Denmark vs Ireland, World Cup Play-Off 1st Leg, kick-off 7.45, RTE 2 & Sky Sports

smelly sock

AllGunsBlazing wrote: »

Only if he creates it for himself. Tactically, O'Neill will approach this exactly the same way as Copenhagen.

We need to score though. Surely O'Neill needs to try and seize the initiative.

If we concede I cant see us going to Russia.

Wes must start.

Zico !

alta stare wrote: »

To be fair to Arter i thought he played well last night so it will be a tough decision who to leave out.

Not really O Dowdas going to be dropped and Wes is in

AllGunsBlazing

smelly sock wrote: »

We need to score though.

As do Denmark. Which is exactly how MON will see it. Not a hope of Wes getting the nod. He will be the nuclear option if we go behind.

Mocha Joe

I think Meyler in for O'Dowda. Playing behind arter and hendrick in midfield. McClean left wing and Brady right wing. Long up front.

Id be pretty happy with that team.

tayto lover

At least we can get in Erikson's face on Tue as yellow cards in this game won't make a lot of difference. The players can swap around regarding who hits him.

Unearthly

Can't wait for Tuesday night now. I'll be a nervous wreck.

niallo27

Unearthly wrote: »

Can't wait for Tuesday night now. I'll be a nervous wreck.

I thought I would be nervous on Saturday but as the game went on I knew Duffy would deal with every long ball and we would do enough. I don't know did the constant hoofball also kill my spirt.

Unearthly

niallo27 wrote: »

I thought I would be nervous on Saturday but as the game went on I knew Duffy would deal with every long ball and we would do enough. I don't know did the constant hoofball also kill my spirt.

Yeah it won't be a good game of football but what's up for grabs makes it a nervous tense match

Ferris_Bueller

Surprised to read so much negative comments on here after last night, a 0-0 draw away in Denmark is a good result and as others have said we would definitely have taken a one off game in Dublin to qualify for the world cup. The match was terrible but we executed the plan and got a result, in MONs eyes we are 50% of the job done, now to do the other half on Tuesday.

Hard to call how we will set up, if we set up as defensively as we did last night or against Wales then I don't think we will score, I think we will have to go for it a little bit more although I'm not expecting to dominate possession or anything like that. O'Dowda probably didn't do enough for me to start again but he could be an option off the bench, Hendrick and Brady have been poor lately for us and I would like to see one of them dropped but it would be a big call. Most likely thing to happen I would say is Meyler & Long in for O'Dowda & Murphy.

fryup

the denmark coach got narky when a reporter suggested it was a bad game...his reaction was bizzare to such a valid question, maybe he's feeling the pressure??

2.45 in...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RNEWxxM07M

Banjaxed82

O'Dowda started in Copenhagen. Predicting the starting 11 is futile.

noodler

fryup wrote: »

the denmark coach got narky when a reporter suggested it was a bad game...his reaction was bizzare to such a valid question, maybe he's feeling the pressure??

2.45 in...

Thought the reporter was being a bit of a bellend tbh.

noodler

Banjaxed82 wrote: »

O'Dowda started in Copenhagen. Predicting the starting 11 is futile.

Not really.

Meyler was out so a decision had to be made.

I'd say Murphy and O'Dowda are the only likely changes as others have suggested.

tigger123

I'd say Meyler is a dead cert after his last few performances.

smelly sock

Away goals are the major issue now. Its not a typical one off game in that regard.

smelly sock

smelly sock wrote: »

Away goals are the major issue now. Its not a typical one off game in that regard.

And you think in a game where conceding a goal hurts us even more then normal Martin will go more attacking?

smelly sock

[Deleted User] wrote: »

And you think in a game where conceding a goal hurts us even more then normal Martin will go more attacking?

I think he should. I think we could score a couple against these lads if we go at them.

munsterlegend

smelly sock wrote: »

Away goals are the major issue now. Its not a typical one off game in that regard.

One thing I can never understand is how away goals still count double in extra time. I suppose one way would be a golden goal to end it or just go to penalties if level again at 1-1.

munsterlegend

munsterlegend wrote: »

One thing I can never understand is how away goals still count double in extra time. I suppose one way would be a golden goal to end it or just go to penalties if level again at 1-1.

From what I remember matches that go to penos majorly favour the home team so you need something to keep it balanced I guess

FixdePitchmark

munsterlegend wrote: »

One thing I can never understand is how away goals still count double in extra time. I suppose one way would be a golden goal to end it or just go to penalties if level again at 1-1.

The logic you could say is - it is unfair that the away team are playing extra time away. So for that reason the double continue.

I can see other arguments.

noodler

FixdePitchmark wrote: »

The logic you could say is - it is unfair that the away team are playing extra time away. So for that reason the double continue.

I can see other arguments.

Well put.

Banjaxed82

smelly sock wrote: »

Away goals are the major issue now. Its not a typical one off game in that regard.

Since (and including) the 1998 World Cup, and the beginning of the modern European playoffs as we know it, there have only been 3 games that were determined by the away goals rule.

There hasnt been a match settled by away goals rule since 2010 qualification.

