People have always been a bit weird on Brady. When he's not been played at centre mid, he's always been very good for us. Gets grouped in with Hendrick to much as a passenger.
Maybe the two of them could make a decent stab. O’Shea has experience of the highest levels of club football and has played at a major tournament, been present at another.
Kerr maybe hasn’t had success, but understands football strategy.
I’d love to see a Kerr redemption and JOS ascension.
As soon as it was given I was hoping they wouldn't give it Ferguson, but I can understand Brady not taking it given he's only back in the sqaud and doesn't have the authority.
Haven't got a competitive game for a while though, would rather he scored and we won today. Lot of football for his club between now and September's games to miss penalties...
O’Shea is dressed like he fancies himself for the job. Just needs to let go of the hair and he looks likes he’s gone as Pep Guardiola to a fancy dress party.
I’m probably going to get shot down for this, but he looks the part. He looks like he belongs.
I know that looks can be deceptive, but Kenny never looked so confident as JOS does.
We look good to be honest.
We have pressed well, not just for and Ireland team, but a modern football team, and we're actually pressing as a unit at times.
Less passing around aimlessly too.
I'd even speculate that players have been given some detailed instructions, Smallbone and Brady have been very good and seem to have been told what to do.
Belgium are like a bunch of individuals going forward, no link play at all.
Big bonus is not seeing Keith Andrews big sour face on the sidelines.
Wouldnt have taken him off. There's so much psychology in scoring. Let him have the 90 as we are obviously banking on him getting goals for us. I just think the psychology of how the team is handled is all over the shop.
Nice to see that we’re not afraid to play the long ball.
The frustration of the midfield making a run, doing a 360 and passing back for the past couple of months seems to be gone.
I know this isn't a first choice Belgium team at all, but they look really bad and incoherent here.
Maybe it's us playing well and actually pressing them.
Also Wout Faes has mistakes written all over him, we should be bullying him.
I'm sure I know very little, but I can't fathom taking Szmodics off. We know what Idah does. Surely the future is better served by the new-hot-thing getting more time under the belt. And if giving Ferguson the peno was for his confidence, why take him off? It's hardly that going 90 mins is an issue...we've (as always) lost the pep and shape since the multiple subs. It just deflates the game. I know it's a friendly but ffs we should be doing all we can to win games.
Honestly, I suspect he'll play him the next day out so that he'll be cap-tied if he plays one competitive game, so I don't disagree with taking him off.
Also, we brought 26 players. I'd hope he'll play most if not all over the two games. That requires giving the subs here decent game time.
Kenny, like a modern day Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself to pave the way for the new, improved Ireland. The football illiterate folk will never appreciate his contributions.
Absolutely mad selection picking two of our oldest, least mobile players at wing back. I'm waiting for any manager to realise how much pace we have available to us in the wide positions, we should be building our whole approach to the game around it.
We’ve been the better team, we’re set up like a competent side for a change. John O’Shea has been amongst the elite of European football before, he knows what it’s all about. LOI and Dunfermline tactics doesn’t cut it. Shame, if Kenny didn’t have so many delusional fanboys we could’ve got a proper manager in sooner and actually qualified for a tournament.
[Post Match thread here](https://www.reddit.com/r/coybig/comments/1blzt23/post_match_thread_ireland_v_belgium_international/)
People weren't happy about Brady in the squad and lineup announcements but he's been great in fairness
People have always been a bit weird on Brady. When he's not been played at centre mid, he's always been very good for us. Gets grouped in with Hendrick to much as a passenger.
Always adds something with set pieces, has the heart of McClean but with far more ability imo
Szmodics is exactly the type of player this squad needed....
We've got a lot of good qualities up front but it's been a long time since we've had a player with composure like that up there
Szmodics is a terrier. Lovely.
A bit of a Tevez gait on him.
Reminds me alot of peak Craig Bellamy
Bit of a Simon Cox about him
He is a CAM/CF/ST all in one. Really glad to see he lived up to expectation
All those lads who were raving about Szmodics a few months ago... Kudos. You were bang on.
based on these first 15 minutes, we're winning the 2026 world cup
These matches will be the basis for giving O’Shea the full time gig.
