Portugal v Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 11 October 2025 - 2026 World Cup Qualifier

[pineapple stu]

I saw some Home Nation squads being announced today, so I guess the Ireland squad for Portugal away and Armenia at home is imminent.

Is there anything we can possibly change to avoid a hammering against Portugal though? Their first game since Diogo Jota's death, Ronaldo chasing 150 goals, and only 15 months since we were ****ed on 3-0 in Aveiro, when we were lucky enough to get nil.

Could be a tougher watch than the Armenia game - at the moment the only consolation is that we often up our game against the better teams. But I don't see that being close to enough to earn a point here.

[Grafter]

Recall Coleman and Egan to squad to cool things down a bit.

[Razors left peg]

I saw some Home Nation squads being announced today, so I guess the Ireland squad for Portugal away and Armenia at home is imminent.

Is there anything we can possibly change to avoid a hammering against Portugal though? Their first game since Diogo Jota's death, Ronaldo chasing 150 goals, and only 15 months since we were ****ed on 3-0 in Aveiro, when we were lucky enough to get nil.

Could be a tougher watch than the Armenia game - at the moment the only consolation is that we often up our game against the better teams. But I don't see that being close to enough to earn a point here.

In 12 years of marriage this will be the 1st time Im gonna watch Ireland v Portugal in the same room as the Mrs.... thats how much that Armenia game has broken me. Ive no enthusiasm, excitement or any hope of a result. Shes been giving me digs for the last couple weeks about Ronaldo gonna break the record against us and I just shrug the shoulders. Its pitiful

[elatedscum]

In 12 years of marriage this will be the 1st time Im gonna watch Ireland v Portugal in the same room as the Mrs.... thats how much that Armenia game has broken me. Ive no enthusiasm, excitement or any hope of a result. Shes been giving me digs for the last couple weeks about Ronaldo gonna break the record against us and I just shrug the shoulders. Its pitiful

Didn’t he already break the record against us in the game where Bazunu saved the penalty and he got two late headers?

[elatedscum]

I saw some Home Nation squads being announced today, so I guess the Ireland squad for Portugal away and Armenia at home is imminent.

Is there anything we can possibly change to avoid a hammering against Portugal though? Their first game since Diogo Jota's death, Ronaldo chasing 150 goals, and only 15 months since we were ****ed on 3-0 in Aveiro, when we were lucky enough to get nil.

Could be a tougher watch than the Armenia game - at the moment the only consolation is that we often up our game against the better teams. But I don't see that being close to enough to earn a point here.

I’d certainly have Coleman in the squad in place of Jimmy Dunne, he probably does more for the squad than John O’Shea and does it for free. I’d also have Molumby back for energy and bite and hunger in place of Phillips. I’d have O’Dowda over Honahan. I’d have Festy in the squad as a winger and I’d find a slot for Jamie McGrath and get rid of Jonny Kenny in favour of someone else - could just be Festy or you could take an extra striker

[rebelmusic]

Watched the stoke game tonight with Lawal playing right back. He's the only bright spark I can see and could be very effective in a DM role, breaking up play and taking the quick smart pass.

We need to play Trappatoni style for this game if there's any hope of getting a point. My original hope was that HH would bring this kinda of system with a modern twist but it hasn't materialized.

After all of this it actually makes me think Big Sam would have been a good manager choice for us.

[Razors left peg]

Didn’t he already break the record against us in the game where Bazunu saved the penalty and he got two late headers?

Yeah hes chasing 150 International goals, think he needs 9 more

[elatedscum]

Watched the stoke game tonight with Lawal playing right back. He's the only bright spark I can see and could be very effective in a DM role, breaking up play and taking the quick smart pass.


Did he come off injured?

[CraftyToePoke]

Is there anything we can possibly change

The date on the thread, to the correct one maybe ?

This is such a no win situation, play like heroes, run them close like Kenny did, makes the Armenia result even more infuriating.

There's merit to a good solid hiding here, the game effectively over 30 minutes in. That is how fcuked things are.

[pineapple stu]

The date on the thread, to the correct one maybe ?
Arse. Don't know how I did that, but can't change it now. Over to tets/John...


I’d certainly have Coleman in the squad in place of Jimmy Dunne, he probably does more for the squad than John O’Shea and does it for free. I’d also have Molumby back for energy and bite and hunger in place of Phillips. I’d have O’Dowda over Honahan. I’d have Festy in the squad as a winger and I’d find a slot for Jamie McGrath and get rid of Jonny Kenny in favour of someone else - could just be Festy or you could take an extra striker
Not sure on Coleman, but the rest seem equally sensible and futile at the same time.

