3:0 Ireland

**shakermaker1982** · 02/03/2006, 7:15 AM

Many positives and I'm starting to think we can put the fear of God into Germany and the Czech Rep.

Harte was very good, wasn't so sure on him before tonight but if he keeps up that kind of performance then he should be playing at LB again. Dunne and Duff were outstanding. Well done to Miller, he's had his critics but he has been one of the main cogs in the Leeds team pushing for promotion and deserved a break at international level at long last.

Last shout to S Reid, hopefully that cements his place in the centre of midfield (hopefully with Ireland and not O'Shea or Kavanagh.)

**Stuttgart88** · 02/03/2006, 7:20 AM

I thought Harte was excellent too.

Dunne & Duff both top quality. I thought Reid took a while to get into it but once he did he was very effective. I think he can do a lot better still.

O'Shea did quite well but you can tell he's not an instinctive midfielder.

AOB was careless & lost his footing a few times but got away with a few errors. I'm sure he'll do better.

I liked the interaction of the front 3, plus Duff too, and I like Stan's thinking re-Kilbane.

Joey O'Brien did OK, but it's good to get his debut out of the way. I think the reason Reid went to right back was just to accomodate the chnages in midfield.

It'll be different story in September, but then again, the Germans got stuffed 4-0 last night.

Lawrenson took a very bearish tone but he's right for the most part: we really need these young lads to mature & mature quickly. It won't always be as easy as last night.

I hope Ibrahimovic's injury isn't serious. I want him fighting fit for England!

**Adrianovic** · 02/03/2006, 7:24 AM

Yeah, bugger it, England look like they've got another really soft draw in the group.

Ade

**Kingdom** · 02/03/2006, 7:29 AM

[QUOTE=Stuttgart88]

O'Shea did quite well but you can tell he's not an instinctive midfielder.
QUOTE]

I can't understand this. I just don't see why he was picked last night or any other night for that matter. He does nothing. He has zero aggression, and I'm pretty sure (I hope) that he didn't find any positive passes last night.

I hope he isn't selected in centre midfield ahead of Kavanagh or maybe Stephen Ireland.

**Forever Dreamin** · 02/03/2006, 7:36 AM

How Dunne didnt get man of the match is unbelievble, Duff had a great game, but the honey monster snuffed out everything Sweeden threw at them and made it easier for the rest of the team. Great result, need another friendly or 2 in May, roll on Stuttgart!

**razor** · 02/03/2006, 7:52 AM

I was thinking while watching the game last night that if Kerr was watching that he might have felt a tad short changed by Damien Duffs performance. Especially in light of Duffs recent interviews.

**Stuttgart88** · 02/03/2006, 7:56 AM

I thought that O'Shea was tidy at times & put in some good tackles but as always put some passes astray. I thought he started the game better than Reid but once Reid got into the game he was by far the better of the two. O'Shea doesn't have an incisuive pass though, which I think a midfielder needs.

I'll ramble here for a bit: my colleague at work was coached as a kid at West Ham. He says that Bobby Moore used to always say that at all times during a game you should "know your out ball" i.e., even if the ball comes to you unexpectedly you'll know what to do with it.

I've been watching Kavanagh all season with this in mind. He always knows his "out ball". O'Shea doesn't, but when he has time O'Shea can give decent put not incisive passes, and he can use both feet. He has a decent touch too. But of the two, Kavanagh is a genuine midfielder, O'Shea is only "work in progress". Edit, adding: Stephen Ireland has the same quality.

But honestly, I thought O'Shea did quite well. No better, no worse.

**klein4** · 02/03/2006, 8:26 AM

I didnt think o shea was that good last nite, in fact he was one of the few players to come out of the nite who didnt make an impression.
joey o brien looked a class act.
dunne is just gettin better and better. given seemed to be auditioning for irish rugby team. stephen ireland needs a bigger jersey. miller and reid looked good in midfield.

**as_i_say** · 02/03/2006, 8:34 AM

I wont bother starting another thread cos there are so many knocking around this morning but anyone know why paddy kenny didnt get a run out? was he even on the bench/injured? also the lad Supple for Ipswich has effectively become their number one so this kid is another great prospect.

Playing for Brighton (henderson) I dont think is gonna cut it but he did well.

Hopefully not another nick colgan but i reckon so.

**finlma** · 02/03/2006, 8:40 AM

Dunne should definitely have got man of the match - fantastic performance by the Honey Monster. I was really impressed by Harte too, Hopefully he gets back to the Premiership this summer.

Overall only positives can be taken from the game and its great to get a bit of enthusiasm behind the team.

I hope the idiot supporter that came onto the pitch gets a ban from Ireland internationals for a while.

**klein4** · 02/03/2006, 8:41 AM

think henderson did alrite....and I think kenny had to go home yesterday morning.

**Dotsy** · 02/03/2006, 8:43 AM

Originally Posted by as_i_say

I wont bother starting another thread cos there are so many knocking around this morning but anyone know why paddy kenny didnt get a run out? .

