Republic of Ireland V Portugal - Thurs, 11th November 2021 - 2022 World Cup Qualifier

[tetsujin1979]

Portugal announced their squad for their qualifiers against us and Serbia
That's a ridiculously talented squad
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[JR89]

Bit fearful about the Portugal game. Don't think they underestimated us in the last game but they'll up their game again knowing a win means a draw against Serbia is good enough to top the group.

[pineapple stu]

Ireland squad announced too.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FDWbkQTXEAMtMvi?format=jpg&name=small

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland squad named. No Connolly, which is a big statement from the manager IMO, and no Clark, despite Kenny saying he would be considered for these games in November
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[pineapple stu]

Connolly an obvious omission, but I'm not sure he's a loss really. I'm not yet convinced he (or Idah for that matter) will be a player for us going forward. I think they're more likely to be this generation's Dave Savage or Curtis Fleming.

No Clark again, so obviously the talked-about talks didn't happen or didn't work. Arter also left out, but meh on that one.

Keane back in the squad but didn't make the bench last time - so is he an option or not?

That Portugal squad is serious quality, yet they're underperforming (as we saw in Portugal). Though we've been a bit lucky in recent games (the farcical equaliser v Serbia when we should have been dead and buried, Ronaldo choking on his penalty, Bazunu's unmentionables :) ). So are we both due a mutual reversal of fortunes? That would look ugly.

But the Luxembourg one is the key one for me here.

[JR89]

Not one bit surprised on Connolly being omitted but we'll probably hear how he's carrying a knock.

[pineapple stu]

Ronan Curtis another omission actually - I don't really rate him massively, but it's interesting because last week he went public saying he'd had it out with Kenny over being omitted from the last squad, and he's still out.

We all know League One isn't really the standard we want, but is he really worse than Keane or Parrott? He's outscored both between this year and last, all at the same level.

[Olé Olé]

I see Will Keane has been called up but Connolly hasn't. Wow. Interesting.

[Fixer82]

I see Will Keane has been called up but Connolly hasn't. Wow. Interesting.

Connolly needs to mature and learn how to pass. Keane I imagine is a more complete player, but haven't seen much of him to be fair

[SkStu]

Ronan Curtis another omission actually - I don't really rate him massively, but it's interesting because last week he went public saying he'd had it out with Kenny over being omitted from the last squad, and he's still out.

We all know League One isn't really the standard we want, but is he really worse than Keane or Parrott? He's outscored both between this year and last, all at the same level.

He does not play the same position as Keane and Parrott (who are both 10's). Curtis is a wide player. There's a case to be made that he replaces Horgan who is playing League One too so it is a bit ho-hum.

[pineapple stu]

Fair point I guess. Maybe it stands out more when we're really stuck for players, but Kenny does seem to have his favourites, and then others who he's happy to ignore, even if it mayn't necessarily be the best thing.

(In this case, I'm not entirely fussed between the lot of the options, but it's interesting given the bit of media coverage around it lately)

[JR89]

I see Will Keane has been called up but Connolly hasn't. Wow. Interesting.

Two different types of striker.

[jbyrne]

not sure that anyone could claim horgan is a better option than connolly so i wonder is SK using this squad as an opportunity to fire a warning shot at connolly

[ifk101]

I'd probably favour Connolly, but Horgan getting game time at club level so understandable pick. But otherwise I think it's a good squad, players picked complement each other and there's a versatility there for different approaches.

[SkStu]

Fair point I guess. Maybe it stands out more when we're really stuck for players, but Kenny does seem to have his favourites, and then others who he's happy to ignore, even if it mayn't necessarily be the best thing.

(In this case, I'm not entirely fussed between the lot of the options, but it's interesting given the bit of media coverage around it lately)

there may be more to it than meets the eye as it relates to Connolly's omission but even leaving that to one side, he has been in every Kenny squad. It could be argued that Kenny has dropped one of his favourites. This would support my take on him that he is an extremely pragmatic and systems-focused manager who picks the best players available to cover most bases well in the 2 - 3 systems that he has committed to. While i am sure he has his trusted foot soldiers, i do think he is far more pragmatic than many of our previous managers when it comes to formation and squad selection (where previous managers tended to pick the bunch of players that were playing - or not - at the highest level and squish them into a variation of 442. Not wrong, per se, just different).


