Republic Of Ireland Football Thread

[Nanotron]

@Nanotron

We are the way we are because our players aren't good enough. The fact that Wes Hoolahan (a 36 year old midfielder plying his trade for a midtable championship side) is so often put forward as a solution to our problems demonstrates that our problems run deep.

Nothing I said in that post was incorrect, all of Denmark, Wales and Austria have better players than us and our results have demonstrably been good under O'Neill. To argue otherwise is absurd, even if luck played a large role.

Quite right but not fully. The negative mind set has played a large part in why we didnt qualify. O Neill deserves absolutely no credit for anything we have done. In fact he has hindered us, the group was there for the taking. Austria never showed up amd wales didnt get going until the second part. Serbia stuttered along too.

Yes we are light on players but not light enough that we play shite football amd invite so much pressure. We made denmark look like spain.

What about giving it a lash, nothing to lose mentality. Actually try to play something that will inspire the next gen. No one thought we would get out of the group anyway.

The "we are not good enough debate is old" and a cop out imo.

 

[Nanotron]

I don't care what team you are, not encouraging retention of the football in the sport of football is not and never will be playing to your strengths. These are professional footballers, they can pass the ball twenty yards under pressure if needed.

Exactly. Its innate. Ive never seen a kids go out to set up camp in their own half and launch it aimlessly. Must be incredibly frustrating to play in a side set up like that every single game. Cant imagine the morale levels.

 

[POF]

Besides Eriksen, I don’t think there is a huge gulf in class. Definitely not 5-1 at home.

Was it wise to give O’Neil a new contract before these matches?

Besides Eriksen it was 1-1 going into the last few minutes. Ireland opened up in this game, gave a quality opposition player time and space and got absolutely murdered. Changing to a more offensive approach at half time was a mistake in my opinion. Their best chance was keep it to 2-1 and launch a late aerial onslaught in the last 15 minutes.

Lol true point stands though if the two irelands played each The North would dick all over us .

Noone can tell me the likes of Hendrix,Arter and Brady can't pass the ball instead of hoofing it when they pass the ball every week for their clubs.

I know we don't have Roy Keane and Duff but we do have decent players who with a proper manager could play football

Hendrick and Brady? Who play for that beacon of total football that is Burnley??? They play a similar style to Ireland. They couldn't keep the ball for 2 passes at Chelsea when they were playing against 9 men.

O’Neill OUT in my opinion.

As an international manager, you have one objective: Qualify for the World Cup. And he’s failed to do that.

Not going for the win in Denmark, replacing both centre mids tonight at half time and not bringing Shane Long until the last 20 minutes was a downright disgrace.

As an Irish man myself, I want to see us move on. Brian Kerr got the job based on his performances in the League of Ireland so why not consider Stephen Kenny? Ideally though, I’d like us to see if we can get another Northern Irish man in Brendan Rodgers or at least tempt Mick McCarthy back. There’s options. But the fact is O’Neill is NOT the right man for the job.

Brian Kerr got the job on the back of winning 2 European Championships and third place at a world cup at underage level. Nothing to do with his League of Ireland exploits.

O'Neill and Keane have done a great job and Ireland are lucky to have them.

 

[POF]

Quite right but not fully. The negative mind set has played a large part in why we didnt qualify. O Neill deserves absolutely no credit for anything we have done. In fact he has hindered us, the group was there for the taking. Austria never showed up amd wales didnt get going until the second part. Serbia stuttered along too.

Yes we are light on players but not light enough that we play shite football amd invite so much pressure. We made denmark look like spain.

What about giving it a lash, nothing to lose mentality. Actually try to play something that will inspire the next gen. No one thought we would get out of the group anyway.

The "we are not good enough debate is old" and a cop out imo.

The "giving it a lash, nothing to lose mentality" was the second half vs Denmark. How did that work out?

 

[Rory 7]

We don't have the players to play expansive but it's so negative under MON that keeping possession for more than half a minute would be an improvement. These are professional footballers they haven't been picked up at the red cow on the way to the Aviva.

