England V Republic of Ireland - Thursday, 12th November 2020 - Friendly

[Tipp Townie]

Notwithstanding that he seems to be injured this time anyway, i just don't understand Kenny (or previously McCarthy's) attitude towards Shane Long. I'd have him in every squad. I take the point that his age will likely count against him looking forwards, and looking forwards is very important right now, but a bit of experience/nous in the squad wouldn't go amiss. I'd say he will still be able to do a shift come 2022

I do also appreciate that i'm massively biased though...

[Tipp Townie]

Anyway, against my better judgement i am also getting quite excited about tonight's game, even though my expectations are low. On top of that, it's my elder lad's 10th birthday tomorrow and he's asked to stay up and watch the game tonight... fingers crossed we've something to cheer. He's really nervous.

Personally i think the importance of tonight from a morale point of view, and Kenny's rep, outweighs that of Wales on Sunday, even though that obviously has more impact re. Nations League and avoiding relegation etc. I assume the Wales game carries more ranking points too- though i'd defer to others on that?

[Stuttgart88]

I think Stutts has it fairly well covered, in fairness. Most of the LOI players worthy of callups, have been called up, or on the edges of international squads.

For those that aren't:

I'd say Sean Gannon is close enough, but he's never going to get past any of Coleman, Doherty or Christie.

Shields is unfortunate, probably deserved a callup last year, but has been more inconsistent this year. If Kenny were in charge 12 months ago, he might have had a shout.

There's not really any strikers in the LOI good enough. Serious lack of quality strikers within the league currently. Burke and Greene don't do it for me, and Rovers probably need a striker going into next year if they want to push on in Europe
See, if even Nigel thinks there's nobody good enough in the LOI right now then we must really be at rock bottom :)

If Rovers lose Byrne next season I think someone like Paddy Madden would be a great option, or even if they retain Byrne. Different positions of course but Rovers really need a reliable goalscorer and as Nigel says, for Europe too.

[tetsujin1979]

James McCarthy has withdrawn from the squad
1326886596256337927

[Bielsa´s irish]

I hope he solves that issue. James will be back for the wales match. On Shane Long, sorry but I dont buy the injury and the short notice from the Saints camp. The thing is SK should have respect Long and named in the original squad

[paul_oshea]

McCarthy withdrew to watch the SCotland game with family.

[Fixer82]

McCarthy withdrew to watch the SCotland game with family.

It wouldn’t be an Ireland squad without McCarthy pulling out for injury or vague reasons

[Bielsa´s irish]

Come on guys, the kid got injured the last time while playing in Bratislava, he is our main asset at disposal, With the way things are panning out we need him happy in the camp, I buy the idea of him to start for the nations league games instead. He got kicked out of the match by that dirty Hamsik.

[Deckydee]

Sorry, had to post this..well done Paddy Power..

https://www.sundayworld.com/sport/soccer/jack-grealish-and-declan-rice-might-not-like-the-advert-greeting-them-as-they-arrive-at-wembley-to-take-on-ireland-39738448.html?fbclid=IwAR3p41WYQw7cgU6THyLkeoqzDAm eEoe1nq2Rhfv2_MBfYobALUMIpXGJcjk

[ColourfulPeanut]

I noticed we're wearing white tonight which means England will be wearing blue.

Hate that. Clearly a case of both teams trying to flog away jerseys.

[Deckydee]

I noticed we're wearing white tonight which means England will be wearing blue.

Hate that. Clearly a case of both teams trying to flog away jerseys.

I noticed that too and commented on it on FAI FB. Not necessary!!

[tetsujin1979]

Sorry, had to post this..well done Paddy Power..

https://www.sundayworld.com/sport/soccer/jack-grealish-and-declan-rice-might-not-like-the-advert-greeting-them-as-they-arrive-at-wembley-to-take-on-ireland-39738448.html?fbclid=IwAR3p41WYQw7cgU6THyLkeoqzDAm eEoe1nq2Rhfv2_MBfYobALUMIpXGJcjk
Great, now they'll definitely score against us tonight.

[Fixer82]

Christ. Can we not play England in Wembley in green for Gods sake?

The away jersey is basically a Penney’s version of the 1990 away jersey.

[elatedscum]

I think Stutts has it fairly well covered, in fairness. Most of the LOI players worthy of callups, have been called up, or on the edges of international squads.

For those that aren't:

I'd say Sean Gannon is close enough, but he's never going to get past any of Coleman, Doherty or Christie.

Shields is unfortunate, probably deserved a callup last year, but has been more inconsistent this year. If Kenny were in charge 12 months ago, he might have had a shout.

There's not really any strikers in the LOI good enough. Serious lack of quality strikers within the league currently. Burke and Greene don't do it for me, and Rovers probably need a striker going into next year if they want to push on in Europe

Michael Duffy probably deserves a shout re the other lads mentioned

[Bielsa´s irish]

Are the elevens realeased already? any info?

I suspect Grealish, Rice and Keane will start Kane maybe but I see the guy from Everton with Rashford

[elatedscum]

Are the elevens realeased already? any info?

I suspect Grealish, Rice and Keane will start Kane maybe but I see the guy from Everton with Rashford

As long as Pickford is in goal, we've got a chance...