Injured

**ifk101** · 02/03/2006, 8:44 AM

On a side note I thought the Swedes served up some classic entertainment last night.
That dive from their right-full, �stlund, in the second half and Robbie Keane falling around in laughter after it was pure brillance.
Then that 2 minute long jig from Wilhelmsson after a Reid tackle at the start of the second. God almightly. They definately know their "Riverdance".
Dunne served up some crunching tackles but the way he knocked Rosenborg off the ball during a one-on-one race towards our goal really showed that last night's game was a case of "men against boys".

**klein4** · 02/03/2006, 8:46 AM

what about duffs dive????????

**Dotsy** · 02/03/2006, 8:51 AM

Very impressed last night. Good performances all around especially from the first timers. I thought JOB did particularly well.

The one disappointment for me was the slection of JOS at CM.. He cannot pass the ball under pressure and never seems to be able to make room for himself when he gets the ball. I really hope Staunton doesn't persist with him in that position. Kavanagh is much better option. I thought the team had a much better balance to the team when he was brought on. Depending on how they progress I think Irekland and JOB would be good options.

**Kingdom** · 02/03/2006, 8:55 AM

Just touching on a point someone else brought up. This sh!te of muppets running onto the pitch has to stop. When it happened after the first goal I kinda laughed. Then I thought about it and realised it wasn't that funny at all.

The second time was fcuking stupid. If you want attention join a fcuking circus. especially considering Duff was clean through the second time. Really thought one of the Swedes was going to go for the invader.

**Donal81** · 02/03/2006, 9:00 AM

That was an excellent result for Stan and his team. They passed well, attacked strongly and defended just as well. Above all, they seemed to be enjoying it. It was the first game in ages that the North Terrace was an enjoyable place to be and that is extremely important.

Like a lot of us said when he was appointed, just give them a chance. New players are coming through and older players seem up for it like Reid, Duff and Keane.

What I will say, though, is not to get carried away with ourselves. Ireland beat Finland 3-0 after Saipan and it was largely heralded as a new dawn. In fact, it was the beginning of the end for McCarthy's team and the start of a decline from which we're still trying to escape. Some problems haven't gone away; our midfield is weak and our strikeforce isn't as strong as we'd want it to be. This isn't a criticism of Staunton, however, he deserves so much credit for last night.

**eirebhoy** · 02/03/2006, 9:07 AM

Originally Posted by Soko

If you're happy with a Brighton goalkeeper as your back up keeper then thats fine. I'd prefer a more experienced guy in that slot. H e made a good save but I'm hudging him on his career so far as a whole.

You mean you're judging his entire career because he spent his first season of professional football playing for Brighton. "Wayne Henderson. Not good enough for sub international but probably wont be seen much more."

He's playing at the same level as Kevin Doyle, so what if he's not playing for a big club.

Originally Posted by razor

I was thinking while watching the game last night that if Kerr was watching that he might have felt a tad short changed by Damien Duffs performance. Especially in light of Duffs recent interviews.

Last nights performance was certainly not as good as his performance against Italy. Duff has always played well in friendlies so I doubt Kerr feels short changed.

As I said already, this is his 4th man of the match award from the last 4 friendlies he has played.

**as_i_say** · 02/03/2006, 9:12 AM

Originally Posted by Donal81

What I will say, though, is not to get carried away with ourselves. Ireland beat Finland 3-0 after Saipan and it was largely heralded as a new dawn. In fact, it was the beginning of the end for McCarthy's team and the start of a decline from which we're still trying to escape. Some problems haven't gone away; our midfield is weak and our strikeforce isn't as strong as we'd want it to be. This isn't a criticism of Staunton, however, he deserves so much credit for last night.

Indeed. It was just such a relief for the players to have stan in charge that it was a game that we were never gonna lose. Joey O brien is not a right back is he? I mean i'd hate for him to turn into another O Shea and be playing out of position for so long that it proves detrimental to his Ireland career. Is he a center mid?

Also agree with previos caller about Kilbane looking like the good year blimp or whatever when he came on but I noticed that a fair few of the players were also spouting man bosoms so its probably the jersey.

Stan is clearly a popular choice with the players but so was mccarthy and it took us 6 years to get to a tournament under him.

Cautious cautious optimism. Great to score a few goals though

**Peadar** · 02/03/2006, 9:19 AM

I enjoyed last night because it was a fresh start for everyone and the pressure was off.

Elliot is full of running and shows tremendous heart.
Stephen Reid always has a great work rate and last night was no exception. Although I think it took a while to settle in his new position, he worked his socks off and played a great ball to Duff for the first goal.
Robbie Keane did a lot of running and was very creative.
The role of captain seems to suit him.

Kevin Doyle did his job well and was unlucky not to score from a header at the back post, in the first half. He really looks the part.

Joey O'Brien was a joy to watch! Delighted for him and hope to see a lot more of him in the green of Ireland. Duffer was Duffer, nuff said. Ian Harte showed again that he still has a lot to offer this team.
Richard Dunne was rock all night. Another great performance from the big lad. He just gets better and better.

Everyone else had a very good game and can be positive about the future. We've seen 4 new faces go out and perform well, that's enough to warm the heart on even the coldest night.

One question remains for me though. How would you fit Andy Reid into that team? Is he destined to be a bench player?