You couldn't pick a fixture that better illustrates the contrasting fortunes of our footy and rugby teams right now! National standstill vs "what?".Quote:
Originally Posted by ltfc_2004
You couldn't pick a fixture that better illustrates the contrasting fortunes of our footy and rugby teams right now! National standstill vs "what?".Quote:
Originally Posted by ltfc_2004
those player trackers will be gutted szmodics is gone... wont get to see him sit on the bench for 180 mins now!!!
Well you are limited to what opposition you can get for November. UEFA, Conmebol, AFC, CAF, and top Concacaf teams have qualifiers. OFC is the only confederation where all teams don't have competitive fixtures. New Zealand also play Greece in November.Quote:
Originally Posted by ltfc_2004
Next summer should allow better opposition with teams looking for games to prepare for Euro 2024.
So 5 hours to kick off and all still...
I think it's fair to say that if we lose tonight, the FAI have a very easy decision to make come November.
Ferguson's form the last few weeks is a bit of a worry. And with McClean now retired, Coleman/Stevens injured and Brady not called up, we're down to just one of our stalwart wingbacks left (Doherty); I can't help but think we should have a better idea of succession by now. I thought last month showed Browne is better in midfield than at wingback. A debut for Scales maybe? He'd be out of position if played at wingback though.
Three years into Kenny's reign and for all the talk of the great young players we have coming through, I'm still not overly confident about a home game against Greece. They were far better than the scoreline suggested last time, and we've a lot of improving to do to get something here. The performance against Holland was vaguely encouraging, but we don't seem to be able to bring that sort of performance into games like this.
I'm not so sure why people were eager for him to be selected. Yes, he has performed really good so far this season. This is down a good period for him rather than showing quality for an International side. We really would be scraping the barrel if we think that he is going to solve all the current problems. The main problem is the creativity from the midfield, hence why the team struggles to score goals.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jd2793
I guess when a team is struggling badly - especially up front, like we are - then there's going to be a clamour for anyone who looks like he can play a bit.
When he comes in, plays a few games, has a couple of bad ones, then we'll turn to someone else.
Always the way of things.
Though in fairness, I don't think anyone here has said he's going to solve all our problems, or anything close to that.
Its a fair point looking at the friendlies on that day its Austria V Germany, Latvia v Poland. The main focus on 21st November will be the Under 21's are playing Italy at 4pm that day ... must be in Cork againQuote:
Originally Posted by JR89
I wonder if that is 4-2-3-1 or I'd Browne is wing back?
Bazunu Doherty Duffy Collins Scales Browne Cullen Knight Ogbene Smallbone Ferguson
I'd say Browne WB because I can't see him going four at the back against Greece when he played 3-5-2 at home to Gibraltar.
He is playing well for Celtic, gets about the pitch and has technical skill in abundance, unfortunately there's an elephant in the room, he's prone to costly bombscare defending such as blindly directing a defensive header into a dangerous area and conceding a goal as a result. One time getting robbed when dallying on the ball, another time making a stupid pass, both those led to goals.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
The strange thing is he still impresses the pundits/fans and has earned motm despite him making a half dozen blatant bloopers,
Maybe he'll fit right in then :)
Big moment for Scales. We’ll see how he does. Looks like a 451 to me…
Kenny just never inspires in front of a camera..
Assume you’re talking about Scales?Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Yes :embarrassed: the wrong player for the question but the opinion is still valid.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
I really don't see ogbene forming an partnership with ferguson in a front 2 so hopefully it's a 433 with smallbone and ogbene wide and highQuote:
Originally Posted by JR89
LOL - it was insightful anyway!! To be honest, I think this is my first time ever seeing Scales play!Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Scales looks like left back anyway
You know things are bad when you end up swearing at the telly about the kick-off.
:D :D sameQuote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
Very well played there between Ogbene and Smallbone
Lovely from Ferguson there too!! Oooh
All the time in the world for that long range effort,could have took another 5 seconds if he had wanted….
Same old same old
Energetic start, don't capitalise, fade after ten minutes, go behind...
Stunning header and great cross but yep, same old same old indeed. And it’s kind of been coming.
Ferguson is completely isolated too.
All very depressing.
any half decent team has a goal start against us as we cannot keep a clean sheet under kenny. yet he still retains support.
baffling.
I'm not sure he's retaining support. Lot of empty seats, especially in the corporate boxes, and no atmosphere tonight either.
This is ****ing dreadful.
Ok goal aside, good cross and header but what is immediately odd to me is the length of time it is taking us to take a set piece or throw in - SK was big on te multiball even at Dundalk, quick throw-in, keeping the temp up, exploiting teams switching of especially when they have a moan at refs, quick short frees in to feet, ball 'round the corner etc. Yes it was slowed down and played across the back four for spells, was frustrating at times but tactically it was both a breather and an opportunity to suddenly up the tempo. The players he head at LoI level were arguably less technical yet in European games agains quality opposition his sides had a competative edge. With better players there seems to be a lack of players playing, its seems to be playing in a very structured manner, like phases of play that have been drilled on the training field. Predictable and easy to read by any decent side. Not sure if its coaching or a lack of confidence, players feeling the pressure too much. Its just odd, like a Trap team without the quality of player he had. Nailed on penalty for me, doesnt matter whether the ball was cut out seconds before. Lacked the bit of luck again where the Ferguson shot would have sneaked in in a Brighton shirt but a lot of sides would have buried the Scales chance, he just needed to spoon it on target.
So ok what do people do to try and change this up. Rankings suggest there should be little between these sides yet the Greeks just look sharper, composed, confident, fluid, dangerous rather than frantic. Maybe we are simply trying too hard....
he's definitely after losing the players, maybe not all of them, but there are a lot of guys out there not really at it. very casual, lots of walking around.
As bad as it’s been.Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
I do think crowds have held up pretty well considering and it wasnt the case at the end of other eras. Its not retaining support for SK imo, more part of a general trend of people attending live sporting events good numbers possibly part of the post pandemic shut down changes for however long that may last. It far from the event junkie success bandwagon nature of the Irish sporting public. Impressive in the context of tomorrow nights sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by zero
Ogbene the only positive so far. Very poor. I’d bring Johnston on at half time.
Ogbene about the only one playing well.
Snap there TonyD. He deserves more effort from some of those around him. Doherty is annoying... maybe it's just me but he doesn't seem to take the game seriously at all.
Ah, FFS.
fully deserved second. dressing room lost unquestionably.
Hopefully that clown will resign at h/t
After the usual energetic start, we've imploded as usual and gone completely flat. We have no structure whatsoever. The little bit of good play we have just comes from individual stuff like Ogbene causing problems, rather than anything from training.
They're closing us down so quickly and not allowing anybody up in support of Ferguson, who hasn't been in it at all.
Not sure what to make of that. I think the scuffed cross from the back post caught us out. But certainly no-one doing a great job stopping it
That's Kenny gone anyway. The press conference will be painful. But let's get through Monday without embarrassment and move on...
Putrid that,he should have been put out of his misery in September….