U21s vs Turkey

[drummerboy]

So McCann and Keith Treacy were both left out of this squad because of rows it the Don. Time for a new manager. Givens hasn't got what it takes to deal with players. No man management.

[passinginterest]

I thought it was interesting that Givens said after the Spain game the Eddie Nolan was probably the only player in the squad ready to step up and guess who makes two bad mistakes in the game? Eddie Nolan. Then again that probably makes him a certainy for one of the full back spots in the next senior squad.

Givens time and again has shown his inability to manage modern young players, if he had any dignity he would have stepped aside long ago, the sad thing is he seems to be a key advisor of Trap and the national team is suffering as a result of his ineptitude.

[Stuttgart88]

Isn't McCarthy allowed to change his mind once after this? He also played in the 2-2 in Portugal where Teflon Don Givens said that he thought he was now tied, but he actually wasn't.

I know I should know but I keep forgetting. Is there a sticky on the eligibility rules? There should be.

[ifk101]

Regardless of Givens' man management skills or merits as U21 coach, the results in competitive games have not been good enough. It's time to re-evaluate where the U21 team is going and Givens' role in getting us there.

[Mayo Red]

Regardless of Givens' man management skills or merits as U21 coach, the results in competitive games have not been good enough. It's time to re-evaluate where the U21 team is going and Givens' role in getting us there.

Agreed, I think it's time for some fresh blood in the job with maybe a different approach. I know that in some ways the job of U21 Manager is a thankless task and the focus needs to be on developing players as much as results, but you should still be held accountable and Givens seems to have run out of ideas ages ago.

[Stuttgart88]

Agree totally.

The U21 team we field is always invariably made up of 5 or 6 guys still U19 eligible. Surely it's best to field your strongest team at all age levels, increasing the likelihood of tournment qualification / progression and increasing the likelihood of a bunch of players coming through together for the senior team. The current strategy must be totally demoralising for the players.

Time to go Don.

[Comic Book Guy]

I was at the game last night and found it utterly depressing to see a game Irish side sent out to play against a decent Turkish side with only one striker (sheridan) on his own. That said Sheridan missed two sitters one in each half but to see the ball lumped up to a striker on his own must be demoralising for any player.
I would agree with the sentiments expressed about the manager, to contrast our side with the the seemingly better technique of the Turks on the night and the willingness to get the ball down is depressing stuff. I know some of our lads can play, to see them stifled like this with only one outlet to aim at is so sad.

[eirebhoy]

Stokes is the only other striking option I can think of and he would have been called into senior squad anyway. I like that formation he's using as long as the wide players are supporting the striker. We're a lot better to watch since he went with 3 in midfield. Just conceding plenty but also creating plenty without finishing.