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

[pineapple stu]

Seems the FAI are thinking big for March. Italy were lined up but then ended up in the World Cup playoffs instead. But we're looking to maximise cash takings with Belgium/Spain/England/Holland. Not sure it's a good idea on the pitch though. The England friendly in 2019 was a waste of time and I think our recent uptick in form is enough to make any of these proposed friendlies much closer contests.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.extra.ie/2021/11/19/sport/soccernews/fai-march-friendly-aviva-stadium

[ColourfulPeanut]

Very optimistic of them to think crowd restrictions will be lifted by then.

Took them until October to have full stadiums this year and that lasted for a grand total of 1 match.

[Charlie Darwin]

Seems the FAI are thinking big for March. Italy were lined up but then ended up in the World Cup playoffs instead. But we're looking to maximise cash takings with Belgium/Spain/England/Holland. Not sure it's a good idea on the pitch though. The England friendly in 2019 was a waste of time and I think our recent uptick in form is enough to make any of these proposed friendlies much closer contests.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.extra.ie/2021/11/19/sport/soccernews/fai-march-friendly-aviva-stadium
I'm sure the FAI's dire financial position is part of it, but from Kenny's point of view I imagine he wants to be playing the best teams so that we can get better. Assume the England game last year was a similar idea.

[liamoo11]

I'm sure the FAI's dire financial position is part of it, but from Kenny's point of view I imagine he wants to be playing the best teams so that we can get better. Assume the England game last year was a similar idea.

That England game was such a depressing display.. we never matched their workmate, physicality or passion which I don't think I'd ever seen before in an Irish side irrespective of technical limitations. Our set piece defending was woeful no organisation with maguire absolutely bullying us. We were so stretched with our 433 massive spaces between everyone with so much uncontested space to play in . I don't think we put in a single tackle in the game.

An England game would be great to see of Barry's coaching has made us more competitive

[pineapple stu]

Are we starting to run out of time to find opposition for these games?

The window is 24-29 March, and at the moment the only teams without a game scheduled for 24-26 March are France, Belgium (both of whom we were apparently talking to), Latvia, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Liechtenstein, Andorra and Gibraltar

And then for 28/29 March, assuming the teams that lose the World Cup play-off aren't options even though technically they'd be free, you have France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Liechtenstein, Andorra, Gibraltar and San Marino.

So really it's France, Belgium, Croatia, or a series of teams who, at best (Latvia) are the same strength as Azerbaijan, and I think between Qatar/Lux/Azerbaijan we've played enough of those sides lately and need to test ourselves a bit higher. But I can't help feel France, Belgium or Croatia would be too strong, particularly given we probably need to try out some forward options and a game where we'd potentially have minimal possession isn't the best for that.

[Diggs246]

Can we just go with Oman for the comedy

[pineapple stu]

Actually we can't! They're playing in the Asian qualifiers on those days. All federations (including Europe) have qualifying on those days, so the options really are limited.

England are playing Ivory Coast as they're already out of the African qualifying, so they could nip over here I guess. South Africa also out of the World Cup and without a game.

And if I were France, I'd be looking at Belgium/Croatia as opponents for the two matchdays to be honest, which would leave us playing Latvia at best from the European teams. Maybe the FAI are lining up a big-money game with France/Belgium, but that's risky given covid restrictions are still in place (though likely to be lifted by March)

[JR89]

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[pineapple stu]

From TodayFM (https://www.todayfm.com/sport/republic-of-ireland-to-entertain-belgium-in-march-friendly-1303701) -


However, those hoping to catch a glimpse of the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku up front are likely to be disappointed.

As observed by HLN, Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez is likely to call upon a squad of players with 50 caps or fewer.

That's probably no bad thing actually.

[JR89]

It's still a good test for the upcoming games in June, and might see squad options in both games rather than the strongest XI thrown out for the game against Belgium.

Be great to see Manning get a run out in both games at LWB. Danny McNamara has been name checked by Kenny regarding these games but hopefully Doherty starts this game. Need to look at life beyond Coleman, and rather than drop him back into RCB call up Lenihan whose been great for Blackburn this season.

