I was happy with the result if the not the performance. Having said that Albania are a good side and did limit us and keep us on the back foot for a lot of the game. They have been steadily improving in recent years and should have done England in the last qualifers. 0-0 is, and will be in future, considered a good result over there. They are a far superior side to Georgia. There were some pretty woeful performances on the Irish side though. I'll exonerate Robbie Keane due to his circumstances, still played the best ball of the night, but others should ask themselves questions. I pointed out Carr's defensive lapses against Georgia and suggested they would exaggerated against a better side, but I take no satisfaction in being proven correct last night. He was appalling and took way too many risks. O'Shea on the other side was just as bad. Those of you who think that we don't need cover for our left back should think again. A lot came down that side last night anyway, but at least Kilbane covers back and takes up position when O'Shea/Harte are caught further up, Duff (wonderful player and all as he is) does not, which would leave a straight run into the box every time. Cunningham & Breen were fine, although Breen struggled on a couple of occasions. Midfield is the worry. Holland played better last night than Saturday and did break up play and lay it off sensibly (I pay particular attention) but offered nothing going forward. Kinsella was off the pace a bit more and seemed to play the same role. Which one gets the holding role? We need someone with a bit more invention in there - no doubt! Carsley has done as much as we could have expected in the 2 games, but he did get sucked into the middle a lot. I believe Stephen Reid will solve the problems on the right side. Duff is not a striker, but causes enough trouble up front to worry any centre-half. Pity he has missed a sitter in both games though.Shay Given was faultless from start to finish. Overall 4 points is a good return, especially when you bare in mind the results of the other fancied sides in the group. It's still ALL there to be played for and I'm looking forward to boarding the plane to Switzerland for a winner-takes-all game in October.
I still say Albania and Georgia are not finished with the upsets. 3 points are not guaranteed when they come to Dublin. Interestingly, assuming even if Russia win in Georgia - and I don't belive that that will happen too easily - then Ireland with 4 points will have taken more than Switzerland (2) or Russia (with 3, 1 or 0) away in Georgia and Albania.
Albania are a good side at home, but it remains to be seen how well their form translates to away venues - their 5 points so far have all come in Tirana. Georgia have some good individuals (Nemsadze especially, Jamaruli, and Demetradze impressed me), but we should be well capable of beating them at home. They'll have a new coach by that stage though, so it remains to be seen if their style will change.
Re: forward needed Out for the season, I think it's fair to say he'll never play regurlary again, this injury is serious, so talented or not he may have won his only cap.