Naismith, McGeady and Gibson in Euro2016 action

, 14 October, 34comments  |  Jump to most recent
Steven Naismith, Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson helped their respective countries to impressive draws in Euro2016 qualifying, with the former scoring his first away international goal.

Naismith was again named in Gordon Strachan's starting XI for Scotland as they drew 2-2 with Poland in Warsaw. Robert Lewandowski put the home side 1-0 up, Shaun Maloney levelled in the first half before Naismith put the Scots into the lead in the 57th minute.

The forward got the merest of touches on a dangerous ball into the Polish area to guide it past Wojciech Szczesny.

Unfortunately for Scotland, Arkadiusz Milik equalised with a terrific shot shortly after Naismith was substituted.

McGeady, meanwhile, was the only one of Everton's four regular Republic of Ireland internationals to face Germany from the start in Gelsenkirchen.

James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman missed out through injury while Gibson was named among the substitutes.

Gibson came on in the second half, though, with the game still deadlocked at 0-0 and when Tony Kroos scored it looked like Joachim Loew's men were going to eke out a win.

John O'Shea had other ideas, though, popping up in the last minute with a headed equaliser that earned a terrific point for Ireland.

 

Reader Comments (34)

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Ciaran Duff
1 Posted 15/10/2014 at 00:18:57
Great results for RoI and Norn Iron. Scotland did well too (well done, Naisy).

Overall, not a bad International window for us. No injuries that I am aware of, good run-outs for a few players and Coleman & McCarthy not risked.

It will be interesting to see the team on Saturday.

Sam Hoare
2 Posted 15/10/2014 at 00:24:33
Must be the first time in a while we have come through an international double header with no injuries to any of our squad!

Great results for Scotland, Ireland and particularly Northern Ireland. I would love to have 3 or 4 home nations at Euro 2016.

Kevin Rowlands
3 Posted 15/10/2014 at 01:20:10
I thought McGeady played well. I wish people would get off his back; he's a very good skillful lad who's occasionally going to run hot and cold. I'm happy he's at Everton.
Harold Matthews
4 Posted 15/10/2014 at 01:35:06
Forget it, Kevin. You'll never get Paul Dark & Co to get off his back. They're on a mission.

Nice to see him involved with the equalizer.

Gavin Johnson
5 Posted 15/10/2014 at 03:11:15
Ditto to that Kevin. I know that it's natural to have a whipping boy in the side but he's really not that bad. Certainly compared to some of the ones we've had over the years. Mark Pembridge was a player I took a bit of a dislike to... but, to be fair, you could have picked many a name out for a lynching in some of the Everton sides he played in.
Eugene Ruane
6 Posted 15/10/2014 at 07:59:02
Killa interview – Kevin Kilbane talking to Roy Keane:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29571633

Ciaran Duff
7 Posted 15/10/2014 at 10:45:11
Really good interview, that, Eugene. Amazing in these media savy days to see some proper questions and real answers.
Brent Stephens
8 Posted 15/10/2014 at 11:56:40
Kevin, McGeady is the new Osman for some, I guess.
Andrew Ellams
9 Posted 15/10/2014 at 12:04:09
I guess McGeady suffers for his inconsistency and the fact that his end product lets him down so often. He is not a player that is going to propel us into the top 4.

After an RS fan recently told me that the sight of Mirallas on the ball in derby games scares the life out of him, I doubt you will ever hear that about Aiden.

Paul Dark
10 Posted 15/10/2014 at 12:45:53
Harold: not on a mission at all. I think McGeady is utterly useless. If he starts to play well for us, I'd be very happy – though shocked.

The simple problem is: he isn't good enough and costs us points. He should not play.

James Stewart
11 Posted 15/10/2014 at 13:23:59
For me, McGeady has only looked useful playing on the right. The way he set up Naismith's goal against Chelsea a prime example.

When he is on the left he doesn't have the same threat. Either way, he isn't at Mirallas's level.

Kevin Rowlands
12 Posted 15/10/2014 at 13:28:49
Paul, can you tell us when and what game McGeady actually cost us points? I think you might have him mixed up with Tim Howard who has definitely cost us points with more than a few balls ups, and also some very poor defensive play from the back four.

I don't know what games you've been watching but McGeady has played very well for us at times, scored a great goal at Leicester and is far from useless like you've decided, no matter what he does.

Tom Bowers
13 Posted 15/10/2014 at 13:45:03
I agree that McGeady is a useful player with lot’s of experience and, although he makes some wrong decisions, he is basically no different from many other players including Sterling who gets far too many accolades from the press but basically is a burst of speed with no end product on many occasions.

As for saying McGeady has cost Everton points, I think that is a ridiculous remark to say about one player. One could ask how many points has Osman cost Everton for all the games he has been anonymous in over the last few years but in reality it’s the team as a whole and the manager who you have to point the finger at.

