Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria - Sunday, 23rd March 2025 - UEFA Nations League

[CraftyToePoke]

& we're off.

I want to see Taylor start, take a longer look at what he does.
Don't lose, cap tie the other lad, steady drama free window.
A Parrott goal would be the shine on the apple.

[liamoo11]

& we're off.

I want to see Taylor start, take a longer look at what he does.
Don't lose, cap tie the other lad, steady drama free window.
A Parrott goal would be the shine on the apple.

Drama free would be nice. If Denmark can finish the job then our world Cup group will be as manageable as we coukd possibly have hoped for

[tetsujin1979]

Bulgaria will be down four players
from https://www.instagram.com/p/DHd-UIBNIyN

Bulgaria coach Ilian Iliev will not be able to count on four players for the playoff second leg with the Republic of Ireland from the Nations League tournament

Dimitar Mitov, Viktor Popov and Alex Petkov are out of the squad due to injuries, and Zhivko Atanasov will miss the match due to suspension

Instead, CSKA goalkeeper Ivan Dyulgerov will travel to Dublin, who received a call-up earlier today to join the squad

The second leg with the Republic of Ireland is on Sunday at 9:45 p.m. at the Aviva Stadium

[Eirambler]

Even allowing for Knight not being suspended, it's a bit mad that Molumby isn't in the squad for this. Even off the bench it feels like his energy could be useful if things don't prove straightforward tomorrow night. Just another thing that doesn't make sense about the constant 23 man squads.

[elatedscum]

Bulgaria will be down four players
from https://www.instagram.com/p/DHd-UIBNIyN


And they'll still take more players to Dublin (24) than Ireland will have in Dublin (23)

[tetsujin1979]

They can still only name 23 in the match day squad

[Acornvilla]

I am torn between wanting to see another few faces start to see how they'll do, and having the same starting xi for continuity's sake

[pineapple stu]

I'd go continuity tbh. There's been a lot of chopping and changing in the past year, what with O'Shea taking the first couple of games last year, then HH not knowing who the players were for the first window, then seven changes from the England game to the Bulgaria game (injuries and suspension a big factor, granted). Be nice to get some semblance of a settled team

[Eirambler]

He might push Azaz out to one of the wider positions to get more of a target man up front, probably Ferguson, alongside Parrott. That would mean taking either Johnston or Manning out of the team.

Manning didn't do much wrong, but I'd be tempted to drop him and put Ferguson in from the start. Manning felt like a slightly more defensive pick for the away leg.

You could put Azaz straight in where Manning was or put him on the right and shift Johnston across to his more favoured position cutting in from the left.

Having the lead from the away leg gives us a little bit of breathing space to try something else out and change it again mid game if it's not working.

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

If it's going well it would be good to see Dunne and Abankwah getting a run to continue our run of capping dual eligible players. Vata and Armstrong would be other players it would be good to see again if circumstances allow. And some more decent minutes for Taylor if he doesn't start.

[Predator]

Could be reading way too much into it, but could Josh Cullen doing the press conference with HH mean that Nathan Collins might be dropped? It would be a bit of a surprise, but Collins made a lot of unforced errors (which luckily went unpunished) in the last game.

[rebelmusic]

Could be reading way too much into it, but could Josh Cullen doing the press conference with HH mean that Nathan Collins might be dropped? It would be a bit of a surprise, but Collins made a lot of unforced errors (which luckily went unpunished) in the last game.

I'd be shocked. If you look at the last press conference, Collins showed he needs a bit of PR training. Lots of sighing and adjusting his seat. HH gave him a couple of bemused looks. I might be reading into it too much but suffice to say I'm not surprised someone else was used this time

[Eirambler]

It's surprising that Collins isn't better at it, usually all top-level players get a fair bit of media training and he's been at enough clubs that I'd have thought he'd have gotten it somewhere.

Was reading on a Brentford forum that the club don't really see him at captain material either at this point, while his football has been great they think he has a way to go on that side of it as well.

[Razors left peg]

He might push Azaz out to one of the wider positions to get more of a target man up front, probably Ferguson, alongside Parrott. That would mean taking either Johnston or Manning out of the team.

Manning didn't do much wrong, but I'd be tempted to drop him and put Ferguson in from the start. Manning felt like a slightly more defensive pick for the away leg.

