Well that's been a terrible game so far and we've been fairly dire on the ball, but in saying that I'd take another dire half if it meant we got out of this with a point.
Group E: Belgium vs Rep Ireland - (18/6/16) KO 2pm, ITV1/HD
4 of 10
ireland will definitely be the happier at the break... a couple of hairy moments but nothing major to worry about.
Belgium remarkably toothless, surely they cannot persist with Lukaku he has contributed nothing in this game just as in the last.
If England were on the receiving end of some of these Irish tackles/fouls I would be getting very exercised.
If England were on the receiving end of some of these Irish tackles/fouls I would be getting very exercised.
Originally Posted by irishmikee:
“Well that's been a terrible game so far and we've been fairly dire on the ball, but in saying that I'd take another dire half if it meant we got out of this with a point.”
“Well that's been a terrible game so far and we've been fairly dire on the ball, but in saying that I'd take another dire half if it meant we got out of this with a point.”
I'd like to see more football from Ireland. We've really just been lashing the ball out of defence and playing it long all the time.
Credit to Ireland, they were on the back foot possession-wise but saw out the half without too much difficulty.
They do need to hold the ball better in midfield in the second half, though, because allowing De Bruyne and Hazard to run at your admittedly well disciplined defence relentlessly is asking for trouble.
No, because it was given as a foul as Hendrick deliberately kicked it into the area of play.
It would have been a drop ball if the ball had just rolled into that area itself or was thrown back in by the crowd.
They do need to hold the ball better in midfield in the second half, though, because allowing De Bruyne and Hazard to run at your admittedly well disciplined defence relentlessly is asking for trouble.
Originally Posted by Joooe:
“Regarding that Hendrick one, I would've thought that would be a drop ball rather than a free-kick?”
“Regarding that Hendrick one, I would've thought that would be a drop ball rather than a free-kick?”
No, because it was given as a foul as Hendrick deliberately kicked it into the area of play.
It would have been a drop ball if the ball had just rolled into that area itself or was thrown back in by the crowd.
Originally Posted by NiteOwl12:
“Wilmots needs to copy Hodgson and pull Lukaku off at half time and replace him with Origi. The way Lukaku is playing he could play for the next week and he will not score -I'm not sure he has even been in the Irish penalty area and he has done sweet FA outside of it.”
“Wilmots needs to copy Hodgson and pull Lukaku off at half time and replace him with Origi. The way Lukaku is playing he could play for the next week and he will not score -I'm not sure he has even been in the Irish penalty area and he has done sweet FA outside of it.”
I would replace him with Fellaini, as if you are going to have wide players crossing balls into the box, Origi is useless at getting himself on the end of those type of balls.
It is all about what kind of style the manager wants his team to play.
Originally Posted by Sattrega:
“Ireland reluctant and wasteful, Belgium slow and impotent. Half time synopsis complete.”
“Ireland reluctant and wasteful, Belgium slow and impotent. Half time synopsis complete.”
Don't say that, then we would have travelled a load more adverts!
If Ireland hold on for their point which I think they settled for after kick off they will be second in the group with just the 2 points from the 2 games
Originally Posted by Eurostar:
“I'd like to see more football from Ireland. We've really just been lashing the ball out of defence and playing it long all the time.”
“I'd like to see more football from Ireland. We've really just been lashing the ball out of defence and playing it long all the time.”
It would be nice if we could see more football from both sides, that first half was very poor from both teams.
RTE panel pointing out Ireland are playing the ball up to Shane Long too much and too quickly and he's isolated and outnumbered. We should be trying to play our way out of defence, otherwise we're never going to create a chance by playing it long all the time.
As the game goes on I wonder if Ireland are paying Belgium rather too much respect; they are perhaps playing the Belgians' reputation (from club level) rather than what they are facing on the field. Aside from some typical super balls from De Bruyne, Belgium really haven't threatened much at all, for all their possession. I reckon Ireland could take them and should be a bit more adventurous second half.
Well, that worked occasionally for United, so why not; it cannot be worse than Lukaku and Fellaini does put in a good shift defensively as well when needed
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1:
“I would replace him [LUkaku] with Fellaini, as if you are going to have wide players crossing balls into the box, Origi is useless at getting himself on the end of those type of balls.
It is all about what kind of style the manager wants his team to play.”
“I would replace him [LUkaku] with Fellaini, as if you are going to have wide players crossing balls into the box, Origi is useless at getting himself on the end of those type of balls.
It is all about what kind of style the manager wants his team to play.”
Well, that worked occasionally for United, so why not; it cannot be worse than Lukaku and Fellaini does put in a good shift defensively as well when needed
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1:
“It would be nice if we could see more football from both sides, that first half was very poor from both teams.”
“It would be nice if we could see more football from both sides, that first half was very poor from both teams.”
Ireland are not helping with their long ball game. They should have more confidence in themselves and try and play their way into contention : they have skillful players who are comfortable on the ball like Long, Brady, Coleman, Hoolahan and Hendrick.
Originally Posted by Eurostar:
“Ireland are not helping with their long ball game. They should have more confidence in themselves and try and play their way into contention : they have skillful players who are comfortable on the ball like Long, Brady, Coleman, Hoolahan and Hendrick.”
“Ireland are not helping with their long ball game. They should have more confidence in themselves and try and play their way into contention : they have skillful players who are comfortable on the ball like Long, Brady, Coleman, Hoolahan and Hendrick.”
Yeah this tactical ploy is not really making this an entertaining one for the viewer, plus it is not exactly as you say playing to the players strengths.
Really needs to be changed at half time.
Originally Posted by Eurostar:
“Ireland are not helping with their long ball game. They should have more confidence in themselves and try and play their way into contention : they have skillful players who are comfortable on the ball like Long, Brady, Coleman, Hoolahan and Hendrick.”
“Ireland are not helping with their long ball game. They should have more confidence in themselves and try and play their way into contention : they have skillful players who are comfortable on the ball like Long, Brady, Coleman, Hoolahan and Hendrick.”
Absolutely agree; as I have just said, Ireland are paying Belgium too much respect - they certainly haven't earned it this tournament.
Originally Posted by Eurostar:
“This is more like it! Ireland playing football at last”
“This is more like it! Ireland playing football at last”
And look where it got them!
Originally Posted by batdude_uk1:
“Lukaku is lucky to be starting this game, he was pretty rubbish against Italy.”
“Lukaku is lucky to be starting this game, he was pretty rubbish against Italy.”
Lucky he was eh
Originally Posted by Arcana:
“Lovely goal on the break.”
“Lovely goal on the break.”
Just when Ireland had started playing football and were trying to create.......
4 of 10
