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and who knew long and mcgeady would be playing in 16 years time! bloody clairvoyant bbc! :)Quote:
2023: GOAL Denmark 0-4 Republic of Ireland
Clever play from Aiden McGeady before a very nice turn and finish from Shane Long. That's the substitute's second of the night. Denmark are supposed to be good.
How dare you tell me to Let it be!Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
Just a bit of nitpicking: I don't think the first goal was against the run of play. We had an awful first 10 minutes but had settled and actually started to gain control by the time Robbie scored.
I was in email contact with one of the posters here earlier and said that I think that despite a generally good showing I still am unsure about that midfield in a physical competitive game. My criticism of the Cyprus midfield was that Ireland needs to be accompanied by a physical AND comfortable ball player. KK is physical but not a CM. Potter is accomplished with the ball, and tall but wasn't tested in the cut & thrust of a "real" match.
I maintain that Henderson was unlucky eraly on - a great catch but he had to come through a few players on the way down with his hands well ahead of him. Only if he'd had time to take it into his chest could he have held it. I'm being generous here I suppose but the error was very understandable.
Hunt wasn't great which is a shame. I still think I'd have him in there though. Stan's got a tough job on his hands picking the best XI & he definitely has some decisions to make.
I only saw the last 30 mins of Germany and thought they were poor. Wasn't impressed by Kuranyi at all. Ball retention was appalling and they conceded a handful of gilt-edged chances. Maybe they were better early on, but of course they were missing a few of their best players. They were bloody big though.
Wales had a very good win, it's worth pointing out.
There is two ways of reading this, and i never really played in goals, but coming from a gaelic football viewpoint, when jumping for a ball you dont jump behind someone, you put your foot in front of them and use your bodyweight to get in front and THEN jump. Henderson jumped from behind oshea with his arms outstrechted above ( and around ) osheas head, rather than catching from a dropping height ( the ball wasnt coming down rather across ), he needed to step a half a foot further forward before jumping and he would have prevented this. Thats experience though, so if he has learnt from it its the most important thing.Quote:
I maintain that Henderson was unlucky eraly on - a great catch but he had to come through a few players on the way down with his hands well ahead of him. Only if he'd had time to take it into his chest could he have held it. I'm being generous here I suppose but the error was very understandable.
I can see why the indo possibly gave reid only 6, because a lot of his passes did go astray at the same time, i think we read into those 2 goals and assumed he was man of the match, though they were sublime!
Yes, but they still won. They always do ( or at least draw ).Quote:
I only saw the last 30 mins of Germany and thought they were poor. Wasn't impressed by Kuranyi at all. Ball retention was appalling and they conceded a handful of gilt-edged chances. Maybe they were better early on, but of course they were missing a few of their best players. They were bloody big though.
Hunt would be good in a game where we are trying to hold onto a lead, rather than a game where we are trying to create scores( so i wouldnt have him starting in slovakia at least ).
I was impressed with how they weathered the early pressure and began to get a foothold in the game and resisted the temptation to play deep. Danish mistakes helped them gain the foothold yet there was much to be encouraged about.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
This will stand them in good stead for the Eastern games as I'd imagine the Slovaks will throw everything at us from the start. The confidence to retain possession and be creative will be crucial.
For the first time in what seems like literally years, he's a couple of options in relation to who populates centre midfield - Andy Reid, Stephen Reid (may not be match fit in time) Carsley, Ireland, Potter, Kilbane.
I thought the full backs were below par last night. Finnan, in fairness, was played on the wrong side and Carr continues to add evidence to the view that his better days are behind him.
In relation to the Germans - Germany's second goal was a great strike from distance. I suppose we'll worry about negotiaing the Eastern games before we contemplate Germany but I've a sneaking suspicion we could cause their back four problems. We'll come back to that one....................
Great result last night glad to see Keane on the score sheet and having a very good game.