I honestly don’t believe O’Neill is responsible for the hoof ball and panicked passing we see from our lads. There was a moment in the first half where Arter tried a crazy pass with the outside of his foot that was never on,- first time Hollywood ball. I’m sat beside the Irish bench and Keano went ballistic, screaming ‘play the simple ball’. If O’Neill is to blame its for allowing these players free reign at times, it really shows up their limiitations. If I was being critical of O’Neill it would be for having a lack of a system. But, my God, these lads are some of the most average players you’ll see on any international team.

 

[cyberman]

@SungSam7
Its not as easy as that though. They have to choose for a reason, a great prospect could be playing in 2 age groups at club level then train with minors and seniors on the county panel. Thats not including the actual games they play.
The young GAA players are stupidly over played, its horrendous

 

[Tincanalley]

The "giving it a lash, nothing to lose mentality" was the second half vs Denmark. How did that work out?

Dead right.

 

[Snow]

Less. About five million I would say and most people in ireland are playing GAA. Then you have rugby competing too with the soccer.

We had a NT at the football, basketball and handball Euros at the same time so it's not just about numbers.

 

[Rooney24]

Remember when we said Denmark were the best draw we could have got?

Good times

 

[SCP]

We had a NT at the football, basketball and handball Euros at the same time so it's not just about numbers.

Iceland qualified to Euro Basket?

 

[Snow]

Iceland qualified to Euro Basket?

Yup. Lost all the games but we've qualified twice in a row now.

 

[TheReligion]

Total embarrassment and total anhiliation.

To get beat 1-5 in such a big game at home is an utter disgrace.

 

[Lennon7]

The title just reminded me of these bacon and cheese turnovers they used to do at my work in a Morrison’s Local, which don’t exist anymore. Do the big ones still do them?

 

[crackers0seven]

Half time subs really killed us imo. Goal before 70/80 And keep it tight we still have hope. I was all for Wes coming on but aiden and dumping our midfield no. But genuine Question- have we anything of note coming through. I've read about the wolves lads and seanie etc but have we players who will be pushing in the next campaign??

 

[utdalltheway]

Bummed right now. Got the Taytos ready and settled down to see how it'd go. Was surprised when we went ahead and for a while the Danes looked shell shocked but their two quick goals sealed it.

It was a decent qualifying campaign for us but imo we don't have the quality to compete at the highest level.

Oh well, there's always the rugby to look forward to...

 

[The Brown Bull]

Ireland just don’t have the players at the moment.We have produced any new talent in a long time.
The FAI have a lot to answer for.

 

[automaticflare]

The "giving it a lash, nothing to lose mentality" was the second half vs Denmark. How did that work out?

No it wasn't it was stupid tactical move that left us wide open. We needed one goal and then Denmark had something to lose even if we didn't get it until the 85th minute those last 5 + injury time would have been carnage for Denmark. That is the time to go wide open. Not at half time when if you get caught on the break you need fecking 3 goals instead of 2.
Mcllean Brady mcgeady hoolohan all playing with Hendricks as a holding midfielder we had no balance and no shape.

All most people are asking for is a middle ground we know we're not gonna be Barcelona.
Why did it have to go from a numb, defensive set up to a completely open midfield. It was crazy tactics and decision

It was also stupid tactical move playing ward who cost us the second goal I know everyone makes mistakes but ward is a bad footballer and he has proven it many many times.

These decisions are down to the manager.

The Danes are not much better than us they have eriksen who we could have done a man marking job today.

I 100% blame the manager for the defeat and also for not going through automatically. We blew it against Georgia when we were 5 points clear in this group.

The fact we were in a playoff at all is criminal.

 

[Leanshig]

This is what happens when you try to go toe to toe with an a superior attacking team. Giles, Dunphy et all can spout all they want about Houlahan not being included, I found it laughable he was banging that drum and glossing over Wards performance, but the fact remains, our best player had a double leg break and is a right back for Everton. They have Eriksen, Christensen, Kjaer, Schmeichel.....they have players at the elite level, playing in their prime. Whats our attacking force? A 34 year old championship playmaker? Or a winger who can't get in the West Brom team? Best hope was to set up negatively a nab a win, but the expectation was ridiculously set too high.

