Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland - Thursday 20th March 2025 - UEFA Nations League

[CraftyToePoke]

Match thread time.
Who'd take 0-0 now ?

[Razors left peg]

0-0 away in 1st leg would be ok, but I'm hoping for better. This is not a good Bulgarian team and it should be perfect for Hallgrimsson to start making something out of us if hes going to

[Eirambler]

A draw away and a win at home would be fine. Very important that we win the tie overall, whatever way it comes about.

[pineapple stu]

Manning and Moran replace O'Dowda and Smallbone in the squad.

We are world beaters now! :p

[Acornvilla]

Manning's an interesting one, I think he should generally be in squads like many others, but any time I seen him play for Ireland, he hasn't offered particularly much, maybe that would change with a sustained run, maybe not.

One thing that sticks with me, is I remember between seasons at one point, possibly before he signed for either Swansea or Southampton, he was left out of an Ireland squad because he didn't want to get injured while negotiating who to sign for, he did an interview around that time, generally talking abut his career, life as a footballer, how football isn't actually his priority in life and that he's just concentrating on getting the best deal for his career so that he can secure his family's future. That's all fair, and something I wouldn't hold against anyone, but perhaps also not the kind of die for the team attitude managers looking for short term results look for, and could be why he's never seemed to be a first choice pick for us.

[Eirambler]

A fit Smallbone would have been helpful to have, Moran is a step down there. COD to Manning is much of a muchness, Manning seems to have put in some decent performances at a high level, so good to know he's at least third pick at left back ahead of Stevens, who was referenced by HH in his press conference also.

[elatedscum]

Manning's an interesting one, I think he should generally be in squads like many others, but any time I seen him play for Ireland, he hasn't offered particularly much, maybe that would change with a sustained run, maybe not.

One thing that sticks with me, is I remember between seasons at one point, possibly before he signed for either Swansea or Southampton, he was left out of an Ireland squad because he didn't want to get injured while negotiating who to sign for, he did an interview around that time, generally talking abut his career, life as a footballer, how football isn't actually his priority in life and that he's just concentrating on getting the best deal for his career so that he can secure his family's future. That's all fair, and something I wouldn't hold against anyone, but perhaps also not the kind of die for the team attitude managers looking for short term results look for, and could be why he's never seemed to be a first choice pick for us.

i do remember seeing him play for ireland u21s in a centre midfield with Josh Cullen and Declan Rice. Can't remember if it was the Azerbaijan game or the Norway game - but he won MOTM and it was exactly that die for the team type of performance you were talking about. Gerrard-eque in his combination of the driving, the tackling, the yards covered and the passing range, obviously at a much lower level. nonetheless, he seemed really passionate to play for his country...

[Razors left peg]

I hope that he will go with the shape that was picked against England. Id like to get another look at what they were trying to do with Collins before it all went t1ts up with red card.

Kelleher
Doherty O'Brien O'Shea Brady
Collins
Cullen Taylor
Azaz Parrott
Ferguson

Collins supplementing both the midfield and defense at times. It lacks for width but I think theres scope for Collins to cover back while the full backs go forward, and there are options off the bench if real width is needed as game goes on. I think this gets all our form players on the pitch, and even though I know Ferguson cant be regarded as a form player I still think hes our best striker, 4 International goals at the age of 20 is not bad.

[rebelmusic]

I like the thinking there...although I think I'd but Doherty as CB and O'Brien at RB. More in line with their current form and following the Moyes logic of RB being a safer spot for a young player .

I agree on the Collins bit as well. We were containing England quite well until the red card and that kick out option was handy as well.

[Razors left peg]

I like the thinking there...although I think I'd but Doherty as CB and O'Brien at RB. More in line with their current form and following the Moyes logic of RB being a safer spot for a young player .

I agree on the Collins bit as well. We were containing England quite well until the red card and that kick out option was handy as well.

I don't think I'd argue too strongly but I'm not sure I like the idea of Doherty in a 2

[Acornvilla]

i do remember seeing him play for ireland u21s in a centre midfield with Josh Cullen and Declan Rice. Can't remember if it was the Azerbaijan game or the Norway game - but he won MOTM and it was exactly that die for the team type of performance you were talking about. Gerrard-eque in his combination of the driving, the tackling, the yards covered and the passing range, obviously at a much lower level. nonetheless, he seemed really passionate to play for his country...
Outside of the fame and money, I'd say the actual training every day, traveling, eating right, missing life events, endless competition, having everyone have an opinion on you bit is a relentless grind, plenty of people lose a bit of hunger as they become established, you need a very particular personality to keep pushing all the time.

