Ireland v Chile, 24/05/06

[Gareth]

Congrats to Jason Byrne on his second cap. He won a few headers and did well. Nice header on to Duff for his chance. McGeady was lively when he came on, but god our defence was rotten!!

[tricky_colour]

I thought we look more like team when Kav came on, we didn't seem to
have a holding midfielder before that, he kind of calmed things down a bit
and ensured we held on to the ball more where as before we were losing it
at every oppertunity. Overall we were pretty poor, we looked jaded but
we did pick up a bit in the second half. we couldn't seem to keep the ball at
all before Kav came on but Duff and Kilbane worked the left wiing quite well.
I thought Stephen Reid tried to take on too much at times. Over all we were
pretty poor and Chile seemed to be one step ahead of us all the time.

[GK for the Town]

Didnt think anyone at all had a good game tonight. It was the worst, half hearted effort of a game i've seen in such a long time. It seemed like they all thought they were finished their seasons and they didnt want to play this game. I thought the subs brought some life into the game but even at that it was still hard to watch it. There might of been a lack of atmosphere in the crowd but the players played a big part in that. It was Very Very Poor !!!!
We have very little games and time to get ourselves together before the big games in the Euro Champs QF's and me for one, if We're going to pay decent money making the trips away, we would want some better performances throughout. The Sweden game is all forgotten now. Stan's dream start has gone. I hope the future is good but after tonight its not looking too promising.
I thought their No.10 was the best player on the pitch

[Karlos]

I haven't seen the game but it sounds like we played pretty poor. How much of the performance was down to how Chile played? I work with two Chile fans who have been telling me for weeks that their team are on the up? Just interested from a objective footballing perspective. It's a great result for them to come this side of the world with a young team and get out with a win from Lansdowne

[LeixlipRed]

if we played with any sort of desire and passion we could have easily beaten Chile. they had a few decent players but we let them play. we were god awful. o' shea is a shocking player. i was giving him some awful abuse from the terrace. i feel bad but then i remember its o shea so its ok. so many EL players who would give their left leg to play for ireland and then you look at o shea; no passion, no fight, no ability. an absolute joke. and well done jayo ya legend!!

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

Kavanagh has to start against Germany. I kept an eye on him tonight and he was excellent imo. I talk so much about Kav that people probably think I'm biased but I've no reason to be biased, I think he's much better than any other Irish player in his position. He was everywhere tonight and has all the mental attributes we need in the team with the likes of Keane and Cunningham gone.

Eirebhoy, before tonight I might have disagreed with you about Kav but now I think you're right. Kav should be starting in midfield alongside Stephen Reid. O'Shea and Miller are just not up to it at this level. I was disappointed to see Reid start on the right wing tonight. I think he's restricted when he plays out wide. Even though Kav wasn't at his best tonight, he is the only player we have who can play the holding role. His composure along with his passing ability will be vital when we play Germany.

Despite poor service, I thought Kevin Doyle did well. He won a lot in the air and made some good runs into the channels. He might not be a natural goalscorer but he's a good creative forward.

As for McGeady, its clear the lad has a lot of potential. A bit like Duff in the early days, McGeady needs to work on the finished product. He's got great feet but his crossing is not always the best. By the end of the qualifying campaign, I'd expect McGeady to be a fixture on the right wing for the Irish team.

[Dodge]

How much of the performance was down to how Chile played? I work with two Chile fans who have been telling me for weeks that their team are on the up?

Lost their last 4 I think. haven't won away in 10 games. Definitely on the up

[Karlos]

Lost their last 4 I think. haven't won away in 10 games. Definitely on the up

Yeah basically they have been telling me that the results have been poor but they have a bright future once the team clicks. They'll be over the moon with that win so.

[gypsydownunder]

RED HOT CHILE PEPPERS Irish goal for 1-0 win.

[I'll get my coat]

[Fergie's Son]

Went over to pub and watched the match.

Byrne did well but then he was playing against a decidely small back four.

I thought Kavanagh did ok but I was fiercely disappointed in O'Shea.

McGeady looked good be he simply lacks pace. I've said this numerous times on this board. Watch the replay and notice how he doesn't run at players but instead runs to the line. Every now and then he has to vary it.

Harte should not get his game for Ireland again.

Tough, ugly match.

[Plastic Paddy]

A nothing result in a nothing game, with a nothing performance to boot.

Agreed all round.

We will get better;this is usually a cr*p time for us to play games, competitive or friendly( Finals to date, excluded), as the players are usually tired & disinterested.

Pedantic point - you mean "uninterested". What you have written implies that the players were impartial and objective, rather than tired and couldn't-give-a-toss (apart from Kav, KK, Doyle and Byrne when he came on).

However, good to sense a large dose of realism, as it will be a real struggle to make a serious impact on the Euro'08 group;Stan & the lads will do brilliantly to come 3rd, given the relative paucity of talent.

Agreed again. Maybe we should be looking towards the World Cup in four years time. The likes of Aiden McGeady and Owen Garvan should be firmly established by then alongside the old warhorses Robbie and Duffer. I think that represents our best chance at qualification for a tournament in the near future.

