Why Did Mick McCarthy Complain?

Originally posted by pete
Bit of difference between thinking about & expecting yourself to win. Look where they got Portugal, France, Argentina & Cameroon!
I do not think that we should go to tournaments expecting to win them, but we should go to tournaments trying to win them.
Surely we need to have a better attitude than that we are simply going to take part and enjoy it.

The FAI have falied to realise the WC isn't the only reason for them existing but meerly a means by which they can boost the other levels of football under their control.
Down the years, the FAI have failed to realise anything.
I personally think it should be split into 2 sections.
The control of the national teams should go to full-time people and include all managers and coaches (i.e McCarthy and Evans, Don Givens, Kerr etc) plus a few "admin" people (i.e a travel and logistics person and that type) should become responsible for all international teams going from under-14 up to senior. Also have the FIFA/Uefa rep and a competitions secratary in this group.

The eL and all the rest to be looked after by a totally different group of people, with no mixing between one or the other.

Then maybe Menton and Byrne on top of this looking after finance and overmanagment of both groups.

If real changes are not made after the whole mess in Saipan, the eL, for starters, is going to go down the drain. Anybody with even half a brain and who never took a lot of interest in soccer now thinks the FAI is a shambles. This ruins any chance of the eL getting bigger and better and attracting new followers

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Originally posted by Neil

Holland's goal against Cameroon... for example.

Are you for real?

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It was a beautiful goal and he did it before - exactly the same strike - perfectly executed but I hope he has more than one trick up his sleeve?

Surely there are other examples?His passing, tackling are poor and he gets lost for long periods of games for example??

I don't think anyone could fail but to be proud of the current squad no matter what happens on sunday.

2nd half versus Cameroon in the afternnon heat (big difference in conditions between afternoon & evening games) was surely one of the best seen by an irish team for a long tiem & i'm not forgetting Holland in Lansdowne.

I do not know if any of the Charlton team would have put 3 or even 2 goals past even that poor Saudi team. Remember the horrors of Egypt in 1990? :eek:

btw since the FAI so quick to announce an independent audit of the whole preparations/keane saga why can't we have the same for the current eircom League saga?

The team have done brilliantly - amazingly. Good luck to them.

(Still analysis does not go out the window????)

dead right steve, agree with ya.. just cause they have done so well and gotten out of what seemed going into it was a tough group doesnt mean we should walk around with blinkers on like bill oki doki o hurlihy.. there are still problems and weakness's in abundance.. lets not kid ourselves here

given - class keeper
finnan - class
other back 3 dodgy as hell and i wouldnt trust them esp harte..

midfield disapears all too frequantly although the spain game might help them as its alot easier to be disruptive which is something they are going to have to do..

duff & robbie keane .. class and will cause trouble..

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Originally posted by James
just cause they have done so well and gotten out of what seemed going into it was a tough group doesnt mean we should walk around with blinkers on like bill oki doki o hurlihy..

duff & robbie keane .. class and will cause trouble..

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The Des Cahill School of Analysis seems to be spreading. Glad to see some reason entering the discussion. To analysise the team (here? and in the media seems to be taken up as a proKeane stance?)

If Keane never existed I'd still ask the questions. I'e heard some people talking off drawing with Spain and going to penalties. They'll have to attack early to try and demoralise and scare the Spannish - and this will be down to Duff and Keane (eile).

Holland could easily contribute a lot more by working on his attacking game (and defending). If the midfield bottle it again its time to go!

We have a team of players who give it their all and play their heart out for Ireland (and that includes Matt Holland and any other player who happened to be born in England).
IMO, the only players who are close to being World class are Robbie Keane, Duffer, Given and Finnan.
Gary Breen has really surprised me with his performances, as has Stan.

Forget about *** and get behind the 22 lads who are out there giving their all for Ireland.

I've got ireland at 5/1 to win in 90mins. Apparently can get up to 11/2 on us elsewhere!

I have no doubt the irish players be doing all they can to get through. A 0-0 draw at HT be fine & hopefully old spanish doubts be emerging again......

Me may have the makings of a very good team at euro 2004 if current form players can continue & new younger players on the sidelines come good on their promise.....

I think if we could descover a decent right midfielder & put Duff on the left we could play a similar formation to Denmark - central midfield toughies & pacey wingers.

As well as RK we may probably won't see Staunton, Quinn or McAteer play international football again.

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Originally posted by pete
we may have the makings of a very good team at euro 2004 if current form players can continue & new younger players on the sidelines come good on their promise....

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Yeah, a lot of the current crop will be in their prime and with the likes of Colin Healy and John O'Shea emerging things bode well for the future.

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Originally posted by COLM
Yeah, a lot of the current crop will be in their prime and with the likes of Colin Healy and John O'Shea emerging things bode well for the future.

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Forget that playing for a draw nonsense! It will not be possible with the quality the Spanish have. This is a knock out match for heavens sake, the loser goes home. An early goal against them would put the frighteners on them. All out attack is the only job, hit them hard and fast and they'll wilt. In fairness to McCarthy I think he will.

Dont forget Steve Carr? With Finnan ahead of him? I'd like to have seen more of Reid at the WC, he can score, has skill and is no shrinking voilet either (and Morrison). Competitions like this can be watersheds for teams and I think four or five new squad members could be in order.

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Originally posted by Steve
An early goal against them would put the frighteners on them. All out attack is the only job, hit them hard and fast and they'll wilt.

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Paraguay got an early goal against Spain and Spain went on to win 3-1. Also, we seem to thrive on scoring goals in the latter part of matches- Germany, Cameroon, Holland etc.

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Originally posted by COLM
Paraguay got an early goal against Spain and Spain went on to win 3-1. Also, we seem to thrive on scoring goals in the latter part of matches- Germany, Cameroon, Holland etc.

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Yup probably still a slight weakness with this irish team - hanging onto a lead.

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Originally posted by pete


Yup probably still a slight weakness with this irish team - hanging onto a lead.

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You might be right there. Still, in a crunch do-or-die match like this, a lot is a stake and the nerves of the Irish team were visible the last match which is a worry. Attack might resolve this as Spain are a team with great expectations (and great players) but the way the tournament is going they will be nervous themselves? If Spain are allowed to come on they will score, and score a lot. Our midfield must impose themselves more than they have done up to now or its curtains(?).

Yup, that's how we beat Holland. The first 3 minutes aside, we showed them no respect and went at them. They were under a lot of pressure to win, and weren't used to being pressured like we pressured them.

Spain managed to get three back against Paraguay because Praguay were content to sit on their 1-0 lead.