Armenia V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 4th June 2022 - 2022/23 UEFA Nations League

[pineapple stu]

Looking like 31 degrees at kickoff tomorrow, which is 5pm local time.

That's not going to help us. Not sure why it's on so early actually.

Meanwhile the Armenians are talking up revenge for that red card for their keeper in 2011 when they had play-off hopes in what I think is still their best ever qualifying campaign, but I don't know how much that'll impact things in reality.

[paul_oshea]

They're not really that was just one guy on a podcast with an Irish soccer journalist.

[pineapple stu]

It's also their captain - https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0603/1302925-motivation-not-an-issue-according-to-armenian-skipper/

[JR89]

According to Dan McDonnell it could be Ogbene, Robinson, and Parrott as the front going by how the team has trained and possibly Stevens starting at LWB. Interesting that Kelleher has been given the no.1 jersey in the match day squad and some talk that Bazunu hasn't trained fully because of a back issue. Could be an indication that Kelleher will possibly start.

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[pineapple stu]

RTÉ think it'll be Obafemi, Robinson and Knight up front - https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0603/1302921-armenia-v-republic-of-ireland-all-you-need-to-know/

[Eirambler]

There's a lot of guessing going on in the media.

I think safe enough to say the following will start:

Egan
Duffy
Coleman
Cullen
Hendrick
Robinson

And these will probably start:

Collins
Stevens
Ogbene

So that leaves one of Bazunu and Kelleher in goal and one of Knight, Parrott and Obafemi in the forwards.

The consensus seems to be that he's going with Parrott up front. Goalkeeper could go either way, might depend on Bazunu's back injury.

[Insidetherock]

getting nervous now.. wont even see the first half as I'll be in a car driving to Dublin for a concert.. COYBIG

[elatedscum]

I’d go with:

Bazunu/Kelleher

Coleman
Collins
Duffy
Egan
McClean

Hendrick
Cullen

Ogbene
Robinson

Obafemi

-

Would have no issue with Knight or Parrott coming in within the front 3. Or O’Shea among the back 3. Or Stevens in at wing back

[JR89]

Kelleher starts as well as Parrott

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[Insidetherock]

Would probably have left Coleman for Wednesday, but thats 50/50.. going to be interesting to see if Bazunu gets back in if Kelleher does well.. and likely to see Obafemi get a run

5 subs yeah?

[JR89]

Would probably have left Coleman for Wednesday, but thats 50/50.. going to be interesting to see if Bazunu gets back in if Kelleher does well.. and likely to see Obafemi get a run

5 subs yeah?

Yeah five subs, and will be water breaks in the 20th and 65th minute too.

[pineapple stu]

Ball retention is an unusual criticism of Bazunu I'd have thought?

That said, you'd like to think this game will be decided at the other end of the pitch. Here's hoping for more spark than against Lithuania or the first hour in Luxembourg

[tetsujin1979]

Kelleher ahead of Travers is a strange choice

[JR89]

Kelleher ahead of Travers is a strange choice

Starting the games in March has probably been a factor in selection. Though I feel Kenny has always had a soft spot for Kelleher so finds himself ahead of Travers in the pecking order and would be his no.1 only for injuries.

[tommy_c12000]

Kelleher is a firm number 3 for me until we see him play club games, Travers if Bazunu isn’t 100%. Nice to see anyone start ahead of McClean, we need to move on. Bagan looked good last night for the u21s so you never know. Solid team. Hope to see Obafemi get some good game time. Disappointed not to see Ebosele on the bench. Knight for Hendrick for me.

[pineapple stu]

Bit harsh on McClean I think - he can be inconsistent, but he's had a good season (only Irish player in the L1 Team of the Season, and we've a lot of L1 players) and it's hard to ditch him yet.

I'd like to see more options there for sure, but I don't think we need to be actively getting rid of McClean. He could be a good impact sub in a game like this if we're struggling an hour in

[tommy_c12000]

I actually thought he was 35, but I see he’s 33. I’d agree keep him in the squad for experience and as potential impact sub. Still badly need a good LB/LWB to take the bull by the horns

[passinginterest]

Robinson is the starting player you’d be most worried about. Hasn’t been in great club form and work rate can be hit and miss. If it’s not working out we’ve plenty of options to replace him early at least. Otherwise a very solid looking side and they’ve started well.

[passinginterest]

Don’t think that was going in anyway but great reactions from Kelleher to save it anyway. Collins a little bit sloppy to get caught in the first place.

[passinginterest]

And Collins gets Duffy booked. Really shaky start from him. Need to settle back down now.

[pineapple stu]

Thought it was clipping the outside of the post alright. Couldn't take the chance though.

[pineapple stu]

That looked a clear foul on Ogbene? Would have been a yellow too

[passinginterest]

That looked a clear foul on Ogbene? Would have been a yellow too
Looked absolutely blatant, ref and assistant must have been ball watching.

[centre mid]

Making hard work of it so far.