You could put Azaz straight in where Manning was or put him on the right and shift Johnston across to his more favoured position cutting in from the left.

Having the lead from the away leg gives us a little bit of breathing space to try something else out and change it again mid game if it's not working.

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

If it's going well it would be good to see Dunne and Abankwah getting a run to continue our run of capping dual eligible players. Vata and Armstrong would be other players it would be good to see again if circumstances allow. And some more decent minutes for Taylor if he doesn't start.

Being at home you'd hope we'd set up a bit more attacking than the other night. Whatever about the 2 defensive midfielders which was spoken about previously, I hope we don't have 2 fullbacks on the left side again. I'd pick Manning at left back over Brady, and then I'd agree with the rest of the team pretty much.... although I would still prefer O'Brien instead of Doherty I think

[Eirambler]

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



I was pretty close here! O'Brien for O'Shea the only difference.

[pineapple stu]

O'Brien and Ferguson in for Manning and O'Shea

Parrott and Ferguson both starting, so a bit more attacking than the away game, which makes sense

[Razors left peg]

Harsh on O'Shea?

[Olé Olé]

Harsh on O'Shea?

Probably but O'Brien is doing well in the Premiership too. He probably deserves his start. O'Shea is the unlucky lad to miss out. All in all, I think its the result of healthy competition. HH is wedded to a left footer at left back in spite of the dip in playing levels between that and the options available across the rest of the back four. I can see his logic. It just means that with everyone else fit, someone has to be disappointed.

[Razors left peg]

If nothing else it's probably the tallest center half pairing in International football

[SkStu]

I like that lineup a lot.

[Eirambler]

If nothing else it's probably the tallest center half pairing in International football

Some day we might get O'Brien and McGuinness alongside each other, which would be taller again!

[Razors left peg]

I like that lineup a lot.

I just like that Manning is dropped ;)

[SkStu]

I just like that Manning is dropped ;)

Hehe - yeah he was complete sh!te the other night, like!

I like the pragmatism. The selection was round peg / round holes away from home with a more defensive players in certain positions; at home he’s playing a more positive, assertive lineup but still with round pegs in the round holes.

[Razors left peg]

Hehe - yeah he was complete sh!te the other night, like!

I like the pragmatism. The selection was round peg / round holes away from home with a more defensive players in certain positions; at home he’s playing a more positive, assertive lineup but still with round pegs in the round holes.

I do like that he's willing to change it to more attacking at home and not just be stubborn in selection. First time in a long time I actually expect us to win comfortably. 3 nil

[rebelmusic]

O'Brien has been immense so far. I'm more comfortable when the balls comes to him than Collins.

[pineapple stu]

The usual good start and then a lull - but we're getting back on top without having conceded, which is good.

This is all very positive so far. Johnston getting more joy than Thursday. Their reserve keeper not looking great

[Eirambler]

A lot to like about this so far. Just need the goal for the bit of breathing space though.

[pineapple stu]

A lot to like about this so far. Just need the goal for the bit of breathing space though.

And there's the goal... :rolleyes:

[osarusan]

And after 30 minutes in which Ireland have been utterly comfortable, albeit without creating that much, Bulgaria nick a goal.

This was when Kenny sides tended to shrivel...we'll see what happens now.

[Eirambler]

That was always the danger with the one goal lead, one chance against the run of play was always a possibility. We're the better team though, just need to keep at it.

[Nesta99]

Ireland are more and more like LoI, comfortable, doing the right thngs and then a calamity!

[Eirambler]

Frustrating half. Unlucky as well. Lots of good things but we're just not getting the bounce of the ball in their box. Then they get in our box once and get a lucky chance with Collins and O'Brien going for the same ball and they score.

Hopefully that might channel a bit of anger and they'll come out firing again second half. They really have been the better team by a distance.

[geysir]

Bulgaria are the only team I know that celebrate their fouls.

[Razors left peg]

Ferguson looks a bit lost in the deeper role. Always the same, if you don't take your chances when on top you get punished. It was good overall in general but so frustrating

[Insidetherock]

Gonna be like Shamrock Rovers.. win away, do the hard work.. get caught with a messy goal at home.. dominate the game.. lose on penalties

?

