2023 UEFA Under-21 Championship

**Stuttgart88** · 31/05/2021, 9:13 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

What does "develop a culture across the age groups" mean ?!

You’ve really no idea?

**CSAD** · 01/06/2021, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Doom and gloom is fairly appropriate given our current problems I think.

Nice of the Danish to go a bit easy on us though

Denmark have the u21 euros at the moment, the squad that plays us is what will be their u21s next season minus the few that were called up to the u21s.

**paul_oshea** · 01/06/2021, 8:58 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

You’ve really no idea?

I don't no! It sounds like some management consultant coming in trying to sell some more work.

**paul_oshea** · 01/06/2021, 9:00 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

Well Paulo, as I understand it, its a little like what Jack Charlton ( your hero ) did soon after taking over when he went in the 21s dressing room uninvited, dictated his methodology, undermined the manager and destroyed a culture, a footballing one. But we all got to sing Ole Ole get really drunk and some even ended up on the telly so it all turned out ok. Till now.

Its like that, but in reverse, if you get me ?

It's getting a bit desperate when yer argument it's being regurgitated again and again flogging the same dead horse. Bah humbug says he, stuttering mumbling, from the corner of the pub, by himself, as he watches Robbie Brady score in the Euros.

**elatedscum** · 02/06/2021, 11:07 AM

You’d think that Dylan James Ryan and Connor Neil Kazuya O’Toole would be eligible to play for us

**passinginterest** · 02/06/2021, 11:21 AM

Aussies seem to be on top in this game. Only have it on in the background so not fully watching but they seem to have got in behind a few times, whereas no chances I can recall for us yet.

**tetsujin1979** · 02/06/2021, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by elatedscum

You’d think that Dylan James Ryan and Connor Neil Kazuya O’Toole would be eligible to play for us

O'Toole's father is Irish according to the commentator, and his mother is Japanese. The Tekken player in me immediately though of this

Watson is eligible for Australia according to him too.

**tetsujin1979** · 02/06/2021, 11:25 AM

Maher's passing is a bit wild at times. I didn't notice it against Switzerland, so maybe it's just the few passes he's had to make so far.

**Briuk** · 02/06/2021, 11:29 AM

We are defending very well though

**elatedscum** · 02/06/2021, 12:08 PM

They’ve pressed us much better. Maybe it’s the fact they’re that bit older but I think overall we lack a bit of bite through the side. Interesting midfield choices with basically 5 midfielders and no real wingers. Obviously you’ve got ferry playing left back who’s a winger, so that adds width but off the ball, the likes of Watson aren’t exactly harriers.

Decent first half though. Thought we were good in the first quarter of an hour or so. Overall a squad is starting to form. Not entirely convinced by Crawford yet but willing to give him time to see how it goes.

I’d imagine Knight won’t play another 21s game but there’ll be real competition in midfield with Connell, Coventry, Noss, Johansson, Smallbone, Finn, Hodge and Watson all vying for three spots. Along with the likes of Grant, Tierney, Devoy and Bowden in the next tier.

Current attackers (Afolabi and Kayode) are well behind the likes of Idah, Connolly, Parrott, Obafemi and Odubeko. Could certainly see one of them with the 21s when everyone is fit.

There’s a lot of inconsistency within the team but plenty to like, even if the performances haven’t really been great so far.

**elatedscum** · 02/06/2021, 12:24 PM

In the Crawford era of five and two thirds games, ireland have scored 6 goals - 3 of them have been OGs!

**tetsujin1979** · 02/06/2021, 12:26 PM

nice move ending in an Australian defender putting the ball into his own net. if he hadn't made contact, Kayode was behind him for the tap in. Nice work from Lyons released Noss, who crossed for the OG

Johansson and Watson on for Kilkenny and Watson

**jbyrne** · 02/06/2021, 12:39 PM

1-1 now

**DeLorean** · 02/06/2021, 12:40 PM

1-1. Johansson lost possession after taking a heavy touch trying to control a pass from Maher, great finish though.

**elatedscum** · 02/06/2021, 12:40 PM

1-1 great finish by the Australian. Someone gave the ball away really badly in the build up.

The Australians are pretty dirty. Bad tackles on Noss, Wright, Lyons, Connell and Ferry

**DeLorean** · 02/06/2021, 12:53 PM

2-1 Ireland. Johansson wins possession, great wing play and cross by Wright and Tierney finishes it with a header.

**CSAD** · 02/06/2021, 12:55 PM

Tierney is not the tallest but he does score a lot of headers!

**passinginterest** · 02/06/2021, 12:57 PM

It was a lovely goal, great run into the box to meet the cross by Tierney. Kayode just looks like he's short a yard or two of pace for a top level striker. He took a couple of dives looking for pens too, when showing a bit of strength and trying to get a shot away might have served him better.

Johansson has had some lovely touches but also got caught really badly in possession a few times.

Good win for them.

**Dalymountrower** · 02/06/2021, 1:02 PM

Tierney has an amazing spring, he is developing into a quality player. Hard as nails around mid field and gets into great positions in the box.

**ifk101** · 02/06/2021, 1:17 PM

Nice goal at the end and good result for us. But thought we were second best for most of the game and are carrying a couple of passengers in midfield – Noss and Watson are a bit off at this level. I was skeptical about Johansson but does look like he can play and is capable of taking and turning with the ball (mistake in the lead up to their goal aside) – something we otherwise struggle to do.