Ireland squad vs Holland

**Gareth** · 16/08/2006, 7:18 PM

Yeah but the goal was scored on 7:55

**Qwerty** · 16/08/2006, 7:29 PM

This will have the hacks going to the record books I'm afraid, a drubbing is likely unless Holland make a lot of substitutions at the half.

**steno** · 16/08/2006, 7:45 PM

Worst performance in ages 3-0!

**Closed Account 2** · 16/08/2006, 7:56 PM

Bad, very bad, on tonight's evidence we are a very poor side

**Closed Account 2** · 16/08/2006, 8:02 PM

4-0 now and the Germans are hammering the Swedes

**ken foree** · 16/08/2006, 8:02 PM

chile redux?

**Dan K** · 16/08/2006, 8:11 PM

All of a sudden being at work and unable to watch the game seems like a blessing.

**Fergie's Son** · 16/08/2006, 8:16 PM

Went and watched the first half then left.

We can't keep possession.

We can't defend.

When we did attack we hoofed the ball up to two small forwards. Not a chance.

We're not good enough. Can't believe just how much $$ I am wasting in Germany now

**gloryglorygufc** · 16/08/2006, 8:16 PM

Have to say its very embarrassing. We have nothing. Only poor dutch finishing is keeping this out of the record books. Worst home defeat in over 20 years

**Gareth** · 16/08/2006, 8:17 PM

No investment at home = sh1t international team eventually. 1966 was that last 4-0. vs Germany!!!

**Fergie's Son** · 16/08/2006, 8:22 PM

Originally Posted by Gareth

No investment at home = sh1t international team eventually. 1966 was that last 4-0. vs Germany!!!

FFS we're a small country with limited resources. We've only recently become a first world country so it's not like we've had the time or the finances to fund a good Irish league.

Now it would be a great idea but let's not get carried away with ourselves. Even a strong Irish league wouldn't help as the quality of football played in Ireland and England is so low.

Did you see how the Dutch just kept possession? Even England, with 60 million people and a massive league can't do that.

**R�iteoir** · 16/08/2006, 8:28 PM

ALL HAIL STEVE STAUNTON AND THE NEW DAWN OF INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

my arse

**dancinpants** · 16/08/2006, 8:31 PM

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

FFS we're a small country with limited resources. We've only recently become a first world country so it's not like we've had the time or the finances to fund a good Irish league.

Bull sh!t excuse

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Now it would be a great idea but let's not get carried away with ourselves. Even a strong Irish league wouldn't help as the quality of football played in Ireland and England is so low.

A team playing with some PRIDE would go along way to start with!!!

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Did you see how the Dutch just kept possession? Even England, with 60 million people and a massive league can't do that.

This isn't the best ever Dutch side, they are a talented side no doubt, but that doesn't excuse losing 4-0 (so far)

**cavan_fan** · 16/08/2006, 8:37 PM

As a friendly this was of some use. Things we've learned:

Pluses
Aiden McGeady is getting there, should start v Germany
Alan O'Brien is fast, strong (and selfish!), one for 2010 qualifying
Finnan looks the cool head we need, should play RB

Minuses (and if these are learned then its a useful match)
We are the opposite of old Irish teams, we're good going forward (esp with Duff and Keane added), and poor at the back. I think this stems from not having a good defensive midfielder. I still think if Steven Reid was told to sit back it would help. Also would help to have Dunne back, would consider begging Cunningham to come back, we need a bit of experience.

John O'Shea should have been our star player today, but looked awful. He needs to be dropped and made to fight for his place (if he cares).

Paddy Kenny, hard to criticise since there were some chances but Shay would prob have kept it to 2/3

Finally Stan, I keep hoping there is more to him than meets the eye but he looked lost today. I don't want to do him down but is it too late for the FAI to consider appointing an experienced EPL type manager (e.g. Alan Curbishley) on a part time basis for 2 years to run the team? Stan could be his No.2 and take on the day to day activities with a view to taking over in 2008.

**Fergie's Son** · 16/08/2006, 8:38 PM

Originally Posted by dancinpants

Bull sh!t excuse

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get all rational and cogent with you. Reason is well overrated, eh?

The team did play with pride but they just aren't good enough.

You think Elliot doesn't have pride in the shirt? Or Doyle?

Kilbane is not good enough for the team. Carr should have stayed retired and Reid was mostly annonymous.

Fact is, players were not good enough.

I will offer one glimmer of hope, however, in that the Germans play a similar rush style to ourselves and can't pass the ball the way the Dutch did.

**steno** · 16/08/2006, 8:39 PM

Stan better get things in order and quick or this could be a painful Qualifer group for us.
Most lifeless lacklusture performance from an irish team in a long time shows as well the lack of strength and dept in the squad at the mo

**shakermaker1982** · 16/08/2006, 8:44 PM

The first half was one of the worst performances I have ever seen from a side. The 2nd half was only marginally better -Doyle and O'Brien added a bit of impetus and pace. The only other positive was MacGeady - he has to start on the right wing. 3 games in and I think we are starting to go backwards, I don't wanna criticise Staunton so soon but he's jumped into the deep end here and if he cannot swim in this environment we are gonna all sink - no qualifications on the horizons if we keep plaing like that. What formation were we trying to play in the 1st half? 4-3-3?!

**ger121** · 16/08/2006, 8:59 PM

Was ****ed off i had to work late so i had to give away my 2 tickets for free to some lad in work. God am I glad I couldn't go to see that drubbing.

**dancinpants** · 16/08/2006, 9:12 PM

Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get all rational and cogent with you. Reason is well overrated, eh?

What was rational about it? There no investment in the local game in Ireland because the government and populace in general choose to IGNORE it - not because we've only "recently" become a "first world country" - and I have to say your concept of "recent" is very strange.