You'd have to imagine France are getting a bollocking right now. Could see Coman for Hernandez second half?
Still, didn't expect to get this far and be in the game, so this is decent stuff so far.
Really need to make something from the set pieces they're giving us though
All quite positive so far, bar the possession stats. If France stay at this intensity a scoreless draw is likely enough. Crowd doing their part for sure.
That's the cleverest first half we've played under Kenny. Whoever said Kenny would be pragmatic was spot on. We're playing a low block and sitting deep when we need to but also not fannying about with the ball around the box when we need to clear it. We've showed proper game know how here. Having said all that the French could score at anytime they really are that good. When ye see the movement in the flesh it's all the more appreciative. The one thing I'd like to see more about is to go for it with the likes of Doherty or moreso ogbene as all down the right going. He's holding back. Clearly Kenny fears the counter and isn't willing to commit players. It's clear we're playing for a set piece.
Game has mostly passed fergsuon by. He's looked leggy but probably just can't get into it as his lack of experience in this type of game is showing. Molumbys had some key interceptions. And he really fired up the crowd after the tackle was good to see. Overall I don't think anyone can complain about that 45 mins
Doherty having a fine game so far. Best I've seen from him for a while. Ogbene doing very well at drawing the fouls but we need to make more use of the set pieces.
Molumby having a stormer. These games suit him a bit better I think. Getting in players faces and snapping at heels.
Generally doing well. Mixing it up in terms of play and keeping a good shape defensively.
France very flat, apart from the one ball over the top which caught O’Shea out no other big threats at irish goal. Ireland set up appropriately. I’ve never seen the lad Rabiot play before but he is having a stinker, as is Hernandez.
Bazunu has been great, really assured. Wing backs have settled nicely, particularly Doherty who is out of position. Still look like a fragile centre of defence. Molumby doing okay, grafting as always, but remains a limited footballer. Ogbene has won a couple of good free kicks and is working hard.
It has been a bit disappointing to see us get in good positions then gradually regress backwards with lateral/backward passing. It seems that the team don’t know how to use Ferguson and have not been able to get him involved with link play. He had one exquisite layoff to Ogbene early on. We need to get Ferguson involved and start with simple layoffs like Brighton do.
No idea what they’ve been working on with the short set pieces, but would err on just getting the ball in the box for the second half until they iron them out
Heroic first half so far. Not going to pick out anyone in particular. It's been a true team performance.
That was brilliant, despitre the laxck of goal chances. But it felt like 90 minutes. Molumby in a powerful frame of mind... Ogbene causing all sorts of rattles. Collins unafraid to go on the odd run. French passes going astray. Doherty's run was something I haven't seen from him in an Ireland shirt for a long time. I know there's a long way to go - and there will have to be substitutions which could change everything -- but how could anyone not like this team and the way they are playing?
Only gripe would be - Bazunu needs to mix it up a bit more so we're not playing out from the back unecessarily. 3-4 long punts a match is fine with me.
Do we have VAR at Lansdowne Rd
Decent first half. I'm surprised they're swinging so many crosses in rather than trying to go through us.
They've not created too much really, but if they do score I cannot see a way back as we don't look like creating anything. Tough night for Ferguson, but it would be for anybody in that role.
There was a peno check so we must?Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
Yeah, there was one penalty check. The one handball claim seemed more like wishful thinking from the crowd though.
It was used against ArmeniaQuote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
Im stuck abroad too and commentary is not RTE, its pretty patronising stuff - biggest night in Irish football history, French sloppness due to the pitch and the hammering it got in the rugby at the weekend, butchering a corner (true) but 'need to work on the training field'. Bizzare stuff...Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
Game stuff, didnt really lay a glove on us. We look focused, keeping the pressured a bit with a couple of breaks from winning some one on one battles. Looking composed when we do have the ball but then that is relative. Ogbene with the right ball and a ref that isnt going to penalise pretty 50/50 physicality, is an outlet. If we keep concentration and dont run out of steam then so far so good!
And there ye go fannying about on the edge of the box and we concede. Just play the sensible ball none of this sh1te
That is just awful from Cullen
Balls. Twitter spoiler.
Bazunu looks awful small in those goals.
Overplaying at the back, and noone was keeping that out. Now what?
It was inevitable we'd do that given France had done little of note all gameQuote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Utterly frustrating
Stupid shot to take on when Doherty was in space as an option. Need to keep their heads.
Agh. That was an awful goal to concede. Have to feel for Cullen. Had started the half really well.
Cullen’s set pieces have been awful standard. Do we not have anyone better when Brady not playing?
Knight maybe deserves a bit of the blame for the goal too. At the very least it looked like the defence wasnt in sync collectively.
Smallbone.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
France been very poor. That really was the self destruct button
Cullen is one of my favourites, but even before that he was a bit anonymous in the first half and like was said above his deliveries haven't been great. Time to think about bringing Smallbone on?
Ogbene needed to play that earlier, and Knight needed to shoot earlier. Those kinds of half-chances aren't going to be too plentiful.
Just need to stay in it now. Every chance we’ll get an opportunity if we can stop them scoring again.
Edit, don’t think I’d take Ferguson off yet. Give h8m ten more minutes anyway.
Looks like the standard tempo pick up after conceding, doing well since then. Would fear France pick us off with another goal now shortly as we open up.
Was Ferguson injured?
The current Norwich City whipping boy, Idah on, would love to see him score.
Knight badly needs a move out of league one
Knight and Molumby both look knackered.
Looked like VAR closed its eyes for a bit. Mbappe should have won a penalty.
Knight is out on his feet,more subs needed….
We're getting to the stage where you think of throwing McClean and Johnston at Pavard and see if we can get him sent off
Kenny discussing with Andrews for several minutes. Still nothing on much needed subs. Such a lack of proactivity. Only 15 minutes left. Waiting for 2-0?
Disappointing that the crowd has been so quiet since the goal. This is when the team needs the noise
He's fantastic. Easily top championship level player. Would love to see him tested in the Permiership or a decent continental league. I was talking to someone who knows a lot of the players a few weeks ago and I got a bit exasperated when Knight came up. "What's he doing in League One?!" I spluttered. The simple reply I got was "Earning good money."Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
If Kenny really trusts his players why does he wait so long before making substitutions. Especially when losing and nothing is happening