Republic of Ireland V Belgium - Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - Friendly

[Kingdom]

If we take JOSH as a caretaker manager only (i.e. not a live candidate for the vacancy), he's unlikely to shake things up too much. I would expect he'll start Bazunu today and Kelleher Tuesday, which would be a selection 'without prejudicing' the new mans thoughts (if that's the correct term to use in this instance).

I wouldn't be surprised if he reverted to a 4 at the back (I recall seeing somewhere he favours a 4 at the back), so it's a question of 4231 or 433. I don't think we've 3 midfielders who can do what's required of those 3, so I'll plump for a 4231.
I'd expect to see Doc, Andy O, Dara O and Manning now that he's fit as the 4. All our cbs (bar O'Brien) have had mistakes in them at club-level this season and there's been a serious deterioration in Nathan Collins performances particualrly for us but also at club level. Andy O is not without mistake either, but since coming in during the FA Cup in January from what I've seen of him, he's played really well in a team that concedes a lot of chances, so I'd start him. Dara O'Shea deserves to partner him.
I'd hope to see Ryan Manning purely because there's no other decent lb there and Doherty is not a solution going forward, but a better solution than Robbie Brady.

given the attacking 3-1 picks itself (doesn't it?) that just leaves who to pick as the 2 in midfield. Knight has the athleticism and grunt necessary, but you can't pick him and Cullen - they simply are too small. I haven't seen anything at Senior level that suggests Will Smallbone deserves gametime, nevermind starting, but he's got to be doing something right, and we need someone to get their foot on the ball to feed the front 4 so he could get the nod as the 2nd midfield player.

Baz

Doc
Andy O
Dara OS
Manning

Smallbone
Knight

Ogbene
Smodzics
Johnston

Ferguson

[Crosby87]

I started really paying attention in the buildup to the 1994 WC. Ireland/Italy at Giants Stadium ten minutes from my house was a great day. And there's been fun moments since.

Its just been bad and disorganized for a long time, Kingdom and its taken the air out.

The Irish I know here who 20 years ago were all really into it, I'm telling you none of them know the team is ever playing.

[SkStu]

Not sure if you’ve been asked before, Crosby, but do you have any Irish in you?

[seanfhear]

Not sure if you’ve been asked before, Crosby, but do you have any Irish in you?I refuse to make the old joke !

[Diggs246]

I refuse to make the old joke !

Go for it man
#6 inches

[SkStu]

I refuse to make the old joke !

Hahahaa! I was genuinely wondering but also knew what I was doing! :D

[ontheotherhand]

I started really paying attention in the buildup to the 1994 WC. Ireland/Italy at Giants Stadium ten minutes from my house was a great day. And there's been fun moments since.

Its just been bad and disorganized for a long time, Kingdom and its taken the air out.

The Irish I know here who 20 years ago were all really into it, I'm telling you none of them know the team is ever playing.

The people I'd have watched games with in the past are the same. I've drifted in and out myself at different points but they are all following LoI, rugby, gaa, or not much at all these days.

It's hard to separate the FAI from the team, particularly when both are in bad shape. The Kenny saga didn't help.

But I am off to the game now, and......I'm buzzing all the same!

[JR89]

Kelleher

Coleman
O'Shea
Omobamidele
Brady
Cullen
Smallbone
Szmodics
Ogbene
Ferguson

[Diggs246]

Kelleher
Coleman
O'Shea
Omobamidele
Brady
Cullen
Smallbone
Szmodics
Ogbene
Ferguson

Collins is playing as well

[Olé Olé]

What's the formation? 3-4-3?

Or is it 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1?

