Republic of Ireland V Scotland - Saturday, 13th June 2015 - Euro 2016 Qualifier

**DeLorean** · 12/06/2015, 9:53 AM

Originally Posted by Bottle of Tonic

I've been even more disappointed in MON. The spikey, assertive character of his Celtic days is long gone. He seems bored and resigned to me.

Yeah I must admit it pains me to feel the same way, and you get the impression MON's main attributes as a manager was getting stuck in the role and his infectious enthusiasm. Without that there may not be a whole lot else he has to offer. That said, some of his selections have shown flexibility and a lack of stubbornness which preceded him. He's also well able to handle the media and seems to have a very happy camp and the players respect him. In theory that should go a long way in itself. But yeah, this guy has definitely left the building....

**shakermaker1982** · 12/06/2015, 10:06 AM

It's called age lads.....

Fergie even mellowed as the years went by.

**DeLorean** · 12/06/2015, 10:24 AM

Probably yeah, but still remains to be seen if MON's other characteristics can adequately compensate for it though, that was my main point. Fergie's obviously did.

Originally Posted by geysir

The goal came from a corner (or something), the ball was headed down to Long who deftly chipped the goalie, the goal was good? Did the foul happen before that.

https://youtu.be/KoFPKWoBH6I?t=169

**paul_oshea** · 12/06/2015, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Yeah I must admit it pains me to feel the same way, and you get the impression MON's main attributes as a manager was getting stuck in the role and his infectious enthusiasm. Without that there may not be a whole lot else he has to offer. That said, some of his selections have shown flexibility and a lack of stubbornness which preceded him. He's also well able to handle the media and seems to have a very happy camp and the players respect him. In theory that should go a long way in itself. But yeah, this guy has definitely left the building....

He's in his 60's there is no way he could jump that high. Perhaps he feels more emotions being British in an Irish Context.

He is older though so maybe that enthusiasm shows in different ways, or not at all. He is a long time managing now, certainly I got a great sense of drive and emotion in that morning breakfast thing Stutts and I went to.

D'Oh i only saw Shakers post there! Sorry shakes, great minds...

**BonnieShels** · 12/06/2015, 11:11 AM

shakermaker merely posted it first. Think of it as a placeholder for your authoritive stance on the matter.

what are you getting at though with "Perhaps he feels more emotions being British in an Irish Context."?

**DeLorean** · 12/06/2015, 11:20 AM

Great minds my ass

I can't speak for Bottle of Tonic but I was certainly putting his lack of energy and enthusiasm down to his age in my own mind, it was too obvious even to mention! Hasn't he been through a rough time personally as well, wasn't his wife sick for a while, and his good pal Robertson? I suppose these things make people reevaluate what's really important and put football in it's place. I don't know if this is the case though, might be over-thinking it. I think his fairly subdued tenure at Sunderland hasn't inspired confidence either, as there were already questions about him being past his best before he joined up with us. If he had taken over after Celtic, or even Villa, he would have seemed far more of a sure thing.

**geysir** · 12/06/2015, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

https://youtu.be/KoFPKWoBH6I?t=169

It looked a typical challenge that a ref would typically blow up for, it was a let-off. However that's on the account with Poland and we have a different account to settle with Scotland.

**paul_oshea** · 12/06/2015, 11:41 AM

A mate was out at training today, said Roy is in charge, Walters can't shoot(great!) and given looked sharp.

Roy said to the lads "you can score goals lads, you're allowed to score goals" and seamie fell over, "play on Seamus, **** me, you're not Italian"

Worryingly he didn't see McGeady playing in the 11-aside training game!

**paul_oshea** · 12/06/2015, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

shakermaker merely posted it first. Think of it as a placeholder for your authoritive stance on the matter.

what are you getting at though with "Perhaps he feels more emotions being British in an Irish Context."?

I actually meant it both ways, but only wrote it one way, I was being half-serious, but with the Celtic thing perhaps there was something to it.

**paul_oshea** · 12/06/2015, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Great minds my ass

I can't speak for Bottle of Tonic but I was certainly putting his lack of energy and enthusiasm down to his age in my own mind, it was too obvious even to mention! Hasn't he been through a rough time personally as well, wasn't his wife sick for a while, and his good pal Robertson? I suppose these things make people reevaluate what's really important and put football in it's place. I don't know if this is the case though, might be over-thinking it. I think his fairly subdued tenure at Sunderland hasn't inspired confidence either, as there were already questions about him being past his best before he joined up with us. If he had taken over after Celtic, or even Villa, he would have seemed far more of a sure thing.

