He looked very, very fit too. Not that he has looked unfit but it struck me immediately that he looked leaner than I would have expected.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
He looked very, very fit too. Not that he has looked unfit but it struck me immediately that he looked leaner than I would have expected.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
Brady is 10 times the player o'dowda is but as mentioned previously successive managers rate him so he must have something more than I've seen.
Overall a sense of relief to not lose. I thought we were poor in the second half and created very little which is concerning. Surprised to see how off the pace McCarthy looked. Doherty not fully at the races either which was puzzling.
it will be interesting to see how mcgoldrick dovetails with Connelly on Sunday.
Its very early days but I would put that down as a disappointing result. Very ponderous display with too many backward passes and no urgency. Thought Hendrick, O'Dowd and Connolly did okay, Hourihane and McCarthy anonymous as usual.
Not sure what what to make of it. Certainly positives from first half especially but would agree we were too ponderous in possession. Perhaps to be expected we are trying to reverse a decade of avoiding passing the ball. An incredible thing to say of a football team.
I think I would be inclined to agree more good than bad. Can see why Potter wasn’t keen on Duffy when trying to play a possession game as he struggles. Midfield needs sorted what more can be said there. Connolly is a star.
All the talk will of course be about Kenny but I must say delighted for Shane Duffy to have captained his country and to have scored a big goal in the process.
O'Dowda was our best player in the first half, pretty comfortably I thought but was very poor in the second. Not deserving of the ridicule by some. Got the 3/VM MOTM award actually, though I felt Connolly was definitely our best player over the full game, the biggest plus.
Delighted to see Brady playing such a key role in the equaliser, it's been a long time coming.
This thread is packed with folk I've not see on for ages..whither jByrne...or bluebeard...
Is Bluebeard here? Bloody hell been ages! Riffraff too from oraff. Great to see !
I think we will have to accept that Duffy is going to cost us a shocker of a goal at some stage with us playing the passing out from the back game. It's just not his style of play at all, but obviously we need him in the team for the next while at least as the replacement options aren't ready yet and, to be fair to him, he does a lot of things well as we saw with the goal.
I mean there was one moment in the first 5 minutes where his first touch controlled the ball (poorly enough), his second touch knocked the ball about three yards in front of him and his third touch was a lunge at a Bulgarian to try and win the ball back from a position where he had it under no pressure at all, fouling the Bulgarian in the process. It was so bad I actually burst out laughing watching it. Then a few minutes later he tried a 30 yard cross field ball and sent it about five yards out of play.
I think we have had a rose tinted view of Duffy for a long time because our style of play under the previous managers was perfect for a player like him, his job was to win the ball back and hoof it up the field, and he was brilliant at it. But tonight showed us the issue that Potter identified and that has cooled interest in him from EPL teams, and it is potentially going to cause us a problem down the line as well.
Hopefully Duffy will get a load of practice bringing the ball out for Celtic.
Kenny was fairly positive but negative in the performance if that makes sense. I enjoyed his interview straight away he picked out what was wrong. But also tried to be upbeat and was a little hard on himself. He's definitely been the most positive thing for me personally of the game and environs.
I think Duffy will regress rather than progess. He won't be as sharp for th other side of his game either.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
Guys. All I saw was two terrible teams.
Was it just me, or was the ref and his team awful? Any other game and that sliding lunge on Idah was a red card. Bulgarian player totally out of control but zip given. Remember the last time a ref ignored those type of tackles? Seamus came away with a broken leg.
If I was a conspiracy theorist I would suspect we are getting bad refs because we are not toeing the corrupt football line of the powers that be and we (via the oireachtas) brought down one of their cronies.
Where was the Kenny interview?Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Home advantage isn't what it was, but you would expect Bulgaria to be be looking to take 3 points against us. Much like ourselves they aren't the force they were in the 90s, but they aren't a minnow either.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
I thought the way they played was an enormous compliment to us. They almost picked our pocket with a soft goal, and our equaliser was very late, but if their approach is any indication they will be fairly satisfied with a point.
With them sitting in the game didn't suit Idah, and we didn't have that bit of quality to find the pass to him that opened them up, but i feel more optimistic about the future after tonight. I feel like there would have been goals there for McGoldrick tonight. We don't have that player who can pick the lock, but we do have a very effective battering ram.
Plenty of positives.
