Greece V Republic of Ireland - Friday, 16th June 2023 - Euro 2024 Qualifier

[JR89]

Johnston was also playing up until two weeks ago. Something Kenny talked about when mentioning McGrath and Scales in his press conference.

[mark12345]

So a two man midfield with three forwards away from home which has cost us results in the past?

Think it could be something like:

.............................Bazunu
Doherty -'Collins - Egan - O'Shea - McClean
....Knight - Molumby - Cullen - Johnston
............................Ferguson

Think Johnston will replace Ogbene from Marchs line up against France. Obviously won't be 5-4-1 like against France just easier to write it down that way. The midfield four would be a box formation with Johnston and Knight playing behind Ferguson.

Other than that Kenny will likely pair Obafemi and Ferguson up top with Molumby, Cullen, and Knight in midfield. Not sure how fit Idah will be having missed some training illness this camp.

Anyone have a link for the game?

[Crosby87]

Looks to be pretty hot on Friday in Athens.
Hope we don't wilt late.

[OwlsFan]

Looks to be pretty hot on Friday in Athens.
Hope we don't wilt late.

In theory the base camp in Turkey was supposed to acclimatise the players. Plus we don't play the long ball chasing game (as Kenny continues to remind us as nauseum) so perhaps we don't expend as much energy,

[backstothewall]

Looks to be pretty hot on Friday in Athens.
Hope we don't wilt late.

windy.com are saying it'll be 21°C in Athens at 8pm tomorrow.

I'd say that's a lot cooler than Greece could have been in June. 82% humidity could be a bigger issue than the temperature if they're correct.

[Diggs246]

the match kicks off at 9.45pm and our squad are young guys. its just wont be the reason we lose=, if we do lose

[backstothewall]

the match kicks off at 9.45pm and our squad are young guys. its just wont be the reason we lose=, if we do lose

Agreed.

If it was going to be in the high 20's or 30's it could have posed an issue, but the forecasts aren't going to be that badly wrong.

A squad of professional athletes should be able to get through it without to much difficulty. If we end up with too many guys the wrong side of 30 on their field blowing out their arse, that's on the manager. Greece being warm in the summer shouldn't surprise anyone.

We have the players and the weather to go and win this game.

[ontheotherhand]

Johnston was also playing up until two weeks ago. Something Kenny talked about when mentioning McGrath and Scales in his press conference.

Yeah that should count for something, at least for the first two. Can't see Scales featuring much even if he's gotten things back on track in Scotland.

It's odd, and exciting to have an 18 year old striker who we essentially need to build a team around. It will be really interesting to see what comes out of the Turkey camp as it sounds like it was as much an exercise to prepare for the Greeks as it was to prepare for getting the most out of Ferguson. Johnston might be a great option. It feels like his bit of trickery and quick interchanges from wide on the left might suit Evan down to the ground. I also like the idea of Knight running beyond him when he drops deeper to link up play.

Just watching videos of his goals this season. He's pretty versatile in ways our other strikers aren't maybe. He can poach, drop deep, go wide and has an eye for a pass as well as the goal. Finding the right players around him is key though as our options are more limited than his ability. Hopefully Kenny has seen something that works as I don't think we've gotten the most out of him quite yet. So early to be saying things like that but we do need to get everything we can from him if this campaign is going anywhere.

[Kingdom]

To be fair, for all of Jay's industry, endeavour and absolute engine, when it came to the crunch vs France, 3 times, it was his slight technical deficiency at crucial moments that let him down. Will he have a half second more in same situations tomorrow? Probably, but with more ball expected it would be better to have a technical player in those situations - i.e. smallbone.

[Razors left peg]

Yeah that should count for something, at least for the first two. Can't see Scales featuring much even if he's gotten things back on track in Scotland.

It's odd, and exciting to have an 18 year old striker who we essentially need to build a team around. It will be really interesting to see what comes out of the Turkey camp as it sounds like it was as much an exercise to prepare for the Greeks as it was to prepare for getting the most out of Ferguson. Johnston might be a great option. It feels like his bit of trickery and quick interchanges from wide on the left might suit Evan down to the ground. I also like the idea of Knight running beyond him when he drops deeper to link up play.

Just watching videos of his goals this season. He's pretty versatile in ways our other strikers aren't maybe. He can poach, drop deep, go wide and has an eye for a pass as well as the goal. Finding the right players around him is key though as our options are more limited than his ability. Hopefully Kenny has seen something that works as I don't think we've gotten the most out of him quite yet. So early to be saying things like that but we do need to get everything we can from him if this campaign is going anywhere.

