Reading and international games [R]

[prvev]

2-1 against San Marino? Really? Wow. Long started. I didn't see the game or anything. Anyway, congrats to both of them.

[whipsmart13]

Convey is starting tonight on the left wing (opposite Dempsey) for the USA tonight....GO CONVEY and GO USA

[prvev]

I get overly excited every time Convey touches the ball.

He hasn't been good so far. Hopefully he improves in the second half.

[prvev]

Better second half from Convey, made better decisions. Had a good chance when a defender lost the ball and he was one on one with Sanchez, but he kind of telegraphed his shot.

[whipsmart13]

I get overly excited every time Convey touches the ball.

He hasn't been good so far. Hopefully he improves in the second half.


I thought he was a bit rusty in the first half but he and Bornstein played great on the left side in the 2nd half. He rushed that shot in the 2nd half but I think his inability to finish might have been more a result of fatigue at that stage in the match. For the first time in my USMNT life, I think Convey and Dempsey finally give us two wingers with the ability to provide good service to our strikers as well as opportunities to score.

Eventually, talent will win out and Bobby will win back his spot over Hunt in the Starting 11. Nothing against Hunt but we're going to need a healthy Bobby Convey in the Premiership.

[prvev]

I thought he was a bit rusty in the first half but he and Bornstein played great on the left side in the 2nd half. He rushed that shot in the 2nd half but I think his inability to finish might have been more a result of fatigue at that stage in the match. For the first time in my USMNT life, I think Convey and Dempsey finally give us two wingers with the ability to provide good service to our strikers as well as opportunities to score.

Eventually, talent will win out and Bobby will win back his spot over Hunt in the Starting 11. Nothing against Hunt but we're going to need a healthy Bobby Convey in the Premiership.

Agreed, the second half showing on the left was very strong. Bornstein was very very good and Convey, as I said before, was significantly better than in the first half. I didn't think Convey's set pieces were up to his normal standard today, hopefully as he starts playing more he can get them up to par.

Agreed on the second half of your post as well, Bobby will most likely win the starting position back eventually.

[rms5555]

The match report says long assisted on Irelands opening goal. Looks like he did well.

Convey looked very good in the second half. He was making good decisions with the ball, his pace appeared to back and was changing pace very well. To bad he couldn't convert when one on one with the goalie.

[mschofield]

Wow, I hadn't seen that Long was started (wasn't looking for it, assumed he was just along) until you mentioned it, and been reading about it. Just wow. So, at some point in the future, Ireland will start Doyle and Long up top, won't they? and Cork officials will pull their hair out...
Also, Sodje was on the bench for Nigeria. Sodje. I'm sorry, but that's not a good sign for Nigeria. Sodje is fine, but compare him to the quality you expect from Nigeria, and it's a bit off. does have one cap already.
Watched the Australia - Denmark match, for which federici did not make the bench. He didn't really make an impact, not making the bench and all.
Not a bad week for Reading, though, man, we've got a ton of ints, compared to say, five years ago.

[prvev]

The match report says long assisted on Irelands opening goal. Looks like he did well.


Awesome. I didn't know that.

Long-Doyle for Ireland seems inevitable. And it will be awesome.

Agreed about Sodje and Nigeria. Its a friendly but..wow. He's 5th choice at CB now for Reading. 4th if you don't count the injured Sonko. Nigeria seem to have a lot of good attacking players but are weak in defense. I just looked at a match report for the game and they started a player from Port Vale.

[RichardL]

apart from the flick-on, Long didn't apparently do too well. It has to be said in his defence that it was an all-round terrible display, and Long was pretty much up front on his own, with Keane playing very deep.

By my reckoning his international cap came on only his 13th start in his professional career.

Hunt came on though, and nearly scored with his second touch - saved and onto the post I think.

[Dadinho]

Better second half from Convey, made better decisions. Had a good chance when a defender lost the ball and he was one on one with Sanchez, but he kind of telegraphed his shot.

That would've been a good oppurtunity to chip the keeper, but I'm not surprised he didn't have to confidence to try. But overall he played fairly well.

[prvev]

FT, England U21's 3-3 Italy U21's.

Lita didn't score, but from what I've read on this site so far he looked dangerous. An Italian made a point of mentioning him (well, he spelt the name wrong, but I assume he meant Lita and not Liat).

Ireland-Wales in about 30 minutes. Its a shame Oster didn't get picked, but there will still be 3 Reading players involved.

[prvev]

Doyle and Hunt on the Bench, Long isn't in the team.

[prvev]

Murty on the bench for Scotland.

[mschofield]

Doyle and Hunt on the Bench, Long isn't in the team.

Saw Hunt and Long, thought Doyle was a sure starter. This looks a lose and no chance game for Ireland, doesn't it?

[prvev]

Yea, I don't see them getting in if they don't at least get a point out of this. They probably have to hope that Germany-Czech Republic ends with someone getting all 3 points.

Over half an hour in and there really haven't been any good chances. Hopefully Doyle comes on and wins it or something. I can't believe how bad Ireland have been lately. Bellamy just stole the ball from someone and got a chance, but couldn't get a shot off before Given slid in on him. Probably the best chance of the game.

Now Keane is through but his shot is saved by the keeper's feet. I think they'll probably need to bring Doyle on to score.

[prvev]

According to the popup thing on this game Georgia has just tied Scotland. 1-1, almost halftime.

[prvev]

Ireland scores. 1-0.

[mschofield]

You know, looking at your tagline, I'd have to say I was really disappointed shorey didn't get a call this time. In fact, it was almost an if not now, never type of thing with all the injuries. really too bad.

[prvev]

Unfortunately I have to agree with you. I don't see it ever happening for him now. Maybe if he moves to a "bigger club", but that would obviously suck. I thought he had a good chance of making it the last couple of times.