My main concern last night was Finnan playing on the left, the Danish cross that resulted in a header that hit the crossbar early on, a left footed player wouldn't have let him go round so easy or get the cross in. It is nothing against Finnan, you can see on the replay he just pokes a right foot at it then is off balance and skinned. Hopefully we can get at least 4 points out of the next 2.
The real issue here - is that the glass is twice the size it needs to be...Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
It was a solid enough proformance against a real poor Denmark side, but for once, Ireland took their chances, Ireland rarely score 2 goals away from against any decent opposition, so it is good from that point of view. The defence looked pretty firm, Dunne was super again, O'Shea was a bit lazy at times and Dunne had to cover for him a few times.
Could be that the atmospheric pressure on the water is too high...Quote:
Originally Posted by Réiteoir
Pretty much concur with what TheBoss said a couple of posts back. Great to see us win a game comfortably but we shouldn't let ourselves get carried away over it either.
The lad in goal for Denmark had a bad night and they should have had a honky-tonk piano going whenever he was shown.
He was actually quite unlucky for Robbies second -he'd got his hands to it, Robbie had dived at fresh air and the keeper went and bounced it off Robbies face and in it went.
Who is to say that Robbie was not following the natural instinct of "anticipating the mistake" :)
Anyway, it was good move with the ball hit into a danger area, Robbie flying in, a distraction plus a hinderance to the goalkeepers attempts to clear.
Even I couldn't claim he was anticipating that!Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Very good football though. I thought our opening goals were all down to McGeady, Reid and Keane understanding each other which has got to be good. For the second, it was a good cross, Keane attacked the space well and we got a bit of luck for it to go in.
I think McGeady deserves great credit for the first, effortlessly taking down and turning after a waist high pass from Carr (?).
He played in goal for Rangers in a CL game a few years back. Venables was on ITV and kept referring to him as "Simonsen" as if all Danes were called Simonsen. God I hate Venables, Stan may have his critics but I couldn't have tolerated Venables.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
I really enjoyed the game and especially the result. What is rare is wonderful.
The good
Reid's passing (even if it was a bit hit and miss)
Dunne's attitude (a great tackle in the penalty area after the whistle went)
McGeady first time he has 'played' for Ireland
Keane's goals
Long's goals
The bad
Finnan at 'left' fb (must play right)
Carr sad to see him play so poorly
Potter never ruled midfield (how long can Carsley keep going)
i would say he's valued at the 8m mark (which is probably also true of Doyle) The calc is simple, just figure out the real value, then subtract 6m cos he's irish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy
Quote:
Dunne's attitude (a great tackle in the penalty area after the whistle went)
rozendhal (or am I making that up?) had slowed way down, thats the only reason he was able make the tackle!!!
Bendtner then. :)
Btw i didnt mean rommedahl, he left charlton didnt he?
Last nights game reminded me of the Sweden one from February last year, in that for all the good things that can come out of a 4-0 victory a better side on a better night could have scored a few against us. The positives were the new lads on show, they all looked full of confidence and like to get on the ball and play, Reids return was encouraging as was the performance of Richard Dunne. The negatives were Carr and the fact that we're having to resort to O'Shea at CB due to a lack of options. I can handle O'Shea at fullback or even grafting in midfield but at CB I just think he's an accident waiting to happen.
I doubt it.
Pity Stan did not play Kilbane at LB a bit longer.
It's ominous that Finnan is playing at LB.
Carr could be sharper but I thought in the 2nd half he improved
You'd hope but I doubt it meself. Personally I don't have a massive problem with Finnan at LB, he's done it before and he's fairly comfortable on his left foot but if its being done for the sole purpose of accomodating Carr in the side then whats the f**kin point?Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy
I hope Given is back as I do not believe Henderson is good enough for the next 2 games. Potter impressed for me of the recent caps. Reid played well. Momentum for this team is good. With Carsley and hoprefully Given back we have some real hope of 4 points atleast from the next 2 games. We need to start with a quicker tempo. The slowmo stuff we played against Germany away and last night for the first 10 mins will see us a goal down and chasing the game.
