Republic of Ireland V Belgium - Saturday, 26th March 2022 - Friendly

[ontheotherhand]

I’m biased, obviously, but I don’t think Forrestor would be out of place. I’m not expecting him to be called up, but I think he’s upped his game again this season, and is a class act. I think only personal issues stopped him making a real go of it across the water. I’m delighted he’s back with us though.

Yeah I think Forrester is among a very select group of LoI players from my time following the league who wouldn't look out of place a few levels up. And in his case we know that's the case as he played League 1 and did very well. That said, I also don't think he'd add much more than we have available at the moment at least. It would be great to see him in a squad but I don't think he has the same level of ability as Jack Byrne did when he was flying. Subjective obviously. Forrester is class and I'd love to watch him every week. Nice lad too from interviews etc.

[John83]

Haven’t really seen Manning do it - Christie has looked the more impressive player when I’ve seen Swansea play this season. But Scales hasn’t been involved for Celtic in ages I think since they got knocked out of the Europa league and there are few alternatives: Enda Stevens is still injured, not sure if Derrick Williams is playing for LA Galaxy since their season started - I think Robbie Brady could do a job at left back but he can’t stay fit either. Bagan is an option but I don’t think he’s quite there yet either, so no real complaints about Manning.
Left wing back is a bit of a long term concern, with Stevens getting on and everyone else unconvincing to some degree or other: out of position, fading with age, or not yet proven. I don't know if Manning is going to be the long term solution there because he's been playing a different position at club level. I thought he looked shakey there when he's played, but maybe the England game has biased my opinion of him a little unfairly. I'd probably be using Christie too, or rather Doherty with Christie covering Coleman on the right, but there's good reason to try Manning in some friendlies.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Vs Belgium I would go with

..,........................Bazunu................. ......

.............O Shea.....Duffy....Egan............

Coleman....Cullen......Hendrick....Doherty

Knight...............Robinson.........Ronan

[elatedscum]

Vs Belgium I would go with

..,........................Bazunu................. ......

.............O Shea.....Duffy....Egan............

Coleman....Cullen......Hendrick....Doherty

Knight...............Robinson.........Ronan

Ogbene is starting all day long. His raw pace caused Portugal so many problems. He could do the same against Belgium. Knight probably starts on the left and Ronan plays against Latvia

[JR89]

The team that started against Luxembourg bar Knight for Idah obviously will more than likely start against Belgium depending on the fitness of lads. Lined up as 3-4-3 but Knight will probably spend most of the game central.


...........................Bazunu


..........Coleman - Duffy - Egan


Doherty - Hendrick - Cullen - McClean


..........Ogbene - Robinson - Knight

[Eirambler]

Yes I think that will be the team Kenny picks. I don't really like seeing Coleman as a makeshift centre back when we have so many good young centre backs (I'd use these games to bring Collins into the team) and I don't think McClean is good enough defensively to play LWB (so I'd play Doherty over there and start Coleman at RWB), but I think that's what Kenny will go for.

[Diggs246]

Absolutely. Put Doherty in for McLean, push Coleman up and play around centre half

[JR89]

Left wing back is a bit of a long term concern, with Stevens getting on and everyone else unconvincing to some degree or other: out of position, fading with age, or not yet proven. I don't know if Manning is going to be the long term solution there because he's been playing a different position at club level. I thought he looked shakey there when he's played, but maybe the England game has biased my opinion of him a little unfairly. I'd probably be using Christie too, or rather Doherty with Christie covering Coleman on the right, but there's good reason to try Manning in some friendlies.

Watching the EFL highlights and Bagan going forward suits how Kenny wants his WBs to get involved in attacks. Found himself in the box early in the game and the keeper pulled off a good save to tip onto the crossbar, and got the assist for Cardiff's opener. Often finds himself in good attacking positions that you'd think he's playing as one of the two behind the striker, his chance and assist showing that.

Defensively though he can be poor. Can switch off at times and think he needs to be more aggressive at times. It's an area he needs to improve on but going forward he's decent. Definitely more of a WB rather than FB ATM. Hopefully keeps on improving and we see him in the squad for November. Would definitely be a good time to bring him.