[Bielsa´s irish]

he has a good left peg for a left back, the thing is that he is a goalie
he is like an outside player playing in goals, his kicking is awesome

[tetsujin1979]

According to Sky Sports, Pope will start: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12016/12129849/nick-pope-to-start-for-england-against-republic-of-ireland

[Bielsa´s irish]

is Kelleher starting for Ireland?

[ColourfulPeanut]

Pope is poor as well. Has had a few bad errors so far this season.

I can't see us threatening their goal much tonight regardless of who's between the sticks.

[elatedscum]

he has a good left peg for a left back, the thing is that he is a goalie
he is like an outside player playing in goals, his kicking is awesome

He's got decent distribution (I'd take Alisson and Ederson over him by a long way) but he's a liability, a total headbanger. Clangers galore. Kamakaze tackles. Poor handling, command of his area. Small body. And shot stopping which at times is excellent, but equally goes through stretches where he's not saving anything.

[pineapple stu]

Randolph
Doherty
Duffy (c)
Egan
Hourihane
Browne
Idah
Christie
Hendrick
O'Dowda
Horgan

Subs - Travers, Kelleher, Brady, McClean, Long (Kevin I presume), Collins, Maguire, O'Shea, Curtis, Molumby

[Razors left peg]

Whats the story with Coleman, no reports of injury until team was named

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, noted as injured on the twitter anyway. Big loss.

[Razors left peg]

Christy at left back against Sancho might give us nightmares for years to come

[pineapple stu]

England -

Pope, Keane, Maguire (c), Mings; James, Mount, Winks, Saka; Sancho, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish (per the English Independent)

Who's Saka? Never heard of him.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Randolph
Doherty
Duffy (c)
Egan
Hourihane
Browne
Idah
Christie
Hendrick
O'Dowda
Horgan

Subs - Travers, Kelleher, Brady, McClean, Long (Kevin I presume), Collins, Maguire, O'Shea, Curtis, Molumby

We are very complicated. 4-3-3 again. too open. Weird Coleman and McCarthy out again, connolly injured in a session, Shane Long excused by short notice and an apparent injury. Maybe is just bad luck.

They are too strong, Rice wont play is a shocking news for me. 3-4-3 they will play all out attack

[shakermaker1982]

I’m not looking forward to this game.

[tommy_c12000]

What is going on with Horgans selection?! Really odd.

[ColourfulPeanut]

England -

Pope, Keane, Maguire (c), Mings; James, Mount, Winks, Saka; Sancho, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish (per the English Independent)

Who's Saka? Never heard of him.
Young left sided winger/wingback for Arsenal. Lovely player, will be a star in the future.

This might not be pretty.

[Bielsa´s irish]

I’m not looking forward to this game.

Yeap, let me tell ya that after the team realeased I say this will be 3 or 4 nil for the Queen. Damage may be done in first half I must observe

[Bielsa´s irish]

Tactically they look soft with Mount and Winks in the middle of the park, how i would love Roy Keane to don the green shirt again. They will attack from the flanks, Grealish will eat Doherty alive, and the Sancho vs Christie is hard to stop, horgan and odowda will have extra work with their wingbacks as well.

[Bielsa´s irish]

England has a team to keep possession with winks and the other fellow, winks is not my kind of player. we may get a chance with our 3 center mid against those 2.

[zero]

SK really does love o'dowda. maybe he'll do something useful tonight.

[tetsujin1979]

I know Kenny isn't a great speaker, but he really sounded out of his depth in that interview with Tony O'Donoghue on RTE

[Fixer82]

Did Jack Byrne not make the bench again?

What’s the story with this short kick out thing they’re doing? Cost us against Finland. Hasn’t worked again early on here

[Eminence Grise]

I know Kenny isn't a great speaker, but he really sounded out of his depth in that interview with Tony O'Donoghue on RTE

Thought the same. Media training is peanuts in the grand scheme of things, but it'd be money well spent by the FAI.

[BonnieShels]

It feels like the last move like that we had was in Paris 09 for Keane's goal. Outstanding move.

[Eminence Grise]

Bonnie, there have been times it felt like the last actual move we had was in Paris '09! Bright start! Ah, feck's sake ... Egan going off injured. O'Shea coming on.

[BonnieShels]

Eugh. Poor.

[the 12 th man]

Duffy going through a really horrible patch.:(:(

[passinginterest]

Shane Duffy is a shadow of the player he was.

[shakermaker1982]

Loved that urgency from Hendrick there.

[osarusan]

This could be 5 or 6 tonight.

Good few young, hungry players on that England team who won't take their foot off the gas.

[zero]

this is fairly pathetic stuff. hope those passing stats are looking good.

[Eminence Grise]

Two now. Getting pulverised this last 15 minutes.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, we started well but England have upped the pressure and we just can't hold the ball.

Worrying, but not unexpected

[passinginterest]

Feels really unlucky to be 2-0 down. But it is worrying that England look like finishing every chance they get. They’ve spotted that Duffy is the weak link, they're encouraging us to play it to him at the back and they're even targeting him from set pieces with a blocker and Maguire on him, knowing he'll attack everything.

[boovidge]

is Duffy suffering from Celticitus or had he declined before that?

[shakermaker1982]

Can somebody tell me what exactly does Hourihane bring to the party?