Slovakia v Republic of Ireland - 8th October 2020 - Euro 2020 Playoff Semi Final

[backstothewall]

We've won a playoff game in Bosnia before. We've qualified in Windsor Park before.

[DeLorean]

We drew 1-1 in Bosnia that time.

[backstothewall]

We drew 1-1 in Bosnia that time.

I'd say we won 1-1.

Tbh all i remember of the game is Brady running out of the fog with his arms in the air and, George Hamilton not being terribly sure why he was looking so happy with himself.

[pineapple stu]

I'd say we won 1-1.
Fat lot of good that'll do us in a one-leg play-off, unless you want to turn into John Delaney and ask to be the 25th team

[Insidetherock]

if we end up in a final, will tickets be allocated 50/50?

[geysir]

It's a big ask for Ireland to win 2 away games in a row. I think whoever wins our semi final won't have to go to Windsor Pk. Norn Iron are passed their peak and Bosnia have already beaten them home and away in the NL.

[wexfordned]

Ireland won't win 2 away games in a row to qualify. I think we'll struggle to beat Slovakia never mind NI or B&H. I think it would be more beneficial in the long run for Ireland to go out now rather than stumble into the Euros with a team of aging and over the hill players for some fans to go on a **** up holiday. Maybe then people will realise there is more to Irish football the national team and might put some pressure on the FAI to reform although I won't hold my breath.

[davidatrb]

Bosnia are pretty poor though. Only came 4th in their Qualifying group where the only remotely difficult team was Italy. Picking up defeats to Finland, Greece and Armenia along the way.

I think Bosnia are alot worse than when we met them previously in the playoff, and worse than when N. Ireland played them in Nations League. Dzeko possibly had injuries for some of those defeats listed above but still even if he isn't injured he'll be 4 months older by March.

They are ranked well below N. Ireland in the FIFA rankings and just one place above them in the ELO Football ratings. Its about 66%-33% chance Bosnia over N. Ireland according to the prediction experts, but personally think its closer than that.

I wouldn't count out a trip to Windsor Park.

[Real ale Madrid]

Bosnia are pretty poor though. Only came 4th in their Qualifying group where the only remotely difficult team was Italy. Picking up defeats to Finland, Greece and Armenia along the way.

I think Bosnia are alot worse than when we met them previously in the playoff, and worse than when N. Ireland played them in Nations League. Dzeko possibly had injuries for some of those defeats listed above but still even if he isn't injured he'll be 4 months older by March.

They are ranked well below N. Ireland in the FIFA rankings and just one place above them in the ELO Football ratings. Its about 66%-33% chance Bosnia over N. Ireland according to the prediction experts, but personally think its closer than that.

I wouldn't count out a trip to Windsor Park.

I agree but there is a big gap between thier home and away from

Beat Armenia 2-1, Finland 4-1 and drew with Greece at home, 2-2.
Lost to all 3 away: Armenia 2-4, Greece 1-2 and Finland 0-2.

As Gilesey would say - they are no great shakes.

[jbyrne]

Ireland won't win 2 away games in a row to qualify. I think we'll struggle to beat Slovakia never mind NI or B&H. I think it would be more beneficial in the long run for Ireland to go out now rather than stumble into the Euros with a team of aging and over the hill players for some fans to go on a **** up holiday. Maybe then people will realise there is more to Irish football the national team and might put some pressure on the FAI to reform although I won't hold my breath.

go on..... get it all out there...

[DeLorean]

I think it would be more beneficial in the long run for Ireland to go out now rather than stumble into the Euros with a team of aging and over the hill players for some fans to go on a **** up holiday.

It'd be more of a p!ss up staycation to be fair.

[geysir]

I agree but there is a big gap between thier home and away from

Beat Armenia 2-1, Finland 4-1 and drew with Greece at home, 2-2.
Lost to all 3 away: Armenia 2-4, Greece 1-2 and Finland 0-2.

As Gilesey would say - they are no great shakes.
Bosnia had a very good NL campaign and had big hopes going in the qualifiers. No great shakes, but playing at home they are favourites to beat NI for a third time in recent competitive football.
And Slovakia are favoured to beat us, so probably that also puts us in the no great shakes classification.
This is the 'no great shakes' play offs where home advantage gives an edge.

[seanfhear]

Bosnia had a very good NL campaign and had big hopes going in the qualifiers. No great shakes, but playing at home they are favourites to beat NI for a third time in recent competitive football.
And Slovakia are favoured to beat us, so probably that also puts us in the no great shakes classification.
This is the 'no great shakes' play offs where home advantage gives an edge.
We do have Shaken Enda Stevens in our teams . That could give us an edge .

