Republic of Ireland V Bulgaria - Saturday, 28th March 2009 - World Cup 2010 Q

**Tipp Townie** · 31/03/2009, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

O'Shea has done well alongside Dunne so there's no point in taking that risk when it wouldn't change us that much.

Agreed. Full-back is a big problem for us. But not only has O'Shea done well in the CB pairing with Dunne, he has been COMPLETELY TOILET at full-back whenever played there in the past. I don't think i'd actually seen him have anywhere near a good game until this campaign.

I cannot understand these suggestions that O'Shea be moved back to LB. There would be limited improvement at LB, if any, and it would break up what has so far proved to be a decent CB set-up.

**tetsujin1979** · 31/03/2009, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by Scram

Andy O'Brien performed very well 95% beside Dunne and I would ask him back in a heartbeat.

O'Brien and Dunne only started together 3 times, 3-0 VS Sweden, 0-1 VS German and 2-5 VS Cyprus

**Closed Account 2** · 31/03/2009, 2:13 PM

I thought Jay Tabb could have been a contender for that central midfielder engine man roll. In a way his versitility is a handicap, he can play on the wing, central midfield or even as a center forward.

I saw him a number of times at Griffin Park in his Brentford days and he was some player back then. He had a lot of pace and energy and would chip in with the occasional valuable goal. The Brentford fans used to love him and both Martin Allen and Wolley Downes rated him as a player when they managed the club. He's just turned 25 so with his new move to Reading I'd say it could be well worth keeping an eye on him. He's a real fan's player, always gives 100% (and almost always gets fan's player of the year at the clubs he's been at). Having players of his attitude in the center of the park could be valuable to us in the next few years. You only have to look as his departing message to Brentford fans (for which he earned their eternal respect) to realise he's a man amongst men, a player from the old school, and just the sort of character we need in the team.

**paul_oshea** · 31/03/2009, 2:25 PM

what did he say?! lads im off take it handy?!

**The Fly** · 31/03/2009, 2:57 PM

On a side note, could anyone provide a different link for me to be able watch RTE's webcast of the panel's continued discussion on the match against Bulgaria and preview of the game against Italy. This took place once the TV program ended.

*When I try to play it direct from RTE's website, a message comes up saying 'only available in Ireland.' Last time I checked Northern Ireland was in Ireland. RTE................

Many thanks to anyone who can provide this.

**Stuttgart88** · 31/03/2009, 3:30 PM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

I thought Jay Tabb could have been a contender for that central midfielder engine man roll. In a way his versitility is a handicap, he can play on the wing, central midfield or even as a center forward.

He's tiny though. I like him and think he could have been a contender for RHM allowing McGeady to go left. There are lots of maybes out there but so many would require being handed a debut. Too late for that probably. Nigeria is next opportunity.

**Closed Account 2** · 31/03/2009, 3:44 PM

In terms of the left back position Painter of Swansea might be an option when he is fully fit...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2007/oct/16/swansea

**third policeman** · 31/03/2009, 4:06 PM

I suggested Stephen Quinn as a possible LB solution on another thread. I know he plays Left Mid for Sheffield Utd, but he is combative, pacey has good technique and delivers a good ball in from the flank. We have a limited pool of players and need to be creative in finding lateral solutions for positions where we are desperately short of quality specialists. There are numerous exapmles of players who have shon for us in unfamiliar positions. Cunningham never played CB at club level before playing there for us, McGrath hardly ever played midfield at club level. McCarthy has had Ward playing LB at times for Wolves, but in may ways Quinn is a more natural and disciplined defensive player.

**weldoninhio** · 31/03/2009, 4:08 PM

Originally Posted by The Fly

On a side note, could anyone provide a different link for me to be able watch RTE's webcast of the panel's continued discussion on the match against Bulgaria and preview of the game against Italy. This took place once the TV program ended.

*When I try to play it direct from RTE's website, a message comes up saying 'only available in Ireland.' Last time I checked Northern Ireland was in Ireland. RTE................

Many thanks to anyone who can provide this.

When did you last check?? 600 years ago?? Northern Ireland uses sterling, has its own parliment. Its on the same island but at the moment its part of the British Isles.

**Stuttgart88** · 31/03/2009, 4:11 PM

Many people including myself would say that the ROI is too, but that's a well trodden path here...

**paul_oshea** · 31/03/2009, 4:15 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Many people including myself would say that the ROI is too, but that's a well trodden path here...