I got the impression from what he said that he was happy with his level, the goal was more about self preservation and protecting the life he's built for the future. He's done great to go from LOI 1st division to a PL playing international, I'm not making any negative remarks about him or his attitude, but I wouldn't say he brought that u21's energy to any senior apps I've seen :D

[Stuttgart88]

I can't find live TV details in UK. Anyone know? No listings on Premier, SKY or TNT.

Most recent NL games were streamed online by Premier Sports with no commentary.

I may have to find a pub with RTE.

[rebelmusic]

I think it's only on RTE. I'll PM you

[CraftyToePoke]

I can't find live TV details in UK. Anyone know? No listings on Premier, SKY or TNT.

Most recent NL games were streamed online by Premier Sports with no commentary.

I may have to find a pub with RTE.

Its TBC on here ; https://www.live-footballontv.com/
Which is unusual, but keep an eye.

[Kingdom]

Match thread time.
Who'd take 0-0 now ?

It's clear Bulgarian football is at a low ebb now. It was also at a low ebb when we played them last with a far better squad, and we didn't really impress then either failing to beat them.

I know this will sound stupid, I think we've got to score out there. I'd prefer a 1-1 draw than a 0-0.
I don't think we were as good in the victory against Finland as was made out - there were parts of the games where we absolutely awful and the result papered over some craics I thought. That said, we were superb for 45 mins against England, really really tight and impressive to watch, but reconciling that with the collapse- the utter collapse - in that 2nd half is difficult also. so the difficult circumstances of that 2nd half probably unfairly undermines that first half performance.

So the question is whether we get the first half Wembley performance, or the 2nd half Wembley performance; if it's the former, then the 0-0 would be unwelcome; if the latter, then you'd run a mile with the 0-0.
Ultimately it's the result at the end of next Sunday evening that counts, so a platform to be confident and assertive in Dublin is needed. If we score over there, I'd be expecting a win. I'd worry if we came back with a scoreless draw that the nerves might kick in on Sunday, especially if it was still 0-0 going into the last 45

[pineapple stu]

I know this will sound stupid, I think we've got to score out there. I'd prefer a 1-1 draw than a 0-0.
I don't think that sounds too stupid - always nice to know you can score against them when bringing them back home for a second leg. Though I don't know if I'd prefer a 1-1 over a 0-0 - it depends on the performance really.

I do think the Wembley performance won't be too relevant here - it's a very different type of game. We'll need to be able to get forward more than in the first half of that game. Kelleher and Collins - maybe even Doherty, strangely - are probably our strongest players at the moment so we should be able to keep it tight at the back and that's always a big start.

I think we should win over the two legs, but equally I can absolutely see us losing.

[Razors left peg]

I think the Wembley 1st half performance is still relevant because even poor teams are able to over load us in midfield when we just play with a 2 and I think that was Hallgrimssons first sign of being able to address that. It was pretty clever and I'm looking to see if it works in a different type of game

[Eirambler]

I still don't get why the solution to that can't be to just put three actual midfielders in midfield. Especially this time around when we have plenty in the squad, we were short last time due to injuries I think.

[Diggs246]

I still don't get why the solution to that can't be to just put three actual midfielders in midfield. Especially this time around when we have plenty in the squad, we were short last time due to injuries I think.

My whole thesis on Collins in midfield is because the standard of "Actual midfielders" we have is quite poor and Collins is a Premier league rolls Royce.
We have good cover in the central defense department as well

[Kingdom]

I agree that Wembley and Plovdiv will not be comparable. Why I consider the Wembley First half relevant is because it wasn't a traditional Irish away to the big boys siege defence. It wasn't Moscow, it wasn't Zagreb, it was comfortable. Very comfortable.

[Eirambler]

My whole thesis on Collins in midfield is because the standard of "Actual midfielders" we have is quite poor and Collins is a Premier league rolls Royce.
We have good cover in the central defense department as well

We're not exactly picking non-league lads either though. We have multiple decent options in midfield in the lower reaches of the Premier League and the Championship, it's just that when we only pick two of them to play they get overrun and look terrible. But they're not terrible, they're just victims of (imo) a poor selection decision.