Collins O'Shea Omobamidele
Coleman Smallbone Cullen Brady
Ogbene Ferguson Szmodics

Coleman Collins Omobamidele O'Shea
Smallbone Cullen
Ogbene Szmodics Brady
Ferguson

Coleman Omobamidele O'Shea Brady
Collins Smallbone Cullen
Ogbene Ferguson Szmodics

Coleman Collins Omobamidele O'Shea
Ogbene Cullen Smallbone Brady
Szmodics
Ferguson

[Eirambler]

Looks like a 3-4-3 formation. On paper a very Stephen Kenny type of setup, too light in the middle, too many attacking players considering the standard of opposition, too many centres backs in the box but acres of space around it for long shots. And a left sided defender who isn't good enough. Hopefully I'm wrong and O'Shea will have them set up differently on the pitch.

[Razors left peg]

Fotmob have it as a 4 3 3, with Collins in midfield. I've not been one that's wanted that but plenty have. Let's see

[Olé Olé]

If it's 5 at the back and he's gone with Brady and Coleman as wing backs in the year 2024 then this man really shouldn't be near getting this gig (I don't think he is).

[Eirambler]

Quite something if he's had the option of playing any combination of the pace of Ogbene, Ebosele and Johnston out wide but he's gone for Coleman and Brady instead!

[JR89]

Fotmob have it as a 4 3 3, with Collins in midfield. I've not been one that's wanted that but plenty have. Let's see

Mick doesn't sound like a fan of picking Collins in midfield.

[Colbert Report]

When was the last time Robbie Brady started a match for us, anyone know?

[tetsujin1979]

When was the last time Robbie Brady started a match for us, anyone know?
September 2022
https://mastodon.ie/@irish_abroad/112145896030126078

[Razors left peg]

Mick doesn't sound like a fan of picking Collins in midfield.

Mick also said he doesn't know some of the Belgian players. Massive bugbear of mine over the years is pundits being paid to talk about football and not doing any homework

[JR89]

Mick also said he doesn't know some of the Belgian players. Massive bugbear of mine over the years is pundits being paid to talk about football and not doing any homework

It's why Lisa Fallon is the best pundit imo. Since she's actually worked as an analyst for clubs and NI. Was one of the triple headers our U21s played June 2022 where she was on commentary and pre game gave a detailed breakdown on how the opposition like to play and their weaknesses.

[Razors left peg]

It's why Lisa Fallon is the best pundit imo. Since she's actually worked as an analyst for clubs and NI. Was one of the triple headers our U21s played June 2022 where she was on commentary and pre game gave a detailed breakdown on how the opposition like to play and their weaknesses.

Personally I thought she went too far the other way though. She talks like its straight out of coaching manual sometimes, although I think she's improved recently. Mick sounds like a dinosaur here, get the ball into the big man Ferguson, Breen far better in his analysis

[Olé Olé]

If it's 5 at the back and he's gone with Brady and Coleman as wing backs in the year 2024 then this man really shouldn't be near getting this gig (I don't think he is).

He has done this. I'm utterly baffled.

[Crosby87]

Yes i'm Irish! And it was over six inches!

We always play it safe, Ole

[SkStu]

It’s working pretty well. I called the 3-4-3 as the likely formation a week or so ago as it almost has to be with our pool. It leaves decisions like the midfield and LWB as known gaps and a toss up.

Penalty now. Lovely jubbly.

[Olé Olé]

Hope he scores before the game is over. That was a bad peno. No confidence in that.

[sbgawa]

Took that peno like a striker playing his 21st game without a goal. Huge missed opportunity against a team like belgium even if it is a second 11

[joey B]

Poor penalty,no conviction at all…

[Eirambler]

How do you let a striker who hasn't scored in 20 games take a penalty, unless you're two or three goals up at the time. Doesn't even take them for his club. Absolutely nuts.

[seanfhear]

How do you let a striker who hasn't scored in 20 games take a penalty, unless you're two or three goals up at the time. Doesn't even take them for his club. Absolutely nuts.
Good point.

[liamoo11]

Good point.

