The Irish teamsheet for last night’s u21 international against Germany was less than glamorous, but did include a familiar trio.
Matt Doherty, Aaron McCarey and Anthony Forde were all in the starting eleven as the Republic went down 4-0 against a strong German team.
Having watched the game I thought I’d give an Irish Wolves perspective on how our lads fared.
Positioning
Ireland unsurprisingly fielded a rather defensive-minded 4-2-3-1 with two holding midfielders protecting a back four. With Blades right-back Sean McGinty occupying Doherty’s favoured spot, Matt slotted in as the right-sided defensive midfielder. It was in this position that Matt scored his two goals against the Faroes just a few weeks back. Forde started on the wing, with Aaron the first-choice man between the sticks.
Aaron McCarey
Despite the hammering, Aaron emerged with credit. For the first goal, a shot from distance took a wicked bounce just in front of him, giving him little chance. The second was a comedy of errors with the big keeper rushing out to smother a dangerous-looking ball, only for his own defender to dink it over his head, leaving their striker the opportunity to head into an empty net. Two minutes later a well-worked attack down the left flank ended in a great cross that was headed home for 3-0. McCarey could have dealt with the aerial ball a bit better, but it was still a powerful pin-point cross of a higher quality than he’s likely to have come up against very often at Walsall (or even against them!).
His game got a lot better from there though, composed distribution was interspersed with sharp reflexes when required. Good stops from a powerful Younes effort on 50 minutes and a well-placed shot in the top corner on 70 minutes will have helped boost his confidence, before the low shot past him for 4-0 that was probably more down to a tired defence giving the impressive striker way too much room to shoot. Judge for yourself from the highlights though:
I get the feeling he needs more game time – will the loan window still be open when Hennessey comes back? If so, I would love McCarey to be loaned out again and get another 30-odd matches under his belt. With that, he could be in contention for the No. 1 jersey when he comes back to us.
Matt Doherty
Did fairly well in his alternative role, not sure how much his coach lets him go on those attacking runs from the inside position, but was heavily involved in that great passing move that almost set up an equaliser, and also worked hard to get on the end of crosses and corners. Seemed to play the ball-winning defensive midfield role fairly well, but is definitely more of a fullback. To be honest, it was hard keeping tabs on him, as he was wearing the number 6 shirt, and Carruthers, the lad with the 8 shirt, has the same ridiculous facial hair as he does, making it hard to tell them apart from a distance.
I’m glad he’s signed a new contract because he’s done a great job for wolves so far, and if he keeps on this trajectory he could be first-choice for a good number of years for us, even if we do end up at the right end of the Championship table very soon.
Anthony Forde
A very quiet game from the Limerick man, didn’t see too much of him from open play at all, and he was deservedly substituted at half time. Did send in a couple of excellent corners though, one of which was glanced just wide by Aiden O’Brien when it was still only 1-0.
I know we’re desperate for cover on the wings, but in an ideal world I’d want a lower-league veteran on the books for cover this season while Forde goes out on loan and plays a few competitive matches. After that we’d have a better idea if it’s worth keeping him or not.
Danger man?
A guy I hadn’t heard of called Graham Burke came off the bench to play quite well up front; he’s currently on loan at Shrewsbury from Villa. It will be interesting to see how Batth handles him in a few weeks time.
Thank you for your efforts , did nt see the game but would have watched it to see the wolves boys so thanks again for making the time to do this . Top man !
Thanks for your kind London wolves loyal.
I’d have been watching the game anyway, with my mind focussed on this trio, so it made sense to put together a few words about it. Despite the result, it still seems like it was a better performance than any of the five ‘home nations’ gave in the senior internationals last night (judging by highlights – I was actually watching the amazing Spain – Chile game with half an eye on the Ireland match).
Thanks also to Thomas for giving me the opportunity to post on the blog, and for his deft editing skills!
There were lots of stars that are way out of our league in that German U21 side, but I got kind of excited when I heard that the substitute striker Philipp Hoffmann – tall, strong, pacy, composed, scored the 4th goal – plays for FC Ingolstadt 04. On further research it turns out he’s on loan from Schalke, so probably not a realistic Wolves target.
Chris
Funny that Forde was declared the great hope by McCarthy over 2 years ago yet can’t get a sniff now all the kids are playing.
Whenever I’ve watched him it’s always the same, goes missing for ages and then pops up in a good position but wastes it with a poor final ball. Then he goes missing again.