Kennys comments over the last week or so make it pretty clear that they are building around Ferguson now and everything they are doing is to try get the best out of him. I know its probably obvious that he is our best player already, but I do like that its being embraced so quickly. Because of that I think we will see either Smallbone or Johnston in the team, probably not both away from home though.

[ontheotherhand]

Kennys comments over the last week or so make it pretty clear that they are building around Ferguson now and everything they are doing is to try get the best out of him. I know its probably obvious that he is our best player already, but I do like that its being embraced so quickly. Because of that I think we will see either Smallbone or Johnston in the team, probably not both away from home though.

Yeah it's pretty clear and that's as it should be. Cullen might be as important right now but Ferguson is the way we progress. I think I'd go for Smallbone against Greece with Johnston off the bench when players start to tire on both sides. Johnston should start against Gibraltar though for me.

[Supreme feet]

Kenny name-dropped Smallbone, mentioning how well he linked up with Doherty on the right against Latvia, so I think he's very much in contention.

I've been going on for a good while, to anyone who'll listen, about how we've had a Keane/Duff/Doyle/Hoolahan/McGeady/Walters-shaped hole in the squad since 2017; no reliable goalscoring threat up front, no powerful centre-forwards to bully defenders, and no creativity in midfield or threat from wide positions. That, as much as any level of mismanagement, has been our downfall in the last few years, as we've always, since time immemorial, played to the level of our opponents; which keeps us competitive when we're playing the big boys, but also sees us get dragged into tight games with the banana-skin 4th/5th seeds in groups. We've always needed a bit of quality to get us over the line, which no international coach in the world can magic out of thin air. Hopefully Smallbone and Johnston can step up on a consistent basis.

Actually pretty excited about this; if Kenny gets the tactics right, and the lads are at the right emotional pitch for it - not overwhelmed, not trying to force things, but focused, confident, and enjoying the challenge - then a win is possible.

[Crosby87]

Where is Paul O'Shea, lads?

[Razors left peg]

What are our Predictions for the Greece game lads?

At the risk of being labeled needlessly optimistic again Im going to go for a convincing win, best performance of the Kenny era so far.

3-1 with a couple of goals from Ferguson and a header from a corner from Collins.

[JR89]

What are our Predictions for the Greece game lads?

At the risk of being labeled needlessly optimistic again Im going to go for a convincing win, best performance of the Kenny era so far.

3-1 with a couple of goals from Ferguson and a header from a corner from Collins.

No risk about it as Greece are very stingy when it comes to given up goals at home. If we actually win 3-1 extend Kenny's contract until the next Nations League (sarcasm just before any of the anti Kenny's start ranting).

Optimistic from me would be 2-1, but this has 1-1 written all over it.

[nigel-harps1954]

A glorious 5-0 away win.

[pineapple stu]

Optimistic from me would be 2-1, but this has 1-1 written all over it.
Yeah, this for me. Defeat is entirely possible of course, but I can never bring myself to predict the sort of poor performances we've seen against similarly-ranked teams lately (Scotland and Norway).

[Razors left peg]

Yeah, this for me. Defeat is entirely possible of course, but I can never bring myself to predict the sort of poor performances we've seen against similarly-ranked teams lately (Scotland and Norway).

We also beat Scotland 3-0 this time last year, so theres slight room for hope it can happen. Also, I dont think we were poor in the away game, we lost a fairly close game that could have been very different if Parrott scored one on one with keeper. Norway was indeed sh1te, but Id rate them quite a bit better than Greece at moment.

[ontheotherhand]

I'm oddly confident. I think a win would be a very good result and wouldn't be too upset with a draw....but something tells me we are going to click a bit tomorrow and get a 1-0 win. I'm worried about Doherty but think we have enough good defenders to keep them out.

I agree with Supreme Feet above in that a large part of our struggles has been a lack of quality in the final third. When someone like Robinson has found a bit of form we've done ok but overall its just been very poor creatively and around the box. That has to change and it's a lot of pressure on an 18 year old but he seems to deal with it well.

[CraftyToePoke]

Where is Paul O'Shea, lads?

The tale is long Crosby mon frere & a sad one in the telling.
But he logs in each day to gaze from afar, longingly, & will surely type again one day. Inshalla.

& remember, even the blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.

[Crosby87]

Hmmm.

2-1 Green Goblins

[elatedscum]

Expecting a 1-1 draw. Hoping for any kind of win. I'd guess 2-1 if we win. Without Duffy in the side, we don't keep a lot of clean sheets, so probably need 2 goals to win - which we could definitely do, despite the fact the greeks will be fairly tight at the back.