[JR89]

Yes I think that will be the team Kenny picks. I don't really like seeing Coleman as a makeshift centre back when we have so many good young centre backs (I'd use these games to bring Collins into the team) and I don't think McClean is good enough defensively to play LWB (so I'd play Doherty over there and start Coleman at RWB), but I think that's what Kenny will go for.

Yeah I'd much prefer seeing Doherty on the left and Coleman on the right. Doherty probably had his best game for us on the left against Portugal and Collins I think is good enough to start RCB. Hope he gets the 90mins against Lithuania at least.

While he's not playing weekly for Burnley the fans have mostly been impressed whenever he's stepped in to cover for Tarkowski or Mee. Pity he'll probably be back in the championship next season.

[third policeman]

Left wing back is a bit of a long term concern, with Stevens getting on and everyone else unconvincing to some degree or other: out of position, fading with age, or not yet proven. I don't know if Manning is going to be the long term solution there because he's been playing a different position at club level. I thought he looked shakey there when he's played, but maybe the England game has biased my opinion of him a little unfairly. I'd probably be using Christie too, or rather Doherty with Christie covering Coleman on the right, but there's good reason to try Manning in some friendlies.

Christie has been in outstanding form for Swansea and is unlucky not to have been included. I could have understood had he called up Festy, but this squad is neither obviously for the future or the present. Long is playing today and is certainly, even at this stage in his career, an upgrade on some of those selected.

[Kingdom]

The most important match of the two (in terms of not being embarassed/taking a tanking, but also a real possibility to get a result that would look impressive even against a top tier side) even if the Lithuania game is the real important game (imo - in terms of giving real minutes to those fringe players).

In light of the former, there's no chance he doesn't start Bazunu, Doherty, McClean, Duffy, Egan, Cullen, Hendrick, Ogbene & Robinson. They will all be nailed on.

Bazunu


X1 - Collins
Duffy
Egan


Doherty
Hendrick
Cullen
McClean

Ogbene
Robinson
x2 - Knight

x1 - at some stage he's got to blood Collins or Lenihan. He knows he can rely on Dara, and the Lithuania game is probably better for someone who is unlikely to be matchfit.
x2 - Now that I've established football is an 11 player game - :eek: - Knight is a more likely starter than Molumby as he gives more going forward and defending from the front.

If he lines out above, then he's got to give lads game time against Lithuania.

Kelleher

Duffy
OShea
Lenihan

Coleman
Molumby
Hourihane
Manning

Sykes
Keane

Hogan

Again, now that rules of composition of sides has been established, I don't believe he'd call Sykes in without giving him a start. Maybe we'll see something a little different, without natural wide players - two sort of supporting Hogan, Keane slightly withdrawn and Sykes attacking from deeper.

Ugh that was awkward

[paul_oshea]

I hope we go into this game as players and fans with the right temperament for all intents and purposes this is their AB side. A good performance and a win from Ireland should be the goal here. But if we get beaten by 2-3 then we're back where we started, and it asks a lot of questions again.

[Eirambler]

Kingdom I think we'll get in trouble if we try to start 12 players in both games.

[SkStu]

Kingdom I think we'll get in trouble if we try to start 12 players in both games.

:D

"can we be team number 33 at the world cup and play with 12 players?" They asked that. Really.

[seanfhear]

Would football be better if teams could only field 10 players each ( including goalkeepers ) ?

[paul_oshea]

And called it 10-a-side?

[ontheotherhand]

I've been screaming for rank based player allocations for a long time. As the gap grows between the top nations and the likes of us, handicaps for rank need to be introduced.

Belgium should only be able to field 11 players - the handicap rank of their opposition. So if they are playing us, ranked 49, we should have a handicap of, for example, 2. So Belgium should start the game with 9 players.

Rank and handicap scale
1-20: no handicap
21-40: handicap of 1
41-60: handicap of 2
61-80: handicap of 3

[Kingdom]

Kingdom I think we'll get in trouble if we try to start 12 players in both games.

Nah, it'll be fine trust me.

That's what happens when you've got hybrid on the brain. Hmmm, a hybrid 433/352/343 formation - I know: 12 players!

morto.

[Kingdom]

I've been screaming for rank based player allocations for a long time. As the gap grows between the top nations and the likes of us, handicaps for rank need to be introduced.