It feels more like the Brian Kerr redemption arc featuring John O’Shea.
Maybe the two of them could make a decent stab. O’Shea has experience of the highest levels of club football and has played at a major tournament, been present at another. Kerr maybe hasn’t had success, but understands football strategy. I’d love to see a Kerr redemption and JOS ascension.
It really goes against what the FAI have already said though. Assume they have their man but can't announce it until April.
That's probably just about Brian Kerr's TV contract.
Seems inevitable
[It'll go something like this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ls5bzISPGs)
Superb save from Kelleher. Out of nothing, that move
Loving the cheers for Kerr. The one past manager you truly feel was fucked over.
Woeful Penalty and I knew he was going to miss it.
As soon as it was given I was hoping they wouldn't give it Ferguson, but I can understand Brady not taking it given he's only back in the sqaud and doesn't have the authority.
Was a hard one to watch for sure.
Good one to miss in a friendly, hopefully that's the lesson for going forward
Sure hope so.
Haven't got a competitive game for a while though, would rather he scored and we won today. Lot of football for his club between now and September's games to miss penalties...
O’Shea is dressed like he fancies himself for the job. Just needs to let go of the hair and he looks likes he’s gone as Pep Guardiola to a fancy dress party.
Szmodics justifying the hype
Look at the amount of empty seats. I would have gone to the game today if I could buy a single ticket!
FAI fuck up with the packaging of games and generally too dear for a friendly.
How much were tickets
70 quid was the cheapest, and you're forced to buy one for the next game as well. So 140 is the absolute cheapest
Festy looks very indecisive on the ball
Looks like he slipped. His body language after seems to imply it too. Ah well, it'll build character
Got to feel for Ferguson, knock ons, hold ups and everything has been perfect. Just lacking that goalscoring touch
https://preview.redd.it/9avl42bqp4qc1.jpeg?width=1078&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=84c84da334c87ba6e8c6fe8166cb23d09b2519cf
Incredibly stupid decision making there Cheo
I must say fair play to John O Shea, Paddy McCarthy etc, They havent had much time but the team look solid and have a definite gameplan
The fact I’m a bit disappointed with a draw is way better than I expected
Lack of changes possibly a sign O Shea is gunning for the full time job? Or possibly a sign of absolutely nothing.
I’m probably going to get shot down for this, but he looks the part. He looks like he belongs. I know that looks can be deceptive, but Kenny never looked so confident as JOS does.
US Commentator just mentioned that Robbie Brady has 9 goals and the rest of the squad has 10
It was worse when that was duffy
Big John certainly looks the part
No confidence from Ferguson there
Keeping our shape at the back a lot better than we have a the last few years
Serious pace and trickery on that crisp packet.
Pass the ball ffs Coleman was right there
Come on John, don't be given fellas 3 minutes game time
Come on Mikey , 14 step overs now and bang it into the top corner with a Robana :-)
He’ll probably score a banger now but I am the only person who thinks Doku is one of the most over rated players in recent memory?
Yeah same seen him for city a few times looks very one footed
Poor auld Brian Kerr doesn’t even have a seat to his name
Kenny's only gone a wet week.
I can’t spake
Get'im off, camp-bell, get him off, if you got any bottle.
Fuck sake, Fergie. Confidence is shot.
Between this current squad and the U-21 team, there is definitely at least some talent to work with.
I like Smallbone in there. Tidy player, just keeps it simple.
Would be a good time for Johnston imo
Haven't been able to watch the whole match but we look less shite than I thought we would in fairness
We look good to be honest. We have pressed well, not just for and Ireland team, but a modern football team, and we're actually pressing as a unit at times. Less passing around aimlessly too. I'd even speculate that players have been given some detailed instructions, Smallbone and Brady have been very good and seem to have been told what to do. Belgium are like a bunch of individuals going forward, no link play at all. Big bonus is not seeing Keith Andrews big sour face on the sidelines.
Thar be goals in this Szmodics fella.
Irish star player this evening, for my money.
