Bring back Mick McCarthy.

[seanfhear]

Mick mcCarthy as manager with Roy Keane as his motivation assistant !

A while as an assistant would do Roys humility a power of good.

Roy could even take over after serving his apprenticeship !

Go on ! you know it makes sense !

[third policeman]

We were not lucky against Germany and Spain. We took the game to them and dominated for large amounts. Our equalisers were fully deserved on both occasions.

We were actually unlucky against Spain. Missed penalty and dominated extra-time. I think some Trappistas find it hard to believe that we are even capable of competing against anyone above the level of Armenia and Estonia without erecting barricades and throwing bodies in the way of enemey fire. Some anthropologist / cultural historian might surmise that our faith in Trapp has something to do with the collapse of national self-belief and the demise of the Celtic Tiger etc....It certainly cannot be explained in footballing terms.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yes, we bossed those games against Germany and Spain, albeit we had to take the initiative having gone 1-0 down early in both matches. Which sort of demonstrates the gulf, if not in class then in attitude between the team of 10 years ago and today's.

[Stuttgart88]

We played great gainst Germany and Spain in 02, but neither was the side they are now. Both have moved on in leaps and bounds. Germany were only at the start of a rebuilding programme and were amazed themselves they did so well in that tournament.

[Closed Account 2]

We were unlucky but I think Niall Quinn was a major factor in extra time and the Spanish were never able to deal with his aerial presence. That actually caused Hierro to give away the second penalty. I personally think it's a bit of a misnomer to think we were playing pretty short passes and beating Spain that way (although they couldnt cope with Duff as well), when it was having a massive target man that essentially allowed us to really pressurize them at the back. I admire Mick for throwing Quinn on, but to be fair to Trap he doesnt really have that option, the only target man we have is perhaps Walters, but he doesnt have the frame and presence of Quinn, and I think, by and large Trap has brought him on at appropriate times. Admittedly I would like to have seen Walters at earlier stages of the Croatia games (and possibly starting instead of Keane against Spain) but Trap is a cautious coach so tends to leave such changes until late in the game.

[Colbert Report]

We were not lucky against Germany and Spain. We took the game to them and dominated for large amounts. Our equalisers were fully deserved on both occasions.

Go back and watch the games. I have, many times. We should have been down 2-0 to the Spaniards ten minutes in if not for a blown offside call. The Germans dominated us for the first two-thirds of the match and should have been up by four if not for some incredible saves and poor finishing. Yes, we took the games to the opposition, but we did the same against Italy this time around.

[tricky_colour]

Actually having watched the bit of the matches which featured Long I feel a bit more positive about our performance.
However that didn't include the Spain game which casts a cloud over things.

Just worth mentioning that Long never play in that game at all.

[back of the net]

See links for full match highlights for both games of the spain and germany games.....I most certainly do not think we were lucky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQX7l...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qq1MQMkbms

[Colbert Report]

See links for full match highlights for both games of the spain and germany games.....I most certainly do not think we were lucky

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQX7l...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qq1MQMkbms

Go to the thirty-nine minute mark of the Spanish match. 44:45 mark of the video itself.