I have been a critic of the farcical performance of the team (particularly in the early stages) but I have to say credit where credit is due. With the right attitude going into the big ones in two weeks, we can really take a big step towards qualification. The key is three points in slovakia and then we wont be beaten in Prague, I guarantee
I didn't upload them, another member of my site, FootballHeaven did, herlonger posted these as wellQuote:
Originally Posted by macdermesser
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ve3o2z
In the highly unlikely event you are wrong Tom.......what's the procedure for making a claim against the Guarantee......?;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Saint Tom
LOL great reply hornet!
Correct & we got away with it tonight cos the Danes were so poor. It will need to be much tighter & more comptitive in the qualifiers. Carsley will be needed. Reid can't do it all on his own.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
You're right about the tempo Noely. We need to pick it up straight from the start. We're putting ourselves under pressure when we don't, particularly away. Thought Keanes two goals were excellent. Great ball by Reid for the first (good runs make good passes though). Second goal came from great crossfield pass by Reid to McGealy who delivered a great ball to the near post where Robbie Keane did what all great centre forwards do and what heir managers want hem to do. He attacked the post, distracted the keeper and got the bit of look he deserved. At the final whistle it doesn't matter how you got the goals it's how many you got. For the next game Carsley CM to start with Potter as option. Back four Finnan, McShane, Dunne and O'Shea. Hunt was disappointing last night. What's the option? Andy Reid on the left? Kilbane? I think I'd take a chance with Hunt to start. Plenty of options if it doesn't work. As for the result. Success breeds success. Haven't spoken to my Danish friends yet but I bet their not saying "sure it was only a friendly".Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
what if he gets a 1-0 win there?Quote:
Originally Posted by youngirish
Did you give him credit for 1-0 v Wales and Slovakia when everyone said we'd be thumped in those games?
Will anyone ever give him credit for anything??
What about credit for the following?
-He's brought a lot of good youngsters in
-He hasnt reacted to the abuse negatively like Mclaren did
-He has kept going through the abuse and got some good results.
-The team spirit is clearly excellent after all the abuse
-good result the other night
We played like **** against Wales and luckily got a result, we certainly did not play great against Slovakia and got a result. We played OK last night but Denmark were just god awful. Against decent opposition maybe Robbie's first could've happened (though I think it could've been saved). As for the youngsters, Doyle was first called up by Kerr, Ireland has been good but he would have been in before if he and Kerr hadn't argued, and Hunt is the only other guy to make his debut under Staunton who I can really remember has made an impact (Long has 3 very fortunate goals, I haven't been overly impressed by him). Stokes, Alan O'Brien, Kelly, etc. have still failed to do anything domestically or internationally (I guess Kelly has done decently but has never been great for Ireland). Don't be blinded by the light, he has done well not responding badly to the criticism but otherwise I will wait until November to judge.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
:rolleyes:Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
(For the first time in my life I've felt the need to use that terrible smiley without words)
I have them all available, would you like to see them? You or I could've probably kept out/dealt with the first 2.Quote:
Originally Posted by eirebhoy
1.) Right through the keepers hands
2,) Parried right onto his foot wide open on a shot that could've easily been caught or punched over
3.) Beat one defender who looked like he could've cared less when the match was already 3-0. I could've defended better.
Do you need the videos to remind you?
EDIT: Sorry, I forgot, he used to play hurling, I'm not allowed to say anything bad about him
Long looked hungry & eager last night, ran every ball and tracked back when required, he was well worthy of his two goals. He's a twenty year old forward playing premiership football. I think he's a great prospect and cemented his position as our third striker.Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
Thats fine, I never said he was bad, and I do believe he has potential, I don't think that he's quite there yet though. He may have warranted a goal with his competitiveness but he got them through a good bit of luck instead of by doing well which isn't what I like to see. He wasn't that great against Everton last week and last night everyone looked like a superstar compared to the Danes (I can't remember that much from before that). I'd rather see Murphy or Elliott than him to be honest. However, again, I do agree that his future is brightQuote:
Originally Posted by co. down green
I'll be delighted if he gets a 1-0 in either of those games and I'll praise him to high heaven. We looked quite brittle in both the Wales and Slovakia games and marginally better sides would've beaten us ...especially in the Welsh game.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
I'll give him credit after the fact if he steers this team through the next two games gaining 3+ points ...but I still strongly believe anything this team achieves in the group will be despite him -not because of him.