[pineapple stu]

Lithuania at home in the second game, which is a bit disappointing as they're close to Lux/Az/Qatar in terms of level (one place above Azerbaijan in the Eloratings for example)

But two very different games there.

[Deckydee]

Belgium Confirmed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.hln.be/voetbal/football-talk-rode-duivels-spelen-in-maart-oefenmatch-in-en-tegen-ierland~ae524343/

[sadloserkid]

Lithuania at home in the second game, which is a bit disappointing as they're close to Lux/Az/Qatar in terms of level (one place above Azerbaijan in the Eloratings for example)

But two very different games there.

I'm not too distraught. Be no harm to win one of the games hopefully.

[John83]

Yeah, a weaker game will allow some experimentation. Forward options seem the place that's least settled, Robinson aside. A goal for Idah or one of the others would be a big boost ahead of the summer.

[JR89]

Players Kenny name checked last month when talking about up coming games were Danny McNamara, Conor Ronan, Marcus Harness, and Mark Sykes. Could assume these four lads will be in the squad if available.

[third policeman]

Players Kenny name checked last month when talking about up coming games were Danny McNamara, Conor Ronan, Marcus Harness, and Mark Sykes. Could assume these four lads will be in the squad if available.

Ronan just scored a ‘sumptuous’ goal against Aberdeen according to BBC report. Surprised he’s not being linked with a move to a higher level. He’ll never get a look in at Wolves at this stage.

[JR89]

Ronan just scored a ‘sumptuous’ goal against Aberdeen according to BBC report. Surprised he’s not being linked with a move to a higher level. He’ll never get a look in at Wolves at this stage.

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[JR89]

Belgium named their squad this morning.

1504775462425440256

[Trequartista20]

Despite their resting several big guns it still looks a formidable squad.

Belgian squad:

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Blackburn Rovers), Simon Mignolet (Club Bruges), Matz Sels (Strasbourg).

Defenders: Sebastiaan Bornauw (Wolfsburg), Jason Denayer (Lyon), Arthur Theate (Bologna), Dedryck Boyata (Hertha Berlin), Wout Faes (Reims), Siebe Van der Heyden (Union Saint-Gilloise).

Wingbacks: Thomas Foket (Reims), Alexis Saelemaekers (AC Milan), Thorgan Hazard (Dortmund).

Midfielders: Leander Dendoncker (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Orel Mangala (Stuttgart), Hans Vanaken (Club Bruges), Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal), Youri Tielemans (Leicester City).

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Besiktas), Charles De Ketelaere (Club Bruges), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Leandro Trossard (Brighton & Hove Albion), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Jeremy Doku (Rennes), Divock Origi (Liverpool), Yari Verschaeren (Anderlecht), Dante Vanzeir (Union Saint-Gilloise).

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/roberto-martinez-rests-big-guns-ahead-of-belgium-trip-to-aviva-1.4830356

[Kingdom]

Kenny's Kids on twitter is saying Mark Sykes will be named in the Irish squad shortly this afternoon.

[Trequartista20]

No Obafemi. Sykes and Ronan called up.

[JR89]

Hogan and Lenihan brought back into the squad.

[JR89]

1504801368485384193

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Ah lads, not even the most biased Kenny backer can defend the decision to leave out Obafemi.

[Olé Olé]

I hope and am sure he will be asked and I'll be interested to hear why Obafemi didn't get a call up. I'm not going to say Hogan doesn't deserve his call up but I will say that Kenny emphasizes the promotion of youth a lot so by selecting a comparable striker like Hogan ahead of Obafemi he is exposing himself to criticism.

[SkStu]

Ah lads, not even the most biased Kenny backer can defend the decision to leave out Obafemi.

If Martinez can select an experimental squad for these friendlies, why can’t Kenny? Let’s be fair to all like.