 

[POF]

No it wasn't it was stupid tactical move that left us wide open. We needed one goal and then Denmark had something to lose even if we didn't get it until the 85th minute those last 5 + injury time would have been carnage for Denmark. That is the time to go wide open. Not at half time when if you get caught on the break you need fecking 3 goals instead of 2.
Mcllean Brady mcgeady hoolohan all playing with Hendricks as a holding midfielder we had no balance and no shape.

All most people are asking for is a middle ground we know we're not gonna be Barcelona.
Why did it have to go from a numb, defensive set up to a completely open midfield. It was crazy tactics and decision

It was also stupid tactical move playing ward who cost us the second goal I know everyone makes mistakes but ward is a bad footballer and he has proven it many many times.

These decisions are down to the manager.

The Danes are not much better than us they have eriksen who we could have done a man marking job today.

I 100% blame the manager for the defeat and also for not going through automatically. We blew it against Georgia when we were 5 points clear in this group.

The fact we were in a playoff at all is criminal.

So, Ireland were 5 points clear at the top of the group before facing Georgia away? They then took 7 points from the last 4 games. Serbia got 9 from their last 4. How then did Serbia finish 2 points ahead of Ireland in the group?

I agree that it was a stupid tactical move. Vacating your midfield and losing shape is a very risky strategy. Ireland are not good enough to do that. I was responding to the suggestion that Ireland should be more adventurous and "give it a lash". They shouldn't, because they aren't very good at football.

Either way, I can understand the criticism of O'Neill for being too adventurous today. But how anyone can criticise him for finishing 2nd in a group where Ireland were a clear 4th ability wise, I cannot understand. There will be people in Georgia today discussing how they can't believe they only got a point at home to Ireland.

 

[Champagne Football]

Every penny John Delaney gets goes towards his salary and paying off the Aviva. Gonna be a few years yet before there's anything spare to invest in grassroots.

In fairness I still believe O'Neill and Keane have overachieved with the utter crock of shite they have to choose from. O'Neill let Dunphys drivel get into his head and panicked by bringing on 2 luxury players for 2 defensive midfielders. McGeady should never have come on and Meyler should have stayed on the pitch.

Moving forward..Sean Maguire might become an important player next campaign. Eunan O'Kane is good enough to play the Wes role. Any one of O'Dowda, Hogan, Aiden O'Brien might kick on to next level. Conor Hourihane might be a good option too.

We may get a granny rule player appear out of the blue to help the cause.

I think O'Neill should get 1 more campaign as there's absolutely no one else out there currently. Brendan Rodgers would be nice but he would not leave Celtic for us for another 10 years anyways. We're not a soccer playing nation and unless crazy money that the FAI don't have is spent on grassroots then things will obviously continue as they always have.

 

[royboy16]

No complaints,not good enough.
Well done and good luck Denmark.

 

[McGrathsipan]

Don’t agree. He got it completely wrong at half time but don’t agree with you.

It's not just because of last night.

 

[Zebs]

The title just reminded me of these bacon and cheese turnovers they used to do at my work in a Morrison’s Local, which don’t exist anymore. Do the big ones still do them?

Had one this morning mate. Peckham Morrisson's.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Ireland just don’t have the players at the moment.We have produced any new talent in a long time.
The FAI have a lot to answer for.

Ireland (& Scotland) need to do what Wales have been doing recently and raid English academies for young English players with some Irish lineage, the ones that are good but not involved with England, and get them in the Irish set-up. Wales have what some consider their best youth side ever at the moment and the stars are English like Woodburn and Ampadu. It is annoying as an England fan but a good strategy by Wales. In Woodburn's case he was in the Wales setup three years before England called him up and was happy where he was so didn't switch.

 

[Trizy]

Ireland just don’t have the players at the moment.We have produced any new talent in a long time.
The FAI have a lot to answer for.

How is it the FAI's fault though? A good 80% of the best Athletes in the country play Hurling or Gaelic Football. That's where all the money and facilities end up going and rightly so due the sheer numbers playing it.

Since we haven't too many playing football it's almost impossible for young players to make it in England. A lot of players I played with or against that have been good enough to play high level football and went to England ended with home sickness. It's hard when we haven't good enough top pro academies here to produce our talent. It's a huge ask to take someone out of school, away from their friends at 16 and go to England. You can't move aboard until you're 16 so they're joining clubs with players who've had pro coaches since 8 verses their School Boy League coaching.

