I think the whole "this is my XI for the tournament" is mind games stuff. I hope so.
it wasn't a great game, but was in atrocious conditions and quite possibly should not have gone ahead
having said that, the result was the least of my concerns, behind injuries and suspensions
Am I right in thinking that David Forde is the only squad member not to see gametime in the two friendlies?
Hungary Ireland
22(9) Shots (on Goal) 12(3)
15 Fouls 7
3 Corner Kicks 7
0 Offsides 3
50% Time of Possession 50%
1 Yellow Cards 1
0 Red Cards 0
3 Saves 9
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=337048&cc=5901
Watched the game... but, just checked the box score to see the damage... we gave up... 22 shots!?
Slaven Bilic was in attendance. He'll have trouble sleeping tonight I suppose lol
Don't want to read too much into a friendly 6 days before the big show, on a wet pitch, but still a bit disconcerting.
Stephen Ward giving the ball away just before the ten minute mark was downright criminal. He'll get roasted by the likes of Spain and Italy. What is Trap thinking? Get a real left back in there.
How do you guys feel about Duff and Doyle starting?
Those are the two I'd single out- not crazy about their form. Would prefer Long followed by Walters ahead of Doyle. McClean over Duff.
Ward concerns me but don't think we have any option there.
My Guarantee
Am looking for old Irish matches on VHS, PM me if you have some and I'll upload them here
I'd keep Duff for the Croatia game and see how he does. His experience alone means he should be given more time. Doyle, though, has lacked confidence for over a year now and has just being playing bad - simple as. I think Walters looks the most threatening of all our strikers lately and would like to see him start Sunday.
This is my fear for the euros, the ' Russian effect'. Basically how they played against us in both games, used a diamond format in, which played between and passed through our banks of four. As much as I admire traps organisation and effective tactics, I fear he doesn't seem to have any answer to the diamond formation and associated tactics.
As for traps comments at the end about a change in formation, does anyone else think he often says ,certain things that are either lost in translation or are to appease the journos. I don't believe for a second that he is truly considering changing our formation.
Not too bothered about the game. Given and O'Shea will be better for the game. McGeady played OK Doyle has been off form for some time and his position is the one most under threat. Lets hope he has a stormer on Sunday and rediscovers the form he was showing a season ago. Keane and Duff wisely going through the motions. Bilic won't have been too bothered by what he saw but I bet he is a bit nervous about McGeady and the players we have on the bench like Long, Walters, Cox and McClean.
I agree, I think Walters has looked our best option at no 2 up front since the Estonia games last year.
I know trap appears to have said he'd start with Doyle but given the events of the last few weeks, wudnt be surprised to see him spring a surprise. Having said that, he may still want to start Doyle and use Walters as impact from the bench. More likely that Walters might start against Spain or Italy, if trap looks to freshen it up.
Sean St. Ledger on 35 minutes, he lost his footing and gave up a great chance, should have been a Hungarian goal for sure. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt due to the terribly slippery conditions but a mistake like that in Poland will cost us dearly.
Meh, this match is meaningless. We will play better on Sunday. No question.
Also reading back these comments believe it or not i think POSH got goaded into negativity.
No Somos muchos pero estamos locos.
Let's face it. We're gonna win nothing. Probably ever.
But If Trap has 'mind games', that is one thing veryhard to beat, by anyone.
Hate to be a player in that 'system' though...
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Last edited by ArdeeBhoy; 05/06/2012 at 11:15 AM.
My Guarantee
Am looking for old Irish matches on VHS, PM me if you have some and I'll upload them here
Trap talking about brining in a 5th midfielder. Media suggesting he is contradicting himself. I guess he wants to keep the opposition guessing. Like any game of poker while we had our possible starting XI, we were hardly showing our hand. If we play like last night on Sunday we'll be defeated but I'd expect us to be tighter and not so open to counter-attacks.
https://foot.ie/forums/117-Kerry-FC
A Championship: 4 years - 8 first teams - 0 financially ruined. First Division '14: 7 first teams.
Opportunity lost for new clubs/regions to join the LoI family.
He wouldn't change it this late in the day would he?
Some of us have been banging on about 4-5-1 for years now but we's missed our chance to road test such a system. It can't have just dawned on him that we struggle against skilful mobile midfields? If he does go 4-5-1 then Keane & Doyle would need to be dropped and Walters brought in. That would definitely not go down with the captain.
Other things I'd like to see corrected before the big game on Sunday:
Stop Duff taking set pieces. His corners are woeful, chipped slow balls into the penalty box are a waste of time. They are too easy to defend.
O'Shea and Ward need to close down wingers/wide midfielders a lot quicker. Stop turning your back when it looks like the opposition player is going to cross it and close the bloody man down. EVERY bloody time. Watch tapes of Ashley Cole if you have to.
"If God had meant football to be played in the air, he'd have put grass in the sky." Brian Clough.
You'll NEVER beat the Irish.......you'll just draw with us instead!!!
Yeah, I've been playing full back since I was a kid and I know that. But O'Shea and Ward aren't natural full backs - and it shows.
As for 4-5-1, I'd like to see Duff moved into centre midfield to form a triangle with Whelan and Andrews, with McClean taking Duff's place on the wing. Duff is a good passer, can hold onto the ball and a clever player. He would be more use in the centre now that his pace is gone. Like Giggs for Man Utd...
But for trap 4-5-1 means "Paul Green" so I'd be very afraid...
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