Republic of Ireland V Russia - Friday, 8th October 2010 - Euro 2012 Qualifier

[Dodge]

Attended my first Ireland game in a while last night. As ever gave me a better perception of the team than watching on TV did. I hadn't really noticed bhow slow St ledger was for instance. Completely out of his depth. Kilbane, who I love, literaly didn't do a single thing of merit all night. Looked frightened of the ball. Whelan was on his own in the middle and didn't cope well. Poor Paul Green. Doubt he'd get into Rovers or Bohs midfield. Genuinely felt sorry for him as he wasn't lacking in effort. Lawrence and McGeady were woeful. At lest McGeady kept plugging away and always wanted the ball. Doyle worked hard but mislaid a few easy passes (things like laying off behind the winger rather than putting it front of them). Keane was shocking. His dive early i the first half was outragously bad. Complained about it for 5 minutes too (and in doing so missed a counter attack opportunity). Spent more time waving at the linesman than getting involved.

Bar a plucky 10 minutes around the goals (and a frantic minute or so before Russia scored), Ireland were far, far behind Russia all over the park.

Still at least the Stadium is excelent

[mypost]

We've beaten Andorra and Armenia.

Playing the same formation and same tactics every game makes us predictable.

So playing 4-5-1 every time would make us less predictable so? We're conservative enough with 4-4-2, imagine how boring we'd be with one man upfront?

Armenia and Andorra have to be beaten as much as anyone else, Slovakia will explain that. Russia are a good technically gifted side, but they're not Germany, Italy, or Brazil, they don't have a great record in Dublin. They played well last night, but they're just as capable of dropping points in Skopje next week, especially if the Macedonians test that defence more than we did.

[Bottle of Tonic]

Hopelessly outclassed there. Full backs and centre mid got their balls felt. Green was either taking a woeful, woeful first touch, clattering and slipping into all around him, or lying on his belly on the deck as play raged on around him.

Heart and desire can only take you so far and when the opposition is of far superior technical and passing ability and they are on form, well it gets you a 2-3 going on 0-5 reverse.

That said im still a fan of Trappers and his system. With our squad of largely sows ears its probably the only way to go in international football.

[tommy_c12000]

Just a note on the side (not sure if it has been discussed already):

I thought it was a disgrace that supporters were able to invade the pitch and reach the players not once but twice. Absolutely shocking. The stewarding is clearly 2nd rate and needs to be improved substantially. Too many of the "volunteers" watch the games at crucial stages (i.e. 1st Russian goal and in the closing seconds last night) allowing supporters the window of opportunity to encroach. The free admission clearly isn't enough for the volunteers to return an adequate performance (I'm open to correction here but as far as I know only the "elite" stewards are paids while the vast majority only get free entry). This needs to be looked at urgently. Stewards need to be properly trained, paid (I think a stronger incentive is needed than free entry, FAI will no doubt be reluctant to splash out) and individuals held accountable for any pitch invasions which could lead to players being endangered. Simply not good enough. Change is needed because the current system clearly isn't working.

[geysir]

Whelan was on his own in the middle and didn't cope well.

Whelan was conspicuous yes, by his almost complete absence when Russia were weaving paths through midfield.
he had to be carrying a heavy knock/injury because nothing else could explain why Green was left so exposed by his partner.

[elroy]

Depressing, I think that is the biggest run around we have got at home since Spain in 1993. We deserved nothing from the game, were completely gone after 65 mins and were fortunate that we got a pen that gave us some life.

1. I cant believe some people think McGeady had a good game. His defensive side (or serious lack) of his game is very poor and cost us dearly. On numerous occasions he was too lazy to track his man. The second goal came down his flank and he failed to track his man leaving Killer two on one. The third goal also came down his side, that guy had time to take the ball, turn and run at goal and eventually shoot without challenge from the CM or McGeady. He offered a few outlets going forward but how many quality deliveries did he make, decent shots?!? Im sick of hearing how good he is for his club, I think he is a luxury player in our team who we cant afford.

2. Russia defensively were very vulnerable, it was such a shame Keane and Doyle did not get good service. Any time we got a decent ball in their area, there was mayhem and by and large Keane and Doyle did well imo.

3. Very disappointed in Lawro, very ineffective. Considering his recent performances, will just put it down to a bad day. Perhaps the injury he picked up early on hampered him.