It’s a hard one to judge, some of the rustiness can be attributed to it being so early in the season and also having so little time to work with the new management team.
Overall, we were a little bereft of ideas and when Bulgaria dropped deep with 11 men behind the ball in the second half, we weren’t really able to come up with anything to create meaningful chances or make their goalkeeper make a save.
Thought Randolph was good, comfortable enough and willing to receive the ball, handling was good. Did very well with that effort at the edge of the box where he had to slide, where the guy beat the offside trap and there were a few other moments, his header, his claim from the corner. Goal wasn’t his fault but I’m sure it’s something he’d like to have saved and probably would have 5 times out of 10.
Egan and Duffy, was good to see them be prepared to stretch wide and receive the ball in areas they wouldn’t normally. Obviously you saw Duffy’s limitations in terms of his first touch and his passing but you’d imagine it’ll get better the more he’s asked to do it. Both were somewhat at fault for the goal, mostly Duffy but Egan should really be communicating better when he drifts across to fill the gap and demanding Duffy moves with him. You’d also suspect that was a product of an early season and tired legs, with both covering much more ground than they normally would for Ireland.. Duffy had just found himself in the opposition half in possession a few seconds before and looked very leggy. Duffy did excellently for the goal he scored and he’s genuinely among the most dangerous individuals I’ve seen attacking a corner or cross in the opposition box.
Stevens was good and solid, comfortable without being spectacular and dovetailed well with Connolly and later Brady. Doherty was poor with a few decent moments. There were things outside his control, how he was fed possession, movement from the midfielders off the ball, what O’Dowda and Robinson did, and some of those things had an effect on his performance but generally he was poor in possession and his decision making wasn’t great. Still early doors in understanding the system but was his poorest performance for Ireland. I don’t buy the whole right wing back vs right back too much. I don’t think he’s any less capable of making that adjustment than Enda Stevens, who also plays as a wingback at club level, is on the other side. I just think he was poor last night. He was good against Denmark.
The midfield was the problem, as it often is, all of McCarthy, Hourihane and Hendrick we’re rusty and leggy and all were sloppy in possession. Hourihane had a few creative moments and Hendrick showed quick feet and strength on occasion but overall I’d be disappointed if I was Jeff, James or Conor. Hourihane gave away the ball badly for the goal.
Thought Connolly was very good. Looked a constant threat. Probably should have squared the ball when he robbed the defender and tried to shoot from a tight angle. But he was lively and our best player. O’Dowda had a good first half, drove at players well and somewhat justified his selection. The comments regarding him and Doherty made above are probably largely true. But also maybe a product of limited time on the training and trying to get ideas across. Robinson was decent and lively when coming on, the shot on his left was probably ill advised but he neither did enough to convince he should start the next game, nor did anything to hurt his chances going forward.
Robbie Brady’s performance was a positive, when compared to his previous few years for Ireland. Great delivery for Duffy. I’d genuinely always advocate for having one of Brady or Hourihane on the pitch at all times, as their set piece delivery is so far superior to everyone else and when you deliver well from set pieces, we will score goals.
Idah had his moments, and on occasion linked up well, like the ball to Connolly over the defender and in behind. I think he was a little easily bullied at times, in a way that Long in particular and McGoldrick wouldn’t have been - they do have 2 big and physical centre halves. He also tired and probably should have been taken off earlier. Long really didn’t have enough time to influence things but often found himself receiving the ball out wide trying to cross it when ideally I think you’d want him more central. I’m not sure it was the right call to start Idah really but understandable anyway,
Overall, it’s a work in progress. You’d hope for a win against Finland on Sunday and some solid progress made in terms of performance too. I think Coleman might deserve the start. Hopefully McGoldrick comes in for Idah. One of Molumby or Arter in for Hendrick and possibly one of Robinson, McClean or Long in for O’Dowda...
Bulgaria were awful when we beat them 3-1 in Lansdowne last year, and worse when losing 6-0 at home to England shortly before that.Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
Granted, they've changed manager since, but their fall has been much further than ours.
Finland by contrast have qualifyied for the Euros and should be a step up on Sunday. (As an aside, it'll have the weird sideshow of a guy called O'Shaughnessey on the away team). Based on yesterday, I wouldn't be too confident tbh.
