Republic of Ireland V Armenia - Tuesday, 27th September 2022 - UEFA Nations League

[passinginterest]

Not a chance McClean will miss out, he's going for 100caps.

I've no doubt he'll 100% want to be there and he more than likely will be. What I'd argue is that in terms of squad development and taking a look at alternatives, he probably doesn't need to be there and the management might benefit more from taking the chance to look at some fresh faces.

[ifk101]

Looking back at the goal on YouTube, at 0:50 below, and I think Collins needs to be held to account for his part in it.
At the start of the move from Armenia, he's standing on the half way line, leaving a huge gap on the right side of defence. By the time the first, parried, shot comes in, he's only just gotten back to the penalty area, and hasn't reset. We get lucky that the Armenian number 11 doesn't react to the ball coming back off the post, otherwise he has a tap in, but neither does Collins react fast enough to take the opportunity to put the ball out for a corner. It's hard to tell, but at 1:09 he misses the ball completely. Either it bounces under his foot, or he swings and misses. He's blocking Bazunu's view of the shot, who actually does well to get across to attempt to save it.
Why was Collins so far forward? Why had Doherty not tucked in to cover the empty space, or told Collins to get back? In a case of "missing player is better when he's not playing", Cullen would be in that space instead of Collins, so there's no need for him to push up.
And again, as has been pointed out elsewhere, it's another long range shot conceded from the right side of the penalty area, like Luxembourg, Andorra, Azerbaijan, and now Armenia - twice. Why is this such a blind spot for our defence, and management?

Who does Egan have a pop at after the goal? And why?

[tetsujin1979]

Who does Egan have a pop at after the goal? And why?

It looks like he's gesturing at Hendrick or Hourihane in front of him, quite possibly both of them. Hendrick for not getting back fast enough, he actually stops moving when the ball comes back off the post, and Hourihane for not getting across to block.

[ifk101]

It looks like he's gesturing at Hendrick or Hourihane in front of him, quite possibly both of them. Hendrick for not getting back fast enough, he actually stops moving when the ball comes back off the post, and Hourihane for not getting across to block.

Yes. They were caught out of position. Armenia came straight up the middle at us.

[tetsujin1979]

Similar to the Cullen observation - does that goal happen with Molumby on the pitch?

[pineapple stu]

Interesting analysis of Armenia's opener on the42 here.

It notes that we initially lose possession with a Hourihane cross into the box where only Parrott is there, and he's offside. So a silly choice - easy to miss at the match that's what leads to the breakaway they score from, and indeed the RT? Twitter clip below doesn't start from there. There's others at fault too of course - Collins and Doherty mentioned, and I think Bazunu surely has time for a sidestep that would have made it much easier to touch the original shot around the post rather than on to it.

[ifk101]

Similar to the Cullen observation - does that goal happen with Molumby on the pitch?

Maybe as it's Hendrick's area of the pitch?, and if it's not a goal, is this not the point where Molumby gets sent off and we go down to 10 men. :-) Thinking here that when the attacker side steps Collins into the middle, he crosses Molumby's rushing back path, who duly delivers in giving him a right clatter.

[lofty9]

I've no doubt he'll 100% want to be there and he more than likely will be. What I'd argue is that in terms of squad development and taking a look at alternatives, he probably doesn't need to be there and the management might benefit more from taking the chance to look at some fresh faces.

Definitely. I'm being selfish in that I hope he will be playing with Derry when he's over the 100 and retired from International Football.

[tetsujin1979]

Combined player stats from the two games

[Bielsa´s irish]

I WATCHED the re run in Argentina because I was teaching Politics when kick off. Ireland wasnt that dominant, was more than they were so abysmal. Ireland got the 1 st goal, then was trying to get a second, the Molumby was playing well until he kicked Lucas Zelarayan, the cordob?s who plays for Armenia, yellow was a "plancha in spanish or high boot for you". Second half was similar, they were abysmal conceded the ball and pitch, Egan great pass and Obafemi who missed a sitter in first half, did the wonders, 2-0, I HAVE TO ADD that Knight and Hendrick were NOT so prominent in second half, then MOlumby was saved by the ref, he was isolated in the holding position.
I am not gonna argue Hourihane because he made a mistake because he risked a pass, before that was the horror from the first goal, Ireland in attack was 2-0 and got a goal back from a counter attack. For me Knight and Hendrick were responsible for the 1-2. Kenny should have brought another player to regain position thats why I want Ronan on the team. As Brady Liam said, the team was ok, not exceptional. For me Kenny was ok, until now, but he is not the man to carry this so passionate mad football country of Ireland Republic

[Bielsa´s irish]

by the way, the best player was Collins and he must be your new Mark Lawrenson in my opinion, Doherty showed a bit of class too. THe team somehow misses Duffy, who is a limited player and not as clever for a pass as Egan. 2nd goal of a #10 pass from Egan. Obafemi and Parrott , Parrott played better but was so low of confidence because he didnt dribble past a keeper who was already on the floor. Obafemi is like this is hot and cold, but he has that moment of brillance. Ogbene should have been brought though Robinson as a cameo player played well , he needed the BENCH !

[John83]

Combined player stats from the two games

Collins plays centre half like it's a single player game in FIFA on easy.

[Diggs246]

Combined player stats from the two games

So would it not be fair to say Brady did fine and wasn't as awful as some think?

[John83]

Brady was definitely at the races, yeah. There are fans on here who treat the national team like it's Logan's Run.

[samhaydenjr]

One quick observation - the Armenian anthem was definitely written by a cymbal player

[paul_oshea]

Combined player stats from the two games

those stats around duels, passes and passes completed just make the case further for Collins slipping into the midfield.

This article suggests the same:
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-42032602.html

[Jd2793]

those stats around duels, passes and passes completed just make the case further for Collins slipping into the midfield.

This article suggests the same:
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-42032602.html

defenders will naturally have the ball more especially if you are playing out from the back. the stats dont really make a case for him being a midfielder at all. to me he's clearly seen by kenny as our best passer of the 5 defenders so he's given the ball more often.

[tetsujin1979]

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