New thread as the last thread seems to be broken.
Cracking result and some really good performances, I thought Cullen and OShea (outside of Parrott obviously) were excellent.
No chance of Ferguson joining up with the squad?
so much more class than Tony, I couldnt be as nice as Heimer
Coleman absolutely bleeds for the shirt. Maybe my favourite ever irish player, and unfortunate he didn't have a decent team and manager around him for most of it
One swallow doesnt make a summer. Genuinely dont think ive seen a worse cameo.
Looked like he had his boots on the wrong feet.
Coleman outstanding , he gives 100% every game
...
Barring any knocks he has to start the same team Sunday.
such a great night, and some lads still dig in hard as they can on any negative they can find 😅
In hindsight, glad Troy came off when he did, should be fit and sharp enough still on Sunday.
Hungary are very dangerous going forward, but very fragile at the back. Could be a cracker of a battle!
We have a stronger bench option with players back from suspension. And maybe EV as a back up from the bench
When's the last time we beat a top ten team by two goals?
Can't remember any example since USA '94 or even before that.
All our famous wins were by one goal I think?
How often do we ever win by 2.
Not just a great result but a great performance and fully deserved it. For all the possession Portugal created about 2 clear chances. 1st half was the most dangerous we looked in years. For the squad they have Portugal really haven't looked great for most of the group, Jao Felix must be the player with the most inflated transfer fees relative to ability in world football.
So can we now stop pretending Adam Idah is an option when Parrott or Ferguson are fit? He was absolutely shameful for the 30 mins he was on the pitch
Prescient stuff!
Probably Bosnia was the biggest team we've beaten by two goals in the last 10 years? In the playoff to qualfy for Euro 2016.
The 3-0 against Scotland might be the only other one against any half decent team since then.
Brooklyn Beckham.
He was very rusty alright.
Croatia in 98 is the last top side we beat by 2 according to the Irish Times.
I think they also had a man sent off in that match.
I can't even deal.
It's the hope that kills me
He did it himself, the twat.
He offers so little now. Its almost playing with 10 with him. When you remember how he used to win games on his own against the best, now he is on the pitch to play little one twos, tap the ball about. He doesnt trouble defenders any more.
But great noise in the stadium tonight, was a pleasure to be there and witness what we can do when our backs are to the wall. Pity we drop silly points earlier.
Watching a guy like Felix, who once went for 115m do nothing, and a highly touted Leao not be able to get past a 36yr old was fun
Just don't score too early in Budapest or I'll need a bypass
id play Tom Cannon and johnny kenny before Idah.
got us an important goal in this campaign. The story of a lot of these players is still being told as I’ve found out with my pre match comments on Parrott.
we’re not in a position to write off anybody in their 20s with 30 plus caps
Not personally getting carried away as qualification is a far off prospect but that hopefully is an important night in the teams development even if a lot of problems remain.
He shouldn't be written off, but he should be firmly 3rd choice. When he came on, he performed exactly as I mentioned I worried he might before the match.
If we're ever hunting for a goal, he's a decent option as he can take chances in the box and has good poachers instincts. How he was used in the Hungary game was ideal - off the bench for the last 15 minutes when we were putting a lot of ball into the box, and he took his chance. Same as he did in a 20 minute appearance against Bulgaria when we were searching for a winner. That's where he adds value. So he could well have a part to play on Sunday. I wouldn't turn to him for much more than that if we could help it though.
100%. He is a decent finisher when given half a chance and chasing a game, but overall he's a very frustrating individual.
I think someone mentioned earlier or yesterday, that for a lad that's supposed to have pace he never demonstrates it, and even though he has a decent frame he's equally poor in the air and lacks any kind of physicality in aerial duels.
But most frustratingly with him is he never looks interested. His work rate is appalling. He came on with 20+ mins left and never once looked to close down the Portuguese defenders, and when he did stroll back in our half he did nothing either. All the other outfield players where pressing, tracking runs, putting in tackles and blocks, while Idah just stood still and watched the game happen around him. It was almost 10 v 10. If Johnny Kenny continues his form then Idah should lose his place in the team imo.
I've sat through enough hard watches at Lansdowne in recent years to deserve tonight.
Ronaldo was useless and should have been subbed off. Portugal won't get near winning the World Cup if the manager is too afraid to make those decisions.
Felix should be nowhere near an international set up. Even dropping down to Serie A he was still useless. As for Leao he can be fun to watch but Serie A is also his level.
Tbf its not like theres great alternatives. The Portugese teams been weird for yonks for having random lads filling in gaps.
Ronaldo is holding that team back. Ive been saying it for 2 years or more. Its like playing with 10 men. He doesnt do much as a target man any more. He doesnt make runs, try to break defensive lines, anything. Just content to playing tippy tappy passes like hes in training.
I said to son last night at half time, if Martinez had any balls he should tell Ron he ain't coming out for the 2nd half. Had they put on a proper forward like Ramos at the start of the 2nd , they could have possibly salvaged something from the game. But as I already know, I was told you can't sub Ronnie, the press would crucify you. But surely there's proper sports journos in Portugal who can see how hes hampering the team? They can't all be blinded by their love for Ronaldo surely?
His lack of movement on a pleasant Dublin night of 11c doesnt bode well for him when he has to try running in America in 40c.
As for the likes of Leao and Felix, completely agree. Simply not good enough. Coleman had Leao in his back pocket.
Also think Martinez is holding this team back. They were so slow last night, pedestrian football. Played right into our hands. Never thought id say it, but they missed Bruno too.
But what a night, will live long in the memory.
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