Printable View
Quote:
Originally Posted by fergalr
I have a lot of time for Kerr and think at lot of the above is spot on. However this last sentence is the daftest thing he's ever said.
Why? The GAA wont ever do it, but they should have the option surely?
Agree re. Kerr being spot on here, fair play to him and don't see anything ridiculous about his last statement except for the pitch size, which probaly isn't something that can be overlooked !
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pablo
Knowing Kerr, he's probably referring to youth sports. I'm sure a soccer pitch is more than adequate size for the local U-12 GAA team.
Yeah, but then Richard Dunne is an arshole. If his attitude is an example of what Kerr was facing from the players then it's no wonder it all went wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by drummerboy
Did he have a go at Kerr for bringing in too many foreign players? :)Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
Can someone post Kerr's column from today's Times? We were walking out next to him in Croke Park, and one of the lads asked him what he thought of the game. I'd like to see if what he said on Saturday made it into the column...
Slovakia will provide a much tougher test
Brian Kerr Soccer Analyst : This result should be viewed in a positive light; three desperately vital points were gained.
However, unlike Wales, Slovakia will come to Croke Park on Wednesday night seeking a win after again proving their pedigree away from home with a 3-1 victory in Cyprus.
The standard of Saturday's victory was vastly inferior to most internationals taking place across Europe over the weekend - technique being the main attribute absent at Croke Park.
Watching the high-intensity battle between Germany and the Czech Republic on Saturday evening it was hard to believe we are competing on the same level.
Possession is considered precious on the continent, unlike our game where it was handed back to the opposition far too cheaply. Even the average European nations focus on retaining possession while moving forward with purpose.
Steve Staunton and his team will care little about other results having garnered three points in such high-pressure circumstances. But many of the 72,539 crowd, particularly the former players present as guests of honour, must have been cringing at the lack of quality.
On hearing through the grapevine on Saturday morning that Kevin Doyle would not start and given the lack of experienced strikers in the squad, I expected a 4-2-1-3 system with Stephen Ireland playing behind Robbie Keane with Duffer and Kilbane out wide.
Jonathan Douglas's selection in midfield alongside Lee Carsley was the first surprise but starting Ireland in an unnatural position wide on the right made no sense. There were enough players out of position already, like Steve Finan at left back (he had to check every time he wanted to cross. Ian Harte's exclusion left the defence off kilter) and Duff up front, although this was less surprising given he played beside Keane during Stan's captaincy at the 2002 World Cup.
The big problem with the initial line-up, given the cautious Welsh approach, was the team proved ill-equipped to utilise the lion's share of possession.
It was imperative the midfield duo dictated the flow of play but while Carsley and Douglas are honest, energetic workers neither has the ability or subtlety to find space or the range of passing to act as playmakers in a crowded midfield. Hence, we were over dependent on a wide build-up with Finan and Kilbane on the left and O'Shea and Ireland down the right - until Ireland swapped with Duff.
Although both pairings have played together recently they seemed to lack understanding. This led to defenders knocking long, hopeful balls into our small front men.
The obvious move of Stephen Ireland to a central role and Damien going wide right led to the opening goal, roughly 10 minutes after the switch.
Another problem was a lack of speed and precision in the build up and change of play among the back four. The ball needed to be moved with accuracy to expose the glaring Welsh deficiencies.
Their premiership players - Ryan Giggs, Craig Bellamy and Simon Davies - all looked like they were told by their club managers not to return injured. They duly obliged and rarely showed their ability. While the opposition's ultra cautious approach made it difficult for Ireland, Wales are a limited team with even less technical ability than us. They should have been filleted.
The only clear Welsh chance came from Richard Dunne's lack of concentration, which he is prone to, which allowed Bellamy a clear run on goal. After turning Paul McShane inside then out, he was only denied by Shay Given's bravery and anticipation.
I expected Stephen Ireland's expertly-taken goal to improve confidence but the second half performance was even worse, lacking sustained periods of controlled football.
