Slovakia 2-2 Ireland Post Game Discussion Thread

**Adrianovic** · 08/09/2007, 9:06 PM

Well, after a late heartbreaker, which brought back terrible memories of the 94th minute in Zagred, Skopje or similar bottlings in Tel Aviv - I am as gutted as a man can be about a game of football.

We are now left with the footballing equivalent of praying for rain (a win) in the worst drought a country has ever known (not getting a decent away win in .... decades?).

It hurts so bad because at times we really looked the real deal. There was naievity at times, which cost us at the end, but we can come back to that, the positives were carried on from the away friendly against Denmark. Getting a first touch on the ball and then playing it became our trademark for the first 20 minutes, and the Slovaks didn't get near it.

The Dunne-McShane-Carsley triangle at the back often set up good attacking moves. We had composure not seen away from home since I was tall enough to see over advertising hoarding (I'm 20 and and a shade below the six foot mark, now). Kilbane was industrious and McGeady had an occasional decent touch. On such a poor pitch, the passing was worthy of much praise.

Our first came from excellent play, first from Kilbane, then Keane unsighted their defence, before Stephen did what a goalscoring midfielder must.

Long before the end of the first half we lost our way. Slovakia deserved to be level, but it is like this: either Stan is a defender and should be able to coach it accordingly, or O'Shea et al need a serious wake up call. The ball should not flash across your goal without someone heading it, even if it kills them.

Ireland again started well in the second half, and Stan showed a bit of nous in taking off McGeady and putting on someone else. I can accept Gibson coming on ahead of Hunt this time, as he proved himself against the Danes, he's a talented lad and naturally central, and it really ****ed off Nigel Worthington. Gibson was good, I thought, and sured us up in the middle, whilst Ireland gave O'Shea much needed help.

Doyle scored a great goal and got a lot better after he had scored it. All at once he came into form. He was at his best when he was coming short, and then dropping off, and generally surprising the defenders who took too long on the ball. A real pain in the arse, you might say. All round, what you want your bigger centre forward to do when your away from home (without being regularly offside in the first half).

Now, I'm a Forest fan and our gaffer does it all the time, if we're winning with 20 minutes to go we cease to exist as an attacking force, defenders camp in the box and the midfielders make sure they are within whispering distance. We get burnt last minute a lot. Surprise, surprise.

Cobra is exactly spot on in saying Hunt should have come on. As he says, he covers every blade of grass and puts himself about. If he has any flaws as a footballer it is not for the want of trying - and he tracks back with a purpose. You have to in the Premiership. Douglas, who I'm not sure is even a Leeds regular, doesn't appreciate this and **** me, it cost us.

I'm really struggling writing this. This shouldn't be so disappointed because frankly, out of our last 5 or 6 qualifying campaigns, this is probably the one we least deserve to be successful.

It will now take an act of god to beat the Czechs in Prague. Let's all pray for rain.

Other than the substitute incident and not playing Hunt or Reid at any point during this fixture, I do not blame Stan. I'm sure he fully expects a midfielder to know the value of tracking back, or for John O'Shea to not be as nervous as **** whenever he pulls on a green shirt. The side is young, and if you think I'm talking like this campaign is over - wake up, and will improve. But experienced pros like O'Shea are the ones that need to lead by example. Take Dunne's last ditch block seconds before.

I'm going to watch a film and take my mind off the football.

Last word goes to the travelling fans though, looked impressive.

**Sonic** · 08/09/2007, 9:06 PM

Im not entirely convinced about andy reid but surely hunt should have started. I could see myself that McGeady was poor after 20 mins and should have been taken off at half time. Douglas my lord god is playing league one football for leeds and if thats changed it shouldnt have because he is shocking bad and the young lad gibson- its a horrid pity he didnt play with northern ireland he is so bad. O shea is a disgrace the man is dire. Stephen Kelly should have cleared their first goal off the line but showed a complete lack of agression or spunk to stick his head in there and get rid of it. The attacker you will notice didnt shirk his responsibility. Apart from Stan completely out of his depth which is obvious to the extreme the players themselves know how to flippin hold out or kill off a game with a minute to go. There was so much wrong with the performance you could be here all night analyzing it. We will be beaten wednesday playing with that team and with that set up. I could see after 10 mins even after our goal we wouldnt win. McGeady and Kilbanes crossing was Eircom League standard in fact its doing a disservice to the Eircom League John Reilly and Jamie Duffy from my team could deliver better balls into the box then they did. Kilbane is such a trier and a work horse with guts and determination but he simply isnt good enough. Hunt should have played and of all stans errors tonight that remains the most galling. That and the fact he persisted with McGeady so long and his subs. It was ridiculous. Stan is not an imbarrasment to Ireland he is an imbarrasment to himself!!
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**as_i_say** · 08/09/2007, 9:18 PM

The only morsel of comfort Im taking out of this is the fact that even had we won tonight we still needed to beat czechs away to avoid relying on them to mess up later on.

