That’s really poor. Two Belgian’s completely free there. Belgium poaching our set piece specialist coach has paid off for them!!
That’s really poor. Two Belgian’s completely free there. Belgium poaching our set piece specialist coach has paid off for them!!
Responded well after the goal,playing some decent stuff….
Really are. That was a lovely bit of skill from Robbo a few mins ago to turn two of their players inside out but the passing moves that we are putting together really are something to behold and enjoy. Those are the real positives.Quote:
Originally Posted by joey B
That was brutal defending for their goal though.
Belgium haven't really gotten out of second gear. Bar the 5-10 min spell at the end of the first half and the first few minutes of the second we've been very flat. All a bit laboured. Belgium look like they're happy just to play it out now and not extend themselves.
The play is light years ahead of what we were playing under O Neill and Mc Carthy, and anyone who doesn't accept that may as well stop watching ball..
Slightly surprising there's no subs yet?
Unable to watch game unfortunately, but I see still no subs?! What is going on?
Keane and Browne are on for Knight and Jeff. They were late in coming though, agree with P-Stu completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommy_c12000
F*cking get in. Yeaaahh we really deserve that. Brilliant from Ogbene again.
That’s a brilliant header and Ogbene has done so well again. That’s a proper mix of old fashioned punt and play off the break combined with real quality.
Great goal,Ogbene did so well again and a super header!
I’m going to call it. There will be probably a few posters on here who’ll have been disappointed we equalized and generally played such good stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by Insidetherock
Have to be pleased enough with that. It was looking bleak after 30 minutes but from the on we were the better team and the score line showed it. Kelleher has a very quiet night again. Most disappointing thing was conceding from a corner and defending it so badly.
Anthony Barry has brought Belgium to new heights anyway!Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
This legitimately made me laugh a bit.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Decent start to the second half, could have been ahead from when they played themselves into trouble, or from that super Hendrick pass. Belgium were lucky to go ahead when they did, although the defending was woeful.
After that we were game, but had run out of ideas up front, and Ogbene and Robinson weren't really in the game and Belgium were happy to see it out.
But great to see Ogbene work so hard and get the reward.
Yes, it's a friendly, and yes, it's a Belgium side missing so many of their best players, but player for player today they are still well ahead, so a draw is always a sign that the team played well.
Another building block.. and fantastic crowd.. games/results like this will make the crowd fall in love with the team..
Pity the Nations League is going to be put on hold with the Ukraine/Scotland playoff surely happening then now instead of the NL games..
Both would have been sell outs I reckon with great opportunities for the fans to really get behind the team again
Absolutely right.. that Belgian team would still beat most teams in EuropeQuote:
Originally Posted by osarusan
Decent result that,played well in parts…
I think that might actually suit us (albeit the war which caused it is horrible of course)Quote:
Originally Posted by Insidetherock
Four games in one window would have been quite tough; I don't think we have the squad depth for that, especially in attacking positions.
Instead, three games (Armenia being second up) would be handier, though we'll obviously have to fit the postponed game in somewhere
We played well. The thing that is most striking is that we have become very enjoyable to watch. There is a joy to the team
Result aside, I think that was a really positive performance. Completed 310 of 369 attempted passes, very assured when in possession, comfortable largely in defence, restricted Belgium to a couple of chances. Able to mix it up between possession and long ball when needed.
It's already been said, but that Belgium team would still be a comfortable top 20 European side. Quality all through their squad, and a League One player wins man of the match, and deservedly so.
Disappointing to concede two goals from the only two real chances Belgium had. Also disappointed to concede from a set piece.
But overall, I think that was very positive.
It was a good performance against a good team, though if only I got a penny for every time 'world's nr 1' was mentioned.
I can't understand the selection of McClean at this stage. That alone has me worried about the wisdom of Kenny.