Of the 3 games that were decided by away goals since 1998, Ireland (beaten by Turkey) was one of them. In this instance, Ireland were away in the 2nd leg. Incidentally, none of the 3 games decided by away goals were 0-0 in the 1st leg.

Kermit.de.frog

I think we can win but if we concede one I don't think we'll score two goals.


Given our style of play I think we have left ourselves more vulnerable than most to the away goal rule.

Cake Man

I think it would depend on when we would concede. If Denmark were to score first, then I would find it hard to see us scoring two - one right after another. As we're not set up to chase games, the psychological mountain of needing two straight goals (obviously without conceding as well) would probably be too much to ask.


However, if we scored first and they equalised I'd still be hopeful knowing we'd be just one kick of a ball away from Russia. I'd be confident in that scenario (i.e. locked at 1-1 going into the last 10mins for example) that we'd get at least one or two good chances to grab a winner, we'd just have to take it.

Kermit.de.frog

Cake Man wrote: »

I think it would depend on when we would concede. If Denmark were to score first, then I would find it hard to see us scoring two - one right after another. As we're not set up to chase games, the psychological mountain of needing two straight goals (obviously without conceding as well) would probably be too much to ask.


However, if we scored first and they equalised I'd still be hopeful knowing we'd be just one kick of a ball away from Russia. I'd be confident in that scenario (i.e. locked at 1-1 going into the last 10mins for example) that we'd get at least one or two good chances to grab a winner, we'd just have to take it.

Our style makes us almost uniquely vulnerable though. You know if we go 1 - 0 up we will sit back and invite the pressure.

It's an ok tactic, mostly work's for O'Neill's teams. However it's a dice roll. I'd say 8 times out of 10 it works. But then there is that one game it really backfires.

Ireland could be trashed in any match playing that way. Is this the game the luck runs out?

Hope not!

I think we can do it, I just feel we have put ourselves in an awkward situation.

D.Q

0-0 penalties

Cake Man

I just wouldn't fancy us at all in a penalty shoot-out, think our best hope would be to pinch it 1-0/2-1 either in normal time or extra time. I wonder are the lads spending time in training practising penalties though, just in case?


For a bit of fun, let's say it did go all the way, who would you pick to take 5 penos? Suppose it would depend on who's on the pitch at that stage but maybe Brady, McClean, Hendrick, Meyler, Wes (not necessarily in that order).

PVA

1-0, 73rd minute

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

fryup

fryup wrote: »

the denmark coach got narky when a reporter suggested it was a bad game...his reaction was bizzare to such a valid question, maybe he's feeling the pressure??

2.45 in...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RNEWxxM07M

noodler wrote: »

Thought the reporter was being a bit of a bellend tbh.

how so? it was a civil question i thought, it was a very poor game after all

limnam

fryup wrote: »

how so? it was a civil question i thought, it was a very poor game after all

His tone was antagonistic.

Far from civil.

LuckyLloyd

applehunter wrote: »

We see things differently.

Tonight probably reminded you of the glory days of Trap.

Saturday night reminded me of four of the last five qualifying campaigns where we have been live for qualification going into the second leg of the playoff. A long period of sustained competitiveness despite oceans of whinging about tactics, selection and approach.

dfx- wrote: »

You can't qualify by drawing 0-0 twice. You have to score a goal at some point, even by penalty shootout. Not scoring is not getting the job done.

Ireland essentially voluntarily conceded the advantage of the away goal to Denmark tonight.

Our odds of qualifying as reflected in betting exchanges are improved following Saturday's result. While our defensiveness mitigated against us scoring, it also successfully nullified their superior technical players for the vast majority of the game.

Ahead of the Wales match we would all have been delighted to be in this position. We need to nick a goal, it is highly possible.

LuckyLloyd

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

I don't get what all the cafuffle is about. Stop thinking of this as a 2 legged game. The 0-0 has done away with that.

At the start of the campaign if Ireland were offered a one off home game against Denmark in which they HAD to win to qualify for the world cup you'd have taken the hand off the chap offering it.

This is completely the correct attitude.

LuckyLloyd

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Saturday night reminded me of four of the last qualifying campaigns where we have been live for qualification going into the second leg of the playoff. A long period of sustained competitiveness despite oceans of whinging about tactics, selection and approach.



Our odds of qualifying as reflected in betting exchanges are improved following Saturday's result. While our defensiveness mitigated against us scoring, it also successfully nullified their superior technical players for the vast majority of the game.

Ahead of the Wales match we would all have been delighted to be in this position. We need to nick a goal, it is highly possible.

It was pure pot luck tbh and only for some wonder saves pulled off by Randolph we would have lost.

LuckyLloyd

M!Ck^ wrote: »

It was pure pot luck tbh and only for some wonder saves pulled off by Randolph we would have lost.

Nah

They had two good chances in 90 mins of football where they were the heavily favoured (Ireland were 6 / 1 to win) and significantly superior team from a technical perspective; at home. They were always likely to get chances, being limited to a couple at most is what you're aiming for. Moreover, our record is beginning to tot up over a long string of games. We are good defensively, there's nothing lucky about it.