But Staunton just didnt learn a single thing from Denmark. Johnathan Douglas??? Why on earth would he be brought on (apart from the fact that he looks in atrocious condition and wouldnt even run for the time he was on the pitch).

Same old rubbish away from home. When are we going to learn that the only way to win away from home is to continue to attack even when we go ahead. Why notmake a positive sub and bring on reid or hunt???

I cant believe I actually changed my mind about Staunton. Wednesday will be the same-we will probably take the lead and draw or lose.

**Torn-Ado** · 08/09/2007, 9:30 PM

Its over.

Plain and simple. We f*cked up against a poor Slovakia side and the Czechs will hump us now that our confidence is finally in the tiniest possible pieces.

Get a win in Prague and I will dance around Croke park naked against Germany.

**liaml** · 08/09/2007, 9:34 PM

Currently the standings are as follows

Czech R 8 17
Ireland 8 14

Assuming (it's a big if) the remaining games for both teams result in

Germany v Czech - 0pts
Czech v Slovakia - 3pts
Cyprus v Czech - 3pts

Ireland v Germany - 0pts
Ireland v Cyprus - 3pts
Wales v Ireland - 3pts

That leaves us with

Czech R 8 23
Ireland 8 20

So basically we have to win the game in Prague. A draw means we're out. Also - I'm not too sure but I was under the impression that if a group finishes with two teams tied on points the results between those two teams are taken into consideration. There is still hope - we need a win.

**Sonic** · 08/09/2007, 9:37 PM

Originally Posted by liaml

I'm not too sure but I was under the impression that if a group finishes with two teams tied on points the results between those two teams are taken into consideration. There is still hope - we need a win.

That is true but can you honestly really see us beating them in Prague. I think not!

**Stuttgart88** · 08/09/2007, 9:38 PM

how much more of this do we have to take? So what if manager didn't play his cards right and so on, but a goal up and 92 mins on the clock and the real stan laurel could be in charge an 99 times out of a hundred you'd win.

O'Shea could have stopped the goal if he'd thrown his arse in the way, but at this stage I've got to question untouchable Shay. He was 8 yards off his line and hernce had no time to react. If he'd been inside his 6 yard box he'd have saved it.

Livid but used to it. Regardless of losing the moment, Wednrsday is the key game and always was anyway.

Did nayone else piuck up on the hypocrisy of RTE? Panel says team lacks a leader in the middle. Dummmy says this pack of players deserves better than Stan. But, if they had a leader in the middle then problem solved in my opinion.

Just like Israel a golden opportunity to grow up has been spurned due to an opportunistic long range snap shot. fair enough, you can say we deserved it, but I see world class teams ride their luck in same circumstances and they get awy with it. Makes me mad. Why not just once? If they'd scored after 85 mins fair enough but I'm sick and want to hibernate until Wednesday evening because I feel beyond consolation.

**sligoman** · 08/09/2007, 9:39 PM

Vent your anger here.

**Stuttgart88** · 08/09/2007, 9:41 PM

Originally Posted by liaml

So basically we have to win the game in Prague. A draw means we're out.

Even if we'd won 10 nil tontight that was realistically the case anyway.

But as fans we live for each game and what a pain in the arse we didn't win.

**Torn-Ado** · 08/09/2007, 9:42 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

how much more of this do we have to take? So what if manager didn't play his cards right and so on, but a goal up and 92 mins on the clock and the real stan laurel could be in charge an 99 times out of a hundred you'd win.

O'Shea could have stopped the goal if he'd thrown his arse in the way, but at this stage I've got to question untouchable Shay. He was 8 yards off his line and hernce had no time to react. If he'd been inside his 6 yard box he'd have saved it.

Livid but used to it. Regardless of losing the moment, Wednrsday is the key game and always was anyway.

