Republic of Ireland V Croatia - Wednesday, 10th August 2011 - Friendly

**TrapAPony** · 10/08/2011, 9:33 PM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

Boring boring boring

And we learned absolutely nothing.

We learned that our midfield is dire (once again)

**ArdeeBhoy** · 10/08/2011, 9:47 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Igor on Sky thinks we are missing something, a decent midfielder, someone who can retain and distribute the ball.
10/10 for Igor.

A fat bloke and a less than hirsute gentleman spring to mind....
(Runs for cover)

**tricky_colour** · 10/08/2011, 9:51 PM

Totally missed it - too busy looting

Don't sound like I missed much, so I don't know if it's worth me trying to
find a recording of the game, anyway I have my new Xbox to play with
which I recently 'acquired'...

**tetsujin1979** · 10/08/2011, 9:52 PM

Terrible game, a clean sheet, no injuries or suspensions, Shane Long's first half and Richard Dunne's second half performances being the positives. Nothing gained, but nothing lost either.

**paul_oshea** · 10/08/2011, 9:55 PM

ya except i paid sky �20 to get the sports in....

**DannyInvincible** · 10/08/2011, 11:23 PM

Boring game. Croatia could have had two penalties. Duff and Long looked spritely. Can�t really think of much else of note, to be honest. Bar a shot in the first half, and it was poor enough in itself, Gibson did nothing. I don�t even know if Ward will have stamped claim on the left-back position. And sticking him in central midfield for the end? Whelan looked limited. Robbie looked good in the first half playing a bit deeper, but the game just drifted by in the second half. I think Westwood caught a ball as well once or twice.

Basically, the image of David Forde in the background on the bench as the camera cut to Duff taking his place after being substituted from play summed it up. The boring nature of the affair appeared to have induced some sort of semi-vegetative trance.

**MeathDrog** · 10/08/2011, 11:38 PM

Hope Trappatoni realises that Hunt should never start, and to drop Any Keogh from the squad as he offers sweet f*ck all.

Gibson was awful and Duff was MOTM.

**Crosby87** · 10/08/2011, 11:38 PM

Sounds like I missed a real barn burner.

Hey Tricky weren't you on the cover of the Sun this morning?

Seriously though why not try to ask Steven Reid back to shore up the middle for the two Sept games?

**mypost** · 11/08/2011, 12:09 AM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Aye, they have to look at changing it. tonight was essentially a pre season friendly. Neither side wanted to lose, and no one wanted to get injured.

If it gave Trap a chance to get his ideas across even a fraction more, then it'll of been worth it.

Change what? The August International friendly has always been there. It's not UEFA's fault it clashes with the English football season.

At least we didn't lose it, like the past 2 years.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 11/08/2011, 1:42 AM

Originally Posted by Crosby87

Seriously though why not try to ask Steven Reid back to shore up the middle for the two Sept games?

Hasn't he retired from internationals these days, always being injured?
And is playing right-back according to an interview he gave earlier tonight.

**DannyInvincible** · 11/08/2011, 2:14 AM

He has retired, although, if I remember correctly, he left it somewhat open-ended and said he'd consider returning if ever needed in an emergency. What exactly might amount to an emergency, I'm not sure, but I assume he meant an injury crisis rather than a desperate need for points to pull us through a group.

**SkStu** · 11/08/2011, 3:59 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

Change what? The August International friendly has always been there.

It doesnt mean it cant or shouldnt be changed! Bizarre!

**BonnieShels** · 11/08/2011, 6:30 AM

Oh that phraseology does my nut in. Face it everyday in work; "sure, that's the way we always have done it."

Also, about Reid, he tore a calf muscle so he's out now for a bit.

**mypost** · 11/08/2011, 6:40 AM

We have an international calendar in operation since 1996. There has always been a game in August for us since 2001 against Croatia. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, and the FAI need the money, clubs don't like international friendlies, but that's always the case. Anyway, they've played enough of them in the past 6 weeks, another one won't hurt them. International bosses need friendlies too.

**BonnieShels** · 11/08/2011, 7:19 AM

Mp you're right. I was merely stating that just because something is and has been in place doesn't mean that it can't or shouldn't change.

I have no problems with the August Friendly and I think it is quite useful for bringing in or checking out a few stragglers for the qualifiers in September.

**mypost** · 11/08/2011, 7:29 AM

International friendlies at this time, are more important in even-number years, when some countries have to find a new coach after the tournament, and before the next qualifiers. It's not fair to expect a team's coach to launch into qualifiers on the back of one friendly, but that's how restrictive the calendar is. Also applies to Macedonia atm.

Last night was the first time since 2004 that we had not lost the August game at home, and the first since 2008 that we got a result in.

**an_ceannaire** · 11/08/2011, 8:08 AM

Originally Posted by mypost

We have an international calendar in operation since 1996. There has always been a game in August for us since 2001 against Croatia. There's nothing particularly wrong with it, and the FAI need the money, clubs don't like international friendlies, but that's always the case. Anyway, they've played enough of them in the past 6 weeks, another one won't hurt them. International bosses need friendlies too.

MP, the FAI would have made a loss last night with only 15k at it so that blows that out of the water
Waste of time, the players didnt want to be there as they were watching themselves all night
the fans didnt care
it was utterly pointless

**shep** · 11/08/2011, 9:10 AM

August and pre-season time always seem to throw up bad games.Anyone remember a horrible home defeat to Austria in Jacks era around this time of year(think Tony Polster bagged a few)

**Straightstory** · 11/08/2011, 9:13 AM

Possibly the most boring game I have ever attended. Utterly pointless. The players getting together for a few pints in town would probably be of more long term benefit. (Highlight of the evening was getting home to see Paddy McCourt's goals for Norn Iron. Breathtaking stuff).

**mypost** · 11/08/2011, 9:14 AM

Originally Posted by shep

August and pre-season time always seem to throw bad games.Anyone remember a horrible home defeat to Austria in Jacks era around this time of year(think Tony Polster bagged a few)

Yes we do remember. A qualifier in June 1995, and our second loss at Lansdowne in 10 years.