[Demesne Lad]

Not sure if this is the right thread, and apologies if this has been asked before. I think I'm right in saying that in the Charlton era the R o I came from behind to win a competitive match just once, against Luxembourg. How often has it happened since then?

[pineapple stu]

Albania away in 93 as well I think. Won 2-1 in the end

[Stuttgart88]

Andorra went 1 up against us in the early 2000s, Kilbane quickly equalised. We won 3-1.

[DeLorean]

Georgia at Croke Park where we got the dodgy peno comes to mind. The full stats would be interesting. Over to you tetsa :D

[pineapple stu]

Question was technically the Charlton era. :) Otherwise Kazakhstan away would be another in there. (I think they equalised in the home game)

1990 qualifying we kept seven clean sheets from eight - the other was in the 2-0 defeat in Spain. We didn't win any games in Italia 90

1992 qualifying we only beat Turkey, 5-0 and 3-1. I think they equalised in Turkey.

1994 qualifying - Albania away as noted. Latvia, Lithuania, the North were all relatively straightforward. Spain and Denmark we didn't beat. Then in the finals we only beat Italy, 1-0.

1996 qualifying - Beat Portugal, the North, Liechtenstein at home. Lost to Austria having taken the lead at home. Was it Latvia in that group as well? I seem to recall Aldridge scoring a late winner from the spot; had they equalised?

1988 qualifying before my time...

[DeLorean]

The question is technically post-Charlton, no?


Not sure if this is the right thread, and apologies if this has been asked before. I think I'm right in saying that in the Charlton era the R o I came from behind to win a competitive match just once, against Luxembourg. How often has it happened since then?

[DeLorean]

I've had a look through this - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matches_of_the_Republic_of_Ireland_national_footba ll_team

Post-Charlton, I can only see two in addition to the above...

-Iceland 4-2 under McCarthy (we led 1-0 but went down 2-1).
-Kazakhstan 3-1 under Noel King, no less.

[DeLorean]

Maybe this could be spun out into its own stats thread or something but we must be world record holders at drawing 1-1? (especially equalising after going one down against decent sides it seems).

[DeLorean]

Was it Latvia in that group as well? I seem to recall Aldridge scoring a late winner from the spot; had they equalised?

First one was from the spot, Latvia pulled a goal back late on.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsX7hZd9iKc

[Stuttgart88]

Maybe this could be spun out into its own stats thread or something but we must be world record holders at drawing 1-1? (especially equalising after going one down against decent sides it seems).Miguel Delaney did an article on our 1-1 history after the Denmark game

[DeLorean]

Miguel Delaney did an article on our 1-1 history after the Denmark game

Must take a look for that, I usually see his stuff.

[pineapple stu]

The question is technically post-Charlton, no?
You're right; apologies! I read "since then" as in the Charlton era since that Luxembourg game (which was very early on)

[Stuttgart88]

Must take a look for that, I usually see his stuff.Here it is https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/ireland-euro-2020-vs-denmark-result-score-1-1-stephen-kenny-mick-mccarthy-a9208446.html

[paul_oshea]

We have the Nations League for building a team for the WC qualifiers. Most every Finals hosts selection has involved levels of corruption. Ridiculous world cup decisions? eg USA 94, fans travel from New York to the baking heat of Orlando for an afternoon game, then back to New York, then god knows where for the knock out round.The WC Final played in daytime in a concrete dry sauna.
Euro 2020, example of one route, last 16 Amsterdam, ->last 8 Baku (36C), -> semi final London.

Qatar - the weather will be perfect, 30 mins travel to any game, can get to 2 games a day at your ease. The stadiums are magnificent and you say half filled? does that mean 'real' fans will be able to get match tickets at face value? Accomodation? do what peoplle usually do, a browser search $50 and up. Beaches are free and English lager louts not welcome. That's paradise.

You've outdone yourself this time Geysir. You really have.

[paul_oshea]

So countries can manipulate thier seeding by selecting a particular frequency and strength of opponents. Like Wales and Romania did pre World Cup 2018 Qualifiers.

https://thesetpieces.com/world-football/beating-system-wales-planned-seeding-success-calculator/

The irony of this is, of course that Wales failed to qualify.

I'm glad of the nations league - its only confusing for teams stuck in the playoffs. How do you avoid playoffs? Qualify Automatically.

I think it will make WC qualification harder.

