If you look at the first goal, Stevens, Browne, and Collins are standing in a straight line in front of Tchouameni, he has a clear line of sight to the far post. Duffy is standing on the other side of this "corridor", which further helps him because he knows he can't hit it too far to the right, otherwise Duffy clears it.
It's the only shot he has, and he takes it.
Also, on the recent rugby talk, the way Mbappe lays it off is a textbook set up for a drop at goal
I'm glad we avoided a hiding. France were an absolute joy to watch, just so accomplished. I thought we did alright in parts. Knight's footwork on occasion was top class and some of our moves (one or two breakaways and at least one move built straight from a short goal kick) were quite accomplished. I liked Duffy being back. I'm not sure Ferguson's loss was that impactful but missing our best full backs was a big factor imho. We looked vulnerable on both sides, especially the left in the first half, throughout the game.
They clearly identified shots from distance as a tactic. Ken Early described it as like a rugby team setting up a deep lying out half for a drop kick. But like Latvia's first vs Kelleher, last night's first goal was unstoppable from a GK perspective.
Last edited by Stuttgart88; 08/09/2023 at 11:19 AM.
You're right that there's huge problems with the squad and the development structures in general, and I don't think Pep would have done a huge amount better last night.Originally Posted by Stav
For me (and others I'm sure) the bigger is still games like Greece away, where we were well shown up. That's where we can hope for improvement (while still noting Greece have some good players of course)
Just on the playoff chances( which is our only chance)
The lads in ybig said that Albania v Poland is "a massive game for us"
Can anyone shed any light on that?
This post is probably helpful. Poland had a surprise defeat in Moldova and are behind Albania in the standings. Albania are behind us in the playoff chase so we don't want them qualifying automatically. We need three teams ranked below us and currently in the top two of their groups to drop out of the top two, and Albania would be one of the better chances.
You can see current playoff standings here.
Thanks a mill
Just in terms of injury news for Sunday -
Hogan or Armstrong maybe next in line up front? I'm assuming Parrott isn't match fit yet. Not sure who'd be next left-back in line but we can probably get by with McClean and Manning anyway?
Well, you can't hurry love.
Pep can only win with a blank checkbook
Yep. Obviously if Armstrong plays tonight, it kinda rules him out. Good luck calling Jim Crawford today and taking Armstrong when Carty is already out and Cannon isn’t answering calls.
Options below that are Afolabi and Georgie Kelly
I assume we need the teams ranked lower than us to be replaced by teams ranked higher than us?
Which basically means we need 3 of Bosnia, Israel, Poland and Croatia to get into the top 2 spots in their groups so we would scrape into the playoffs?
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
Yep - because for example Poland will get a playoff spot ahead of us, but we'll get in ahead of Albania
Specifically we need to reduce the number of teams qualifying but ranked below us to 2.
Kelly's injured at the moment I think.
Maybe Mandriou instead? Lincoln's game at the weekend is already postponed, and he's scored a few this year
The U-21s are playing San Marino, aren't they?
Not sure that Sinclair Armstrong is absolutely essential to their securing victory.
It seems that only Ireland fans view the promotion of a young player into the senior ranks as something negative and to be avoided. It's not something I've ever come across amongst fans elsewhere at club or international football.
Sinclair's a first team player in the Championship and is being lauded for his performances. What's to be gained by holding him back?
The senior team come first so sorry Jim if kenny wants him he gets him
He might be better off calling up Scott Hogan. I know he hasn't done well but he's not a bad player
None of the Irish Players were near enough to the Shooter for the French Goal ~ You can't give players of that quality ( or maybe even lesser quality ) that much time and space because you will concede goals to those kind of shots ( as we have being doing ).
I don't think Kenny has worked this out ~ That some of his defenders are defending too deep.
Don’t. You’ll start a chain reaction.
Stop Stu, in the name of love!
Afolabi being touted as a possible by some one of the usual suspect socials pages.
Yep, and even when the Irish player closest to him (Stevens I think) realised he was lining up to shoot it, all that was done was a kind of meek "blocking from a distance", like shepherding sheep or something. The defending deep dance. At least sprint at him full steam. You might get there in time, and even if you don't, you'll at least put mental pressure on him.
Better yet, make sure he isn't left unmarked in the first place. Stevens could have moved ahead and somebody else could have moved on to help with the double marking of Mbappe. We were defending too deep and there were about three or four in the Irish box marking the five meter line with no Frenchman around them. When the ball was struck there were eight Irish players in the box and five French. Seven Irish if you don't include Bazunu. Was our plan to double mark the entire French team? Because then you'd need 22 players on the pitch.
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