O'Shea must have played 200 plus games at FB. You'd think he'd start to pick up on little things....
I'm also struggling to think of what team to put out on Sunday. I think we'll go 4-4-2 Sunday but I'm expecting some controversial picks for the Spanish game. Green in and Keane OUT.
If there is anything in this 4-5-1 at all it probably means no more than Keane dropping back into midfield and sitting between Doyle/Walters and Whelan & Andrews. This is Trap. He isn't throwing our 4 years moulding the players to his system a week before the Euros
If you look at all the teams that caused Spain problems in the last years it is teams that stuffed the midfield and choked them to death. Italy nearly beat them at Euro 2008 (went to pennos and Camoranesi missed from point blank range in extra time). Switzerland beat them in 2010. Paraguay really should have beaten them in 2010 and Holland took them to the final minute of extra time in 2010 and could have won themselves if Robben had brought his shooting boots. So Spain getting beat or nearly getting beat isn't as rare as an occurance as people make out. And Switzerland and Paraguay are no great shakes. And you can be sure Trap will have watched the DVDs for all those matches.
Yes, on a par with a chocolate teapot...Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
Don't forget:Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...85/tuscany.png
Was thinking the same, Whelan going even deeper and Keane dropping deep to get closer to Andrews. You'd love to think our players are smart enough to adapt to any shape without needing to try it out. As long as players are being asked to play roles that suit them I don't see why it should be too hard, but I don't see it happening.Quote:
Originally Posted by backtowalsall
Was looking forward to a Hungary starter ahead of the main course which begins next weekend. I had aspirations that we might even stay on for the dessert of knock-out but the starter has soured that view. I don't want to read into much of last night. I am though and it's to be more pessimistic. Hopefully I'm falling into a carefully laid Trap for the Croatians and that all will in fact be ok.
I think the day when Ireland doesn't give up a good deal of possession and at least one or two clear chances will be the day the GAA adopts the Union Jack as its emblem. We played well enough against Bosnia and in the second half last night to still be confident. Of course there'll be hairy moments but we'll need Shay, Dunney and luck on one hand, and we'll need to take our chances on the other. We will get chances, we always do.
Our first international trophy in 25 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
International?
Against 3 poor teams from the same country, wow!
Did you guys think I was serious with the picture of the Nations Cup? :eek:
Won against 3 other separate UEFA Nations. How poor they are is their business.Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
Yeah, but it's still sh*te and you know it.
20 years ago it might have had a bit of credibility...
I don't call any trophy we win "shte", no matter what it is.
All nations should have a third tournament. Not quite sure what can be slotted in for that though? The nations cup wasn't a bad idea. Maybe it should be replicated across Europe e.g. Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway. Portugal, Spain, France and Italy etc.
Latvia won the Baltic Cup this yearQuote:
Originally Posted by legendz
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_Baltic_Cup
It's a bad idea as there's far far too much football anyway.
And playing 3 teams even worse than us proves absolutely nothing.
Though I despise 2 of them, 'Ingerland' , Fr*nce & Holland would have made more sense...
Though I'd have preferred we'd played 2 away friendlies instead.
They might have been unappealing to the public but it's hard to deny that the Nations Cup get-togethers and the actual games provided a foundation for the second half of the campaign. In my opinion these games were a very worthwhile exercise in the overall scheme of things.
it would be nice if international football was held in the same esteem by club managers etc compared to how it is by fans, and in particular Irish fans. There is a trend away from international football by players and club managers - there has been for years now - and i would be amazed if any other similar "non-meaningful" international tournaments ever got off the ground.Quote:
Originally Posted by legendz
The fact that there was some sort of history there with the Home Nations Cup made the latest version more achievable. Still bet Alex Ferguson and co. were grinding their teeth over it and, rightly so, some would say.
There are plenty of Manchester United and Liverpool fans around Ireland who couldn't give a fig about the national team.