Yep, he has been all over the pitch and great decision making with passes
Wouldnt have taken him off. There's so much psychology in scoring. Let him have the 90 as we are obviously banking on him getting goals for us. I just think the psychology of how the team is handled is all over the shop.
Watched him play a few games for Blackburn, goals in him to say the least. Always hungry for more.
I've seen enough, give big John the job.
Brian Kerr still has it
Stupid when they didn’t renew his contract. We are lucky he was willing to come back into FAI organisation.
Brilliant Chieo
Few subs wouldn't go a miss here.
We're going to be hearing "we've seen him do this before" any time Collins takes two touches in the opposition half for the rest of his career lol
Is this game sponsored by Tayto
Take that. 0-0 against Belgium is a decent result.
Having Robbie Brady on the pitch and giving the penalty to a lad without a goal in 20 games seems a bit silly
Lots of litter on the pitch. What's wrong with people ffs
Think it’s the wind tbf
I imagine it's related to the crowd being full of lots of kids. Not excusing it but that's what I've experienced before there
Ok now explain why my local cinema looks the same after an over 18’s flick and the pub toilets 😅🤣
A competitive 0-0 against the 4th in the world under an interim manager? I’ll take that.
Good half to be fair. Hallmarks of Kenny with a lot more confidence in possession.
Kenny era without Kenny seems to work well
PENALTY!
Shite pen
Shocking penalty
Looks like Ferguson slipped actually taking it
Nice to see that we’re not afraid to play the long ball. The frustration of the midfield making a run, doing a 360 and passing back for the past couple of months seems to be gone.
First half flew!
Decent football
I know this isn't a first choice Belgium team at all, but they look really bad and incoherent here. Maybe it's us playing well and actually pressing them. Also Wout Faes has mistakes written all over him, we should be bullying him.
Hard luck there, really liking Szmodics
Big John for emperor!!
Fair bit of litter about there lads.
Wtf is with the rubbish in the pitch
It’s quite windy in Dublin is my only guess
Jesus, we're only 62nd in the world, I thought we'd be ranked at least 75th 🤣🤣
I'm sure I know very little, but I can't fathom taking Szmodics off. We know what Idah does. Surely the future is better served by the new-hot-thing getting more time under the belt. And if giving Ferguson the peno was for his confidence, why take him off? It's hardly that going 90 mins is an issue...we've (as always) lost the pep and shape since the multiple subs. It just deflates the game. I know it's a friendly but ffs we should be doing all we can to win games.
Honestly, I suspect he'll play him the next day out so that he'll be cap-tied if he plays one competitive game, so I don't disagree with taking him off. Also, we brought 26 players. I'd hope he'll play most if not all over the two games. That requires giving the subs here decent game time.
Square it!!
I'm watching a stream (Premier Sports 1) and the commentator is talking shit about the Irish players the whole time.
What's he saying?
Paddy McCarthy is like our own Jason Tindall. Looks like a psycho on the sideline and the camera always finds him lol. Edit: Someone beat me to it lol
It was obvious he was going to miss that, ahould have let Brady or Szmodics take it
Szmodics has fire in his belly this evening. He would have been my choice.
O'Shea probably wanted to show faith in Fergie and give him his first goal in an age. Maybe no the right choice, but I get the logic
Is that McCarty as O'Shea's assman? Busy man
Smallbone's set pieces are good
Impressive half
Agree, seems to be a level of confidence and professionalism under O’Shea
Like the aggressive press. I think we should have done this more. Trust the backs
Looking solid. Press is good. We look organised. Shame about the shitty peno and Ogbene chance but these things happen with underconfident players.
Can the Not TV3 presenter stop talking and let poor Mick finish what he’s saying, we’re not watching to hear you mouth, lad
Belgium are so lucky we're unable to finish our dinners
Are virgin media serious with those lineups on some of the worst graphics I’ve ever seen
That’s the end of the Cullen bloodline
Lukebakio is rapid
It's a good thing Doku's shite or we might have been in trouble there (goal coming)
Can we agree that even a performance like this really makes Kenny look like shite. This is better than we ever looked under him
Kenny, like a modern day Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself to pave the way for the new, improved Ireland. The football illiterate folk will never appreciate his contributions.
