Republic of Ireland V Georgia - Sunday, 2nd June, 2013 - Friendly

**Stuttgart88** · 03/06/2013, 9:05 AM

IFK, why the perceived need for change of formation?

Hoolahan and McCarthy performed the McCarthy and Whelan role yesterday, and better.

Yes, Hoolahan is best used between midfield and a lone forward, we all know that, but what yesterday seemed to prove was that even in a 442 (and one with a completely impotent right hand side) he is a better option than Whelan.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 03/06/2013, 9:44 AM

The WSC view. Some of which makes for interesting reading on prospective formation(s).
Though there are 1-2 factual errors.

http://www.wsc.co.uk/forum-index/27-football/709817-england-vs-rep-of-ireland-it-s-on?limit=20&start=140

Otherwise Georgia was yet another pointless home friendly...the FAI are shameless.

**ifk101** · 03/06/2013, 9:45 AM

The perceived need for change in formation is based on what we have seen under Trapattoni. 442 under Trapattoni is two low lying central midfielders with primarily defensive duties. Hoolahan's strength is his ability on the ball. Asking him to perform a defensive role against more illustrious opponents especially given his size wouldn't fill me with confidence, regardless of what happened yesterday.

Yes Whelan's been decidedly average since coming into the team under Trapattoni. The most logical explanation for Trapattoni's persistence with Whelan is that Whelan is doing that which is asked of him.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 03/06/2013, 9:53 AM

Originally Posted by gastric

I had heard this also, but as I found out with a comment about the Indian flag and how it came to be, this too is a myth!

http://afootballreport.com/post/1736...eland-myth-and

So what was the comment about the India flag, as it is based around the same concept as the Irish one, albeit with even greater sensitivity.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_India

**geysir** · 03/06/2013, 9:53 AM

I think Liam Miller would be a better option that Glenn.
I only saw the rte highlights which I assume cut out the dross. That wasn't a red card offence by the goalie, just a free kick and yellow card. Even if a half decent ref thought it might be a penalty, there was enough room for doubt (as usually applies in a friendly) about it being a goal scoring opportunity.
Overall though, we seem to do okay with winning penalties under Trap.

**Crosby87** · 03/06/2013, 11:45 AM

Interesting article on things:
http://espnfc.com/columns/story/_/id...reland?cc=5901

**Stuttgart88** · 03/06/2013, 11:58 AM

The article starts well and I think we all agree with the square pegs angle, though I'd disagree that we were "clueless with the ball at our feet" in Stockholm. Everywhere else including Dublin, yes, but we actually used it well in Sweden for the most part. A couple of overhit passes by McCarthy potentially cost us a good win.

Saying we "should" secure 2nd place in this group is a bit of a stretch, even if it is now proven by recent results that we are as good as Brazil(!).

The article also calls for a change in formation to get the best out of our players, yet still says we should just plod on doing what we're doing. Which is it to be?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 03/06/2013, 12:48 PM

Thought that article was pretty insipid all round.

The blogs about Wembley and even the WSC Ireland thread were more interesting...

**geysir** · 03/06/2013, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Thought that article was pretty insipid all round.

The blogs about Wembley and even the WSC Ireland thread were more interesting...

You mean the WSC thread that you posted the link to earlier?
As long as you read the opening post with a stilted accent, condescending tone, complete with poker up the ass, then it raises a few chuckles.

**tetsujin1979** · 03/06/2013, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

You mean the WSC thread that you posted the link to earlier?
As long as you read the opening post with a stilted accent, condescending tone, complete with poker up the ass, then it raises a few chuckles.

you'd need to read a few of the wing commander's reviews to get the joke. the character is a bit like David Brent in that respect

**ArdeeBhoy** · 03/06/2013, 1:31 PM

That's a different link you're talking about.
On another thread...

**BonnieShels** · 03/06/2013, 2:27 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I've heard this before, but have also heard it rubbished / disputed as myth based in fanciful notion. Does anyone here know for sure ?

They wear green as their away colours as green is the official colour of the DFB.

That away kit is a thing of beauty.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 03/06/2013, 2:52 PM

We know...

**geysir** · 03/06/2013, 3:38 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

you'd need to read a few of the wing commander's reviews to get the joke. the character is a bit like David Brent in that respect

That's what I meant.

**SkStu** · 03/06/2013, 3:52 PM

I cant imagine any context in which that wsc piece is funny...

**geysir** · 03/06/2013, 4:18 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

I cant imagine any context in which that wsc piece is funny...

The extent of your imagination could be validly questioned

Taste in humour is a very subjective matter, I didn't think it was funny but it raised a few chuckles and deserves marks for effort.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 03/06/2013, 4:56 PM

Agreed. It's more subtle than most of us can give credit for?
Though not as 'ribtickling' as some on the WSC board claim.

**DannyInvincible** · 03/06/2013, 6:25 PM

Originally Posted by Yard of Pace

I presume international refs have some sort of assessment panel and I'd imagine even if it's a friendly you have to stick to the rules exactly as they are in competitive games or you'll be bumped off the, presumably fairly lucrative, international list. The lad was Romanian too, so I imagine he was making a better wedge than reffing Romanian league games (not to mention having to risk incurring the wrath of Gigi Becalli).

That would be my completely uninformed opinion.

I'm sure you're not far from the truth. It's a very good point; if the laws of the game were to be applied "more leniently" by referees in friendly fixtures - simply to maintain balance or an enhanced level of entertainment for fans or whatever - FIFA would subject friendly games to a different set of rules and regulation, but they don't, for the obvious reason that the one set of rules are to be applied as consistently as is humanly possible.

**tricky_colour** · 03/06/2013, 10:35 PM

Full match is available here
http://livefootballvideo.com/fullmat...lic-vs-georgia

Or perhaps here (not sure what that does).
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10...%D1%8F-1_sport

You can't download it I don't think, but if you want to put yourself through it again as an added bonus the commentary is in Russian, very useful if you are Aiden Mcgeady but otherwise not so much.

**tricky_colour** · 03/06/2013, 10:42 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I'm sure you're not far from the truth. It's a very good point; if the laws of the game were to be applied "more leniently" by referees in friendly fixtures - simply to maintain balance or an enhanced level of entertainment for fans or whatever - FIFA would subject friendly games to a different set of rules and regulation, but they don't, for the obvious reason that the one set of rules are to be applied as consistently as is humanly possible.

Point is though it was a meaningless sending off, it was not a dangerous tackle and all it did was punish Ireland
by having them play against 10 men something of little merit as a learning exercise.

I think Trap should have been consulted on whether he shoudl have been sent off or not.

Worse still there was no goal scoring opportunity so in that respect the ref was wrong to send him off (if
my understanding of the rule is correct, which is unlikely).