Georgia v Ireland - 2 September

We generally play our most exciting stuff when our backs are to the wall and we draw caution to the wind. That's actually why Saturday's result will make for a better specticle on Tuesday.

 

I think in this group we are all more or less of similar quality. We are well organized and won't concede much but then others are better in attack but more likely to concede.

 

We've been fairly lucky to get to the position we are in as we've been poor in most games. We could have lost 2 points easily in all of the draws we got, at the same time we nearly nicked it in Georgia (mcgeady) and even against Wales and Austria at home.

 

It's going to be very close either way and we just have to hope we get the rub of the green. Our issues in possession are not going to change over night. So hopefully we see the likes of Hoolihan starting, drop Whelan and give it a proper go on Tuesday. Would prefer that and lose vs. a cagey performance and draw and prolong the agony

That's just crazy talk now. If Wes wasn't making a difference, then I wouldn't want him. But statistically he does, so I do.

 

Yes it changed the momentum because it looked like earlier in the campaign we might actually do it the easy way for once!

But over the last few games we've let the momentum go. Georgia was just another bad result but we've been lucky to get 4 points from them this campaign, our performances did not deserve that many. We stole the momentum to this point!

 

 

 

 

I read at the weekend that our group could possibly miss out

 

It was a shocking performance and full of real stupidity tactically in my opinion. In that heat and humidity, to set your stall out to hoof it down the channels with no support and hand initiative back to the home team who have shown they are decent enough on the ball was suicide. Not asking for us to turn into Spain but ESPECIALLY after an early goal, try and keep it for a few minutes and maybe apply some more pressure ourselves and at the very least go in at half time 1-0 up. I really think it was summed up at the start of the second half where we kicked it off and you would think the lads have just had a bollocking for a terrible first half performance - they immediately kick it long and hand it back to Georgia. It's a little thing but jesus it summed it up for me.

Again I'm not under any illusions with how MON has set us up so far, we are not a passing team but 30% possession against Georgia is simply not good enough. Just play it a bit smart for crying out loud. We were so deep which always happens as soon as we score - get the message out there to push up 5 or 10 yards, stop retreating, that's on management and that's on our experienced players in the team. You play long ball and expect Shane Long to win it, head it to himself, take a few touches and then eventually pass it when the midfield manages to make up the ground to him? 

It was a hugely disappointing and damaging result and performance in terms of momentum more than anything. We have shown we're capable of a big performance after a poor one, but Wales & Austria at home were both very poor performances too. Considering where we were at the start of the year it's worrying how it's gone. 

It's all or nothing now at home against Serbia in my opinion as even a draw I'm not sure we are capable of getting the required results to make sure we finish above Wales for a playoff. This group was here for winning and had we set ourselves up differently or even just been switched on for 90 minutes against Austria & Georgia we'd probably be 2 points clear at the top right now.

We are where we are and people in here saying get behind the team and don't boo etc., fans travelling to Tbilisi are entitled to voice their displeasure as long as it doesn't descend into personal abuse of players in my opinion. Those same people in Tbilisi are more than likely lads following the team for years so to patronise them by saying "get behind the team on Tuesday" is ridiculous - we'll all be roaring them on tomorrow but that doesn't mean you just accept what happened on Saturday. We know Georgia are decent but that's no excuse either, we made them look like a really good Premier League side for god sake. 

Yes we're still in a decent position and it's still in our own hands but that doesn't mean we just say nothing when you witness something like Saturday either.

Exactly my sentiments. 

Not so much the Wales game but the last two games are a cause for concern without doubt. I do think we'll give Serbia a tough game tomorrow but they are much much better on the ball than us. Matic in great form and Kolarov scoring the other night. It'll be a very tough match but we've beaten better teams.

I expect a draw mind.