Ireland V Australia - Wednesday, 12th August 2009 - Friendly - Thomond Park

**jbyrne** · 13/08/2009, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Duggie

dont agree about whelan. he is a good player, hes actually a very nice passer and has a good shot on him. won his way back into stoke's team at the end of last season. id stick with him in there as he will stick the boot in where needed sometimes also.

agree. he was light years ahead of a very sluggish gibson last night

**DeLorean** · 13/08/2009, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Anyone who thought Whelan was rubbish last night just didn't watch the game closely enough. Simple as.

I'm definitely one of Whelan's biggest critics on this site but thought he was one of our more committed players in the 2nd half. Lots of decent tackles that I didn't think he had in him to be honest. He was as poor as anybody in the first half though.

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

And some people here really need to get the blinkers off when it comes to Robbie Keane.

He annoys me with his mouthing attitude. I thought he could have gone easy on Gibson as well when he made a balls of that good chance in the first half. Gibson had his head in his hands, quite obvious he knew he messed up and captain fantastic gave him an awful going over. I know it was frustrating but I'd expect better from him. Keane is vital for our chances though and has been a great player for us over the years so I wouldn't be too critical, and any blinkers people may have towards him, he's earned.

**Duggie** · 13/08/2009, 11:25 AM

a simple pass and robbie was 1 on 1 with the keeper. course he was going to have a go at him, I would, anyone would if they were playing. hes our capt, thats part of what i want him to do.

**DeLorean** · 13/08/2009, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Duggie

won his way back into stoke's team at the end of last season

Due to Diao's injury

**DmanDmythDledge** · 13/08/2009, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Due to Diao's injury

And kept his place when he recovered.

Whelan was very good for Stoke towards the end of last season but bar our first two qualifying games we haven't seen performances like that for Ireland.

**DeLorean** · 13/08/2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Duggie

a simple pass and robbie was 1 on 1 with the keeper. course he was going to have a go at him, I would, anyone would if they were playing. hes our capt, thats part of what i want him to do.

Nah, it served no purpose. The guy looks seriously short of confidence and it was a friendly. Yes it was annoying but I'd expect better. Don't think Doyle would have reacted the same or most players for that matter. It would have been ok if it was a more seasoned player that messed up.

**Razors left peg** · 13/08/2009, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by Junior

Perhaps in pure footballing ability terms you are right but I think you are under estimating the experience 97 caps brings with it, I dread to think what could happy to a Foley / Nolan should they freeze in the headlights for 3 massive massive games for us. Agreed Kilbane is not ideal at LB for us and his time is probably nearly up but I think he'll stay in for the rest of this campaign and I for one didnt think he did anything outrageous last night. There were plenty ahead of him for the wooden spoon, including Gibson and St-Ledger, two of our young and up and coming stars - no?

I know what u are saying but St Ledger didnt freeze up when it came to his compeditive debut, McShane for all his fault since had a very good debut and there have been others that have excelled on their debuts... yes I know it can go the other way too but at this stage Kilbanes experience really doesnt count for anything when he is the major weak link in the defense.Teams have copped on to it now and are targetting him with alot of sucess.As I said before I Kilbane isnt going to get any better at this stage of his career and I would prefer to see someone in the team that while he might make the odd mistake like Kilbane does at least he will grow into the team and have a chance of improving that Kilbane doesnt.
Im not knocking the guy for the sake of it because he has been a great servant to us but his time has gone now.Gary Breen is still playing but would you have him back just because he is experienced?

**DeLorean** · 13/08/2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

And kept his place when he recovered.

Whelan was very good for Stoke towards the end of last season but bar our first two qualifying games we haven't seen performances like that for Ireland.

Thought it was still mainly down to injuries he retained his place. I remember Diao was selected to start the Liverpool match for his return but the injury played up again and Whelan got the nod. I wonder will he play much at all this coming season after the Whitehead signing? Out of the 3 Whelan/Gibson/Andrews I think Andrews should be first choice, has been decent every time.

**youngirish** · 13/08/2009, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Thought it was still mainly down to injuries he retained his place. I remember Diao was selected to start the Liverpool match for his return but the injury played up again and Whelan got the nod. I wonder will he play much at all this coming season after the Whitehead signing? Out of the 3 Whelan/Gibson/Andrews I think Andrews should be first choice, has been decent every time.

Whelan will struggle to get a regular game at Stoke this year as the season goes on. He's a decent Championship player but is out of his depth both at International and Premiership level. In that regard he's similar to McShane but has a little more quality about him.

Andrews is a better player (at least he offers something going forward) though he's by no means great either.

McGeady and Hunt need to be dropped and Lawrence given a chance. It amazes me how many on here sing Whelan's praises because he managed to sneak into the Stoke team towards the end of last season largely due to other players being injured while nobody mentions that Lawrence is one of that same team's top players (if not their best player). Surely he has to offer more than McGeady and Hunt. Neither create anything for the strikers or alternatively are capable of grabbing a goal themselves.

**eamo1** · 13/08/2009, 11:51 AM

I noticed the Foot.ie Irish flag down on the South Terrace last night.

.

