that was still a 3-4-3 though… it should have been pretty much the same defensive system. we are very, very sloppy defensively, that was a disaster because everyone stayed wide. the wing backs were running in to the wingers, again, that was on Kenny, his first few games were farcical
Ya I’d agree it didn’t work at all, Ogbene and O’Dowda were basically occupying the space for overlaps.
I think the system now suits better. We’re becoming a bit harder to play through at speed when we lose the ball but there’s still a lot of improvement to make here, like we were really good at stopping Scotland advancing at pace in the opening half the last night but it seemed to fall away completely in the first 15 minutes of the second half before we settled again and were at it again, but for those 15 minutes at the start of the second half they were pouring through us from the back way too quickly. A lazy dangling leg later from Doherty and we’re done for the equaliser
The winner was a brainfart by Browne but you couldn’t say the Scots deserved it or that it was coming. If anyone looked more likely to win the game from minute 60 onwards it was us. I suppose that’s what adds to people’s frustrations at the moment, that we’re not converting that control or foothold in a game into wins. We’re losing or drawing games we shouldn’t be, that we’re the better team in.
Spock belatedly moved to 3 at the back following clamour from public and media to play a system that complemented what the players were playing at club level - Doherty under Nuno and the Sheffield United lads were used to playing the system. Our strongest area is in CB so it also allows more of our better players on paper to start. As pointed out, the 3-4-3 was poor, defensively and offensively. The 3-5-2 allows the attack to function better but does leave us exposed on the flanks where McClean and Doherty are missing guile and workrate respectively.
Ya Doherty needs pace in front of him and clever lads around him to play one-twos and around the corner passes…basically good players!
Very good footballer but bereft of pace and power. I wouldnt mind seeing him play centrally for Ireland in a trio with Cullen and Browne. Its a totally different thing taking the ball centrally but he is very good to show for it in any situation from wide.
Liam Brady said it a few years ago, that we should give him a run in the centre and see what he does.
Right centre back in a 3 might suit him as well playing out but Ireland are well stocked there.
Traore and Moutinho complemented him really well.
I wonder sometimes about moving Collins into midfield as he is a very powerful lad and has a lot of attributes similar to Declan Rice. We saw with the goal the change of gear he has and we lack that a bit. Cullen and Molumby are very tidy, maybe Collins plus those two.
Didnt see Saturday’s game but Scotland were out to nearly 7/1 to win on Betfair early second half so Ireland must have looked comfortable
I know Matt Doherty has made mistakes defensively for Ireland but he’s still a very capable player who’s playing for a Champions League club in Spurs. We also have a reliable veteran in Seamus Coleman and an up and coming player in Festy Ebosele. I don’t think RWB/RB is our biggest issue tbh. The left side is much weaker in my opinion unless Robbie Brady continues his upturn in form.
Pretty sure the switch to three at the back coincided with Adrian Barry joining the set up as coach. They pretty much tried to mimic Chelsea’s shape
Doherty had one bad game so Perez wants him dropped even though he considered him our best player before then
1 Like
Doherty is an infuriating player in many ways. He can be really good, particularly attacking, but can be pure shit out of nowhere, like letting the Scotland cross for the equaliser on Saturday without literally trying a leg.
The game in November 2019 against Denmark epitomised that. At fault for the Danish goal but then went upfield and scored a diving header himself. I don’t mind him too much. Lads on here have a strong dislike for him. He was outstanding going forward at Wolves.
The midfield is a far bigger issue. We could do with a decent Spurs option in there too like we have at RWB.
I used to not rate him but I think he’s been excellent under Kenny albeit with his tendency to self destruct.
To say matt doherty plays for a champions league club is stretching it. He sits on the bench for a champions league club.
He’s the same as all our other players watching the champions league except his seat is closer.
Coleman is finished.
Newstalk’s Adrian Barry had a right go at me for slagging off their coverage of the EPL one time.
Seems that way alright. Although Michael O’ Neill was getting a tune out of lads older than Coleman when he was over Northern Ireland. We weren’t sure what to do with the two good quality right-backs in 2019. They’ve definitely dipped a bit since alright.