Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Football round-up
Northern Ireland lose to Bulgaria 1-0. England beat Switzerland 2-1. The Republic went down 1-0 to Brazil. Wales had a handsome 3-0 victory over Norway.
Fair Deal @ 10:03 PM
I know this debate has been talked to death but it needs mentioning again. I watched the 3 matches tonight, Republic v Brazil; England v Switzerland and Northern Ireland v Bulgaria. I’m sure many others flicked between them and if so would surely have noticed that Windsor Park is a complete and utter dump for international football. Given the shiny new Wembley and sparkling Croke Park it must be very, very embarrassing if you are a genuine Northern Ireland fan to sit in or even look at. I support the Republic and this is not a post to gloat or wind up but it’s no wonder Howard Wells is pulling his hair out. The pitch looked as if cows had just eaten their grub off it while there seems to be a dreary gloom that surrounds the place. Jim Magilton & Michael O’Neill were scathing about the ground and no wonder. It is surely only a matter of time before UEFA & FIFA step in and close the place to international football. Who in their right mind wants to stay there? It could only be for reasons other than football. I have nothing against the team, management, IFA or genuine supporters but if they don’t wise up and build a new ground somewhere else football will cast you out AND not give it a second thought. This petty Belfast - Lisburn tug of war nonsense is the football death of a thousand cuts. Give a man enough rope.....
Posted by on Feb 06, 2008 @ 11:35 PMThought it was a decent enough performance against the Brazilians, though McGeady in current form stands out from the rest of the team.
What was lacking was the type of direction and confidence a good manager can provide- oh, and the ability to plan and deliver even one set piece that can threaten the opponents’ goal.
Now all we need is a manager to start building for the next campaign.Didn’t catch more than a few glimpses of the England and Northern Ireland matches, but wasn’t surprised about results in either. Bulgaria are a strong outfit, with Petrov and Berbatov two of the most in-form players in the Premier League, and England at home normally perform well in friendlies against all but the elite nations. Glad to see Wales getting a confidence boosting victory as well- good week for welsh sport.
Posted by on Feb 06, 2008 @ 11:36 PMAny word on the anthems?
Posted by on Feb 06, 2008 @ 11:38 PM“Any word on the anthems”
Yes. There were 2 played at all games.Meanwhile back to the football.The Republic played all right. N. Ireland were disappointing. England probably think there are going to win the World Cup. Good result for Wales.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 12:01 AMChris
Thought it was a decent enough performance against the Brazilians, though McGeady in current form stands out from the rest of the team.
He was more or less the only threat, aside from Duff sporadically coming to life in the second half. I did feel though he has a habit of trying to beat one too many men when he should just pass or shoot. That will probably come with more experience though.
<i>What was lacking was the type of direction and confidence a good manager can provide- oh, and the ability to plan and deliver even one set piece that can threaten the opponents’ goal.
Now all we need is a manager to start building for the next campaign.,/’i>I think it was a little more than that. Ireland looked like they lacked some spark, particularly in central midfield. Keane was anonymous and probably hasn’t had a standout game in green for two years. Brazil always looked like they had another gear, demonstrated amply when Ireland had one of their passages of play where they strung passes together which was immediately followed by Brazil running up the other end and Robinho nutmegging the defender with a beautifully placed shot.
It wasn’t appalling by any stretch, but there is work to be done, and probably some new personnel needed too - Carsley and Miller is not a long term central midfield in anyone’s book. The talk is of Trapattoni getting it and possibly not coming to the end of the season; I’d really prefer the new manager have some time to shape the team before the WC campaign.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 01:03 AMI only seen the second half but a decent enough performance against Brazil. McGeady looked good and I think him, Keane and Duff could ask a lot of questions from defences. Dunne and O’Shea were sound. Kilbane gave their right winger too much room at times but his pace and experience coul make him a hard man to beat in that positon. Carsley did will. All round a much improved performance on the crap they were serving up recently under Staunton.
The only guy who looked out of place was second half substitute Stephan Hunt. He should get his hair cut and be given another chance as coming on 1-0 down to Brazil with 15 minutes to go cannot be easy.Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 04:01 AMDidn’t see the attendance anywhere for Croker - presumably a record for a football match in Ireland.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 08:12 AMI found the NI match dissapointing. George McCartney has no place being in that team, and now I hear Worthington is considering bringing back Roy Carol. Caroll and McCartney didn’t want to play for the team or take it serriously when we wheren’t getting the results, why should they get in now that we have a few notable wins under their belts.