I can see this being 4-0 or 5-0. It's all set to be a kind of game where Portugal just don't let up when the points are in the bag.

[Eirambler]

Yeah hes chasing 150 International goals, think he needs 9 more

If the Ireland version of Nathan Collins turns up again you couldn't completely rule it out.

[tetsujin1979]

also, Ronaldo needs one goal to equal the record number of goals scored against us. The record of five is currently held by retired Polish striker Włodzimierz Lubański, who was Poland's record goalscorer, with 48 goals, until Lewandowski broke the record in 2022
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C5%82odzimierz_Luba%C5%84ski#Internationals_goal s

[rebelmusic]

Did he come off injured?

Yes. It didn't look too bad though. He was in a bit of pain but was hard to tell how tactical the whole thing was

[SkStu]

the rest seem equally sensible and futile at the same time.

exactly my thoughts reading ES' post.

[elatedscum]

Also presumably Taylor comes out considering he hasn’t played a single minute since the last international break. Whether that means bringing in McGrath in that slot or if it’s Smallbone or Browne or a wild card like Coventry or Ronan or Moran - you’d imagine either way he won’t make the squad

[elatedscum]

What worries me is that we’re at this point and genuinely there’s only 9 outfield players that I’d be sure or almost sure will make the squad.

Goalkeepers: kelleher is there. Presumably Travers and Bazunu, both of whom are backups at their clubs currently, but with O’Leary just returning from injury, Keeley is the only realistic challenger.

Right back: Doherty could miss out after his last game. Coleman could make it but unlikely given his playing time. Dunne made the last one. Festy could make it as a full back. Or he could envisage at centre half like O’Brien or O’Shea playing there.

Centre back: I’d be almost sure all of O’Brien, Collins and O’Shea will make it. Scales, Omobamidele, Lawal and Dunne (again) pushing for the remaining one to two spots.

Left back: Manning makes it. I would have assumed O'Dowda would be the back up but we went into the last squad with just one left back until Honahan was called up for Szmodics. I guess you could argue for Corie Ndaba as well but personally I think that’s very premature. Can’t think of any other realistic shouts apart from Jimmy Mac but presumably if you were gonna do that, you’d have done it last month when Brady first got injured and McClean was going well in the championship.

Centre mid: Cullen and Azaz will be called up. Beyond that, Knight is unlikely to be fit. Taylor hasn’t played in a month. Smallbone is barely back from injury and hasn’t played much. Lawal is an option if he considers him a midfielder, Coventry is doing well in the championship. Molumby and McGrath would make my squad but not sure HH rates either. Phillips is an option based on the previous squad. I assumed Alan Browne’s Ireland career was over but he’s doing well for the top team in the championship so he certainly has a chance.

Wingers: who knows, we seem to have 5 lads battling for 3 or 4 slots all at similar levels. Ogbene is still working his way back to fitness. McAteer is still adapting to his new club and Ebosele, well he was left out of the last squad - so those are your right wingers. On the left, Szmodics isn’t scoring - 9 games, no goals for a guy who scored for fun in his last championship spell. Mikey Johnston seems to be doing pretty well at club level but once again, HH has never really seemed convinced about him and he’s been dropped from squads a few times. Barry and Vata are probably the outside shout but neither are playing enough for their club.

Strikers: Ferguson and Idah are in, even though Idah’s form for Swansea is worrying. Parrott hasn’t played in 5 or 6 weeks and although he has a chance to be fit by the weekend, with the 23 man squads I’d say they won’t call him up. The other options are uninspiring to say the least: Jonny Kenny is barely making Celtic squads and has played 16 mins since the last Ireland camp. Tom cannon and Sinclair Armstrong can’t break into their teams - they’re getting a few mins off the bench and not scoring. Emakhu is playing for Millwall out wide but no indication he’s any better than Kenny. Michael Obafemi’s Bochum move seems to be going about as well as his Plymouth move. If you keep going down you reach Aaron Connolly, possibly the top scoring fit striker in the 25/26 season (3 goals) along with Callum Robinson (3). Not sure how he’s playing or how he is mentally or off the pitch. Might as well just call up Mason Melia.

Think we’re all pretty confident that 6 points are on the way.

[passinginterest]

You can almost smell the panic off the squad:
Goalkeepers: Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Liam Scales (Celtic), John Egan (Hull City), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Callum O'Dowda (Ferencvaros).

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Will Smallbone (Millwall), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Finn Azaz (Southampton).

Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Swansea City), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion), Chiedozie Ogbene (Sheffield United), Festy Ebosele (İstanbul Başakşehir), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town).

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025/1002/1536451-parrott-and-coleman-return-to-ireland-squad-for-lisbon/

Coleman and Egan back for the experience presumably. Lawal injured possibly. Molumby, Smallbone, Festy and O'Dowda also back and Parrot included.

