Republic of Ireland V France - Monday, 27th March 2023 - Euro 2024 Qualifier

[JR89]

O'Dowda ruled out and replaced by Brady.

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[Trequartista20]

O'Dowda ruled out and replaced by Brady.

1639946803788365824

Bizarre.

Brady's only started one of Preston's last seven games, whilst Manning is statistically the best player in that position in the Championship.

[JR89]

Yeah between Brady and Manning I'd likely lean more towards Manning, similar with McClean and Manning as Manning has better ball delivery. I'd tip O'Dowda over all of them though for LWB though.

He further tweeted though that O'Dowda isn't 100% ruled out for tomorrow. Interesting that he said O'Dowda was a certain starter so might still feature on the bench if passed fit.

[pineapple stu]

Brady should at least give the French bad memories. Every bit helps :p

But yeah, we're not far away from not having Coleman, Brady, Stevens, Doherty or McClean and - well, what more can you say about the continued omission of Manning? Or the Latvia game could have been a good time to bring McNamara into the fold - an ever-present for a side in the Championship play-offs. (Though I think McNamara plays on the right rather than the left)

[JR89]

Brady should at least give the French bad memories. Every bit helps :p

But yeah, we're not far away from not having Coleman, Brady, Stevens, Doherty or McClean and - well, what more can you say about the continued omission of Manning? Or the Latvia game could have been a good time to bring McNamara into the fold - an ever-present for a side in the Championship play-offs. (Though I think McNamara plays on the right rather than the left)

I'd be looking to get Lyons in before McNamara. Covers both sides and going forward he's better than McNamara.

[pineapple stu]

Yep, no problems with that either. Maybe a little bit inexperienced yet at the level he's at, but certainly looks like one for the near future.

[Fixer82]

Manning and Brady should be in squad.
I like McClean but he’s terribly predictable. 9/10 he’ll drop the shoulder and try to swing in a left footed cross

[SkStu]

Just like Mitoma ;)

[texidub]

One thing I would like to see on Monday --besides half the French team coming down with the flu-- is Kenny reacting quickly, if something clearly isn't working... positional changes first of course, but if he has to sub someone out as soon as the first half, I hope he does it rather than persevering with a player till the 70/75th minute as if we don't have other options available. Another vote for Ogbene beside Ferguson here too - don't know what he is like for Rotherham but he is lucky for Ireland.. and that's all that matters...

[Yard of Pace]

One thing I would like to see on Monday --besides half the French team coming down with the flu-- is Kenny reacting quickly, if something clearly isn't working... positional changes first of course, but if he has to sub someone out as soon as the first half, I hope he does it rather than persevering with a player till the 70/75th minute as if we don't have other options available. Another vote for Ogbene beside Ferguson here too - don't know what he is like for Rotherham but he is lucky for Ireland.. and that's all that matters...

First time for everything, I suppose.

I'd be happy with Ogbene or Obafemi.
I thought Obafemi and Ferguson linking up with Ferguson for his goal was a glimpse of what can hopefully become something regular. Fantastic anticipation and skill from them both.

[Kingdom]

Very excited for the game tonight - as is everyone I've spoken to. The optimist in me is saying there is something to get from the game tonight, but the pessimist keeps telling me it's too much to overcome.

It's a bright cold cold morning here i mBaile Atha Cliath, and it's due to be a nice evening by kick-off. That will help with the crowd, whether it helps on the pitch I'm less sure. A win tonight for France gives them 6 points from their 2 of their 3 toughest games of the group, which would make their job in the autumn more straightforward. That's why I'd expect them to 'go' for it tonight.

The important thing for us is to take the match in 15 minute blocks. Absolutely imperative not to concede early - try to get to h/t level and then start again, 15 minute blocks and stay in the game as long as possible. It'll be key to close their space - and i'd be happy enough to give them space in behind than to give them too much in front of us - particularly if we play 3 cb's. I like Rabiot as a player, but I don't think himself and Tchouamani are going to prise us open if we condense the pitch and the space to play in. And their two cb's are absolutely vulnerable when being run at, and when being targeted from out wide. In that regard it's a real pity O'Dowda has an injury.

Nerves will be shot as soon as the team is named. Have to believe that Bazunu, Doherty, Egan, Collins, Cullen, Molumby, Ferguson and Obafemi are going to play. After that it's down to injuries, fitness and game plan - 1 of Coleman or McClean; 1 of O'Shea or Andy O; and 1 from Knight, Hendrick, Ogbene or Smallbone (Italics is what I think he'll go with).