Ismail was similar in early appearances but since the Morecambe game has shown a bit of something extra to move up a level.
Maybe if Forde can play a few games and build some confidence he’ll do the same but can’t see him getting near our team barring injuries.
Doherty has done well this season. I wasn’t as convinced as everyone else last year and felt he got beaten too easily. But has definitely been more comfortable at League One level. Whether that’s him or the opposition though I’m unsure.
Would have no worries playing McCarey should Ikeme not be available.
Nice one, Chris in Dublin.
It’s good to see that the Wolves scouting system is in full working order.
I am not so sure that I agree with you about McCarey’s performance though.
I thought he went down like a ton of (very slow) bricks for the first goal and seemed to be on his heels for a couple of the others.
I used to be a ‘keeper (in ‘The older I get, the better I was’ category) and always tried to stay on my toes so that if a shot came in I could push myself off the ground either side and get a decent spring in.
I know it’s easy for me to criticise… but that’s what us fans are here for isn’t it?
Thanks, DOOGooder,
take your point on that first goal. If I didn’t have the replays I’d have absolutely castigated McCarey for that goal, it looked well within his reach – but sitting down to study the highlights I guess I became convinced by the Eurosport commentators’ take on it being tougher than it looked.
Would bow to an ex-‘keeper’s wisdom on this over some minor TV pundit’s any day though! I stand corrected.
There you go again, Doogle, picky, picky, picky!
For once I think we should not be ultra critical of our Irish contingent, and give them doubtful benefits.
Dog knows we’ve had our fair share of crap from across that particular pond in recent years, Foley, Hunt and my beloved Wardinho.
Tongue in cheek, Doogo, not having a pop at you, I KNOW I was the best left back in England when I served The Sporting Star and The Vine at Wombourne in the “Hampton Sunday League!
Having said that, I didn’t see ANY international games these past few days, just have an urge to blog, and one point keeps popping up with regards to the English team is how many johnny foreigners are in the Prem, spoiling the chances of English players.
I think it is total tosh.
There are no English superstars plying their trade abroad, similar to the abundance of players from every other nation who are playing in every other European league, which proves to me that England is not producing the talent.
No wonder the England team is nowhere near as good as we would like it to be.
Just read my ramblings, but no swear words to piss off our religious, soap box members, so I’ll post anyway.
Slow day in Texas, but its still early o’clock.
I certainly agree with you about the lack of English talent Clive.
In our day we spent every spare minute kicking an inflated pig’s bladder against the wall of our wattle and daubed hovels.
Kids nowadays are inside playing Grand Theft Auto on their X Boxes and scoffing shed loads of fatburgers and chips.
And another thing!
Most English boys see a career in football as a big fat pay cheque and a Baby Bentley. Whatever you say about Lampard and Gerrard, they are two of a rare breed who want to play football to the best of their abilities. End of story.
Which is why it is so refreshing to watch the Wolves youngsters giving it their all for the team this season.
Long may it remain that way!
Excellent overall presentation Chris and very interesting, well done.
Hate to agree with the Doog but i think you were very generous about the first goal. Dived straight over the ball. For some reason this used to be called a Weetabix in the old days and was usually aimed at a selection of inept Scottish keepers. Wouldn’t blame him for the others though and i like him generally and see him as well worth persevering with.
Anyway good stuff. Interesting to hear any Wolves related stuff from the Emerald Isle.
Clive … How can you call Steven Hunt crap ? I wish we still had him
Well, it is only my opinion, but if he was any good, wouldn’t KJ have kept him, or, would we not have held out to sell him, not release him, and I may be wrong, but has anyone signed him yet?
For me, Hunt and to a lesser extent Doyle had their best years at Reading.
Thanks Chris in Dublin.
Few posts but great quality guys – some lovely comments to brighten the start of my day.
“The older I get the better I was” – Nowadays, it just seems unbelievable that Stan Cullis, or one of the other top managers, didn’t sign me up.
Thomas.
As I am going to be away this weekend catching some late Summer sounds down in beautiful Portmeirion, can I do my prediction for the Swindon match now?
I’m in ultra positive mood today.
3-0 to our lot!
PS. I’ll look out for any Wolves flags.
OK mate no problem.
But remind me next week if you’re owed points and I forget.
Forgive my geograffical iggorance, Doogle, but aint Portmeirion up from where you live?
Really, really slow day in Houston!!
I stand corrected.
Up it is.
It must have been a VERY slow day in Houston!