 

[Tincanalley]

The title just reminded me of these bacon and cheese turnovers they used to do at my work in a Morrison’s Local, which don’t exist anymore. Do the big ones still do them?

May I suggest (Thread Title improvement) Danish Pasting?

 

[Robbie Boy]

Well that was a fecking shambles.

 

[Rory 7]

It's not just because of last night.

I know. I know people complain about the quality of the football. I just think the issue is the quality of the player available to him. I also think O'Neill has given us better nights than any manager in the last 15 years. Germany, Bosnia, Wales, Italy...football may not have been great but results were and in Ireland's case its all about results.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Get Big Sam or Pulis in. At least they'll have actual game plans.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

Let's face it we have not improved in either performances or qualifying for tournaments since Trappatoni. I suspect we only matched his achievement in qualifying for the Euros under O'Neill because UEFA changed the rules so it's practically impossible to fail to reach the tournament now.
I don't see why, if we are not likely to qualify for anything anytime soon, we can't change our ethos and actually put out teams that can entertain the fans by playing football instead of the misery under O'Neill and Keane who make Trappatoni seem like Brian Clough in terms of free-flowing football philosophy?

 

[Gusjaros]

The main difference between Denmark and Ireland was Christian Eriksen.

 

[Bestietom]

We need to be looking at some younger players to bring through now. There must be better players out there who can declare for the Republic of Ireland. Midfield and forward players need to be found quickly.

 

[Bestietom]

Quite right but not fully. The negative mind set has played a large part in why we didnt qualify. O Neill deserves absolutely no credit for anything we have done. In fact he has hindered us, the group was there for the taking. Austria never showed up amd wales didnt get going until the second part. Serbia stuttered along too.

Yes we are light on players but not light enough that we play shite football amd invite so much pressure. We made denmark look like spain.

What about giving it a lash, nothing to lose mentality. Actually try to play something that will inspire the next gen. No one thought we would get out of the group anyway.

The "we are not good enough debate is old" and a cop out imo.

There is no cop out, we are just not good enough, and need to find more young players to bring on.

 

[Top]

 

[Lennon7]

Had one this morning mate. Peckham Morrisson's.

Right then, off to a Morrison’s today.

 

[Zebs]

I used to like you. Then I didn't see you post for God knows how many years. Now I dislike you.

 

[Green_Red]

Having a proper national league is a big issue with regards technical ability.

Second that. There needs to be serious investment in grass roots in Ireland. There aren't enough kids in academies. Problem is, first kids to show talent are poached by English clubs.

 

[Tincanalley]

"O'Neill deserves no credit for anything we have done". @Nanotron, you entirely sure about that very big statement? I know this is an Internet forum, and all, but still. Seems like a fairly comprehensive job of work had been done by you over the duration of his tenure. You have evaluated every team selection, all the friendlies, every qualifying, any work with players, every half time talk. You ran your ruler over every substitution, match preparation. The pre job negotiations too. Picking Keano. Must have been tough for you what with all the travelling and all.

 

[Top]

I used to like you. Then I didn't see you post for God knows how many years. Now I dislike you.

I generally don't care much for international football, but must admit it was kind of fun last night.

 

[Zebs]

How's the squad looking for Euro 2020 then?

Goalkeepers: Randolph , Westwood, Elliot, Doyle

Defenders: Coleman, Christie, Doherty, McShane, Keogh, Duffy, Clark, K. Long, Ward, Egan, Cunningham, Boyle, Rice, O'Connor

Midfielders: Horgan, Browne, Hourihane, Arter, McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, O'Kane, Meyler, O'Dowda, Hayes, McClean, Judge, Manning

Forwards: S. Long, Maguire, Hogan, O'Brien

Is there anyone else coming through the ranks? Or out injured that I've just missed?

Would like to see something like this, perhaps, come next September.

Randolph

Coleman
Duffy
Rice
Christie

McClean
McCarthy
Brady
Hendrick
O'Dowda

Hogan