Less than inspiring performance. What a wasted oppurtunity! We really could've put Bulgaria to bed. We're playing for 2nd now basically.
Less than inspiring performance. What a wasted oppurtunity! We really could've put Bulgaria to bed. We're playing for 2nd now basically.
We need to sort out the centre midfield, Andrews is ok but Whelan has been a bit poor. BUT Andy Reid is not the solution, I don't know what is but Reid is getting way to big of a name for being a two-bit player at Sunderland
What a poor performance center mid was severely lacking need andy reid in the team to add some creativity. Why not Carsely know not creative but better than Andrews and Whelan. McGeady in to central needs to stay out wide to take on full back. I have thought in past Stephen Ireland should stay away from team but we no matter what people opinions on him Ireland need him.
Trap is far to negative after start we had should have pushed on from there. Also need to learn to make subs earlier in the game Hunt looked out on his feet after about 75 mins. No point in making a sub on 90 mins if only just to waste time. Bench was not great today but players on there could make a difference. Ok I know not all our players are world class by any stretch but then are as bad as that performance either
I was actually concerned when we scored that goal and said I would have preferred it to remain 0-0; I knew exactly how we would play and I wasn't dissapointed.
A very disgraceful performance.There was no sign of pride or passion for any of the players to play for their country.We badly need Stephan Ireland and Andy Reid at this moment in time.Bulgaria deserved a point,if not all 3.
I'm not too disappointed, I still think there is everything to play for. I thougt Doyle would put that header in the net, I think we will produce a shock or two away from home against Italy and Bulgaria.
I said it before and I will continue to say it, we are a brutal team. Luck has got us this far and not Traps excellent managerial skills. Why he continues with journey men like McShane, Kilbane, Whelan ,Hunt, Keogh and a few others is behond me? There were players in the U21 team last night that would have done themselves justice in that team. We have the players out there like St Ledger, McCann, Lawrence, Garvan, and Reid. Bulgaria played a second string team out there and should have won the game. We have no chance against Italy and Cyprus will hammer us again. What is it that NI are doing right that we cant do?
i dont know what you saw in that performance or the Georgian one at home that gives you cause for optimism?? Baffling really. We are terrible. Our table position belies the fact that we have had a pretty easy schedule so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
That performance was pathetic. A flukey early goal and then outplayed for 90 mins. Like most "fans" I readily admit tactics are not my strong point. Hence, when Trap (crap) leaves out Reid I've given him the benefit of the doubt. When that eegit Ireland does not come back and we are given Traps "he's not my son" and "ze door is open" etc I assume my gut instinct is wrong and il genius will pull it out of the bag.
Putting on Keogh with 6 seconds left. Fer gods sake......
Emporors new clothes come to mind. Nothing less than a resounding win on WEdnesday will convince me that this guy is not only here for one last pay day and as such.......
Mise le meas
Doyle should have put his header away, I expected him too, as McGeady should perhaps have took his chance too, not that I expected him to, their goal was a bit of a fluke. We are in a strong position for second place, I don't think Bulgaria will pick up the points they need to catch us, we will also be hard to beat, even for Italy. Currently we are the best placed second place team, the teams below us will take points of each other, there are more draws to come from Bulgaria. We could have done with a couple of subs coming on earlier though. Trap will sort it out, we will run riot over Italy :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
alright, whatever you reckon. I just wish the smiley you used had rose tinted glasses instead of shades...
t he colombia performance was a sign of things to come
Trap is polishing a turd.
We carry so many passengers it's unreal.
Maybe Reid would make a difference, but not sure it would really have changed things.
We lack any real quality, long and short of it.
on the bright side better teams than us were beaten tonight...belgium at home to bosnia for exampleQuote:
Originally Posted by OneRedArmy
silver lining is, a win vs Italy would fix all. They can't possibly play worse....
for me its not the result that gets to me, just how bland and predictable are play was...the only time weve shown anything under trap was the first half in oslo
just back from the match there so quick review before off to bed (up at 4.30 in the morning to catch a flight to Milan :eek: )
as i'm sure has been mentioned before our centre midfield needs to be sorted out and fast. Glenn Whelan is earning a title of "the next Matt Holland" (i.e mr invisible), i kept my eye on him quite a bit and i must say i've never seen a central midfielder so scared of the ball and so lightweight in the tackle in my life...Andrews did well but he was basically playing the role of 2 players there...
