He really looked like a man against boys running onto the ball and through them there.
Really can you just imagine Collins in midfield?
Turning into a very impressive performance, Ukraine are rattled.
Might regret if we don’t get a second in this spell. They really look shook.
Who needs Declan Rice.
Darragh Lenihan does not look out of place at all…
Irish by birth ,Harps by the grace of god.
Should be a yellow for simulation there, if the ref had more balls.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Good first half, our shape is much better , not such a high line and not getting exposed for pace or in behind on counters bar the one over the top of Browne.
It's early in the game but dare I say it has the penny finally dropped for Kenny?
Very tidy half of football. Hogan maybe has struggled a little but overall no complaints. Midfield looks solid and energetic. Collins imperious.
What an impressive half. Having three really comfortable footballers at the back makes a huge difference and with the middle three in front of them all being terriers and good on the turn it makes us very hard to play against. We’ve pressed the life out of Ukraine and then we’ve used the ball smartly for the most part when we’ve had it. It’s a pity Hogan doesn’t have a little more about him when it arrives at his feet. Seemed to have picked up a knock so may not see second half.
Surely not POS?
Solid first half. Mixed it up playing wise. Browne exposed at RWB, I would love to see Festy on in his place, less risk IMO given how badly Browne was caught out with simple ball over the top with no pace. Kelleher solid. Centre backs solid, Collins destined for the top. Centre midfield solid. Knight and Parrott continue to develop and impress. Hogan not doing a whole lot, dare I say it…Will Keane time? Or Ogbene time with Parrott playing more advanced and Ogbene dropping?
Ukraine starting to get on top the last while. I think half-time has come at a good time, but we're fairly good at defending and have been throughout the Kenny reign really.
Wasn't expecting this tbh. Very positive stuff
It's utterly different to how Kenny had been setting up and trying to play before the Scotland game. I saw him say he tweaked the formation against Scotland but played the same way which is totpal nonsense as the formation is fundamentalky different and the style is far far less possesion based
Fell out of it a bit after the goal, and Ukraine were making me nervous in extra time, but overall it's been quite good. If they can hold on to this I will be impressed enough to possibly re-evaluate my desire for Kenny to be sacked tomorrow. Possibly.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
I think i have highlighted most of the positives already from that half, in particular Collins and the midfield trio. It has been very good across the back 3 / 5, actually, O'Shea quietly effective and Lenihan solid too. No heart in the mouth moments from those 3. McClean has stepped into the captain role with ease and is actually as calm as i have seen him. Browne looks like an interim option at RWB in the absence of Doherty and the decline of Coleman while we wait for other options to emerge there, he's done very well and looks calm. I'd keep Hogan on for a little longer and then might look at CR to replace him. It would be interesting to see how him and Parrott would function in a front 2.
Generally speaking though, we have created a lot with a good mix of possession retention and playing into the channels. Some great passages of passing play that created good crosses and some decent chances. We could have 2 or 3 really.
Ukraine have looked dangerous at times though and we'll have to keep the energy levels and focus up. They had us under pressure at the end there so I'm curious what tweaks Kenny might make.
Collins is a Limousine of a player,he actually won a header to break up their attack before latching on to the loose ball for the goal.
Last edited by the 12 th man; 14/06/2022 at 7:50 PM.
This Irish team are psychotic in terms of who or what performance is going to show up
Tight 5 lads…
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