Joking aside… it’s obvious that the beef between SK and Obafemi is real and it’s likely that the ill feeling is with the latter. The likely reason being he was dropped from the senior squad by SK back when. While that’s speculation (hopefully SK will confirm or clarify the situation), I think it is the most likely scenario. And, provided SK had the chats with him, I don’t think any fault lies with him. Players get dropped, that’s football. They should be men enough, for the most part, to not take it personally and if called on again you’d hope that they’d jump at the chance. All round, Obafemi seems to be a certain type of personality. SK doesnt appear to be the first manager he’s beefed with.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, unless Obafemi has a real attitude problem (Connolly left out for the same reason I wonder? Getting games now at least), I don't understand that one. Ronan's been in good form, but Swansea > St Mirren

[Jd2793]

Yeah, unless Obafemi has a real attitude problem (Connolly left out for the same reason I wonder? Getting games now at least), I don't understand that one. Ronan's been in good form, but Swansea > St Mirren

they dont play in the same positions so its a pointless comparison. hes picked hogan over obafemi.

[SkStu]

I hope and am sure he will be asked and I'll be interested to hear why Obafemi didn't get a call up. I'm not going to say Hogan doesn't deserve his call up but I will say that Kenny emphasizes the promotion of youth a lot so by selecting a comparable striker like Hogan ahead of Obafemi he is exposing himself to criticism.

There were many on here that were demanding a call up for Scott Hogan a month ago. That would have been one stick to beat him with. Now it’s Obafemi which is understandable given his form and potential. I just think it’s more likely to be a case of SK being told no, than him not rating Obafemi. Whether SK would go that far in comments is another thing…

[Eirambler]

Awful squad, probably the poorest selection of the Kenny era relative to what was available to him. Hogan over Obafemi and Connolly defies belief, if Obafemi (or Connolly) has turned down a call up Kenny would be best advised to be clear about that today, otherwise it's a ridiculous selection.

[ifk101]

Will be interesting to hear what Kenny has to say, but getting the impression Obafemi wants to dictate the terms and that’s a no-no. But Connolly isn’t there either which is surprising. Would have thought it was a choice between Connolly and Obafemi given similarities.

Overall, just a sense of oddness in the selected squad tbh.

[zero]

what's the story with jamie mcgrath? he hasn't featured at all since moving to wigan which is a bit surprising (unless he's unfit).

[Paddy Garcia]

Surely Obafemi over Hogan every day of the week.

[tetsujin1979]

I could understand leaving out one of Connolly and Obafemi, but not both

[pineapple stu]

Hogan over Obafemi and Connolly defies belief
Ah it doesn't. Connolly is getting game time now which is good, but he hasn't done much with it. Hogan is a proven Championship striker, which Connolly isn't yet.


what's the story with jamie mcgrath? he hasn't featured at all since moving to wigan which is a bit surprising (unless he's unfit).
He's been on the bench the last two games and played their two recent cup games. It looks like he might be getting up to speed with playing style?

[zero]

Ah it doesn't. Connolly is getting game time now which is good, but he hasn't done much with it. Hogan is a proven Championship striker, which Connolly isn't yet.


He's been on the bench the last two games and played their two recent cup games. It looks like he might be getting up to speed with playing style?

ah fair enough, wiki still has him down as 0 appearances. good to see he is getting some involvement.

[pineapple stu]

1504821387436998656

I've heard more convincing arguments for leaving a player out, let's just say.

[nigel-harps1954]

Kenny out.

How dare he leave out a player with a clear attitude issue, and who has turned down the chance to represent his country now on more than one occasion.

[Diggs246]

That's a never pick again as far im concerned.
In fairness to kenny he is totally blameless.

[ifk101]

Kenny has gone to see Obafemi play, has talked to him twice, talked to him this week. And there’s apparent anxiety about picking up an injury from training and playing too much. Kenny has done his bit as far as I’m concerned.

Connolly is not training and playing with an injury – not included to give time to heal. McGrath was dropped as he’s not in the Wigan team.

