Worrying still when they break, with Cullen and Hendrick pressing there’s a big hole when we lose the ball cheaply. Happened with Doherty a few mins ago and they were effectively 3v3 immediately.
Hopefully knocks to Cullen and Robinson are not serious. They’re both very important to this system.
Been poor since the goal. Tempo dropped and not much link uos
Starting to let them back into the game…
Horgan having a brutal timeQuote:
Originally Posted by third policeman
Blunted that burst of momentum. Need to be better shifting the ball around the corner to not have the Azerbaijanis bombing forward on the break. Coughing up some silly fouls.
been awful since the goal. we might win here but again, little to no evidence of progress so far.
Horgan looks like he is struggling with the pace of the game, heavy legged very early.
this is garbage. we're as bad as ever under SK.
Hopefully that settles them down again. A team desperately looking for a win will always be a bit nervy at 1-0.
Robinson should dedicate that goal to Joe Duffy.
Robinson!
Now get a vaccine you dopey ****. :)
Awful keeping, even with the deflection
Most convincing argument not to get it I’ve seen put forward yet 😄Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
fair play to Callum. a bright spark.
This position suits Robinson. Idah isn't doing much bar occupy the defenders in front of Robinson. But it is working. If Horgan was better we would be flying.
Super start, like we knew we were just better them and were going to dismiss them. Super goal too.
Then we just retreated and slowed down, and just let them into the game without earning it at all, inviting needless pressure onto ourselves. Lucky they are so toothless up front.
A bit lucky with the second, keeper had a howler really.
Hopefully we don't just try to invite and soak up pressure in the second half. This could be a 4-0 or 5-0 win if we go for it.
Horgan has been woeful.
Surely horgan comes off now let mcgrath come on , have 3 in midfield and let Robinson play off idah.Quote:
Originally Posted by third policeman
Liveline callers will ve fuming
I've always wanted Horgan to do well because he looks like an honest pro who gives his all.. but his all here is so far short it's ridiculous. We're basically two up with ten men because he's been terrible. And even worse he's causing trouble for Mc Clean behind him. He surely has to go at the break. Might be the perfect game to get Connolly on and maybe break his duck in a green shirt
I think the criticism of Horgan is a bit over the top. Hasn’t been great but he is making intelligent runs that are creating space. Unfortunately he’s made some really poor final balls after getting into good spots. Wouldn’t be sad to see any of McGrath/Ogbene/Connolly
I think the criticism is more down to the fact that most people bar Kenny saw that coming I.e. not producing enough. McGrath coming in at half time sees the penny drop with Kenny.Quote:
Originally Posted by passinginterest
We love the boss, we love Ireland, we love CalRob
Couple of great chances this half. Really hope we don’t end up regretting those. Can’t believe McLean didn’t square it.
I was just thinking that I'd love to see Ogbene come on, somebody with the pace to run at this tiring and stretched defence.
All these missed chances are causing me serious anxiety! Interesting now with Ogbene on. I thought Idah was having a good second half but he’s obviously not 100%
Horgan is probably better as an impact type sub at this stage, have him run at tired defenders when space can open up. Im not so sure he was subbed due to performance than maybe there was an issue prior like injury or low energy after a dose. SK is not usually the quickest with subs. Idah was always going to happen earlier than normal.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Need to make better decisions up front to ake those sort of chances count. You'd expect it with younger attackers learning their trade, McClean should have the experience to have squared that chance. It was a serious effort to get in to that position in fairness after that flick round the corner that Kenny likes to use to have the opposition sit deeper. Seems unfair to moan but we should be out of sight and be 4 up with that Duffy chance too.
Quote:
Originally Posted by third policeman
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
Horgan s issue is his total lack of quality in his final ball . He can run all day at tired defenders and cut back and loop hopeless balls in but that can't be good enough at this level
There's Bazunu's howler for the game. Wojus attempt at a save - but give him credit; he's a lucky keeper, and that counts for something
This was needed. Well done Kenny
That Azeri keeper is possibly the worst I've seen since the Gibraltar lad who scored for us.
Not a great performance and Portugal won't be scared, but **** it. We need this
desperately needed win. the home side were poor and we looked shaky at times but results matter.
Delighted for Kenny and the players. A good performance and result. Robinson was excellent as was Cullen I thought.
We rode our luck defensively a few times but we don't score three away from home too often so well done to the players/management. Robinson is clearly the best best attacking player we've got right now.
Performance wasn’t great in the first half in particular but it really should have been 8. Robinson should have scored 5, Doherty, Duffy x2, Parrott/McGrath(?), McClean/Idah, probably other chances I’m forgetting...
Good that SK went with purpose for the third goal. The Azeris were poor, as poor a 5th seed we have ever played away. Just how did TO’D manage to supress his enthusiatic urge to mention the V word to our Cal?
Overall, a solid performance. We went to a poor team, and made them look poor and showed that we were better than them.
One one hand, a comfortable enough victory over a team you should beat comfortably isn't something to celebrate too much, but seeing as we haven't been doing that until now, it is something to celebrate.
Delighted for Stephen Kenny.
Only one defeat in the last seven.
I wish I could say the same too!!! Horgan will divide opinion on what he offers, there were times in other games that his running off the ball would have been priceless. I can see whats meant on the final ball being a mixed bag when a decent cross is needed, but he can pick out good passes from more central positions and is effective if running on to a ball in to space. Is it enough to have him start, well it depends on whats needed and what opposition so horses for courses. We need to uncover or develop players that can play with a lot of width, we have plenty of options when looking more central. Im not always convinced when naturally central players are asked to play with width unless they are to play is inside forwards.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Good performance and well deserved result. I've been a critic of Kenny but that was excellent.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer but the panel on RTE I felt were a bit unfair after the Kenny post match interview …. Couldn’t hit him coz he won so they had a pop at him because he was “positive” … seriously Kenny can’t win with some ppl.
I'm surprised to come on here and see comments like "it wasn't great but a win is a win"
I don't remember a game where we've ever created so many chances. That was as close to brilliant as we've been in long time. Very enjoyable game. Made good subs and we controlled the game for most part.
Yeah they created some chances but I was never nervous watching it. There will be bigger tests against better teams but that's a big monkey off our back. A win and good goals from open play from a striker