to the knee in mud and his body just wasn't moving...
I wonder who was the slowest Irish striker over the past 20 years?
If you're including Northern Irish players, definitely Niall McGinn;);)Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breaki...en-964697.html
Good news, Masterson returns for Tuesday's game, so will be a back 4 of both O'Connors, Masterson and Collins. Presumably, Bazunu to continue in goal as no word on Kelleher returning yet.
Leahy has been one of our best players when fit to be fair.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
He plays LOI - therefore just a token place on the team in tommyc’s eyes...Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Great contribution as always SkStu. Leahy has been very solid with the under 21s this year, particularly from defensive aspect. From the glimpses I’ve seen from O’Connor at Gillingham he probably offers more going forward. O’C did well vs Armenia although he wasn’t really tested defensively. Let’s see how he does vs Sweden.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
i wouldn't go that far now. he was pretty poor early on, struggling to remember now but probably Luxembourg and the first game or two of Toulon - hit long balls to no one and long balls straight out of play when put under pressure rather than having the confidence of trying to pass his way out.Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
But there was definitely serious growth by the end of the Toulon tournament, both defensively and offensively and in confidence and decision making. There was a moment somewhere either against Brazil or Mexico where he did something which made me stop and realise that he was a different player to the start of the campaign...
I still think Trev Clarke is probably the best of all the left backs. But it's genuinely a good thing that you've got Leahy, Clarke and O'Connor who are now good left backs at that level. O'Connor is probably the most composed and neatest footballer and the best passer, Leahy is defensively solid, strong, assured and consistent. Clarke is the fastest, the most aggressive both attacking and tackling and the most natural dribbler and maybe the best crosser although he does fluff a fair few but when they're good, they're very good. Meanwhile you've got Tyreke Wilson who there have been good reports about at Man City this season and Kam Ledwidge who is still an U19 but should be ready for 21s by the next campaign... All in all, Kenny has gone a very good job in broadening the pool of players who you would have decent hopes for. He obviously doesn't work in a bubble and player development at club level is equally important but it's a very refreshing shift from the previous management where squads were limited and promising players like Jack Byrne, James Talbot, Daire O'Connor, Daniel Kelly, Daniel Cleary, Dylan Connolly were never included in a single squad despite being as good as their counterparts in the squad...
Leahy has been good in every 21s game he's played and deservedly has been kept in the team whenever fit. I do think he might just be lacking that bit of pace to be a top player but he's definitely good enough to make a career at a higher level. O'Connor and Clarke are promising in that position - and have that extra bit of pace - so he'll have to work hard to get back in.
edit: on players not included, Daniel Kelly was playing Leinster Senior League when he was 21. Can hardly be criticising King for leaving him out when he had yet to make the step up to league football.
Any word on whether Parrott is linking up with under 21s or not? Looking forward to the game. As well as the under 19 game. A feast of football
Interview with the Swedish manager by Stockholm-based Irish journalist Philip O'Connor
Looks like it!Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
https://www.the42.ie/troy-parrot-ire...97313-Nov2019/
Is this on tele?
Eir Sport
Side named:
Bazunu, O’Connor x 2, Masterson, Collins, Coventry, Molumby, Elbouzedi, Knight, Parrott, Idah
https://mobile.twitter.com/FAIreland...7Ctwgr%5Etweet
I hope Parrott is played as a forward and not on wing. Really didn’t suit him out there vs Italy
Parrott filling the Ronan role it looks like, centre and deep to Idah
I don't like that dirty green outfit. it also reminds of the Hessen State police uniform
https://c8.alamy.com/comp/CRDRCW/pol...the-CRDRCW.jpg
1-0 to Sweden half time. Ireland been poor, very pedestrian. O’Connor pushed off the ball easily on right side resulting in Swedish winger bearing down on Masterson who really should have done better, didn’t get close enough allowed him cut inside and finish, a la his club mate Aaron Connolly. Need to pick it up in the second half. Again I don’t see what Elbouzedi brings to the party, that said, all are subpar
At the game. Pretty lethargic performance so far. Sweden see to have figured the game plan out pretty well and we're really struggling to play through them. Everything a bit too pedestrian and some really bad mistakes at the back.
Parrot dropping very deep, not really getting on the ball enough in dangerous areas, although he did create the best couple of moments with a nice set up for Idah and some quick feet in the box to create a chance for himself.
Knight not in the game at all. Elbouzedi was bright early but really faded. Need a big improvement to get anything second half.
On the plus side we've had Nirvana and Foo Fighters for the half time music.
Fantastic goal, strong run from Idah and an excellent pick out of lee o Connor who plants it into top corner. Scales for Masterson, ?injured. Ronan on first Molumby too, ?injury.
Really good start to the second half, whether injury or tactical the change in the middle has really sparked them into life. Great goal and looking much more dangerous every attack. Much better tempo.
I've only watched the second half and we look very good.
Transformed team. That’s what Elbouzedi brings to the party, great assist for Idah. 2-1. Different team in this half
Inch perfect ball over the top by Ronan, who has been excellent since coming on, Parrott calmly slots it into the bottom corner. 3-1, 3 points in the bag. Fantastic second half performance. Scales has been very good since coming in also.
Update: Now, 4-1 great work by Ronan again nicking the ball and laying it on a plate for Elbouzedi to tap home. Great second half
Any clips of the goals floating around? Frigging eir sport app has stopped working recently. Mobdro no go. Had a stream for first half but its gone dodge for the second. Frustrating but glad we appear to have turned it on and scored a few from open play!!!
https://mobile.twitter.com/FAIreland...Ctwgr%5Eauthor
FAI have them on twitter
Adam Idah has been brilliant this second half.
Ronan and Elbouzedi have really been integral to this second half also and have driven us forward. Hopefully both get good moves in January. I imagine there will be a queue for Elbouzedi - a young, fast and tricky winger who can score a goal and is available on a free.
Scales is so graceful on the ball at centre back. If he works on other areas of his game then he could turn into a wonderful player in the next few years.
It’s been a fantastic year for our under 21 side. We’ve had 12 games at this level this year all involving the same core of players. This has proved hugely important to their continued development and increased exposure to enable them break through at club level. Expect a few more to “break through” by seasons end be it on loan or with their parent clubs. Well done to Stephen Kenny and his back room staff, they have worked hard. 16 points on the board, take a bow
Did we make 4 subs there?
5 - Taylor, Keena, Kilkenny, Scales, RonanQuote:
Originally Posted by OMTY
Five, in fact.Quote:
Originally Posted by OMTY
Presumably that's allowed?!
Sensational second half to be fair. Idah was almost unplayable at times. Ronan's creativity was a real game changer. Could have scored a few more. Parrot took his goal brilliantly too. Don't think I've ever seen a more confident performance from any Irish team, not sure if it’s a particularly poor Swedish team but it doesn’t really matter. It was very satisfying to see them really turning on the style and hammering home their superiority.
First half maybe they started a bit over confident and expected it to be easy. Whatever was said at half time changed things dramatically.