[paul_oshea]

Ireland won't win 2 away games in a row to qualify. I think we'll struggle to beat Slovakia never mind NI or B&H. I think it would be more beneficial in the long run for Ireland to go out now rather than stumble into the Euros with a team of aging and over the hill players for some fans to go on a **** up holiday. Maybe then people will realise there is more to Irish football the national team and might put some pressure on the FAI to reform although I won't hold my breath.

ALl the country fans going on holiday to dublin for a **** up. Maybe they should play the games end of august/september.

[BonnieShels]

Question was technically the Charlton era. :) Otherwise Kazakhstan away would be another in there. (I think they equalised in the home game)

1990 qualifying we kept seven clean sheets from eight - the other was in the 2-0 defeat in Spain. We didn't win any games in Italia 90

1992 qualifying we only beat Turkey, 5-0 and 3-1. I think they equalised in Turkey.

1994 qualifying - Albania away as noted. Latvia, Lithuania, the North were all relatively straightforward. Spain and Denmark we didn't beat. Then in the finals we only beat Italy, 1-0.

1996 qualifying - Beat Portugal, the North, Liechtenstein at home. Lost to Austria having taken the lead at home. Was it Latvia in that group as well? I seem to recall Aldridge scoring a late winner from the spot; had they equalised?

1988 qualifying before my time...

Eugh.

I will ALWAYS hate Toni Polster. And I get really miffed when reminded of that game.

http://mystickerbook.90minuten.at/wp-uploads/toni-polster-panini.jpg

[Fixer82]

Eugh.

I will ALWAYS hate Toni Polster. And I get really miffed when reminded of that game.

http://mystickerbook.90minuten.at/wp-uploads/toni-polster-panini.jpg

I hate hearing his name. Grrrrr!

[Diggs246]

Its stuff like this and being away from home, that makes me think we will be gone in the first round

www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/uefa-euro-2020/aidan-fitzmaurice-the-27million-slovakian-star-who-could-destroy-irelands-euro-2020-dream-38901762.html


[/FONT]

[Eirambler]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0211/1114503-slovakia-is-a-game-for-hard-nosed-pros-mick-mccarthy/

Expect all the usual suspects to start. Players picked based on loyalty rather than form. Hopefully the playoffs will be the last of the bad old days of Irish football and we can start fresh with some new ideas in the autumn. Use the next two years to build a new midfield and attack and aim for automatic qualification for Euro 2024.

[DeLorean]

Just out of curiosity, who do you think will be picked out of loyalty that isn't in good form? And who will be left out unfairly? Randolph is obviously our best option in goals. The Sheffield United trio will all start. Duffy has had a tricky season at Brighton but is obviously important for us. Coleman/Doherty both having good seasons. Hendrick playing every game for Burnley again. I'd like to see James McCarthy come in, but if he refuses then Whelan's performances for us in this campaign, along with his experience, will have justified his selection. McClean seems to be playing well lately as much as I'm not a huge fan. There's a reasonable chance Shane Long will be rewarded for his form.

Starting XI

Randolph
Coleman/Doherty
Duffy
Egan
Stevens
Doherty/Browne/Hourihane
McCarthy/Whelan
Hendrick
McClean
McGoldrick
Long/Maguire/Connolly

Am I forgetting anybody?

[zero]

Maybe Robbie Brady? He hasn't been featuring in recent weeks but has that bit of quality... Connolly has lost his place recently too so unless that changes may not even make the final squad based on Mick's comments:

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/mick-mccarthy-ireland-will-reach-euro-2020-if-they-beat-slovakia-1.4168968

I would say that injuries aside it's the two spots you identify, right wing and centre forward, where there are selection dilemmas.

[Diggs246]

Just out of curiosity, who do you think will be picked out of loyalty that isn't in good form? And who will be left out unfairly? Randolph is obviously our best option in goals. The Sheffield United trio will all start. Duffy has had a tricky season at Brighton but is obviously important for us. Coleman/Doherty both having good seasons. Hendrick playing every game for Burnley again. I'd like to see James McCarthy come in, but if he refuses then Whelan's performances for us in this campaign, along with his experience, will have justified his selection. McClean seems to be playing well lately as much as I'm not a huge fan. There's a reasonable chance Shane Long will be rewarded for his form.

Starting XI

Randolph
Coleman/Doherty
Duffy
Egan
Stevens
Doherty/Browne/Hourihane
McCarthy/Whelan
Hendrick
McClean
McGoldrick
Long/Maguire/Connolly

Am I forgetting anybody?
I guess this will be his team

Randolph
Coleman
Duffy
Egan
Stevens
Hourihane
Whelan
Hendrick
McClean
McGoldrick
Long

I would go for


Randolph
Coleman
Duffy
Egan
Stevens
Doherty
McCarthy
Cullen
McClean
McGoldrick
Obefami

[Eirambler]

Our keeper and defense is fine, no issues there. However, beyond that I have serious problems with McCarthy's approach.