[pineapple stu]

It looks to have a bit more balance about it in fairness. Quality, no - but balance at least. Some midfielders, for example.

Coventry maybe a bit unlucky not to be considered, but really there's nobody earth-shattering we're not leaving out.

[ifk101]

Muted, downbeat press conference with HH today. Looks lost and resigned to the worst. Struggled to answer questions at time – e.g. gave a delayed and waffling response to what he had learned of his players after Armenia. Seems the call on experienced players is to fix problems he can’t – he admitted he barely knows John Egan. Disappointing tone to it all. Was expecting an acceptance of the situation we find ourselves in and putting a positive spin on it. We know what is needed now and personally I don’t think a draw away to Portugal and win against Armenia is beyond the realms of possibility. But with no hint of optimism coming from HH, I’m now also resigned to the worst.

[tetsujin1979]

press conference available on YouTube
rG09vUsxMLg

[third policeman]

Any explanation for Lawal’s omission? Playing well and got great plaudits from HH during the last camp. Maybe he’s injured but if not, it seems a bit random. Not a good sign when selection continuity breaks down.

[Razors left peg]

Any explanation for Lawal’s omission? Playing well and got great plaudits from HH during the last camp. Maybe he’s injured but if not, it seems a bit random. Not a good sign when selection continuity breaks down.

He is injured. Came off at weekend and will be out for few weeks

[Colbert Report]

Doherty dropped? He won't play for this manager again.

[Trequartista20]

Lawal, Doherty and Knight are injured. This was made clear at the press conference.

[Trequartista20]

Bringing Coleman, Ebosele and Molumby back in seems sensible, and they shouldn't have been left out the last squad.

O'Dowda has only started one league game this season for Ferencvaros from what I can make out, but has featured regularly in Europe. And with Brady out, I suppose we are somewhat short at leftback.

Recalling Egan, having not been involved with us for over two years, in a position where we've the greatest depth, and who hasn't played regularly since the 22/23 season, seems extraordinarily and needlessly regressive.

Based on form, merit and squad balance, and as another option at 6, Coventry should have been there, but as has been said, this would hardly be a game-changer.

Difficult to summon up much enthusiasm for any of this.

[elatedscum]

i'd have mcgrath instead of taylor who hasn't played a minute of football. i'd also have Omobamidele over Egan - saying that I haven't seen Egan play this season and i have nothing against John. Maybe Coventry should have made the squad somewhere. But overall there's not too much to be disappointed in. Still the injuries have really made it a weak squad. Weird that he's ruled Troy out of the Portugal game when Troy says he thinks he'll be fit for this weekend.

[rebelmusic]

i'd have mcgrath instead of taylor who hasn't played a minute of football. i'd also have Omobamidele over Egan - saying that I haven't seen Egan play this season and i have nothing against John. Maybe Coventry should have made the squad somewhere. But overall there's not too much to be disappointed in. Still the injuries have really made it a weak squad. Weird that he's ruled Troy out of the Portugal game when Troy says he thinks he'll be fit for this weekend.

I read that as a nod to the AZ management team that HH is being cautious about his fitness.

[elatedscum]

I read that as a nod to the AZ management team that HH is being cautious about his fitness.

Maybe. But if that were the case and he were to play this weekend for AZ then he’d have a week to recover from that game and be able to play against Portugal the following weekend and maybe be a doubt for Armenia and if he didn’t play against Armenia, then he have a full week to recover for AZ. Either way, you’d probably want them on the bench against Portugal and have the option of using them in that game and then probably have him on the bench for the Armenia game in case you need them for the last 15 or something. No.

[Eirambler]

Will Ferry from Dundee United called up. A good player at that level but this is a big step up. Brady, O'Dowda, Honohan all ruled out at left back.

[SkStu]

Will Ferry from Dundee United called up. A good player at that level but this is a big step up. Brady, O'Dowda, Honohan all ruled out at left back.

Any port in a storm ;)

[rebelmusic]

The way things are going the whole squad will be center backs behind Ferguson.

[elatedscum]

The way things are going the whole squad will be center backs behind Ferguson.

You're very optimistic we'll have Ferguson.

[elatedscum]

Worth noting that Szmodics has been ruled out. No replacement so down to 23. Also Parrott effectively ruled out for Game 1: "He's coming back from injury, he's just started training. If everything goes well, he'll get some minutes on Sunday <for AZ>. Not planning to have him in the squad against Portugal but hopefully we can add him into the squad against Armenia". So that makes it an effective 22. Ferguson a doubt because of his ankle too.

