Russia v Republic of Ireland - Tuesday, 6th September 2011 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

Ronnie Whelan saying Keane isn't fit, well he's working harder than Doyle...

How the hell we kept a clean sheet in that half is beyond me. Simply can't handle their movement.

Time for Giovanni to earn his money. If he can't improve us tactically in the second half, then there is simply no point in keeping him employed beyond this campaign. More and more, 4-4-2 in its classic form is becoming redundant.

Good job we have Dunne. Awful with the ball but we had a bright first 8 minutes. Russia in control since 25th minute.

Richard Dunne v Russia. Has to change things second half. Whelan was running in treacle near the end of the half. Andrews turned his back on that Arshavin shot. Having said that Doyle has won his last two headers. Get McGeady on the ball as much as possible. I'd bring on McCarthy for either Andrews or Whelan. I have a feeling he will do well on this surface.

I honestly don't think we had the ball for more than 15 or so seconds in the 15 mins I watched.

I hate hearing the soundbites from the commentary saying how much of an achievement it is to not concede and how a brief spell of possession is "bright". It is not an achievement and managing to keep the ball for more than 30 seconds before wasting possession and creating nothing is not bright. We need to stop settling for second best.

How we are not 2 or 3 down is beyond me. The next 45 minutes could well determine Trap's future with us - here's hoping he has a Plan B to show us...

I'm praying this is similar to what's being said in both dressing rooms

If we get out of this with even a point, Trapattoni can have all the contracts he likes. It has been a battering.

We're playing a team low on confidence and we are giving them every opportunity to build it up by allowing them to play football. If we're going to let them have the ball, the least we can do is start kicking them to pieces. This standing off strategy is a recipe for disaster.

edit: as great as Dunne's goalline clearance was, it was a pitiful attempt from the striker. Robbie would have buried it in the far corner.

If this is how we're supposed to be playing, Trap is looking to give himself a heart attack. We could easily be a few goals down. It's clear for all to see that the system isn't working as it's supposed to.

Lulling them into a false sense of security. Well done so far lads

'Harrowing;' if ever one word summed up a half.

Pure sh*te all round, so a far a disaster in the making?

Good job I too a dumb before kick off :p

Aagh. It's been a hammering without us conceding. Realistically, this is far worse than our display at Landsdowne against them and we're still not behind. Not bad. I was a big Trap fan, but his tactics are hopeless lately. McCarthy on for Andrews, Hunt for Ward later, maybe. Or maybe try the midfield diamond, with Robbie in an attacking mid position like in Bari.

The thing is we have two players on the bench who can make a difference in Hunt and McCarthy. We look like we might give away a peno if this pressure keeps up. Change it now Trap (knowing that he won't).

I am feeling confident actually, surprisingly enough, it's still level and only
45 minutes to go, we can grab a late goal as the push forward, that's
my plan for a win.

Andrews has been poor and has Whelan even had the ball?

need some sort of weird lucky freak goal.

Anybody able to work out what our gameplan is? Surely kicking the ball back to Russia isn't one?