FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[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 

[AZOffaly]

We don't have Ronnie Whelan, Liam Brady or Paul McGrath anymore, nor do we have anyone at the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City or Man United. But we do have quite a few players who are Premier League players.

Darren Randolph was in the West Ham team last year.

Ciaran Clark is Newcastle
Seamus Coleman is Everton
Shane Duffy is Brighton
Stephen Ward is Burnley

Harry Artur Bournemouth
Robbie Brady Burnley
Jeff Hendrick Burnley
James McCarthy Everton
James McLean West Brom

Shane Long Southampton
John Walters Burnley


So Randolph aside, and even he with recent Premier League experience, you could actually name a full XI that are currently playing in the premier league.

[laoislad]

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.

Glenn Whelan plays for Aston Villa in the Championship.

[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.

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 .

This might be the most typical GAABoard post of all time. Proven wrong, so instead of making a sinecere response acknowledging they misspoke they instead take a swipe at the poster and then try to move the goal-posts they set with their very own words to try to save face.

C'mon man.

[JoG2]

We don't have Ronnie Whelan, Liam Brady or Paul McGrath anymore, nor do we have anyone at the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City or Man United. But we do have quite a few players who are Premier League players.

Darren Randolph was in the West Ham team last year.

Ciaran Clark is Newcastle
Seamus Coleman is Everton
Shane Duffy is Brighton
Stephen Ward is Burnley

Harry Artur Bournemouth
Robbie Brady Burnley
Jeff Hendrick Burnley
James McCarthy Everton
James McLean West Brom

Shane Long Southampton
John Walters Burnley


So Randolph aside, and even he with recent Premier League experience, you could actually name a full XI that are currently playing in the premier league.

So, why do most expect half the Burnley team with a smattering of Bournemouth, West Brom, Brighton, Everton and a Southampton striker who can't score and no player near world level to automatically qualify for a major tournament? It takes a good manager to make a silk purse out of a sows ear, and MON is doing rightly so far

[AZOffaly]

They are premier league players. There are over 30 teams that qualify for this tournament, and when you are in a group where the best team is Serbia, I think you're entitled to hope they would at least make the playoffs, and should be challenging for the top spot. Serbia dropped points all over the shop as well. We weren't in a group with Germany, Italy and Spain like.

Nobody expects Ireland to win a World Cup, but when this draw was made, it was probably the best draw IReland could have got as a 4th seed, and I think the group panned out that way.

[thewobbler]

Nobody expects automatic qualification from Ireland.

But I, along others, fail to see why Ireland players should be banned from exhibiting technique, composure and interchange play, when almost every nation outside of this and our neighbouring isle, expect these as the minimum attributes from their national representatives.

That over a dozen Irish men currently make millions from EPL football should be enough to suggest that MON should entrust them a little more.