Secondly, again not sure if mentioned already, Stephen Hunt's role in that shambolic goal...yer man that crossed the ball from the left had acres of space and where was Hunt (who was supposed to be playing on the right at this stage) but marking absolutely nobody in the semicircle at the edge of the box...absolutely shocking...
Other shockers - both full back were very poor, i'm amazed they can call themselves professional footballers with the control and skills (or lack thereof) that they have....we have a solution for rb (foley) but unfortunately no replacement for Kilbane (thanks for the memories and effort but time to say goodbye old friend)
lastly - Robbie Keane as captain? can you imagine him commanding the respect of a dressing room like an O'Driscoll or O'Connell after a performance like that? don't make me laugh...
Positives? Surprising there were a couple:
Doyle was, as ever, excellent...he was everywhere, held up the ball well and won his fair share of headers (which was vital given that we're a blatant route 1 team), shame he didn't get the goal he deserved with that header...
Andrews looked pretty decent again, how i would love to see him have a proper partner in the centre, we wouldn't be such a bad team then...
O'Shea and Dunne again looked like a decent partnership, shame they're surrounded by mediocrity...
phew that was a lot of effort, looks like i'll need to drown my sorrows tomorrow with a few Peroni's :D
Whelan was completely anonymous. No joke to say that you would actually forget he was on the pitch at times. If you're not getting on the ball and making passes at least be winning tackles and regaining possession but he wasn't even doing that. At least Andrews managed the odd foray forward.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba
Full backs are a big problem too. At one stage we seemed to have too many quality full-backs. Now we are struggling for one decent one.
We are definitely struggling at left back but he has options on the right with Foley, Kelly and Nolan but that excuse for a professional footballer McShane is the preferred option in Trapps view. I would also take Delaney over Kilbane any day of the week for the left back position.
If we don’t sort the left and right back and central midfield out very very soon we are in big trouble.
Back from the game and my taughts for what its worth:
Trap way to negative, looks poor in post match interview
Too bad teams playing there tonight. Bulgaria were so bad. Ireland marginally better and if any belief or leadership there would have had a second goal to kill of the game.
Negatives: Kilbane was rubbish. Has been pretty good for his second 50 caps for Irleand but tonight was at fault for about 4 mistakes before the goal. McShane was as nearly bad. 2 complete liabilities there tonight
Centre mid no creativity at all. We need A Reid, S Reid. (S Ireland will not come back so forget him). Strikers were isolated time and again
Il Trap is no world class coach. He is past it.
McGeady again did very little. He plays against the likes of Dundee Utd, Motherwell, Hamilton week in week out. Oh Yeah that's quality. He is completely over rated but on this forum he has delusional Celtic supporters backing him. Get real
Positives: John O Shea and Richard Dunne partnership, Kevin Doyle as in every game is excellent. Robbie Keane tried hard and cannot be faulted but is not a leader...
Ireland have now three wins and 2 draws from five games which is way better than under Stan and we hopefully will score in Bari but Italy should win.
They are playing with better confidence and at least trying to play football
Trap is not open to change and will not change.
Hopefully the next manager will make them better for the next campaign.
They need someone who makes them play with out fear and is not afraid to change personnel.
A lot of people who actually work with Robbie seem to think he is a good leader, perhaps they have a better insight, what with actually being in the dressing room and all. Keane played well today, we're desperately lacking Steven Reid in the middle. Andy Reid wouldn't have made a jot of difference, just as he never did against the likes of Cyprus, Switzerland and Russia.
Ireland has no midfield. Simple as that. If that could be sorted we would have a very good side.
Have been reading some 'outside' reports on the game and it seems that the general consenus is that we were lucky to have gotten away with a draw. Firstly, I was at the game and all I feel is bitter disappointment that we did not kill bulgaria off. saying that i do not feel that we were inferior (apart fom midfield where petrov gave us a lesson) and we should be up there level with italy. As has been trotted out a thousand times, our midfield is crap and even if we do get to the WC does Trap, Brady etc seriously think that we wont get steamrolled with Gibson/Whelan in the middle! Full backs were sh!te too. Paul mc shane has no right to be in that squad ahead of foley, o dea, kelly etc. Kilbane i'm not too sure about.
