Dear Mister Stan,

[Sniffer]

I was, yes. Your point?

Just establishing a fact.The general air of apathy from the team permeated the crowd too. If you'd watched it on TV it may not have been so painful.

[John83]

I agree with you in principle, but you learn nothing from players who are not interested in the game that they're playing; not interested in nursing the new lads along etc.

You didn't agree with me in principle when I was making exactly the same point.

We learned plenty last night.

• Kilbane can play centre half in an emergency.
• Breen can't
• Kelly and Henderson are a bit suspect yet.
• MacGeady looks useful but isn't ready yet.
• Miller and O'Shea aren't going to win us anything.
• Doyle is a useful option up front.
• Byrne might be also be useful.
• etc.

[Sniffer]

But you learn nothing by playing a B team either.

B team is your phrase. If they are taking on a full international side you will learn a lot about the quality of your fringe players and whether or not their ability transfers to the international arena.B teams play against B teams.

[Sniffer]

You didn't agree with me in principle when I was making exactly the same point.

We learned plenty last night.

• Kilbane can play centre half in an emergency.
• Breen can't
• Kelly and Henderson are a bit suspect yet.
• MacGeady looks useful but isn't ready yet.
• Miller and O'Shea aren't going to win us anything.
• Doyle is a useful option up front.
• Byrne might be also be useful.
• etc.

That's not a principle, it's a statement of what you believe to be fact.

[pineapple stu]

B team is your phrase. If they are taking on a full international side you will learn a lot about the quality of your fringe players and whether or not their ability transfers to the international arena.B teams play against B teams.

It's as important who you play with as against. You need to know if a player can step up to play alongside Keane, Duff, etc., etc.

[Sniffer]

It's as important who you play with as against. You need to know if a player can step up to play alongside Keane, Duff, etc., etc.

Again, I agree in principle, what you don't seem to be taking on board is that you didn't see Keane, Duff & Co. They weren't playing last night, just going through the motions, creating the illusion that they were playing. This is no help to fringe players, and they are not PLAYING with the REAL Keane, Duff etc.

[pineapple stu]

I am taking that into account. I quite clearly stated it earlier. I said it was unfortunate, but overall the general idea was far better than playing a B team. A B team is always a B team, whereas a full team doesn't always play like they did last on Wednesday.

Incidentally, when did we last win a game in May? I can remember games against Poland (0-0, 2005), Czech Republic (0-2, 1994), NI (0-1, 1999 or so), Nigeria (1-2, 2002), Holland (1-3; 1996) and many others. Can't recall a single good performance in May.

[Sniffer]

I am taking that into account. I quite clearly stated it earlier. I said it was unfortunate, but overall the general idea was far better than playing a B team. A B team is always a B team, whereas a full team doesn't always play like they did last on Wednesday.

Incidentally, when did we last win a game in May? I can remember games against Poland (0-0, 2005), Czech Republic (0-2, 1994), NI (0-1, 1999 or so), Nigeria (1-2, 2002), Holland (1-3; 1996) and many others. Can't recall a single good performance in May.

SURELY THIS BACKS UP MY POINT

[Sniffer]

Gotta go lads, belly calls, enjoyed the banter!

[John83]

Again, I agree in principle, what you don't seem to be taking on board is that you didn't see Keane, Duff & Co. They weren't playing last night, just going through the motions, creating the illusion that they were playing. This is no help to fringe players, and they are not PLAYING with the REAL Keane, Duff etc.

That I don't agree with at all. Duff was trying very hard last night. Keane wasn't playing his worse either. The problems were elsewhere.

[pineapple stu]

SURELY THIS BACKS UP MY POINT

No...?

[drinkfeckarse]

You didn't agree with me in principle when I was making exactly the same point.

We learned plenty last night.

• Kilbane can play centre half in an emergency. A bit early to say that John, a few minutes against a mediocre South American side doesn't prove that
• Breen can't agreed
• Kelly and Henderson are a bit suspect yet. very true
• MacGeady looks useful but isn't ready yet. raw talent but something to offer IMO
• Miller and O'Shea aren't going to win us anything. as a partnership yes you're right
• Doyle is a useful option up front. spot on
• Byrne might be also be useful. if we've injuries
• etc.

Things can only get better as they say...