Subject: Ireland Vs...

The national team defence just got a rather large shot in the arm. Karloss just sent me 4 very useful defenders.

We may win the world cup next season after-all. It seems a mini world cup is being organised for all the teams that dont qualify. As one of the top teams outside the top 32 we have to be one of the favourites. Also the U-21 world cup will be run again. If i'm in charge i'll possibly skip that again, depending on how our sqaud looks.

Something a bit odd just happened with the database.
Shane Berrigan's name has been submitted twice today but one of them is actually Ian Chaudet. Anyone got an idea whats happened?

Australia then and we're playing for pride seeing as qualification is impossible.
Last time we met they were clearly the better team but my tactical messing around didnt help.
I'm tired of coming away from these big games with no points when we've been the better team. I'm looking at qualification this season and wondering how we only got 1 point from the Norway and Lithuania games when we were in charge in 3 of them.
I'm getting off the point anyway. Australia are a strong team and unfortunately they beat us in our strongest position of midfield. They're also awkward in their formation, usually playing very wide with one winger, meaning you can either leave them out wide or be stretched in the centre. The way to deal with that would be moving the mids back to deal with it but then you end up camped in your own half. I think the best way to go about Australia when you're the weaker team is to attack, hope your strikers are on form and that your defenders will deal with the crosses that will bomb in. That is what we're going to try and do.
Hmmm i wonder how they'd deal with our wingers wider than normal...
* Goes to look at tactics *

good luck:)

Damn bad luck today Ireland. You had the better tactic and i think for the most part you controlled the match. Too bad your forwards wasnt more effective.

* Sighs *
Same old story, yet again. How many chances do our forwards want? 8 shots to 3 we won that game by.

Unlucky. Caught us offside for the majority of the match, which significantly restricted our chances and Matthews had ample opportunities but couldn't put one away. They were the main differences, possession and territory were fairly even.

great game Ireland, you outplayed Australia and the fact they were a luckier side today cannot change that. Good job.

Another good performance- you've nearly won me over on having formations without a dedicated holding mid :) I'm wondering would it be worth trying one of our wingers in a wider and more offensive position and slightly pushing the rest of the mids across to cover. The flat 4 seems to work really well on terms of cover and picking up clearances but usually it leaves the wingers needing to get through players to even run at the defence.

I was wondering that before the game started but decided against messing around with the formation at the last minute.

Yeah- it could have gone horribly wrong :) I'll try something like it tomorrow and see how I get on.

I dont like our tactic...I prefer 4+1 ;)

I think 4+1 is only necessary against the better teams that have an attacking mid or play through the centre. We used it to good effect against Lithuania. Against Australia though it would be a waste of a player.

Tactically i think we got outdone today, they looked like they'd put a lot of effort into their formation and i didnt. Defensively we looked weak as well and i think we suffered with poor form.
Obviously i'm pleased to see Gilchrist finally do something but its a shame he cant do it at a higher level. Phelan will probably take over as a 1st choice forward sometime soon.
Our 4th goal was comedy greatness
(edited)

Phelan was very good today. good find !