Bulgaria V Republic of Ireland - Friday, 6th June 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

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07/06/2009, 5:43 PM
The Fly

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf

Great result and encouraging performance yesterday. Shows the benefit of Old Trap having the players at his disposal for a week as the players seemed well drilled from the start. Ended up watching it in O'Sheas here in The Republic of Mancunia and had to doubletake when I walked up to the bar next to Darron Gibson - Reckons he staying at United and spends a bit too much time texting during the match - but seemed like a nice lad and did give a massive cry of delight at the goal (dare say I would if it increased my chances of playing in a World Cup too).

Did you ask if he was transfer listed? ;)
07/06/2009, 5:46 PM
Junior

Quote:

Originally Posted by geysir

What did you make of the chance he had from the knockdown in the first half?

I think there are games where Robbie would have buried it.

I've not seen it again so could be way off the mark here but was it a bit similar to Rooneys goal earlier in the day? Rooneys technique was superb to re-adjust his feet and return the high ball back in to the net with his right boot, back to goal.
07/06/2009, 6:46 PM
Stuttgart88

Rooney's technique was superb alright but the ball wasn't running away from him as it was for Robbie. Robbie reacted a fraction late I think and failed to connect, that's all.
07/06/2009, 7:00 PM
corkboy360

My dad said there was a load of casuals there who went to the game to stare and shout at the Irish.He said none of em saw much of the game.
07/06/2009, 7:42 PM
carloz

Quote:

Originally Posted by irishultra

Actually just thinking about our right back situation, a rejuvinated Carr, Stephen Kelly, Kevin Foley and Steve Finnan(don't know if he'll stay with espanyol, they were relegated right? He will probably move to the English League) so that is 4 right backs playing in a top tier European league. Pretty good :)

Whelan, Fahey, Andrews(? i reckon he'll be sold) Carsley, Gibson, McCann all playing in the Premier League as well.

Espanyol weren't relegated. They went on an amazing run in the last few weeks and actually finished in the top half. Finnan didn't play in any of the games though
08/06/2009, 8:42 AM
elroy

:)Good news for the Cyprus game, Konstantinou (we all remember him, scored twice in the away game last time) and Makrides both got booked on sat and are out of our game!!!
08/06/2009, 9:16 AM
tetsujin1979

good news indeed!
Milanov is suspended for Bulgaria's trip to Italy as well after being booked in saturday's game
08/06/2009, 9:35 AM
magnumpi

Quote:

Originally Posted by corkboy360

My dad said there was a load of casuals there who went to the game to stare and shout at the Irish.He said none of em saw much of the game.

there was a real scumbag element to their fans. i was told more than once to "f**k off" before the game - once at 11:00am.

only a few of the locals were up for any banter, most i think are used to football fans being hooligans so didn't want to engage.

to comment on a point raised earlier in the thread, Steven Reid is definitely coming back to the Ireland squad.
08/06/2009, 9:41 AM
geysir

Quote:

good news indeed!
Milanov is suspended for Bulgaria's trip to Italy as well after being booked in saturday's game

That weakens Bulgaria.
Bulgaria grabbing a point in Italy would be a godsend - if they did, it doesn't change anything for us except to leave an interesting tie in Croke Park.
08/06/2009, 11:40 AM
Den Perry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

If we win next 3 games we'll win group I reckon.

I'd love it for obvious reasons but also to promote football back above egg chasing as the sport of the moment! How on earth can Free State Cheethas vs a Lions non-test XV with some Irish in it even come close to Bulgaria vs Ireland as a sporting conversation piece this weekend?

Brilliant point about the Lions and all that
08/06/2009, 11:59 AM
Den Perry

Quote:

Originally Posted by donalmcdonagh

All in all we must be happy, I agree with the majority of the postings so far.
Great result last night, performance was excellant for one third of the game, for the rest is was dogged.

Our problem is defence, if you think back, 4 of the goals we have conceded have been defensive errors (Kelly V Georgia, McShane V Italy, Kilbane V Bulgaria & Kilbane V Bulgaria) and maybe these have contributed to us going into our shell a bit. So basically we still need to finalise our defensive make, having said that we have defended excellently at time.

And this brings me to the point about Whelan and Andrews, if we take these out we will be much more open to being played through. AT the moment we are so hard to play through, I dont think anybody has played through us to score yet??? I am not the biggest fan of the CM style of play (negative & defensive) but it is very effective. Maybe they will progress over time.
I said before that this team is building and I still believe that, we do not have a settled team , many positions are up for grabs and to be in second place in our group whilst building our a team is a great achievment for Trap, the staff and the team. I think the only way is up for us, we are learning.

