I think the criticism of McGeady is unfair. Yes, he's overrated but he's still our best option on the wings with Duff.
I think the criticism of McGeady is unfair. Yes, he's overrated but he's still our best option on the wings with Duff.
Like someone already said....dissapointed that we didnt get all 3 because they were defo there for us but some great performances none the less. A.Reid i think would've made an impact as i taught S.Reid was nearly out on his feet the last 10 or so but still played very well to be fair. Hunt wasnt his best tonight but he always tracked back , maybe thats why Trap is on a bit of a no no about replacing himself with A.Reid??
Real mixed emotions... Pleased with the performance but gutted over the result. Should have won
Hunt simoultaneously answered arguments for and against his selection. His work rate was excellent and broke up play in the middle and at the back, however lost posession way too much and the delivery from set peices wasn't great.
Finnan O'Shea and Dunne were excellent at the back Kilbane had a couple of scares but I thought played well otherwise.
Reid looked gingerly. His passing and awareness is good but he wasn't the athlete he can be and could have covered more ground had he been fit.
Whelan was quality. I hope Pulis was watching. I'm sure Trapp'll recomend him to a couple of clubs in Italy based on this, if he's not a fixture at Stoke by the time January comes along:).
Keane showed just flashes of his quality. Doyle needs to grow a few more inches..;) Nah Doyle worked hard and done well enough but I'd say a partner for Keane has to be one of our problem areas at this point. The measured build up has become a staple but they haven't truly abondoned the punt up field which proved fruitless tonight. I would have brought Murphy off the bench toward the end just to change it against their back four.
McGeady continues to be an enigma.
Good performance and no yellow cards.
Definitely. He actually put in some very good crosses this evening. Yes he should have hit that shot across the keeper but over the two games he did well IMO.Quote:
Originally Posted by boovidge
Hunt's position definitely looks like the one most in danger.
We are a long long way from Cyprus.
They weren't a bad side. we made them look bad. Its a good point. We might have won but considering the performance i am satisfied. I didn't think Hunt was doing to bad, but he obviously did as his head went down in the last 25 minutes and he didn't seem to believe in himself. Hard to disagree he should have come off at that stage given his performance, but if Trap is looking at the long game it is great for him to know that his manager believes in him. he also had very little support from Kilbane, i can't remember him overlaping once in the game
Would of liked to have seen a striker with real pace brought on for Doyle, but who do we have??
I mean...He's the type of player to be brought on in the last 20 minutes to relive a bit of pressure...;)Quote:
Originally Posted by joema
Solid performance. We were the better team, no doubt. If we had Duff there instead of Hunt we would have won that game. O' Shea and Whelan played excellent football and they were the two I was worried about before the start of the campaign.I am happy enough with four points but still think we were lucky not to have played Georgia in T'bilisi.
I love it!
People criricised Trap's subs on Saturday saying they were responsible for the goal we conceded. Now tonight he chooses not to make any subs and we do not concede a goal. He still is criticised. Bunch of fools
Anyway, huge congrats to Trap for the way he was made this team do a complete 180 in the space of four games. Georgia and Montenegro are both good sides. Their results to come will prove just how well our lads have done this week.
Cant wait for the home game against Cyprus. Everyone is gonna be so fired up for that one. Fans, players, manager. Good times ahead I believe
4 points, the draw is OK, I not too disappointed as Bulgaria drew here to.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
Yes they did and rightly so. It’s the calibre of subs that he brought on not the fact he brought them on. The only subs I would have brought on to-day would be Andy Reid for Hunt and maybe Murphy for Doyle.
Read carefullyQuote:
Originally Posted by FarBeag
Planning for the right result away from home is a tactic in itself, which is what we done. The players looked tired as the game went on, but we kept our shape, we didn't give them ample chances, so why change things around dramatically by bringing on subs - especially Andy Reid - who is not a winger, nor a defensive midfielder.
Still haven't seen a reasonable post on why Andy Reid should have come on - it's not a game of Football Manager where you put on a player with a creativity rating of 20 out of 20 who changes the game in the space of a minute.
Reid and McGeady were ineffective attacking wise, but still they bring more to the table than Reid does on the wing. And, persistence is part of their game, on another day they might have played the same and either one of them could have whipped in a pin point cross onto Doyle's head - a bit like McGeady did in Georgia.
I suppose, going on a tough mission to Eastern Europe, with a ref who only ever gave us a decision when he absolutely had to, we've got to be happy with that.
As has been said, this is what it's like to have a proper football manager in charge. The lads were organised and obviously knew what their role was. At no stage did we look clueless or seem on the verge of pressing the self-destruct button. Basics, yes, but it has been so long since we've looked competent.