Belgium should only be able to field 11 players - the handicap rank of their opposition. So if they are playing us, ranked 49, we should have a handicap of, for example, 2. So Belgium should start the game with 9 players.

Rank and handicap scale
1-20: no handicap
21-40: handicap of 1
41-60: handicap of 2
61-80: handicap of 3

My post with 12 players was an accident. I'm assuming the above is deliberate?

[jbyrne]

was looking to get another 2 tickets for Belgium this morning but it appears there are only single tickets available except for the premium.
looks like a crowd well in excess of 40,000

[tetsujin1979]

There are some available on toutless: https://toutless.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=37482&sid=ae7085c6dcfc061dc7ad17bf82c3d4d8

[ontheotherhand]

My post with 12 players was an accident. I'm assuming the above is deliberate?

It's nice that this forum is a place where a post like that can be assumed to be deliberate.

[Jd2793]

travers injured, talbot called in. unfortunate for him

[ontheotherhand]

Will never understand how Talbot gets near the international team. I don't think he's kept a clean sheet in something like 18 games? I think Maher is also training with them? Good experience for them both I suppose but wouldn't think either are at that level.

Feel bad for Travers. He deserved another shot. I suppose this opens the door for Bazunu and Kelleher to both get a full game each.

And nice to see Jimmy Dunne called up.

[pineapple stu]

James Talbot? Wow. Has Kenny not been reading the "Embarrassment of riches" thread?!

I think you're right on 90 minutes for each of Kelleher/Bazunu now - though I'd hate Kelleher to get 90 quiet minutes against Lithuania, and have another wasted cap like that Qatar game.

[Kingdom]

Will never understand how Talbot gets near the international team. I don't think he's kept a clean sheet in something like 18 games? I think Maher is also training with them? Good experience for them both I suppose but wouldn't think either are at that level.

Feel bad for Travers. He deserved another shot. I suppose this opens the door for Bazunu and Kelleher to both get a full game each.

And nice to see Jimmy Dunne called up.

I'd say (Talbot) it's convenience to be very honest. Maher's probably committed to the 21s, and filling a gap today.

[ontheotherhand]

Well Barry's gone so it might be backs to the wall against Lithuania stu.

[elatedscum]

Will never understand how Talbot gets near the international team.

Darren Randolph is making his pitch on instagram

[ontheotherhand]

I'd say (Talbot) it's convenience to be very honest. Maher's probably committed to the 21s, and filling a gap today.

Sure Ed McGinty is only down the road!

[SkStu]

James Talbot? Wow. Has Kenny not been reading the "Embarrassment of riches" thread?!

I think you're right on 90 minutes for each of Kelleher/Bazunu now - though I'd hate Kelleher to get 90 quiet minutes against Lithuania, and have another wasted cap like that Qatar game.

I think SK will put Kelleher in from the start for the Belgium game. He is savvy enough to know how highly rated CK is - including among a large portion of Irish fans - and to some extent might feel that CK has "earned" the big game in this window. The other option, i suppose, is that he gives them a half each like he did against Hungary but i do think he will go with CK for this one.

[JR89]

Darren Randolph is making his pitch on instagram

Strong whiff of people are ganging up on me time to play the banter card imo now that he's saying just joking and his comments about fishing.

[Kingdom]

Sure Ed McGinty is only down the road!

Talbot's been in before and is literally across the street from the National Centre. If he's acting as the third cog and doesn't rock the boat, what the harm.

[Kingdom]

Strong whiff of people are ganging up on me time to play the banter card imo now that he's saying just joking and his comments about fishing.

Thought exactly the same.

[ifk101]

Is Kelleher available to play? Didn't see his face on the squad training video the FAI have up.

[ontheotherhand]

Talbot's been in before and is literally across the street from the National Centre. If he's acting as the third cog and doesn't rock the boat, what the harm.

Ah yeah no harm at all and nice for the LoI to get a bit of recognition at least. Hopefully covid doesn't rip through and leave us with him facing Belgium though....