[John83]

https://i.imgur.com/vensJ6P.png
Here's the Paddy Power odds. I am a little more optimistic than that, but the bookies have a strong incentive to know what they're doing.

[Diggs246]

I've a reoccurring nightmare that we take the lead and then blow it

[JR89]

2/1 isn't bad for the draw. As expected Liam Scales and Jack Taylor are the two that drop out for the match day squad.

[passinginterest]

The prep looks to be going well. The worry with these longer training camps is the players get bored and fall out with each other. The footage coming out looks like the players are enjoying it (to be fair I'd be worried if the FAI were posting footage of them knocking the heads off each other!). They should be well acclimatised to the warmer weather. They're coming off an impressive performance and now they have a great opportunity to build on that and add the all important result. I'd agree with a draw being the most likely outcome, but I do think there's a decent chance for a win. I was hoping to see a front two with Idah and Ferguson, I think with their size and mobility they'd be a nightmare for any defence to deal with, but with Idah missing some training that may not happen. I'd also probably prefer to see Smallbone start ahead of Knight, he had a strong season and impressed when given the chance. Knight could be a great impact sub, and at least now it looks like we have players who will be disappointed not to start but who are capable impact subs (potentially Knight, Obafemi/Idah, Johnston, Parrott, McClean can all bring energy and a bit of quality). I'd imagine the starting team is more or less as others have posted;
Bazunu
Doherty
Collins
Egan
O'Shea
O'Dowda (slight chance it's McCLean)
Molumby
Cullen
Smallbone (or Knight)
Obafemi (or Idah)
Ferguson

It more or less picks itself on recent performances. Just those three potential question marks. I don't think there's going to be a dramatic change like Johnston being thrown in, unless he's been absolutely sensational in training. Himself and McGrath maybe have a chance of starting if there's a slight shift in formation for the Gibraltar game.

[pineapple stu]

The main worry I think is that you could qualify a lot that team as -

Bazunu - dropped for last six games of the season
Doherty - 16 minutes since the end of Jan
Collins - two full games, three half-games and four token sub appearances since the end of Jan
Egan
O'Shea - hasn't played since mid-March
O'Dowda
Molumby
Cullen
Smallbone
Obafemi - 166 minutes since mid November
Ferguson

So half the team not getting regular football lately. Course, in a June game that could be an advantage as well, but I think on balance it's not a good thing for us.

[JR89]

Don't think Smallbone will start ahead of Knight. Now there's nothing between them and on merit he's had a good season to justify a starting spot. Also our set pieces improve if he starts as we don't have anyone else that's decent at them bar McGrath but don't see him starting.

Just don't see Kenny dropping Knight for this game. Now maybe both Knight and Smallbone start. 3-4-3 with Knight and Smallbone rather than Johnston as two players who'll support Ferguson.

Don't think Obafemi will start going off McDonnells comments that Obafemi was meant to do a press conference yesterday but opted not to. Might hint at he's not starting and didn't wanna do it knowing that.

[John83]

I'd guess Knight will be preferred to start for the hard running he'll do.

[Real ale Madrid]

The main worry I think is that you could qualify a lot that team as -

Bazunu - dropped for last six games of the season
Doherty - 16 minutes since the end of Jan
Collins - two full games, three half-games and four token sub appearances since the end of Jan
Egan
O'Shea - hasn't played since mid-March
O'Dowda
Molumby
Cullen
Smallbone
Obafemi - 166 minutes since mid November
Ferguson

So half the team not getting regular football lately. Course, in a June game that could be an advantage as well, but I think on balance it's not a good thing for us.

Had a look at a potential Greek team in a similar vein - they have had a lot more game time than we have, but not without issues either.

Vlachodimos – Benfica – Regular Starter

Baldock – Sheff Utd – Regular Starter
Mavropanos – Vfb Stuttgart – Regular Starter
Chatzidiakos – AZ Alkmaar – Regular Starter
Tsimikas – Liverpool – 20 apps last season

Siopis – Trabsonspor – regular Starter
Mantalos – AEK Athens – generally used substitute
Masouras – Olympiakos – in and out of team – no full 90 mins all season
Bakasetas – Trabsonspor – Regular starter – missed 6 of last 12 games through injury / suspension

Pelkas – Hull City - Mainly used as a substitute last 6-8 weeks, 1 start
Pavlidis – AZ Alkmaar – Regular Starter

Huge game for us tonight. If we could nick a win and looking as how poor the Dutch look under Koeman there may be a glimmer of hope and some momentum to be gained. All indicators point to the dreaded 1-1 draw for me though.

