Serbia V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 15th August 2012 - Friendly

[geysir]

Just watched it now, exactly as dire as I expected it to be. Only thing that stood out to me was Kelly had a nightmare at left back, was repeatedly skinned.

If you want to be gloomy about Ireland football, nearly every game we have played against decent opposition would have given you plenty of cause and much more cause than this game provided. This game provided some optimism in the important areas of concern and by a long shot it was the game providing the most optimism we have ever managed in a friendly. Some might say the game against Norway in Oslo had that, but imo Norway were practicing their 'holding game' and we had Steven Reid in the middle.
We did well considering we were trying something new - playing football against a technically superior team - and considering in the back 4 we had McShane who could do anything crazy at any time, along with Kelly who had an unusually poor game defensively.
Time after time, in between the hoofs to Walters, we tried to play the ball out of defense through midfield. The ball was retained well at times and our closing down in midfield was about the best we have ever managed. Chances at either end were minimal. McCarthy did what he does for Wigan, take up intelligent positions in midfield, some people think that makes him look anonymous - not involved - not running throwing his weight around, but he was at the centre of all that was positive, closing down, comfortably receiving and delivering the ball, he will gradually become the effective main man over the course of this campaign.
There is much to be improved upon in this upcoming WC qualifying campaign, with defining our shape according to the ability of the available players but instead of realistically looking at a distant 3rd or 4th place in the group, we just might make a fight of it for 2nd place.

[jbyrne]

we got as much out of this game as I had hoped. signs of a new system and solid performances from the likes of o'dea, westwood, mccarthy and oshea who we will have to rely on heavily over the next few months. we also had the better of the possession which we havent seen in quite a while.

the one disappointment was the lack of real chances we created. four goals in 7 games since we beat Estonia 4-0 is worrying.

[Lionel Ritchie]

The highlight of the game was McShane lifting the ball to himself and trying to score a volley from 40 yards out. Needless to say it went 40 yards wide. :-)

Has anyone a photo of McShane with his headband? I hear Arsene Wenger has come into a few quid.

[Noelys Guitar]

I thought we would be fine in this game as Serbia play in second gear in these types of matches. Westwood played well and should have started against Spain in the Euros as a few of us advocated. McCarthy proved he is a good player when on the ball. Amazingly! looks to receive the ball (something Dunne had been trying to hammer home since the Russia home defeat). Two players who should have been playing in Poland and never got a minutes play. The player who should be beside McCarthy in midfield is Pilkington (not a winger McClean or Cox a forward). Not even considered for the squad. More pace and better engine than Whelan or Andrews. And you cannot have two full backs like McShane and Kelly getting so easily bypassed. And we don't look like scoring goals and it is going to be our downfall against Kazackstan.

[jbyrne]

The player who should be beside McCarthy in midfield is Pilkington (not a winger McClean or Cox a forward). Not even considered for the squad.

has he said he wanted to play for Ireland? I thought he said the opposite yet his name keeps getting mentioned in relation to us

[OwlsFan]

Pilkington was contacted about being in the squad but was injured.

I counted Walters gave away 10 frees and was awarded 3. Poor return. Cox 2 or 3 good runs but for the most part anonymous. Whatever people say about him, we will need Robbie to score goals which he does well especially against the likes Khazikstan. The other alternatives in Shane and Kevin, I am not sure about as top goal scorers.

Second half was dire I thought but I wouldn't expect much better with a team including McShane, Green, Kelly (out of position) and Keogh. We didn't surrender much to the opposition and that's Trap's way.

Another away match unbeaten with some pretty poor players wearing green. Why McShane dives in and then gets left behind baffles me. Does he not know about shadowing after all this time? Won headers in the box and that's why he is in the team.

I am not convinced about Mclean but it was a poor pitch which wouldn't suit his game.Jury out. McCarthy did ok but gave away one very dangerous ball on the edge of our box. However, he must play.

Great to see Joey O'Brien back after career threatening injuries.

Brian Kerr (on the panel) still has huge chips on his shoulder.

So on to the qualifiers. Clean sheet. Poland in the past.

[elroy]

Pilkington was contacted about being in the squad but was injured.

I counted Walters gave away 10 frees and was awarded 3. Poor return. Cox 2 or 3 good runs but for the most part anonymous. Whatever people say about him, we will need Robbie to score goals which he does well especially against the likes Khazikstan. The other alternatives in Shane and Kevin, I am not sure about as top goal scorers.

Second half was dire I thought but I wouldn't expect much better with a team including McShane, Green, Kelly (out of position) and Keogh. We didn't surrender much to the opposition and that's Trap's way.

Another away match unbeaten with some pretty poor players wearing green. Why McShane dives in and then gets left behind baffles me. Does he not know about shadowing after all this time? Won headers in the box and that's why he is in the team.

I am not convinced about Mclean but it was a poor pitch which wouldn't suit his game.Jury out. McCarthy did ok but gave away one very dangerous ball on the edge of our box. However, he must play.

Great to see Joey O'Brien back after career threatening injuries.

Brian Kerr (on the panel) still has huge chips on his shoulder.

So on to the qualifiers. Clean sheet. Poland in the past.