Paul Dark
14 Posted 15/10/2014 at 14:12:32
Kevin: in my view, he has lost us points in EVERY game he has played. His many shortcomings – inter alia, he rarely goes past a man, he can't tackle, he doesn't tackle, he gives away free kicks, he gives the ball away (especially when we have men committed forward), his crossing is woeful for a winger, he never tracks back, he plays out of position. In short, he thinks he's George Best when he's sub-Beagrie.

His poor play puts enormous pressure on the whole team, not least of all the defence (where his presence is near non-existent). The myth that he's very talented is just that: a myth. He plays the odd good ball, curls one here and there (Leicester only so far!!), and that's about it!

I'm astonished that anyone should consider him/his play as anything other than a luxury-cum-liability that we cannot afford ... astounded. But it's a game of opinions – and I'm giving mine. I know I propound this one far too often (apologies), but he really is single-handedly helping to ruin our season. He's consistently bad in all the areas above, in the view of my eyes and brain.

To add insult to injury: he seems to have quite a high self-regard.

Christopher Wallace
16 Posted 15/10/2014 at 15:15:15
I think the issue with McGeady is that there is obvious ability, but he rarely plays anywhere near the level he that he can.

If he showed a bit more effort on the pitch, also in training. He has always had the ability, but the same criticisms that were levelled at him by Celtic fans are still being levelled by Everton fans – and for good reason.

As well as picking his spots on the pitch, using the ball better, improving decision-making, he also needs to work on his physical side. He has been out of shape since he was a teenager. There is no excuse for a Premier League player to be unfit or out of shape.

Training alongside the likes of Naisy, Coleman, Baines, McCarthy, etc... I would be embarrassed into improving my stamina.

Same word always crops up – frustrating.

Mike Chambers
17 Posted 15/10/2014 at 15:50:39
Spot on, Christopher.
Dave Duggan
18 Posted 15/10/2014 at 16:26:31
Haha, the only "myth", Paul, is that he costs us points in "every" game. Give us some actual evidence of him costing us points not just your opinion. That is the most ridiculous comment I've ever read.

The lad is disappointing a lot of the time but what player does not disappoint at some point? Maybe we should just give up and sell everybody because they misplace a pass or cross and cost us points in every game we play. What's the point?

Jay Rollinson
19 Posted 15/10/2014 at 16:38:00
"he really is single-handedly helping to ruin our season"

He's 'single-handedly helping'? If he's doing one, he can't be doing the other.

Tahir Abdullah
20 Posted 15/10/2014 at 16:53:20
Headless chicken, one trick pony are what comes to mind when I see McGeady in action. He is mechanical in the extreme and not very hardworking either...if he was any good as a footballer, one could refer to him as a luxury.
Paul Ferry
21 Posted 15/10/2014 at 17:09:29
Paul Dark (#14),

I think that Kevin (#12) asked you to supply exact examples of the games in which Aiden McGeady cost us points and the precise ways in which he did it. The only precise example you supplied was in fact him scoring a goal!

Now, I can think of precise examples in which other players have cost us games or less dramatically caused us to concede goals, but I can’t think of one where I would lay the blame fairly and squarely on Aiden McGeady’s shoulders.

Simply giving us your ’opinion’ of him is nowhere near adequate to back up your claim (and, again, I could say the some others). We have heard you trot this out over and over again and it is not shall we say ’evidence’ for your point but simply the opinion that you have about one of our players.

So, again, please supply precise examples of the moments when Aiden McGeady cost us points, of the sort that I can provide for others please.

Kevin Rowlands
22 Posted 15/10/2014 at 17:51:06
Paul, you may want to do some proper fact checking before you post shite, Mcgeady played 88 mins vs West Brom, we won 2-0, no points dropped! he played the whole game vs Wolfsburg, we won 4-1, no points dropped! He never played a single minute vs Crystal Palace, we lost at home 3-2, three points dropped, who's fault was this defeat then Paul?

Like Harold pointed out your on a mission and absolutely nothing the lad does will change your mind at this point.

Paul Dark
23 Posted 15/10/2014 at 19:47:31
Great post, Kev ;)

Nil satis nisi optimum!

Kevin Rowlands
24 Posted 15/10/2014 at 20:42:28
Thank you, Paul, I understand we all have different opinions on players, I personally think Tim Howard is a liability, but it's a little bit unfair on McGeady, whether you like him or not, to come on here and post stuff about him that is blatantly untrue. I was just pointing that out with my last post.
Ian Trickett
25 Posted 15/10/2014 at 21:08:43
What a load of tosh. Ask Martin O'Neill how many points McGeady cost him in Georgia.
Paul Dark
26 Posted 15/10/2014 at 22:02:35
Another great post, Kev.

Poor Aiden - I didn't mean to suggest that he'd lost us points when he hadn't played. Haha!

By the way: your opinions about Tim Howard are more valid than mine about McGeady - because they are yours.

Some opinions are simply more equal than others ... .

With this contribution, I bow out gracefully from further comment with you.