...as pointed out by theworm this is something of a myth. Ireland would have been in earlier but had a petulant strop with BK because Kerr didn't pick him for an underage game in his home town that his mam and dad were coming to ...model pro ha? Elsewhere I could opine that Stan has used "bringing youngters through" as a fig-leaf for his own ineptness. He's also discarded players with real, legitimate claims to a place in the squad in favour of "youngsters" who's claims are less tangible.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
He went into hiding after the San Marino farce. He, in colusion with others I don't doubt, paraded a 70-something Cancer sufferer to take the flak for him. Despicable behaviour.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
What else was he going to do? Walk away from a job where he gets twice what his Czech counterpart is on and THREE TIMES what Lawrie Sanchez was on? One of the few clever things he's done.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
...classic footballer wagon circling syndrome. It has it's uses but frankly I'd prefer if they were a miserable shower of grumpy-lumps who could efficiently despatch lesser opponents.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
Yes ...yes it was.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
Credit for two below average performances we were in the end fortunate to win! Lets judge him on the results & performances that matter. And we, the media etc can take a fair share of that credit by forcing his hand over Carsley.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
Alan O'Brien !! - He should have tried Garvin over the last 3 friendlys and probably Best too. He only called Gibson up cos of Worthington.Quote:
Originally Posted by craig7042
I've little confidence in Henderson, if we need to rely on him, I hope kenny is not performing his usual heroics back at home.
Quote:
Originally Posted by theworm2345
Agree with most of that except the bit about Long who took both his goals well and linked up well throughout the 2nd half. Again this came unfortunately reminds me a bit of the Sweden one last year, were fair enough we beat a relatively decent side 4-0. But the other night a better side would have managed a couple against us and had we gone behind well we just don't know. This team is a bit of a rollercoster, and I won't be anything like convinced by Stan until we see some progress were it counts, and not in an early season friendly.
Im not suggesting for one minute that Staunton is the next Cappello. But it does make me laugh that posters on here who were screaming for his resignation after the loss to Holland are now saying that a 4-0 win away from home changes nothing.
As I said before , you cant have it both ways. You cant get stuck into players and managers after a friendly loss and then just brush the next win aside as being meaningless.
I'd be willing to bet that had it been us beaten 4-0 at home and the opposition played identically to how we did, posters would not only be calling for Stauntons head , but would also praise the other side for "taking their chances" and showing some quality on the break.
ya wallis that is probably true, but those same teams would have been on a roll or won games expected of them in the past, and used that game to go on and play better in a competitive match, and also learned a great deal from the game. Time will only tell if the latter is the case here, but until then we will still remain cautious ( ive tried to spell that 3 times and it still doesnt look right ) as we have seen this team act like a rollercoaster the last year or so.
I don't think Ireland would have been in the team much earlier than he was. Ireland only broke through to the Man City side during Brian Kerr's end of days. The very earliest game he would have been considered for is the Cyprus 1-0 win and Swiss 1-1 double header, after some very encouraging performances for City including a MOTM award. I pointed out at the time that the media jumped on the history between Kerr and Ireland to fill column space because the players weren't speaking to them at the time, and there was no "Robbie Keane drunk on his birthday 5 days before a game" style stories to make up the difference.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lionel Ritchie
He called Gibson into the squad for San Marino, and he played for the B team against Scotland last November, almost 9 months before Worthington was appointedQuote:
Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia
Very true Paul.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
I have to say that on the back of this result I feel a lot more positive going into the last few games, but as you say , time will tell..