Republic of Ireland vs. Australia 12/08/09 Kick off 7:45pm - Sky Sports 2

Mr.Nice Guy

IRISHSPORTSGUY wrote: »

Ideal line up for Cyprus:

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Given

Foley - Dunne - St Ledger - O'Shea

McGeady - McCann - S.Reid - Ireland

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Keane - Doyle

Too much to ask? Ireland isn't great in the centre of a 4 man midfield. Unlikely McCann will get picked but surely the best defensive midfieder we have? If not then Andrews please, ANYONE but Whelan. Kilbane is past it, and although I respect his professionalism and commitment he shouldn't have near the number of caps he has. Duff, unlike Kilbane, used to be a class player but is s***e now.

I can't agree with putting Ireland on the left. He's best in the centre surely where he can influence play more. This is our major weak point in the team. This would be my ideal XI at the minute:

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Given

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Foley - Dunne - St Ledger - O'Shea

McGeady - Ireland - S.Reid - Hunt

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Keane - Doyle

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flahavaj

Burkatron wrote: »

Whole game,hes far fitter then he was at Liverpool! Such a ****!

Scored 15 in 27 last season for Galatasary too. As opposed to 12 in 90 odd for Liverpool.:pac:

flahavaj

Also whos this McCann fella?

LuckyLloyd

flahavaj wrote: »

Also whos this McCann fella?

Tall, rangy central midfielder who impressed during Burnley's cup runs last season.

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So that's it, Trapp out, cancel the World Cup (and Christmas obv). Disgraceful performance in such a key ga...oh wait. :rolleyes:

joe123

Just back from training so missed the game and the build up. Can anyone give me a quick summary of the game?

Also Stephen Reid was he in the squad at all? Hes fit again isnt he??

mike65

Since Kewell finally made a full recoverry from his groin woes he does seem to be transformed.

steod

joe123 wrote: »

Just back from training so missed the game and the build up. Can anyone give me a quick summary of the game?

Also Stephen Reid was he in the squad at all? Hes fit again isnt he??

your lucky you missed it, absolute muck by Ireland in general. steven reid not in the squad but fingers crossed should be fit and back very soon.

Mr.Nice Guy

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

So that's it, Trapp out, cancel the World Cup (and Christmas obv). Disgraceful performance in such a key ga...oh wait. :rolleyes:

Bring back Kerr!

flahavaj

Are Waterford the most represented county in the squad now with Josh, the Hunt brothers and Nolan all involved? Get Brian Murphy in there and it'd be 5!:pac:

Eire-Dearg

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Bring back Kerr!

I agree. He only lost 1-0 to France like.

flahavaj

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

I agree. He only lost 1-0 to France like.

Twice now with 2 different countries!

Spiritoftheseventies

Will be curious to see if Stephen Ward and Keith Fahey get a look in now they are playing in the Premiership.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Christ, that RTE analysis was dire. It's like they were implying Whelan, Gibson and Andrews were our only options. I couldn't believe how light the players got off. Well I hope the papers give the central midfield a massive hammering tomorrow anyway! John Giles and Eamon Dunphy, for all their faults, at least tell it as it is and speak their minds!

The only plus point from tonight is Cyprus were smashed, but they are a totally different kettle of fish in Nicosia.

After watching Kenny Cunningham and Ronnie Whelan I felt like Frank Grimes in that Simpsons episode where he was the only one that had a major problem with Homer Simpson (Glenn Whelan).

IRISHSPORTSGUY

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

I can't agree with putting Ireland on the left. He's best in the centre surely where he can influence play more. This is our major weak point in the team. This would be my ideal XI at the minute:

---

Given

---

Foley - Dunne - St Ledger - O'Shea

McGeady - Ireland - S.Reid - Hunt

---

Keane - Doyle

---

Ireland is much better in a 5 man midfield, he's not as effective in a 4-4-2 in the centre but I'd be very willing to go with that though - still much better than our current central midfield.

IRISHSPORTSGUY

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Tall, rangy central midfielder who impressed during Burnley's cup runs last season.