4. Centre midfield were non existent. I think Whelan was actually less effective than Green. Was listening to the radio at half time and Damien Richardson made the very good point that the system Russia were adopting with one man in front of their back four and then two other centre midfielders free to roam forward was killing us. He said that the only way we could stop the rot was by changing our system and going man for man. By the time Trap did this, it was too late, but look at the difference it made. Long was a breath of fresh air and brought an energy and effort ala Hunt (see the determination he showed for the second goal). Gibson at least got his foot on the ball and distributed a bit better.

5. Defensively this was our worst performance under Trap, lethargic and we could have conceded another 3/4. Sledger was poor but I also thought Dunne wasnt great either. He was harshly penalised for the first goal, dont think it was a free.

6. A real opportunity missed to make this group ours. I have been a bit fan of Trap so far but tonight tactically he was outdone and was too slow to address the mess that was our midfield.
The Armenian result is a god send for us, but we need to get a result on Tuesday. The group is very open. After Tuesday, we have to go to Russia and have Slovakia at home. Slovakia have Russia at home and us away. Russia have us at home and Slovakia away. So winning the group is still there for us but we need to make serious improvements from the abject performance last night.

Considering the obvious failures in our midfield, do we need to consider a change in formation (what system do Slovakia play). How would ye feel about Keane moving to the wing in place of McGeady and playing Gibson as an attacking centre midfielder.

[Dodge]

Whelan was conspicuous yes, by his almost complete absence when Russia were weaving paths through midfield.
he had to be carrying a heavy knock/injury because nothing else could explain why Green was left so exposed by his partner.

Not sure who was exposing who, but they were both awful. As Whelan has at leas shown he can doa job in the past, I'm willing to give him the benefit of any doubt

[carloz]

http://greenscene.me/2010/10/player-...land-v-russia/

player ratings for the game

[irishultra]

they tried telling us that players club form had nothing to do with and look what happened. sucha joke, loser players like paul green in the team and this is what you get. trapatonni is not a particularly good manager at all and only gets away with it because in general irish people have low expectations(all walks of life and it includes on soccer team)

[geysir]

Not sure who was exposing who, but they were both awful. As Whelan has at leas shown he can doa job in the past, I'm willing to give him the benefit of any doubt

Benefit of doubt?
You were at the game, considering that a big part of our CM is to break up attacks, surely you noticed that Whelan did not make one tackle in the first half, or make an interception until the 44th minute, while Green had about 8 interceptions/tackles. Possibly the worst pass of the 1st half was made by Whelan and the Russians broke into attack forcing a good save. On a few other occasion when Green intercepted, he was crowded out with Whelan a distant spectator.
Of course Green is nothing special, he can't do the effective work of 2CM on his own. Roy Keane could, but not Green

[Billsthoughts]

usual Irish fans wallowing in misery. seem to enjoy the bad days more than the good. ireland played crap of that there is no doubt. could have been 5 or 6 nil. but we have bounced back before and will do this time as well. what I felt most was that when russia were running riot(even at one nil) ireland lacked players with the courage to play balls and make mistakes. everytime the midfield passed backwards. probably green played last game for ireland. personally would like to see fahey play as he can pass a ball and play football but by no means is he going to be the saviour for them. i got the impresion from the post match interviews that it was the fear in the players not the fear instilled by trapp that was the cause of them not playing.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Attended my first Ireland game in a while last night. As ever gave me a better perception of the team than watching on TV did. I hadn't really noticed bhow slow St ledger was for instance. Completely out of his depth. Kilbane, who I love, literaly didn't do a single thing of merit all night. Looked frightened of the ball. Whelan was on his own in the middle and didn't cope well. Poor Paul Green. Doubt he'd get into Rovers or Bohs midfield. Genuinely felt sorry for him as he wasn't lacking in effort. Lawrence and McGeady were woeful. At lest McGeady kept plugging away and always wanted the ball. Doyle worked hard but mislaid a few easy passes (things like laying off behind the winger rather than putting it front of them). Keane was shocking. His dive early i the first half was outragously bad. Complained about it for 5 minutes too (and in doing so missed a counter attack opportunity). Spent more time waving at the linesman than getting involved.

Bar a plucky 10 minutes around the goals (and a frantic minute or so before Russia scored), Ireland were far, far behind Russia all over the park.

Still at least the Stadium is excelent

That's the Robbie Keane of pretty much every Ireland match. Such a whinger (says me whingin about him!)

[Drumcondra 69er]

Green was very poor alright but he was left so exposed by Whelan the entire time he was on the pitch, shameful performance.

Very bad day at the ofice but let's not kneejerk, I was there for the Spain game in 93 when half the crowd left at 3-0. The consolation that Shridan got that day wound up enabling us to pip Denmark on goals scored for second so the 2 last night could prove to be vital. Let's be honest it could have been 5 and we'd have had no complaints.