Was reading some bulgarian media reports on the game and the vibe is all about 'unlucky' bulgaria and how they beat us with a depleted squad especially without 'MANCHESTER UNITED STAR BERBATOV!' :rolleyes: I disagree that the depleted bulgaria team should be praised for achieving this result as we were missing 3 three crucial players - s reid, duff, finnan (4 if you count baldy head from man city). Had these been available i believe we'd have stuffed bulgaria. The Times (english) leads with the headline 'KILBANE MISTAKE BRINGS REPUBLIC BACK DOWN TO EARTH' and pretty much suggests that our lofty position in the table has been as result of luck or over achievement. If anything we've underachieved for the calibar of team that is available, which leads me to question traps selection policy. not happy with it at all. Finally, the result tonite and the performance of our midfield has only heightened my dislike for that baldy little****** who through his own sense of self importance or lack of patriotism plays out of his skin for his club but refuses to play a handful of matches for his country especially when it is in such dire need of a quality midfielder. Like seriously, how much of an a$$h0le and how selfish must you be to turn your back on playing for your national team. I wouldn't be the biggest fan of roy keane but i find it hard to believe that even he would leave us in the lurch as much. I mean s ireland must have watched the match tonite and thought 'god, i could really help out here and do a far better job in midfield'. if he is any sort of a decent, proud irishman he would be on the fone to FAI to make himself available. but we know this wont happen. I don't know the chap but i'd go as far to sat that i reckon he probably takes an egotistical delight in seeing us struggle and know that he could solve alot of problems -a bit like the hot girl in a club who dangles herself in front of you and then buggers off, delighting in the fact that you want her and can't have her. it must be an irish thing that we produce such ar$eh0le soccer players, then again maybe just a Cork thing....
Where is this guy today?Quote:
Originally Posted by BigmanCas
BigmanCas was just sticking up for Kilbane, and I don't disagree with him.
Kilbane and the left-back slot is a worry for me whenever I watch Ireland play, but I'm not entirely convinced that Delaney would be leaps and bounds ahead of him. Take a look at some of the QPR supporters' forums...if he can't be steady at that level how will he do with us?
If a quality centre-half emerges (St. Ledger?), then we can push O'Shea to left back, but for now it is a trouble position with no obvious solution.
I'd like Ward to be given a run there in a friendly sometime.
When you haven't qualified for anything in 8 years, then you learn that you have to play a different way in order to turn it around. While I am disappointed that we don't look to kill teams off, the table shows that we haven't done too badly. We are capable of getting a point on Wednesday, Italy attacking wise, aren't Brazil.Quote:
Originally Posted by conlonn
The alternative was this campaign under the previous coach, and we were out of it halfway through last time. That was with Andy Reid and Stephen Traitor playing.
We have 3 away games coming up, Bulgaria have 3 at home. Whoever fares best, will progress.
Pride!! How do you bring pride to a team by getting a player who doesn't want to play for it :rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by sheao
I have to laugh at many of the comments on this Forum. Trapp is rubbish (numerous league titles and European trophies)! Answer: Bring in players who are not getting their games for Premership and Championship sides like Reid (75th minute substitute last game, Garvan no long getting game at Ipswich, Scannel not getting his game either etc etc).
A few facts: We have 2 reasonable forwards and 1 good centre half another reasonable one and an excellent keeper. The rest of the team are journeymen, although Duff and McGeady on their days can be good. We have two poor full backs and two poor midfielders. There might be a tweak or two to slightly improve the scenario but nothing major so we have to live with what we've got. We must therefore play to a system which is what Trapp is doing.
We lost the 3 points by a flukey OG and perhaps should have won with Doyle's chance near the end. Such are the margins between success and failure. The Irish rugby team won because Wales missed a peno in the last minute and are celebrated as "heroes" - they would have been called chokers if the peno had gone over.
Frankly, I am not interested in "performances" or "entertainment" If you want the latter go to the cinema or theatre. I want results and if we get to the play offs and qualify after terrible games, Trapp will be my "hero". People are now brought up on Sky TV and hype and instant gratification.
We didn't get a win but we're still in the driving seat for a play off position. We have to match that result in Sofia.