Although the pitch appeared bumpy, it is not enough to excuse the poor decision-making right throughout the game.
Wales had a brief spell of quality possession in the second half but the Irish fans' resorting to a silly Mexican wave routine suggested they were hoping a game of football might eventually break out.
Many of the punters were "interested onlookers" rather than genuine fans. These people tend to dilute the hardcore elements around them. I expect more passion under the lights.
There were some positives. The ever-maturing Paul McShane overcame some initial errors to contribute plenty of blocks and tackles.
Stephen Ireland again showed his eye for goal and ability to break into the box from deep. Kevin Hunt added a dash and vigour that must leave him close to a starting place on Wednesday.
Keane, Duff and as usual Kevin Kilbane must also be credited for their industry throughout. Duff's honesty and commitment was epitomised by his crucial nudge on Giggs in the Irish six-yard box before he headed the ball out for a corner in the last minute.
Kevin Doyle didn't appear to be running with his normal fluidity and power and given Robbie's absence on Wednesday, Doyle's conditioning is a concern.
The real test for all involved comes next.
© 2007 The Irish Times
He's still peeved by Dunne:)
Occasion should inspire home victory
Brian Kerr Soccer analyst : Unless Ireland pick up six points from these two games our interests in qualifying will all but disintegrate, ensuring we become bit-part players for the remaining group fixtures. A situation Ireland have not encountered since the 1986 World Cup qualifying campaign.
That's a depressing regression of over 20 years.
Despite the fact that we gained seven points from the last three games, six of these were against San Marino. Irrelevant.
What is now required is a repeat of the Czech Republic performance. It's a similar build-up. The media and public are seeking a blood-letting after the San Marino disaster. Player commitment is under scrutiny.
The rugby matches have taken some weight off the significance of playing in Croke Park but I still expect a genuine sense of occasion this afternoon.
While it's a unique game for anyone interested in Irish soccer, unfortunately, unlike the rugby situation where the team is in good health and a healthy level of expectancy exists, we are at a low ebb.
There was a misjudged risk taken at the fixtures meeting before this campaign when the FAI and Steve Staunton agreed to play the first two qualifiers away from home. A silly decision especially considering a new squad was being facilitated by an inexperienced manager. It proved disastrous as we lost to Germany and Cyprus.
The team and managements are in a backs-against-the-wall scenario today. They must achieve something more tangible than the, albeit, morale boosting draw with the Czechs. That was a weakened Irish team who stepped up admirably on the night. Besides the absence of the two Reids, Andy and Steven, this will be a full-strength line-up.
As this is the strongest side Staunton has fielded, the wriggle room for excuses is getting tighter.
Looking at the event from a historical viewpoint, I don't envisage the players shredding any tears during the anthems (like big John Hayes against England) or becoming overly emotional at all.
Unlike the rugby team the footballers don't live amongst their community. The downside of living abroad is they sometimes fail to grasp the importance of it all. The rugby team, again a valid contrast, admitted to being swallowed up by the enormity of the hype-machine leading into the French game. It impacted negatively on the performance. But the bubble inhabited by British-based players is actually of benefit as their remoteness should ensure a greater focus on individual duties.
Many of the starting XI have experienced a similar environment before as Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Shay Given, Ian Harte, Kevin Kilbane and Steve Finnan all featured at the 2002 World Cup.
The rest of the team are hardly short of maturity either. Just look at the consistency of Kevin Doyle at Reading.
Keane, as captain, really needs to produce a quality performance on a level of his recent Tottenham form. Granted, international level is full of scheming defenders so Robbie will always be well marked.
I was disappointed to hear the criticism by Richard Dunne this week. Particularly as he was a player whose career I helped to advance at underage level. Unfortunately, his complaints about visiting hospitals on the day prior to games and complaints about excessive team meetings are inaccurate and unimpressive.
The comments are typical of the malaise that afflicts the majority of modern-day soccer players (not all of the Irish team I must say).