[Diggs246]

Also there is a lot people on the forum who owe Martin o Neill an apology.
I'm sure we now all agree that he too was blameless "when there was some confusion" before obefemi made his debut v Denmark

[SkStu]

Joking aside… it’s obvious that the beef between SK and Obafemi is real and it’s likely that the ill feeling is with the latter. The likely reason being he was dropped from the senior squad by SK back when. While that’s speculation (hopefully SK will confirm or clarify the situation), I think it is the most likely scenario. And, provided SK had the chats with him, I don’t think any fault lies with him. Players get dropped, that’s football. They should be men enough, for the most part, to not take it personally and if called on again you’d hope that they’d jump at the chance. All round, Obafemi seems to be a certain type of personality. SK doesnt appear to be the first manager he’s beefed with.

I will just requote myself here.

[Kingdom]

I will just requote myself here.

...Called it...

[Razors left peg]

I was fuming when I seen squad first. Connolly and Obafemi both should have been in I thought. Both reasons for being left out seem completely reasonable. Kenny has said that Obafemi is committed to us and Obafemis reason for not wanting to play just now are also fair enough I think. To say that hes turned down his country and should never be called up against is BS of the highest order.

When I seen the Birmingham vs Boro game during the week I was very impressed with Connolly and I thought that the difference between him and Hogan was stark. Its disappointing that he is also carrying an injury. I dont like Hogan at all, think hes another version of James Collins. Yet there were people hammering Kenny for not picking him up to very recently. He also supposedly "turned down his country" in the past. If he plays I want him to do well and I'll cheer him on.

Midfield still a bit of a concern. I like McGrath, Id have had him ahead of Browne even if hes not playing much at the moment but I couldnt make a strong argument for that either.

Overall its a pretty good squad with some very decent players to come back in after injury for the summer hopefully

[Diggs246]

I was fuming when I seen squad first. Connolly and Obafemi both should have been in I thought. Both reasons for being left out seem completely reasonable. Kenny has said that Obafemi is committed to us and Obafemis reason for not wanting to play just now are also fair enough I think. To say that hes turned down his country and should never be called up against is BS of the highest order.

When I seen the Birmingham vs Boro game during the week I was very impressed with Connolly and I thought that the difference between him and Hogan was stark. Its disappointing that he is also carrying an injury. I dont like Hogan at all, think hes another version of James Collins. Yet there were people hammering Kenny for not picking him up to very recently. He also supposedly "turned down his country" in the past. If he plays I want him to do well and I'll cheer him on.

Midfield still a bit of a concern. I like McGrath, Id have had him ahead of Browne even if hes not playing much at the moment but I couldnt make a strong argument for that either.

Overall its a pretty good squad with some very decent players to come back in after injury for the summer hopefully

Sorry explain why is it BS?

[Razors left peg]

Sorry explain why is it BS?

Because as Kenny clearly explained, the lad has never played 3 games in a row in his entire career. He is minding the hamstring for now to see if he can build a long term career for himself..... why should that lead to calls for him never to be called up again

[Diggs246]

Because as Kenny clearly explained, the lad has never played 3 games in a row in his entire career. He is minding the hamstring for now to see if he can build a long term career for himself..... why should that lead to calls for him never to be called up again

I'm of a view he will play tomorrow for Swansea and I dont want to he obvious but he is fit and players can't decide when it's suits them to turn up for their country. We can't rely on lads like this. How do you plan a formation or a team line up when a player decides his own availability.

[pineapple stu]

1504821040295337988

Stuff like this doesn't really help things. Obafemi has played three consecutive games. He's played the last 12 Swansea games in fact (with allowances for me missing something!)

[JR89]

1504821040295337988

Stuff like this doesn't really help things. Obafemi has played three consecutive games. He's played the last 12 Swansea games in fact (with allowances for me missing something!)

Think what he said was three consecutive games before his time with Swansea, but he has featured in three consecutive games for Southampton in the 19/20 season. Didn't start three consecutive but did feature in them.

[pineapple stu]

Doesn't really make sense to exclude the Swansea games though.

"He'd never played three games in a row before he played three games in a row"

Maybe we can chalk it down to Kenny not being great at the media stuff