I'm not convinced that we need to weaken the impact of our best player by playing him in a position he never plays at club level in an effort to get more out of our midfield. I think we just need to properly resource that area of the pitch with our actual midfielders.

[Razors left peg]

I still don't get why the solution to that can't be to just put three actual midfielders in midfield. Especially this time around when we have plenty in the squad, we were short last time due to injuries I think.


I was as skeptical of anyone of Collins in midfield. I disagreed with the idea of it for ages on here, but with him playing a hybrid sweeper type roll I thought it worked very well and as I said previously Id like to see it again. With the team I picked Azaz could also be seen as an extra midfielder in a diamond 4. Collins acts as a defender and midfielder as necessary, while Azaz acts as a midfielder and forward as necessary. It needs a well drilled team to make it work, but rather than just having an out right 3 across the middle I think its more flexible.

I agree with Kingers in that the 1st half against England wasnt 100% backs to the wall and defending for our life. It looked like we were quite comfortable and not getting overloaded in midfield for a change. Collins is our best player at the moment, I see no problem building the team around his strengths. Its not like for like but I remember Austria using David Alaba in midfield, simply because he was a better footballer than their actual midfielders.

[backstothewall]

I hope that he will go with the shape that was picked against England. Id like to get another look at what they were trying to do with Collins before it all went t1ts up with red card.

Kelleher
Doherty O'Brien O'Shea Brady
Collins
Cullen Taylor
Azaz Parrott
Ferguson

Collins supplementing both the midfield and defense at times. It lacks for width but I think theres scope for Collins to cover back while the full backs go forward, and there are options off the bench if real width is needed as game goes on. I think this gets all our form players on the pitch, and even though I know Ferguson cant be regarded as a form player I still think hes our best striker, 4 International goals at the age of 20 is not bad.

I think the time has come for Idah or Parrott to start ahead of Ferguson. It's more than a lack of form with Ferguson now. Since his injury this time a year ago he's only managed to get through 90 minutes once. He's a better option to bring off the bench if we need a good late on when play is likely to be more direct.

He need's a proper pre-season and possibly to drop down a division for next season.

[Razors left peg]

I think the time has come for Idah or Parrott to start ahead of Ferguson. It's more than a lack of form with Ferguson now. Since his injury this time a year ago he's only managed to get through 90 minutes once. He's a better option to bring off the bench if we need a good late on when play is likely to be more direct.

He need's a proper pre-season and possibly to drop down a division for next season.

I can see the argument for Parrott, but I dont for Idah at the moment. I like all 3, but I think Ferguson is the most talented. Idah has been up and down all season and as much as Ive defended him on here, he has lost his starting place in the Celtic team. So if the argument is that Ferguson shouldnt be starting because he is on the bench for West Ham you cant say Idah should be ahead of him on account of being a sub too. Id have Ferguson and Parrott both starting

[backstothewall]

I can see the argument for Parrott, but I dont for Idah at the moment. I like all 3, but I think Ferguson is the most talented. Idah has been up and down all season and as much as Ive defended him on here, he has lost his starting place in the Celtic team. So if the argument is that Ferguson shouldnt be starting because he is on the bench for West Ham you cant say Idah should be ahead of him on account of being a sub too. Id have Ferguson and Parrott both starting

I had a look at the stats there for all 3. Since the turn of the year:

Parrot has started 11/11 games. He has scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist.
Idah has started 12/19 and came off the bench in another 6 games. He has scored 6 goals
Ferguson hasn't had a start and has 6 appearances off the bench without scoring. He's had a total of just 109 minutes of game time.

It's pretty close between Idah and Parrot on paper. I agree Ferguson is probably the better player, but right now it's hard to imagine that he's even capable of getting through 2 games in 4 days.

I'd sooner have him as an option from the bench in the second half on Sunday if it's needed, but to start it's between the other 2 for me.



Edit: I missed Idah's champions league appearances. Updated his figures to reflect that.

[Razors left peg]

We'll all have our opinions but I think those stats are a little irrelevant. It's a bit like Bradley for NI, he doesn't start every game for Liverpool but he's still going to be in NI team no matter what. It's not a perfect analogy but for me Ferguson starts until he shows us in an Irish shirt that he shouldn't be.

