Republic of Ireland V France - Monday, 27th March 2023 - Euro 2024 Qualifier

[OwlsFan]

Old crotchety supporter as I am, it irked me to hear the Today FM sports reporter saying that his nephew is going to the game to see Mbappe. I can honestly say that in the decades of following Ireland I have never gone to a game hoping to see an opposition player. If he's good, I usually hope he's picked up an injury in training. But I suppose that's the way of the world.

I don't think we're without hope so long as we don't respect them too much. We beat the Germans after all. Don't overcommit and get caught on the break which is their speciality. Fingers crossed but it's probably the least optimistic I've ever been going in to a home game but we're not without hope. Lots of luck and a sterling defence and who knows.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's the era we're in. Having the FIFA cover star appear in your ground will sell tickets: I'm sure plenty who went to the Portugal game at home were motivated in part by the chance to see Ronaldo.

I'm not expecting a pasting tonight because I think Kenny's squad have demonstrated a ability to raise their game against higher seeds, and a draw is absolutely not out of the question. But I just don't think we're even at that level right now, and if we were hoping France might have a post-WC headache that got blown up with their destruction of the Dutch. France will score, they're too good not to, and I don't think we're good enough to score against them.

If we are pasted, like that 6-1 that spelled the end for you know who, it's another nail in the coffin for the current management, but it won't spell the final end.

[pineapple stu]

It's the era we're in. Having the FIFA cover star appear in your ground will sell tickets: I'm sure plenty who went to the Portugal game at home were motivated in part by the chance to see Ronaldo.

Ditto Haaland for Norway (whose withdrawal was announced after lots of tickets had been sold). I'm looking forward to seeing Mbappé too in fairness, though I'm not going to the game in order to see him.

I've a feeling tonight will be like the England game in Wembley, the only side comparable to France we've played under Kenny. Or indeed the last time we played France, for that friendly before the 2018 World Cup. I'll hope for a huge performance but yeah, logic tells you France are going to score and we're going to struggle to create.

Another first minute penalty would be great of course!

[backstothewall]

Old crotchety supporter as I am, it irked me to hear the Today FM sports reporter saying that his nephew is going to the game to see Mbappe. I can honestly say that in the decades of following Ireland I have never gone to a game hoping to see an opposition player. If he's good, I usually hope he's picked up an injury in training. But I suppose that's the way of the world.

My nephew is also going to see Mbappe!

[JR89]

Speaking of an early penalty or just in general, but who'll actually take any penalties we might get tonight.

Callum Robinson and Robbie Brady have taken the only two we've gotten under Kenny, and in the shoot out against Slovakia again Brady and Hourihane scored theirs while Doherty and Browne missed.

Browne if he comes on yeah because I think he takes them for Preston or has taken them for Preston. But there's no else that stands out unless he's gonna trust Ferguson taking them.

[Fixer82]

I would trust Ferguson as his confidence is sky high

[SkStu]

Think we'll see this starting XI going by comments this morning:

........................Bazunu
............Collins - Egan - O'Shea
Coleman - Knight - Cullen - Molumby - Doherty
................Ogbene - Ferguson

Didnt hear the comments this morning but this was more or less the team i would have picked too based on the injury to O'Dowda. Doherty and Coleman did very well away to Portugal off those flanks. The only worry is the pace that France have out wide and whether we can deal with that. Will obviously need to keep it super tight and cut out the errors in possession. Despite his comments, I think we will see more pragmatism from Kenny tonight and will see more direct balls into the channels where we can to exploit Ogbene's pace and keep France a bit more honest. I do still worry a bit that he plans to play Idah. He talked him up last week and again yesterday.

To be honest, am absolutely bricking it. Heart says 1-1, head says 0-4.

[paul_oshea]

No place for Troy which really surprised me

Not unhappy but surprised cos Kenny is an admirer. The lads his his ceiling very young

[paul_oshea]

Lads I'm having a mare
I'm stuck in a small German town with no Irish bar
Does anyone know what vpn I download for rte player will work on my Android phone?

Surfshark. Vpns are handy if you ever spend anytime out of your living country. Worth paying a long term subs

Likewise if anyone stumbles across 2 tickets at any level around the middle of the pitch, my tickets just fell through

A man in desperation still has requirements

[passinginterest]

Though my tickets had fallen through earlier and was a bit deflated but they've come good now. Can't wait to see Mbappe .

I presume Idah is at least going to play a part, given he's been named in the match day squad and that he performed so well in a similar sort of game against Portugal. Would be very surprised if he starts though. I'd say Ogbene and Feguson get an hour to run themselves into the ground and then, depending on the score to a degree, we'll probably see Idah and Obafemi (or a another midfielder if we're holding onto something).

[JR89]

I would trust Ferguson as his confidence is sky high

I would too but you also know the stick he'll take if Ferguson misses for putting that pressure on an 18 year old starting his second game for Ireland.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Though my tickets had fallen through earlier and was a bit deflated but they've come good now. Can't wait to see Mbappe .

I presume Idah is at least going to play a part, given he's been named in the match day squad and that he performed so well in a similar sort of game against Portugal. Would be very surprised if he starts though. I'd say Ogbene and Feguson get an hour to run themselves into the ground and then, depending on the score to a degree, we'll probably see Idah and Obafemi (or a another midfielder if we're holding onto something).

We'll probably be holding on to our rosary beads at that stage

[passinginterest]

Ferguson tool a penalty in the shootout for the under 21s if I recall. It was awful and easily saved. Wouldn't be be first choice to take one tonight. I'd possibly say Josh Cullen would get the nod.

[Yard of Pace]

Fellas young and old going to a game to see an opposition player is sickening.

Once it's matchday Ireland may as well be playing 11 Johnny Onion-Rings for all I care.

Never ever cared who was in the oppositon 11.

[Razors left peg]

Fcuk Mbappe, I hope he gets the legs kicked off him in the first 2 minutes and has to go off injured so anyone there just to see him gets disappointed.