Republic of Ireland V Greece - Wednesday, 14th November 2012 - Friendly

**dotsycam** · 15/11/2012, 3:53 AM

What Trap had to say after the match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuMJoEjdWpIextratime.ie

**Hibs4Ever** · 15/11/2012, 6:36 AM

Coleman was brilliant, thought Clarke had a very good game too. McClean woeful, again. Seriously don't get all the hype about him

**Kingdom** · 15/11/2012, 7:15 AM

Originally Posted by Park_Lane

never mind that, where was manuela for the post match interview with trap??

Probably off learning some new instrument. The flute or something. I know, I know....

**Stuttgart88** · 15/11/2012, 8:08 AM

Look on the bright side. Last time we lost to Greece at home we went on to qualify for the WC!

We're miles off the standard required to challenge Sweden. That's about all I learnt from last night.

**paul_oshea** · 15/11/2012, 8:12 AM

I think Steven reid somes it up quite well here, there wasn't a great deal of positives to take from the game, and there was no urgency. All these fringe players should really have been pressing and showing some urgency but they didn't.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...t-3294563.html

**DannyInvincible** · 15/11/2012, 8:15 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

They need a reality check.

There have been quite a few of those already of late, but there appears to be little happening to stamp out the malaise.

Wasn't able to see the match myself due to work, but was able to catch some highlights here:

We didn't start off too badly by the looks of things before reverting to type. Greek goal was well-finished but O'Shea should have been much closer to his man by the time he got the shot in. We did create a few more goal-scoring chances, but it's impossible to judge an overall performance without having seen the full 90 minutes.

The atmosphere sounded pretty flat; little surprise given the poor attendance and lack of excitement surrounding the team of late.

**paul_oshea** · 15/11/2012, 8:19 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Ouch glad I missed the second half, went to play football instead.

what?

**SwanVsDalton** · 15/11/2012, 8:35 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

what?

I play 5-a-side on a Wednesday which ordinarily I might skip if Ireland are playing, but didn't last night. Good call as it turns out.

**paul_oshea** · 15/11/2012, 8:42 AM

Nope not at all. Supporting is not a part-time game, when it suits. And my point was, you did not miss the game, you chose to do something else. Completely different

DI no you can't watch the highlights and think we did ok or guage performances. That's why you have to watch the full game.

McClean is very limited. Holohan did ok, I didn't feel he could do an awful lot as he was played too high up the pitch, out of position, and we chose to hit high ball after high ball. Trap should be on the sideline instructing to change this approach when its not working, it was clear as the light of day that we couldn't and wouldn't score against a physically imposing Greek team from high balls, with no height or strength up front, holohan was playing piggy in the middle. Whoever thought McClean had a good game doesn't have a clue about football and I think i will block them now.

**DannyInvincible** · 15/11/2012, 8:45 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

I play 5-a-side on a Wednesday which ordinarily I might skip if Ireland are playing, but didn't last night. Good call as it turns out.

Heresy!

**DannyInvincible** · 15/11/2012, 8:58 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

DI no you can't watch the highlights and think we did ok or guage performances. That's why you have to watch the full game.

I've found it on Irish Torrents.

Rather annoyingly, I have to work two week-day evenings of my job - those being Wednesday and Thursday - due to my other day commitments during the week, and when negotiating which evenings I'd work with my employers, I informed them I wanted Tuesday nights and Friday nights off if possible so I wouldn't miss our World Cup qualifiers (well, I left out the latter bit). I overlooked the friendlies, unfortunately, neglecting to think that the FAI might continue playing those on Wednesday nights. First match I've not been able to see in I can't remember how long. That Delaney; why, I ought'a...! *shakes fist*

**SwanVsDalton** · 15/11/2012, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Nope not at all. Supporting is not a part-time game, when it suits. And my point was, you did not miss the game, you chose to do something else. Completely different

Don't be a self-righteous WUM POS.

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Heresy!

Attend nearly every match possible, watch those I can't go to obsessively, camp out in the Ireland anorak forum and then miss half a friendly and it goes all Papillion...

**DannyInvincible** · 15/11/2012, 9:02 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Attend nearly every match possible, watch those I can't go to obsessively, camp out in the Ireland anorak forum and then miss half a friendly and it goes all Papillion...