Maybe all this professionalism is bringing out the best in John O'Shea. Tonight, him and Dunne were a central defensive partnership. Two games running, O'Shea has been quick to close down the breaking ball, when the opposition were about to have a crack at goal. Taking note from Dunne, who also closed down a ball against Georgia.
I thought the backs showed a lot of intelligence. It was imperative not to get too shirty with them in our own area as the ref was swayed by an impressively partisan crowd. So we made sure we won the ball, and Whelan in particular shielded the back four nicely.
Hunt is a player I loathe to criticise because we know what he gives us. He tries very hard and chases long into the match. A natural footballer, he ain't. And at times it was pretty frustrating viewing. He butchered a couple of passes and his touch wasn't anything special. Particularly annoying was the poor delivery from frees, from himself and McGeady.
I would have liked to have seen Andy Reid come on towards the end, but then again, he doesn't offer the protection Hunt does. I think Andy Reid has to come in for the Cyprus game, give us a bit of invention. We'll have to see which way the injury situation is going nearer the time.
Overall, a solid start, and we kept a clean sheet away from home against credible opposition.
Edmundo wrote:
:DCode:Srećno na noćas! Ali ja sam iric i mislim Crna Gora jedan - Irska dva :)
Vi ste Crnogorac ? Odkale... iz Titograd ?
Yes I am Crnogorac,but not from Podgorica.I am from town called Berane.
Concerning game-Clear penalty in your favor,maybe one more-thank you for that referee:).Match was equal.You had your chances to win,but so did we.We played suprisingly well in defenece and disapointing in attack.Vucinic and Jovetic did not have their day.Also,Bošković,Bogavac and Vukčević were injured(he entered in second half).Our chances of qualifying are obviosly reduced,but we still have everything to play for and I think that we have chances of beating both you and Bulgaria away.All in all feeling of this prematch tension and excitement during the match is fantastic and I am looking forward for next games.
You are obviosly better team than Bulgaria especially in defence,although they are better techinaly.I would bet on you wining twice or eventualy your win and draw in two games against them against them.
At the end I can say that I espected whole different type of match and I am preety suprised how stong you are in defence.
I hope you also saw that we are not so bad for a country of 700 000.
No he is not. Just cause Keane has lumped him out there does not mean he is. This is well known. He is not a left wingerQuote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
I personally feel Montenegro were more dangerous but we were better on the ball, in terms of ball retention...other than Hunt...
I am preety suprised how stong you are in defence.[/QUOTE]
You're not the only one......
McGeady only has one trick and Keane went missing again.
Hunt is a joker.As much as i think Duff is past his best he is still better than Hunt,McGeady.
Very comfortable point.
Disappointed we didn't win - something was lacking upfront, not sure whether it was a bit more guile or just a bit of old fashioned physicality.
I thought almost everyone acquitted himself well but Hunt infuriated me. Worked hard and definitely contributed to the direction of the game but his set pieces ware simply atrocious and his general distribution poor.
Duff could have had a field day against this lot.
Who ever said we had problems in central midfield? :) Whelan and Reid were excellent and Whelan in particular is showing that international football still has room for an intelligent technical footballer even if the English league doesn't.
Defence was rock solid - take a bow the much criticised O'Shea & Kilbane.
The team is definitely taking shape. It looks cohesive and functional which is something we haven't been able to say for a while. That by itself compensates for not winning in my mind. My only reservation is that points won now can compensate for unexpected or undeserved points lost in future.
My wish list: Duff in for Hunt, McGeady to be more assertive and the front 2 to be more threatening.
Could Andy Reid have improved things? Maybe if we'd taken Hunt off, played slightly narrower and with McGeady playing a freer role behind Keane & Doyle. Did Montenegro have the width to exploit this shape? Not sure but I don't think so.
Funny with the whole Hunt v Reid debate post game on rte not one of them mentioned its Duffer's position to lose. Hunt will be used as an impact sub for either Duff or McGeady in the future. And that is why he's getting the nod over Reid while Duff is out.
Reid is a winger and the reason I would have brought him on is that Steven Hunt was clearly knackered and because the game was there to be won Andy Reid was the man to win it for us. Hunts delivery from set pieces especially was bad all game and Reid would have been an improvement and the man to deliver a pin point ball to Doyle’s head or Keanes feet.Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
Lets somehow hope Montenegro finish bottom, because we would be down 2 points seeing as the last team doesn't count when ranking the best 8 runner ups...and Scotland are winning 2-0 so lets hope iceland finish bottom of that group.
They were more dangerous in attacking areas, but we enjoyed more possession and honestly at no point was I concerned.
Holy God.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
Andy Reid was able to play left wing when he was 19. Then he erm...developed
An acceptable result tonight I think, we could have won it no doubt and deserved a enalty. Would have liked to see Andy Reid at some stage but understand Traps decision not to play him. Montenegro will be licking thier wounds after two home games and only two points, I think they will cause other teams in this group problems.