**Junior** · 13/08/2009, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

I know what u are saying but St Ledger didnt freeze up when it came to his compeditive debut, McShane for all his fault since had a very good debut and there have been others that have excelled on their debuts... yes I know it can go the other way too but at this stage Kilbanes experience really doesnt count for anything when he is the major weak link in the defense.Teams have copped on to it now and are targetting him with alot of sucess.As I said before I Kilbane isnt going to get any better at this stage of his career and I would prefer to see someone in the team that while he might make the odd mistake like Kilbane does at least he will grow into the team and have a chance of improving that Kilbane doesnt.
Im not knocking the guy for the sake of it because he has been a great servant to us but his time has gone now.Gary Breen is still playing but would you have him back just because he is experienced?

Fair do's - it is a really tough call. 3 games plus a possible further 2 play off ones to go in this campaign

I take your point on debuts too.

Foley looked poor enough in the friendly against Nigeria and thats all Ive seen of him bar reading all the glowing reports on here.

Nolan - has looked ok. Nothing spectacular but certainly not out of place.

Kelly - We know he can play at this level, will he play any club games between now and 5th Sept?

For Trap it really is a case of damned if you do and damned if you dont (I guess that what he is paid for) - I am just not sure about changing it now.

Id have Kilbane in for the Cyprus game, try something else for the SA game, by October we will have had two months of club football and 2 internationals

If he is still happy with his decision on Kilbane at that point, then Ill happily keep the faith and be confident Kilbane will do a job for us at Croker.

**Predator** · 13/08/2009, 12:13 PM

I don't know guys, but the team that started against Australia is one of the strongest possible Irish teams at the minute and it doesn't look good. A 3-0 defeat at home, friendly or not, is unacceptable. To think Tim Cahill wanted to play for us years ago!

**the-blue-harp** · 13/08/2009, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Get the results? Based on what, blind faith?

has he got the results so far that see us on course to the world cup? yes. thats not blind faith its fact.

**John83** · 13/08/2009, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

...To think Tim Cahill wanted to play for us years ago!

Such a pity we broke that deal by insisting he pronounce his name correctly.

**RivaldoBabb** · 13/08/2009, 1:09 PM

its a funny time to have an international freindly, and it produced a funny irish performance. Actually, it was diabolical in all areas of the pitch, though in fairness we were playing with 10 men as Doyle was obviously struggling with his fitness.

Central midfield was shocking, Whelan gave away too many frees or just gave the ball away...not an international player. We made Australia look like world beaters and they are pretty average themselves.

Still only a freindly, the real stuff is in september.

**Lenny82** · 13/08/2009, 1:09 PM

The back 4 were all poor especially O'Shea and Dunne. Not Kilbanes worst game but he would have been sent off in the 1st half for 3 bad tackles if it was a competitive game. Nolan looked comfortable and should start against Cyprus.

Keane created a couple of good chances for himself but contributed little else.

Doyle didn't win one header however, he is still injured so it was probably down to this.

Whelan battled hard and did okay but I would have Andrews in there ahead of him alongside S. Reid so hopefully he is back fit by the Cyprus game.

Hunt is an impact player and should only ever come on for last 30/45 minutes. Trap should tell Duff and McGeady before each game that whoever is playing sh*ttest will be taken off for Hunt!!

**geysir** · 13/08/2009, 1:42 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

McGeady and Hunt need to be dropped and Lawrence given a chance. It amazes me how many on here sing Whelan's praises because he managed to sneak into the Stoke team towards the end of last season largely due to other players being injured while nobody mentions that Lawrence is one of that same team's top players (if not their best player). Surely he has to offer more than McGeady and Hunt. Neither create anything for the strikers or alternatively are capable of grabbing a goal themselves.

There is no limit to your .... ahem .... tabloid profundity.
Lawrence was crap (i.e.pants) when given a good long chance. He is fortunate to be still in the squad to be given another opportunity to impress.

Are you actually suggesting that he be given another chance to be awful in a crucial away fixture, ahead of players who have performed decently and gained results when it mattered?

**boovidge** · 13/08/2009, 1:52 PM

Get Stan back. We won some friendlies with him. Who cares about competitive games?

**Duggie** · 13/08/2009, 1:53 PM

mcgeady has to stay playing. yes his distribution/crossing is poor at times but with so little creativity in midfield right now we badly need duff and mcgeady on the break.

**youngirish** · 13/08/2009, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

There is no limit to your .... ahem .... tabloid profundity.
Lawrence was crap (i.e.pants) when given a good long chance. He is fortunate to be still in the squad to be given another opportunity to impress.

Are you actually suggesting that he be given another chance to be awful in a crucial away fixture, ahead of players who have performed decently and gained results when it mattered?

I could agree with your post even if it does emit a fair whiff of arrogance if it weren't for a couple of fundamental flaws to your logic:

1. Lawrence has never had a good long chance in the team. How is one friendly game against Nigeria a good long chance? In any case he wasn't crap just fairly average which I would argue is still a step up from his competition.
2. McGeady and Hunt on the other hand have certainly had a good long chance to impress for Ireland and have never managed to do so. McGeady in particular has been dire from day one yet still he seems to be an automatic starter.

And finally what sort of drugs are the people taking that claim it would be foolish to bring in somebody untested at International level (though not at club level) because they possibly could make a mistake to replace someone like Kilbane and McGeady who in fairness have lots of international experience but are guaranteed to be rubbish and make mistakes. I could see the point if you were replacing average players who do their job with untested ones.

Please read these posts before submitting them and try to make sense of such statements.