Loving the Positivity though lads.
3rd on head-to heads. Doesn't mean much at this stage though.Originally Posted by Sullivinho
We're not arrogant, we're just better.
Loving the Positivity though lads.
Don't know why some people aren't happy with the second half. It's the way they play under Trap, rope-the-dope kind of thing. Sure, there were a few sloppy passes and possession wasn't great at times, but they never looked panicky and weren't hanging on. Second string team aswell. First competitive game I've sat thru without having to change me pants afterwards.
At this point in the season with the players we were missing the three points is all that matters.
Jingle Bells,
Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way,
Oh what fun it is to see Ireland win away!
"There's man all over for you, blaming on his boots the fault of his feet" - Samuel Beckett, Waiting for Godot
The main two mistakes from the first half - Popov getting too much space and Pandev given space to run into - were successfully dealt with at half time, they were both far more ineffective in the second half.
About as solid a second half display as I've seen. The passing at times was atrocious, and we didn't create much in the way of scoring chances, but when you're two nil up that's a luxury you can afford.
Nicely set up for the final phase of the qualifiers with an easier run in than our two main opponents.
Trap just said the same thing in his presser, having nothing to do with the situation of course!!!! It was just past 9 PM...
No Somos muchos pero estamos locos.
Seriously listening to Trap's presser now, his English is totally fine.....There are big time posters on here who swear he can't speak English. That is Fecking Bull ****.
No Somos muchos pero estamos locos.
Where you seeing that?
In the 2nd half we were safe enough, even with Shay's brilliant one handed save and our generosity with gifting the ball.
Surreal to have an away game where almost everything went our way.
So will Trap and Tardelli. They both looked delighted and rightly so. A really, really disciplined performance form the team. Pandev is a very dangerous player and he would cause any team problems.
Great display of catenaccio from Ireland in the second half, if we could have retained the ball a little better it would have been a pretty perfect second half display when two up.
Great three points, three more in September at home to Slovakia and we're nearly in the play-offs.
It was the ball retention that was the real worry.
Cox had a perfectly good goal ruled out! The ref was a bit over zealous but definitely not a "Simpson". You remember Belgium and Bulgaria away. About time we had a break. I'm not joking in saying very few teams would have beaten these 2-0 on their home turf. Major bridge crossed tonight by the team.
From what I can tell, UEFA don't apply the head-to-head record until all the relevant games have been played. So if Ireland, Slovakia and Russia are all still tied after we've played one another, they'll apply it then, but until that time we're top on goal difference.
Thought we rode our luck in the first half but were comfortable in the second despite making if difficult for ourselves by kicking away possession. O'Dea and O'Shea were flawless after a ropey first half. Cox and Keane linked up well and worked their socks off. Hunt played well but was exhausted by the hour mark. McGeady looked like a player who'd had one too many big games recently, but he gave 100%. I think Coleman should have replaced one of them with 20 minutes to go, and possibly Fahey too, to give us a better hold on the ball.
All in all, we had a difficult task and were fairly comfortable winners in the end. All in all, these three games have been a really good set-up for the Slovakia match. Italy have a much-changed team since the last campaign so hopefully it's a different type of test that will allow us to finish the season a high.
Last edited by Charlie Darwin; 04/06/2011 at 10:34 PM.
I'm just back from the pub and my match analysis is suitably ****-eyed (some wags may say it's improved but anyway...)
My main reaction to this game is I spent the whole second half arguing with my pub companion about eligibility rules and not really paying attention to the game when usually I'm glued to it. It only demonstrates how comfortable we were, and I can't remember the last time we were so comfortable away from home against tricky opposition.
We absolutely rode our luck, and if they'd have scored the penalty things would've been much different. But I'm really chuffed with a two goal victory and a clean sheet. And what about Robbie - he'll continually be written off, and he'll continually be the difference. We'll totally miss him when he goes.
Well done team and a summer break well earned. Bring on Slovakia and Russia!
Last edited by SwanVsDalton; 04/06/2011 at 11:48 PM.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
It does affect things a bit at present. We're home to Slovakia next - whoeever wins that would be basically four points clear with three games to go. That means they could afford a screw-up and still have second place in their own hands. So basically, the next game is all the more vital because of the way teams on the same points are split.
Also - well done Robbie! Six goals in a week. Myself and John83 reckoned only four forwards have scored six goals in the last decade for us (Keane, Morrison, Doyle, Long). Amazing record.
Good summary and exceeded my expectations. Macedonia & the home team were both rubbish mind. September will determine our fate.
Can't see a win in Russia though unless everyone's at the top of their game.
Still reckon the play-offs. Which are a complete waste of time....
Keane and Given but closely followed by Hunt. Immense busting gut performance from the Stephen Hunt. I was cracking up as he shared his inner most thoughts with the ref and linesmen at the end of the game. The whole team did their job to the limits of their individual ability. I still think the choice of Cox over Long was genious by Trapatonni. It allowed Keane the room to score his two goals and their link up play was top notch.
Last edited by Noelys Guitar; 04/06/2011 at 11:20 PM.
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