It's a shame that they resent taking 25 minutes out of a day to visit sick people in hospital or attend an occasional team meeting that interferes with their PlayStation or pool table games.
In my first year as Ireland manager after two hospital visits we abandoned any further trips due to the whinging of some squad members. But anything seems to go these days.
The team? Only the manager, and those really close to him, know the complete form of the squad - if they are doing their jobs properly - so the selection should be respected.
What we are yet to see is a Staunton style of play. A developed pattern. Due to injuries, he was forced to adopt a 4-5-1 system against the Czechs but that proved effective on the night due to individual's enthusiasm to make it work. That's what it always comes back to really. Player motivation.
The 4-4-2 is his preferred choice, even away to Germany, where, again, it was effective. Nothing worked against Cyprus in an unacceptable performance. At least the midfield balance was realigned thereafter with Lee Carsley coming back from the cold. Stephen Ireland still requires a hunter gatherer alongside him.
The Welsh are missing several key players in Danny Gabbidon, Mark Delaney, Jason Koumas and Robbie Earnshaw. Their squad depth is poor so those stepping in are not up to much. I'd expect John Toshack to employ a 4-5-1 formation with the mercurial Craig Bellamy looking to test the positional senses of John O'Shea and Dunne. He'll also drift right to expose Harte's lack of pace. As will Simon Davies.
Ryan Giggs will play off Bellamy in a creative role. It's good that such a fine player is gracing the first soccer international at Croke Park. The much sought after Southampton defender Gareth Bale is another decent prospect.
Toshack is a wise tactician who has spent enough time in Ireland to have a decent insight into the Irish players. He will have specifically designed plans to curtail the influence of Keane and Duff.
There were three friendly's against the Welsh throughout the 1990s under Jack Charlton and they all descended into scrappy battles more typical of an English division one encounter than international football. Granted, the Croke Park surface is of a better quality than Tolka, the RDS and Lansdowne but player familiarity will constrict against an open entertaining game.
With the occasion that's in it, and the historical connotations, Ireland can generate enough inspiration to win.
Or they will simply have too much quality for the Welsh. Either way nothing short of victory will satisfy the loyalty of the Irish public.
© 2007 The Irish Times
Is Kevin Hunt eligible? ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
It doesn't feel quite right that Kerr is involved in analyzing the current team so soon after he was manager. McCarthy was over for the weekend and when interviewed he said he wasn't here to talk about the team just to cheer them on. Class.
In fairness he never really commented til he got back involved with St Pats. He probably sees anything that boosts the profile of his club as a good thing.
Fair play to Kerr, the cheek of the players not wanting to visit a few kids...id say most of them are complete w$%kers
Thanks lads, it's not too far away from what he said. "Total shi!te, they had 2 decent players and 9 journeymen". Mentioned that he thought it would be a scappy game beforehand, and some throwaway comment about the ball needing to be sent to the hospital after some of the games under Jack's tenure. Said he thought it was fairly boring, and I resisted the urge to mentoin China at home, Poland away, Swiss at home, Cyprus away, etc, etc
My biggest issue with his comments now is that Mick didn't go to the press during Kerr's reign, so why is Kerr's opinion front and centre now?
Class me bollacks, he just wanted an easy time of it. IF he was doing commentary for the BBC he'd give his opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Qwerty
He has replace lawrenson at the times. I wonder why what happened with Lawrenson. Did not see him at Croker either before the game.
I think his brother Mike could do a job at the back, heard he plays a tight game. :eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
He was over in Israel commentating on the England gameQuote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
Good articles from Kerr. Best manager we've had IMO.
Are you a closet Pat's fan?Quote:
Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge
Kerr got us to how many tourneys? What happened to the "mysterious" unnamed Champions league team that was looking for him? He is entitled to his opinion about the team but no mention ever of any mistakes he made? Gary Doherty! McCarthy has more class and is a miles better manager.