The mildest suggestion from some of us that we can introduce more effective elements to our play brings the usual stock responses and a misunderstanding of what is being said.
I'm not suggesting this team adopts the tactical equivalent of Bliztkrieg meets Harlem Globetrotters.
Even a bloke down the local 5 a side can tell you that when his local team retain the ball, encourage simple passing movement - other benefits, openings and situations automatically present themselves.
The above paragraph does not suggest over elaborate "over egging" of the situation with 38 passing movements to get to central midfield.
Just simple, economical finding of a man and working an opening and just as importantly retaining possession.
A lot of our current malaise is originating at full back also. I don't know if its instruction or whether that Ward / O'Shea / Kelly do it of their own volition - but there is rarely an attempt to pick out a player. Its aimlessly pelted up the line by playing the percentages. Its handing the impetus to the opposition.
Quoting years at random since 1975
Can you point out one instance in the last 4 years where a central midfield player has showed for the ball when the full back has it?
I presume that's a rhetorical question??????Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Quoting years at random since 1975
Darron Gibson would often pull deep for the full-back - point taken though, doesn't happen often and they have less options.
I'd agree with Wolfie insomuch as our full-backs (O'Shea in particular) are terrible distributors. There's a difference between an aimless lump and a decent long-ball. At the very least having full-backs comfortable on the ball would give us another point of forward momentum, and give us more options on the front foot.
It shouldn't be that hard to fix either. I think Kelly (on the right), Wilson and Foley (get him back) would be an improvement in this regard.
For every post of that ilk, there's another dismissive one suggesting anyone who defends the side or manager is just another apologist.
I wholeheartedly agree with anyone who suggests we can maintain results while improving our play. There are several things Trap could try which would make us more potent and proactive while remaining stubborn in defence.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
is the team going to be named today? is there a preff conference scheduled? i think we all have a good idea who will be playing but would like confirmation.
Midfield not showing and the Fullbacks not distributing is a circular argument.
The Midfield eventually don't show because they assume the full back won't play it.
The Full Back won't play it because they assume the Midfielder isn't going to show.
I mentioned the Fullbacks because ideally that's where elements of good play could begin from there.
Quoting years at random since 1975
starting XI confirmed: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status...13984568643584
Starting XI v Kazakhstan: Westwood, O'Shea, St. Ledger, O'Dea, Ward, Whelan, McCarthy, McGeady, Cox, Walters, Keane #IRLKAZ
I beg to differ. Not the only one I'm sure.
At least Trap has left Keane in the team. Which puts him ahead of many of the would-be managers on here in my eyes.
As per usual, I look at our fullbacks and worry. Hopefully it won't matter too much in Kazakhstan though.
#NeverStopNotGivingUp
Pretty much the same way as if he played the unusual turgid ****es I expect.
Anyone know the Taliban team?
Centre of defence very weak. I would much prefer to see O'Shea partnered with St. Ledger. O'Dea is an accident waiting to happen. Ward at full back continues to be a glaring weak link. I would prefer Marc Wilson there with Stephen Kelly at right full. McGeady and McClean have got to be our wingers, period. Wot is Cox doing in the side? Should be a 3-man midfield with Long alone up front. Shocking selection from Trap. Trap out.
Kazakhstan captain: We must beat Ireland
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakin...nd-565937.html
Kazakhstan captain Kairat Nurdauletov has warned the Republic of Ireland that his team will settle for nothing less than victory in tomorrow's World Cup qualifier in Astana.
Despite their off-the-field troubles, Ireland go into their first World Cup qualifier tomorrow as big favourites.
Kazakhstan are ranked 116 places below Giovanni Trapattoni's team in the FIFA ladder and their last two World Cup qualifying campaigns have seen them pick up just two wins - both against Andorra - and one draw versus Turkey.
The Kazakhs have spent over a week at a training camp preparing for tomorrow's game, however, and defender Nurdauletov was today in a bullish mood about his team's chances of pulling off an upset.
"We would like to win. Only a victory will do. We wouldn't accept a draw," Nurdauletov told a press conference in the country's capital today.
"Our preparation went well. We have been preparing specifically for the Irish team.
"We feel very good. We want to prove that our football is improving and developing."
Kazakhstan have struggled to make an impact on world football since their birth as a nation 21 years ago.
The former Soviet Republic do have a professional league, but the standard is poor and only a handful of their international squad play abroad.
They country's football association have taken steps to improve Kazakhstan's performances on the world level by recruiting Miroslav Beranek - a manager who has 21 years' experience with teams across the globe from Slavia Prague to Arab side Al-Wasl, who until recently were managed by Diego Maradona.
The Czech hopes he can end his team's reputation as one of the minnows of European football by challenging the likes of the Republic, Austria and Sweden for a place away from the lower reaches of Group C.
"Our group can be split into three - the first group is Germany, the second is Ireland, Sweden and Austria, and the third is our nation and the Faroe Islands," said Beranek, who assumed his role last year.
"I want to close that gap between the second and third group, I want to show that there is not such a big difference and we have a match here to show we can do this."
Trapattoni faced calls for his head following the Republic's poor showing at Euro 2012, and the Italian has been placed under further pressure in recent weeks.
Damien Duff and Shay Given, who won 225 caps between them, both told Trapattoni they were retiring from international football and the Italian also received the unwelcome news that Darron Gibson refused a call up for tomorrow's game, apparently due to his disappointment at not playing during Euro 2012.
Beranek insists his team face a tough task if they are to win tomorrow, however, citing key players like Robbie Keane and Aiden McGeady who he fears could tear the hosts apart.
"There are lots of good players in the squad who can fill the gaps of those who have retired," Beranek said.
"Ireland have players who play in the Premier League, who play in the USA, and there is Aiden McGeady, who plays for Spartak Moscow. The team have lots of good players.
"I watched Robbie Keane play in a game recently. He had two chances and scored two goals.
"The team do have weak points. I will not discuss them now but I have told my players what they are and they will try to exploit them."
Local officials expect the 30,000-capacity Astana Arena to be two-thirds full for tomorrow evening's game, which will be played on an Astroturf pitch.
when has he ever even nearly let us down?
I would put forward his very fine performance away against Ruissia as an example that O'Dea is actually underrated
you could make that argument about any player. O'Dea has played well with various partners at centre half, was comfortable beside Dunne in Russia, and was better than O'Shea against Macedonia. The problem I have with the O'Dea and St Ledger is that there's no natural leader in the partnership, so it puts a much greater responsability on Westwood to tell them where to stand, who to mark, etc.
Simply put O'Dea + St Ledger + O'Shea > O'Shea + St Ledger + A.N.Other
He is not good enough for international football. He is playing with Toronto now in the MLS which is about his level.
What level is international football? Kazakhstan and Faroes or Spain and Italy? O'Dea did just fine against better teams than Kazakhstan.
I found his explanation for his move to Toronto very refreshing actually.
The MLS is full of players who have played at many more major international tournaments than ours have. In fact, I'd guess there are many more than there are in Scotland, probably the English Championship too.
I agree. I would have preferred to see O'Shea & O'Dea start a CB with Kelly at RB. Harsh on Sledge but I thought they looked OK against Serbia.
Does anyone know why Kazakstan joined UEFA after (re)starting out in Asia?
" I wish to God that someone would be able to block out the voices in my head for five minutes, the voices that scream, over and over again: "Why do they come to me to die?"
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