Euro 2012: Day 3 Thread

[Duty281]

First topic message reminder :

Spain v Italy (17:00, ITV 1)
Republic of Ireland v Croatia (19:45 ITV 1)

Group C commences tomorrow with the reigning World and European Champions Spain kicking off against the dangerous Italy and that's followed by what should be a good game between Ireland and Croatia. Given I've got all 4 predictions wrong so far, I'll abstain this time!

[Jennifer1984]

Eventually, Ireland were beaten by a technically superior side who, once they got their lead back shortly before half time were never under any serious threat, and always looked as if they would have a second gear if they needed it.... which they didn't.

Ireland scrapped, as you'd expect they would, but they have no players with any tournament experience, Keane reduced himself to arguing pointlessly with the referee about the second Croation goal and as a result, lost his concentration. Even the Irish fans were outsung by Croatian fans who are just as boisterous as they are.

Ireland face Spain next. As much my heart would like to say they could be in with a chance, my head says otherwise.

Croatia could well give Italy a run for their money in their next game. That could turn out to be the best game of this group..!!

I'm sorry Ireland lost tonight, but they didn't really deserve much else in the end.

[Duty281]

Good to see Cesc Fabregas taking the draw with Italy with good grace:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18390165

[Gibson]

And it finishes 3-1 Croatia. Ireland were poor, poor defence, no attacking creativity and the only threat they posed was from set pieces. Croatia were decent, well organised and clinical in attack. Euro 2012 is over already for Ireland unless they can somehow muster a minimum of 4 points against the Spanish and Italy whereas Croatia have half a chance of going through. Bottom line is, the superb Irish support deserved better.

+1
Ireland are out. No discussion required.
Gowan England! Give the French a game at least.

[Thomond]

Croatia were full value for their win, we were incredibly unlucky at times but can't have any complaints.

[Crimey]

I'd love to say that Ireland were unlucky but Croatia were the better side.

I don't think Ireland can get out of the group now, Spain and Italy will be really gunning for three points against them.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

No creativity for Ireland. Who did I say you needed in the squad to give you a plan B? Hoolahan. He would have given you a plan B, and some creativity. Too one dimensional from Trappatoni and no McLean was just a stupid decision

[Crimey]

The passing rate for the first half was 70% which was absolutely awful.

[Gibson]

Good to see Cesc Fabregas taking the draw with Italy with good grace:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18390165

Dutch team were not happy with the pitches either Duty. Before the whole thing kicked off.

Thing is, both teams competing, have to play on it. Apparently, its not good for ground football.

Dunno. They used play in muck up to their knees and still be magical. Like Best, Pele et al.

Top footballers are turning into girlie-volleyballers imo. Only far less attractive to watch.

[westisbest]

Gutted, really thought we could have sneaked a win.

Just didnt turn up.

Few decisions went against us.

Spain thursday. Very tough game ahead, we'll what happens.

C'mon lads need to pick it up big time.

[Gibson]

Gutted, really thought we could have sneaked a win.

Just didnt turn up.

Few decisions went against us.

Spain thursday. Very tough game ahead, we'll what happens.

C'mon lads need to pick it up big time.

Man.I admire your belief. Excellent.

[Thomond]

No creativity for Ireland. Who did I say you needed in the squad to give you a plan B? Hoolahan. He would have given you a plan B, and some creativity. Too one dimensional from Trappatoni and no McLean was just a stupid decision

Olly, you have a point but a few things, Trap was hardly going to change the system a few weeks before the championship. We had McClean to give us creativity but it is amazing that he wasn't used. I agree with you on Wes, you weren't the only one who wanted him brought like. Coleman would have done a far better job.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

No creativity for Ireland. Who did I say you needed in the squad to give you a plan B? Hoolahan. He would have given you a plan B, and some creativity. Too one dimensional from Trappatoni and no McLean was just a stupid decision

Olly, you have a point but a few things, Trap was hardly going to change the system a few weeks before the championship. We had McClean to give us creativity but it is amazing that he wasn't used. I agree with you on Wes, you weren't the only one who wanted him brought like. Coleman would have done a far better job.

