Republic of Ireland V Wales - Sunday, 11th October 2020 - UEFA Nations League

[zero]

terrible stuff. 3/10. that's 3 dreadful performances out of 4 and 1 half decent.

concerning.

[Nesta99]

I think thats the first time I have ever seen Stephen Kenny a tad star struck there - standing with Giggs post match as their country's managers, hint of disbelief!

[seanfhear]

Doherty has been impressive at centre back. Horgan was unlucky with the header. A couple of good chances this half. Really need one to sneak in now.

Doherty certainly did ok at centre back ~ handy string to have in the bow if necessary. That was a good chance for Horgan.

[paul_oshea]

I think thats the first time I have ever seen Stephen Kenny a tad star struck there - standing with Giggs post match with as their country's managers, hint of disbelief!

ya felt the same expecting him to ask if he had a spare pen.

[seanfhear]

Stupid from McClean.

I am amazed he does not get sent off more often. He is a risky player to have on the field for 90 minutes.

[passinginterest]

I think we've seen the players get more comfortable with the system with each game. Wales were completely nullified for the most part and they've totally outplayed us in the last two meetings. And that's despite the major disruption to the squad.

Set piece issues may not be that surprising. I remember it was a criticism of Kenny when he took over from O'Neill at Rovers that he didn't give anything like the same time to either attacking or defending set pieces as his predecessor. I'd image with Ireland and the limited time he's had, the focus has been almost completely on playing philosophy. The set piece work will hopefully come later.

A win in Finland will be hard to come by, but it would be huge now.

I wonder did Jack Byrne pick up a knock? Kenny has been pretty consistent in putting in players in the order they were called up, seems strange to overlook him. Unless he really has been gash all week in training!

[Nesta99]

2 - Bulgaria and Finland.

It's very hard to evaluate these games with 7 players out due to covid and no crowds at the game

I dont know why people are concerned really. When there was something really at stake in the play-off we performed, that isnt in doubt. There is a complete change in philosophy yet there have been damn all contact hours on the training pitch to get the new manager's ideas across yet there is obvious progress in the revolution. Add to that (the more and more farcical sounding) disruption to preperation. 4 games in is not the time to be concerned!!!

[Bielsa´s irish]

In Argentina they said that the ref was cooked by ampadu for the sending off which they said unfair, but later because of this mistake by the greek, he didnt send off christie which was a second booking.

They said Eire was the better side the more ambitious but they said that Shane Long was a bit isolated should have been assisted more.

They also said that damian duff new guy is really impressive,,,,,,,, they asked if they are cousins

good game doherty.

They chose Shane Long as man of the match in direct tv southamerica

[Philly]

That was a tough watch.

On the plus side, we continue to look more comfortable on the ball and playing it out from the back, and we look defensively more solid than we did in the first two games under Kenny.

On the other hand, what is it now, 300 minutes or so without a goal? That tells it all - we are not creating enough chances, and do not have the quality needed up front to convert what we do create. Long's miss was poor, and other than that we were mainly limited to weak attempts from far out.

I still believe this is the way forward, but it could all be pointless unless some of our young attacking talent comes good during the current season. We badly need Parrott, Idah and Connolly to get goals and consistent appearances. McClean is not good enough for what is expected of him in this system (he got sent off while attacking!), McGoldrick is great but soon 33, and Long is a similar age and has not scored for us in 4 years.

I think it could be a rough few games ahead but it might just be worth it if our attackers come good.

[Razors left peg]

Anyone that doesn't see progress with this team is being willfully negative. If you look at possession stats just against Wales in last 4 games since 2017 we are so much better. Previous games were 41.8% , 28.8%, 38%, 44%. Today we had 50.4%

I know possession isn't everything but we did create some chances and should have won the game. When you consider all the players missing, especially attacking players its very good. I really believe when we can add a few of the young attacking players we have we are going to be a good side.

I'm very positive after today's game

[geysir]

And to think some people were saying that we were deliberately over physical with that lot in the WC qual game in Cardiff, as if it were some failure.

[jbyrne]

I dont think ive ever felt as deflated after the start of a managers reign to be honest.

drew 2 lost 7 of micks first reign from memory. stans start not much better.

if we can find a regular goalscorer it would make the world of difference

[Bielsa´s irish]

I wouldnt be too concerned, the team own the match, the red was harsh and condition the last 10 minutes.

I blame Kenny for other things, we need two more players for Finland at least, what happened to Derrick?

I thought Christie is only as last resource atm. He is out of confidence. Why not the elbow against KLong wasnt a red, and the McClean was a simulation and a red?

[seanfhear]

Anyone that doesn't see progress with this team is being willfully negative. If you look at possession stats just against Wales in last 4 games since 2017 we are so much better. Previous games were 41.8% , 28.8%, 38%, 44%. Today we had 50.4%

I know possession isn't everything but we did create some chances and should have won the game. When you consider all the players missing, especially attacking players its very good. I really believe when we can add a few of the young attacking players we have we are going to be a good side.

I'm very positive after today's game

We could do with a bit of pocession in the opposition goal !

[Nesta99]

ya felt the same expecting him to ask if he had a spare pen.

Will ye swap manager's tops later...lol. Ah in fairness its a great story for SK and I have no doubt that he will get the best out of every player he has available and we will be punching above our weight again, but with a plan and not on a hope and a prayer!

[Bielsa´s irish]

Did Randolph touch the ball with his gloves today?

[paul_oshea]

Set piece issues may not be that surprising. I remember it was a criticism of Kenny when he took over from O'Neill at Rovers that he didn't give anything like the same time to either attacking or defending set pieces as his predecessor. I'd image with Ireland and the limited time he's had, the focus has been almost completely on playing philosophy. The set piece work will hopefully come later.

I wonder did Jack Byrne pick up a knock? Kenny has been pretty consistent in putting in players in the order they were called up, seems strange to overlook him. Unless he really has been gash all week in training!

Wasn't aware but that makes perfect sense.

Kenny was a great man for bigging up the LOI players and calling for their inclusion and saying how great the players at his disposal were at Dundalk.

[Bielsa´s irish]

we need Cillian Sheridan up front with this system, the guy can play a bit and has height as well

[paul_oshea]

drew 2 lost 7 of micks first reign from memory. stans start not much better.

if we can find a regular goalscorer it would make the world of difference

Micks squad I think had 6 or 7 new players and his first team i imagine was something like 3 or 4? But I'm willing to be corrected. If we're going back 23 years or so then fair enough!

[Razors left peg]

We could do with a bit of pocession in the opposition goal !

We definitely need a goalscorer but even before Kenny that was a problem