Nigeria Post Match Thoughts and Analysis

**irishfan86** · 29/05/2009, 9:09 PM

I'll start off by giving my ratings- feel free to share yours or argue against mine.

Given-6- Not much to do, we kept them to the outside, but his presence probably helped the debutantes out.

Foley-6- Some great crosses and nice pieces of play, but didn't look strong enough at times. Probably the defender most at fault for the goal- he should have been more committed in the challenge.

Sledge-7-As good a debut as you can make as a centre-half short of scoring. Impressive.

Dunne-7-Solid at the back, and composed in possession.

Nolan-6-Doesn't look ready for this level just yet.

Lawrence-6- I've been championing his cause for a long time, but he looked pretty bad tonight. The only bright spot was his set piece delivery, and he looked reckless with his "challenges."

Liam Miller-7-One of the better performers for us tonight, as Townsend was saying, he's got the talent but he needs to find the consistency.

Andrews-7-Unspectacular but he played a role in Robbie's goal and came close with a few shooting attempts.

Duff-6- Quiet by his standards. Glad to see him avoid injury.

Keane-8-Best player on the park tonight. Some classy touches and a great finish for the goal.

Best-6.5- Glimpses of something special. Some good link up with Robbie at times as well.

Subs:

Westwood-7-Looked confident and made a couple of good takes, but didn't have anything incredibly difficult to deal with.

McGeady-6- always willing to take his man on, but to little effect.

Long-6-Great running and effort, and you've got to love his attitude, but he didn't have much to work with.

McShane-6-Poor use of the ball, not much to deal with defensively.

Whelan-6-Didn't make much of an impact during a slow second half.

Hunt-6.5-Looked lively as usual and tried to create a few sparks in a dead game.

In terms of the game next week, the only debutante from tonight I'd be willing to put straight into the side would be Sledge, with O'Shea moving out to the right.

**Closed Account** · 29/05/2009, 9:28 PM

Missed the first half hour.

Given: 7 Only really seen that he had no chance for the goal, but he gets a 7 nearly by default everyweek anyway

Foley: 6 Caught a bit flat footed for the goal and looked a bit slight of frame compared to the Nigerians, also remember one of his clearances not beating the first man. Not a bad debut, at least its out of the way but won't start on Saturday

Dunne: 7 Similiar to Given, nearly always plays above average for Ireland. Was compsed on the ball and can't remember him doing anything wrong.

St Ledger: 7 Good debut, gave away a couple of free kicks but you could see he was just over eager to make a good impression. Nearly got an assist for Best and his aerial attacking ability could prove useful. Won't disturb Dunne-O'Shea just yet but probably puts himself ahead of McShane for first defensive sub.

Nolan: 6.5 Didn't seem to do anything wrong and its hard for a right footer to have much attacking ambition when playing left. Played well from what I saw and probably doesn't help having McGeady in front of you.

Lawrence: 6 Played as I expected, our system isn't really set up for him. Likes to get the ball to feet with players to hit in front of him where as we like to knock the ball in front of our wingers to run onto. Might not get another cap for a while with Duff/McGeady/Hunt ahead of him.

Miller: 7.5 Always liked him when he's playing well and has a ball winner beside him, but he probably won't have another good game for 3 games. A lot at stake for him tonight, shop window wise, so I guess he had to play well.

Andrews: 7 Intelligent player, knows his job. Doesn't give it away, gets stuck in, wins headers in midfield. Really like him. (setanta man of the match)

Duff: 7 Another generous seven, as I didn't really see much of him. Sucked in two defenders which eventually created the space for the goal.

Best: 6.5 Getting plaudits from other avenues but I don't think he'll be too happy with his performance. He worked hard, got in good positions and maybe with a bit more confidence could of scored two. But he's a striker, thrives on confidence and usually when he got the ball to his feet in good positions, ran out of ideas. A harsh 6.5 but has put himself in the frame to replace Folan on Saturday.