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So that's it, Trapp out, cancel the World Cup (and Christmas obv). Disgraceful performance in such a key ga...oh wait. :rolleyes:

I'm not insinuating that by any means. However this is more proof our central midfield just isn't good enough and it's very frustrating. Would have liked if he had taken this friendly to try to blood the likes McCann etc.

Headshot

I think some poster are forgetting that EPL hasnt even started and the players are still rusty

iirc the Australian soccer league is up and going atm

Eire-Dearg

Yep, kicked off last weekend

DM_7

Any chance the tactics are letting the midfield down rather than the players in it?

Headshot

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

Yep, kicked off last weekend

still gives an edge to the Australians, a small one

Eire-Dearg

Headshot wrote: »

still gives an edge to the Australians, a small one

Yep, especially with most of them playing in Europe.

Headshot

Eire-Dearg wrote: »

Yep, especially with most of them playing in Europe.

iv trying to find some excuse for the irish

I did hear that the training in tipp town was ****e and most of the players werent pushed

Eire-Dearg

Headshot wrote: »

iv trying to find some excuse for the irish

I did hear that the training in tipp town was ****e and most of the players werent pushed

It's punishment enough being in Tipp Town tbh.

Burkatron

Oh yeah I forgot they all play in Australia

1 GK Mark Schwarzer Fulham
2 DF Lucas Neill (c) Free Agent
3 DF David Carney Sheffield United
4 MF Tim Cahill Everton
5 DF Jade North Incheon United
6 MF Mile Jedinak Gençlerbirliği
7 FW Scott McDonald Celtic
8 DF Luke Wilkshire Dynamo Moscow
10 MF Harry Kewell Galatasaray
11 FW Nikita Rukavytsya Twente
12 DF Patrick Kisnorbo Leeds United
13 FW Aaron Mooy Bolton Wanderers
14 FW Brett Holman AZ
15 DF Matthew Špiranović Nuremberg
16 MF Dario Vidošić Nuremberg
17 DF Adrian Madaschi Portosummaga
18 GK Ante Čović Elfsborg
19 MF Nick Carle Crystal Palace
20 DF Rhys Williams Middlesbrough
21 MF James Holland AZ
22 MF Oliver Bozanic Cheltenham Town
23 MF Mark Bresciano Palermo

Headshot

Burkatron wrote: »

Oh yeah I forgot they all play in Australia

1 GK Mark Schwarzer Fulham
2 DF Lucas Neill (c) Free Agent
3 DF David Carney Sheffield United
4 MF Tim Cahill Everton
5 DF Jade North Incheon United
6 MF Mile Jedinak Gençlerbirliği
7 FW Scott McDonald Celtic
8 DF Luke Wilkshire Dynamo Moscow
10 MF Harry Kewell Galatasaray
11 FW Nikita Rukavytsya Twente
12 DF Patrick Kisnorbo Leeds United
13 FW Aaron Mooy Bolton Wanderers
14 FW Brett Holman AZ
15 DF Matthew Špiranović Nuremberg
16 MF Dario Vidošić Nuremberg
17 DF Adrian Madaschi Portosummaga
18 GK Ante Čović Elfsborg
19 MF Nick Carle Crystal Palace
20 DF Rhys Williams Middlesbrough
21 MF James Holland AZ
22 MF Oliver Bozanic Cheltenham Town
23 MF Mark Bresciano Palermo

too late

but im kinda right about their leagues starting since around 12 players are actually playing in their leagues atm

so thanks for that,always nice to know im right in one aspect

chupacabra

I sky plussed the game as i was away for the evening. Is it even worth watching? Is there anything positive to take out of the performance?

CHD

chupacabra wrote: »

I sky plussed the game as i was away for the evening. Is it even worth watching? Is there anything positive to take out of the performance?

Yeah, Australia were good to watch. Cahill's performance was a positive for Everton

Pro. F

DM-ICE wrote: »

Any chance the tactics are letting the midfield down rather than the players in it?

