Ireland under Stephen Kenny

[Pogue Mahone]

63% possession away from home. Keeping the ball on the deck. Centre backs carrying the ball into the opposition half. Pass and move triangles. Is this the first signs of a revolution in Irish football?

(Sure it took a header from a corner to get any actual points but still...)

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Fecking hell. No Ireland fans on here this morning? This place has changed

 

[arthurka]

Fecking hell. No Ireland fans on here this morning? This place has changed

Non awake..

 

[BD]

It was quite amusing how after all that we were about to lose, only for a setpiece goal from our most dangerous attacker - our centre half.

It'll be interesting to see how it goes, it's just a pity that we've quite a poor (orto be nicer, young and improving) front three.

 

[Nick7]

I didn't watch the match. Still traumatised from the last few years of shite served up. Good to know we at least tried. Shame we don't have Grealish or someone like him any more to unlock defences.

 

[londonredmaniac]

Nice to see the ball on the ground.

 

[BD]

Grealish and Rice in the team would make us look a completely different team.

 

[limerickcitykid]

It was a bit better with actually trying to complete a few passes. Still created feck all though and Shane Duffy is still our best attacking threat.

Only first match though after a long break, so hopefully we see some continuing improvement.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It was quite amusing how after all that we were about to lose, only for a setpiece goal from our most dangerous attacker - our centre half.

It'll be interesting to see how it goes, it's just a pity that we've quite a poor (orto be nicer, young and improving) front three.

Yeah, in terms of up and coming talents we haven’t been better off up front in a very long time. In terms of established attacking players, I can’t remember us ever being worse off.

Troy Parrot is two from two at Millwall. Shame he missed out last night. Hopefully this loan is the making of him.

 

[Massive Spanner]

Grealish and Rice in the team would make us look a completely different team.

Yeah, England.

 

[BD]

Yeah, in terms of up and coming talents we haven’t been better off up front in a very long time. In terms of established attacking players, I can’t remember us ever being worse off.

Troy Parrot is two from two at Millwall. Shame he missed out last night. Hopefully this loan is the making of him.

Yeah and I worry that maybe this doesn't work for the first few months or year, and then people start calling for us to go back to how we were before because at least that worked, not taking into account different in the squads.

Yeah, England.

True enough

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yeah and I worry that maybe this doesn't work for the first few months or year, and then people start calling for us to go back to how we were before because at least that worked, not taking into account different in the squads.

True enough

I’m not sure it did work. Not really. I’d like to think people will be patient with him. It’s funny actually. I was thinking about all the managers we’ve had, post Fergie. Not one of them has stamped his mark after the first game in charge as clearly as Kenny did last night. Like watching a completely different team to Ireland of the last few years (a completely different, not very good, team but still. Baby steps...)

 

[LOIfan]

I was somewhat pleased with what i saw, you could see the beginnings of an idea of what we want to do on a football pitch after only a few training sessions. Didzy back for Sunday is a massive addition, I think himself Connoly and O'Dowda can form a decent front three. I'm hoping this is a big year from Jason Molumby, I've really liked what i've seen from him in the underage set up.

 

[Nick7]

I’m not sure it did work. Not really. I’d like to think people will be patient with him. It’s funny actually. I was thinking about all the managers we’ve had, post Fergie. Not one of them has stamped his mark after the first game in charge as clearly as Kenny did last night. Like watching a completely different team to Ireland of the last few years (a completely different, not very good, team but still. Baby steps...)

Fergie? :-p

 

[Pogue Mahone]

By the way, did anyone else watch the game with Mick McCarthy as co-commentator? Hell of a choice by Sky Sports!

Didn’t think it possible but he put in an even more defensive performance than his last Ireland team...

 

[CiroDiMarzio]

There is absolutely no way he can continue with a midfield three that includes James McCarthy and Jeff Hendrick. There were some encouraging performances in the first half, but the midfield was non-existent.

 

[Champagne Football]

Duffy is well rusty from being on the Brighton bench for a long time. He will get back into his match rhythm at Celtic.

Matt Doherty's attacking ability blunted a little when he's in a back 4.