Agree with the majority of this. August friendlies are badly timed and generally are a case of going through the notions. I think mentally it was good to keep a clean sheet and get a game in after the Euros. Nice to try out a few different things and players. McShane varies from the very good to the down right ridiculous. The times he dives in when there is no need - lost count of the times I was screaming at him last night to just stand and shield his man. Left back in particular was a concern last night and looks like it will do so for a while yet. Duff did alot of unappreciated defensive work - if he stays I wonder could he be considered for LB? Probably not, I recall Mourinho played him there a few times (?).

I like Walters as a striker, he is strong not easy to mark and tends to get a decent few goals. I believe he would be well complemented with Long, who I expect to have a good season this year. Disappointed he didnt play and good to see that he was too. Probably the right call by Trap, if the lad got injured and was out for a few weeks, many would question Traps decision to play him.

[Hibs4Ever]

has he said he wanted to play for Ireland? I thought he said the opposite yet his name keeps getting mentioned in relation to us

Was thinking same. Followed him on twitter for a while, he is obsessed with the England national team, never seen him mention us on international match nights

[the bear]

The player who should be beside McCarthy in midfield is Pilkington (not a winger McClean or Cox a forward). Not even considered for the squad. More pace and better engine than Whelan or Andrews.

Is Pilkington not a winger as well?? Keith Fahey and Gibson beside McCarthy for me, hopefully Meyler steps up this season. I would have nothing against Andrews being included either, just not Whelo.

[p2011]

Is Pilkington not a winger as well?? Keith Fahey and Gibson beside McCarthy for me, hopefully Meyler steps up this season. I would have nothing against Andrews being included either, just not Whelo.

Yes, exactly. Gibson-McCarthy-Fahey would mean a lot of ball-players in the middle of the park and would be a significant improvement and change of style.

[jbyrne]

Yes, exactly. Gibson-McCarthy-Fahey would mean a lot of ball-players in the middle of the park and would be a significant improvement and change of style.

I have never seen anything in Gibson that suggests he can improve our performances. In fact I would rather see Andy Reid in there than Gibson. I say this fully aware of Reids fitness issues but given that both Reid and Gibson have more or less the same levels of industry and mobility around the park I would include Reid as he is a far better passer of the ball than Gibson. However, in reality I would include neither

[Charlie Darwin]

Gibson is a far more mobile player than Reid. That is a ridiculous statement to make.

[jbyrne]

Gibson is a far more mobile player than Reid. That is a ridiculous statement to make.

maybe he is but he rarely shows it. i will always give Irish players the benefit of the doubt and am dying for gibson to turn into a player but his lack of industry and appetite to get stuck in is baffling

[Charlie Darwin]

Paul McShane is full of industry and hunger to get stuck in. So is Paul Green. I don't think those are the virtues you hold them up to be. The striking thing about our midfield yesterday is that they performed better than usual without seeming to expend half the energy. When you have more bodies in the middle and more talented readers of the game, you tend not to have so much harrying and getting stuck in.

[SwanVsDalton]

but his lack of industry and appetite to get stuck in is baffling

He is quite an industrious player imo. He gets up and down the pitch if required and when playing deep, such as for Everton or us, is constantly looking for the ball at first receiver from the defence/keeper.

He tends not to get stuck in as much, but he is willing judging by a few misjudged lunges he's aimed at opposition players from time to time. Moreover just because he's not Keith Andrews doesn't mean he's Stuart Downing.

[jbyrne]

Paul McShane is full of industry and hunger to get stuck in. So is Paul Green. I don't think those are the virtues you hold them up to be. The striking thing about our midfield yesterday is that they performed better than usual without seeming to expend half the energy. When you have more bodies in the middle and more talented readers of the game, you tend not to have so much harrying and getting stuck in.

spain, with all their passing ability etc, always had about 3 + players around our man in possession when we played them. no team in the world can afford not to have all their midfield pressing and tackling

[Charlie Darwin]

spain, with all their passing ability etc, always had about 3 + players around our man in possession when we played them. no team in the world can afford not to have all their midfield pressing and tackling

That's Spain though. We can't play a game at the tempo Spain play it, nobody can. You have to be intelligent in how you press and conserve your energy, hence why Paul Greeen is always knackered after 10 minutes.

[jbyrne]

You have to be intelligent in how you press and conserve your energy

honestly, when did you last see Gibson press or chase back for anything other than a token effort?? obvioiusly you cant do it all the time but a few times a game at least would be nice.

the last time Gibson played from the start he constantly gave the ball away with his passing. we know he can pass but the standard I have seen from him time after time typifies a player who's mind isnt really as sharp for these things as it should be

[Charlie Darwin]

I see Gibson do it plenty for Everton. Granted he's in a deeper role than he would be for Ireland, but he does do it and gets himself around the pitch. With a longer run of games under his belt I'm sure he'll easily replace either Whelan or Andrews because he's just an all-round better player.

[PatJR]

The problem with the formation last night is that we are short on players to play as that central midfielder who is furthest forward. Someone who can link the play as well as get in the box. Fahy, Gibson, McCarthy, Whelan all suited to play a bit deeper, a bit more action with Andrews but technically weaker. Converting a winger or a striker to that role may work, maybe Robbie or Duff. I don't think McGeady or McClean are up to it. The one proven Irish player for whom the role is made for is Stephen Ireland!!