Honestly, imo no. Our CMs are of a very low technical level. I'm a big, big fan of possession football but i do actually think that with very poor central midfielders, like we have, counter attacking football could be best.

shane86

Thought we put in a decent performance against a team that IMO if they were a European side would be the 3rd best in Europe (Id put Holland and Spain in front). Lack of attacking teeth mind, but the defending was, in general, pretty well organised. You can discount the cracker of a dying minute goal in a friendly against Westwood tbh, in all fairness it would have been 1-0 only for Given having been very uncharacteristically caught sleeping for the 2nd goal. As said, though we didnt get much bite up front the passing was pretty top.

Was watching it behind enemy lines here in Queensland ( ) the Aussie pundits/ commentators were slating the Irish Ive seen alot worse performances against worse teams. Having seen this Id put the Aussies as serious contenders for at least the semis next year.

Xavi6

shane86 wrote: »

Thought we put in a decent performance against a team that IMO if they were a European side would be the 3rd best in Europe (Id put Holland and Spain in front). Lack of attacking teeth mind, but the defending was, in general, pretty well organised. You can discount the cracker of a dying minute goal in a friendly against Westwood tbh, in all fairness it would have been 1-0 only for Given having been very uncharacteristically caught sleeping for the 2nd goal. As said, though we didnt get much bite up front the passing was pretty top.

Was watching it behind enemy lines here in Queensland ( ) the Aussie pundits/ commentators were slating the Irish Ive seen alot worse performances against worse teams. Having seen this Id put the Aussies as serious contenders for at least the semis next year.

Lol is somebody looking for sponsorship to stay in Australia? Cause that's the only reason I can think of for the above statements.

PCros

shane86 wrote: »

You can discount the cracker of a dying minute goal in a friendly against Westwood tbh, in all fairness it would have been 1-0 only for Given having been very uncharacteristically caught sleeping for the 2nd goal.

What? Williams smashed his shot with ridiculous power at Given which knocked him over as he parried it and then it fell right for Cahill, no keeper in the world could have done any different.

noodler

Very disappointing abject display. I feel for the fans who paid to watch it.

I am extremely worried now. The midfield was exposed for the umpteenth time since Trap took over. I don't care how much he wants defensive or workmanlike players - if Andy Reid was in there keeping possession and spraying the ball usefully we would be under much less pressure. Also worth mentioning the stats show Reid is nowhere near as lazy as some would belief.

Honestly, can having him in the middle be any more 'lazy' than watching two from Gibson/Andrews/Whelan chase shadows for 90 minutes and be too afraid to get in the box (under orders or not)?

Sorry for not mentioning Ireland but its a damn shame to forget the player who would actually play for his country if selected.

The scareist game, for me in anycase, of the group is on the horizon. The heat combined with how leggy the Cypriots are will mean a torrid time for the Irish midfield as it is. Somebody quote me and then hopefully we can all slag my pessimissm after a win but I am seriously worried Cyprus have the legs to expose our team in ways Bulgaria and even Italy did not.

Dave!

PCros wrote: »

What? Williams smashed his shot with ridiculous power at Given which knocked him over as he parried it and then it fell right for Cahill, no keeper in the world could have done any different.

Most keepers wouldn't have managed the first save tbh. Dunno where we'd be without Given.

Spiritoftheseventies

noodler wrote: »

Very disappointing abject display. I feel for the fans who paid to watch it.

I am extremely worried now. The midfield was exposed for the umpteenth time since Trap took over. I don't care how much he wants defensive or workmanlike players - if Andy Reid was in there keeping possession and spraying the ball usefully we would be under much less pressure. Also worth mentioning the stats show Reid is nowhere near as lazy as some would belief.

Honestly, can having him in the middle be any more 'lazy' than watching two from Gibson/Andrews/Whelan chase shadows for 90 minutes and be too afraid to get in the box (under orders or not)?

Sorry for not mentioning Ireland but its a damn shame to forget the player who would actually play for his country if selected.

The scareist game, for me in anycase, of the group is on the horizon. The heat combined with how leggy the Cypriots are will mean a torrid time for the Irish midfield as it is. Somebody quote me and then hopefully we can all slag my pessimissm after a win but I am seriously worried Cyprus have the legs to expose our team in ways Bulgaria and even Italy did not.