Ogbene so poor with the two excellent openings. Contributes no link up no creativity and that push it past and run stuff is lovely on the highlights reel but mostly wasteful

[SkStu]

Solid showing all round and the back 3 formation working well.

I’ve been impressed by Coleman and the Smallbone/Cullen combo is working well in a way that I never thought it would. Cullen has done his sloppy short pass a couple of times but other than that is a decent shield. Smallbone has won frees, shown good feet and made a couple of smart forays into attack. Brady has been impressive too, maybe a bit slow in his decision making. Ogbene has been good but has wasted a couple of chances but I do like the look of this front three together. Ferguson, penalty aside, has done well, linking play well and trying to hold the ball up.

[Razors left peg]

Good 1st half. Collins been excellent. Terrible pen by Ferguson but I think he's leading the line very well. Ogbene drives me crazy. Great athlete, Terrible decision maker.

[liamoo11]

He has done this. I'm utterly baffled.


Solid showing all round and the back 3 formation working well.

I’ve been impressed by Coleman and the Smallbone/Cullen combo is working well in a way that I never thought it would. Cullen has done his sloppy short pass a couple of times but other than that is a decent shield. Smallbone has won frees, shown good feet and made a couple of smart forays into attack. Brady has been impressive too, maybe a bit slow in his decision making. Ogbene has been good but has wasted a couple of chances but I do like the look of this front three together. Ferguson, penalty aside, has done well, linking play well and trying to hold the ball up.

What has been good about ogbene?

[pineapple stu]

How do you let a striker who hasn't scored in 20 games take a penalty, unless you're two or three goals up at the time. Doesn't even take them for his club. Absolutely nuts.

Who do we have who takes penalties?

Brady the obvious one I guess? Scored v Armenia in his last cap

Kelleher? :D

Szmodics has scored a couple for Blackburn I think?

[SkStu]

What has been good about ogbene?

He creates chaos when he gets a bit of time and space. I kinda think the highlight reel stuff that you don’t value is quite effective, relieves pressure and gets our tails up. He’s a net benefit. Granted, with him, you have to take the rough with the smooth but he’s a vital part of the team and has worked well as part of that front three.

[SkStu]

That was a fantastic save from Kelleher! Good on him.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Really good save

[joey B]

Not a great cameo from Ebosele….

[SkStu]

He’s just not very good. Despite some fans on here, it’s been evident from all his appearances to date that he’s nowhere near the level required.

[Calcio Jack]

Who is the old tramp standing near the Irish bench ? Is it Tom the Gom ?

[Jolly Red Giant]

Who is the old tramp standing near the Irish bench ? Is it Tom the Gom ?

Don’t underestimate the impact that the old tramp had on what was a good Irish performance. For the first time in nearly four years the players looked like they knew what they were supposed to be doing.

[pineapple stu]

Not a great cameo from Ebosele….
Was thinking that too

Not sure what's been learned overall. We're not very good up front and I don't know how strong that Belgian team is.

Onwards to Tuesday I guess

[SkStu]

Overall would be happy with that. The second half more even but I’d say we shaded that. The three subs of the front line was too disruptive and killed the tempo we’d built up. Great performances across the board but in particular from Szmodics (that’s a real addition), Ogbene (sorry Liamoo) and the midfield duo. Back three all were really good (they’re our best combo) and Kelleher earned his corn with that save. Coleman still a viable option which is great news. Probably Ferguson would be most disappointed given the penalty and header chances. Ebosele stank it out in his cameo. Idah and Johnston couldn’t get into it.

[Eirambler]

Hard to know what to make of it. Wasn't awful, but how bothered were Belgium at the same time? Apparently it's the first time they haven't scored against a time outside the world's top 50 for 14 years, so that's something I suppose. It was a game that happened, that's about as much as there is to say about it. Typical interim manager type game I suppose.

[Razors left peg]

Good overall, an enjoyable friendly considering the score. We were very solid at the back, did well enough going forward to create enough chances that we should have won it. I thought that it was Smallbones best game for Ireland, kinda summed up the team, not spectacular but solid and did his job well. Collins was excellent too.