I think ordinarily, a draw in Bulgaria is a poor result at the moment. But look - it's a new manager trying new things at a time impacted by covid; have to make some allowances for it
This was pretty much what I took away from it too.Quote:
Originally Posted by youngirish
Despite his club form Doherty just doesnt have the same urgency on the ball that Coleman does from an orthodox RB position. Coleman is far more proactive.
McCarthy had a promising start and showed for the ball in tight situations but his impact was minimal really. I didn't think Hourihane had a great game at all but when he dropped deep his impact was better, finding better passes. Of course by that stage the Bulgarians had retreated so he had a bit more time. I actually think Josh Cullen looks the man for that deeper lying midfield role.
I think Brady and Hendrick will do well under Kenny.
I think Idah isn't ready yet for this level.
Jack Byrne would have thrived in the area between the D and the centre circle! The game was crying out for an advanced playmaker in the first half.
I thought Randolph made one super catch under pressure from a difficult corner and did well not to spill a shot in the first half. I wouldn't fault him for the goal. He might have saved it but the fault lay further ahead.
Positive signs in how we try to deal with the ball, only resorting to chips up the touchline under pressure. It'll take time but we had a lot of possession and a lot of it good quality. Definding for the goal was brutal.
Overall I think the intention was good but the tempo was a bit slow, but bear in mind that this was pre-season for nearly all of them.
Flat overall. Understand it's preseason and match fitness is not there, but still would expect a bit more energy for a new manager. Disappointing we didn't take first half chances as Bulgaria look like a team that will fold if they go behind. Echo the previous Brady comments - he wanted the ball and looks determined to get to back to his best.
5/10 performance overall for me.
We need to look at 5 at the back to get the best from doherty and possibly even stevens. Otherwise id play coleman and possibly brady as the full backs in a 4.
connolly will be good for us I have no doubt. I have a feeling that brady will get back to his best this season which is a real positive.
biggest concern is that we just don't get the best out of our players. most of them play much better for their clubs. some of the passing yesterday was needlessly very sloppy. quite frustrating really.
Couldn't agree more on the Byrne point. Bulgaria were sitting so deep and narrow yet we couldn't pick them apart. Byrne would have been the man for the through balls. Hendrick tried but it probably isn't his game. Hendrick actually made a couple of nice passes from deep but he would follow it with 5 minutes of anonymity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Am I right in saying Kenny normally does fit someone like that into his teams? McEleney or Ronan would be able for that? We didn't have an equivalent.
Not just that but is there anyone you’d rather have picking up the ball 25 yards from goal and being able to shoot? It’s a twofold thread, passing/movement creativity in the final third and goals from outside the box.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Doherty returned from holiday last week, was involved in a club transfer and has had no pre season. Probably Coleman was ahead of him on fitness and should have started.
Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
Sky sports. Also one on fai. It's funny if you view the fai one before and after togetherQuote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
Funny, Byrne's cameo last year was against Bulgaria. Set up a goal and was generally very impressive (against a poor side). Bulgaria may have been slightly relieved not to see him in the squadQuote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
I am under the impression that Jack Byrne has been playing the last few games with Rovers carrying a back strain. Any Rovers fans can confirm this?
I don't know but I think it's something Mcgoldrick can also do, albeit much closer to the box.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Some really good points being made. If O'Shea and Clarke are starting in the premier league, will there be a place for Duffy in that team? It's too easy for teams to just close the other defenders and say to us, if you're going to play out it's going to be with Duffy and we'll close the other defenders. You could see Bulgaria making that adjustment, it's something that I know teams work on, even when they don't have video analysis etc. they'll see which defenders a team likes to play out through and then close off that option and force them to play through the weak links. Kenny will have to weigh up the massive benefits of Duffy both defending and attacking crosses versus his vulnerability in possession.
Doherty definitely looked a bit off fitness wise, and valid point made that he's only back from holiday and just transferred club so couldn't be fully up to speed. I do think O'Dowda did him no favours either by never looking for the overlap. Mick kept making the point on commentary that we weren't trying to get crosses in and that was a factor too, Kenny obviously wanted the front 3 getting it to feet and carrying it into the box or to the end line, rather than looking for the overlapping run and cross. Coleman probably starts against Finland, but expect Doherty to be sharper if he is in there.