Two different types of striker.

This is really important and what i was getting at earlier in the thread. We have to stop comparing players that shouldn't be compared because they play in very different positions as it relates to the systems i mention above. We need to ask whether he has picked the best player available in a specific position. Curtis v Ogbene v Horgan v Elbouzedi is a fair debate. Keane v Curtis (and even Connolly v Keane) are not.

[passinginterest]

I think at this stage it's becoming very clear that Kenny is looking to keep a balance to the squad, and that's not just in terms of players for certain roles, it's personalities etc. too. We hear a lot about how good the atmosphere is in the squad and how good training is from the players, if there's bad attitudes or bad trainers in the mix, I get the feeling he's willing to risk losing a small bit of individual quality in the interest of a better team dynamic. It's risky, but understandable at the same time. We all know we probably don't have the individual talents to compete at the very highest level, but eleven players all on the same page can really compensate for some of that lack.

[Olé Olé]

Two different types of striker.

I know. But thanks for that anyway.

Neither Connolly nor Keane got any minutes (Keane was dropped) during the last window. We have named one less "forward" and one more "midfielder" in this squad so Connolly is essentially losing his spot to a midfielder. Keane is probably behind Robinson, Idah and Collins in terms of the number 9 spot. I'd be surprised if he were being selected for one of the two positions behind the 9 or wide of a 9.

I don't think the need is that great for either player (should be even less great for Daryl Horgan), as the evidence bears out, so I think it's indicative of something that Keane has been called up and Connolly not.

Maybe it is indicative of a Connolly injury and all this is irrelevant.

[ltfc_2004]

Connolly wasn't in the last Brighton squad for the game against Liverpool so may have a knock.


Reading the Brighton Forum North Stand Chat their fans do not in general hold a high opinion of him or his attitude but he is young.

[JR89]

I know. But thanks for that anyway.

Neither Connolly nor Keane got any minutes (Keane was dropped) during the last window. We have named one less "forward" and one more "midfielder" in this squad so Connolly is essentially losing his spot to a midfielder. Keane is probably behind Robinson, Idah and Collins in terms of the number 9 spot. I'd be surprised if he were being selected for one of the two positions behind the 9 or wide of a 9.

I don't think the need is that great for either player (should be even less great for Daryl Horgan), as the evidence bears out, so I think it's indicative of something that Keane has been called up and Connolly not.

Maybe it is indicative of a Connolly injury and all this is irrelevant.

Keane was injured in the last window, and is more of a 10 than a 9.

[Kingdom]

Just on the Curtis references earlier. My understanding of Curtis' comments was that he had it out, and that Kenny explained the reasons for his omission from the last squads (i.e. areas to improve on, or reasons why he won't be considered) and that Curtis appreciated that, rather than "they had it out, and he'll back in the next squad" or whatever spin.

Arter out, and Molumby in, and Connolly out - there can be zero complaints. If there's a complaint to be made, it's from Zach Elbouzedi, and perhaps Obafemi given he scored midweek (it's pathetic that one goal scored can influence these things, but such is life), but I reckon Kenny will wait until March/June to bring in Zach.

[tetsujin1979]

problem with his heel, according to this
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[paul_oshea]

Kenny's saying Connolly is injured, but potter says he isn't. Reverse management situation

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40737078.html

It's stinkie Gordon

[elatedscum]

Kenny says he has a heel injury and he spoke with Connolly and Potter. Potter seems to have indicated that he was fit and not selected. Interesting one...

No real issues with the squad except I’d have Ciaran Clarke in ahead of Ryan Manning. I think your ideal option of playing Coleman and Doherty as wing backs, Stevens and McClean are available to come on the left if either is injured. I don’t see where Manning fits. Meanwhile, you’ve got 3 centre halves with just Collins as back up. I know Coleman can do a job there but I’d rather have Clarke...

[Fixer82]

Is Dara O’Shea still injured from last Ireland match?

[elatedscum]

Is Dara O’Shea still injured from last Ireland match?

Yep. I think the prognosis was 6 month injury at the time.

[JR89]

Kenny says he has a heel injury and he spoke with Connolly and Potter. Potter seems to have indicated that he was fit and not selected. Interesting one...