I take issue with Hendrick being continually picked when he's contributing nothing really. I think we have two or three options that are better than him or Whelan - so basically out of the midfield he is likely to pick I think only Hourihane justifies his place, mainly for his set piece deliveries.

Up front I think it would be madness not to play Long off McGoldrick but the soundings are that he probably won't be picked.

You can make an argument for and against McClean, at least he's in reasonable form but do we really want to start a player that gives the ball away as much as he does? I have always thought he was a better bench impact player for us.

It would be unbelievable if Connolly doesn't make the final squad. McCarthy seems far too interested in whether a player is starting for his club (unless it's one of his favourites - then it doesn't seem to matter in the slightest). Connolly has looked good out on the left every time I've seen him play there, our system is different to Brighton's and just because things haven't bounced his way at club level in the last few weeks doesn't make him a bad player overnight.

There's a saying that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome and I think it applies here. Barring a few late equalisers in games we should have lost we were awful throughout the qualifying campaign, there's nothing to suggest otherwise that by picking the same players things will somehow be different in the playoffs.

Here's the team I would pick, including a few 50/50 toss ups - obviously there's no hope of this team playing but it would likely be a step up from what we will be watching in Slovakia:

Randolph
Doherty/Coleman
Stevens
Duffy
Egan
McCarthy
Cullen/Molumby
Hourihane
Connolly
Long
McGoldrick

With McClean, Robinson and Obafemi among the potential impact players on the bench if we're chasing the game and Clark and Whelan on hand if we're defending a lead.

[Diggs246]

Our keeper and defense is fine, no issues there. However, beyond that I have serious problems with McCarthy's approach.

I take issue with Hendrick being continually picked when he's contributing nothing really. I think we have two or three options that are better than him or Whelan - so basically out of the midfield he is likely to pick I think only Hourihane justifies his place, mainly for his set piece deliveries.

Up front I think it would be madness not to play Long off McGoldrick but the soundings are that he probably won't be picked.

You can make an argument for and against McClean, at least he's in reasonable form but do we really want to start a player that gives the ball away as much as he does? I have always thought he was a better bench impact player for us.

It would be unbelievable if Connolly doesn't make the final squad. McCarthy seems far too interested in whether a player is starting for his club (unless it's one of his favourites - then it doesn't seem to matter in the slightest). Connolly has looked good out on the left every time I've seen him play there, our system is different to Brighton's and just because things haven't bounced his way at club level in the last few weeks doesn't make him a bad player overnight.

There's a saying that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome and I think it applies here. Barring a few late equalisers in games we should have lost we were awful throughout the qualifying campaign, there's nothing to suggest otherwise that by picking the same players things will somehow be different in the playoffs.

Here's the team I would pick, including a few 50/50 toss ups - obviously there's no hope of this team playing but it would likely be a step up from what we will be watching in Slovakia:

Randolph
Doherty/Coleman
Stevens
Duffy
Egan
McCarthy
Cullen/Molumby
Hourihane
Connolly
Long
McGoldrick

With McClean, Robinson and Obafemi among the potential impact players on the bench if we're chasing the game and Clark and Whelan on hand if we're defending a lead.

Also this business of "I tried in against Gibraltar" (Coleman and Doherty playing) and it didn't work holds very little water as every player Barr our keeper was terrible that day

[osarusan]

I don't really see the point in McCarthy making those comments when there are still 6 weeks to go, and players have that much more chance of getting injured or losing form.

I don't know why he was even asked about it really.

[Eirambler]

He's laying the ground work for his masterplan to spring 'Judgey' and Will Keane from the bench on 77 minutes to grab us an equaliser and force extra time in Bratislava.

[third policeman]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/0211/1114503-slovakia-is-a-game-for-hard-nosed-pros-mick-mccarthy/

Expect all the usual suspects to start. Players picked based on loyalty rather than form. Hopefully the playoffs will be the last of the bad old days of Irish football and we can start fresh with some new ideas in the autumn. Use the next two years to build a new midfield and attack and aim for automatic qualification for Euro 2024.

No mention at all of Obafemi in there. Does he see him as more established option than Idah, Parrott and Connolly, or is he just not on Mick's radar for Slovakia? I hope the former, but suspect the latter.

[Eirambler]

I'd say not on his radar at all to be honest. If he's not going to pick Shane Long, he's definitely not going to pick Obafemi.