I know, i was being silly about the age thing in the first sentence i thought that was obvious. But the second sentence I stand by.

I'd be more concerned how he reads our games, and players performances, perhaps with the foresight of looking over the games on videos he changes, but many times he has been happy with our performances and players performances when the fans have not been happy at all and justifiably so. Trap suffered from this same illness as well, and perhaps thats why both aren't getting results they expect. We were woeful against Scotland and to single out one moment of magic is ridiculous it should be the stick to beat them with in saying that if we play well we WILL beat them. Even the last day he singled out Arter, ARter did about 2 things in 30 mins for the rest himself and his midfield partner were chasing shadows and getting nowhere near England. They needed to get on the ball and hold onto it for a while, it certainly wasn't a performance i would have singled out from the others.

**Eminence Grise** · 12/06/2015, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Ladies and Gentlemen...Roy Keane. This right here is one of the reasons Roy Keane is one of my all time heroes, takes no guff and tells it like it is.

On a footnote, the Indo are reporting today that TO'D is being treated after a car crash. Typically, they only get half the story right - he's being treated for a severely bruised ego and scarring caused by Keane's withering stare after this car crash of an interview!! http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-31295992.html

(Seriously, he was in a tip, but luckily was uninjured and will be hale and hearty to continue giving Irish fans something to talk about.)

**nigel-harps1954** · 12/06/2015, 12:02 PM

Press conference was live on RTE News Channel there but they just cut away for the 1 O'Clock news. Twas awfully annoying.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 12/06/2015, 12:11 PM

Annoying how Hendrick sold himself for Maloney's goal in Glasgow. It shouldn't have got to the stage where they could have got a sight on goal.

Ah well Wilson, Whelan & McCarthy back.

And now McGeady's injured FFS.

If it's any consolation Walters is a nailed on starter, so it was always going to come down to McClean or McGeady, and McClean is arguably a better option so it's not the end of the world.

**DeLorean** · 12/06/2015, 12:14 PM

Can you just lay off the Walters thing a small bit please, we get it, and many agree with you. It doesn't need to be mentioned in every post.

**Ol� Ol�** · 12/06/2015, 12:49 PM

Hopefully McGeady is available. MON's quotes don't sound too negative so he will surely play some part: http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/aid...ng-today/28410

I love McClean, meself, and I've always been quick to state as much. If we're looking to attack the Scots from the off tomorrow, McClean is ideal for the blood and thunder of that. Furthermore, he'll get the crowd going immediately.

But then you leave out McGeady (if fit). And it comes down to the question as to who is the better impact substitute. McGeady is more skilful. McClean is more powerful. The easy option is to bring in McClean when the Scots are tired and McGeady has/hasn't managed to pick a hole in their defence with more subtle techniques. From the start, though, could be another option... Obviously, if McGeady is fit then McClean won't be considered, unless McGeady is shifted to RW or 10 (Walters and Hoolahan most likely for those spots) but I'll be very interested to see how McClean gets on if McGeady isn't passed fit.

**Crosby87** · 12/06/2015, 12:55 PM

What's everyone predicting?
Me head says 3-1 Scotties.
Me heart says 2-1 Scotties.

Robertson 11 Robertson 33 McGeady 90

Who is Robertson? That's the only scot ive ever heard of other than the Jeopardy guy, the star wars guy(s), the star trek guy, and the kitchen nightmares guy.
oh, and Charlie Darwin says no one says scotch.

**jbyrne** · 12/06/2015, 1:00 PM

I think we will get a very nervy 1-0 win. late goal again from mclean

**SwanVsDalton** · 12/06/2015, 1:13 PM

MON: Keane and McGeady will decide whether they play

McGeady got a recurring injury, but sounds like he'd be ok to play. Keane, of course, has suffered two bereavements.

**Ol� Ol�** · 12/06/2015, 1:19 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

MON: Keane and McGeady will decide whether they play

McGeady got a recurring injury, but sounds like he'd be ok to play. Keane, of course, has suffered two bereavements.

Never considered the personal effect of the two tragic bereavements that Keane and his family have suffered. Coupled with fitness concerns, it's tough to see him starting (regardless of the selection and tactical decisions to be made).

With his ghost-like movement he could really cause the Scottish defence trouble in the latter stages of the game. They'll definitely be wary of him too which may allow him to drag some mediocre defenders out of position, not to mention his finishing ability if a chance presents itself.