Ireland v Portugal match thread

Worse than Liam Brady on here. Maybe go to the match and see us play really well instead of posting on a forum during the play. We were excellent tonight

I thought Doherty was very good when he got on the ball, always looking forward and a bit more composure in the final third from our lads and we could have created that one clear cut chance that was needed to nick the win. No way was that a foul on the keeper at the end for the disallowed goal. He tried to shove Keane who stood his ground. The sooner the over protective approach to keepers is done away with the better. Nobody can go anywhere near a keeper and it’s a foul no matter what.

I’ll wait to see results for the next few competitive games before making a call on Stephen Kenny. I’m not a huge fan of his but I have to say I’m impressed with the last few results, regardless of the opposition. Tonight’s performance was a serious step up from what we’ve seen before and to be fair to him, he hasn’t had much luck with injuries/COVID and empty stadiums.

The lack of perspective by some of our fans is ridiculous. Kenny deserved plenty of criticism in the beginning but what more can you expect from tonight? (obviously that question isn't aimed at you Het)

Most important is the fact that we are evolving into a mixed style of play.  I don’t go to Ireland games to be entertained but it was obvious for a long time that the long ball game didn’t work.  It just gives the ball back to the other team, unless you have a really dominant target man. Equally though, we will not outdo continental teams purely with tippy tappy football.  We need our own style, combining playing it out from the back, the occasional long ball to keep them guessing, running off the ball to give options, pressing, organisation and sheer hard graft.  When the keeper gets the ball he needs to have multiple options, including a 40 yard ball to a wing back.  I think we are getting there after a slow start.  

I would be happy to see Kenny get a new contract for Euro 2024 at this stage.  There are still some reservations but on balance he has done enough.  

It was the same spell where Bazunu was exchanging passes that got progressively less assured.

Save for Ronaldo's header from Silva's cross, that he arguably should've scored, I can't think of many chances we ceded. We also cut down on the number of crosses from the last day, while remaining competitive going forward ourselves - I'm thinking Robinson's cross to Ogbene, the chance from Duffy's header that fell right at Robinson's feet, the goalmouth scramble and the tame Cullen shot.

I questioned the selection of Coleman at CB and Stevens, and I lamented the absence of Idah, but to be fair to Kenny, both Robinson and Ogbene grew into the game while Idah made a strong impact off the bench.

Elsewhere, Coleman got the measure of Ronaldo and looked extremely comfortable paired with Duffy and Egan.

Stevens was inconsistent. Some great passes mixed with awful touches. Did well with Egan down the left and made himself an option, or tried to, down the channel.

But the likes of Duffy, Stevens, Coleman, Doherty, Hendrick, Robinson, and Doherty really have their value mapped out. While the likes of Will Keane and McClean are already in League 1 as slightly aged players.

I think we are short a talisman, the cooperation of players like Duffy and Coleman bring leadership (but it’s a combination), and we don’t have an established striker who is an obvious danger man (Robinson is our most dangerous looking).

The “B Team” argument doesn’t really wash with me, and it is often used to explain away decent results. The exception being the 2017 win over Wales who were minus Bale, and lost Allen early, and at that point both terms were much of a muchness.

Agreed and we have pretty good depth across our Back 6 to boot. We look to be very strong in this Department moving forward, so I think we should and will stick with the current 3 CB formation.

Baz/Kelleher/Travers

Doherty/Coleman/Ogbene?

Stevens/McClean/Manning

O'Shea/Omabamidele/Dunne

Duffy/Collins/Lenihan

Egan/Clark/Scales

Don’t worry Andy they’ll continue to move the goalposts to continue their personal nonsense with him.