He makes some decisions that make me raise an eyebrow, like bringing on Browne. But the players play for himQuote:
Originally Posted by geysir
the browne that got a lovely equaliser?Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
thought mcclean did quite well. his final ball couldve been better though
Exactly my point. I thought he was wrong on the sub and he was proved right.... I like that the international manager makes better choices than me LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by jbyrne
Would be great to work out what happened around the 30 minute mark. We were being utterly and comfortably outplayed, but then something just clicked. You'd love to start a match at the clicking stage!
Presume there's going to be a few changes in Tuesday. Lithuania are fairly poor these days - they beat San Marino 2-1 last night - so think we can bring in, say, Keane/Collins/maybe Manning (be nice to try options at left-back) and still get a good performance and a couple of goals.
I'm here to admit that I was wrong.
There was a point when I thought Kenny was a beaten docket. Not sure of I ever called for his head, but I definitely thought it.
I've not been as excited about an Irish side since the 2000s.
what kind of team are people thinking ?
i'd like to see parrott start and judging by the pecking order of subs keane and browne will be in aswell.
drop coleman and duffy, keep egan in there wit oshea and collins.
CK
O'Shea Collins Egan
doherty molumby ? manning
browne
parrott keane
I don't want to see too many changes to start. Keep the momentum going and make changes in last half hour if we are comfortable
i see no advantage of starting coleman duffy or mcclean we know what these lads will give to us. the 2 cbs had poor showings imo and manning has to get a start at some point. wouldnt be against keeping things the same from midfield up with maybe the exception of knight who underwhelmed.
Maybe something like this against Lithuania:
Kelleher
Collins Duffy Egan
Doherty Cullen Browne Manning
Ogbene Knight
Keane
Keep the core of tonight's team but maybe three or four changes to the starting team. Them maybe introduce a few more later on in the game depending on how it's going.
Good team performance.Passed the ball well when we had it and good shape when we didnt,contary to some opinions thought McClean did well ,final ball can be improved but his workrate up and down the pitch important in that system.
Its also still a work in progress. Considering there was almost 2 years of major of pandemic disruption to squads that were undergoing a major overhaul in personnel and footballing philosophy, no crowds, the disappointment of that penalty shootout, regular comments on the manager not being up to it due to his CV and the pressure that went with it, the ridiculous furore over a motivational video, coach changes etc etc. Well not to shabby at all considering. It wasnt a full strength Belgium but it was a quality side prepping for a genuine attempt at winning the WC. You can see the phases of play coming together that were disjointed a year or so ago. The players look more comfortable on the ball and passing out from the back isnt all heart in mouth stuff. We were missing a few lads ourselves too. The marking for the Belgium 2nd was criminal but the sort of thing that can be fixed. Players look to be enjoying things rather than being terrified of the ball and getting rid of it aimlessly. There's variation between the short game and long ball, pressing high is structured with serious graft being put in. We also played through the middle plenty rather than always pushing it wide in case possession is lost which is a sign of growing confidence and trust in the system. We need to reproduce this competitively now and consistently. It wouldnt be a surprise imo to see us moving toward the top 20 in due course.
I can certainly think of one !Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Ogbene is certainly becoming a star of this team. Fantastic character too. Great attitude.
Yes, the anti Kenny brigade are very quiet on here this evening. The progress is undeniable...
Even without the supposed messiah Barry
We were excellent today
No one can argue that
Oh, I dare say someone will try... Still, four hours and then some and no sign of the doom merchants.
Maybe, after all, the Belgians poached the wrong person from the Irish set-up.
Good result, some good play and Ogbene is fast becoming the poster boy of the new era. Sets us up for - hope I'm not tempting fate - a good result on Tuesday.
To be fair we still haven't seen how this Irish team looks without Barry on the sidelines.
Up to this coming campaign I had absolutely no issues with McClean being around the squad, but a winger is of little use without a final ball, if a final ball did end up sorta right out there it was by accident, he's way off his own levels of a few years ago and is not a player for the euro qualifiers. This was a serious friendly, a chance for players like Ogbene to stand out against very decent opposition. I seriously doubt there is one person here who would pick McClean in the first 11 for the nations league game never mind the Euro qualifiers. If he has a place in the squad, it's from nr.18 - 23.