I have seen it all before as a Wednesday fan. Cr+p sides so you sack the manager and then get cr+ppier and then sack the manager and then find yourself in the 3rd division. We have a manager (who is not perfect) with tons of experience who is getting the team playing to a system. He sorted out the mess that was the first half and we played much better in the second and we should have won. The difficult tests are to come but it is way TOO EARLY for the knee jerk reaction of some fans here.
People need a reality check. I was happy with the point. Our players are simply not good enough. Most of them can hardly hold down a place with bottom of the table premership teams. Bulgaria are a decent side. We had as many chances as they had if not more. Its certainly not easy on the eye, but it would not surprise me in the least if we managed a draw on Wednesday. We really miss Stephen Reid.
Whilst i agree our players are simply not god enough, it would absolutely shock me if we got a draw on wednesday. Im expecting the Italians to be all Italian and dispatch us coldly with a 2-0 winQuote:
Originally Posted by drummerboy
Well Said ... agree completely.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Was at the game last night.It was the biggest load of crap I watched in a long time. McGeady worked his socks off but he was ****.The only 2 positives were Doyle and McGeady and as I said McGeady is a tryer but5 he is ****.
Spot on, we've a good chance of getting a draw in Sofia, and then it's just down to us beating Cyprus and Montengro. If we do, Bulgaria need to at least draw one of their games against Italy and hope we don't do similar. Not a bad position to be in at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
And you're right about Garvan et al, we tried throwing in youngsters who have never played in Europe, or even the Premiership in some cases, in the middle of a campaign under Staunton, and I don't particularly want to go back to the times of Jonathan Douglas, Alan O'Brien or Joey O'Brien in midfield any time soon.
We've a good chance of getting a draw in Sofia???? What planet are you on?? We were lucky to get a draw in Dublin, and we were only missing one player. Bulgaria were mising their first choice centre half, their first choice striker and their best winger.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jicked
We were missing Finnan, Steven Reid, Damien Duff (and Steven Ireland?). We do have a very good chance in Sofia, they will not break us down easily at all, and Duff and McGeady will have more room to do damage on the break with more space afforded to them, which will help us both offensively, but also help to ease the pressure on our poor central midfield. If we got beaten by more than one goal in Sofia I'd be very, very surprised.
Spot on.Quote:
Originally Posted by weldoninhio
So we were lucky to get a point yesterday? Despite restricting Bulgaria to one good chance and one own goal? And creating chances for Keane, McGeady and Doyle ourselves?Quote:
Originally Posted by FarBeag
And we were only missing one player? despite having Duff, Finnan, S Reid and Ireland unavailable?
Finnan has not played much at all this season and is not going to make a lot of difference, Steven Reid is out long term so prob won't be back even for the return match in June. I presume you popped in Steven Ireland as a joke, since he doesn't play for Ireland.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jicked
Oh my f ucking god.Quote:
Finnan has not played much at all this season and is not going to make a lot of difference, Steven Reid is out long term so prob won't be back even for the return match in June. I presume you popped in Steven Ireland as a joke, since he doesn't play for Ireland.
So it doesn't count as being missing a player if its a long term injury?? But it does count as missing a player when a Bulgarian is out due to long term injury (Petrov) Riddle me that one.
Also, on one hand we have people saying McShane is one of our worst full backs ever, you are in another thread championing Stephen Carr's recall on the back of 3 games in the Championship since he retired after becoming incredibly awful, and yet the return of one of our most consistent and experienced players both at international level and with years of European football behind him (including a Champions League medal) "is not going to make a lot of difference"
What planet are you from?
We were lucky to get away with a point yesterday yes. We were outclassed again, this time by a second string Bulgarian team. Who was playing at home again? What was the possession percentage? Wake up and smell the coffee man. Bulgaria will hammer us in Sophia. The players they have waiting to come in are far superior to ours. Italy will have a field day on Wednesday.Cyprus will beat us on their grass and we may grab a couple of points from our remaining home games.This is the real world not some fantasy one.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jicked
I'm from planet Earth, and i have a longer memory than a goldfish!! I was responding to your comment "We've a good chance of getting a draw in Sofia" (remember that) and since Stephen Reid won't be available for this i omitted him. Martin Petrov should be back for this game!!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Jicked
I never championed Stephen Carr to start from Ireland, i merely said that he has done well in his past 3 games and i believe players should be picked on form. Also a left back is not gonna make much of a difference, unless its Cafu or such like. Steve Finnan is an excellent player, but Cafu he is not.