Whatever about our goalscoring problems, we look a lot more solid with a 4-2-3-1, that's another takeaway for me. Maybe it's time to try a genuine number 10 like Ronan, Smallbone, Byrne. Or with the better-suited McGoldrick or O'Dowda in the role. Even Browne made a better fist of it than Jeff.
I think we also need a proper focal-point up front - a real number 9. Playing the likes of McGoldrick or Maguire up there just doesn't work.
to be fair the duffy / egan partnership has looked very good with a very able back up in Long. Its a fine balancing act bringing in the younger players at the right time particularly with our u21 situation. It would be a real boost to the senior team if a load of our 21s got to play in the euro finals and if DO'S was unlikely to get much game time if he was with the seniors then it was probably best to leave him with the 21s for the italy game. as soon as the covid situation and the long injury happened DO'S was brought in and played from the start. all seems very reasonable to me
I agree with you in a way. No point sticking with players who have proven themselves not to be up to it. I think players like Hourihane and Brady should be let go. Also though, I think throwing players in too quickly could be counter productive. Let some of the youngsters play some senior games before throwing them in. That's why I think players like O'Shea and Molumby have impressed and why I think Knight should be given a run as you say. Idah hasn't played enough at senior level yet, you could see the difference in touch needed, McGoldrick made a huge difference when he came on in Idah's place.
I meant 'debutant' of course.
I understand your point but I think the benefits of youth football is overstated. And the needs of a competitive senior international match should always supersede those of the underage teams. O'Shea can cover across the back and is comfortable on the ball and makes a very useful squad member, as we saw yesterday.
I agree Long is a fine back up, but he rather oddly wasn't even in the original squad, despite playing regularly and well for Burnley.
[url title='
Those truly bothered by Mick McCarthy's commentating on Ireland matches are just looking to be annoyed']https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/those-truly-bothered-by-mick-mccarthys-commentating-on-ireland-matches-are-just-looking-to-be-annoyed-39627041.html[/url]
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-39627041.html
Last edited by paul_oshea; 15/10/2020 at 1:09 PM.
I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Quite a thoughtful article:
https://www.the42.ie/stephen-kenny-22-5233759-Oct2020/
Ireland second only to Spain in pass completion (88%).
A definite culture shift is underway, and Kenny has succeeded in some respects. But the balance just isn't there yet. No goals from open play tells its own story.
Last edited by Trequartista20; 15/10/2020 at 6:04 PM.
I have no doubt he will, and sooner rather than later, but the reality is he was never going to bring all those lads in for his first couple of games. I'm pretty sure that in 18 months time, if he is given the breathing space, the squad will have a very different look to it. The way he has the team trying to play is undoubtedly more difficult than just keeping it tight and playing the percentages, it's more risky and you're more likely. To cough up chances until it clicks. I get that supporters have a limited amount of patience (very limited in this case it seems) but honestly, I don't think we've played terribly. We've got to give it a chance to come good.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
Don't kill Kenny!!
Didn’t anyone see the video of Shane Duffy ending Randolph’s chances of having kids? Painful to watch
Hello. I've made 3 posts on this thread. None of them have been approved. Is there a reason for this? I'm not sure who isn't approving them but it would be nice to know the reason. Thanks.
It's been a disastrous 4 years.
Kenny prioritised Slovakia, and sacrificed results in the first two games of the NL because of getting the message across, lack of fitness, and integrating new players - this is acceptable.
Against Slovakia, we played well. We created two really, really good chances from excellent interplay, that an Irish team has rarely done since Euro 2016. Difference is we couldn't finish. The result in the short-term is a disaster. Long-term it remains to be seen.
In that context, I fail to see any positivity had Kenny not been given the job, and MMcC continued, because at the end of nearly every game, there are moments of evaluation where I'd think "what are we at here?" because the football was so bad, and the performances just as bad. We didn't look like scoring much under Mick either, lets not forget.
I'd suggest that we've already reached our nadir, and that we're starting that slow gradual rise. We've not played anyone garbage, we've played teams actually at our own level, and not once have we looked out of our depth, playing differently. The last 30 mins at home vs Finland is the only "unacceptable" performance, and that could possibly be attributed to tiredness/pre-season.
I don't ever want to see a situation arise again where we are playing long-ball football against Gibraltar.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Welcome!
There's a lot of new blood recently; it's great to see. The more the merrier - Make Foot Great Again!
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