[Razors left peg]

Worth noting that Szmodics has been ruled out. No replacement so down to 23. Also Parrott effectively ruled out for Game 1: "He's coming back from injury, he's just started training. If everything goes well, he'll get some minutes on Sunday <for AZ>. Not planning to have him in the squad against Portugal but hopefully we can add him into the squad against Armenia". So that makes it an effective 22. Ferguson a doubt because of his ankle too.

Whats Conor Sammon doing these days

[Eirambler]

I'd say a few of the "injured" players just can't be arsed.

[Grafter]

I'd say a few of the "injured" players just can't be arsed.

If that's the case, better off without them.

[Razors left peg]

I'd say a few of the "injured" players just can't be arsed.

I think thats unfair. As much as I dont rate a far number of the players in the squad at the moment Im not sure theres anyone Id accuse of not being arsed to turn up. They do seem like a good bunch

[pineapple stu]

Will Ferry from Dundee United called up. A good player at that level but this is a big step up. Brady, O'Dowda, Honohan all ruled out at left back.
Where does that leave MacNulty I wonder?

[Eirambler]

I think thats unfair. As much as I dont rate a far number of the players in the squad at the moment Im not sure theres anyone Id accuse of not being arsed to turn up. They do seem like a good bunch

Szmodics is one who seems to have developed a habit of being injured during international breaks yet being fit either side of them.

[Eirambler]

Where does that leave MacNulty I wonder?

Probably as about our 15th choice centre back. He's a left footer but doesn't really play left back at club level.

[Razors left peg]

Szmodics is one who seems to have developed a habit of being injured during international breaks yet being fit either side of them.

Well he missed all of last season with a bad injury so it wouldnt be shocking if he is still being managed from that

[rebelmusic]

If we're down he should really call up Louie Barry and get him capped. We can't afford to lose any of these potential starlets if they come good.

[Kingdom]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c931e0ez12qo

Jayson Molumby speaks out. Interesting - I'd say his points are valid (but I'm biased).

[CraftyToePoke]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c931e0ez12qo

Jayson Molumby speaks out. Interesting - I'd say his points are valid (but I'm biased).

Nothing wrong with anything he's said there, equally he hasn't said anything to help himself despite speaking well.
Easy to say he might have held off a bit but you or I didn't have to watch Killian Phillips selected ahead of us & then have to watch him horsing around the pitch rodeo ball style.

[Razors left peg]

Wouldnt we be complaining if players werent annoyed about being left out. Delighted to hear that he was p1ssed off, that kind of desire is a good thing

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, agreed. There's a time and a place for saying it I guess, but in an era of early international retirement, it's always nice to see players who really want to play

Ferguson and Parrott in full training yesterday, which is good news. Looks like one or other should be fit to start. Now all we have to do is get the ball up to them.

I think for Saturday I'd like to see -

---------------------------------------------------------------Kelleher----------------------------------------------------------------
O'Brien---Scales---Egan---O'Shea---Collins---Dunne---McGuinness---Duffy---Coleman---Ferry
----------------------------------------------------------------Parrott-----------------------------------------------------------------

Duffy in there for the special Ronaldo throat lift move of course

[elatedscum]

Yeah, agreed. There's a time and a place for saying it I guess, but in an era of early international retirement, it's always nice to see players who really want to play

Ferguson and Parrott in full training yesterday, which is good news. Looks like one or other should be fit to start. Now all we have to do is get the ball up to them.

I think for Saturday I'd like to see -

---------------------------------------------------------------Kelleher----------------------------------------------------------------
O'Brien---Scales---Egan---O'Shea---Collins---Dunne---McGuinness---Duffy---Coleman---Ferry
----------------------------------------------------------------Parrott-----------------------------------------------------------------

Duffy in there for the special Ronaldo throat lift move of course

Not sure we have much of a chance even with 12 men

[pineapple stu]

Only one way to find out!

[Fixer82]

My team would be

GK Kelleher
RB Coleman/Ebosele
CB Scales
CB O’Brien
LB Manning
RM Ogbene
CM Molumby
CM Cullen
CM Smallbone
LM Johnston
F Ferguson

assuming Parrott not fully fit. If he is it’s a toss up but would prob go for Ferguson as a big bruiser up front)

[passinginterest]

I feel like if you bring Coleman and Egan back into the squad then you probably have to start them too. Might be a back five.
GK Kelleher
RB Coleman
CB Collins
CB Egan
CB O'Brien
LB Manning
CM Cullen
CM Smallbone
CM Molumby
CF Parrott
CF Ferguson

Crowd the middle, one of Parrott and Ferguson dropping in when defending. Manning being given the most freedom to push forward into more of a wing role.