I doubt McCarthy starts both games considering he reportedly had bad bruising going into the squad, so an opportunity for Arter most likely in the holding role. Presumably there won't be wholesale changes but things need a freshen up. I'd say McGoldrick will start, Arter will come in, Brady will probably start and maybe Coleman. Molumby might get a run off the bench this time and McClean too.
There's a lot to build on. There needs to be a bit more zip to the passing and craft in the final third if the style is really going to benefit results. I'm expecting and improvement against the Fins and hopefully a nice win.
yeah, and unfortunately also with some that have never gone away :)Quote:
Originally Posted by dynamo kerry
I'm caught between 2 questions so i'm going to ask both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
1. Do you think we can say that based on 90 minutes in Sofia
2. Were expecting him to be ready as a 19 year old making his debut?
My reading of it was that the game didn't suit him. Bulgaria sat so deep that there was no space in behind, but that said he still did ok. He'll be a lot stronger when he's 24, but although he can't impose himself physically on a defender yet, he's big enough that he can't just be pushed out of the game.
The lad needs 5-10 caps before we can decide if this is his level. McGoldrick should come in against Finland, but i'd like to see him get a decent amount of time from the bench.
Yep that's a fair point.
Bulgaria squeezed the life out of Idah. Yet I reckon if 12 balls came his way, he maintained possession in 8 and that was a decent return.
I think he showed a lot. If he had managed to get the space in behind a couple of times and done something decent it would have been a good performance. He played the entire match with his back to goal.
But this isnt what Kenny wants from his central player in the front 3, he doesnt want them dropping deep he wants them up top foraging and in the box to receive from the wide 2. I am not convinced that McGoldrick has this type of play in him, or the pace to match. Jack Byrne/McG were what we missed last night, one can come out and drop deep and link up play with some intricate passes, the other can come from deep and make those incisive passes for runners. But I am not sure where we see that in Kennys plans, when he didn't include byrne in the squad at all. Kenny has name checked McGoldrick though, so I assume he is in the plans.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Is it a bit worrying that Kenny didn't identify a way to break Bulgaria down at the back? He brought Shane Long on and Long's best quality is running in behind. But we couldn't get in behind because Bulgaria were to flat and narrow. Our best chances were Connolly manufacturing positions behind Bulgaria himself.
Yes i alluded to the same Ole on another forum, where kenny didnt have a plan B and didnt have a way to be more incisive /direct through the middle. But its early days so can give him the benefit of the doubt, even if we didnt really have anyone on the bench in the squad(yes JB again) who could do that and allow kenny to change things up.
But i do think in a way Long might have done himself no favours, even though he felt it was what he needed to do, as elasticum said Long was running down the channels dropping out to meet the ball and then no one in the box, which is not what Kenny wants from his central player in the 3.
Slovakia and their Seria A stars wont fear us. They should comfortably beat us. Finland are a far better team then Bulgaria so Sunday might be a long day. I would be surprised if hourihane isnt dropped. I just dont think he is any good.
loving the positivity diggs
Ha, i completely misread that as loving those digging the positivity or having digs at the positivity!
I think it's early to say what Kenny wants from his central player. Just because he isn't going to hammer the ball up to him doesn't mean he won't play to McGoldrick's strengths once he is available to him.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Bulgaria were able to play the way they did last night because we didn't have a player like him. They committed so many bodies into congesting the 18 yard box that they weren't opposing us trying to work the ball into areas a potentially dangerous cross could be played from. If you are going to do that with a player like McGoldrick standing on the penalty spot he's going to punish you. Had he been there in place of Idah it would have forced them to defend a bit higher up and send defenders to close down the ball in wide areas, which in turn would have created more space to play balls through them.
He'll come in against Finland and if we build our attacks up the way we did yesterday I fancy us to actually score a goal from open play.
haha, yeah, probably missing a comma there
Kenny is not going to turn us into a ball playing team overnight, but yesterday was a very good first step.
My main concern would be not being able to get both Doherty and Coleman into the same team, which seems to be a recurring issue for Ireland managers. Arguably they are our two best players. Also, we lack a solid defensive midfielder, which at times was a problem last night with the system we played. However, it needn't be such a problem, but you'd have to solve it in one of two ways, play an extra central midfielder, or play with a libero style defender like what Blind did for Ajax in the 2019 Champions League run. Neither Egan or Duffy are up to that, though. So I'm thinking some kind of 4-5-1 might be a possibility, with the ability to morph to a 4-3-3 depending on how the match is going.