Well we have now have two more options in Stephen Ward (Wolves) and Keith Fahey (Birmingham) in midfield. It will be interesting to see how they adapt to the rigors of the Premiership having plied their trades in the championship and before that the League of Ireland.

noodler

bayviewclose wrote: »

Well we have now have two more options in Stephen Ward (Wolves) and Keith Fahey (Birmingham) in midfield. It will be interesting to see how they adapt to the rigors of the Premiership having plied their trades in the championship and before that the League of Ireland.

And I hope they will be good prospects in the future but or best passer of a football is in his prime now and we aren't even putting him in the sqaud. We don't even have the option of bringing off the bench when we need a goal.

JP Liz

terrible display from Ireland

Spiritoftheseventies

noodler wrote: »

And I hope they will be good prospects in the future but or best passer of a football is in his prime now and we aren't even putting him in the sqaud. We don't even have the option of bringing off the bench when we need a goal.

Well there is no point going there. Trap doesn't want him and then there is the whole Stephen Ireland thing which is also out of our hands. I thought last night would have been a good chance to try out Fahey and Ward.
They are relatively inexperienced but they have both played in the championship. Fahey a very prospect as is Ward.

noodler

bayviewclose wrote: »

Well there is no point going there. Trap doesn't want him and then there is the whole Stephen Ireland thing which is also out of our hands. I thought last night would have been a good chance to try out Fahey and Ward.
They are relatively inexperienced but they have both played in the championship. Fahey a very prospect as is Ward.

Well we keep going on about Ireland - its sickening we pine for one creative player to come back when another is being snubbed for ridiculous reasons.

Anyway, I think it would be worse to stop speaking out about something you deem wrong just because it happens regularly.

Spiritoftheseventies

noodler wrote: »

Well we keep going on about Ireland - its sickening we pine for one creative player to come back when another is being snubbed for ridiculous reasons.

Anyway, I think it would be worse to stop speaking out about something you deem wrong just because it happens regularly.

Agreed but how many times do we have to ask Stephen Ireland is he coming back. I'm of the opinion that we are a poorer team without him but at this stage you have to work with what you have.
As for Andy Reid, he got off on the wrong foot with Trap (the whole incident with breaking curfew on away match) and I think Trap has never forgiven him for showing him up like that.

NabyLadistheman

Dave! wrote: »

Most keepers wouldn't have managed the first save tbh. Dunno where we'd be without Given.

Fact

Spiritoftheseventies

Dave! wrote: »

Most keepers wouldn't have managed the first save tbh. Dunno where we'd be without Given.

In a whole lot of trouble. Given's worth to us immeasurable. But he is not going to be around for ever.

noodler

bayviewclose wrote: »

Agreed but how many times do we have to ask Stephen Ireland is he coming back. I'm of the opinion that we are a poorer team without him but at this stage you have to work with what you have.
As for Andy Reid, he got off on the wrong foot with Trap (the whole incident with breaking curfew on away match) and I think Trap has never forgiven him for showing him up like that.

Thats the ridiculous reason for leaving him out.

bayviewclose wrote: »

In a whole lot of trouble. Given's worth to us immeasurable. But he is not going to be around for ever.

What? He won't? Who told you this?

Spiritoftheseventies

noodler wrote: »

Thats the ridiculous reason for leaving him out.



What? He won't? Who told you this?

Yes managers are a funny lot. Remember Rafa with Keane. It just never took off. They see things completely differently to the rest of us.

thomond2006

You gotta lol at Trap smirking at the end. :(

On another note, it's a big shame that Steven Reid is made of glass, we need him back badly.

Keano

noodler wrote: »

Very disappointing abject display. I feel for the fans who paid to watch it.

I am extremely worried now. The midfield was exposed for the umpteenth time since Trap took over. I don't care how much he wants defensive or workmanlike players - if Andy Reid was in there keeping possession and spraying the ball usefully we would be under much less pressure. Also worth mentioning the stats show Reid is nowhere near as lazy as some would belief.

Honestly, can having him in the middle be any more 'lazy' than watching two from Gibson/Andrews/Whelan chase shadows for 90 minutes and be too afraid to get in the box (under orders or not)?

Sorry for not mentioning Ireland but its a damn shame to forget the player who would actually play for his country if selected.

