Good tactic. Give them all the possession and hope for the best. It 'worked' tonight. 99 times out of a 100 it doesn't, though. Still, a rollercoaster of a game. Three Nil Nils in a row for Ireland. Has that happened before?Quote:
Originally Posted by Spudulika
I hope George is back in the commentary saddle soon, Maloney is a nice lad but just too excitable, he hasn't the mature gravitas to handle the pressure of a backs to the wall, blood and bandages game
Not much to say about the game that hasn't been said, I thought once the team accepted this was the Alamo, we took on the challenge and grew formidably into the role.
Trap buys our patron saint a ticket for the upper Luzhniki.
What a guy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trap
It has in 1985, against Norway, then Spain and then Israel.Quote:
Originally Posted by Straightstory
That is now 11 matches unbeaten away from Home, equaling the record (not including Georgia or Italy as it was neutral venue). A new record could be set against Andorra.
It's now 4.15... and this is where this thread stopped... shocked and appalled!
Well, it has all been said in the pages since the final whistle, but if we had some luck in store, we got it all in one helping tonight, and needed every bit of it.
I'd be very worried what three quality sides would do to us if we qualified with the midfield as it is, never once in my memory of the game did they set up and establish controlled, sustained posession in the middle third, let alone probe their opponents from there going forward. But it is what it is, they left it all out there and gave every ounce.
And finally, in the unlikely event Richard Dunne ever reads this site, that was immense, simply immense, you just joined McGrath and Keane from those who, in my time watching Ireland, have single handedly lifted and held the whole side up by the scuff of the neck and refused defeat. You deserve to play another major finals for that 90 alone. Magnificent.
We were thoroughly outplayed, but Dunne was brilliant.
You can't give Trap much credit for the win on the surface of things, but he seems to have injected a dose of pragmatism that grinds out results, even when ugly. Compare this to a commendable performance away to Germany which we lost under Stan and I think you get the gist of what I'm saying.
When it mattered most last campaign, we played good football against the French despite our lack of finish. Trap lamented following today's match the lack of fitness of some of his players, and I think it's a fair point to make.
Next round of fixtures hopefully we'll have O'Shea, Sledge and Long back and perhaps a more fully fit McGeady and Doyle.
Whatever about any constructive criticism, I love the man! lol Legend. Onward and upward!Quote:
"I told the players St Patrick was looking down on us tonight."
Still thinking about Dunne last night. He really was wonderful.
When he went on that maisy run, lost the ball and then legged it back to put in the tackle well inside our half you just felt it was gonna be his night.
Is it a case that trap wants them to go long with the to to ensure that when we inevitably do loose possession that it's far enough up the pitch to organise ourselves accordinlgy... Rather than try play it out via and loose possession in our own half with little chance to get set ?
For all McCarthy brings to the table ahead of Andrews I can't see him putting the tackles in that Andrews did last night.. He's seen the tenacity required from trapp to play. it's up to him to add that string to his bow.
What was the story with the poor control and the balls needlessly going out to touch?
I still think there's potential for Ward if he can show he's on a learning curve. I'll be watching his efforts for Wolves more closely to see if he's learned from the chasing he was given.
The fact that the wingers are playing in off their good foot does my head in. It's not as if either has a good shot when they come inside either.
Doyle is not happy... But maybe trapp has a point. He does look like he's not fit to me?
Kelly is always at his best in those type of games, even at club level.
absolutely. happened few times in Slovakia game too. When there little to no pressure on the player, nearly always Ward or McGeadyQuote:
Originally Posted by dr_peepee
Pm sent.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Nothing to add on our performance, but on the Russians, am I the only that thinks they didn't play 433?
I was sure they played 3-3-3-1?
---------Twin 1 ----------Ignashevich--------Twin2---------
Anyukov -----------------Shirokov------------------Zhirkov
Arshavin ----------------Zyryanov ---------------------Semshov
--------------------------Kerzahkov----------------------------
That's how I saw it anyway.
Meant to bring this up earlier but thinking back Stephen Kelly didn't look out of place at all despite hardly playing.
Very difficult game to be thrown into relatively cold, showed his experience big time.
Thought it was Kelly's best game in an Ireland shirt.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Yes, but Ward aside, the defence wasn't the problem. It was the midfield, of which yet again only Hunt came out of this game with any credit.
The forwards were hardly much better, though the 'service' they receive via Trap's somewhat eccentric system is absolutely woeful. Hoofing it long would make more sense...
And instinct tells me we'd have been better off beating Slovakia and losing to Russia, if only for the extra point...
the kelly (and odea) situation illustrates perfectly the complete non waste of time the friendlies have been over the last 12 months despite claims otherwise. both performed admirably when called on recently in qualifiers. i think the friendlies had a lot to do with thisQuote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Bumping thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tiwuf7GFUNM
Closed thread.