[elatedscum]

Really no idea. Whoever you’re glass half full on, that’s probably who you’re picking.

As mentioned above, Ferguson just hasn’t had the minutes and the minutes he’s gotten he’s both looked good and bad. His movement is good, his linkup play is good but he’s lacking in confidence and at times he looks rusty and he’s missed chances he really should score.

Idah has had a mixed time. A good month followed by a month where he loses his place in the team and loses confidence. As a positive, he’s scored all kinds of goals against all levels of teams and the physical attributes should play up against the Bulgarians.

Parrott on the other hand is playing regularly and playing well, although also not in maybe the form he had earlier in the season and if you take away the penalties then maybe it looks like a more average season. Saw the full games against Spurs and felt although he looked like a very good footballer, they weren’t performances that screamed he should be starting for Ireland.

[backstothewall]

I've updated that post there. I had missed out Idah's champions league appearances.

And to be fair that includes the game against Aston Villa. Although they lost the game that match gives him the edge in my opinion. It was, to quote you elatedscum, a performance that screamed he should be starting for Ireland.

[rebelmusic]

Press conference with HH is here

I4LrDV_Vuc4

I have to say the moment at 13:00 makes me warm to him even more. Collins definitely needs some press training. The heavy breathing and fidgeting was a bit odd :D

[Razors left peg]

Press conference with HH is here

https://youtu.be/I4LrDV_Vuc4?si=6AXdAvNcjMrana8H

I have to say the moment at 13:00 makes me warm to him even more. Collins definitely needs some press training. The heavy breathing and fidgeting was a bit odd :D

He comes across as a genuinely good guy in general, if he gets the results right on the pitch he could be genuinely loved.

Does anyone know if Hallgrimsson ever actually moved to Ireland, given that it was something that the FAI had wanted in the job hunt?


Edit: I thought it was a particularly stupid question by TOD asking if mattered whether we got relegated or not. You've a short window to ask question in a press conference like that and for a team thats desperate to start winning a few games did TOD expect him to say he'd be happy to lose and get relegated? The funny part is that its TOD himself who would be probably hammering him in a post match interview if we did lose and got relegated... "So Heimer, you said you would be happy to get relegated, what do you have to say to the Irish fans who paid their money to come here tonight when you had no interest in winning." Maybe Im over analyzing it, but it annoyed me!

[CraftyToePoke]

I can't find live TV details in UK. Anyone know? No listings on Premier, SKY or TNT.

Most recent NL games were streamed online by Premier Sports with no commentary.

I may have to find a pub with RTE.

Confirmed on Amazon Prime now.

https://www.live-footballontv.com/

[Eirambler]

David Sneyd predicting this starting team:

---------------Kelleher
----O'Brien Collins O'Shea
Doherty Cullen Knight Brady
-----------------Azaz
-------Parrott Ferguson

[John83]

Could be. I assume journo team leaks are little more than educated guesses as often as not; does anyone have a read on whether Sneyd has called teams well in the past?

If that's the team, I wonder who is supporting central midfield and how, because we've been here before and Cullen and Knight unaided look a little underwhelming.

[Predator]

David Sneyd predicting this starting team:

---------------Kelleher
----O'Brien Collins O'Shea
Doherty Cullen Knight Brady
-----------------Azaz
-------Parrott Ferguson
I was leaning towards this XI yesterday. It's probably the strongest team, with the possibility of switching to 4 at the back if needed during the game.

I would be surprised if Manning suddenly leapfrogged Brady into a starting position on the left given that he wasn't in the initial squad.

[Exgrad]

He comes across as a genuinely good guy in general, if he gets the results right on the pitch he could be genuinely loved.

Does anyone know if Hallgrimsson ever actually moved to Ireland, given that it was something that the FAI had wanted in the job hunt?


Edit: I thought it was a particularly stupid question by TOD asking if mattered whether we got relegated or not. You've a short window to ask question in a press conference like that and for a team thats desperate to start winning a few games did TOD expect him to say he'd be happy to lose and get relegated? The funny part is that its TOD himself who would be probably hammering him in a post match interview if we did lose and got relegated... "So Heimer, you said you would be happy to get relegated, what do you have to say to the Irish fans who paid their money to come here tonight when you had no interest in winning." Maybe Im over analyzing it, but it annoyed me!

