The Irish Football Team Thread

Just having a swatch at the Ireland team, it’s definitely a process still of trying to find the right quality and setup, but the drop off in well known names and quality from years gone by now… since Robbie Keane’s retirement and the other aging stars in that team, it’s mad.

There’s not a lot of guys doing it at the top level consistently

 

No there isn't. The quality overall in our squad at the moment is pretty thin on the ground. The really scary thing is the current squad is a clear improvement on the past few years as at least we have some attacking options now with the emergence of Ferguson, Parrot and Idah whereas just a few years ago none of them were on the radar and we literally had nothing in attack. The glaring biggest weakness for us though is still in midfield where we have very little quality at all. Defensively we are a mixed bag some decent center backs but very little quality at full back. The one bright spot is in goal where we actually have some legit quality and a very surprising level of depth with Kelleher and Bazunu leading the way but some genuine depth with Travers as number 3 and O'Leary the Bristol City keeper as number 4.

A nod last night too for Mikey Johnson who started played most of the game and particularly in the first half was a real threat.

 

Anyone know what channel the game is on if you have a virgin box?

 

102 is it not?

RTE2

 

Get in Adam

 

Outplayed by Luxemburg, get this Icelandic idiot out

 

That was a brutal watch, as the above poster says outplayed by Luxembourg, how much more time does this guy get? We’re in a World Cup qualifying group that we should have a chance of getting a play off spot in but not while he’s in charge. Only positive is the English getting beat 3-1 off Senegal.

 

Every time I think Scotland aren't great, the Irish national team introduces me to a new low in football.

Ireland 0-2 Hungary after 15 minutes. Two of the most ridiculous goals you'll see defensively too

 

That useless Icelandic * needs to go, worse than Kenny ffs

 

Can someone explain the appointment to me? I've heard people say that the Icelandic bloke was brought in because he was cheap or whatever. I know that's been a real criticism of the FAI - not investing etc.

But....just why would you appoint that guy? Looked like a total nobody to begin with

 

What’s actually happened to Ireland? I always thought there would be a struggle to adapt after Robbie Keane, as he was the talisman for so long.

But the general level of player that were deemed the average ones in his time, were at such a higher level than the guys available just now. Evan Ferguson is the big hope, still 20 and if his fitness is sorted and he shows the level he was at when he broke through at 18 years old he will be the type that could drag up a slight level.

But he could be prime Lewandowski and with the team around that, it’s so low. The lowest I’ve ever seen for Ireland.

Btw, fanboy for him kicking back in here but don’t think it’s just my bias this, Scales would be a much better option at LCB. Collins is so ridiculously right footed, he is just turning and passing to the RCB, I’d have Collins at the RCB, Scales on the left. Would be better for set pieces by the looks of it as well.

 

Ireland who?

 

There are many reasons, but the main one is that our youth system has just been so far behind for way too long, and we’ve consequently failed to produce quality players.

Agreed on Scales, it’s a * farce he isn’t placing LCB in this team. Matt Doherty has cost us both goals here.

 

Ireland used to be very switched on at youth level as well, it’s how McGeady and McCarthy ended up playing for Ireland. Not long ago it nearly ended up Rice and Grealish as well.

They committed to good young players very early to cement the future there, for the ones who had other options anyway.

England always poached young talent from Ireland into their leagues very early on as well, and that always worked that Internationally. I always got frustrated at Scotland for how much better Ireland operated in comparison to us. Has it just been left to go stale?

 

Jesus Doherty is having a mare here. I’ve not caught much of him, but he’s always been quite good when I have. He’s * here

 

* *, he needs subbed right now.

 

Yeah that has worked to our benefit at times but it’s also part of the issue tbh - focusing on lads growing up in other countries instead of producing our own.

There’s been a revamp in the system, so I wouldn’t say it’s been entirely left to go stale. League of Ireland clubs have much more control from the age of about 13 onwards now, but whether that is actually benefitting our national team I’m not so sure. I’m not directly involved but I hear plenty about it and a lot of it is very worrying.

We are also competing against Gaelic football, hurling, and now rugby for young sporting talent which doesn’t help, but I have and still believe it comes down to a lack of quality, progressive coaches in the right roles. You could say it’s gone stale in that sense.

 

Back in it now. Come on to * Ireland.

 

In Donegal for a week so obviously am Irish this week. Stuck this on, looking like we're knocking the door here. Matter a time.

MON

 

How the * is it not level.