Westwood has to start. Given not the player he once was. Even his distribution has deteriorated, kicked two into touch.
Always look on the bright side of life
i don't know if you remember but I used to always say around here that there's nothing wrong with our team that a good central midfield wouldn't sort out. I stopped even saying that a few years ago. So, if you're right (I think you are) it's an improvement!Originally Posted by geysir
Westwood for me too. No brainer.
Given may well be past this standard but I will not lose respect for him. He is a living outstanding example of the highest professional standards in Irish football. He is not to be faulted for wanting to play and it would be certifiable madness for a player like Given not to desperately want to turn out for his country at the Euro Finals, regardless of his fitness levels.
Was it not McGeady's first game since the Scotland game, when he was medicated in order to play through an injury?Positives:
(a)restricted England, apparently one of he top teams in Europe, to 1 shot in the first half and a few half chances in the second.
(b) John O'Shea commanded the defence and would be my man of the match.
(c) In fact the whole defence played well.
(d) unbeaten by England since......(?)
(e) Westwood got a game as did some others like Arter.
(f) Reception for Big Jack.
(g) Brady getting better at f/b.
Negatives
(a) Pathetic booing of Sterling by Liverpool fans. Defies belief at an Irish international game.
(b) Some small amount of boos for GSTQ but within acceptable proportions. Was at the game so don't know how loud it came across on TV.
(c) Lack of movement when we have the ball - Hoolahan seems to be the only one (I know he wasn't playing) who seems to know how to show for the ball.
(d) I see a lot of pro McGeady comments. I thought he faded badly after a good first half and gave the ball away carelessly on occasions. Heresy?
(e) Where were all the people around me at previous internationals I have been at. Over at Anfield it would appear.
Do we get some FIFA ranking points for that or do they come in brown envelopes?
I would be worried that we will find it difficult to break Scotland down without Hoolahan. Alas I have to go to a party of an old friend in Durham and will miss the game. The last competitive home game I missed was against Russia: hope that's not a bad omen.
His performance has to be seen in that context, therefore a bright start was regarded as positive and I'd say O'Neill deliberately left him on past his game time, in order that he gain some match practice.
It's always been Shocking. Really let's him down and he knows it.
when watching the game i thought it was a bit odd for given to come on after an hour. i half wonder if maybe that was it for shay? i'm sure he will be available for the scotland game but after that?
the fact that he wore the armband aswell... just wondering was it a send off.
armband cos most senior player on the field.on because he is the starter for Scotland and Westwood his understudy.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Anyone else noticed the stadium looks like a toilet seat?
Yes, everyone.
Looks like a bedpan.
¾ of a stadium.
Last edited by TheOneWhoKnocks; 08/06/2015 at 1:35 AM.
I suppose in years to come when the ruins of the stadium are found, legend will have it that is the toilet seat of of football giant John Delaney
and that he would walk along the giants causeway to the seat to take a dump, and then walk back again.
"Legend has it the seat cost $5 million...paid for by a secret pot of gold"
very unfair. id say the management were well aware of Givens fitness state in the euros and its up to them to make the decision if its better to go with a semi fit Given or someone else.
as I said on a previous thread I don't think given even took part in most / all of the pre-match warm-up for the Croatia match so I am sure his fitness issues were well know to management.
Shay, Josh and Richie were all carrying injuries at the Euros, their hearts ruled their heads.
Shays been great for us, so get off his back.
Let's just focus on beating Scotland after our televised training session against England.
On a side note, great to see Big Jack at the game.
I think it's harsh on Shay to accuse him of selfishness and to talk about having lost respect for him. He doesn't select the team and he has never turned an opportunity down when called upon (with the exception of his "retirement" post-Euro 2012). If the manager rates him, it's the manager's call and he'll be selected. If the manager selects him over somebody more capable and we suffer as a result, that's a managerial decision problem. Why would any player who loves playing for Ireland ever turn down the opportunity when a manager favours him? Besides, even an 80-90 per cent Shay might have been our best goalkeeping option at Euro 2012 anyway.
I'd like Westwood to start on Saturday, however. Shay didn't convince me at all yesterday and his form has been deteriorating for quite some time now, as you highlight. I don't think there is any doubt that Westwood is the more agile keeper. Westwood also kicked convincingly with both feet. Shay scuffed a clearance completely, directed another one or two poorly and either parried or failed to bring under control two tame enough efforts on goal.
Big Jack at the big jacks?
Ye's are all potty.
Ha, you're not seriously trying to say this is the first time you've noticed this? Half a decade after it was built?Anyone else noticed the stadium looks like a toilet seat?
The true home of bogball.
I wonder what President Higgins said to Rooney after shaking hands with Sterling. Rooney and Lallana found it amusing, but Sterling didn't look impressed at all.
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