I presume that was the point of the question, a pretty lame gothca attempt.

[rebelmusic]

Sick of TOD but I've made my feelings clear before..

Anyway, decent preview on OTB this morning:
https://link.goloudplayer.com/s/pGH2gAaHRZ5d

The Sykes/Johnston suggestion would be baffling if it happens

[Acornvilla]

David Sneyd predicting this starting team:

---------------Kelleher
----O'Brien Collins O'Shea
Doherty Cullen Knight Brady
-----------------Azaz
-------Parrott Ferguson
I'd be happy enough to see how this goes, but Brady still being an arguable starter at lb/lwb is a major issue for me as much as I love him, and something we desperately need to find alternatives for. Who knows how long his body will hold out. I'd probably rather see Manning play both games and see what he can do over 180 mins. Matt Doherty has probably been our best lwb option for years!

[Kingdom]

Parrot should start - it shouldn't even be a consideration this week. I despair with the fixation on statistics in terms of appraising players. He didn't score away to Galatasaray but tore them apart and they couldn't live with him, should the lack of a goal be seen as a negative?
He's never been the goalscorer that a lot of people think he is/want him to be. He's so much more than an in the box striker. He's a link man, as can be seen by the amount of times he has scored this season from moves that he's been involved in the build-up too earlier in the move. He will not be a success if he's played in the isolated 9 role. But if he's picked in conjunction with another or two other attackers who can attack as a group (in conjunction with an advanced midfielder or a winger) then it will bear fruit in my opinion.

It is not a surprise that he did well with Obafemi. I would be interested to see what him and Armstrong with Azaz behind them would work like.

[pineapple stu]

David Sneyd predicting this starting team:

---------------Kelleher
----O'Brien Collins O'Shea
Doherty Cullen Knight Brady
-----------------Azaz
-------Parrott Ferguson

O'Brien and Doherty the right way around in that?

The two oldest players on the wings mightn't be great, but I think O'Brien and Doherty have been playing in the alternate positions at club level?

But yeah, it looks a reasonable team in the circumstances.

Bulgaria had nine 1-0/1-1/0-0 results last year (no 0-1s) and the 5-0 hammering in Windsor. Our team gets weaker the further forward you go (or stronger the further back you go). Could be a tough watch, this one

[Acornvilla]

It's 1 loss in 12 games going back to 2023 for Bulgaria, that Windsor match does seem an aberration. I reckon a 2-1 win is possible, but the nations traditional 1-1 is on the cards.

[Stuttgart88]

Confirmed on Amazon Prime now.

https://www.live-footballontv.com/

Is that a streaming service, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

[Eirambler]

Amazon Prime is a streaming service, yes. Of course, if you had the right end of a certain stick plugged into your TV, you might not need to subscribe to it.

[Razors left peg]

David Sneyd predicting this starting team:

---------------Kelleher
----O'Brien Collins O'Shea
Doherty Cullen Knight Brady
-----------------Azaz
-------Parrott Ferguson


That team could very well see Collins stepping forward into the shape we seen in Wembley. Personnel wise its pretty much what Id go for, there is logic in playing Knight and Cullen in the away leg, even if Id prefer to see Taylor in there

[elatedscum]

Is that a streaming service, or have I got the wrong end of the stick?

pretty sure they have a free 7 day trial, which you could get Stutts

[Razors left peg]

1902789740212129952

I honestly can't make head nor tail of that selection

[seanfhear]

https://x.com/IrelandFootball/status/1902789740212129952?t=k44Q71UZygK_C5lB4BefWw&s=19

I honestly can't make head nor tail of that selection
I assume Kelleher is playing in goal anyway !

[SkStu]

Brady and Manning? Azaz, MJ and Parrot?

Is that a 433/451 with Brady in the middle? I don’t get it…

[Razors left peg]

Only thing I can think of is maybe Manning is a left sided CB?

[SkStu]

Could be a (weird) 3-5-2

Collins - OShea - Dots
Manning or Brady out of position as wing backs
Cullen Azaz Knight
Johnson Parrott

[pineapple stu]

Could be a (weird) 3-5-2

Collins - OShea - Dots
Manning or Brady out of position as wing backs
Cullen Azaz Knight
Johnson Parrott
So two left-wing backs, including the one who didn't make the squad initially, and O'Brien on the bench?