A decent performance so far, pressing game keeping the technically superior Ukrainians to very few efforts and great goal for the most consistent player we have had in the 4 games for me, delighted for him. Only fear we could tire in second half and don't have the bench.
Great performance again tonight and an excellent away point against a decent side. Wembley tonight ....... wtf???
Enjoyable game. Thought we were unlucky and Parrot miss the crucial moment. Robbie Keane even now in his 40s buries that chance. For all the positives from performance and esp the emergence of Nathan Collins, we have 4 points from 5 games in the group. Last 15 competitive games W3 D5 L7. 3 wins in 15.
The difference between 80% of international teams when it comes to qualifying is whether you have a goalscorer or not. We didn't realise at the time how lucky we were to have Robbie Keane. If Kenny doesn't turn the results around then he'll have to go but we need to be realistic too and maybe accept nobody is doing what we need results wise without a good centre forward. And I'd rather this type of failure where you can have a bit of pride in the performances than qualification with the type of gutless shit we were having to endure for years before Kenny.
Grealish would make some difference to the current team. He’d probably play up front. Rice is a very good player but don’t think he transforms the team.
That was a tough defeat. We are usually not the better team and rely on a bit of luck or the other team having an off day. Last night I thought we were the better team and if we take our chances we win that one. McGinn not being given even a yellow never mind being sent off for all his reckless challenges boiled my piss in the same way as Fernandinho and Rodri do.
Starting XI tonight all born in Ireland, I'd guess thats the first time it's happened in my lifetime.
This is I'm not sure a huge amount changes by winning either. There's been a lot of positives around the style of play and the bravery to get on the ball and maybe the transition just needs a lot more time but the results by any objective measure have not been good enough and the FAI do need to think about that.
Not really sure what people expect? We are where we are supposed to be. The squad we have is nowhere near teams that barely made the euros and failed to make a world cup since 2002. Results are important yes but the objective has to be changing our style of play and getting experience for younger players. I think peoples expectations for what is at best a championship squad is bemusing.
Is our squad though that much worse than Scotland or ever Wales who are heading to World Cup. A decent Championship side like Norwich would do well in International football. That was a big goal for Kenny before the euros draw. not sure why, but I think we will qualify for next euros with 24 t teams. Keepers and Collins are good finds and just play Obafemi and Parrot up Front every game