FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[galwayman]

Wales play football.
We play hoofball.
That's why they'll overtake us in the group.
Hoofball will get you some ground out results when luck goes your way.
But without playing creatively you won't create enough chances on a consistent basis to get the wins needed to top groups.
I look forward to the day when we appoint a manager who actually encourages the players to pass the ball and be creative.

[stew]

Wales play football.
We play hoofball.
That's why they'll overtake us in the group.
Hoofball will get you some ground out results when luck goes your way.
But without playing creatively you won't create enough chances on a consistent basis to get the wins needed to top groups.
I look forward to the day when we appoint a manager who actually encourages the players to pass the ball and be creative.

Well said, I hope Wales catch the south if this is the best O'Neill can do, the business of Ireland hanging on to a slender lead is an embarrassment and has to be soul destroying for creative players.

[T Fearon]

He hasn't got the players,simple as that.Also he hasn't been the same confident manager since he was sacked (prematurely) by Sunderland.I have followed Martin O'Neill's career avidly since I saw him score two goals for Distillery against Glenavon in the Irish Cup in Lurgan in 1971. He has had a phenomenal career at the top level as a player and a manager.However I think it may be coming to an end as he approaches his late 60s.

[stew]

Wales set for maximum points away to Moldova,Georgia and home against Ireland,which will guarantee at least second place.

Not a chance in hell win the last three games, you boys really know how to exaggerate in the moment!

[rodney trotter]

Liam Brady fairly changing his tune, from defending the poor football under trapattoni and not playing Wes. Fibe years later and Hoolahan at 35 is the saviour.

[stew]

Liam Brady fairly changing his tune, from defending the poor football under trapattoni and not playing Wes. Fibe years later and Hoolahan at 35 is the saviour.

Not true, they mentioned his age, that said I am absolutely perplexed by Keane, he is part of this team that has these boys playing crazy gang football in the modern era, O'Neill should be ashamed of himself as should Keane, they need to beat Serbia and they are not going to do that playing the shite football they played against the mighty Georgia.

They can do it, they are capable of it but if they get a lead again and sit back they can f**k off, I would rather they failed to reach the playoffs or the WC proper than see them on the world stage playing that dirge!

[rodney trotter]

They mentioned stats. Ireland had a better points ratio wiith Hoolahan in the team. Don't recall them mentioning his age.

brady even said during the trap era Ireland don't have the technical players to keep the ball. Just defending his Italian buddy.

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Liam Brady fairly changing his tune, from defending the poor football under trapattoni and not playing Wes. Fibe years later and Hoolahan at 35 is the saviour.

Not true, they mentioned his age, that said I am absolutely perplexed by Keane, he is part of this team that has these boys playing crazy gang football in the modern era, O'Neill should be ashamed of himself as should Keane, they need to beat Serbia and they are not going to do that playing the shite football they played against the mighty Georgia.

They can do it, they are capable of it but if they get a lead again and sit back they can f**k off, I would rather they failed to reach the playoffs or the WC proper than see them on the world stage playing that dirge!

The ridiculous thing is they are not playing crazy gang football. If you are going to play hoofball have 2 big target men like Walters and Murphy and have the midfield pour forward to get to the knock downs instead we have one small guy on his own trying to chase all the punt forwards absolute madness.

[rodney trotter]

What football were ye expecting? Anyone who saw Georgia in Dublin would know they look a better footballing team then Ireland despite their ranking. They drew with Wales in Cardiff. Ireland struggled against them home and away,in the last qualifiers for the Euros also.

Ireland don't have the players to blitz teams. At least Wales have a match winner in Bale. Woodburn who scored last night at Liverpool looks another talent. Ireland have no players at big clubs.

[T Fearon]

Ironically the North of Ireland under Michael O'Neill,playing a superior brand of football,and in a group equally as tough as Ireland's,will secure runners up spot,with two games to spare,with a draw at home to Czech Republic tomorrow night.

Is the wrong M O'Neill in charge in Dublin?

[An Watcher]

The North have obviously the best top seed however the other teams in with them are poor.  The Czech and Norwegian teams of old were excellent but this current crop are not.  Ireland meanwhile got a good top seed in Wales but I think Serbia were 4th seeds or something and how the Georgians are bottom seeds I'll never know. 
I agree that they do play a good brand of football but their group is easier than Ireland's

[Syferus]

The Georgians were badly seeded because they're a shite football team from a backwards country. We don't have the excuses they have for being so poor.

[T Fearon]

I think the North are a better team.Evans and Davis are a better calibre of player than anything the FAI side has,they manage games very well,concede very few goals,and unbelievably are on course for a record fifth consecutive win in competitive games.I think the overall strength of their group is at least on a par with the FAI's.

In short if the North were to meet the south in a play off,currently I would favour the North,and it's all down to the management.

[Fat Angry Motorist]

I think the North are a better team.Evans and Davis are a better calibre of player than anything the FAI side has,they manage games very well,concede very few goals,and unbelievably are on course for a record fifth consecutive win in competitive games.I think the overall strength of their group is at least on a par with the FAI's.

In short if the North were to meet the south in a play off,currently I would favour the North,and it's all down to the management.

I agree with this.  The north remind me of the south under Charlton, able to make the most of their resources and the whole being greater than the sum of the parts, or whatever that phrase is.  International football is generally shite and that's probably why a team as poor as Ireland are ranked 29th.  Low quality players and I include Cristiano Hoolahan in that and a manager who probably thinks 0-0 at home against Antarctica is a good result.

[AZOffaly]

A fair few lads were touting Martin O'Neill as a Liverpool Manager back when Rodgers got the job. I could never understand that.