To those who worry about conceding goals look at the premiership keepers, look hard, ponder and then ask yourselves who tops Kenny?
Agreed, but I don't think we have a better back five than alot of other sides. It's not like the old Arsenal line, with Seaman, Winterburn, Keown, Adams and Dixon. I'd feel happier if we had a better defence - more suited to the pace they will be facing this year. I have a feeling that Kenny will get a little less protection than he got last year against weaker attacks.
We have an excellent shaped defence now ... believe. You can't score without the ball its that simple. I am only worrying about keeping the ball and kicking it long.. we may struggle against Stoke but as it has been shown most struggle against Stoke
The shape may well be excellent, but a slow moving but excellently shaped object is still slow..... I can't really see any pace in our current defence, which is why Kenny and the midfield really need to be bossing it.
Given for a start. Kenny's last game in Irish colours was a disaster when he shipped 5 against Cyprus and 3 were his fault. I think he's come a long way since then but if you're seriously trying to say that he's the best keeper in the Country, why then at 33 years of age has he only played one season in the top flight? One of our best players no doubt. Our best last season IMO. In fact, probably our best keeper in the last 20 years. But Dave, you've got to calm down mate.
Can't disagree with this. He had a great season, but the likes of Cech, Reina, Given, Friedel, Hart, Jaaskelainen, Howard, De Gea and, dare I say it, even Gomes are ahead of him. He was only called on two or three times a game last year, but that will treble, if not more, this season. I still fancy he's up to the job though.
Cech, Reina, Hart, Friedel, Howard, Given, more than likely De Gea. Edit: Gomes is awful, don't go there.
Hopefully Paddy will show he is one of the best. Unfortunately he will probably get a lot of opportunity to do so. The best goalie in the world will let in a lot of goals if he doesn't have a good defence infront of him.
Swords: I asked simply who is better? that was your cue to state another doom factoid about an Irish game in 2006! When did Given last play? Current Form Swords not history You want history: from 2006: 7 mins: GOAL! Cyprus 0 Ireland 1. Stephen Ireland marks his first competitve outing for his country with a goal. A cross into the Cypriot box was touched back by Aiden McGeady and the Manchester City player finished with a sweet strike. 8 mins: GOAL! Cyprus 1 Ireland 1. A sloppy defensive header from Andy O'Brien falls kindly for Constandinou and this time he punishes the visitors. 14 mins: GOAL! Cyprus 2 Ireland 1. Left-back A Garpozis beats O'Brien and Kenny to a Lambrou cross to head the hosts in front. 42 mins: GOAL! Cyprus 2 Ireland 2. Richard Dunne gets on the end of a Duff corner. It was thundering header. How will Ireland cope without him on Wednesday? 49 mins: PENALTY. Andy O'Brien unneccesarily takes down a Cyprus player in the box. Richard Dunne had come across to block. The tackle is indicative of his performance tonight. He is also booked. 50 mins: GOAL. Cyprus 3 Ireland 2. Constandinou slots his spot-kick to Paddy Kenny's left. The Irish 'keeper had dived the wrong way. 60 mins: GOAL! Cyprus 4 Ireland 2. Charalambidis converts the easiest goal he is ever likely to score. The Irish defence is made to look thoroughly unprofessional. 74 mins: GOAL! Cyprus 5 Ireland 2. Paddy Kenny makes a fantastic save to deny Constandinou. However, Charalambidis follows up to slot home his second goal after coming on as a substitute. This is embarassing. Like most QPR players NOW they have all got together, collectively worked hard, raised their game if you like but all are NOW premiership players, time to believe in them, time to trust them, time to get very excited and back them ... the pen (keyboard) is mightier than the sword