Keane: 8 Best player on pitch for first 45. Looked like he was enjoying himself. Back him to score on Saturday

Subs:
Westwood: 7 Dealt comfortably with everyone and distribution from the back was excellent

McGeady: 5 Needs some expert coaching on how to play football before its too late, i would hate to be on a pitch with him.

Long: 7 Love his attitude, would like to see him start on Saturday, then again, he gives you bundles of energy from the bench and it remains to be seen if he can do it from the start.

Hunt: 6 Came on, got stuck in, got in peoples faces. Typical Hunt.

Whelan: 5 Not impressed, gave the ball away a few times and tried a ridiculous shot with options in front of him. Granted Lawrence tried something similiar but I thought that was a slightly better opportunity

McShane: 6 Final ball was terrible and very little to do defensively.

**strangeirish** · 29/05/2009, 9:38 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Keane: 8 Best player on pitch for first 45. Looked like he was enjoying himself. Back him to score on Wednesday

Nah, I wouldn't. Waste of money.

**Closed Account** · 29/05/2009, 9:41 PM

Originally Posted by strangeirish

Nah, I wouldn't. Waste of money.

Dammit, meh, gonna leave it there, mentioned it a few times. see how many people pull me up on it.

**Umberside** · 29/05/2009, 9:45 PM

What was the score lads I wasn't around to see it.

**irishfan86** · 29/05/2009, 9:56 PM

Originally Posted by Umberside

What was the score lads I wasn't around to see it.

1-1, Keane with our goal.

**Youths4Ever** · 29/05/2009, 10:15 PM

not totally up on my Nigerian internationals but thought the team as whole played well against on ok looking Nigeria. Some very good looking players for the future I think very importantly no player making their debut looked totally out of their depth. Obviously some need a higher level of football week in week out or at least to be playing week in week out and time to develop but overall I believe a lot more positives then negatives to be taken from the game. Also looked like got through with out any injuries being picked up

**Noelys Guitar** · 29/05/2009, 10:29 PM

Very useful exercise. Dunne was excellent as was Andrews. Of the new lads I thought ST Ledger and Best looked most at home playing international football but was impressed with all of our first/second cappers. I definetely think Lawerence can play better.

**captkeen** · 29/05/2009, 10:34 PM

To be honest i never rate friendlies,especially close to a big match. Players like Duff and co look after themselves and the newish players put a bit of effort in,but they should all be fit after a season of football and i think to play an international in london a week before a match that would put us in a strong position in the World Cup Group was a stupid idea.
Im on my travels to Bulgaria next week and hope to see a very improved performance from our team. Ireland have never won in Sofia so i`m hoping we can put that straight.

**Seano** · 29/05/2009, 11:17 PM

Originally Posted by captkeen

.Ireland have never won in Sofia so i`m hoping we can put that straight.

Yes we have thanks to a Gary Mackay winner

**geysir** · 29/05/2009, 11:25 PM

Nothing like a game to put all the newcomers into a bit better focus. Nothing really stupenduos about their performances, maybe the match was a just "bit" of a letdown after watching Barca.

Ledger should get into the squad. There is no rush to start Foley and Nolan.
Miller did enough to show why Trap keeps him around.
Lawrence is a bit better of an option than Keogh, out right.

Did Ledger do enough to start with Dunne and move Josh to RB?
Unfortunately I suffered a long stints of attention deficiency while trying to watch the match feed and have no opinion myself.
Looks like Trap will start with a big man up front (Folan) next Saturday.

**irishfan86** · 29/05/2009, 11:35 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Did Ledger do enough to start with Dunne and move Josh to RB?

He just looked very composed and not out of place, and in addition to this, he headed the ball right on a silver platter to Best off a set piece.

I'm not passionate about St. Ledger replacing O'Shea in the middle, and O'Shea being pushed out right, but if a change is to happen with our back 4, that would be the one I'd make.