PP

[shakermaker1982]

Positives

McGeady impressed me and I want him to start on the right but he needs to learn when to cross at the right moment.

Kilbane had a good game, his best for a long time. I'd let him play at LB, has the engine to get up and down no bother.

Doyle looks the business but needs the ball.

Given was his typical self.

Negatives

Miller and O'Shea.....didn't even know they were playing to be honest. Talk about strolling around John.

Kelly. Thank God we have Finnan. I can see why Spurs haven't renewed the contract with this fella. He might have been nervous but he needs to step up in games like this.

S Reid was not his normal self. A lot of poor passes but he'll be back to himself for September. He has to play in the Centre of midfield with Kavanagh.

[Stuttgart88]

We play these friendlies to learn things. We've a big game in September and we had / have only 3 games to try new ideas & blood new players.

If the manager learns the lessons from these games then losing a friendly to Chile is no big deal.

So what did we learn last night? Well, this is what I took away from it:

1. Thank God Carr is still available for selection. Stephen Kelly was atrocious. Finnan, Carr & Joey O'Brien are way ahead of him. I hope this lad gets his club career sorted out.
2. I've been one of the more measured on this board about John O'Shea. But he just doesn't have the awareness or the passing skills required to be an international CM. When Kav came on, though he was by no means flawless, he showed for the ball and spread the ball around, usually accurately. A natural playmaker. I've seen Kav play a lot better but even last night he showed he's the best we have in this role. I said it only a couple of days ago, but the ability to give & take simple passes is underappreciated by most. I couldn't believe how often O'Shea misplaced or underhit straightforward passes. I thought Stan was right to give O'Shea a shot at this position, but now I hope he learns the lesson.
3. Steven Reid: didn't play well last night when he was out wide, but was far more effective centrally. Kavanagh & Steven Reid must be our central midfield pairing in the next game. Miller has no presence, Reid does in abundance.
4. We pretty much saw Miller & McGeady go head-to-head & McGeady won hands down for me.
5. Kilbane was decent enough at left back. It doesn't change that this is a problem position but he looked comfortable enough there.

Of course there were other notable observations but these are the most important in my opinion.

[bwagner]

Bloody hell i hope to god john o' shea does not get to play in the qualifiers....
As he EVER played well in the green.
His role for Man utd next season well be bench warmer big time.
We have one of the weakest midfields Ireland has ever put together.
Its a pity becuase we have a great attacking unit in duff, keane , doyle and morrison.

[Colbert Report]

I missed the first fifteen minutes of the match, however.....

Given played well, as always, until he came off.
Breen didn't play terribly but why the hell is he in there? How old is he now? He won't be around in four years for the world cup or even two years from now for euro 2008
Richard Dunne was solid at the back and showed great pace getting back for such a big man. He'll be the cornerstone of our defence for the next eight years, barring injury.
Kelly wasn't great but I don't think he was as bad as some of you lot seem to think. He got stronger as the game went on in my opinion. Realistically I don't see him making much of an impact on the senior team, what with finnan there.
O'Shea was absolutely invisible and as I missed the starting lineups I actually didn't know he was even playing until he was subbed off - I'm dead serious.
Duff was magic as always but our attack was far too one-dimensional. Until McGeady came on all our attack was down the left side, and he can't win every match for us by himself.
Kilbane was far and away our worst player today. I know he was playing out of position so it's not really fair to be too hard on him but early on the Chileans picked him apart down the right wing. He's not a defender at all and it showed today. I realize everyone else was injured but surely Staunton could come up with a better plan than hanging Kilbane out to dry.
Liam Miller didn't do anything, I realize he's coming off a long long season with Leeds but he failed to impress.
Reid looked absolutely amazing. I've never been a big fan of his but I'm starting to like him more and more everytime I see him play. I hope he doesn't leave to Spurs this summer, he needs regular first team football in the Premiership and he looks solid at Blackburn every time I see him play. Pass distribution was great and everything was running through him for the last half hour or so. Dare I say he could be the long term replacement for Roy?
Kevin Doyle didn't do anything and left me longing for Elliott to be healthy.
Robbie Keane didn't do much but that's the way he plays, won't do anything all match but might score twice the two times he does touch the ball. Failed to impress today.
Henderson didn't get much work so tough to give judgement on him.
Ian Harte, everyone seems to hate him, but I think he's well worth keeping around. He has tremendous heart and passion I think. A big reason he gets on is because of his free kick abilities, he only got to take one near the box and failed miserably, he must do better, but even the best mess it up sometimes. I thought he showed great chemistry with Duff when he pushed down the left side late on. Crossing ability is not that bad. Good thing his defensive capabilities were not tested.
Byrne looked good, kind of a poor man's Niall Quinn, but honestly, and no disrespect to anyone here, but if you're playing in Ireland do you really deserve to get a game for the international team?
Kav looked great, he's a real hard man, he was great winning balls and working box to box. It's a real pity he's not ten years younger, he could have had a great Ireland career if Roy hadn't been around in that holding midfield role. Not that I'd rather have Kavanaugh over Roy!
McGeady was the brightest spot of the match for me. He looked dead creative down the right wing, made lots of space for himself with his amazing skill. Someone pointed out that pace might be a problem for him and based on what I saw today, I'd have to agree. I can't wait for him to become a regular selection.
Andy Reid only got on for ten minutes so tough to critique his game but Christ he's heavy.