I know, I know. My tongue was firmly wedged in my cheek.

**SwanVsDalton** · 15/11/2012, 9:07 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

I know, I know. My tongue was firmly wedged in my cheek.

Don't worry Danny, I know!

**paul_oshea** · 15/11/2012, 9:13 AM

Mine wasn't - which I'm sure you knew too

Nothing to do with WUMing either.

Its all about choice that's all, for you. For me, personally, its completely different.

And actually I'd go as far as to say, especially after reading SRs piece, that the team needs less of that mentality, which is why they lack such urgency, especially in these friendly games, no can-do attitude. Their application should be the exact same no matter who or when or what context the game is being played in.

**SwanVsDalton** · 15/11/2012, 9:50 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Mine wasn't - which I'm sure you knew too

Nothing to do with WUMing either.

Its all about choice that's all, for you. For me, personally, its completely different.

And actually I'd go as far as to say, especially after reading SRs piece, that the team needs less of that mentality, which is why they lack such urgency, especially in these friendly games, no can-do attitude. Their application should be the exact same no matter who or when or what context the game is being played in.

Come on POS - it was a smug and condescending jibe at the quality of my 'choices', designed to position your 'choices' as better and more committed to supporting the team.

A disappointingly churlish thing to say because, while I may not measure up to your standards in just this instance, it's hardly worth having a scoffing dig about it.

As for your attempt at marrying me not watching half-a-friendly to the side's lack of commitment on the field - ridiculous.

There's all sorts of reasons for people not turning up but it shouldn't equate to a disinterested team.

Anyway if you want to try and make that point fine, but kindly do so without reference to me.

**Kingdom** · 15/11/2012, 10:13 AM

You Derry guys, you're neither in nor out are ye, free to do what you want .....**jokes**

**BonnieShels** · 15/11/2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

I play 5-a-side on a Wednesday which ordinarily I might skip if Ireland are playing, but didn't last night. Good call as it turns out.

I play 5-a-side on Tuesdays and as a result I missed the second half of the Faroes game. I'm not fit to call myself an Ireland supporter.

POS, open the manbag and break out the cat-o-nine-tails, for clearly I am not worthy!

Though I did attend that práisce last night so... Hmmmm... maybe I'm back in the game.

**Stuttgart88** · 15/11/2012, 10:47 AM

I used to fly home for the friendlies even, but TV is just fine for this type of night.

I thought we started OK. I actually thought it was as if Trap had let them just go out and do their thing. Coleman in particular seemed to enjoy license to play his natural game.

Then after 20 or 25 minutes we seemed to revert back to "stand off them" mode. I couldn't tell whether this was because Greece started to find their feet and started playing more fluently, or whether it was because we started to stand off them that they did so.

Anyway, I hear John Devine is organising a Festival of Football for kids on 8th December with young kids from all around the country playing 3x3 non-competitive games. I hope to hell it's successful! I'm very envious of how teams like Greece have an effortless fluency about them at times.

**paul_oshea** · 15/11/2012, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

Come on POS - it was a smug and condescending jibe at the quality of my 'choices', designed to position your 'choices' as better and more committed to supporting the team.

A disappointingly churlish thing to say because, while I may not measure up to your standards in just this instance, it's hardly worth having a scoffing dig about it.

As for your attempt at marrying me not watching half-a-friendly to the side's lack of commitment on the field - ridiculous.

There's all sorts of reasons for people not turning up but it shouldn't equate to a disinterested team.

Anyway if you want to try and make that point fine, but kindly do so without reference to me.

A good friend of mine once said, a Country's football team is a good representation of its people.

There is a general feeling of disinterest amongst the Irish public with regards to the national football team and that resonates in the teams performances.

Maybe not you individually, but sum up all those "individuals" and you get the point.

Its not an "i'm not more metal than you" argument, if that's what you are reading from it.

To sum up, there is a general malaise affecting the Irish team at present, and it could be charactierised from a support point of view as well. All stakeholders appear somewhat disinterested*

Funny that everyone who thanked your post didn't attend the game and/or missed some of it though

And incase you were wondering I didn't attend the game, but I didn't have a choice, I did ensure though that I got to see all of it. As bad and as dour as it was.

*There are always exceptions