Poland V Ireland match thread

We need to keep the 0-0 mentality when we score. There’s something to fight for when we are 1-0 up. Not defend at all costs!

 

Yeah of course.

The old Ireland tactic. Concede territory and possession once we score, then be disappointed when the other team equalizes. And repeat.

 

 

You were delighted with yourself when you thought of that weren't you

I really don't know what the Poles were at, either they are piss poor, or they weren't trying a leg, or maybe a bit of both, they did have a desperate WC. Either way, it was a game lacking intensity or pressing, but we'll take whatever we can get at the moment. 

Keogh played well, but I'd be very wary of him on the right of a back 3, he got destroyed in that position in the game in the USA last year V Mexico and (I think) hasn't played for us since then. I'm not sure a friendly where the opposition didn't target him much answers the question of whether he can play there & get away with it. 

Williams is tidy, he shows for the ball, takes good options, appreciates the value of possession, has a good awareness of where people are around him and doesn't try too much fancy stuff above his ability level. I like this fella and so what if he is 31, he can either play or he can't, and by the looks of things, he has taken to international football a lot quicker than Browne or Hourihane (who still looks completely lost). I think Williams himself appreciates his late chance in the international game & that shouldn't be underestimated either. 

O'Brien played like a lad who thought it might be his first & last ever game, never stopped trying & took his goal well, that's about all we can ask for, I'd prefer to see him V Wales or Denmark than the now pedestrian Walters. Ya never know, he could be our version of someone like David Healy, someone who scores regularly at international level and looks average enough at club level. His attitude is right anyway, and that's a start. 

Hopefully O'Dowda can kick on & play like he did in the first 20 mins of 2nd half all the time, he has the ability and given our lack of creative players, he will likely have the responsibility to go with it over the next few years. That responsibility overwhelmed a far more experienced McGeady in the past, but O'Dowda's young enough not to give a fcuk at the moment, so it might work in his favour. I think it's one MON has got right, he has a bit more freedom in the centre where he can drift across to support the wide players or go on one of his runs through the middle. A work in progress, and it won't come off for him every day, but at the minute, one of our key players if we are to attack & create chances. 

Others- Hendrick, ah who knows really, another performance that is typical of him in last while, a few good things, missing in action for large chunks of the game, substituted. Egan had a few decent passes out from the back, not sure if he is accomplished enough to get those right against better teams under pressure. Long was solid without suggesting he's much of an upgrade on anyone else we have. Stevens did well, and I think LB will be between him & D Williams, Ward was already being phased out, and that's before whattsappgate. 

Christie's first touch is awful, but his direct running can cause problems for both teams, the opposition because of his strength, and us when he loses the ball miles up the pitch. Takes on too much and seems to believe in an ability that isn't really there. A bit like McClean in some ways. Robinson was a bit lost too, maybe more suited to a wide position than centrally, though he was decent V Wales & tried hard. 

If we retreat into having 30% or 35% possession for the two home games and relying on the long ball and free kicks and corners, we can throw our hat at it. Virtually no national side in Europe plays like that, not even lower ranked teams who have never qualified for a tournament.