The scareist game, for me in anycase, of the group is on the horizon. The heat combined with how leggy the Cypriots are will mean a torrid time for the Irish midfield as it is. Somebody quote me and then hopefully we can all slag my pessimissm after a win but I am seriously worried Cyprus have the legs to expose our team in ways Bulgaria and even Italy did not.

I was one of those fans - last minute decision to go as I just though it would be another sluggish Irish performance and sadly that was the fact. No drive to get in position and when we had the ball there was no creativity.

flanzer

bayviewclose wrote: »

Agreed but how many times do we have to ask Stephen Ireland is he coming back. I'm of the opinion that we are a poorer team without him but at this stage you have to work with what you have.
As for Andy Reid, he got off on the wrong foot with Trap (the whole incident with breaking curfew on away match) and I think Trap has never forgiven him for showing him up like that.

I think the problem having an Italian as a manager is their stubborness. I don't think we'll ever see Stephen Ireland back in a green shirt again as I don't think he'll accept him back. Having Liam Brady as a mediator is like John Gormley in charge of the country. He lacks balls and back bone (like his FAI superiors) and I'm beggining to think he lacks knowledege of what other players he has at his disposal.

Stephen Ireland is head and shoulders above any skill that was on offer last night. Andy Reid should at least be given a chance too. Clinton Morrison is another.

Irish International football is already a joke and slipping further and further back into the doldrums.

Back back Kerr I say. After all, he brought Roy back with his smooth, husky talking!

eirebhoy

Terrible performance but I really amn't too bothered. Trap played a long ball game in the 1st half and a lot of the 2nd for some odd reason and it just didn't work. I'm glad it didn't work. I don't us winning by playing football like that and I'm just a bit bewildered as to why he tried it. Trap talked about this game being about physical conditions but still no reason to ask your defenders to skip the midfield time and time again.

backtowalsall wrote: »

He has been playing on the right for Celtic so far this year, and is obviously right footed player. So obvious in fact that every right-back he meets when he plays on the left works out after 15 minutes that there isn't a cat in hells chance of him going down the touchline, and sends him into the middle of the park and eliminates danger of a decent cross.

But you're wanting our wingers on their good side so they can get crosses in. In this day and age it should be the full backs job to put the crosses in. You don't need to beat a player to put a cross in. Duff and McGeady should be playing mainly on the sides they were last night and with the freedom to drift in, play passes to strikers, link up with midfield, take shots on goal. The wide players weren't the problem last night for sure.

I don't think player ratings are needed for last night. The tactics were dreadful.

Spiritoftheseventies

eirebhoy wrote: »

Terrible performance but I really amn't too bothered. Trap played a long ball game in the 1st half and a lot of the 2nd for some odd reason and it just didn't work. I'm glad it didn't work. I don't us winning by playing football like that and I'm just a bit bewildered as to why he tried it. Trap talked about this game being about physical conditions but still no reason to ask your defenders to skip the midfield time and time again.


But you're wanting our wingers on their good side so they can get crosses in. In this day and age it should be the full backs job to put the crosses in. You don't need to beat a player to put a cross in. Duff and McGeady should be playing mainly on the sides they were last night and with the freedom to drift in, play passes to strikers, link up with midfield, take shots on goal. The wide players weren't the problem last night for sure.

I don't think player ratings are needed for last night. The tactics were dreadful.

Yes think we need to give a bit of credit to Australia. A lot of the so called weaker nations are catching up. Look at USA in the Confederations Cup this summer. The gap is closing now.
But I think we are capable of topping our group. Think the Italians are susceptible to the counter attack. But have we the game or the players to expose them.

chezzer

When is the next WC qualie?

and we play italy in landsdowne correct ?

noodler

chezzer wrote: »

When is the next WC qualie?

and we play italy in landsdowne correct ?

Next one is Cyprus away. Arguably the toughest game in the group IMO.

Spiritoftheseventies

noodler wrote: »

Next one is Cyprus away. Arguably the toughest game in the group IMO.

I think rebuilding of Lansdowne Road is on course at the moment but it changes day by the day. So much instability at the moment that you can't take too much for granted.