Two starting debutants, two off the bench, a variety of formations used plus a win and a clean sheet in the run up to a major tournament? That's like hitting the international friendly jackpot.
Keeping the momentum and a winning, confident mentality is imporant ahead of the Euros - combining that with a lot of new faces is really pretty pleasing as far as friendlies go.
That's called the perfect delusion.
Yeah, nearly everything svd says is correct but it was hardly a flawless friendly experience.
What would a flawless friendly experience look like to you both so?
A bit more control of the game would have been nice, football is more than just defending after all. We were the home side believe or not and although the opposition were decent, they weren't exactly top class. Delving into the unknown again but I would have questioned our ability to respond had they equalised or taken the lead, I don't think we can keep relying on riding our luck (a little) and seeing out one goal leads. A few more chances created from open play would have been encouraging, we're extremely reliant on set pieces. We were totally incapable of turning defence into attack, or even retaining possession for more than five seconds at a time. The speculative hoof was the default strategy when our defenders received possession. O'Neill has mentioned more than once that we need more composure on the ball, yet he picked a side that was highly unlikely to give us that, shouldn't a friendly be used to try to improve an area you're weak?
Like I said, I agree with SVD's individual points, there were a nice few positives, but I wouldn't let the extremely positive result paper over all of the cracks.
http://images.wisegeek.com/yellow-ma...witzerland.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Your post here comes across as the proverbial moon-on-a-stick. Pretty speculative too - if they had of equalised, if we had of went behind...Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I'd argue we wouldn't learn an awful lot about those things because (no matter how few) we had new players, new-ish combinations and it was a game played largely in 'please, don't let me get injured' conditions.
We already know something about the calibre and spirit of this side in red-hot conditions - look at all those late goals in qualifying for instance.
To my mind, what we we could realistically learn from Friday is what players have the personality to try and take a chance and where do we lack strength in depth. And what we can maintain is a winning, confident mentality going into a major tournament.
I'm not saying it was flawless, but how many above-turgid friendlies have Ireland played in over the last ten years? And worse, how many of those have we learned absolute nothing? And lost?!
Of course! Did you not see what I was asked?Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
I know, I said as much myself. Has speculating been banned or something?Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Aye, fair cop on that one.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
No, then we can't speculate on just when we'll be knocked out of the Euros after Friday's fantastic victory - semi-finals, final or champs? I'm with the latter, definitely.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I'm only coming across as critical because I didn't really agree that we hit friendly international jackpot and was asked to elaborate. I was very happy with Friday overall, more pros than cons for sure.
No plans to call up striker. No excuse not to play Hoolahan or Judge behind Long. If Long picks up a knock, what will be learned from playing a patchwork team with several players playing out of position? Won't be able to learn anything about different formations and shapes because the players simply won't be there to fulfil it! And the ones who are there will be forced to make up the numbers elsewhere!
I get what Stutts is saying about Doyle & Sheridan et al. - I wouldn't have them pushing for a place in the summer either - but it's not about them. It's about the bigger picture. And one year ago nobody would have given Hayes a hope of getting a call up. This time two years ago nobody would have given Judge hope of a call up.
Anyways. I'll shut up about it now.
http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/ire...-mcgeady/71638
Good to know the priorities are right. We have to see what he can do when the ball is sailing over his head, not what he can actually do with it.Quote:
O’Neill has insisted that places are available but those who come in will have to work hard. Alan Judge’s experience on Friday suggests it will be a struggle. Judge was selected to play a selfless role on Friday. At half-time, Roy Keane told Judge that this wasn’t a night when Ireland were going to have possession and it was time for other qualities.
“He said, ‘This is how you show that the manager can trust you off the ball’. Hopefully I did that tonight,” Judge said later.
Woah, woah, woah! You are the one who talked about a flawless friendly. I was merely (and genuinely) wondering what that would look like given the variety of positives we could take from Friday's game. I agree that the performance doesnt make us contenders for the Euro Cup but I also think that in terms of what you want from a friendly, it ticked pretty much every box.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Agree with the comments in relation to O Neill/Keane calling up a replacement or two given the injuries to Keane, Doyle, Murphy and Walters. Father time waits for no one and given the age profile of those not available the thorny issue of finding replacements has to be addressed, The likes of Leon Best, Anthony Pilkington, Paddy Madden and Joe Mason should be given serious consideration. The Euro's are not the issue here, it's more about the next Qualifying campaign in terms of Striker options.
I'd go for more negatives than positives out of that game. The main negative is with O'Neill's managing of the game. And the manager has the greatest effect on the way we're set up. And the way we were set up was bog standard, tactically we are the crudest team at the Finals.
There was little reading of how the game was developing and bringing on Murphy was just something from the dark ages. And I do not go for the argument that we have such technically inferior players, that we can't play somebody in midfield who has a football brain.
I'd say the Swiss were moaning about how impotent they were up front, both with creating chances and taking what chances they did make.
pilkington was in the squad but was withdrawn with injury.Quote:
Originally Posted by Murph 1
Thanks Stuggart88, Had been of the understanding that Pilkington was sent back to Cardiff before the Swiss game for treatment , The hope was that he would return to make himself available for Tuesdays game. Has been impressive since being moved into a striking role for his club and would be an option upfront given the lack of options.
yes, but the remark was in response to a complaint that none of our fringe forwards got a look in. Context is everything.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Me? I thought the oerfirmance was good in parts. Central midfield was poor, defenders and keeper played well, forwards looked lively and wide players mucked in well due to the circumstances. We didn't control the game but looked better when we changed things with better players coming on, notably Wes.
Nothing wrong with your question at all. You seem to have picked up my wording to svd as "do you see what this crazy ass SkStu has had the cheek to ask me', when really I meant," hey svd, I was asked what a flawless display would consist of, so I responded accordingly. Please don't accuse me of looking for the moon on a stick because of it". :) I only spoke of a 'flawless friendly' in response to svd's 'jackpot friendly' evaluation.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Oh right, although I kind of knew that was the context, but I think svd meant it was a pretty perfect outing, all things considered, regardless of context. If I'm wrong fair enough. Wouldn't be the first time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Not really, just flippantly relative to the often horror show that is international friendlies. I said it was 'pretty pleasing'.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Team for Tuesday, anyone?
---------------Elliott-------------
Christie---Duffy--Keogh---Ward
-------------O'Kane------------
-------McCarthy---Judge---
Brady---------Long-------McClean
Case for playing Brady in midfield but I'd like to give Judge a go in behind Long, and have another look at Eunan O'Kane too (though I suspect Whelan will play). Would like to see more of Duffy too.