TM Ireland - Trophymanager Ireland

So after last week's veritable bashing we were hoping for something of a turnaround when we hosted Singapore.  And we got it.  The team was more or less the same, just with four at the back and one upfront.  But rather crucially I gave Rochford a run between the sticks.  Goes to show you just how much emphasis the ME puts on routine.  On paper Cullen is a better keeper, but you cannot go past Rochie's immense experience and it told, particularly last week.  Having said that Singapore elected to put their less experienced keeper in.  And I think that was what done it for them.  Still we did best them in shots and shots on target: 11/9 for us and 6/6 for them.  How many more would their other keeper have saved though?  Hard to say, but these two changes in personnel and the fact that we were playing at home were what did it.

It looked like it was anyone's game until early in the second half when Singapore suffered what they would call in a mid-order collapse in cricket.  With our fellas netting three times in as many minutes.  The way the ME works these days, that was enough to sink them.  Although the report text is still a little confusing on this.  As we get this after our third goal, "did their best to spur their team on towards an even greater victory: "Come on Singapore! Come on Singapore!" they yelled. But it looked as if Singapore weren't really listening as their lead caused them to get a little less enthusiastic about attacking and a little more about defending..."  Whose lead??  I know this is most likely just a text error, but if so, why can't they sort it out?  These reports are vague enough without confusing shit like that.

Anyhow, good to see 5 goals going in, for us like.  Play these guys next week and then it's the start of the Euros...

Match Analysis:

6 J. Rochford GK Saved four let in two.  Their second goal was apparently one of them, "no chance of the keeper saving it" bods.  Rating: 4

7 C. Mullan DL Made a good pass and an interception, but was also tackled.  Must've done some other defending or what not to justify his rating.  Rating: 7

8 M. Simpson DCL Made a good pass and a couple of interceptions, but mistackled once.  Rating: 6

9 M. Fitzpatrick DCR A couple of interceptions and a tackle.  Rating: 6

10 S. O'Bannon DR Found McArdle for his second and made an interception.  But also missed a chance to stop an attack.  Rating: 7

11 T. Connolly BAN Haha.  Connolly is one of my favourite players.  It's digital guys like this that TM seems to give little personalities to.  He's a nutcase, that's clear, but gets in so much action it isn't funny.  Well it is a little.  Found McArdle for his second and Ireland's fourth of the day.  Made a tackle, missed a tackle that led to a goal, then of course the obligatory 2 yellows and a red.  Champion stuff!  Rating: 6

3 L. McArdle (2) ML Made two good passes, with one finding Kennedy for our last goal.  Two shots on target, two goals and just one bad pass.  Man of the Match.  Rating: 10

15 S. Cunningham MCL Found Neill for Ireland's first goal.  Had a couple of shots himself with one on target.  One of his shots was a scorpion backheel; not sure if the report picked it up as a shot actually.  Made a couple of bad passes.  Rating: 5

12 N. Kennedy (1) MCR Quiet game really from the boy from Baile na Bolic.  Picked up a goal, but was also tackled and got a yellow as well.  Rating: 6

4 A. glynn MR 3 decent passes (I include corners in here as well), with one finding McArdle for the equaliser.  3 shots on target himself including frees.  Rating: 5

2 J. Neill (2) FC 1 good and one bad pass.  But a 100% strike rate from his two shots.  Just what you want from a lone striker really.  Rating: 9