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Subject: Ireland Vs...
0:3 is a very good result. It could have easily been 0:10 or so, Reidy was fantastic.
It's probably the first time I didn't like your tactics at all! Well, the red card and the goal in the first minute were awful and it was logical there was no chance to win the match after that ...
But the defense was playing much too high. It's not working like this against much better teams. Some NT managers tried similar tactics the last couple of seasons, they were not working.
You were lucky none of the defenders got a red card.
If you play against much better teams they'll always get some shots on goal, it doesn't matter how your tactics look like. Playing with a defense that high means the chances will most likely be 1 on 1 situation, which are much easier to score from than from wide shots.
Playing with a defense very low doesn't give 1 on 1 chances, the probability to receive a goal is smaller.
That's my opinion, and that's why I'm always playing with a low defense against a much better opponent.
Well, like I said it's the first time I didn't like your tactics at all, but finally the result was ok and after the first minute there was no chance to win the match anyway ... ;-)
It's probably the first time I didn't like your tactics at all! Well, the red card and the goal in the first minute were awful and it was logical there was no chance to win the match after that ...
But the defense was playing much too high. It's not working like this against much better teams. Some NT managers tried similar tactics the last couple of seasons, they were not working.
You were lucky none of the defenders got a red card.
If you play against much better teams they'll always get some shots on goal, it doesn't matter how your tactics look like. Playing with a defense that high means the chances will most likely be 1 on 1 situation, which are much easier to score from than from wide shots.
Playing with a defense very low doesn't give 1 on 1 chances, the probability to receive a goal is smaller.
That's my opinion, and that's why I'm always playing with a low defense against a much better opponent.
Well, like I said it's the first time I didn't like your tactics at all, but finally the result was ok and after the first minute there was no chance to win the match anyway ... ;-)
i think you guys are getting it wrong, there was no chance of winning the match even before the match started... *grin*
anyway i also thought the tactics was suicidal and it looked like it was going to be a record score after the first few minutes. but thats what happens sometimes, the strikers dont convert 1on1 and the high defense team stands a chance...
overall good job by shane.
anyway i also thought the tactics was suicidal and it looked like it was going to be a record score after the first few minutes. but thats what happens sometimes, the strikers dont convert 1on1 and the high defense team stands a chance...
overall good job by shane.
I'm not going to defend it too much but losing 3-0 with 10 men and that formation is better than losing 4-0 with 11 men and a deeper formation :) Looking at the games we were better going forward yesterday and with Matthews staying on might have scored a few. In terms of the defensive side of things we gave about the same amount of chances away with my 'suicidal' ;) formation, the difference being it was more likely to be 1v1s instead of more efficient crosses (especially with that guy Patek on the wing :) ).
If you look at the games where huge upsets happen it's usually down to the stronger team having loads of unsuccessful 1v1s and the weaker team sneaking a goal or two. On another day this 'bug'/balance feature might have worked for me :)
That all being said I don't think I'll try it again.... ;)
(edited)
If you look at the games where huge upsets happen it's usually down to the stronger team having loads of unsuccessful 1v1s and the weaker team sneaking a goal or two. On another day this 'bug'/balance feature might have worked for me :)
That all being said I don't think I'll try it again.... ;)
(edited)
Ireland 6 Hellas 0
That went pretty well, I was actually a bit worried about this one as they've been getting ratings as good as if not better than us :) In the end we totally controlled the game and could have got a few more. Colbert and Bary-Murphy looked pretty tired at the end, I guess I could have subbed them but I was more interested in keeping our offence fresh. The first half front 3 of Keenan, Curley and Lizragga were great, we doin't normally score a lot without Matthews. We need a few more high scoring results like this to give us a chance in qualifing from 3rd place (and a result against Argentina).
That went pretty well, I was actually a bit worried about this one as they've been getting ratings as good as if not better than us :) In the end we totally controlled the game and could have got a few more. Colbert and Bary-Murphy looked pretty tired at the end, I guess I could have subbed them but I was more interested in keeping our offence fresh. The first half front 3 of Keenan, Curley and Lizragga were great, we doin't normally score a lot without Matthews. We need a few more high scoring results like this to give us a chance in qualifing from 3rd place (and a result against Argentina).
A +6 against Greece is an excellent result. :) Curley played a little over his head with respect to finishing. I've been really impressed with Docherty this season. Thought he was a rock again in this one.
Ecuador 0 Ireland 7
Another win and seven goals so I'm happy enough. I was hoping for at least 10 though to boost our faint hopes of qualifying. I think Matthews would have been worth a few more goals if he'd been fit but Keenan and Curley looked pretty comfortable. I used probably the most offensive formation I've ever put together which made our defence look a bit comical at times (especially from kick outs) but we were never really in any danger.
Next week it's an U21 game against Bulgaria, it will be interesting to see if we've made any progress with our trainees as we were very weak at this level last season. After that it's the big one against Argentina, we need to win the game for a chance of qualification. Argentina have gotten stronger as the season has gone on so it's a big ask...
Another win and seven goals so I'm happy enough. I was hoping for at least 10 though to boost our faint hopes of qualifying. I think Matthews would have been worth a few more goals if he'd been fit but Keenan and Curley looked pretty comfortable. I used probably the most offensive formation I've ever put together which made our defence look a bit comical at times (especially from kick outs) but we were never really in any danger.