It was Foley's debut, and I'm not going to be too hard on him, but based on this performance I wouldn't trust him in Sofia. This isn't to say he won't be a good player for us, I just don't think he's ready yet.

McShane just isn't a fullback and wastes possession.

Nolan didn't look comfortable on the left but again it's his debut and I do think he's going to be a decent player for us in a couple of years.

For the first time in a while I think there's a bit of mystery about what the starting XI will be for next match.

**mypost** · 29/05/2009, 11:41 PM

Didn't watch it, and wouldn't put too much emphasis on the result.

The only purpose of it, was to keep the lads fitness up for next weekend.

**geysir** · 30/05/2009, 1:04 AM

If that was even the main purpose, then Trap would have started the first 11, mostly I'd say we are looking at performances of the newcomers and it's okay not to lose.

**mypost** · 30/05/2009, 1:22 AM

It's now standard procedure for us to have a friendly immediately before the June qualifiers, to keep the players sharp. They have struggled at times in the past, when thrown cold into an end-of-season qualifier.

The result and performance tonight doesn't matter. Next week is what counts.

**howsyourtouch** · 30/05/2009, 6:25 AM

the back four is being built around john o'shea and dunne,why would anyone possibly disrupt this half way through a qualifying campaign...if anyone needs to go its mcshane and put st ledger in at right back and keep it solid,no more mcshane giving the ball away EVERY time he gets it...

**Kingdom** · 30/05/2009, 7:21 AM

This new kid Miller looks ok, he looks to have a bright future ahead of him....

**zenokelly** · 30/05/2009, 9:42 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

It's now standard procedure for us to have a friendly immediately before the June qualifiers, to keep the players sharp.

We haven't had a June qualifier for 4 years?

He would've played Killer, Whelan, McGeady/Hunt, McShane from the start if that was his main aim.

**youngirish** · 30/05/2009, 11:44 AM

Quite a positive performance imo. Nigeria didn't look great tbh and it might have been different if they had been playing their strongest players but I thought we were the better team and all of the debutants looked like they could have something useful to offer in future. Some of our passing was impressive particularly in the first half. Of the new players I thought both St Ledger and Best had the best night.

St Ledger looked solid and composed. If you didn't know better you'd never have guessed he was one of the players gaining his first cap. I watched him shouting instructions to the rest of the defence a number of times thoughout the match like he'd been a regular for years. Good to see.

Best looked strong and quick and I was particularly impressed with his constant harrying of the opposition back four when they had the ball, never giving them a second and ultimately forcing them to make mistakes. I think in the long term he should be a more useful alternative to Folan but he needs to get his career back on track next season and realise his potential. He's had a few problems with injuries over the past few seasons which haven't helped his progress either so hopefully he can stay injury free and get an extended run in the Coventry team next year.

Nolan looked solid enough in a weak position for us. Never spectacular but he's been playing rigth back for Preston this season so it was a big ask to expect him to set the world alight.

Foley looked good on the ball but dodgy defensively on a few occasions. Maybe a bit overawed by the occasion. We'll see how he gets on in the Premiership next season but I believe he has the ability to do well.

Of all the debutants I was disappointed with Lawrence the most. I expected him to possibly be the player most likely pushing for a starting place in the short term but he had a quiet game.

To sum up it was certainly a more impressive collection of debutants than the likes of Joe Lapira and Alan O'Brien from the dark days under Stan though credit where it's due Stan did initially discover St Ledger's Irish connections and called him into the squad and just how valuable could that turn out to be in the future?

**elroy** · 30/05/2009, 12:26 PM

McShane didnt play for very long but I think we really are going to struggle to get a result in Sofia if he plays any part in our defence next week. Standard friendly fare, but worth the run out, if for any reason to blend new lads into the team. The two big Q's for next week is who will partner Dunne/JOSH and KK and who will be alongside Keane up front.