Did nayone else piuck up on the hypocrisy of RTE? Panel says team lacks a leader in the middle. Dummmy says this pack of players deserves better than Stan. But, if they had a leader in the middle then problem solved in my opinion.

Just like Israel a golden opportunity to grow up has been spurned due to an opportunistic long range snap shot. fair enough, you can say we deserved it, but I see world class teams ride their luck in same circumstances and they get awy with it. Makes me mad. Why not just once? If they'd scored after 85 mins fair enough but I'm sick and want to hibernate until Wednesday evening because I feel beyond consolation.

You've summed up my feelings. Im asking myself, God, my missus, the ould Swedish neighbour next door, any F**ker that will listen basically the same question: Why does this happen to us?

**liaml** · 08/09/2007, 9:44 PM

Originally Posted by Sonic

That is true but can you honestly really see us beating them in Prague. I think not!

The Czech Republic are an aging squad, however they're big, powerful and playing at home. One thing in our favour is that we know going into the game that we _have_ to win it, and hopefully that will spur the lads on.

**theworm2345** · 08/09/2007, 9:45 PM

Originally Posted by eekers

best ireland goal since houghton v italy in '94?

It reminded me of it quite a bit, I doubt he would've saved it regardless but he was way off his line (much like the Italian keeper against Houghton), again, I doubt he could've gotten to it anyway.
http://www.attachmax.com/Doyle_vs_Slovakia.html

and
http://www.attachmax.com/Ireland_vs_Slovakia.html

**DannyInvincible** · 08/09/2007, 9:46 PM

Bitterly disappointed. I'm not sure how John "Pansy" O'Shea has managed to rack up 40-odd caps for Ireland and still remains a frequent participant in Manchester United's first-team, let alone the Manchester United set-up. He is the absolute dogs b*llocks. There's so much wrong with him: he just doesn't take the time to get the ball under control, ever; he always passes it off in a rush and 9 times out of 10 to the opposition; and his shot tonight that was so far off that it looked like he was crossing back to the edge of the box. Crap, crap, crap.

Doyle's goal was fantastic and while he didn't leave the keeper standing still as Houghton excitedly exclaimed he certainly gave him no chance. Would have been a worthy winning goal had it not been for Stan Laurel and his inept strategy to see the game out.

George Hamilton once again called the Slovaks "the Czechs". He did the same during the game in Croke Park.

By the way, did anyone spot the UVF flag behind Given's goal in the second half?

**Paddy Garcia** · 08/09/2007, 9:46 PM

Originally Posted by Torn-Ado

You've summed up my feelings. Im asking myself, God, my missus, the ould Swedish neighbour next door, any F**ker that will listen basically the same question: Why does this happen to us?

To be fair they could easily have had 5.

**brine3** · 08/09/2007, 9:48 PM

Originally Posted by liaml

So basically we have to win the game in Prague. A draw means we're out. Also - I'm not too sure but I was under the impression that if a group finishes with two teams tied on points the results between those two teams are taken into consideration. There is still hope - we need a win.

That's true, it's mutual games, I had forgotten that.

Czechs had trouble in San Marino, were leading 1-0 and only late into the second half when San Marino had a man sent off did they increase to 3-0.

We may yet well become the worst ever team to qualify for a European Championship!

**billybunter** · 08/09/2007, 9:51 PM

please, please - just give one win to celebrate!! - there are so many irish supporters in far off lands that crave such a result!!

**carloz** · 08/09/2007, 9:55 PM

We bring it on ourselves every time

**as_i_say** · 08/09/2007, 9:56 PM

Originally Posted by liaml

The Czech Republic are an aging squad, however they're big, powerful and playing at home. One thing in our favour is that we know going into the game that we _have_ to win it, and hopefully that will spur the lads on.

Wont make an arse of a difference. Last time that happened it was away to the swiss in 2003 and we were shocking-not a single shot on goal in entire game.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/09/2007, 9:56 PM

I'm nearly certain I saw a thread already on the match in here somewhere.

Edit: Not sure how this got here as I posted it in another thread.

**as_i_say** · 08/09/2007, 9:57 PM

Originally Posted by brine3

That's true, it's mutual games, I had forgotten that.

Czechs had trouble in San Marino, were leading 1-0 and only late into the second half when San Marino had a man sent off did they increase to 3-0.

We may yet well become the worst ever team to qualify for a European Championship!

Hah that'd be funny! though the latvian team of 2004 probably takes that prize.