No real issues with the squad except I’d have Ciaran Clarke in ahead of Ryan Manning. I think your ideal option of playing Coleman and Doherty as wing backs, Stevens and McClean are available to come on the left if either is injured. I don’t see where Manning fits. Meanwhile, you’ve got 3 centre halves with just Collins as back up. I know Coleman can do a job there but I’d rather have Clarke...

Kenny also said in his interview:

"I spoke to Aaron yesterday myself, and we both decided - he didn't feel he was really right. Although technically he could possible be available next Thursday for selection but he hasn't been able to train, or he hasn't been training at all. He feels sore."

If Connolly had been playing for Brighton regularly before the knock he'd have been named in the squad. This minor heel issue that Potter described it as has made it easier for Kenny to drop Connolly imo.

Manning has mostly played LCB this season for Swansea and is fifth choice behind Collins in that squad.

[elatedscum]

Manning has mostly played LCB this season for Swansea and is fifth choice behind Collins in that squad.

If he's being selected as a centre half, I'd just choose Clarke ahead of him. Funny player Manning, he was a centre midfielder for the 21s and initially for QPR, saying he modelled his game on Gerrard, can't remember where he played for Galway but think it might have been out wide. Gradually moved from centre mid to left mid for QPR and from there was converted to left wing back and this season has started playing left sided centre half.

[Stuttgart88]

Kenny also said in his interview:

"I spoke to Aaron yesterday myself, and we both decided - he didn't feel he was really right. Although technically he could possible be available next Thursday for selection but he hasn't been able to train, or he hasn't been training at all. He feels sore."
Hmm, that doesn't help the conspiracy theorists.

[seanfhear]

Hmm, that doesn't help the conspiracy theorists.
Nothing to dig your heel in to.

[Bielsa´s irish]

ok I dont like our squad i would have called Ronan and Shane Long

[Bielsa´s irish]

Manning is a versatile player I would play him as an opton for midfielder , it is a waste for talent playing this fellow as a leftback or center back, of course as a club player, but he is a midfielder they gave him more defensive qualities but they have stopped him from scoring goals, I think he was flying out as left midifelder , scored like 8 or 10 goals in a season or two ago.. I guess

[Razors left peg]

Manning is a versatile player I would play him as an opton for midfielder , it is a waste for talent playing this fellow as a leftback or center back, of course as a club player, but he is a midfielder they gave him more defensive qualities but they have stopped him from scoring goals, I think he was flying out as left midifelder , scored like 8 or 10 goals in a season or two ago.. I guess

He has 7 goals in 5 years at QPR, so no he didnt get close to 10 in a season

[pineapple stu]

He scored 9 goals in a season once. For Mervue. No doubt Bielsa will claim that's what he was referring to...

[Bielsa´s irish]

He scored 9 goals in a season once. For Mervue. No doubt Bielsa will claim that's what he was referring to...

i checked he has 9 goals in 90 matches for qpr

and has 5 goals in 10 games for the under 20.

how a guy who could create and score goals can be played as center back, that's dull football and is not sensible football

[pineapple stu]

He scored 9 goals in a season once. For Mervue. No doubt Bielsa will claim that's what he was referring to...
Well I'll put my hands up - I was wrong.

He was talking about QPR's U20s. Which probably isn't a million miles off Mervue in terms of relevance to the international game.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Anyhow Manning is a fantastic midfielder that swansea turned him into a límited defender

[Olé Olé]

Keane was injured in the last window, and is more of a 10 than a 9.

Fair enough but I think they're both down the rankings in terms of forwards and the present system we are using offers a lot of flexibility in terms of who plays 9 or who plays behind the 9. I think it would have been much of a muchness in that I don't see either playing although Connolly was good in spurts against Portugal away.

Either way, it appears as though he wasn't fit per Kenny and that he agreed it with Connolly.

[paul_oshea]

Interesting what Kenny had to say here.

In the Championship for example, you've got a match Saturday, you've got a match Tuesday, you've got a match Saturday. You've 44 games of that. You discipline yourself then.

"That kind of focus, rather than having one match a week where you don’t know whether you're going to play or not, and you're probably not going to play... Over a period of time, even to the strongest of characters, that can erode your spirit.