There is a marked improvement in this Ireland side and it simply down to organisation, there is more or less no change in personel so you have to put it down to organisation. Stephen Reid, although subjuded by injury tonight has put in two really top drawer performances. Glenn Wheland, if he doesnt start for Stoke on sunday then he never will, he has grown 6 inches in the last week, I only hope its not like Paul McShane (great start then some terrible performances).
All in all there are far more positives than negatives.
I'd agree that Reid can play wide midfield to good effect but surely you can see the distinction between a wide midfielder and a winger?Quote:
Originally Posted by FarBeag
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
yeah, i agree my mistake but i still think if he was brought into this position for the last ten minutes or so we could have won the game. Just an opinion.
I agree that the first 10 mins was a bit hairy but I thought we utterly dominated the second half and at least matched them for most of the first. I think teams fron that part of europe generally play better (purer?) football than we do but bar some speculative wild shots and a deflection very well saved by Shay I was never concerned. Did we threaten much? Not really but we were the away team and my first post post-match describes why I think we didn't threaten enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
We didn't create much apart from Keane's turn and shot and McGeady's chance but their best effort came from a huge deflection. Apart from they they were restricted to shooting from long range. And we should have had a penalty.
Overall a fair result.
Again, I draw attention to a wide midfield versus a winger's position. For example I think Beckham typifies wide midfielder - Liam Lawrence even. Can Reid play wide? Absolutely, but without the mobility that a second rate winger like Hunt has.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
At Charlton he played mostly central mid and that's where he has impressed most at Sunderland. He's shown me enough for me to be comfortable either side for Ireland and given how well Reid & Whelan seem to play I'd be hesitant to change central midfield.
I'm only picking on your assertion that he's a left winger.
Andy Reid isnt a winger, he is a central midfielder with a left foot, could you see him and Duffer in the same light?
This is going against public opinion but I was dissapointed in that result.
Disappointed with the result, but not the performance. Should have had a penalty. Although, I'll take the four points from the two away games.
Yeah I think everyone feels they were there for the taking, but we stepped it up from Georgia and look to be improving all the time. Its simple, at this time it looks like the Bulgaria matches will be huge.
Another step in the progression of the side. Pleased with with the two matches and looking forward with optimism to the rest of the campaign. We have shape and and a sense of purpose.
The difference in O'Shea is remarkable.
The back 4 played well as a unit.
Have been very impressed by Whelan.
Thank God Steven Reid is back.
McGeady played well for me and showed more improvement. I Hope Trap plays him centrally in the future! There has been unjust criticism of his play in this match by some on here.
Hunt is an impact sub - nothing more, nothing less.
Doyle doesn't have the pace to be an effective foil for Keane.
I wish Given would leave Newcastle - his ability deserves a bigger stage.
Nothing else apart from having a huge desire to give the Montenegran no.8 a slap!
Happy with that.
O'Shea and Dunne were bloody excellent. O'Shea proving me very wrong.
Reid was class again for the first hour. Controlled the game when we had the ball. Off the ball though he wasn't great. His passing was great.
Whelan complimented Reid well. He looks really good in this team.
Big improvement from McGeady imo. He misplaced 1 pass which is a lot less than Saturday. I thought his set pieces were excellent too and his crossing was very good. Just outmuscled a lot but won freekicks for most of those.
Doyle was class. I can't believe he wasn't bought in the summer. And Keane very good.
Overall though the team performed like any top team would have away from home, just lacked the creativity that Duff and A.Reid might have brought. Man of the match - Whelan with O'Shea, Dunne and Doyle next best.
Our next 3 games are easier than this on paper.
What part of him was very good??His one shot??Or was it when he went into hiding??Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
Poor result. Game we should have won.
Went in with wrong mentality.
If we had to gone in to that game with a winning attitude we would have won. All this bull**** saying Mons are good was bull. Gave them too much respect.
Stephen Hunt was DISGUSTING to say the least. He broke down every Irish attack by losing it or turning back to Kilbane and the two centre halfs even when counter attacks were on.
O'Shea, Whelan, Kilbane and Reid were brilliant IMO
McGeady with another sh*t game. Hunt poor too but I'd still have him ahead of McGeady when Duff returns
I'm quite pleased with a point from this game. The defence was very solid whilst in midfield Reid and Whelan were composed and disciplined. Montenegro won't be bottom seeds for much longer and plenty of sides will find it very difficult to win there.
We are making progress and that's encouraging from the dark days of Staunton's time in charge of the side.
I bet Trap was very happy with McGeady tonight. I'm sure of that. Bar his finish when clean through. :o Anyway, if McGeady was motm you wouldn't have mention him so I won't get into a big debate. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Hibs4Ever