Watched the analysis this morning, very honest interview from Dunne. Hope there's a reaction on Tuesday, gutted at the mo and suffering an unmerciful hangover to boot....

[Noelys Guitar]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Kevin Doyle yet. He was very poor by his standards. His layoff play was terrible. Only once did he win a kncokdown for Keane to run onto. And he has devoloped a bad habit (seen him doing this recently for Wolves) of collecting the ball close to the oppositions box and then run the ball back towards our goal. Last season he would simply turn and run at the opposition defense. Advocat won the battle of the managers yesterday. He simply realised we don't man mark and his team used the room available to hurt us. Whelan should have been substituted after 30 mins. McGeadys free role in the second half of the the second half changed the game not the high balls. He is a much better player when he has somebody like O'Shea to hit 1-2's with rather than Kibane who is simply too slow. Given should have played the ball out to O'Shea 50% of the time for the last 10mins with the other 50% high balls. We can't just keep lumping as even the dodgy Russian defense can adjust.

[seanfhear]

An average Irish team played against a team having a good day. The average Irish team had a very bad day and got a good hiding despite the scoreline.

We badly missed Duffer(I suppose we won't really appreciate how good he is until he is retired)

McCarthy should be in the squad but is he definitely that interested in being in the Irish squad?

Not that pertinent for last night but is the "chemistry" between Doyle and Keane as good as it should be ?

Foley would be an option for me at right back but does Josh play as well at left back as he does at right back ?

We could do with Given playing regular first team football.

Andrews would have been more useful at midfield that Green yesterday. Mind you I have me doubts if Whelan was a 100% fit last night so Green was a bit over exposed.

McGeady is still an enigma but he has too produce more end result and be an actual threat on goal. If he does not do it in the next year/18 months then he probably never will.

I think that Jon Walters probably deserves his chance (if he is interested, sadly you have to say that about nearly every player these days) at least as much as Shane Long. I think that Trap is loyal too players that show a willingness to show up and well, thats fair enough.

Do we have any better than St Ledger and Kilbane. Its up for debate.

To sum up we have an average team with some good players. I have me doubts if another manager would achieve better results than Trap.

Lets hope we stay in contention at least until the end of the group and maybe a few of the younger players will improve or some new faces or fringe players make a stronger case for inclusion.

Things will eventually improve, get worse or stay the same. (I predict I am right about at least one of them)

[tetsujin1979]

Game being discussed on newstalk now, Emmet Malone, Daniel McDonnell and another reporter who's name I missed

<EDIT>

It's Dion Fanning

[geysir]

Not that pertinent for last night but is the "chemistry" between Doyle and Keane as good as it should be ?

Foley would be an option for me at right back but does Josh play as well at left back as he does at right back ?

A lot of chemistry would improve by having at least one real full back who gets forward to support the play.

Probably only McCarthy could improve the midfield contribution and still have CM tight enough to Trap's satisfaction.

[MeathDrog]

On an interesting note: Let's for argument's sake say Staunton was in charge for that game, and Ireland played the exact same and basically got thumped for 70 odd minutes in the same way. Would the crowd have gotten on his back? You bet your bottom dollar he would have gotten a bucketload of abuse. Trappatoni got little or none, even though he was quite clearly outplayed tactically-wise by Advocaat.

[Noelys Guitar]

A lot of chemistry would improve by having at least one real full back who gets forward to support the play.

Probably only McCarthy could improve the midfield contribution and still have CM tight enough to Trap's satisfaction.

Agree. The amount of times McGeady had three players shadowing him (especially in the first half) and he needed an Irish player to overlap on the wing. Never happened. In the later half of the second half O'Shea and Long when he came on started to help out. And what a difference it made. I would consider starting O'Shea at left back on Tuesday. Bring in Foley at right back. Or else start Cunningham at left back and let him overlap when possible. Slovakia are going to play the way they did against Macedonia at home. All out attack but they gave Macedonia so many counter atacking chances it was unreal. We have to be able to exploit those chances and that means full backs pushng forward as a unit with our two wingers.

[rebelmusic]

Despite my anger at the performance, i have to admit when Long scored my brain did the calculations and i thought "Well, we're still top".

In fairness, if we beat Slovakia were still well in there. It's a pity we couldn't grab the table by the balls but maybe in some ways a massive wake up call was needed. Gonna reserve the majority of my conclusions until after Tuesday. Considering last campaign this would have have been 2 draws, maybe a win and a loss wouldnt be the worst thing in the world.