All weekend I can't shift the possibility that we get a really good result tonight and we'll go to Greece with something in the pocket in June. Here's hoping.

[weldoninhio]

Very excited for the game tonight - as is everyone I've spoken to. The optimist in me is saying there is something to get from the game tonight, but the pessimist keeps telling me it's too much to overcome.

It's a bright cold cold morning here i mBaile Atha Cliath, and it's due to be a nice evening by kick-off. That will help with the crowd, whether it helps on the pitch I'm less sure. A win tonight for France gives them 6 points from their 2 of their 3 toughest games of the group, which would make their job in the autumn more straightforward. That's why I'd expect them to 'go' for it tonight.

The important thing for us is to take the match in 15 minute blocks. Absolutely imperative not to concede early - try to get to h/t level and then start again, 15 minute blocks and stay in the game as long as possible. It'll be key to close their space - and i'd be happy enough to give them space in behind than to give them too much in front of us - particularly if we play 3 cb's. I like Rabiot as a player, but I don't think himself and Tchouamani are going to prise us open if we condense the pitch and the space to play in. And their two cb's are absolutely vulnerable when being run at, and when being targeted from out wide. In that regard it's a real pity O'Dowda has an injury.

Nerves will be shot as soon as the team is named. Have to believe that Bazunu, Doherty, Egan, Collins, Cullen, Molumby, Ferguson and Obafemi are going to play. After that it's down to injuries, fitness and game plan - 1 of Coleman or McClean; 1 of O'Shea or Andy O; and 1 from Knight, Hendrick, Ogbene or Smallbone (Italics is what I think he'll go with).

All weekend I can't shift the possibility that we get a really good result tonight and we'll go to Greece with something in the pocket in June. Here's hoping.

A goal difference of -6 probably and out of contention after 3 games. The usual Kenny campaign.

[tetsujin1979]

Really good hype video from the FAI, didn't quite stick the landing though
9IzA3xvFMCE

[backstothewall]

I'm a big fan of McClean but I wouldn't have him in the starting 11. His style of play in inherently risky. A red card or conceding a penalty would be a disaster.

That said, if we fall behind I would want him on the pitch as soon as possible.

[Fixer82]

Robbie Brady doesn’t make match day squad. Don’t understand that at all

[Joxerbrowne]

Any spare tickets going would love to bring the little brother.

[elatedscum]

No place for Troy which really surprised me

[elatedscum]

Likewise if anyone stumbles across 2 tickets at any level around the middle of the pitch, my tickets just fell through

[pineapple stu]

Robbie Brady doesn’t make match day squad. Don’t understand that at all
That is weird. Was he called up just to make the numbers up in training? But Manning/Lyons/McNamara could have done that.

Parrott and Keane not there either, but Idah is in. O'Dowda not in either (I think there was some rowing back on how injured he was, but he's definitely out now)

[elatedscum]

That is weird. Was he called up just to make the numbers up in training? But Manning/Lyons/McNamara could have done that.

Parrott and Keane not there either, but Idah is in. O'Dowda not in either (I think there was some rowing back on how injured he was, but he's definitely out now)

I’d say Brady was gonna be in the squad if Coleman didn’t make it. Right now you’ve probably got McClean and Doherty who can play left but if Coleman is out then Doc is only gonna play on the right

Given that it was yesterday, decent chance Brady could have already been in dublin, so it was a decent last minute shout…

[Diggs246]

Lads I'm having a mare
I'm stuck in a small German town with no Irish bar
Does anyone know what vpn I download for rte player will work on my Android phone?

[CraftyToePoke]

Lads I'm having a mare
I'm stuck in a small German town with no Irish bar
Does anyone know what vpn I download for rte player will work on my Android phone?

I can fix this for you

You just have to post : Stephen Kenny is a messiah & we're blessed he walks amongst us & ill sort ya.

[Eirambler]

Given that it was yesterday, decent chance Brady could have already been in dublin, so it was a decent last minute shout…

I'd say it was just the manager's preference to be honest, unlikely to be geography related. If Stevens was fit he'd call him up before Manning as well I'd say.

[elatedscum]

Was in Germany for a game last year and was able to watch via Dazn (you might get a 30 day trial) or find someone with an account.