England game had a dissapointing end, Switzerland deserved a draw atleast. England where hugely unimpressive though as a Chelsea fan I’m pretty happy Wright-Phillips scored.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 09:05 AMThe attendance at Croker was about 75,000 odd.
The Republic of Ireland played well against second (or whatever) in the world, considering they are managerless too.
Trappatoni may possible be appointed the new manager with Brady as coach.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 09:05 AMPounder I’m certainly no fan of McCartney but he was the pick of a shaky defence. Actually once again, it was Steven Craigan’s entrance at half-time that actually brought a little bit of stability. Johnny Evans looked low on confidence and McAuley is out of his depth (although Gillespie missed his tackle it was McAuley who went missing for their goal).
Sammy Clingan was MOTM in my opinion.
On a tangential point, I’m unsure whether Alan Simpson is an improvement on George Jones manning the “decks”. His rave mix of “SOFTU” made me want to do violent things.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 09:21 AMGreat performance by the Ulsterman again, but he got blinded by Carsley for the Brazilian goal.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 09:37 AMHorrible match to watch. So horrible I practically tuned out for the second half. Lafferty was unlucky and really should have scored. Other than that we didn’t create enough chances.
“His rave mix of “SOFTU”
That’s been on at the last couple of matches I was at. If this was Simpson’s first match I’m afraid he can’t take the blame all by himself.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 10:18 AMIf Worthington hadn’t tinkered with the defence against Latvia who knows how the campaign might have panned out. He’s got them passing it though and he understands the philosophy of international football, i.e. keep the ball and don’t give it away cheaply. That’s a disease that effects both of these islands but a welcome sight than the hoofing tactics of McIlroy etc.
Isn’t that 3 own goals in the last 6 matches, is that a world record?
Didn’t see the other games but caught the goals, that Swiss one was a cracker.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 10:37 AMSo have the FAI have seen sense and decided it not to give the job to that false prophet Venables then ?
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 11:03 AMPounder
George McCartney is the only Northern Ireland player performing at a high level every week in the premier league.
read any match report, or watch limited coverage on BBC
I can only presume your allegiance to Chelski clouds your judgement
Fortune’s always hiding,
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 11:09 AM“keep the ball and don’t give it away cheaply”
Precisely why Clingan is becoming such a vital player for us.
““His rave mix of “SOFTU”
That’s been on at the last couple of matches I was at. If this was Simpson’s first match I’m afraid he can’t take the blame all by himself.”
I meant SUFTU of course. If it’s been on before I’ve not noticed. Was it spliced up with something that sounds like Put Your Hands Up for Detroit previously? Bloody awful! Without wishing to sound like a 70 year old, my preference would be to get a brass band back.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 11:11 AMWe’re not Brazil we’re Northern Ireland
.. but we’d have beaten the secessionists too on what I saw last nightPosted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 12:13 PMAny reference to the game made here in Ireland, whether the Republic or NI should be called “soccer”, as there is an indigenous football game to Ireland.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 12:51 PM“We’re not Brazil we’re Northern Ireland
.. but we’d have beaten the secessionists too on what I saw last night.”Wishful thinking!
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 01:34 PM>>McGeady in current form stands out from the rest of the team.<<
Aye, the same at paradise also. Although hopefully the new signings will have gave the rest a kick in the erse. Watching Ireland is hard at the moment, far too many ordinary players, but you piss with the wullie you’ve got I suppose. Although Scotland of late have shown that it’s not the size that counts, it’s how ye use it. Robbie Keane is screaming out for a quality partner, you will see the best of him then, and Damien Duff continues to disappoint. Can he be considered to even be close to the form of say four years ago, no way!
Oh and big Kyle Lafferty will come of age once he dons the hoops and plays for the Timaloise. Undoubtedly got a big future.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 01:44 PMBelfast Paddy: Any reference to the game made here in Ireland, whether the Republic or NI should be called “soccer”, as there is an indigenous football game to Ireland.
These were clearly references to international matches. Therefore no danger of them being confused with the GAA version.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 01:57 PMI’ll stick to calling matches played by teams representing the Irish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland as, well....football matches if it’s all the same thanks pal ;)
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 02:26 PMWould any of the current Non Iron players get into a joint North South team?
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 02:26 PMThey wouldn’t even get on a junior “B” O Donovan Rossa team for the love and honour of God.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 03:23 PM32 Northern Ireland
33 Guinea
34 Japan
35 Egypt
36 Republic of IrelandDecember’s FIFA World Rankings.
Posted by on Feb 07, 2008 @ 03:38 PM
