FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[thewobbler]

Ireland play conservatively for a reason, Ireland aren't good enough or MON doesn't spend enough time with is players to be able to play good football one game and conservatively the next. He has to pick a style of football and stick with it.

If Ireland had played a better brand of football with that squad of players or tried changing form game to game they'd have finished 3rd or 4th.

This squad is a miles away in quality from the 2002 team.

What he said.

Given the talent at his disposal MON is completely right to play conservatively. Regardless of whether the team make it past the playoffs or not, Ireland are simply not good enough to play "attractive football". It's mind-boggling how someone would choose entertainment over competitiveness.

See, football is not as black and white as you make out.

Efficient, conservative football will never be as attractive as free flowing football. But not does it have to consist of continually booting the ball 90 yards.

Ireland don't have the players to compete against the best teams. But there wasn't even a remnant of a top class side in our group. If Serbia or Wales look technically superior it is only because they've been encouraged to play football. Your heads in the sand if you think otherwise.

—

The biggest problem with MON's approach is that should we make Russia, it's likely that it'll be a repeat of Euro 2012. It's one thing, in my opinion, to be beaten by a better team. It's another to look completely incapacitated on an individual level  due to tactics.

[clarshack]

why aren't the North getting the same stick as the Republic? their tactics are pretty similar but they seem to get praise instead of criticism? in their recent 2-0 win against the Czech Republic, the Czechs actually had 77% possession that evening.

[gallsman]

Probably because there aren't too many NI fans on the board.

[Esmarelda]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

[Syferus]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Irish soccer has never been about entertainment.

[general_lee]

Ireland play conservatively for a reason, Ireland aren't good enough or MON doesn't spend enough time with is players to be able to play good football one game and conservatively the next. He has to pick a style of football and stick with it.

If Ireland had played a better brand of football with that squad of players or tried changing form game to game they'd have finished 3rd or 4th.

This squad is a miles away in quality from the 2002 team.

What he said.

Given the talent at his disposal MON is completely right to play conservatively. Regardless of whether the team make it past the playoffs or not, Ireland are simply not good enough to play "attractive football". It's mind-boggling how someone would choose entertainment over competitiveness.

See, football is not as black and white as you make out.

Efficient, conservative football will never be as attractive as free flowing football. But not does it have to consist of continually booting the ball 90 yards.

Ireland don't have the players to compete against the best teams. But there wasn't even a remnant of a top class side in our group. If Serbia or Wales look technically superior it is only because they've been encouraged to play football. Your heads in the sand if you think otherwise.

—

The biggest problem with MON's approach is that should we make Russia, it's likely that it'll be a repeat of Euro 2012. It's one thing, in my opinion, to be beaten by a better team. It's another to look completely incapacitated on an individual level  due to tactics.

Wales looked technically superior because they went with a passing game last night. Were they tactically superior though? Absolutely not. Ireland could easily have went with the same tactics but that would be completely idiotic in a game in which they simply had to win. They were happy to let Wales have possession and indeed probably expected that, went with aggressive tackling and counter attacking football and took the chance when it came. The reality is MON has the team playing to its strengths, yes it isn't pretty but more often than not it gets results

[tiempo]

Sure you could cut loose a bit against a weak team and tighten up and play conservatively against a direct competitor or very strong opponent especially away from home. I can see why the 1 dimensional approach against some but no harm in dropping the shoulders and letting it all hang out against the minnows.

Seems like they are a one trick pony, fair enough, a lot to be admired in great team spirit too, wouldn't go amiss in the Holland or Argentina camps of late I would imagine.

[JoG2]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Keyboard manager of the month goes to.....

[seafoid]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Irish soccer has never been about entertainment.

Eoin Hand's team used to.play a bit . Mick McCarthy was decent as well as a manager.

[seafoid]

Serbia is a serious soccer country. 7M people, exposure to top continental teams, very good coaches, no rugby or GAA.

Wales are a bit like us.

[NetNitrate]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Irish soccer has never been about entertainment.

Eoin Hand's team used to.play a bit . Mick McCarthy was decent as well as a manager.

Eoin Hand's team played some wonderful football for the 1982 WC qualifiers, but went downhill after that. There was on game against Spain in either 84 or 86 qualifiers where the Irish team, with a lot better players than we have now, tried to backpass it to the goalie all night for a full 90 mins. Still ended up losing 2:0.

[JoG2]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Irish soccer has never been about entertainment.

Eoin Hand's team used to.play a bit . Mick McCarthy was decent as well as a manager.

Eoin Hand's team played some wonderful football for the 1982 WC qualifiers, but went downhill after that. There was on game against Spain in either 84 or 86 qualifiers where the Irish team, with a lot better players than we have now, tried to backpass it to the goalie all night for a full 90 mins. Still ended up losing 2:0.

