Everton quartet in Euro2016 action

Yes, you’ve guessed it, Robbie Keane. Why we never went in for him is beyond me.

One thing that puzzles me is why Ireland didn’t give Gibson a run. They have very little distribution from the middle and Gibbo is ideal in that role especially if you are going looking for a result.

Surely gibbo should have played - well at least they have got another chance - and the Irish rugby was good!

Thanks, Frank, very informative.

We have Whelan and McCarthy in midfield; one who tries to pass it and can’t and one who doesn’t want the ball. Then again, maybe it’s O’Neill who’s telling them what to do.

Coleman was outstanding considering the football he’s missed.

McGeady got the ball twice. One sublime cross and then he kicks and identical position out of play. Sums him up.

After the heroic display on Thursday where he played Hoolahan and Brady in midfield and let them play it’s back to the usual shite tonight.

Trapp, Part 2.

What is the programme for the play-offs? Are we not looking at the like of Israel or Hungary?

Andy, Poland are a very good team with far better quality players than RoI (half of our team are playing in the Championship). They needed a result and were playing at home. So, I wouldn’t say this game was ever going to be easy to win. Still, I do agree that we didn’t really set up to give ourselves the best chance.

I disagree that Poland are a much better team. They have Lewandowski and the lad from Sevilla that committed about a dozen fouls without a yellow card. They were missing three players. But you have to try to win.

A brave effort after a tremendous battle in the previous match. Surprised to see Long on so early. Brought on late, for club and for country, he always makes a difference. The perfect player to take on tired legs.

Will O'Shea and Walters miss the play-off game? Looks like they might.

Shane, I saw McCarthy asking for the ball plenty of times, but he never got it. I agree when he did, he just kept keeping it simple; it’s the way Martinez has coached him.

I thought Coleman, defended really well, and although Ireland battled well, they were let down by a lack of real quality.

What’s happened with Roy Keane, who I didn’t see on the bench for either of the two matches?

Yes, that duo are suspended for the playoff match. O’Shea ain’t top class but we’re pretty thin in the CB ranks. Walters is probably a bigger loss as he always puts in a full shift and is as likely as any of them to score.

The playoff draw will have a big bearing on our chances. We don’t have the best playoff record but should be damn glad to be still in with a chance of qualifying.

Maybe McCarthy didn’t get the ball as much as Hoolihan because the Irish players know that James McCarthy will probably give it back to them after he’s received the pass?

Very hard to play one role on a Thursday night, then be asked to play another on the Sunday. Especially when you excelled in your better position in the first game.

I don’t mind Hoolihan, Shane; he tries to play, but if he didn’t, I’m not sure he would have much value for the team.

Thanks for letting us know about Roy Keane.

Am I missing something? His work rate and aggression against the Germans put to bed the theory that players can only do one side of the game.

I’m also not sure what the Keane remark is about. Is that sarcasm? I didn’t notice your question first time around but he was definitely on the bench for both games.

Don’t know what you don’t understand about me liking someone because they try to play, but I’m not sure that Wes would be effective, for his work rate and aggression, over a period of time.

I thought McCarthy was Ireland’s, best player against Germany, but agree Hoolihan, was the one who was trying to make it happen with the ball.

Against Poland, I saw McCarthy ask for the ball plenty of times, but your right, he maybe didn’t DEMAND IT... I honestly think that he never got it, because players know, he will probably give them it back, and that was your biggest problem to me the other night.

Whether it was because of a distinct lack of quality, or players being nervous, not enough Irishmen really wanted the ball the other night, and that is probably the reason they never got a result.

Good honest players, but mostly limited; I hope they get a good draw, because the boys in green always add something to a major tournament, even if it’s mostly off the pitch.