I think it's no big surprise that he hasn't been included really, he hasnt been good enough or should I say isn't good enough at present and those who have come in have shown they can offer a lot more. Personally I've seen little in him to suggest anything more than a mcgeady type career. It's interesting to read Kenny's comments on focus and discipline and effectively saying he should go to the championship

[third policeman]

Except Hogan and Maguire are playing in The Championship and Obafemi went there to get football, and they’re all behind Idah who doesn’t play and Keane who is in League 1 and Parrott who is in League 1 and not playing much either.

[kennedmc]

Except Hogan and Maguire are playing in The Championship and Obafemi went there to get football, and they’re all behind Idah who doesn’t play and Keane who is in League 1 and Parrott who is in League 1 and not playing much either.

Agree although Parrott was playing a good bit up to recently. Given his performances I don't think Parrott is ready for competitive international ball yet (Andorra was a nothing friendly in terms of intensity etc) I have also been slight underwhelmed by Idah who has looked ok in patches especially his lack of urgency although he is a better than Parrott at the moment. I know the lads are young but I think Long would be a more effective option.

Given that Connolly doesn't appear to be actually injured I'm amazed he was left out. Despite his inconsistencies, lack of game time etc he offers far more of a threat than the other 2....Portugal's defence struggled to contain him I thought.

All opinions of course :D

[Olé Olé]

Collins out injured and O'Dowda in to replace him. Did Kenny not get the foot.ie memo regarding the prohibition on interchanging squad players of a different profile?

[Diggs246]

I was just saying in the scott hogan thread. If we need a goal surely hogan is the better option?

[Diggs246]

What will be interesting to see if Portugal give us all that room again on the flanks. If they do we could actually beat them

[Bielsa´s irish]

Two massive losses and he is out. Dead man walking

[Insidetherock]

Picking up tickets tonight.. getting excited for this game.. really would love to see a win in front of a full crowd. It would be a huge boost for all of Irish football. We need something to fall in love with again.

[seanfhear]

Picking up tickets tonight.. getting excited for this game.. really would love to see a win in front of a full crowd. It would be a huge boost for all of Irish football. We need something to fall in love with again.
Have you considered getting a dog ?

[NeverFeltBetter]

I wouldn't be expecting anything really, Portugal should be too good to be caught out twice and are well motivated with the table the way it is. A competitive loss would be fine for me. This is all about Luxembourg (and boy does it still feel weird to be saying that).

[texidub]

Agree with you but our team will be well motivated too - to prove that being 1-0 ahead against them in the 90th minute wasn't just a fluke. Portugal will sit back a bit more. We'll sit back less. That might suit us better in some ways. We're v unpredictable though at the minute, so I reckon a draw would be decent, a win would be great and the siginificance of a loss will depend on the performance. It is really about Lux though.. they must be punished for the trouble they caused us earlier in the group or it will all feel very much back to square one with Kenny being just as much of an unknown quantity (in terms of results) as he was when he took over.

[backstothewall]

Hope this is OK mods.

This is an aside from the game itself, but will be important for a lot of people from Ulster or north Leinster.

They are planning to close the Port Tunnel for maintenance at 10pm on Thursday, just as the game gets out. They did this after the Qatar game and I ended up traversing dark residential roads in the north inner city trying to find my way to the old N1 to get away.

Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile from SF is kicking up a stink about it online trying to get the work delayed by an hour or so if anyone wants to add to the bandwagon he's trying to get going on Twitter.

[elatedscum]

Hope this is OK mods.

This is an aside from the game itself, but will be important for a lot of people from Ulster or north Leinster.

They are planning to close the Port Tunnel for maintenance at 10pm on Thursday, just as the game gets out. They did this after the Qatar game and I ended up traversing dark residential roads in the north inner city trying to find my way to the old N1 to get away.

Senator Niall Ó Donnghaile from SF is kicking up a stink about it online trying to get the work delayed by an hour or so if anyone wants to add to the bandwagon he's trying to get going on Twitter.

Totally ridiculous.. something similar wouldn’t happen for GAA or rugby match.

If it is closed, and you need it, you can use Google maps but turn tell to avoid tolls and it’ll bypass the port tunnels.

Depends where you’ve parked, I guess you went across the east link and then tried to go across east wall to north circular road. If simplicity is the most important thing, you could just go down the quays instead of going through east wall.

I’d probably weave through the south side, wherever traffic was best, end up through Christchurch, north king street and out the N1.