No stutts that would be the British and Irish Isles(which subsequently includes NI)

**weldoninhio** · 31/03/2009, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Many people including myself would say that the ROI is too, but that's a well trodden path here...

I didn't mean turn it into a political exercise, just pointing out that RTE is the national broadcaster of ROI. Expecting it to be broadcast in NI (using a UK broadband supplier.) was a bit foolish.

Might as well expect it to work in Australia.

Edit: I believe the British Isles refers to Great Britain and Northern Ireland

**The Fly** · 31/03/2009, 4:53 PM

Originally Posted by weldoninhio

When did you last check?? 600 years ago?? Northern Ireland uses sterling, has its own parliment. Its on the same island but at the moment its part of the British Isles.

Good one!!!

Originally Posted by weldoninhio

I didn't mean turn it into a political exercise, just pointing out that RTE is the national broadcaster of ROI. Expecting it to be broadcast in NI (using a UK broadband supplier.) was a bit foolish.

Might as well expect it to work in Australia.

Edit: I believe the British Isles refers to Great Britain and Northern Ireland

RTE TV and radio is broadcast in NI. Any time the program features a competition for example, it is open to viewers in NI.
NI is on the island of Ireland - if you want to be pedantic.
The British Isles, despite being an anachronism, refers to the islands of Britain and Ireland.

Anyway.........would anyone have any idea how I could view it.

**eirebhoy** · 31/03/2009, 5:58 PM

Couldn't believe the boo's at the end of the game.

Thought McShane had 1 of his better games in that position. 6/10 which isn't bad for him at right back. He cut out plenty of high balls. Andrews had a good game. Obviously Doyle. The 2 centre halves were decent. We had a good spell of possession for the 20 minutes before half time but mainly sat back on the lead other than that. I don't think anyone expected anything different under Trap though.

**irishfan86** · 31/03/2009, 6:29 PM

The gameplan is hardly inspiring, but it would be hard to argue against its effectiveness.

If McGeady finishes his chance, we win the game.

We got chances, Bulgaria didn't (apart from the own goal which I wouldn't even count as a true scoring chance).

**DotTV** · 31/03/2009, 6:54 PM

Originally Posted by The Fly

Good one!!!

RTE TV and radio is broadcast in NI. Any time the program features a competition for example, it is open to viewers in NI.
NI is on the island of Ireland - if you want to be pedantic.
The British Isles, despite being an anachronism, refers to the islands of Britain and Ireland.

Anyway.........would anyone have any idea how I could view it.

You'd have to change your proxy settings to make it look like your computer is in the republic. It's illegal to do but if you google search there are forums and websites that tell you how to do it. I have the same problem viewing different things from canada. To be honest, i'm not techy so I don't even bother with that proxy ****...but if you can figure it out thats the only way to go.

**richieos** · 01/04/2009, 12:12 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Couldn't believe the boo's at the end of the game.

Thought McShane had 1 of his better games in that position. 6/10 which isn't bad for him at right back. He cut out plenty of high balls. Andrews had a good game. Obviously Doyle. The 2 centre halves were decent. We had a good spell of possession for the 20 minutes before half time but mainly sat back on the lead other than that. I don't think anyone expected anything different under Trap though.

i normally agree with most things you say on this forum, but if you looked back on the video of the match, mcshane was horrendous. he found a bulgaria player with nearly every 'pass' and was constantly caught out of position, which affected the performances of o'shea, mcgeady, and hunt, who had to keep tracking back to cover his position. i honestly do hate to be too harsh on the lad, but his lack of positional sense and wandering had a knock on effect throughout the team

**irishfan86** · 01/04/2009, 1:07 AM

My biggest problem with McShane is that he just isn't a fullback.

He doesn't fulfill any of the basic requirements necessary- he can't pass, isn't mobile, can't get forward and make runs to support his winger.

I've said it before but for me he should be our 4th or so choice centre-half, and that's the only position he should ever play for us, and only when there are injury/suspension problems.

**Scram** · 01/04/2009, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

My biggest problem with McShane is that he just isn't a fullback.

He doesn't fulfill any of the basic requirements necessary- he can't pass, isn't mobile, can't get forward and make runs to support his winger.

I've said it before but for me he should be our 4th or so choice centre-half, and that's the only position he should ever play for us, and only when there are injury/suspension problems.

Agree.

**geysir** · 01/04/2009, 2:29 PM

There has been a lot of nonsense written about McShane in the Bulgaria game.
He did what could be expected from one of our squad players filling in.
He put in a basic performance at full back.
Imo, he played better than KK at LB