I think the tide started to turn in the meet up at the end of last season when they got that first win, albeit it was only v Andorra, and they played well away to Hungary. There were signs of progression & a better understanding/cohesion & structure. Kenny’s figured out that the three at the back system suits us best & he’s (maybe belatedly) worked through some personnel issues, e.g. Cullen and Ogbene are better options at present than Molumby and Connolly respectively, Duffy is a starter etc etc.
I thought that was a good display by us tonight. Everyone contributed but Coleman and Ogbene were standouts for me. Ogbene has a great way about him. He doesn’t get fazed when things don’t go his way and just goes at it again. I also thought Cullen had a really solid game, he’s a very tidy operator.
And the levels of drunkenness on display before, during & after the match were at pre pandemic levels. Great to see. I think some lads were so pissed they may have thought we’d won 1-0.
I’m also delighted that Sunday’s game kicks off at 7.45pm. I feared one of those shitty 5pm starts.
Great night. Hand on heart, I’ve been bored shitless at games in aviva, even with friends playing in fai cup finals. First half was grey enough but still open but atmosphere was great. Didn’t see anyone bored
But when we took it up a notch in last 30, stadium rose hugely as we swamped Portuguese. Ref absolutely ride us but would take 0-0 all night long with. Great performance in last 10. I’d say the buzz in the squad is off the chain
Great result against one of the very best international teams on the planet. All joking aside of course Kenny will be given a new contract. Can anyone name one person who will realstically replace him.
The chipster is similar to almost every single high level player in soccer and most in gaa. They are very distrustful of any manager who hasnt played at the very top level. It’s a constant theme unless the likes of klopp and mourinho prove themselves beyond all doubt.
True enough. The likes of you and me who have never even played at anywhere near the level of chippy and co have to look beyond the inherent bias though.
There are 100s who could replace SK .There is 100s of soccer managers the world over .
That said the FAI are skint & no sugar daddy to get something pricier .
The reality is that it is very hard to know where Ireland are at , My own view is they aren’t as bad as earlier results & more recent results flatter the team
Barring a defeat on Sunday SK will get another campaign as first and foremost the public are turning up & buying tickets .
The next campaign will have to see qualification by hook or crook . Failure to qualify for dumbed down Euros should be a sackable matter for Irish managers in future
That was great fun last night. A proper buzz in the walk up to the ground. A proper boisterous atmosphere in the ground. And tonnes of kids at the game. Thousands and thousands of them, with decent football for them to watch.
We can be incredibly frustrating to watch at times but at least you can see the semblance of a game plan. Everything is very deliberate. Very little hoofing forward in pure hope. All 11 players comfortable with the ball at their feet which is a rarity for an Irish team.
Bar Ronaldos 2 chances they had very little. Ogbenes header and Stevens chance were arguably just as good a scoring opportunity. The lads frustrated the shit out of Ronaldo - Duffy and Coleman were immense on him. Ogbene and Idah have the makings of a great partnership if they could develop the knack of scoring. Josh Cullen is a real joy to watch. Always seems to be thinking 2 passes ahead every time he gets the ball. For a small lad he doesn’t get pushed around and is good in the air too.
Great for the younger fans to have a bit of enthusiasm behind the team to look forward to. Need to back it up now on Sunday.
Thanks to @Raylan for sorting the ticket out. A special mention for the young kid close to me who was in a Ronaldo Man U jersey who kept thinking Jeff Hendrick was Cavani and kept roaring at him for being a useless fucker. Also weird to see the bars serving booze for an Intl game. I thought they had to be booze free now. Most importantly, Mac Jr had a great night and now fully believes the real CR7 is the one who got MOTM last night.