Kevin Rowlands
27 Posted 15/10/2014 at 22:27:11
I don't think you did suggest that he had cost us points when not playing Paul, but what you did say was that he'd cost us points in 'EVERY' game that he'd played, the Wolfsburg and West Brom results prove that statement to be completely false.

Unlike your claims about McGeady without giving us one single example just blanket statements like he gives the ball away, doesn't tackle, can't cross etc, I can actually give you four clear examples where Howard has actually cost us points, two howlers against Crystal Palace, A terrible decision against Utd and a save that any top class keeper should make in the derby for their goal, because of that, yes I do think my opinion is more valid than yours in this case.

Christopher Wallace
28 Posted 16/10/2014 at 08:49:21
On another note, we should really look at what Naisy does at corners for Scotland.

Instead of standing on the keeper’s toes, he comes short at the near post. Any balls that are not destined to beat the first man (and we send in a lot of these) are then flicked on.

A simple concept but rarely used at Everton. Stops the first defender from easily clearing the ball. Also, flick-ons are often more dangerous, as the defenders only have a split-second to react to the 2nd ball and the keeper can be caught out of position.

Make it happen, Bobby!

Mike Childs
29 Posted 16/10/2014 at 12:27:16
I like it Christopher (#28) hopefully RM saw it too and has the same lightbulb go off in his head.

How a team cannot work on using the easiest way to get the ball into the 6- or 18-yard boxes is baffling. We don't exactly have the tall header guys available so why not a few more two-pass set-plays?

Pete Edwards
30 Posted 16/10/2014 at 12:58:01
Paul Dark (#14), so he doesn’t tackle yet he gives away free-kicks?

He doesn’t track back so presumably if he does give away free-kicks they are high up the pitch so shouldn’t be a threat really... Oh, but you already said he doesn’t tackle or can’t tackle?

Paul Dark
31 Posted 16/10/2014 at 14:14:19
Animal Farm ...
Kevin Rowlands
32 Posted 16/10/2014 at 15:06:37
Pete #14, he basically posted a load of nonsense and accusations about McGeady and when asked for specific examples starts posting "witty" replies because he can't back up anything he's said, bit childish really.
Paul Dark
34 Posted 16/10/2014 at 18:16:02
Football is, inter alia, about watching and evaluating, not always backing up and proving things in a scientific way. If I had the time to look back at every minute and misplaced pass and so on by the venerable Mr McGeady this term, I would – but I don't! This is how someone can say that McGeady makes a better contribution to the team than Howard (to each his own but I disagree, if I'm 'allowed'?). I find some of the posts on this thread self-congratulating and sanctimonious, as well as quite nasty.

I respect the views of those who support Aiden McGeady - though not the appalling way in which some of you express them. Some of you speak as if a defence of Aiden McGeady is unfalsifiable. It isn't, of course not. Learn to respect the views of others. I've answered your questions though not in the way you want. You haven't disproved my point to me or replied with the courtesy and cogency I would have liked... But I don't need to resort to the language or self-congratulation that you feel is necessary.

Perhaps I am only the Evertonian who thinks that McGeady is really shite and an utter liability who heaps pressure on the side constantly - but I stand by my views. I use my brain and eyes. I haven't looked at the Opta statistics, but I look with my eyes and see him giving the ball away repeatedly, and it frustrates me. It does astound me that anyone would defined his appalling play this season, but that's football talk. We disagree.

Vive la difference – ganging up in cliques patting each other on the back does not make you right. If it makes you feel big and better, then fine.

Now move on and try to resist yet another nasty, bitter snipe back.

Peace out!

Kevin Rowlands
35 Posted 16/10/2014 at 19:09:46
No Paul, you need to read your original posts again, you said that McGeady has cost us points in EVERY game, (#14). That is not an opinion: that is you stating something that is clearly not true and you were questioned about it, what's wrong with that?

Personally I have no problem with you thinking McGeady is shite and I'm sure most others don't either.

Lastly, you say that you're upset with being ganged up on in a nasty way. I'm not sure I see that, but perhaps if you were not so sarcastic in some of your answers, maybe that wouldn't happen. To play the 'victim' here is a bit rich to say the least,

Gavin Johnson
36 Posted 16/10/2014 at 20:12:43
I think someone hit the nail on the head with McGeady earlier in the thread in saying that he picks up criticism because he has undoubted ability, but seems to lack discipline and poor decision making at times.

If you didn't watch him week-in & week-out, and just watched selected highlights, he can look like George Best. That's the only conclusion I can come to when you hear Joachin Leow praising him before the Germany game (he'd probably been watching McGeady on YouTube). He does kill it sometimes with the stray passing and not tracking back and it can be pure frustration watching him, but he can easily be forgiven when you see the class like the second goal against Georgia and the beauty against Leicester.

I guess he's a bit of an enigma; he reminds me a little of McFadden... not in his style of play, but in temperance and ability.


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