Indeed, we currently don't have the likes of Whelan and Brady to make the team tick. 2 players with serious world level pedigree. Today's equivalent is a player who struggles to hold a regular spot in a Championship team. We continue to punch above our weight, haven't played silky football in my lifetime, yet there's this crazy sense of entitlement among many. Imagine being a Tyrone and Ireland man, you'd explode with the levels entitlement!

[Syferus]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Irish soccer has never been about entertainment.

Eoin Hand's team used to.play a bit . Mick McCarthy was decent as well as a manager.

Eoin Hand's team played some wonderful football for the 1982 WC qualifiers, but went downhill after that. There was on game against Spain in either 84 or 86 qualifiers where the Irish team, with a lot better players than we have now, tried to backpass it to the goalie all night for a full 90 mins. Still ended up losing 2:0.

Indeed, we currently don't have the likes of Whelan and Brady to make the team tick. 2 players with serious world level pedigree. Today's equivalent is a player who struggles to hold a regular spot in a Championship team. We continue to punch above our weight, haven't played silky football in my lifetime, yet there's this crazy sense of entitlement among many. Imagine being a Tyrone and Ireland man, you'd explode with the levels entitlement!

I agree with your sentiment, but you're belying your lack of research here. Arter and Hendrick are both PL starters, Meyler was one until Hull got relegated in May, and McCarthy plays for a perennial top 6-7 team, usually starting when fit. Even Glenn Whelan is still a PL player. Coupled with Brady and McClean, we're naming pretty much an all-PL midfield in most games.

[JoG2]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Irish soccer has never been about entertainment.

Eoin Hand's team used to.play a bit . Mick McCarthy was decent as well as a manager.

Eoin Hand's team played some wonderful football for the 1982 WC qualifiers, but went downhill after that. There was on game against Spain in either 84 or 86 qualifiers where the Irish team, with a lot better players than we have now, tried to backpass it to the goalie all night for a full 90 mins. Still ended up losing 2:0.

Indeed, we currently don't have the likes of Whelan and Brady to make the team tick. 2 players with serious world level pedigree. Today's equivalent is a player who struggles to hold a regular spot in a Championship team. We continue to punch above our weight, haven't played silky football in my lifetime, yet there's this crazy sense of entitlement among many. Imagine being a Tyrone and Ireland man, you'd explode with the levels entitlement!

I agree with your sentiment, but you're belying your lack of research here. Arter and Hendrick are both PL starters, Meyler was one until Hull got relegated in May, and McCarthy plays for a perennial top 6-7 team, usually starting when fit. Even Glenn Whelan is still a PL player. Coupled with Brady and McClean, we're naming pretty much an all-PL midfield in most games.

no, in your haste to add another post, you conveniently sidestepped the world level pedigree part of my post. Players who hold and control the tempo of the game and keep the ball off the opposition. The players you've mentioned are decent functioning midfielders, but not of the ilk Hand had to work with .

[NAG1]

I agree with thewobbler. Teams no better than Ireland are competing well without resorting to this caveman football. Iceland being one example.

Ireland passed the ball around last night on a few occasions so why not more often?

Murphy's second goal on Friday, regardless of the opposition, came at the end of a beautiful move. Hoolahan's pass out to Ward was great. Why isn't it encouraged against the likes of Georgia? Is it right to tell our players that they better hoof it because Georgia are just too damn good?

People are entitle to say the end justifies the means but, although I'll be a sad day when I don't tune in, there's often very little enjoyment in watching.

Irish soccer has never been about entertainment.

Eoin Hand's team used to.play a bit . Mick McCarthy was decent as well as a manager.

Eoin Hand's team played some wonderful football for the 1982 WC qualifiers, but went downhill after that. There was on game against Spain in either 84 or 86 qualifiers where the Irish team, with a lot better players than we have now, tried to backpass it to the goalie all night for a full 90 mins. Still ended up losing 2:0.

Indeed, we currently don't have the likes of Whelan and Brady to make the team tick. 2 players with serious world level pedigree. Today's equivalent is a player who struggles to hold a regular spot in a Championship team. We continue to punch above our weight, haven't played silky football in my lifetime, yet there's this crazy sense of entitlement among many. Imagine being a Tyrone and Ireland man, you'd explode with the levels entitlement!

I agree with your sentiment, but you're belying your lack of research here. Arter and Hendrick are both PL starters, Meyler was one until Hull got relegated in May, and McCarthy plays for a perennial top 6-7 team, usually starting when fit. Even Glenn Whelan is still a PL player. Coupled with Brady and McClean, we're naming pretty much an all-PL midfield in most games.

Then why do we by pass them so much