They certainly had all the internationals then

[Philly]

I can really recommend TV Mucho - tvmucho.com

No VPN needed, they capture the RTE stream from the satellite. Stream quality is always great. Worth the occasional month subscription for me anyway.

[Diggs246]

I can fix this for you

You just have to post : Stephen Kenny is a messiah & we're blessed he walks amongst us & ill sort ya.

Stay classy San Diego!

[Diggs246]

I can really recommend TV Mucho - tvmucho.com

No VPN needed, they capture the RTE stream from the satellite. Stream quality is always great. Worth the occasional month subscription for me anyway.

Sweet thanks

[JR89]

Think we'll see this starting XI going by comments this morning:

........................Bazunu
............Collins - Egan - O'Shea
Coleman - Knight - Cullen - Molumby - Doherty
................Ogbene - Ferguson

[seanfhear]

I’d say Brady was gonna be in the squad if Coleman didn’t make it. Right now you’ve probably got McClean and Doherty who can play left but if Coleman is out then Doc is only gonna play on the right

Given that it was yesterday, decent chance Brady could have already been in dublin, so it was a decent last minute shout…
I was just going to say ~ Brady probably was in Dublin.

[Kingdom]

Think we'll see this starting XI going by comments this morning:

........................Bazunu
............Collins - Egan - O'Shea
Coleman - Knight - Cullen - Molumby - Doherty
................Ogbene - Ferguson

Suggested in our WA group too.

I really think that we could see Seamie tight to Mbappe with Andy O on that side to counter the turn, with Dara dropping out and everyone shifting across.

I'd be happy with either

[OwlsFan]

Old crotchety supporter as I am, it irked me to hear the Today FM sports reporter saying that his nephew is going to the game to see Mbappe. I can honestly say that in the decades of following Ireland I have never gone to a game hoping to see an opposition player. If he's good, I usually hope he's picked up an injury in training. But I suppose that's the way of the world.

I don't think we're without hope so long as we don't respect them too much. We beat the Germans after all. Don't overcommit and get caught on the break which is their speciality. Fingers crossed but it's probably the least optimistic I've ever been going in to a home game but we're not without hope. Lots of luck and a sterling defence and who knows.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's the era we're in. Having the FIFA cover star appear in your ground will sell tickets: I'm sure plenty who went to the Portugal game at home were motivated in part by the chance to see Ronaldo.

I'm not expecting a pasting tonight because I think Kenny's squad have demonstrated a ability to raise their game against higher seeds, and a draw is absolutely not out of the question. But I just don't think we're even at that level right now, and if we were hoping France might have a post-WC headache that got blown up with their destruction of the Dutch. France will score, they're too good not to, and I don't think we're good enough to score against them.

If we are pasted, like that 6-1 that spelled the end for you know who, it's another nail in the coffin for the current management, but it won't spell the final end.

[pineapple stu]

It's the era we're in. Having the FIFA cover star appear in your ground will sell tickets: I'm sure plenty who went to the Portugal game at home were motivated in part by the chance to see Ronaldo.
Ditto Haaland for Norway (whose withdrawal was announced after lots of tickets had been sold). I'm looking forward to seeing Mbappé too in fairness, though I'm not going to the game in order to see him.

I've a feeling tonight will be like the England game in Wembley, the only side comparable to France we've played under Kenny. Or indeed the last time we played France, for that friendly before the 2018 World Cup. I'll hope for a huge performance but yeah, logic tells you France are going to score and we're going to struggle to create.

Another first minute penalty would be great of course!

[backstothewall]

Old crotchety supporter as I am, it irked me to hear the Today FM sports reporter saying that his nephew is going to the game to see Mbappe. I can honestly say that in the decades of following Ireland I have never gone to a game hoping to see an opposition player. If he's good, I usually hope he's picked up an injury in training. But I suppose that's the way of the world.

My nephew is also going to see Mbappe!

[JR89]

Speaking of an early penalty or just in general, but who'll actually take any penalties we might get tonight.

Callum Robinson and Robbie Brady have taken the only two we've gotten under Kenny, and in the shoot out against Slovakia again Brady and Hourihane scored theirs while Doherty and Browne missed.

Browne if he comes on yeah because I think he takes them for Preston or has taken them for Preston. But there's no else that stands out unless he's gonna trust Ferguson taking them.