Already I see a lot of "Belgium didnt care". That was still a good Belgium team with lads trying to make the team for the Euros. We've lost to much worse teams than that in recent years.

[Olé Olé]

Did Coleman not make a few clangers in second half?

Thought the back 3 did well and Cullen, Smallbone and Szmodics take credit from the game. As does Kelleher. Ogbene should retain his place. Idah looked confident when he came in. Could argue for a start the next night.

The wing backs were hit and miss for me. Just don't think they offer enough for us.

[joey B]

The biggest problem with trying to take anything from this game is it’s an interim management team,on the assumption that O’Shea is temporary the next manager might want to play a completely different way thus anything that’s been worked on now might be for nout,it’s another massive failure by the FAI that we don’t have a permanent manager in place,you only get very limited time at international level to put your ideas in place…..

[liamoo11]

He has done this. I'm utterly baffled.


He creates chaos when he gets a bit of time and space. I kinda think the highlight reel stuff that you don’t value is quite effective, relieves pressure and gets our tails up. He’s a net benefit. Granted, with him, you have to take the rough with the smooth but he’s a vital part of the team and has worked well as part of that front three.

Fair enough. I always feel he gets alot of the leeway because he is so likeable while other players would get slaughtered for giving the ball away so much and butchering opportunities

[liamoo11]

Overall would be happy with that. The second half more even but I’d say we shaded that. The three subs of the front line was too disruptive and killed the tempo we’d built up. Great performances across the board but in particular from Szmodics (that’s a real addition), Ogbene (sorry Liamoo) and the midfield duo. Back three all were really good (they’re our best combo) and Kelleher earned his corn with that save. Coleman still a viable option which is great news. Probably Ferguson would be most disappointed given the penalty and header chances. Ebosele stank it out in his cameo. Idah and Johnston couldn’t get into it.

We really are seeing things differently. I thought ferguson played the best I've seen him ay for ireland, good hold up, aggressive, won the header for that chance, got into great positions and on Nother day walks off with 2 or 3

[passinginterest]

I thought overall it was a very good team performance. Brady and Coleman justified their selection. Coleman made a couple of mistakes on the ball but his defending was excellent. He was right in front of me second half and it was very encouraging to see him play so well.

I thought Ferguson shouldn’t have taken the pen. Brady clearly wanted it and I think it was Coleman’s call as he had a word with Ferguson and Brady. Looks like his left foot slipped just as he was striking the ball, typical luck of a player out of form!

Smallbone and Cullen put in a good shift, keeper and centre backs all effective. Front three all had some moments and could have scored. I think the positive impact of Ogbene was most obvious as soon as he went off. Knight couldn’t get in the game at all in that role and then Festy showed that it’s not all just about pace! I think Ogbene is still largely underrated to be honest, not always the best at holding the ball, makes the odd poor decision, but good far outweighs the bad and terrifies defenders.

Idah probably the best of the subs without doing a huge amount. Again, his attributes are so obvious, if he learns to really use them he’s still potentially a massive weapon.

It certainly looked like a more organised performance than the Kenny era. I think they may have actually worked on closing down shots from 20-25 yards out!!! Hard to read too much into it though, there was quite a few good performances followed by poor ones under Kenny (including a not dissimilar strength Belgium). Hopefully it’s the start of a team building on the obvious potential and the new manager can develop it further.

[SkStu]

We really are seeing things differently. I thought ferguson played the best I've seen him ay for ireland, good hold up, aggressive, won the header for that chance, got into great positions and on Nother day walks off with 2 or 3

Sorry no - you are absolutely right and I just phrased that poorly in my rush. He did play really well exactly as you pointed out - just I’d say was disappointed not to score the penalty and maybe the header - and might knock his confidence that bit more than would be ideal.