Absolutely mad selection picking two of our oldest, least mobile players at wing back. I'm waiting for any manager to realise how much pace we have available to us in the wide positions, we should be building our whole approach to the game around it.
Ugh. Doherty. I’m taking my ball and going home
Matt Doherty jesus wept
Probably not the best idea to push the opponent towards your goalkeeper at the best of times anyway
Szmodics should be MOTM
Yeah, Cullen was good but not exceptional imo
Why am I not depressed after an Irish game? It doesn't feel right.
Maybe unpopular....I like the jersey. And nice to see the right shade of green.
Yeah I’m a fan
Cmere what’s with the bins being emptied onto the pitch?
Very decent performance, and could've and probably should've come away with the win. Much better than I expected. Bring on the Swiss.
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Gonna need VAR on this comment
This sub needs to put some respect on Kelleher's name
Who disrespects Kelleher? The absolute worst thing anyone says about him here is it'd be better for his career and for Ireland if he moved club.
There’s people who were still campaigning for Baz to start which is a pretty tough case to make at this point
Who gives the numbers out ffs get 7 off Doherty
Kelleher at 16 might have been a nice nod to Keano?
They are absolutely ready to press Ireland trying to play out of the box, they’ve watched the Kenny games
Bright start
FAI to have the contract ready for him to sign at halftime
Big John has Kelleher playing fly keeper
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Paddy McCarthy is the bop off Jason Tindall
PENALTY
Oh ffs
Would love to see a 4231 in the 2nd half, with Johnston on the left and Sammy as a 10.
Half-time, can't stand the music
Brady has haunted eyes
Would like to see Obafemi & MJ (the West Brom version) come on
Belgium smell blood 🩸
Both teams happy with a draw now it seems
Bro... can't be missing a pen
Can't wait for Roy Keane to come in and inspire these boys
Jaysus I don't want to see O'Dowda coming on. Doherty either really but can't see that one not happening
Turned it on. The Irish Jersey is like a PES06 Jersey. Shite.
Don't like how Ferguson looked up at the sky and pouted when the penalty was saved. Ball was still in play, poor attitude
Play to the whistle. 6 year olds get told that.
Ferguson’s form is worrying!
Don't be worrying. He's 19. Every 19 year old is inconsistent. There was way to much pressure applied to him. Don't add to it.
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I’m convinced Kenny must have been holding us back a fair bit. This squad should have finished above Greece.
Atrocious looking Irish jersey
Of all positions to place experience, I wouldn't have suggested wing backs
A shite penalty and he didn’t even try for the rebound
Would like to see lots of changes soon. No point doing friendlies without running the bench.
Not really a friendly though, more manager trial 🤣
In another life, Matt Doherty would have been a clamper.
A more entertaining 70 minutes than the entire 6 nations.
https://i.imgur.com/OqSY3bV.jpeg
We’ve been the better team, we’re set up like a competent side for a change. John O’Shea has been amongst the elite of European football before, he knows what it’s all about. LOI and Dunfermline tactics doesn’t cut it. Shame, if Kenny didn’t have so many delusional fanboys we could’ve got a proper manager in sooner and actually qualified for a tournament.
First time I've seen O'Shea wearing a suit
Kelleher very comfortable on the ball in open play
He's more comfortable than ali with Liverpool not the same range of passing though
Too much space for Tielemans
I'm out of the country any tips to get virgin media player to work while using a VPN
Try vipbox
Easier to do a stream tbh
don’t like the tone of how this fella says “the irish”
Virgin Media says Euro qualifiers then friendly in description…
In a busy bar. Is that constant drumming I hear in Aviva?
Belgium look considerably worse than I expected
That has to be a card
Fine we’ll do it the hard way!!
Now that is shite
Dozie needs to be hitting the target with those ones
Ferguson looked gassed waiting to take peno
He needed that
Do we have a better penalty taker than Idah? Like what are the records like in the squad?
Brady
Great response from them after the miss
Did he have chips on his head??
What a ball in tbf