No reason to be ashamed of our performance, we certainly didn't play great but Chile were dead organized at the back. Sweden made us look good in the last match because they gave up after we scored our first goal. One more thing - where did the ref come up with six extra minutes at the end? Was it just because we were playing at home and were down a goal? I thought there would have been two or at the very most three minutes added on.

[bwagner]

Speaking of red hot chilli peppers ...O ' shea's new theme..............................give it away, give it away, give it away now

[Paddy Garcia]

I missed the first fifteen minutes of the match, however.....

Kilbane was far and away our worst player today.

Kav looked great, he's a real hard man, he was great winning balls and working box to box. It's a real pity he's not ten years younger, he could have had a great Ireland career if Roy hadn't been around in that holding midfield role. Not that I'd rather have Kavanaugh over Roy!

I thought Kilbane played really well, I'm amazed you view him as our worst player. He was excellent, worked hard the entire game & was playing out of position. O'Shea, Miller, Kelly, Kavanagh, Keane, Byrne were all much worse. Even S Reid was nothing like his usual self.

Totally agree with onenilgameover re-watching a different Kav. Kavanagh was hopeless, though I agree the will is there. He needs an extra touch every time he receives the ball, so is never able to play the first time ball. OK as a standby, but if he is in the starting 11 we have no chance.

Good that there is general agreement over McGeady, given some of the undeserved negative press he has received on these forums - things really only improved once he came on.

No reason to be ashamed of our performance, home and were down a goal?

Every reason to be ashamed - worst performance in ages. It's not that often we fold at home. I don't hold up much hope of us getting better in CM.

[el punter]

What about Kevin Kilbane playing centre half after Harte came on eh? He didn't put a foot wrong in fairness to him....but what a zany idea to stick a recognized winger in as a centre back - stunning stuff!

Kavanagh made a big difference when he came on, just doing the simple things. But overall I agree with the consensus that many of the players had holidays rather than international football on their minds. Might have been better to start with the team that finished - at least those players showed an eagerness to impress (as did Doyle and Duff earlier in the game).

[ifk101]

Whats disappointing for me is that we are still no wiser on what our best team is. If Stan chooses a 4-4-2 formation for the qualifiers, there are, in my opinion, four positions up for grabs:

Given

Finnan-O'Brien-Dunne-?????
?????-Reid-?????-Duff
Keane-?????

Luckily we have a few strong candidates to play alongside Keane but we can't say this about the other three positions. Everyone knows this and whats going to happen in the qualifiers is that players are going to be playing out of position to fill in the gaps, that is, Finnan will be pushed-up to play on the right-wing (Carr will be right full), O'Shea will play in the centre and Kilbane at left full. We're not going to win many matches against the top teams when three players are playing out of position and we only have one creative force in the team - Duff. This is the challenge for Stan and where Kerr failed - that is, finding playing going enough for our problem areas and softening the burden on Duff's shoulders to create something.

[cavan_fan]

Byrne looked good, kind of a poor man's Niall Quinn, but honestly, and no disrespect to anyone here, but if you're playing in Ireland do you really deserve to get a game for the international team?

I suspect this may get a response!

To be honest Byrne looked good, but I suspect it just showed that we need a big centre forward. At the moment he may be our best option for that role, mainly because he's our only option.

On the basis of waht I saw last night (I know its a friendly etc etc) and assuming everyone is fit, I'd guess we'll start with the following in Sept.

GK - Given
RB - Finnan
CB - Dunne
CB - O'Brien (bit of a weakness here)
Lb - O'Shea. In the end the fact he plays for Man U will mean he is seen as an automatic choice and I'm getting worried about his ability at CM. Don't see Kilbane as a choice in a competitive match.
RM - McGeady. This is the toughest call of all. The safe chocie is Finnan here and Carr at RB. Stan obviously doesnt rate Andy Reid and I just think he may go for one wild card choice but McGeady must be playing regularly for Celtic. Being honest if he cant get on the Celtic team he doesnt deserve to be on ours.
CM - S Reid. An automatic choice now, whcih presumably means he'll get injured!
CM - Kavanagh. another tough chocie and I'll mention the nam of Lee Carsley again but Kav has perhaps done enough.
LM - Duff, but last night looked more like his Chelsea displays of late.
CF - Keane.
CF - Doyle. Was Clinton injured last night? Seems Doyle is the other choice just not sure about him and Robbie as a partnership.

2 other random thoughts.

If we are so stretched at Centre Back to have to play Kilbane there shouldnt we pick Delap as a utility player.

Stan seems to suffer from new manager syndrome, just thought he tried too many things last night and the players were confused. Still best to get it out of his system