The players: I would agree with his synopsis of the players. A lot of players have performed poorly and are simply not good enough. Our 2 full-back are terrible. John O'Shea has never delivered in a green shirt and Ward on the other side is barely a Chapionship standard player. Mark Wilson was not offered the same forgiveness as Jon Walters last May and is still in the wilderness. A large portion of responsibility must be placed on Shay Given who is clearly not fit. Kieron Westwood should have started instead. Given has been to blame for several goals. His time is up unfortunately and like his Donegal predecessor Packie Bonner he will leave the international stage disappointed. Not one player has come out of this with any pride in tact. We are a limited side but "they showed plenty of effort" doesn't cut it. Watching Xavi make 127 successful passes is an abomination of our pride. He waltz around 90 minutes with no pressure on him. Simon Cox didn't have a clue what he was doing. In the end we should be thankful it was only 4 goals.
The fans: I would also say that their is a huge party element with the fans. Not a lot of them attend the home games and this tournament is merely an early holiday. It has been described favourably as Oxygen(music festival) on steroids which is a sham (ironically that festival is not on this year). There was an estimated 32,000 at the Spain game. There could easily be same number of seats empty when the qualifiers come around. Fans seem more concerned at partying than performance on the pitch. With all means support the team but as Keane mentioned the "win or lose we are on the booze" is not acceptable. I would have been gutted had I been over there - a night with plastic plastics after the Spain game would have infuriated me. 10 years of attending home games and I am still recovering from the Israel game in 06 qualifiers. I am hearing "the worse team and best fans" and "the fans deserve an award" been thrown about- very patronising and embarrassing. Another heavy defeat v Italy would leave me wondering if we would have been better off not qualifying at all. Our fans are epitomised by the head of the FAI John Delaney - a shambles of a man, Earns 300,000 a year and has been on the piss up for the whole tournament with the fans. Our domestic game and youth setup is in disarray. He is also revered by the fans
The future: I can see Trap brining us close to qualification and leaving us in the dark ages for a long time afterwards. Germany, Sweden and Austria are in our WC group. Swedes are decent in qualifying despite their poor performances. As for our fans we need to take a look at ourselves - maybe set up a Des Lynam inspired fan academy ;). Interesting to see the attendences for the qualifiers as well
My predictions have been terrible. Still think Roy Ken will do something to Chiles though!
As I'm writing this, Italy have just scored. Given again with a rick. I was actually typing to say that in the space of a minute he's rushed out of the box and been skinned, followed by fumbling a straightforward stop out for a corner, then the corner comes in and he gets beaten incredibly easily. He really has been found wanting this tournament. I agree with what you say about him not being fit but Trap seems unable to drop any of the senior players.
ReplyDeleteThe fullbacks have been poor and there's been no threat from the forward players. I find it baffling that McLean isn't getting a look in. I don't buy into the excuse that he hasn't played many minutes in competitive International football, especially after a very accomplished season in the Premier League for Sunderland. Walters, who is also on the back of a good season, would surely have offered a better outlet than the Doyle/Keane partnership.
I was watching ITV when Roy was making the, now infamous, comments and he didn't look a happy man (not that he ever does) at all. I agree that there should be some accountability. As has been discussed on this blog, this is the last time there will be a 16 team tournament and to qualify for it is a good achievement for Ireland. But it shouldn't end there. It shouldn't be a case of "oh well, at least we got a chance to go". I watched a fair bit of Ireland during the qualifying campaign and they were a hard team to break down. The performances in the first two games were dreadful in comparison. Typically they started the best they have done against Italy, but it's too late.
What was the RTE analysis of the Spain game Kev? Would be interesting to hear if they were as critical of the Ireland performance, especially given direct analysis the are known for.
As an aside, I find myself cringing at a lot of the commentating and analysis on both BBC and ITV. Chiles should get a job as a chubby punchbag, Mark Bright is as charismatic as a genital wart and Mark Lawrenson is a massive twat.
Hope you guys are doing well. How's the Boston situation Kevlar?
Morris, when are you coming to visit? I'm going to try and take in a few different London grounds this season. First up I'm expecting the Emirates followed by Underhill.
I forgot to add... I read about John Delaney and he does sound like a disgrace. The fans love him because he chucks a couple of thousand Euro behind whatever bar he finds himself in. He's looked twatted on any picture I've ever seen of him.
ReplyDeleteZinedine Kilbane has been getting in on the act too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLV9WyrfsbU
On rte they have been fairly passive so far. Liam Brady was a coach with Trap in last campaign so the lads have been taking it easy. Dunphy only decided to lose it at 4:30 when he was with Hamann and Cunningham.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRn5J4eC2CQ
Most of the goals Ireland have conceded have been set-pieces as well. Very interesting team will be put out v Serbia. Given and Duff will go. Still need to keep Richard Dunne - Keanes role needs to be reduced as impact sub. In fairness to Zizou - he got out with his rep in tact even if his rapping lets him down.
The commentators are terrible I have been listening to Ian Drake and Steve mcManaman on ESPN. Fairly decent suprigingly with a bit of banter thrown in as well. Lawrenson comes across very bitter despite having one of the best jobs in the world
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDCQLVILuH4
All is going well in Boston.Starting my new job in Insurance tomorrow after a 100 day search. Last month was hairy but all is good now. Sinead is coming over in July - I think her brother is playing football here. Morrissey announced he is playing here in October so might get to see the "Pope of Mope". Weather was 34c today - Any Olympic tickets got?