[passinginterest]

Starting to open them up a bit more now. They definitely can’t deal with the pace in behind.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, I think it's going ok so far. We're not drifting (yet) like we did in, say, Luxembourg or even Azerbaijan

It's encouraging that Armenia give possession away quite easily at times. When they keep it they're not bad though

[passinginterest]

Ogbene outstanding again. His timing has been perfect to beat the offside a number of times. Surely a top championship side or one of the promoted premier league sides have to be taking a look. Pity the chances so far have fallen to Robinson and he just doesn’t look confident.

[pineapple stu]

Ok, we're drifting since the water break now

[passinginterest]

I think the heat is impacting in the way we’re very happy to just keep the ball and not inject pace too often. I was impressed at how quickly we got behind the ball when Armenia got a chance to break. And another chance for Robinson there but he couldn’t get to it quick enough, and Ogbene was under pressure when it came back to him (still should have hit target).

[centre mid]

Ref hasnt given Ogbene anything at all.

[passinginterest]

Ref hasnt given Ogbene anything at all.
Even that one fairly sure ref wasn’t giving it until the assistant flagged. Should have scored there. I think that’s at least 3 really good chances now. It’s a worry not to have taken one.

On the positive side, in the past with that heat we’d have inevitably faded badly in the closing 15 minutes after having 30 or 40% possession. Here we’ve had about 70% and have been able to stroll around for long spells. Armenia have done most of the chasing and hopefully we can cash in on that in the second half.

We’ve created enough chances to be very comfortable and given very little away at the other end. Would like to see Obafemi for the second half, a finisher in form is what we’re crying out for.

[pineapple stu]

Oof.

I know Ogbene's aiming for that area close to the bar, but that's a bad miss

[tommy_c12000]

Surprised to see Ogbene playing so centrally? Making some good runs, but final product lacking. Robinson lacklustre, consistent with his long term club form. Time for Obafemi trial, let’s hope it won’t be the Will Keane target man show instead. Need a goal to settle them. Armenia are v poor

[Razors left peg]

We are doing ok. Controlling game but not creating enough and making some poor decisions.

Knight will come on and make difference in 2nd half. We'll win 2 nil I think

[Jd2793]

Obafemi for Ogbene please

[Bielsa´s irish]

I dont think ogbene is having a good match, he needs to score, he was there though, but his finishing isnt ok.

So far

Kelleher 6

Collins duffy egan. 7

Cullen hendrick stevens 7.
Coleman 8

Ogbene 5 parrot 7 Robinsón 6

[Trequartista20]

Not the most inspiring performance; we've looked lacking in a sharpness and have been sloppy in possession at times, but I expected that really with the conditions, and of course some of the players, like Ogbene, haven't played for a period of weeks.

I think the goal will come, and if it comes early in the second half we might go on to get a couple more.

[liamoo11]

Obafemi for Ogbene please

Yeah ogbene s finishing really lacking

[Bielsa´s irish]

If we had hoolahan and robbie keane of autrefois, we would be 3/0

Team is playing terrific football, still one tempo slow a bit more quick with precision and accuracy and we are evolution

[pineapple stu]

Yeah ogbene s finishing really lacking

Everyone's finishing has been lacking. We've created openings but not really forced a single save.

I can see Obafemi coming on after an hour. But the big disappointment so far is the front three. Robinson in particular isn't putting a case to keep him in the starting lineup unfortunately

[centre mid]

Blessed

[pineapple stu]

I was wondering why offside wasn't called earlier.

After seeing the replay, I've no idea how the linesman missed it.

Armenia have upped a gear after halftime though

[tommy_c12000]

What a goal! V unlucky for Armenia was a mile offside. Stevens giving the ball away was awful. Egan getting dragged in centrally was awful. Armenia finish sublime. Let off for Ireland

[passinginterest]

I’d like to see Knight or Browne for Hendrick, I think his lack of game time is hurting him now and he’s tired. Obafemi for Robinson would be the other change I’d make.

[Trequartista20]

Big let off. Armenia coming into it more now. They must be starting to believe they can win this one.

[passinginterest]

Hopefully that’s Armenia’s dangerous spell done with now. They were bound to have something. The water break is probably and ideal time for 2 or 3 changes to get fresh energy into the attack and midfield.

[pineapple stu]

Obafemi for Parrott?

I'd have taken Robinson off. Interesting one

[passinginterest]

Obafemi for Parrott?

I'd have taken Robinson off. Interesting one

I’d have done the same, but to be fair it was a close enough call. Knight for Robinson or Hendrick would be next move, I think he could work in both positions. Maybe Browne for Hendrick and Knight for Robinson.

[pineapple stu]

20 minutes to go - I think we need more than one change at this stage.

It's very reminiscent of Luxembourg away, even down to the disallowed goal.

But we'd just taken the lead by this stage in that one. We're not really looking like it here

[tommy_c12000]

Robinson has lived off his non competitive hat trick achievement for far too long now. Needs to come off