We are using up 2 at CM to do a one man Carsley shift and they can't even do that properly.
It was a missed opportunity for Bulgaria.
It's hard to recall a worse Ireland performance at home, at least it's there with the worst.
The memory bin is getting full.
How is Andy Reid not playing regularly? Since Nov 8 he has started 15/22 matches for Sunderland. Regardless, your logic is completely flawed and just shows your blind faith in Trap.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
He has not been judged by Trap at all so don't know where you get that idea from.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Fly
We have a lot of (average)-(slightly above average) players particularly in midfield, I just wish a few more of these had a bit of drive about them. For instance, as much as I admire the man, Kav was an average player, but he had the drive and tenacity to play above himself and impose himself on a game.
We basically need more players who really want to put on the shirt and play with their hearts. If you look at all of the teams who have punched above their weight in the last few years of international football (Ivory Coast, Croatia, Russia, Paraguay) they tend to have 1-2 world class players and a neucleus of 3-4 key players who are the real engine men, these players try their absolute hardest and carry the team. Ivory Coast have Zakora (far better for them than Spurs) and Romaric, Croatia have Kovac, Simic, Corluka, Russia have Zyrianov, Denisov*, Anyukov, Paraguay have Auri Torres, Caniza and Caceres. It's players like this which we need in our team, its the only way to break the cycle of timidity we currently exhibit.
* - Denisov had issues pre Euro 2008, but these have since been resolved.
Robbie Keane has to come back into midfield for the Italy game. A 4-4-1-1. With McShane and Kilbane as fullbacks Given is going to hoof the ball up the pitch. If Keane drops back into midfield Given should be able to pass the ball to Dunne and O'Shea. Allowing them to look for the dropping back Keane or McGeady. We can't go 90 mins + against the Italians with just one outlet (McGeady. Hunt can't hold onto the ball). This brings Keane into the game. And allows him to break forward from deep. He played this role for Spurs last week and it worked well.
I thought we defended well in the second half, we looked very organised apart from one fatal moment were a runner from midfield was not picked up, albeit from a well worked move, perhaps due to tired legs or a lapse of concentration, even then the goal was a bit of a fluke. We certainly looked better than the first half, but the irony is they didn't score in the first half but did in the second - that's football I guess.
Well Garvan did play against Forest so he has seen him play and has judged him.Quote:
Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge
Are you talking about the game last month? Garvan came on as a sub in the 90th minute. One game would not be enough to make a judgement of a player either.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
he also had him in training for that game and it was not last month and he did not come in the 90th minute. I am talking about the B International. He also had him in Portugal I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge
I presume he didn't play at LB?
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/...nd_forest.html
Wouldn't be surprised though.
No he didnt. He came on and play midfield on the left and then in the centre. Andrews looked the best playler on the pitch that night in my opinion.
funny coming back from ireland i was sitting beside a girl on the plane who is a season ticket holder at ipswich and she was saying (well a lot of things) that garvan wasn't getting his game recently at ipswich? She also said magilton was a tw@t. :D
To be honest Forest would make any player look good, the Clough era is long gone.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
Quote:Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Originally Posted by Scram
There are only 2 players missing BECAUSE of Trapatonni; Andy Reid and Lee Carsley.
It is preposterous that Andy Reid and Lee Carsley are missing because Trappa CHOOSES not to include them. I would have both on the pitch before the 4 midfielders currently available, and I believe a min. 90% of supporters (and all RTE pundits!) would agree.
So you want a Championship has been and a guy not playing regularly in the Premiership over two Premiership regulars? I don't disagree there is an argument for them being in the Panel but they wouldn't make much of a difference. The real problems are at full back to be honest.
Compared to WHAT ?!!! Stephen "headless chicken" Hunt who couldn't hold up a ball if he had an adhesive strip on his boots?