[CraftyToePoke]

1-1

A little something for everyone ;)

[JR89]

Ferguson is obviously starting, but wouldn't it be smarter to start McClean than O'Dowda in that case. In terms of how they play you know what you're getting from McClean and that's putting the ball into the box. No point bringing him on in the second half when Ferguson is likely to be replaced himself. Idah will likely replace Ferguson but he's harmless in the air when attacking crosses. Browne would do a better job than him in those situations

With O'Dowda coming on in the second half you've got fresh legs in a player who'll look to run at defenders. Especially if Johnston starts because he's looked good coming on later in the game when there's space for him to run at defences. You'd at least want someone with that ability to spring from the bench.

[Crosby87]

Bit off topic but there is a small Greek-Irish backstory in this game.

George Baldock, who recently declared for Greece due to his ancestry, played against St. Pats Athletic in a Europa League qualifier while on loan with Icelandic side IBV in 2012.

Stutts and I were at that match IIRC. It was a windy day, and a sea gull nicked his sausage roll. I still have the ticket somewhere.

[Real ale Madrid]

Stutts and I were at that match IIRC. It was a windy day, and a sea gull nicked his sausage roll. I still have the ticket somewhere.

Bray fans nicking food - not surprised tbh.

[MeathDrog]

Sorry I mistakenly deleted my original post while trying to edit. Baldock also started in a friendly for MK Dons v Drogheda in which he lost 1-0. Delle Alli missed a penalty. He also lost 1-0 to Pats. Hopefully these are omens for tonight!

[pineapple stu]

He also played in a 2-2 draw against UCD in the Bowl at the same time actually. Alan Smith (ex Man United) was captain at the time. Darren Potter and Luke Chadwick also involved. Hadn't spotted Baldock though.

[mark12345]

A link for the game? Anyone have one?

[SkStu]

Sorry I mistakenly deleted my original post while trying to edit. Baldock also started in a friendly for MK Dons v Drogheda in which he lost 1-0. Delle Alli missed a penalty. He also lost 1-0 to Pats. Hopefully these are omens for tonight!

I've noticed that happens when you try to edit the post using mobile (it doesnt happen if you think to convert your view to web view before you edit). Something for the support forum maybe?

I will go with an unreasonably optimistic score tonight of Greece 1 : 2 Ireland

[Razors left peg]

A link for the game? Anyone have one?

Use a good VPN and watch on the RTE player, or get yourself an IPTV subscription

[tetsujin1979]

I've noticed that happens when you try to edit the post using mobile (it doesnt happen if you think to convert your view to web view before you edit). Something for the support forum maybe?

I will go with an unreasonably optimistic score tonight of Greece 1 : 2 Ireland

there was a thread about it on the support forum. The workaroubnd I use is that, when I've tapped the screen, and the "delete" menu appears, tap "Go advanced" and you can continue editing the post

[tetsujin1979]

Lashing down at the moment in Athens
1669726989048066048

[ontheotherhand]

The main worry I think is that you could qualify a lot that team as -

Bazunu - dropped for last six games of the season
Doherty - 16 minutes since the end of Jan
Collins - two full games, three half-games and four token sub appearances since the end of Jan
Egan
O'Shea - hasn't played since mid-March
O'Dowda
Molumby
Cullen
Smallbone
Obafemi - 166 minutes since mid November
Ferguson

So half the team not getting regular football lately. Course, in a June game that could be an advantage as well, but I think on balance it's not a good thing for us.

This is my major concern as well but the silver linings are that they aren't injured and they have a point to prove.

[mark12345]

Thank you Razor

[Razors left peg]

Thank you Razor

Mark I tried to send you a private message but it seems you have that blocked. See if you can message me and I might be able to point you in right direction

[texidub]

A triumphant 1-0 victory fior the ages.






(Likely followed by a draw with Gib, but let's enjoy tonight, first :D )

[pineapple stu]

A triumphant 1-0 victory fior the ages. L)
Enough about Monday though - what about tonight?! :p

[Crosby87]

Is it bad form for me to have a gyro for lunch right now cause I kinda want one.

[ontheotherhand]

Is it bad form for me to have a gyro for lunch right now cause I kinda want one.

just don't add any cucumbers or tzatziki. call it a kebab and be about your business.

[JR89]

Smallbone over Knight surprises me but he deserves it.

1669759542350020635

[pineapple stu]

Yep. Big game for Lenihan but he's well up for it; understandable with O'Shea only back from injury. About time Idah did something to justify being in the squad - maybe tonight's the night but it's Hobson's Choice who to partner Ferguson.

Let's see how it goes!