Printable View
I am surprised at the lack of positivity this is the best home performance thus far I have seen us put in against a top seed and top side in years.
We have flirted with danger certainly but we have a plan, we keep the ball to a degree and have varied our approach.
Robinson looking well up for it. Some good spells. Some nervous spells. Good watch. Would like to see more aggression from Ogbene in terms disrupting the Portugese at the back and to see Doherty being a bit more incisive with his passing.. he's getting into positions but not making the most of them.
Shaky opening 10 mins but have grown into the game. Our right and their left are wide open. Ogbene has struggled to get into the game. Portugal dont look that bothered tbh. Could see a couple of goals in the 2nd half.
Ref has given us very little although I've seen those penalties given for the challenge on Ronaldo. An extra body in midfield would help - maybe Knight on for Ogbene?
Robinson playing well again.
Kind of surprised at the seeming consensus here on Ogbene — with his pace and some of his runs, I’m really liking the look of him. Far from the finished article but I can see why Kenny has selected him.
He was a little unucky with a few balls played behind him that should've been to feet. Took him a good 20 mins or so to get into the game. Certainly wouldn't be writing him off or anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
I think he's a long term asset.. just looks off tonight.. Robinson looks right on it though.. maybe bring in Idah as a target man with Robinson playing off him?
Also think tonight is set up for a Mc Clean winner tbh
Funny seeing Ogbene of Rotherham go toe to toe with Danilo of PSG. I think he's growing into the game. Hopefully he backs himself a bit more now and gets found by his teammates.
I'm in two minds about the performance. Portugal had a solid ten minutes early on and have done nothing since. I just don't know how much of that is down to us really.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWA
It's very similar to the away game really, and Portugal then upped a gear or two late on.
But can't be that downbeat about things so far for sure
First play of the half and he backs himself on a dribble. Palinha should have been booked.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Not sure how that isn’t a booking after the very soft one given against Ogbene if first half.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Agree. Think he’s causing them a few problems now.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Better already from Ogbene. And less playing around at the back. Playing well.
Every time I see Ogbene with Ireland all I can think of is Michail Antonio. Right sided utility player turned good centre forward through sheer grit and determination. Not saying he'll reach the heights of Antonio but seeing him torment and battle Danilo like Antonio did Van Dijk!
Hendrick hasn't put a foot wrong all match, very interesting substitution putting Hourihane on in his place.
This, objectively speaking, is fairly dire stuff from both sides
Portugal look so disinterested. It's mad it's like they've been forced to fulfill some long standing end of season friendly obligation made a couple of years back.
I'm just glad Pepe didn't start kicking Robinson when he fell to the ground.
Pepe off for two very harsh yellows.
We've beaten them at their own game :)
Portugal are, and have been, there for the taking really. They just haven't looked at it.
We have no excuse for not winning this match.
Ah we do. We're not very good, especially up front. That's a very good excuseQuote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
We're not good up front so you're right, but Portugal have no interest in playing this match.
argh if only we had a bit of quality up front. we took robbie keane for granted.
Am I seeing things or did some ten year old girl just run onto the pitch and get Ronaldo's jersey?
Agree with that. Portugal were spectacularly disappointing. So it's a draw, but I'm not sure how much to read into it. I mean, I'll take it and be happy, but I don't think we played particularly well.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
Yup. First time the crowd cheered him.
She did yep.. and the face of poor Gavin Bazunu who'd asked for it as they were walking off the pitch
Well how are the naysayers tonight? That was stuff to be very proud of. A wonderful performance. Stifled and strangled the many threats in that team. Disappointed not to win it, really.
In Kenny We Trust.
Portugal weren’t upto much at all and we still lack up front (that ain’t changing anytime soon) but plenty of positives and all round happy. Improvement continues and the boss is rolling. Happy days.
Very dull match. Was like a dour friendly. Portugal uninterested as was shown by their selection. They were resting before their important match against Serbia. Nothing really can be read into this performance based on that but I thought we were quite poor.
I thought we were excellent overall and could have nicked it in the end. Portugal are a very good side and CR7 was very unlucky not to score but we were competitive all over the park and played with good intensity and composure.
Rode our luck a tad but all in all another encouraging performance from Ireland. Had the feel of a friendly at times but some excellent individual performances. Robinson was very composed again, such an important olayer going forward. Ogbene had a really strong 2nd half. Cullen's best game for Ireland I think.
No, that's too much for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Portugal were dire and that's a big factor. Yet their keeper made one save in the 90? And Ronaldo had four great chances, two of which shaved the post with the keeper beaten
Brady calling it right for me
I think thats pretty unfair.. we're playing a top tier team, no matter what people think.. and they never looked like they were going to be over run, as they have been way too many times in the past
Judge them on Sunday.. thats a game we're expecting to win if we really want to show progress
Once we really analyse this group..
Two one goal defeats away to the top two seeds
Two home draws against the top two
Two brutal home results v 4/5th seeds
The win away v Azerbaijan put one of those results to bed
Hopefully we can do the same in Luxembourg on Sunday
Weird performance from Portugal. The first half was a relatively professional 'take a point' performance, but the second they were a bit of a shambles, and fairly needlessly so. Looked like they couldn't care less. Lads like Bruno Fernandes and Joao Felix when he came on did absolutely nothing. Even then, they had the better chances through Ronaldo.
But that's their problem. We can take some positives from it in terms of the result and clean sheet. Robinson did well again, Hendrick was solid, and Ogbene came into it much more when he went out wider. Idah didn't offer much when he came on, and we really are so light up front, it could be a problem for years.
Totally agree ITR. Its night and day stuff to a year or so ago. People can choose to be miserable, i guess, but that it a fine result and a strong performance against what is still a quality outfit.
Surprised also at the comments regarding Ogbene. For me he was our MOM.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Brady is being put in his spot by Sadlier and DM. Being called out for the negativity he is spouting. The evolution of the team over the last year and a bit is something we should be quite positive about.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Portugal had more chances because they are a far superior team to us. We kept a clean sheet and could have won it. On top of a similar performance away to them where we had our hearts broken. If you cant be positive and proud of that then i am not sure what else to say.
I was worried in the first 10-15 as he looked way off the pace of the game and his touch was poor. But after that he grew really well into the game and was definitely in the running for MOM for me too.Quote:
Originally Posted by mark12345
I'd agree there.. good performance. Ogbene was poor first half, but improved. That's progress. Idah getting a hard time.. hes 20, loads of time to improve. Remember how long it took Aldridge to break his duck? Bazunu hadn't a save to make. Robinson growing game by game.
Our level is NL B.. can we beat the Scotlands, Finlands, Swedens etc