[samhaydenjr]

No mention at all of Obafemi in there. Does he see him as more established option than Idah, Parrott and Connolly, or is he just not on Mick's radar for Slovakia? I hope the former, but suspect the latter.


I'd say not on his radar at all to be honest. If he's not going to pick Shane Long, he's definitely not going to pick Obafemi.

He mentioned in an earlier interview that he saw him against Palace and sounded impressed. Of the four youngsters, I think Obafemi is the best option for right now and should be included in the squad. Look, at this point Mick should be left to make his decisions - this isn't a time for blooding in talent, that can be done by Kenny in the Nations League - this is all about getting two results. Assuming no injuries, front line should be McGoldrick, Long, Robinson, Obafemi and possibly Hogan if he keeps up his current form and we decide to go with five forwards.

[paul_oshea]

If Mick Mac is picking the squad and team tomorrow then I don't see Long featuring based off what he has said in his latest interviews, about both Long and the players already selected. Another big worry really. The one thing he should have learned from the campaign is that he needs a trick or two or be able spring a surprise, the current gameplan, tactics and player selection hes been espousing has just got him out of jail now and again. He needs more this time around.

I am not bothered about connolly, hopefully his time will come. But it is not now. I want to see Long though, I want to see speed in the attack. Only problem with Long and McGoldrick is that we don't have any finisher, or anything near a finisher so we probably need goals from midfield. Id like to think Byrne and Obafemi could be sprung from the bench with 25 mins to go if we need a goal.

[DeLorean]

I pretty much agree with that bar being a bit more hopeful that Long will feature. Having said that, I'd kind of forgot that McCarthy is happy to use McGoldrick as a number nine. That reduces Long's chances significantly, as opposed to just fighting it out with Hogan, Maguire, Collins and a couple of the newbies. On reflection, I'm kind of worried.

[ThirdManRun]

To me l, the most obvious route is to go with the 3-5-2 which would work perfectly for our most “in form” players. Something like this :

Randolph
Egan Duffy Clark
Doc McCarthy Hendrick Hourihane Steven
Long McGoldrick

All of the back three + the two wing backs play this system at their clubs so should have no problem adapting. Solid and experienced team, which Mick has referred to.

A front two of McGoldrick and Long would be a nightmare for a defence to play against, even if their scoring stats aren’t high.

It would leave the opportunity to go back to the days of McClean as an impact sub (whether we’re ahead of behind) Browne, Robinson and Robbie Brady the obvious other changes if needed!

[Fixer82]

I pretty much agree with that bar being a bit more hopeful that Long will feature. Having said that, I'd kind of forgot that McCarthy is happy to use McGoldrick as a number nine. That reduces Long's chances significantly, as opposed to just fighting it out with Hogan, Maguire, Collins and a couple of the newbies. On reflection, I'm kind of worried.

I would assume McGoldrick would be playing the no.10 role with Long as no.9

[DeLorean]

I would assume McGoldrick would be playing the no.10 role with Long as no.9

That's what I would do, but is it what Mick will do? I'm doubtful.

[paul_oshea]

To me l, the most obvious route is to go with the 3-5-2 which would work perfectly for our most “in form” players. Something like this :

Randolph
Egan Duffy Clark
Doc McCarthy Hendrick Hourihane Steven
Long McGoldrick

All of the back three + the two wing backs play this system at their clubs so should have no problem adapting. Solid and experienced team, which Mick has referred to.

A front two of McGoldrick and Long would be a nightmare for a defence to play against, even if their scoring stats aren’t high.

It would leave the opportunity to go back to the days of McClean as an impact sub (whether we’re ahead of behind) Browne, Robinson and Robbie Brady the obvious other changes if needed!

I like this, but I can't see it happening, and I can't see him not playing Coleman either(even if you switch coleman for someone else). That would provide a great attacking out let. The one thing we did well in the second half of the last game against Denmark was actually attack well though, so I reckon he will go with that again. The problem was we were very blunt and didnt create any real chances. 2 up front would change that.

[Fixer82]

To me l, the most obvious route is to go with the 3-5-2 which would work perfectly for our most “in form” players. Something like this :

Randolph
Egan Duffy Clark
Doc McCarthy Hendrick Hourihane Steven
Long McGoldrick

All of the back three + the two wing backs play this system at their clubs so should have no problem adapting. Solid and experienced team, which Mick has referred to.

A front two of McGoldrick and Long would be a nightmare for a defence to play against, even if their scoring stats aren’t high.

It would leave the opportunity to go back to the days of McClean as an impact sub (whether we’re ahead of behind) Browne, Robinson and Robbie Brady the obvious other changes if needed!

Enda Stevens behind front two??