[Fixer82]

I would trust Ferguson as his confidence is sky high

[SkStu]

Think we'll see this starting XI going by comments this morning:

........................Bazunu
............Collins - Egan - O'Shea
Coleman - Knight - Cullen - Molumby - Doherty
................Ogbene - Ferguson

Didnt hear the comments this morning but this was more or less the team i would have picked too based on the injury to O'Dowda. Doherty and Coleman did very well away to Portugal off those flanks. The only worry is the pace that France have out wide and whether we can deal with that. Will obviously need to keep it super tight and cut out the errors in possession. Despite his comments, I think we will see more pragmatism from Kenny tonight and will see more direct balls into the channels where we can to exploit Ogbene's pace and keep France a bit more honest. I do still worry a bit that he plans to play Idah. He talked him up last week and again yesterday.

To be honest, am absolutely bricking it. Heart says 1-1, head says 0-4.

[paul_oshea]

No place for Troy which really surprised me

Not unhappy but surprised cos Kenny is an admirer. The lads his his ceiling very young

[paul_oshea]

Lads I'm having a mare
I'm stuck in a small German town with no Irish bar
Does anyone know what vpn I download for rte player will work on my Android phone?

Surfshark. Vpns are handy if you ever spend anytime out of your living country. Worth paying a long term subs


Likewise if anyone stumbles across 2 tickets at any level around the middle of the pitch, my tickets just fell through

A man in desperation still has requirements

[passinginterest]

Though my tickets had fallen through earlier and was a bit deflated but they've come good now. Can't wait to see Mbappe ;).

I presume Idah is at least going to play a part, given he's been named in the match day squad and that he performed so well in a similar sort of game against Portugal. Would be very surprised if he starts though. I'd say Ogbene and Feguson get an hour to run themselves into the ground and then, depending on the score to a degree, we'll probably see Idah and Obafemi (or a another midfielder if we're holding onto something).

[JR89]

I would trust Ferguson as his confidence is sky high

I would too but you also know the stick he'll take if Ferguson misses for putting that pressure on an 18 year old starting his second game for Ireland.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Though my tickets had fallen through earlier and was a bit deflated but they've come good now. Can't wait to see Mbappe ;).

I presume Idah is at least going to play a part, given he's been named in the match day squad and that he performed so well in a similar sort of game against Portugal. Would be very surprised if he starts though. I'd say Ogbene and Feguson get an hour to run themselves into the ground and then, depending on the score to a degree, we'll probably see Idah and Obafemi (or a another midfielder if we're holding onto something).

We'll probably be holding on to our rosary beads at that stage

[passinginterest]

Ferguson tool a penalty in the shootout for the under 21s if I recall. It was awful and easily saved. Wouldn't be be first choice to take one tonight. I'd possibly say Josh Cullen would get the nod.

[Yard of Pace]

Fellas young and old going to a game to see an opposition player is sickening.

Once it's matchday Ireland may as well be playing 11 Johnny Onion-Rings for all I care.

Never ever cared who was in the oppositon 11.

[Razors left peg]

Fcuk Mbappe, I hope he gets the legs kicked off him in the first 2 minutes and has to go off injured so anyone there just to see him gets disappointed.

[Diggs246]

Think we'll see this starting XI going by comments this morning:

........................Bazunu
............Collins - Egan - O'Shea
Coleman - Knight - Cullen - Molumby - Doherty
................Ogbene - Ferguson

Obefemi surely has to play
He is our only player who can create and score something out of nothing
Let's be honest France will score so we will need that bit of magic

[Razors left peg]

Lads I'm having a mare
I'm stuck in a small German town with no Irish bar
Does anyone know what vpn I download for rte player will work on my Android phone?

Pure VPN works for the RTE player, a lot of them dont. You can do weeks free trial

[Diggs246]

Pure VPN works for the RTE player, a lot of them dont. You can do weeks free trial

Thanks a mill
But this fella looks like the answer
Mucho - tvmucho.com

[Razors left peg]

Thanks a mill
But this fella looks like the answer
Mucho - tvmucho.com

Sometimes the streams on those sites can be hit and miss. No harm to have the back up!

[elatedscum]

A man in desperation still has requirements

The person I was going with has some eye issue where basically the closer to the halfway line the better. Got a detached retina getting an elbow going for a header and the detached retina led to glaucoma and then surgery followed but there’s still issues.

Normally I can just buy tickets no problem - but with this game everything sold out so quickly that after an hour, it was only behind the goal and the corners where tickets could be found. So I hung around, not sorting tickets trying to get something that would work.

Was told it was sorted on Thursday and got a text last night saying there was a problem