I'm not saying for him to change the system, but it is good for him to have him on the bench so he can come on and change the way Ireland play. He would have been part of a Plan B that I didn't see last night from Ireland

[Thomond]

McClean was our supposed trump card but he got no gametime. When Ireland concede they tend to try and play better football and, yes the game was over, but we still created some chances. Hoolahan isn't a guy Trap would place much trust in. I don't agree as I think he is Norwich's most important player and have wanted him involved since his Blackpool days.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

McClean was our supposed trump card but he got no gametime. When Ireland concede they tend to try and play better football and, yes the game was over, but we still created some chances. Hoolahan isn't a guy Trap would place much trust in. I don't agree as I think he is Norwich's most important player and have wanted him involved since his Blackpool days.

I would definately agree with you. It is a crime that he only has one cap

Also why did Simon Cox come on LM??? Surely even Stephen Hunt who is a winger would have been better!

[Beer]

Who?

I didn't see anything bar the goals, but if you're going to defend like that at International level you deserve to lose.

[Gibson]

Errm, I think it's over for Ireland. No?

I could say more, but best not. Some people actually believe they still have a chance here. Bless.

[Thomond]

We stood of the Croatians that was the main problem, you give any tram in any sport, I don't care if it's Lacrosse, Rugby, American Football, or Football you wil get punished. Our centre backs did alright at tiems in terms of defending, but we were always going to be in trouble when we gave the Croats that much space.


Gibbo, no need to be so condescending. Ireland don't have a chance of getting through. They might muster a point from the remaining two games and that is somewhat optimistic. They certainly played below themselves and suffered from some rotten luck (I also thought we had a legitimate penalty claim waived away) but Croatia were far better.

[Beer]

It's not a case of being condescending. You needed a draw at least to have any chance. I can't see you getting anything unless some sort of miracle happens.

[Thomond]

I think most acknowledged we were up against it from the start anyway KB. Now if England can't get through that group they have......

[Beer]

I think you had a chance against the Croats. Had you beaten them, with Spain and italy drawing you had a chance. Now i'm afraid you've got little chance. I expect Spain to tear you a new one.

Us? After seeing that Downing is expected to play, i think France should win this easily.

[Thomond]

Yep they most certainly should. The lads have to play a lot better than they did yesterday and McGeady needs to get the finger out and help out his left back. Spain will come in droves in midfield, having two men in centre makes it difficult enough but if you have one guy who doesn't come back it makes it a lot tougher.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I was very disappointed by McGeady I must say. I heard great things about him in Russia but he didn't do anything yesterday at all

[Thomond]

I have never really rated him, overall he has poor crossing ability. Floats in a great one, then the next ten are awful. He gets past people but often runs in to blind alleys and gives himself no space. He is very lazy and doesn't track back often enough. He would thrive in a central attacking role, but we won't see that under Trap and he would be behind Hoolahan and Fahey and maybe more if we did use it.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I don't understand why you don't play sort of a 4-2-3-1 system? Gives you the five in midfield but also gives you an attacking threat as well. I mean Robbie Keane where was he playing yesterday? Was he meant to be up front with Doyle or part of the midfield? Whatever he was pretty ineffective

[Thomond]

It's Trap's way sadly, he has always stuck to a rigid 4-4-2. I would think a 4-2-2-2 could work well for Ireland. Whelan and Andrews as holding midfilders (they do it pretty well) Hoolahan and Duff or maybe McCarthy as the other two. Long and Keane up front. Ireland are really reliant on Keane, he does little around the pitch but we will struggle for a bit when he retires which I think could be at most after the next World Cup qualifying campaign

[westisbest]

Would like to see couple of changes for Spain.

Bring in McLean(prob wont but hey).

Start with Long up front.

Met Gary Doherty last night watching the game.
Nice guy, had a quick chat.

Gibbo.

I always belive.

[marty2086]

No creativity for Ireland. Who did I say you needed in the squad to give you a plan B? Hoolahan. He would have given you a plan B, and some creativity. Too one dimensional from Trappatoni and no McLean was just a stupid decision

Olly the thing that got me is McGeady in one of the warm up games came on on the right and looked quality so he gets moved to the left for the opening game. Then when they take him off instead of putting on one of the best wingers in the PL he puts on a striker to play out wide

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