Portugal v Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 2 October 2025 - 2026 World Cup Qualifier

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.

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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

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.

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

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

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