QuoteIt wasn't the loss, it was the manner of it, as is clear by most peoples posts.
[QUOTE=brine3;527861]
is it just me or is being ireland manager not really that difficult but we keep appointing imbeciles? QUOTE]
It wasn't the loss, it was the manner of it, as is clear by most peoples posts.
Look at our team. The arrogance of people expecting us to be world beaters. We have an average squad FACT.
Is that you Steve? No wait, Steve's from Dundalk.
A lot of the players looked short of confidence which is entirely understandable given what happened last month. My biggest gripe would be with Duff who I think is our most talented player but who is playing well within himself. I think the majority of players put in a lot of effort - a lot more than against the Dutch certainly - and you're right, the goal was a fluke. But the Germans had a lot of other good opportunities and could have scored a lot more. I think a good performance and result against Cyprus could help boost the players' confidence. There's still a long way to go.
You got to look beyond the scoreline. We were crap. The fact that Germany weren't great kept the scoreline as low as it was.
Regarding the free kick, what was Robbie doing where he was? Yes it was a deflection which could have gone anywhere, and found the one uncovered spot, but he was not in the wall and standing where he was was 'inviting' that to happen.
Was there anything from tonight we can take comfort from? That was near enough our strongest team ...
Kilbane will be dropped.
We didn't lose by 4 or 5.
it wasn't our strongest team, we had a failed left-winger and a failed centre-back as a midfield partnership
however, there are positives:
- we only lost 1-0 away to germany
- the defensive partnership of dunne/o'brien did the business
- we have a world class goalkeeper
- in kevin doyle we have a striker can hold on to the ball
- carr is not as bad as i thought he would be, although he wasn't really tested
- finnan did o.k. at left back
- mcgeady looked good when he came on
negatives:
- we have a manager who is building a midfield partnership around o'shea and kilbane
- we can't pass the ball around properly (due mostly to o'shea and kilbane in midfield)
- the manager said everyone was magnificent, when o'shea was at sea and kilbane was average
there's really only one negative point to take away from this match, and the manager can't see it, which is worrying
On another point I notice there were no replays of contraversial decisions which went against the Irish players, I presume this was because it was a German 'video feed' and they didn't what to show anything 'embarassing'?
If it was a home match we probably would have won!! The Germans will be kacking their Lederhosen at the though of the return leg
Last edited by tricky_colour; 02/09/2006 at 10:26 PM.
Positive: Kevin Doyle - top class tonight
They are obviously not the third best in the world. I assume you are basing this bold claim on their World Cup performance, the World Cup they were hosting, and discarding the numerous factors that enabled them to reach the semi finals. Having the home support and the easier side of the draw certainly counts for a lot. You can't judge a team on their performance in one tournament. Performances change for every match, but I suppose you would say that Lithuania drew with the best team in the world tonight, so therefore they are joint best teams, yeah?Originally Posted by -Bray-
We had 12,000 fans out there and I don't know about you, but I thought the atmosphere was brilliant. If that doesn't lift the players from a disgraceful, lifeless performance, then I don't know what will. But don't worry, you seem to have reassured me that we will beat them on our 'own patch'.
Germany had countless chances, including hitting the woodwork twice. They deserved to get a goal (although not against Given, who I feel will need to be on top form for every single match we play in this campaign) and if they hadn't got a goal there, they would have pushed on for one until they did. We got 2 chances at best, couldn't keep the ball. Any time the ball came near Dunne he just thumped it away to start another German attack. Staunton took off Duff and gave his reason as "you have to change things when you are chasing a game". Just one spark from Duff would have turned the game, and he had already got two of their players booked and created our best free kick of the match. The man is a joke for the reasons Dunphy pointed out, and kicking the bottles to make it seem like he was doing something was just sad to see.
A loss is a loss, 1-0 or 3-0, it doesn't matter. Our performance was appalling, and it's nonsense to say we have average players and accept the defeat. Our whole team plays in the Premiership, we should be beating teams like Germany and Czech Rep. Not putting a gloss on a terrible display. Apparently though we shouldn't be depressed - our performance was "magnificent".
The fact that Doyle played so well, meaning we shouldn't see Clinton Morrison back for a while is the only positive I can find. Shay Given too, but he's not going to win us matches on his own, only stop us from losing them.
Does anyone else object to Duffers agent being stand in Ireland manager?
it's the same whenever germany play at home. against argentina in the world cup ballack made a blatant handball in the box, no replay. if you don't do any replays it doesn't get analysed at half/full time either
i thought the tv direction was awful. they hardly showed the match at all. when ireland had the ball all we got was shots of the crowd and replays of german shots
Kavanagh should have been in for O'Shea in centre mid. At least he's a midfielder, O'Shea is clearly not. The incident where Staunton kicked the bottle, I do agree it should have been a penalty or (at least) a free from just before it.
Shay Given should be captain, he's the only player who consistently performs for us and keeps us in so many games, legend! Very unfortunate to have conceded tonight after pulling off some brilliant saves.
Life without Rovers, it makes no sense...it's a heartache...nothing but a fools game. S.R.F.C.
I don't hve any problem with stan subbing duff. damien isn't playing so well that it makes me mad he is taken off. big deal. are you all the same folk who didn't know who he was prior to his sub appearance v. portugal in 2001?
point is stan made a judgement call which is his right as manager. at least he's trying something different. to be hoenst I expected this team to lose by the odd goal tonight.. it's the hardest tie for them in the group and it's over. let's move on.
yoou are right on one thing though.. it was sad to see him so ****ed off at the end and kicking bottle
as for duff: he does win frees but have you noticed that the best wingers in the world don't just get fouled - they get past people and put crosses in.. duff hasn't been getting by people for a while. lets be honest.. maybe he just isn't as good as we all hoped/thought (me included)
edit: we should be beating germany and czech rep? what a competley ludicrous statement. we shoul dbe compteing perhaps but to assume victory. sorry for this but you are making comments more usually associated with muppets.
Last edited by dynamo kerry; 02/09/2006 at 11:53 PM.
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