Word on the Robbie Keane critics...he is the groups top scorer!!!

I agree with all who said the ref was excellent last night, really impressed and happy to see sane refs still exist.

Roll on september with a fully fit, on form squad (fat chance); and team as follows for Cyprus
Given
Finnan Dunne O Shea Kilbane
McGeady S Reid Whelan Duff
Doyle Keane
Squad: Keily, Kelly, St Ledger, Foley, S Hunt, Folan, Gibson, Andrews, Long

No, Kilbane has to go. I like no player more than him, but he has had a terrible campaign.
08/06/2009, 12:04 PM
Den Perry

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnumpi

there was a real scumbag element to their fans. i was told more than once to "f**k off" before the game - once at 11:00am.

only a few of the locals were up for any banter, most i think are used to football fans being hooligans so didn't want to engage.

to comment on a point raised earlier in the thread, Steven Reid is definitely coming back to the Ireland squad.

Did the boo our national anthem?

Makes me laugh, that despite the alleged intimidation from the home fans, next time the play here they'll be treated with open arms,same thing should happen them. Rem Turkey a number of years ago.?...and no bloody repercussions for them
08/06/2009, 12:42 PM
tetsujin1979

RTE's post match web analysis here: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/...pextra_av.html
08/06/2009, 1:38 PM
dr_peepee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I think he chose the wrong side last night - if he'd gone across the keeper I think there was more goal to hit. It looked to me like the keeper had it covered anyway.

Similarly he made the wrong decision in Montenegro.

I think his effort in Dublin lacked conviction.

I think his shooting is what makes him still a way to go before he can even be thought of as Joe Cole like player. That's one area where Joe Cole really upped his game.

Coaching.. I remember reading an interview with Duff and how he felt when Dean Saunders came in a Blackburn he worked specifically with him on shooting and improved big time (Though Mourinho scared it out of him again when he went to Chelsea)
08/06/2009, 1:41 PM
dr_peepee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junior

I agree with most of the ratings posted, so wont duplicate.

Folan - Is really really impressing me. What has he got about 4 caps? He always makes an nuisance of himself and with no little amount of skill and control and use of a footballing brain. Dont get me wrong he's no Sheringham but I really like what im seeing (Great burst of pace as well in the last few minutes just over ran it in the box - not bad after the shift he had put in)- its a pity Robbie was so quiet tonight, I thought he had something to work with here.

I'd rather the whole package of Doyle than what Folan offers. Doyle ticks more boxes than Folan,,, For me anyway.
08/06/2009, 1:49 PM
Junior

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I'd rather the whole package of Doyle than what Folan offers. Doyle ticks more boxes than Folan,,, For me anyway.

Yep Im a fan of Doyle too, his progress over the last 10 appearances or so has been great, an important player no doubt. Folan has yet to prove he can hit the back of the net, which Doyle certainly has - So yes, Doyle for me too at this stage.

Its great though that we now also have Folan who has produced (IMO) on his few outings. Id be quite happy to throw him on now from the bench and know it could be a good substituion. In the past we have had Elliott, Murphy, Quinn and the likes, who I was never really convinced about as backup (although in all honesty I hadnt seen that much of them play).
08/06/2009, 4:19 PM
Stuttgart88

Doyle & Folan could be an option, with Robbie playing deeper like he did in Bari.
08/06/2009, 4:50 PM
the doc

Irish Cannavaro

Just back from Sofia!

The lads did the job, defended well, just needed more belief when they have the ball.

Early days yet, But the Saint/Dunne partnership looks very promising.

I have a feeling that Trapps "Irish Cannavaro" could be playing in Italy before too long! ;)

Thank god Preston made the play offs or he may not have got the chance to show what he can do.
09/06/2009, 9:18 AM
Duggie

Quote:

Originally Posted by elroy

:)Good news for the Cyprus game, Konstantinou (we all remember him, scored twice in the away game last time) and Makrides both got booked on sat and are out of our game!!!

really ? that bloody great news....have to win that game.
09/06/2009, 10:14 AM
eaststand85

Quote:

Originally Posted by magnumpi

there was a real scumbag element to their fans. i was told more than once to "f**k off" before the game - once at 11:00am.

only a few of the locals were up for any banter, most i think are used to football fans being hooligans so didn't want to engage.

to comment on a point raised earlier in the thread, Steven Reid is definitely coming back to the Ireland squad.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den Perry

Did the boo our national anthem?

