Fans and Media being biased to younger players.

[Qwerty]

There was nobody else to play instead of Carlsey though. Andy Reid was who we needed. Someone to sit in midfield is always needed if you want to play good passing football but Carlsey wasn't suited as he hasn't got a great range of passing. It was up to Ireland to be the creative man but he didn't play well at all imo.

Does anyone recall the formation Germany used against San Marino? I found it a bit odd to play 4 at the back + Carsley. I would have left Harte out and played 5 in the midfield adding Hunt or Quinn.

[tetsujin1979]

According to http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=496937 , the line up was:
Lehmann
Jansen ,Friedrich ,Lahm
Schweinsteiger ,Frings (Hitzlsperger ,62 ) ,Ballack (Odonkor ,46 ) ,Schneider ,Friedrich
Klose (Asamoah ,46 ) ,Podolski

so 3-5-2, from that midfield, I'd guess Schneider probably played the holding role. I honestly don't know, but it's hard to imagine anyone else in that line up playing it!

[gustavo]

isnt Frings a holding midfielder? He looks like a tough ******* anyway

[eirebhoy]

Yeah Frings is their holding midfielder but he has a good range of passing. I'm sure Lahm and Jansen were getting forward a lot.

[Nailer77]

Very harsh on Long and McShane.

The more "established and experienced" players need to take the criticism on the chin and respond accordingly.

Irish fans have tolerated a litany of abject performances from John O'Shea before any criticsim was levelled his way.

The only advice the Captain Keane could offer to Long was to "Enjoy Himself". I'd say that pearl of wisdom really stood Long in good stread as Keane dropped off deep and left Long to run the channels all evening.

Lets not forget that McShane had a great game against the Czechs. The San Marino goal was a comedy of errrors also involving Henderson and Dunne.

Spot on. Its all well and good saying the team collectively should share responsiblity and its kind of true to a point. But certain players and they're the senior ones are there to provide the leadership and direction and in this instance they didn't. Long may not have played well but people have said that, but what you've got to accept is that is was his debut and he was introduced into a shambles of a team. I'd find it harsh to critcise any of the younger players.

And as for McShane being at fault for the goal.... it was clear that Henderson called for it. McShane did the right thing.