Republic of Ireland V Gibraltar - Saturday, 11th October 2014 - Euro 2016 Qualifier

[BonnieShels]

Decent crowd. Shows what decent ticket prices will do.

[DeLorean]

It's just like watching Brazil (v. Germany)

[NeverFeltBetter]

Change of keeper has been great for Gibraltar!

[Supreme feet]

We've offered nothing in the final third since Hoolahan and Keane went off. If Doyle and Murphy can't make an impression here then I despair for them.

[NeverFeltBetter]

Ireland subs and introduction of keeper who doesn't look petrified every time the ball comes near him have changed dynamic of game somewhat. Wouldn't be surprised to see no more goals.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

We've offered nothing in the final third since Hoolahan and Keane went off. If Doyle and Murphy can't make an impression here then I despair for them.

In fairness, other players performances have deteriorated at the same time and Gibraltar have been presented with 4 or 5 chances of their own now so you can't lay it all on their feet.

Long probably should have came on.

[BonnieShels]

Am I the only one disappoined with how this has ended?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Don't think you could say we've really learned anything too useful out of that. No one played badly. Keane, Hoolahan, McClean and Ward the best I thought. Gibraltar looked a fair bit better in last twenty minutes, but still going nowhere fast on the basis of the whole game, woefully unprepared for this level. On to Germany.

[BonnieShels]

Keane now the highest scorer in Euro qualifying history.

[Supreme feet]

The lads really stopped playing after the seventh goal. Pity - we should have beaten the record tonight.

A few little gripes - Wilson was alarmingly bad whenever Gibraltar attacked, and O'Shea lost a few 50-50s too. And it's clear that Hoolahan is absolutely essential; we offer very little in the final third without him. Compared to Keane's movement and sharpness in the first twenty minutes, Doyle and Murphy looked very limited both on and off the ball. Yes, they didn't have great service with Hoolahan off, but against the worst team in Europe, and a tired defence at that, they should have caused more problems.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Robbie Keane plays himself into the Germany game with a hat-trick against policemen, firemen and male strippers when, perhaps, his performance in the Georgia game would have been a greater indicator of who should get the nod against Germany.

Really need Long's mobility against Germany. We aren't going to get a bottomless well of chances set up on a silver platter in Gelsenkirchen so it's important we have his pace, energy, hold up play and ability to drop into midfield and add numbers while retaining the spring to properly utilise the counter attack. Hoolahan too has proven he is essential, can get physical and has linked up well with Long in the past.

[pineapple stu]

As others have said, Keane, Hoolahan and their keeper going off changed the game.

Three points; no real negatives. Pretty much as expected. Nice to have matched Poland's score against them.

On to the next game so.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

35'123 in attendance say FAI. Way more than I thought.

18,500 according to Sky Sports Live Centre.

[Supreme feet]

Robbie Keane plays himself into the Germany game with a hat-trick against policemen, firemen and male strippers when, perhaps, his performance in the Georgia game would have been a greater indicator of who should get the nod against Germany.

Really need Long's mobility against Germany. We aren't going to get a bottomless well of chances set up on a silver platter in Gelsenkirchen so it's important we have his pace, energy, hold up play and ability to drop into midfield and add numbers while retaining the spring to properly utilise the counter attack. Hoolahan too has proven he is essential, can get physical and has linked up well with Long in the past.

I would agree that Keane's effectiveness is limited to games where we dominate possession (which are few and far between), and I have a slight suspicion that O'Neill was resting Long so he can properly run himself into the ground on Tuesday. However, Long was absolutely septic when he came on against Georgia. The most worrying thing was that he didn't even look bothered. That's a big problem, as his game is all about enthusiasm and effort. I'm very disheartened by our striker stocks at the moment.

I'd love an in-form, confident and motivated Long starting for us ahead of Keane. But I'm not sure that's the case at the moment.

[pineapple stu]

Why was our goal early in the second half ruled out btw? Couldn't really hear in the pub; I think they were suggesting it might have been a dodgy offside call? Or was it a goal direct from an indirect free kick?

[pineapple stu]

Also worth noting that Slovakia drew 0-0 with this lot in September, and on Thursday beat Spain.

Tis a funny aul game.

[bennocelt]

The lads really stopped playing after the seventh goal. Pity - we should have beaten the record tonight.
.

Is the record 8?

[DeLorean]

I think it was given for offside. George and Ronnie were very confused but I think whoever missed the header was offside, and it would have been a stretch to say he wasn't interfering with play. I could be way off though as I haven't seen it since.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Also worth noting that Slovakia drew 0-0 with this lot in September, and on Thursday beat Spain.

Tis a funny aul game.

Yeah, but as said before, the first was a meaningless friendly.
When they are awful, they really are poor. UCD would beat them and Ardee Celtic would at least give them a game...

[tetsujin1979]

Keane now the highest scorer in Euro qualifying history.

for Ireland, or across Europe?