Makes me laugh, that despite the alleged intimidation from the home fans, next time the play here they'll be treated with open arms,same thing should happen them. Rem Turkey a number of years ago.?...and no bloody repercussions for them

Some of the Bulgarian fans were ok and we had a bit of craic in one of the Levski Sofia bars on the way to the stadium singing songs back and forth but they were a nasty bunch generally, lots of throat slitting motions and abuse in the stadium rather than banter and they did boo our national anthem which is disgraceful. What do you expect when they have to segregate their own fans though I suppose?

Regardless, I don't think that should affect how they're treated next time they're over here though, no point descending to their level and best possible response would be to qualify for Africa at their expense.
09/06/2009, 10:24 AM
eaststand85

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggie

really ? that bloody great news....have to win that game.

Agreed, win that game and we're guaranteed second place I feel, but lose or draw and Bulgaria are back in it.

Let's hope the fact Cyprus are now as good as out of it means they'll have no motivation against us as Italy struggled out there and required a last minute goals for the three points, while they should also have gotten at least a draw in Sofia and probably would have done if they'd had as strong a ref as we had on Saturday.
09/06/2009, 10:32 AM
eaststand85

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Doyle & Folan could be an option, with Robbie playing deeper like he did in Bari.

Think that's the way forward, might help address the issue of midfield dropping back too far as well by providing a better link between defense and attack instead of just hoofing long balls up and hoping for a flick on every time (although that can have it's place at times).
09/06/2009, 11:16 AM
paul_oshea

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaststand85

Some of the Bulgarian fans were ok and we had a bit of craic in one of the Levski Sofia bars on the way to the stadium singing songs back and forth but they were a nasty bunch generally, lots of throat slitting motions and abuse in the stadium rather than banter and they did boo our national anthem which is disgraceful. What do you expect when they have to segregate their own fans though I suppose?

Regardless, I don't think that should affect how they're treated next time they're over here though, no point descending to their level and best possible response would be to qualify for Africa at their expense.

We had very little contact on the walk up with any of them, but a few were across the road as we were getting to the park and at first i thought they seemed to be friendly but then they did start gesturing and the roars weren't friendly roars of banter!! One thing i noticed was for all of us walking up there appeared to be few police, but we were guided into the one area. I noticed as we made our way to the stadium as well when they stopped us and then let us go there was a lot of abuse being shouted, but some fans gave their own back, though the police thought the irish were just being friendly!
09/06/2009, 8:14 PM
SUB of the day

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

My post match review forgot to mention the ref last night. He was outstanding. Top drawer official. Another ref might have bought their diving and rolling around. I don't think he made 1 error last night.

Does anybody know if the play offs will be seeded or are they waiting to see how many 'big' teams feature?

According to Emmet Malone in todays Times, " no decision has yet been made on seeding".IMO given their recent record, FIFA will wait to see which of the "big boys" will be involved before deciding.Having a France V Russia playoff would be unthinkable in their eyes.....TV rights, advertising, global audience etc.
09/06/2009, 11:00 PM
corkboy360

Quote:

Originally Posted by Den Perry

Did the boo our national anthem?

Makes me laugh, that despite the alleged intimidation from the home fans, next time the play here they'll be treated with open arms,same thing should happen them. Rem Turkey a number of years ago.?...and no bloody repercussions for them

Quote:

Originally Posted by eaststand85

Some of the Bulgarian fans were ok and we had a bit of craic in one of the Levski Sofia bars on the way to the stadium singing songs back and forth but they were a nasty bunch generally, lots of throat slitting motions and abuse in the stadium rather than banter and they did boo our national anthem which is disgraceful. What do you expect when they have to segregate their own fans though I suppose?

Regardless, I don't think that should affect how they're treated next time they're over here though, no point descending to their level and best possible response would be to qualify for Africa at their expense.

He also said that celtic and rangers would not be a patch on this crowd.
10/06/2009, 1:27 AM
Jicked

Quote:

Originally Posted by the doc

Just back from Sofia!

The lads did the job, defended well, just needed more belief when they have the ball.

Early days yet, But the Saint/Dunne partnership looks very promising.

I have a feeling that Trapps "Irish Cannavaro" could be playing in Italy before too long!

Thank god Preston made the play offs or he may not have got the chance to show what he can do.

