Lets somehow hope Montenegro finish bottom, because we would be down 2 points seeing as the last team doesn't count when ranking the best 8 runner ups...and Scotland are winning 2-0 so lets hope iceland finish bottom of that group.
They were more dangerous in attacking areas, but we enjoyed more possession and honestly at no point was I concerned.
Holy God.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
Andy Reid was able to play left wing when he was 19. Then he erm...developed
An acceptable result tonight I think, we could have won it no doubt and deserved a enalty. Would have liked to see Andy Reid at some stage but understand Traps decision not to play him. Montenegro will be licking thier wounds after two home games and only two points, I think they will cause other teams in this group problems.
There is a marked improvement in this Ireland side and it simply down to organisation, there is more or less no change in personel so you have to put it down to organisation. Stephen Reid, although subjuded by injury tonight has put in two really top drawer performances. Glenn Wheland, if he doesnt start for Stoke on sunday then he never will, he has grown 6 inches in the last week, I only hope its not like Paul McShane (great start then some terrible performances).
All in all there are far more positives than negatives.
I'd agree that Reid can play wide midfield to good effect but surely you can see the distinction between a wide midfielder and a winger?Quote:
Originally Posted by FarBeag
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
yeah, i agree my mistake but i still think if he was brought into this position for the last ten minutes or so we could have won the game. Just an opinion.
I agree that the first 10 mins was a bit hairy but I thought we utterly dominated the second half and at least matched them for most of the first. I think teams fron that part of europe generally play better (purer?) football than we do but bar some speculative wild shots and a deflection very well saved by Shay I was never concerned. Did we threaten much? Not really but we were the away team and my first post post-match describes why I think we didn't threaten enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
We didn't create much apart from Keane's turn and shot and McGeady's chance but their best effort came from a huge deflection. Apart from they they were restricted to shooting from long range. And we should have had a penalty.
Overall a fair result.
Again, I draw attention to a wide midfield versus a winger's position. For example I think Beckham typifies wide midfielder - Liam Lawrence even. Can Reid play wide? Absolutely, but without the mobility that a second rate winger like Hunt has.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
At Charlton he played mostly central mid and that's where he has impressed most at Sunderland. He's shown me enough for me to be comfortable either side for Ireland and given how well Reid & Whelan seem to play I'd be hesitant to change central midfield.
I'm only picking on your assertion that he's a left winger.
Andy Reid isnt a winger, he is a central midfielder with a left foot, could you see him and Duffer in the same light?
This is going against public opinion but I was dissapointed in that result.
Disappointed with the result, but not the performance. Should have had a penalty. Although, I'll take the four points from the two away games.
Yeah I think everyone feels they were there for the taking, but we stepped it up from Georgia and look to be improving all the time. Its simple, at this time it looks like the Bulgaria matches will be huge.
Another step in the progression of the side. Pleased with with the two matches and looking forward with optimism to the rest of the campaign. We have shape and and a sense of purpose.
The difference in O'Shea is remarkable.
The back 4 played well as a unit.
Have been very impressed by Whelan.
Thank God Steven Reid is back.
McGeady played well for me and showed more improvement. I Hope Trap plays him centrally in the future! There has been unjust criticism of his play in this match by some on here.
Hunt is an impact sub - nothing more, nothing less.
Doyle doesn't have the pace to be an effective foil for Keane.
I wish Given would leave Newcastle - his ability deserves a bigger stage.
Nothing else apart from having a huge desire to give the Montenegran no.8 a slap!
Happy with that.
O'Shea and Dunne were bloody excellent. O'Shea proving me very wrong.
Reid was class again for the first hour. Controlled the game when we had the ball. Off the ball though he wasn't great. His passing was great.
Whelan complimented Reid well. He looks really good in this team.
Big improvement from McGeady imo. He misplaced 1 pass which is a lot less than Saturday. I thought his set pieces were excellent too and his crossing was very good. Just outmuscled a lot but won freekicks for most of those.
Doyle was class. I can't believe he wasn't bought in the summer. And Keane very good.
Overall though the team performed like any top team would have away from home, just lacked the creativity that Duff and A.Reid might have brought. Man of the match - Whelan with O'Shea, Dunne and Doyle next best.
Our next 3 games are easier than this on paper.
What part of him was very good??His one shot??Or was it when he went into hiding??Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
Poor result. Game we should have won.
Went in with wrong mentality.
If we had to gone in to that game with a winning attitude we would have won. All this bull**** saying Mons are good was bull. Gave them too much respect.
Stephen Hunt was DISGUSTING to say the least. He broke down every Irish attack by losing it or turning back to Kilbane and the two centre halfs even when counter attacks were on.
O'Shea, Whelan, Kilbane and Reid were brilliant IMO
McGeady with another sh*t game. Hunt poor too but I'd still have him ahead of McGeady when Duff returns
I'm quite pleased with a point from this game. The defence was very solid whilst in midfield Reid and Whelan were composed and disciplined. Montenegro won't be bottom seeds for much longer and plenty of sides will find it very difficult to win there.
We are making progress and that's encouraging from the dark days of Staunton's time in charge of the side.
I bet Trap was very happy with McGeady tonight. I'm sure of that. Bar his finish when clean through. :o Anyway, if McGeady was motm you wouldn't have mention him so I won't get into a big debate. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever