o'shea is the worst player i have ever watched in the green . really annoys me that he's getting away with it.he's a fraud![]()
Overall, job done. As Reid said after the game, you can't really win these games, if you get 5, the fans want 6. You get 6, they want 7, etc.
Why was O'Shea left on the pitch? Surely this was a good time to give Kelly a run? Finnan was good at left full, but I think this was because he was given the time to transfer the ball to his preferred right foot, against a higher class of opposition he wouldn't be given the same time.
Dunne and McShane played well together and will probably be the centre half pairing of choice for the next few games, you'd have to imagine McCarthy is ahead of O'Brien now - he wasn't even on the bench.
Duff was ok on the right, anonymous in the centre when moved there when McGeady came on and did well on the left when Kilbane went off. Badly needs a goal though.
Carsley did what was expected of him, mopped up and let Reid get about the job of making passes. possibly should have been left on to finish the game, but no harm in giving Douglas a run.
Similar to Finnan, Reid won't be given this amount of time against better opposition but against teams like this he shows what he can do - pick passes and create chances.
Kilbane was decent in the first half (2 assists) but woeful in the second when his control (or lack thereof) let him down on more than one occasion. Should have been taken off far earlier, and for McGeady, not Lee.
Keane notched his first hat trick at international level and possibly could have had 2 more, hard to criticise that really isn't it??
Doyle should never have been taken off, was full of movement, looking to make space and drag defenders with him. Took his first international goal well and could well turn out to be a decent target man.
McGeady should have come on waay earlier, drove at the San Marino defence in a way Duff never really did from the right.
Lee possibly should have come on earlier in the second half - did we really need 3 at the back - and give the midfielders a recognised target man to aim at.
Usual assortment of pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/tetsujin...landSanMarino/
Nice one of Reid's free kick and Keane's goal
Hard to assess really, given the opposition. Some times the opposition drag you down a level or two.
Thought Finnan played some lovely passes inside, although with his right foot. I'd only play him at left full again if Duff was in front of him.
Lovely header from Doyle.
McGeady impressed. I also though Kilbane should have been sacrificed here.
Reid done O.K. Don't think him and Carsley would do well against a better side. I'd play him on the right in front of Carr for the next big game.
Lee really should have squared it with his first touch. Strikers are supposed to be selfish I know but that was shockin.
Conclusions though are that O'Shea and Kilbane, subject to availibility, shouldn't start against Wales.
Wouldn't read too much into the comparitive scores. All minows are notorious for ridiculous hammerings early on, only to "Tighten Up" as the group progresses. Really think the like of San Marino, Faroes, Andorra etc should be in their own "Preliminary" group of some sort. As all the bottom seeds are also kept appart the never really get to compete at a relative level. Just a side thought
I only had South toouchline seats so it's impossible to asess the game too well from there but a lot of the passing looked sloppy from where I was sitting. There's still room for a lot of improvement. That said, we scored 5 goals and another round against San Marino can give us more time to build up a degree of confidence and get our act together.
I cant complain too much a few goals and players seem to have a bit of discipline about them.
Given. I thought there wasnt much need of him coming back so soon. Need to blood other keepers as much as we can
O Shea.Got a chance on the right side... ye know the rest..
Finnan. Looked the part and played in some good ball
Dunne.Great presence in the centre went through a few players at the start they didnt want to know again.
McShane. Still need to see more. Good confidence driving on for the penalty.
Duff. Worked hard had the defender tormented done ok
Kilbane.Ok first half but should have been replaced in the second.
Carsley. Its a pity hes the best we have there at the minute. One bad game and the negative boys here will be on his back.
Reid. My man of the match.Always available and thrived on getting so much room.Why did they not put somone on him?
Keane. hat trick so cant criticise to much.Crowded out at times.
Doyle. Took his goal well and should have stayed on if not injured. Needs to get as much time on the pitch as possible.
Mcgeady. Excellent and a good man to have on the bench to liven things up.Looks a promising player and hopefully will be established at the end of this campaign.
Douglas. Slow getting into the box, game seemed to pass him by.
Lee. probably me but I cant see what he brings to the team. I cant recall anything out of the ordinary he has done for us.
San Marino packed the box making it difficult for us to pick out players but I thought our mid fielders were slow getting into the box onto the end of crosses. Players coming from deep are harder picked up.
I expected 3 0 so I came away happy enough.
poor unconvincing performance....half hearted...They showed little urgency, and were very un imaginative and uninspiring up front...How many foockin times did they pass the ball from wing to wing just outside the box, both afraid to shoot or lob a ball in, only to end up in o'shea or kilbane giving the ball away....Players of san marinos standard take longer to control a ball, this should have been exploited better if there was more closing down,,
They will struggle to score goals against wales, and slovakia in croker
They need to take time off at work and don't get paid, so they sacrifice their holidays for it. Some of these minnows even don't pay all travel costs. These teams show great enthousiasm despite the many losses and do it purely out of love for the game. I do respect teams like San Marino a lot and prefer them over most big teams yes, but on many forums and occasions people ridiculize them. As one heavily sympathising with the likes of Luxembourg, Faroe Islands and San Marino, I can't let that happening without defending them![]()
Anyway, Ireland did what they had to do and didn't pick up any suspensions or injuries along the way. Job done, so why complaining?
Thats great but it doesn't hide the fact that they are brutal and not international class. I don't see any disrespect towards them, just people pointing out that they bring nothing to the table bar muck football. I wouldn't mind a chance myself to play in some of the best stadiums and against the best players in Europe. They had a grand old time of it any way Wednesday after the game.
I'm getting real tired of seeing Finnan played out of position.
O'Shea should be dropped as should Kilbane.
I agree that we need to see more of McShane. Anyone follow him for WBA?
Team for Wales should be (assuming all fit):
Given
Finnan Dunne McShane Kelly
McGeady Carlsley Reid Duff
Keane Doyle
We need to win and win big at home.
There is no such thing as a miracle cure, a free lunch or a humble opinion.
I agree i am sick of finnan being put on the left, but i would rather finnan play out of position on the left than kelly play out of position on the left!! anyone know whats the craic with joey o'brien, is he still injured or what,,,he had a class debut against sweden
Latest news on him here:
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrosst...p?newsid=25340
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