So you no longer think Trapattoni, Tardelli and Brady should all be dismissed as you were demanding for the last few months? :rolleyes:

Heaven forbid he builds a very competent and solid first XI, who he can trust in their roles and who know the system, and then bring in new players to learn the ropes alongside those who already know what they need to be doing instead of lashing in a new XI every week depending on who's been getting a game in the last month. Thanks to that approach from the management team we now have Folan, St Ledger, Andrews, Gibson and others who didn't get a look in at first but are now being weened through in to good players for us, instead of going down the Staunton route of throwing in anyone at all, despite their lack of collective experience and completely sacrificing an entire campaign to 'bring through the kids'.

Meanwhile Trapattoni is doing it in the spite of having to listen to rubbish from the likes of the_doc whinging because he hasn't gone from day one with a starting XI featuring St Ledger (sorry, "the irish cannavaro" :rolleyes:) Owen Garvan (Ipswich reserve), John Joe O'Toole (what?) Kevin Foley (who at 5.9 and never having played against a premier league winger in his life is a lot of people's answer to the difficulties of international football). Amazingly I think if you asked everyone to list their favoured XI after say the Cyprus game, many would have, genuinely, included 4 or 5 such inexperienced and untested players like those I've named in the same starting line-up for a serious competitive game.

Trap is bringing through players slowly, developing their progress. Some people (*coughStauntoncough*, maybe even a McCarthy circa 1997) would have thrown together a squad of players with few caps and no experience and written off the campaign as merely trying to develop players. Now we're bringing through a whole host of players, alongside experienced ones, in a system that actually makes sense and doesn't pretend to think any overnight instant success is possible from guys who 2 years ago conceded 5 in Nicosia, but also doesn't think that success will come from picking a load of inexperienced Championship players to run an entire campaign on their own.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll be a little more recovered from the trip to Sofia, rewatch the game and be able to give a better response to an absolutely brilliant weekend.
"oooh, manuela, she used to be Italian but she's Irish now" :D
10/06/2009, 1:45 AM
Jicked

Quote:

Some of the Bulgarian fans were ok and we had a bit of craic in one of the Levski Sofia bars on the way to the stadium singing songs back and forth but they were a nasty bunch generally, lots of throat slitting motions and abuse in the stadium rather than banter and they did boo our national anthem which is disgraceful. What do you expect when they have to segregate their own fans though I suppose?

Yes they gave that sort of stuff on the way to and at the match. But I didn't go to the Balkans to complain that the fans were a bit too loud, I wasn't able to sit down in my comfortable seat and that those flares they had might have been a fire hazard.

If you chatted to or got to know any of the Bulgarians you'd know they were great lads. I spent Saturday morning with a load of CSKA fans who warned us that inside and en route to the ground it would be crazy and hostile, but before and after the game they loved chatting about the Irish team (they knew everyone right down to Westwood missing out "because of his woman"), our chances, and afterwards how they hoped we'd go on to top the group now they couldn't. Terrific fans, a few people giving you the finger shouldn't really be an issue. For what its worth I didn't hear them boo our anthem, though haven't listened to it on TV and was busy singing it at the time. I also heard of one single moment of Bulgarian violence the whole weekend, unrelated to the football.
Give me a throat slitting gesture to really get me buzzing on the way in to the ground and the intense atmosphere the Bulgarian lads created during the game over the 'banter' of the Irish fans who were p**sing on the streets, smashing bottles along the street, annoying the Irish bar owners, getting in fights with other fans, etc.
10/06/2009, 5:31 AM
mypost

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jicked

If you chatted to or got to know any of the Bulgarians you'd know they were great lads.

Give me a throat slitting gesture to really get me buzzing on the way in to the ground and the intense atmosphere the Bulgarian lads created during the game over the 'banter' of the Irish fans who were p**sing on the streets, smashing bottles along the street, annoying the Irish bar owners, getting in fights with other fans, etc.

Didn't have any problems with the Bulgars, the girls know their football, they create a very intimidating and passionate atmosphere, (as we should at Croker :rolleyes:). The main problem I had was with our own fans who spent the entire weekend in the (Irish :rolleyes:) pub, and at the game, insisted on standing on the seats instead of letting the rest of our fans standing in the aisles have an unobstructed view of the game.
10/06/2009, 8:11 AM
eaststand85

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jicked

Yes they gave that sort of stuff on the way to and at the match. But I didn't go to the Balkans to complain that the fans were a bit too loud, I wasn't able to sit down in my comfortable seat and that those flares they had might have been a fire hazard.