[pineapple stu]

I think SK will put Kelleher in from the start for the Belgium game. He is savvy enough to know how highly rated CK is - including among a large portion of Irish fans - and to some extent might feel that CK has "earned" the big game in this window. The other option, i suppose, is that he gives them a half each like he did against Hungary but i do think he will go with CK for this one.
I was thinking that actually. 45 minutes each in each game sounds like messing a bit. But if Bazunu is his number one still, it makes sense to use a friendly to really get confidence in a second choice.

We'll see I guess.

Lenihan out as well btw, which is why Dunne's called up. That's another pity; he's been doing well at Blackburn and deserved a shot in these games

[pineapple stu]

For the record btw, the Belgian players with 50+ caps (all left out of this squad) are -

Courtois
Vertonghen
Meunier
Alderweireld
Vermaelen (who's retired from internationals anyway)
Witsel
De Bruyne
Carrasco
E Hazard
Chadli
Lukaku
Mertens

That's a serious team (plus sub!)

[Demesne Lad]

Talbot's been in before and is literally across the street from the National Centre. If he's acting as the third cog and doesn't rock the boat, what the harm.
On the other hand, it could have been a chance to have a closer look at someone like Jack Bonham (Stoke); 12 senior games this season, 3 clean sheets, average goals conceded 1.25.

[Eirambler]

On the other hand, it could have been a chance to have a closer look at someone like Jack Bonham (Stoke); 12 senior games this season, 3 clean sheets, average goals conceded 1.25.

What's the point though - when are we ever going to be missing all three of Kelleher, Travers and Bazunu and find ourselves needing to call on Jack Bonham or Max O'Leary? We'd nearly be just wasting their time calling them up to sit on the bench. Might as well give the call up to someone like Talbot, even though he's obviously not a serious option he can be the designated "fourth choice" who can come in and sit on the bench whenever one of the other three are unavailable. Almost like a training keeper that the likes of Liverpool tend to sign these days, he's not really there to play in matches.

[elatedscum]

Is Kelleher available to play? Didn't see his face on the squad training video the FAI have up.

He missed the Liverpool match as a covid close contact / or with covid - but he travelled to dublin two days later, so should be available

[elatedscum]

Strong whiff of people are ganging up on me time to play the banter card imo now that he's saying just joking and his comments about fishing.

He was definitely upset about not getting a call up, probably rightly, he's in a totally different tier to Talbot and if he'd be happy to travel across as 3rd choice and not play, then he should be getting the call. Very possible he misses the players and misses the set up. If I was in his shoes, I think I would...

Then he got hammered from about 100 people for saying what he said and backtracked...

[Stuttgart88]

I think SK will put Kelleher in from the start for the Belgium game. He is savvy enough to know how highly rated CK is - including among a large portion of Irish fans - and to some extent might feel that CK has "earned" the big game in this window. The other option, i suppose, is that he gives them a half each like he did against Hungary but i do think he will go with CK for this one.Belgium is the better game to look at Kelleher. He had nothing to do against Qatar.

[ifk101]

Bazunu out. Illness ...... Max O'Leary in.

[pineapple stu]

Lightning can't strike three times... Can it?

[ifk101]

It coming from Kelleher, no? Not to blame given how easily it spreads but posts here said he had a recent bout of illness. And the goalies hang out together.

[Olé Olé]

Initially, I thought the best thing to do would be to give Caoimhin the two 90mins. I'm wondering now if there is merit in giving O'Leary or Talbot minutes?

If we had a goalkeeping crisis and all three of Bazunu, Kelleher and Travers were out then we would need to call on these lads, would we?

Well, if that crisis did arise and we needed a safe pair of hands then we ought to be calling Randolph. But it looks like Kenny is completely opposed to that thought. Hopefully he's never in a situation whereby he regrets this.

[Olé Olé]

It coming from Kelleher, no? Not to blame given how easily it spreads but posts here said he had a recent bout of illness. And the goalies hang out together.

Please tell me you're joking here...

[ifk101]

Please tell me you're joking here...

Please tell me you are not going there ... Relax.

[Jd2793]

talbot will not and should not see minutes. hes not the best keeper in loi not to mind good enough to get international minutes. only there because hes a dublin based gk.

[Eirambler]

Talbot isn't a serious option. But O'Leary is, that they've lost two of the three keepers means they now need a serious option in case anything happens to Kelleher, so he's in.