Rekop dog

M!Ck^ wrote: »

It was pure pot luck tbh and only for some wonder saves pulled off by Randolph we would have lost.

They had very few clear opportunities all game and wonder saves is way ott.

If you think our consistently excellent defensive record is "pure pot luck" you very much lack the analytical ability to have a respected opinion on this matter.

LuckyLloyd

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Nah

They had two good chances in 90 mins of football where they were the heavily favoured (Ireland were 6 / 1 to win) and significantly superior team from a technical perspective; at home. They were always likely to get chances, being limited to a couple at most is what you're aiming for. Moreover, our record is beginning to tot up over a long string of games. We are good defensively, there's nothing lucky about it.

Rekop dog wrote: »

They had very few clear opportunities all game and wonder saves is way ott.

If you think our consistently excellent defensive record is "pure pot luck" you very much lack the analytical ability to have a respected opinion on this matter.

The approach was wrong again. Not stringing a few passes together is not the way to play football. Regardless of setting up defensively.
Giving them the ball back over and over via clear directive is not good enough. No matter what team you have and what the technical ability of the team is.

Randolph pulled off a double save which arguably could be considered one of the finest saves throughout the group stages and the play-offs combined.

Harry Palmr

Two cavemen throwing rocks at one another.

ThunbergsAreGo

M!Ck^ wrote: »

The approach was wrong again. Not stringing a few passes together is not the way to play football. Regardless of setting up defensively.
Giving them the ball back over and over via clear directive is not good enough. No matter what team you have and what the technical ability of the team is.

Randolph pulled off a double save which arguably could be considered one of the finest saves throughout the group stages and the play-offs combined.

Really? Good to get up for the second effort but all the other saves were ones he would expect to make

naughtb4

naughtb4 wrote: »

Really? Good to get up for the second effort but all the other saves were ones he would expect to make

Yes really

johnpatrick81

As Duffy said afterwards, he did his job. They weren’t in any way special saves. The second was arguably the closest to special, and that was directly related to a save he might have dealt with better.

Back on point though, they carved us open twice, both of which came from rebounds. The other was a set piece.

The cross field ball when o dowda switched off was the only time they opened us up.

So no, not pot luck. Far from it. A great defensive display.

johnpatrick81

johnpatrick81 wrote: »

As Duffy said afterwards, he did his job. They weren’t in any way special saves. The second was arguably the closest to special, and that was directly related to a save he might have dealt with better.

Back on point though, they carved us open twice, both of which came from rebounds. The other was a set piece.

The cross field ball when o dowda switched off was the only time they opened us up.

So no, not pot luck. Far from it. A great defensive display.

A backs to the wall display.

johnpatrick81

M!Ck^ wrote: »

A backs to the wall display.

As a united fan you of all people should appreciate that.

johnpatrick81

johnpatrick81 wrote: »

As a united fan you of all people should appreciate that.

What do a premiership team have to do how the Republic Ireland setup and play?

johnpatrick81

M!Ck^ wrote: »

What do a premiership team have to do how the Republic Ireland setup and play?

Oh Christ. Again with this. It’s the same bloody sport. A team not wanting to give anything away to a team on their home ground should be very familiar to you as a Mourinho fan.

LuckyLloyd

M!Ck^ wrote: »

What do a premiership team have to do how the Republic Ireland setup and play?

Well it might be considered hypocritical to laud Jose Mourinho for doing something yet criticize Martin O'Neill for doing the 'best possible' version of the same thing - best possible when relative technical ability of either squad and the pressure / stakes at hand are accounted for.

Now I don't know whether you've been lauding Mourinho's negative approach in big games or not, but some Utd fans have been. And I'd suggest that there are many ardent club fans generally who fail to logically tally their expectations on a club weekend with an International weekend.

Rekop dog

Llyod on fire ITT

LuckyLloyd

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Well it might be considered hypocritical to laud Jose Mourinho for doing something yet criticize Martin O'Neill for doing the 'best possible' version of the same thing - best possible when relative technical ability of either squad and the pressure / stakes at hand are accounted for.

Now I don't know whether you've been lauding Mourinho's negative approach in big games or not, but some Utd fans have been. And I'd suggest that there are many ardent club fans generally who fail to logically tally their expectations on a club weekend with an International weekend.

If someone feels the need to bring Man Utd into a near every conversation about the Republic of Ireland thread then I think they are loosing it a bit.

In particular when that team are second in the league and have the second highest goal difference in said league they must be doing something more than backs to the wall every game to achieve said points and goals.

Doctor Jimbob

M!Ck^ wrote: »

If someone feels the need to bring Man Utd into a near every conversation about the Republic of Ireland thread then I think they are loosing it a bit.

In particular when that team are second in the league and have the second highest goal difference in said league they must be doing something more than backs to the wall every game to achieve said points and goals.

You could make the same argument about the fact Ireland have made it this far though...

johnpatrick81

But when someone can’t see the irony of lauding one manager and hammering the other for using the same tactics, even when the former has a far greater skill set at his disposal, then that someone has lost it completely.