If you chatted to or got to know any of the Bulgarians you'd know they were great lads. I spent Saturday morning with a load of CSKA fans who warned us that inside and en route to the ground it would be crazy and hostile, but before and after the game they loved chatting about the Irish team (they knew everyone right down to Westwood missing out "because of his woman"), our chances, and afterwards how they hoped we'd go on to top the group now they couldn't. Terrific fans, a few people giving you the finger shouldn't really be an issue. For what its worth I didn't hear them boo our anthem, though haven't listened to it on TV and was busy singing it at the time. I also heard of one single moment of Bulgarian violence the whole weekend, unrelated to the football.
Give me a throat slitting gesture to really get me buzzing on the way in to the ground and the intense atmosphere the Bulgarian lads created during the game over the 'banter' of the Irish fans who were p**sing on the streets, smashing bottles along the street, annoying the Irish bar owners, getting in fights with other fans, etc.

You'll always have individuals in each group of fans who behave differently to the majority and in the case of the type of Irish fan you refer to I know well enough to steer clear which may explain why I didn't see anyone behaving in this manner last weekend.

The point I was making if you read my post in full is that while we did spend an hour before the game having the craic with some Bulgarian fans and swapping songs, scarves, photos etc. the majority were hostile and unfriendly (which is not necessarily the same as passionate). I'm a big boy and can deal with it but doesn't mean I would recommend it as one of the better venues to attend a match compared to say Germany or France where everyone's a lot friendlier and at least equally as passionate but in (my opinion anyway) a better way.
10/06/2009, 8:34 AM
Stuttgart88

Good point Jicked (post 113) & well made. I'm still of the opinion that at the margins some of the options could/should have been tried earlier but I'm happy with where this team is right now & the path it seems to be taking.
10/06/2009, 9:12 AM
tetsujin1979

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jicked

Trap is bringing through players slowly, developing their progress. Some people (*coughStauntoncough*, maybe even a McCarthy circa 1997) would have thrown together a squad of players with few caps and no experience and written off the campaign as merely trying to develop players.

To be fair to Mick, the squad was ageing after 97, and he really did need to bring in new players.
10/06/2009, 9:15 AM
paul_oshea

he said 1997, it was the holland play off in 95. The turkey one wasn't for another year or so tets. He got rid of mcgrath and a few others and townsend too after holland. getting rid of irwin was wrong too but that was after turkey which was later
10/06/2009, 9:30 AM
tetsujin1979

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

he said 1997, it was the holland play off in 95. The turkey one wasn't for another year or so tets. He got rid of mcgrath and a few others and townsend too after holland. getting rid of irwin was wrong too but that was after turkey which was later

Sorry, yeah, Turkey was in 1999. I was thinking of Belgium.
10/06/2009, 9:43 AM
paul_oshea

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Sorry, yeah, Turkey was in 1999. I was thinking of Belgium.

ah right ray houghton, see thats the kind of thing i remember him for, scoring the odd goal but missing a lot and also being crap generally. he retired after that didnt he. but townsend said he would come back and help mick if he needed it :D

A lot retired over the short period of 3-4 years, however mick was too quick to retire some, and should have keppt them in the squad even just for the experience they could bring.
10/06/2009, 10:03 AM
tetsujin1979

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

ah right ray houghton, see thats the kind of thing i remember him for, scoring the odd goal but missing a lot and also being crap generally. he retired after that didnt he. but townsend said he would come back and help mick if he needed it :D

A lot retired over the short period of 3-4 years, however mick was too quick to retire some, and should have keppt them in the squad even just for the experience they could bring.

Yeah, according to this - http://www.soccerscene.ie/sssenior/player.php?id=273 - Houghton's last game was the play off against Belgium
11/06/2009, 9:26 AM
tetsujin1979

Game capped, encoded and uploaded
Pre game and 1st half: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R9TKBRGH
Second half and post game analysis: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QNIOKBUF
11/06/2009, 9:36 AM
eaststand85

Quote:

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Game capped, encoded and uploaded
Pre game and 1st half: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R9TKBRGH
Second half and post game analysis: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QNIOKBUF

You may already be aware of this but just in case; you can also view the games and analysis on the RTE Player (not sure about downloading to keep). It was available Sunday night when I got back from Sofia and probably earlier than that:

http://www.rte.ie/player/#s=latest&g=2009-06-06
11/06/2009, 9:42 AM
NeilMcD

RTE player only lasts a week or so I think. At least if you download it from Tets you have it on your hard drive or wherever you decide to save it.
11/06/2009, 9:47 AM
irishfan86

In addition, the RTE player only allows RoI viewers to watch, so Tets' cap means those of us abroad can watch as well.
11/06/2009, 12:07 PM
geysir

What does "game capped" mean?

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