You surely cannot be arguing that Andy Reid could not take the place over any of the current four :confused:
And, The Panel have given Trappatoni every opportunity but teh honeymoon is clearly over. If you can't see that the "performance" against Bulgaria was one of our worst ever, a throw back to the worst of Jack Charlton and a change is desparately needed in the middle, then you cannot see much.
"The real problems are at full back" :confused: We let one goal in, an unlucky deflection. The game is controlled in the midlle of the pitch. We had NO control, nothing whatsoever to do with the full back position. Having said that, there is a problem in finding a partner to Dunne, but it certainly is not our main problem.
Despite his flaws, Stephen Hunt made our goal and also initiated the move which the ineffective Mcgeady should have put awayQuote:
Originally Posted by Scram
Anybody who cites the panel for back up to their argument is already on the 'backfoot'.
There is obviously a serious problem in central midfield, but I think you're seriously downplaying the importance of full back. A lot of teams these days play with deep lying central midfielders who rarely support the attack, and consequently have full backs doing this job instead. Letting one goal in doesn't mean that the full backs did ok as the job of a full back is not soley to defend. With such a defensively set up team we're crying out for more attacking impetus from this area.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scram
O'Shea's partnership with Dunne was a real positive on Saturday I thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scram
The full back failings were less in their defensive capabilities (though KK had a poor night in that regard) it's more relating to their use of the ball which was atrocious.
Also, there were a number of times when McGeady got the ball and McShane, in fairness, supported him. But anyone could see he didn't really want it and the Bulgarians knew he wasn't worth paying attention to, leaving McGeady facing two men.
Yes, but "ideally!", O'Shea is in his better position either left or right and we have an other option for center.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Andy O'Brien performed very well 95% beside Dunne and I would ask him back in a heartbeat. The 5% of the time mistakes are made are usually when he has got out of position and is tracking back. He is right that the criticism of him over Cyprus was way over the top.
McShane really needs to be dropped to the bench. Kilbane had a bad night and is not the long term future at left back, but should remain there until one is found.
Carlsley in front of the defense woudl be an improvement. And Andy reid over Hunt any day. I'm a fan of Andrews over Whelan. So I'd have MGeady Carlsley, Andrews, and Andy Reid (ALL AVAILABLE!)
ps. We have no "leader" in midfield and Carsley could fill that role.
great post.Quote:
Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo
O'Brien was IMO quite effective for us generally, but that was beside Cunningham who he struck up a good partnership with. He never really got much playing time with Dunne and putting them together now (even if he could be persuaded to come back) would be a risk. O'Shea has done well alongside Dunne so there's no point in taking that risk when it wouldn't change us that much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scram
If Andy Reid were to be brought back (and I think he should) it should be in the centre. That said, I agree that he is a far better option to start than Hunt. However, he's sadly highly unlikely to come back with Trap in charge. Carsley has from what I've heard been playing poorly and considering that it was probably time to explore new options, as Trap did. His passing is woeful and he is no way a proper leader; he seems quite introverted on the pitch.Quote:
Originally Posted by Scram
In agreement on the full-backs issue. The Full-back slots have been a big concern to me for a good while now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
McShane is 100% commitment - but he is woefully lacking in ability. Commitment to the cause and effort is admirable and may even afford you the mantle of "legend" if you stick around long enough - but it isn't enough in itself.
You will be found out at this level - often sooner rather than later in qualifiers.
Having viewed both games from the Davin Stand - I actually thought Kilbane and McShane turned in even worse performances against Cyprus!!
Its definitely a toxic mix of limited ability and cautious tactics at the moment.
I understand that Trapp's tactics should come as no surprise and many of us predicted times of frustration and doubt as the campaign unfolded.
When you adopt these tactics, you have to be RUTHLESS IN FRONT OF GOAL. The Italians are past masters at this.
It may be only be one clear cut chance in a half and you have to make sure you take it when it comes your way.
McGeady had a golden opportunity to kill off Bulgaria just before we conceded. Once he missed - I knew we'd blown it and it would cost us.