Bulgaria V Ireland (Pre Match Thread)

**DeLorean** · 05/06/2009, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

Sub McGeady for Hunt and I think that's it alright.

Stephen obviously is it? why's that? his ability to track back or something?

**Stuttgart88** · 05/06/2009, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Rubbish. Absolute rubbish. It was an excellent performance in Italy. They couldn't get the ball of us, we harassed the ball off them. Teams will sit back in many matches and frustrate the opposition, make them look ordinary. We didn't look ordinary in Italy.

Well said.

I was at Lippi's Italy against Guus Hiddink's Australia in the last World Cup. Italy had a man sent off at 0-0. Australia couldn't get near the opposition's goal for the rest of the game. Italy scored to win the game 1-0.

I think that categorically undermines Misery Personified's view that a result against 10 man Italy in Italy is nothing to be positive about.

**cheifo** · 05/06/2009, 12:13 PM

Think result could hinge on Richard Dunnes fitness.He was magnificent in Bari.
Another key element is whether Berbatov can be bothered or not.

**Junior** · 05/06/2009, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Well said.

I was at Lippi's Italy against Guus Hiddink's Australia in the last World Cup. Italy had a man sent off at 0-0. Australia couldn't get near the opposition's goal for the rest of the game. Italy scored to win the game 1-0.

I think that categorically undermines Misery Personified's view that a result against 10 man Italy in Italy is nothing to be positive about.

And if memory serves me right that was more than a bit of good fortune!!!

The Italy result was a great result, if anything it was two points dropped and I dont think the Italians could have complained too much if we had snuck it 1-2 at the death.

**DeLorean** · 05/06/2009, 12:20 PM

At least they won't have these guys!!

**DeLorean** · 05/06/2009, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

And if memory serves me right that was more than a bit of good fortune!!!

Nope, not for me. Absolute stone wall penalty, don't know what all the fuss was about at the time.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/06/2009, 12:31 PM

Me neither. Dumb tackle which Grosso(?) made the most of but he was 100% entitled to go down as Neill (?) just lunged across him, getting nowhere near the ball.

UK pundits called it completely wrongly as usual. If a defender goes to ground without getting the ball and the attacker loses control as a consequence it's got to be penalised.

**Junior** · 05/06/2009, 12:58 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1kx8aOaSbA

It would never be a freekick outside of the box, therefore shouldnt be a penalty inside the box.

Stupid tackle from Neill I agree, but it didnt result in a foul imo. Simulation from Grosso.

Football is getting too easy for attackers, look at them in a moody manner and you'd almost be in fear of giving away a pen....................

**DeLorean** · 05/06/2009, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Me neither. Dumb tackle which Grosso(?) made the most of but he was 100% entitled to go down as Neill (?) just lunged across him, getting nowhere near the ball.

UK pundits called it completely wrongly as usual. If a defender goes to ground without getting the ball and the attacker loses control as a consequence it's got to be penalised.

He totally blocked off Grosso's path the the ball after Grosso changed direction. I had a friend over from Australia recently and he said it's still a very sour talking point over there. Not totally conclusive and way off the point of this thread but...

**DeLorean** · 05/06/2009, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

It would never be a freekick outside of the box, therefore shouldnt be a penalty inside the box.

Whether it would or not have been given as a free outside the box I don't know, but it should be and therefore should be a penalty. Normally people say the opposite anyway, it's far easier to give a free than a penalty.

The onus is on the defender to tackle properly, and rightly so.

**Junior** · 05/06/2009, 1:13 PM

Fair enough, Id be fair hacked off it was given against us. Partly because I agree it was a stupid challenge to make but moreso because the attacker simulated a foul and the referee fell for it.

But as you say, lets get thread back on track.........

**Drumcondra 69er** · 05/06/2009, 1:17 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Stephen obviously is it? why's that? his ability to track back or something?

Yeah, Noel is injured. Hunt would be ahead of McGeady based on his performance in Bari, correct call for me. McGeady has flattered to decieve for us, I'd be a fan but he's been far too inconsitent. Hunt's ball retention earlier in the campaign was lousy alright but he still had a far biger performance against Italy then McGeady has managed in any game so far.

**ken foree** · 05/06/2009, 1:31 PM

neil grabbed grosso's ankle with his left hand and cleverly disguised it, peno.

**eirebhoy** · 05/06/2009, 1:53 PM

Originally Posted by cheifo

Think result could hinge on Richard Dunnes fitness.He was magnificent in Bari.
Another key element is whether Berbatov can be bothered or not.

Dunne is ok. McShane the only doubt.

btw, we played at home to Bulgaria as Italy played against us. The only difference is that Italy had 1 less attacker but still Whelan dictated the game in Bari as much as Petrov did in Dublin.

**joema** · 05/06/2009, 2:04 PM

Hopefully McShane doesn't make it.

Don't cae how bad that sounds...its for the team's best. It is clear the rest of the players don't rate him either.

**DeLorean** · 05/06/2009, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Whelan dictated the game in Bari as much as Petrov did in Dublin.

Don't think so. Petrov looked a real class act that night and was the stand out player by a mile. Whelan definitely contributed to the Ireland cause but thought it was more a team effort in pinning them back. Definitely wouldn't say he dictated anything.

Originally Posted by joema

It is clear the rest of the players don't rate him either.

How so?

**joema** · 05/06/2009, 2:17 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Don't think so. Petrov looked a real class act that night and was the stand out player by a mile. Whelan definitely contributed to the Ireland cause but thought it was more a team effort in pinning them back. Definitely wouldn't say he dictated anything.

How so?

Side note I know, but I agree with your first point....

As for "how so"?

He regularly gets a bollocking from his team mates, one instance against Italy particularly stands out. Can't really describe it tbh but there was a group of us watching the match at home an we all noticed it clearly.

Most of the lads don't rate him, certainly not as a right back. Having played in many teams myself where this has been the case, it should not be seen as all that surprising...even at this level.

**DeLorean** · 05/06/2009, 2:25 PM

Originally Posted by joema

He regularly gets a bollocking from his team mates, one instance against Italy particularly stands out. Can't really describe it tbh but there was a group of us watching the match at home an we all noticed it clearly.

Most of the lads don't rate him, certainly not as a right back. Having played in many teams myself where this has been the case, it should not be seen as all that surprising...even at this level.

Well the general assumption would be that they wouldn't rate him anyway to be fair. Didn't actually notice the bollockings myself but I'm sure you're probably right.

**Den Perry** · 05/06/2009, 2:27 PM

Lads, what time is Kick Off Irish time?

thanks

**eirebhoy** · 05/06/2009, 2:30 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Don't think so. Petrov looked a real class act that night and was the stand out player by a mile. Whelan definitely contributed to the Ireland cause but thought it was more a team effort in pinning them back. Definitely wouldn't say he dictated anything.

He had nearly 20 passes more than everyone else on the pitch (not bad when you consider someone like S.Ireland averages about 30 passes a game!). I'd say he dictated it. Without even seeing any stats Whelan was a 9/10 for me that night. I think we created a lot more against Italy than Bulgaria did against us too.