Originally Posted by
Kingdom
I'll focus on the football today rather than debating posters.
line-up was good. Gave time to those who needed it, rested those who didn't and tested those who required it - either to bring themselves into the equation, or to rule themselves out. The substitutions made a big difference, but perhaps they were too late (this would be a gripe that I'd accept without reservation - we're too slow to hook underperforming players generally). first 25/27 mins we were excellent, genuinely excellent. Moved the ball quickly, overflowed them offensively and the forward movement and interplay was very sharp. But to go 2-0 up...and just stop doing what was good about our play, was disappointing. I saw late last night their schoolmaster manager called over one of their players to reorganise after the second goal went in, and they definitely changed their shape without actually doing a whole lot offensively afterwards - and weren't threatening bar the one dangerously badly defended long ball. It felt like some of our players thought the match is done and that was that (consciously or perhaps sub-consciously ahead of Monday). That is disappointing. O'Dowda certainly didnt get forward as much after that.
GK:
I like Kelleher as our keeper, I think he is more authorative as a keeper, we don't look in any way nervous when he gets the ball, but ultimately his effort to save the worldie (and it was a worldie) looked poor (for whatever reason). Bazunu starts on Monday.
Defence:
Was disappointed by Collins defensively. He's very comfortable coming out with possession, but he's in a dip of form by the looks of it. I think he's potentially at risk of being dropped on Monday. Thought Omobamidele did well, was proactive on the ball and didn't have any glaring errors, but stand to be corrected. OShea was good, but ultimately it was his failure to communicate with O'Dowda in terms of ownership of the loose ball that led to the goal. Same with Nathan jumping with Andy initially. Egan - himself no stranger to mistakes in an Ireland shirt - became the authorative figure when he came on, and he's going to start vs France.
Doherty was poor, looked rusty, and while I'm a big fan, I think the risk that he repeats the performance on Monday is too big a risk, especially when Seamus has been rejuvenated at club level. But I think there is a real risk of Seamus getting roasted on Monday, and if he's picked then we're almost certainly conceding that we'll be sitting in and hanging on. ODowda was fine on the other side and he's sure to be selected now.
Midfield:
A real mixed-bag.
We see what Josh Cullen brings to the table when he's there, but moreso when he's not there.
I like a lot of Alan Browne. He's honest, he has a super engine, he's committed, gets into great attacking positions, is as tough as nails and covers a number of positions. Trouble is he isn't very good. He was by far the weakest of the three midfielders and took the wrong option on a number of occasions which ruined good attacking play. And what annoyed myself - my young lad spotted it before me - was the number of times he'd receive the ball in space from cb, and immediately play it back to a cb, rather than turn and move into space. This is more pronounced when you're trying to reestablish a footing in the game.
Will Smallbone introduced himself to the Irish public at large last night, and it was great to see. He seemed to have a very good understanding with Doherty, and almost always picked the correct option. While I personally would have no issues starting him vs France, I think he's more likely to be of use in the games in June and beyond. I didn't watch him particularly but can't say I noticed him pressing significantly or being effective at starting the block higher up the pitch. But his game is about creativity and ultimately he makes things happen.
I know Smallbone got the plaudits, but I really liked Jayson Molumby (always, but) particularly last night. Every ounce of positive forward play had it's genesis in him. I genuinely am not arrogant when it comes to perceptions about what does/does not happen on a football pitch, but I really worry when I don't see pundits/posters/fans acknowledge simple basic and effective midfield play that he did last night. He was omnipresent in showing for the ball - not looking to be available, but actively wanting the ball. He took the ball a number of times from CB's and GK and was facing forward and moved positively with the ball. He started the moves for both goals and was generally very effective. and for a midget he is particularly effective in terms of aggressive play. I think sometimes the fact that he looks like an angry coont goes against him. But he's an absolute for me in our midfield 3.
Attack
Ferguson - very effective for a first proper game and start. Looks to the manor born. Nothing more needs to be said.
Obafemi - thought he was poor, have to be honest, again like Doherty probably suffering from rustiness - but looks like he has potential to have an understanding with the younger lads around him.
Generally:
The formation is a given now - but is transferable from 532 to 352 or 343 - and it's interesting in how he set them up at cb with Andy right and Nathan left.
The movement throughout the game of the forward players was really good - even watching on the box. Browne was frustrating in this regard especially, as he didn't either trust himself to pick that pass out, or when he did, the pass was poor and overhit/misplaced.
A lot of good training ground work goes to waste with that sort of sloppiness. I think there is the basis for positivity with a lot of what I saw last night going into Monday.
Vs France I'd go with:
Baz,
Coleman
Andy Omobo
Egan
O'Shea
O'Dowda
Molumby
Cullen
Knight
Smallbone
Ferguson