[pineapple stu]

Very interesting how we respond to this as others have said. In fairness since the goal we've kept going, but there's just a lack of quality really. Brady putting in some great balls, we're a big threat from corners, I think Parrott is showing he deserves to be considered ahead of Ferguson at the current moment.

Still one of those you feel we should win, but have to go out and do it. We know from Thursday that Bulgaria are well able for the dark arts of spoiling games

[backstothewall]

Great first 5 minutes. But the longer the half went on the more inevitable it became that the Bulgarians would score the first time they got over half way.

Mikey Johnson has played well.

Evan Ferguson looks like he's drunk.

[Eirambler]

Yeah Ferguson has been more in the way than anything so far. Would be better off with another midfielder out there than him if that's his current level.

Really think he needs to get out of the Premier League for a full season, go to the Netherlands or France or somewhere where he'll play every week and find his way in the game again.

[Nesta99]

We are really vulnerable for whatever reason when teams break against us. I think it blunts us in attack, a safe pass back to maintain possession in fear of having to scramble a defence if we turn over possession trying the more ambitious ball. Its i the back of the minds i the payers and if you fear a diaster its like a self fulfilling prophecy. The nervousness filters in to the crowd. Score and I think we've shown the ability to manage the game to a close by being fantastically boring.

[Jd2793]

really nothing different to the first half of kennys stint. the goals we give away are an absolute joke.

[pineapple stu]

Ten minute delay for the second half as the ref is injured. That's a new one!

[backstothewall]

Do away goals make a difference in this? Or is it going to extra time as it stands?

[Eirambler]

We are really vulnerable for whatever reason when teams break against us. I think it blunts us in attack, a safe pass back to maintain possession in fear of having to scramble a defence if we turn over possession trying the more ambitious ball. Its i the back of the minds i the payers and if you fear a diaster its like a self fulfilling prophecy. The nervousness filters in to the crowd. Score and I think we've shown the ability to manage the game to a close by being fantastically boring.

It's the 2 man midfield I think. We can be outnumbered fairly quickly on the break because of it.

Would this be a game for Armstrong later on if we still need a goal? Idah doesn't seem to suit teams that sit in, and Bulgaria will probably be happy to sit in now for the most part.

[pineapple stu]

Do away goals make a difference in this? Or is it going to extra time as it stands?

No away goals any more

[Nesta99]

It's the 2 man midfield I think. We can be outnumbered fairly quickly on the break because of it.

Would this be a game for Armstrong later on if we still need a goal? Idah doesn't seem to suit teams that sit in, and Bulgaria will probably be happy to sit in now for the most part.

I know thats the general thinking with 2 in the middle but I still think we should be more composed even in the quick transition. Defenders roam forward someone should be ready to step in. We do get numbers back but is mayhem, 2 players going toward player in possession, runners not tracked or cut out - poor positioning in the panic. We're in a new old era of 2 up front and I think it suits us better but Ferguson is trying too hard to be involved so is more a passenger as a result, out of position and unable to get back to where he is a threat, except on set pieces.

[pineapple stu]

Ev on form buries that and asks questions later...

[backstothewall]

Idah has to come on for Ferguson here

[Olé Olé]

Ev on form buries that and asks questions later...
Those strikes fizz in under the keeper a year or two ago. Newcastle springs to mind. That effort was a poor imitation.

We have a game to win. He's going to be off in a minute. He has a lot of work to do to figure this all out.

[Olé Olé]

Those strikes fizz in under the keeper a year or two ago. Newcastle springs to mind. That effort was a poor imitation.

We have a game to win. He's going to be off in a minute. He has a lot of work to do to figure this all out.

I've never been more happy to be caught out like this. Absolutely utterly delighted. What a finish.

[pineapple stu]

Those strikes fizz in under the keeper a year or two ago. Newcastle springs to mind. That effort was a poor imitation.

We have a game to win. He's going to be off in a minute. He has a lot of work to do to figure this all out.
That's the exact goal I was thinking of

But he's finished that one nicely, just as he was about to go off. Back in this!

Edit - it's Parrott off actually. I wonder was that the plan, or did the goal change it?

[osarusan]

Super stuff. Lovely return from Azaz and then a thumping finish.