Quote:
Originally Posted by mark12345
Usually agree with you Mark but what, he won the SPL a few times, wow:p
Quote:
Originally Posted by mark12345
Usually agree with you Mark but what, he won the SPL a few times, wow:p
Wasn't really thinking of his exploits in the SPL. More of beating teams like Juventus and Barcelona in Europe. And he took Celtic to extra time in the UEFA Cup Final in Seville, in a five goal thriller.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
I just thought I'd note the importance of the never-say-die attitude that seems to have been instilled in the team - this is the sixth competitive international under MON where we've scored in the last ten minutes to improve a result (Georgia, Germany, Poland, Italy, Serbia and Austria).
That's one way of putting it and, whilst I was delighted those goals came and have been generally happy to credit O'Neill for making the necessary changes - something the inflexible Trap may not have done - there's also another (admittedly pessimistic) way of looking at it, or, to be more specific, there's another way of looking at those games where the goal improved the result from a potential loss to a draw. As I wrote in the "opponent watch" thread:Quote:
Originally Posted by samhaydenjr
It's annoying that a conservative or overly cautious approach from the outset has allowed us to fall behind in the first place in some of the games mentioned before we've really utilised our full attacking potential late on, by which time it has often proved too late to take the very-much-achievable full three points on offer. Sure, it's great we didn't give up on getting back into those games, but it's just such a shame we left the spirited and gallant comeback efforts so late.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
For me there are two issues, although maybe linked to each other:
(1) the midfield selection was conservative
(2) despite all the fighting talk in the build up, the players started like rabbits in the headlights. This was a bigger failing for me. MON is renowned for his motivational skills. They didn't seem to work on Sunday.
True but I was referring more to the style of play which was pretty boring at times.Quote:
Originally Posted by mark12345
Also not much tactical nous
He would never get a big job at Man United, or Arsenal, for sure
Yet David Moyes did.
cant agree with this. The wins over Germany, Bosnia and Italy in the Euros were exciting. Also, some excellent football played in the first 60 mins against France in the euros before we ran out of steam and a very decent away win in Austria. You cant beat the likes of Germany, Italy, Bosnia and Austria away without some sort of decent tactical nous.Quote:
Originally Posted by bennocelt
I have had mixed views about MON since he got the job but not really sure he can be criticised too much overall.
We have some decent players and we play to our strengths as best we can. The fact that the discussion around our fortunes and style of play centre around a 35 year old championship player speaks volumes of the type and standard of player we have.
I think many an Irish supporter has unrealistic expectations really.
getting a little away from the match topic, if you want to discuss MON's management/tactical history there's a thread for that: http://foot.ie/threads/184787-Martin...-and-Roy-Keane
I see that Icelandic clap hasn't run its course yet. I squirm in my seat when it's going on. They were actually doing it in the lead up to an Austrian corner in the first half and then to an Irish corner in the second. Not sure who it's supposed to help/encourage. All I know is that it has to go.
I couldn't agree more, nearly as embarrassing as booing Glasgow Rangers players. For a nation renowed for playwrights, song writers and story tellers we're brutal when it comes to penning a few football chants. Do we actually have any originals????Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
it was being done before the Euros.
Seemingly started by Motherwell fans:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8iC1Yf6h84
Not as embarrassing as the James McLean has less than fond feelings for the Queen song.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Haven't heard that at the last couple of games thankfully.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Who gave it to you, that guy you met at the bar in Reykjavik? Can't they give you something for it?Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Hahaha.... walked into that! :o
You're obviously not behind the goal. Sung almost every time James makes a significant contribution.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Well he is obviously not there now - the game was over a week ago!Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
I was in the corner behind the goals that Walters scored into the last day, not directly behind the goal. Didn't notice anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
Definitely heard it in the corner of the west stand at the away end of the ground. Painful. It wasn't as bad as the away end in Vienna and petered out, thankfully.
It's a pity that we can't come up with something better to demonstrate our love for James.
There is no shortage of idiots amongst 'the best supporters in the world'.
you'll hear the same idiots refer to Northern Ireland as "the pub team". cringeworthy given what they have achieved over the last few yearsQuote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
My season ticket is just to the left of the "singing section" and perhaps it was not as prevalent as I thought but a lot were singing it around me. Since your ticket appears to be in the corner and you couldn't hear it, then perhaps it's just a localised outbreak and not an epidemic.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
O'Neill & McClean could face suspensions for the Georgia match due to their comments about the referee - http://www.the42.ie/james-mcclean-ma...55330-Jun2017/
O'Neill was critical but discussed the incidents mainly I think. I don't think we were nearly as hard done by as he did but surely he's entitled to give his view on the major decisions. McClean's comment was silly but in the heat of the moment I guess. Maybe avoid interviewing our players straight after the game if this might be the outcome.
I think o'neill did say that the refs performance was poor all game.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Possibly, I wouldn't have a major problem with that. He dealt with the issues and how he felt the referee left a lot go prior to Duffy's disallowed goal. Presumably he's still guilty but I don't even know the charge or the specific rule he's broken.
McClean basically accused him of deliberately favouring one team, much more difficult to defend that.
There's a significant different between implying the referee was crap compared to implying he's a cheat. :)
not to mention that Duffy lead with his arm and the ref got it right
I agree. Maybe Walters should have had a penalty though, not sure about that one to be honest.
I agree and we can't complain: how Walters got away with similar on Fabianski last campaign, just before Long's equaliser remains a very pleasant mystery to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
Yeah, if that was the other way round and our player was put in the net we would be all upset were it given. The best that player was going to manage was a weak header, as he was already pressured, Duffy probably would probably have mopped up a handy finish if he stood off but its easy to say, when a winner for Ireland is there to be had in such a game the adrenaline must be huge.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
I'm still frustrated with Duffy to be honest, he only needed to make his presence felt fairly or leave it to Walters. He made it an easy decision for the referee. I was never worried about his rashness costing us in the opposition's penalty box!
We were lucky enough that the Walters goal stood too, many a referee would have given a free out there also.
I guarantee you that the slightest little touch from duffy in that circumstance would have resulted in a free out.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Quite possible to be fair, but at least then the grievances would be justified.
This is it, how many times do you see a ref blow up when a forward has a defender cornered on the side line or end line, for the slightest, touch letting the defender out of jail. To let that shunt from Walters go while they were bearing down on goal in the middle of the pitch with the defender being the last man was odds against, to state it mildly :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
FIFA are a bunch of clueless corrupt clowns. They open disciplinary proceedings for a manager and player giving their honest opinions on a refs inept performance. What about FIFA and their decision to appoint a country which only has one airport a country with 1 qualifying stadium and a country that's conditions are unacceptable to host the world's biggest tournament. Oh yes Qatar in 2022 bought fraudulently instead of it going to Australia or America. Bloody money grabbers
How about the players and managers stop whinging after the game and own up to their own poor performances? Just a thought.
I agree. Own up to your performance and focus on complaining about Qatar instead.
There was a strong whiff of deflection in it yes, particularly MONs contribution. A player will be still in the heat of it and less objective.Quote:
Originally Posted by MeathDrog
Video here of an RTÉ panel made up of Damien Duff, Didi Hamann and Richard Sadlier discussing possible punishment for O'Neill and McClean after their post-Austria match comments: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2017...561-rte-panel/