O'Dowda was the surprise of the evening. No end product but wonderful pace, skill and energy. Aaron Connolly also will make the wing position his own soon. Robbie Brady and Callum Robinson will be pushing O'Dowda and Connolly for a starting spot.

Central midfield needs work. James McCarthy invisible again. Maybe Molumby will get minutes on Sunday as a defensive midfielder. Would be great if Luca Connell could break through at Celtic next season as a deep lying playmaker too. Someone needs to put pressure on James McCarthy for that role if he continues to underwhelm.

David McGoldrick was sorely missed and Idah looks about 2 years away from being ready to challenge for a first XI spot but bit potential there.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

There is absolutely no way he can continue with a midfield three that includes James McCarthy and Jeff Hendrick. There were some encouraging performances in the first half, but the midfield was non-existent.

An entirely new midfield three this afternoon. Mulumby, Brady and Arter.

 

[Withnail]

An entirely new midfield three this afternoon. Mulumby, Brady and Arter.

Interesting midfield.

I've heard good things about Molumby but haven't seen him play yet.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Interesting midfield.

I've heard good things about Molumby but haven't seen him play yet.

Same. Can I use that as an excuse for spelling his name wrong?

EDIT: Feck it. I have watched him. A few times for the U21s. He’s good.

 

[Withnail]

Same. Can I use that as an excuse for spelling his name wrong?

Sure you can

 

[JakeC]

By the way, did anyone else watch the game with Mick McCarthy as co-commentator? Hell of a choice by Sky Sports!

Didn’t think it possible but he put in an even more defensive performance than his last Ireland team...

Reminds me of the time I had to narrate my ex girlfriends sex tape with her newer, fitter boyfriend.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

O’ Shaugnessy starts for Finland...

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Reminds me of the time I had to narrate my ex girlfriends sex tape with her newer, fitter boyfriend.

Did you bang on about the need to hurry up and get it in the box as much as Mick did?

 

[Still ill]

Changing the entire middle 3 and nobody else is exactly the right thing to do. Big day for Brady and Molumby. Hope Robbie picks a few passes out and nails down that role.

 

[RashyForPM]

I’m not watching but LiveScore says Ireland have 65% possession so far. Forgive me for my surprise but blimey. I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter for you Irish lads under Kenny. Always good to see the Irish succeeding.

 

[Withnail]

I’m not watching but LiveScore says Ireland have 65% possession so far. Forgive me for my surprise but blimey. I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter for you Irish lads under Kenny. Always good to see the Irish succeeding.

Hopefully so!

We finished the last game with 63% as well.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Fairly wank match so far.

 

[Still ill]

Finland look sharper around the box. We're not making it stick around their area.

 

[limerickcitykid]

What I would do to have even Wes Hoolahan back.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

We’re not playing well at all. Worse than we did in our last game. So far.

 

[Still ill]

Idah's a talented chap but he hasn't looked ready to me. Long or Mcgoldrick still better bets for now, I think.

 

[McGrathsipan]

Fairly wank match so far.

Is international lower level football meant to be any other way?

 

[Hugh Jass]

There is an O' Shaughnessy playing for Finland.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Is international lower level football meant to be any other way?

This is particularly shite though.

 

[Champ]

I’m not watching but LiveScore says Ireland have 65% possession so far. Forgive me for my surprise but blimey. I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter for you Irish lads under Kenny. Always good to see the Irish succeeding.

Kenny has said he wants a more possession based game going forward.
Its working so far, although I feel the team is missing a midfield architect to really make it work.

 

[Withnail]

There is an O' Shaughnessy playing for Finland.

Yeah his da's from Galway apparently.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Yeah his da's from Galway apparently.

Funny, against Ireland of all teams.

 

[Withnail]

Idah's a talented chap but he hasn't looked ready to me. Long or Mcgoldrick still better bets for now, I think.

I'd say McGoldrick will start when fully fit.

 

[Champagne Football]

The midfield 3 out there today looks slightly better than the last time out. Slightly more solid and organized.

With McGoldrick in that team holding the ball up properly, which Idah is doing ok at but really struggling, then I think we'd have created a couple more chances so far.