Next week it's an U21 game against Bulgaria, it will be interesting to see if we've made any progress with our trainees as we were very weak at this level last season. After that it's the big one against Argentina, we need to win the game for a chance of qualification. Argentina have gotten stronger as the season has gone on so it's a big ask...
Personally i would have picked tougher opposition for next week as a way of getting the formation right for the Argentina game.
As for Ecuador, they set up to defend as usual and and usual we hammered them. A win against Argentina would give us some hope, anything less and it's definitely over.
As for Ecuador, they set up to defend as usual and and usual we hammered them. A win against Argentina would give us some hope, anything less and it's definitely over.
I think our u21s will make any opposition seem tough without risking our main squad :) From the looks of things the 3rd place teams with whipping boys in their group like Tunis will get the qualification spots on goal difference. There are still two rounds to go so you never know I guess.
Bulgaria 2 Ireland 0
A run out for our u21s today, it was a pretty even game but we conceded some sloppy goals late on. Our attack looked pretty toothless so hopefully we've got some trainees on the way, in other positions it looks like we've got some good options on the way though. Our defence was pretty strong with some good multiskilled players coming through and in midfield I had to leave out two good winger prospects for the formations sake. Apologies if I missed anybody out, if you feel there was a player should have been out there today let me know.
A run out for our u21s today, it was a pretty even game but we conceded some sloppy goals late on. Our attack looked pretty toothless so hopefully we've got some trainees on the way, in other positions it looks like we've got some good options on the way though. Our defence was pretty strong with some good multiskilled players coming through and in midfield I had to leave out two good winger prospects for the formations sake. Apologies if I missed anybody out, if you feel there was a player should have been out there today let me know.
I was suprised to see Holt feature. I didnt even know he was in the squad.
Nothing really seemed to click with that formation. Sanabria aside i couldnt work out where the mid positions were. The forwards couldnt kick snow off a roof and the defence suffered in the 2nd half which is normal for that shape. Once they lose pace, anyone caught out of position will lead to big gaps in the centre of the outside.
Nothing really seemed to click with that formation. Sanabria aside i couldnt work out where the mid positions were. The forwards couldnt kick snow off a roof and the defence suffered in the 2nd half which is normal for that shape. Once they lose pace, anyone caught out of position will lead to big gaps in the centre of the outside.
Holt was in for his passing, with no winger on his side I needed somebody who wouldn't just kick the ball out for a throw in every time he got the ball. I have to say I was pretty happy with the two mids, they turned over a lot of possession and passed it on well. I think dropping off the defence a bit more would help with the second half through balls weakness, keeping the wingbacks higher would hopefully mean that the team didn't get too stretched. From the looks of things having two strikers in a formation like this isn't really worth it, and extra mid playing offensively would probably add more value.
Congrats shane, that was an almost perfect tactic!!
Argentina didn't have many good chances, the goal was a lucky shot.
Matthews got tackled from behind, Crossley got tackled from behind and Colbert and Brunton couldn't tackle their strikers frontside ... :-(
Well, looking at the throw-in situation everybody sees that you placed your players perfectly, therefore I think it was a very good match from your side.
Sadly it wasn't enough ... :-(
Argentina didn't have many good chances, the goal was a lucky shot.
Matthews got tackled from behind, Crossley got tackled from behind and Colbert and Brunton couldn't tackle their strikers frontside ... :-(
Well, looking at the throw-in situation everybody sees that you placed your players perfectly, therefore I think it was a very good match from your side.
Sadly it wasn't enough ... :-(
A big congratulations to Shaneteam and anyone else who contributed to the tactic against Argentina. I thought the concept was excellent, and the execution even better. Whether by extensive scouting, application of best practice, or luck :P, I thought most all the "little things" (player placement, throw-ins, corner coverage etc.) were really well done. Chances surrendered were through player error rather then tactical breakdowns. I don't think you could have done much better.
Unfortunately I didn't think many of the Irish players were all that sharp. Seemed to be a lot of bobbles, careless passes and sloppy tackles. If more of your players had been on top of their game (career bests might have been necessary considering the caliber of the opposition), you might have got the result you needed.
Unfortunately I didn't think many of the Irish players were all that sharp. Seemed to be a lot of bobbles, careless passes and sloppy tackles. If more of your players had been on top of their game (career bests might have been necessary considering the caliber of the opposition), you might have got the result you needed.
The details were all Shane. We've been speaking on and off for the last couple of weeks about how to deal with their winger and the forwards against the defence and in the end we decided that if we kept the defence back, it'd force them to either beat our defence or shoot from distance. It worked perfectly, unfortunately Reidy let in a long shot.
I didnt think we looked sharp either, Matthews had a couple of chances and blew it. Crossley didnt have the space or pace playing that high to create much.
I didnt think we looked sharp either, Matthews had a couple of chances and blew it. Crossley didnt have the space or pace playing that high to create much.
There was advice from Geg and Raul and Nins eye for detail is uncanny sometimes so I can"t take all the credit for the tactics. Unfortunately, however well it was set up we still lost and won"t be qualifing this season so it goes down as a failure.
I think we need one or two "superstars" to be able to take on stronger nations like Argentina. Up fron is where we need something most as Matthews has gone fom being our best player to at best a journeyman level trier in the space of a few seasons. Hopefully your guy Curley will help solve that problem for next time round :)
I think we need one or two "superstars" to be able to take on stronger nations like Argentina. Up fron is where we need something most as Matthews has gone fom being our best player to at best a journeyman level trier in the space of a few seasons. Hopefully your guy Curley will help solve that problem for next time round :)