Republic of Ireland V Serbia - Tuesday, 7th September 2021 - 2022 World Cup Qualifier

[Bielsa´s irish]

we are gonna play again 3 at the back vs Serbia he is gonna try to save his neck

[centre mid]

Kenny has come out swinging in his presser today apparently. Some of the names being bamdied around to replace him make me sad. Either someone with no managerial experience to absolute dinosaurs who would want a very hefty payday.

[backstothewall]

And as you've referred to in the post that prompted my request above, it's planning in advance (taking account of the 3 games/7 days discussion) which means there's an idea of the team might line up ideally per match.
So going into tonight's match, can I assume you'd have reverted back to a back-3 with Coleman and Doherty. and you'd have dropped McGrath for Serbia allowing for the exertion of expecting him to play 3 almost full games in a row, again with who to rotate in?

I broadly liked the team against Portugal. I think 3 at the back suits us against stronger opponents. But playing it in Dublin against a team who are going to sit back and see if we can break them open is effectively giving them an extra man.

I would have had Christie in the original squad, but it wouldn't have been instead of anyone. It would have been as well as the ones who were called up. I said somewhere way back in this thread that I thought a big O'Neill style squad was necessary.

And I'm not saying it's impossible for anyone to play 3 games in a week, but wingback is a physically demanding role, and things get tougher over 30. For the centre backs or young lads like Cullen or McGrath it's entirely possible to play all 3.

For Serbia I would have gone back to the 3 at the back. The exact selection would be dependent on who was still available, and there's a certain amount of butterfly effect to be considered. But on the basis of performances we've had in real life, something like...

GK: Bazunu
RWB: Christie
CB: Coleman
CB: Duffy
CB: Egan
LWB: Doherty
DM Cullen
CM: McGrath
CM: Hendrick
LW: Connolly
CF: Idah/Parrott
RW: Robinson

Could make an argument for Omobamidele instead of Christie. I'm happy to admit that I'm a fan of Christie, but that would be my general plan.

[Bielsa´s irish]

i think Serbia is gonna play counter attack

[paul_oshea]

Kenny has come out swinging in his presser today apparently. Some of the names being bamdied around to replace him make me sad. Either someone with no managerial experience to absolute dinosaurs who would want a very hefty payday.

Any link

[centre mid]

Any link

Just going of journalists on twitter

[Kingdom]

I broadly liked the team against Portugal. I think 3 at the back suits us against stronger opponents. But playing it in Dublin against a team who are going to sit back and see if we can break them open is effectively giving them an extra man.

I would have had Christie in the original squad, but it wouldn't have been instead of anyone. It would have been as well as the ones who were called up. I said somewhere way back in this thread that I thought a big O'Neill style squad was necessary.

And I'm not saying it's impossible for anyone to play 3 games in a week, but wingback is a physically demanding role, and things get tougher over 30. For the centre backs or young lads like Cullen or McGrath it's entirely possible to play all 3.

For Serbia I would have gone back to the 3 at the back. The exact selection would be dependent on who was still available, and there's a certain amount of butterfly effect to be considered. But on the basis of performances we've had in real life, something like...

GK: Bazunu
RWB: Christie
CB: Coleman
CB: Duffy
CB: Egan
LWB: Doherty
DM Cullen
CM: McGrath
CM: Hendrick
LW: Connolly
CF: Idah/Parrott
RW: Robinson

Could make an argument for Omobamidele instead of Christie. I'm happy to admit that I'm a fan of Christie, but that would be my general plan.

Thanks for this, and going to the time of answering questions directly, really appreciate it.
very clear direction there. Fully understand the 'butterfly effect' reference, none of us can mitigate for circumstances beyond our control.

Not a fan of Christie myself, but I'm honest enough to say that a lot of that is down to being ****ed at him being played centre midfield by O'Neill. He has attributes that I'd agree are welcome in a wing-back role. Out of respect, I won't debate some of your choices, I've said plenty before.

'Enjoy' the game.

[backstothewall]

Thanks for this, and going to the time of answering questions directly, really appreciate it.
very clear direction there. Fully understand the 'butterfly effect' reference, none of us can mitigate for circumstances beyond our control.

Not a fan of Christie myself, but I'm honest enough to say that a lot of that is down to being ****ed at him being played centre midfield by O'Neill. He has attributes that I'd agree are welcome in a wing-back role. Out of respect, I won't debate some of your choices, I've said plenty before.

'Enjoy' the game.

I'll be "enjoying" this one on TV. Mrs Backstothewall is working so I've to stay home with the kids, but being spared 200 miles plus change of a round trip to watch Kenny's Ireland feels like a blessing at this stage. Of the 6 season ticket holders I usually go down with, only 2 haven't found an excuse to sidestep this one.

[paul_oshea]

I'll be "enjoying" this one on TV. Mrs Backstothewall is working so I've to stay home with the kids, but being spared 200 miles plus change of a round trip to watch Kenny's Ireland feels like a blessing at this stage. Of the 6 season ticket holders I usually go down with, only 2 haven't found an excuse to sidestep this one.

As bad and all as Saturday was it was so good to be back, I didnt realise I'd missed it that much. And its certainly a lot easier to watch than on TV. That and my mate living 10 mins walk from the stadium helped!

[MylesNotMiley]

We should be going with the same shape & personnel as possible from the Portugal game.

Omobamidele in for the injured DOS and I'd go with Christie for Coleman because of his pace and the fact he's not James McClean.

No Parrott or Molumby with Hendrick and McGrath coming back in.

The only unenforced change I'd like to see to from the Portugal XI is Robinson in for Connolly.

[Diggs246]

Would u not go with Doherty as right wing back and manning on the left?

[MylesNotMiley]

Would u not go with Doherty as right wing back and manning on the left?

Manning isn't as pacey as Cyrus, which would hinder our ability to break quickly. Unfortunately Christie hasn't played many games this season, so his fitness might be an issue.

[John83]

We should be going with the same shape & personnel as possible from the Portugal game.

Omobamidele in for the injured DOS and I'd go with Christie for Coleman because of his pace and the fact he's not James McClean.

No Parrott or Molumby with Hendrick and McGrath coming back in.

The only unenforced change I'd like to see to from the Portugal XI is Robinson in for Connolly.

I think that's all sensible, but might be modified by how people are doing in terms of fitness.

[backstothewall]

We should be going with the same shape & personnel as possible from the Portugal game.

Omobamidele in for the injured DOS and I'd go with Christie for Coleman because of his pace and the fact he's not James McClean.

No Parrott or Molumby with Hendrick and McGrath coming back in.

The only unenforced change I'd like to see to from the Portugal XI is Robinson in for Connolly.

This sounds more sensible that anything Stephen Kenny is likely to give us.

[mark12345]

Not aimed at you elatedscum, but I really have to laugh at the lads who don't really rate Byrne? That's like saying we don't need anyone to make things happen in midfield - we never needed a Wes Hoolahan, Roy Keane or Liam Brady. Byrne should have been tried and if he failed go on to the next guy but we can't keep accepting the status quo in midfield.