Of course, I'm not trying to condemn the young fella, just disputing the notion he's been borderline faultless for our U21's. I don't think that's true.
Of course, I'm not trying to condemn the young fella, just disputing the notion he's been borderline faultless for our U21's. I don't think that's true.
I think the quotes from the thread at the time are generally quite valid - certainly better than trying to remember back now. And yeah, they're not great.
But it was two years ago. He's had two years at one of the top clubs in the world - not with its academy, but with the club itself. A lot can happen in that time. I'm not convinced it's all that relevant now. Though I would like to be going into what is probably our biggest qualifier of the 8 with a stronger option in nets.
Yeah. I think it’s all fair enough. There were also positive quotes regarding his performance though in Toulon and if you read the negative things alone, it probably gives a harsh view of a tournament where Ireland conceded 3 goals in 5 games.
The thing I think about goalkeepers is their progression and decline isn’t really visible in a linear way like most players. When a single mistake costs a goal and confidence can be crucial, players can be developing hugely without putting the final piece together in their game, then suddenly and rapidly, they look like a real keeper. Equally, confidence and self belief can both hide a decline or rapidly accelerate it. De Gea for example went from being second best keeper in the world to a bit of a liability within a couple of months.
Flying and Landing the Plane = = Fair Dues.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
All while trollied off his skullQuote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
I'm not watching the match, but according to the radio, Coleman is playing on the right of midfield for Everton today.
No excuse for not playing him and Doherty together against a superior side like Serbia in favour of a wholly inadequate League One-standard squad-filler like Horgan.
Let's try and get our best players on the field at the very least.
Actually he appears to be playing in a 3-5-2, but the sentiment still stands.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
Hourihane subbed off on 18 with what looks like a hamstring injury. Poor old Kenny just can't get a break at the moment.
I know many like to criticise Hourihane, but he was in very good goalscoring/goal-creation form and is a real threat in-set-piece situations.
with the players at disposal, it is really really hard. Some naive choices from the manager. Of course no public iin the stadium is a major plus for a young keeper. I would have played Sean McDermott in goals or Colin Doyle.
my team for a strategy of winning in Serbia with those players.
----------------------Kelleher------------------------------
---------Coleman-------K.Long---------C.Clark-----------
Doherty--------O'Shea/Hendrick-------Cullen-----------Stevens---
-----------------Hourihane/Brady----------------------------
----------------Connolly---------------------S.Long
Given that the Norwegian league hasn't even started yet I'm glad you're not picking the goalkeeper.
Aaron Connolly not even on the bench for Brighton this evening. Don't know is it a punishment for the covid breach or is he not yet back from injury, though the story a couple of days ago were that he was available for selection.
Hendrick on the bench for Newcastle.
O’Dowda also taken off injured. Could be Harness or Maguire replacing him I’d guess
Good God. We've got no luck at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
God forgive me. but that's good news.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
I know I should never say such a thing but that's my gut reaction
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.iri...t-23763455.amp
Looks like Cullen might get the nod going on these comments from Kenny. Glad to hear it. I hope Knight joins him midfield. Hendrick is likely to start. With Hourihane out, are there any other options midfield for Kenny? Molumby, Browne and Brady are surely behind the three I have just named.
Kelleher
Coleman O'Shea Clark Stevens
Cullen Knight Hendrick
Brady/Long Robinson Connolly
The above would be my selection.
I think that's pretty close to what it should be. I think Browne has done more this season than Hendrick to deserve a start despite being messed around a bit in terms of position at club level. But that old intangible - experience - will probably get Hendrick the nod.
I think Brady needs to start for set pieces if Hourihane is out, although I'd have started him before Hourihane anyway. Neither are great but Hourihane has done very little in an Irish jersey whereas at least Brady has had his moments if you go back far enough. I'd maybe be concerned whether he can last the 90 and who would take set pieces if he goes off. Long can still offer something off the bench.
Despite everything it's actually an OK team if that's the one that starts.
He was complimentary about Browne in the Q&A last week, said he'd improved technically I think, pretty sure it was Browne anyway. That's about his lot unless he sticks Coleman in there or as Bielsa said, O'Shea holding midfield :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Yeah, I would be inclined to agree with you. The only thing about Brady is I'm not sure whether Kenny fancies him in the wide forward role. He has played a few times in midfield alright.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
I think he wants more pace in his wingers. He played him there in the first game against Wales and it was: Hendrick as the attacking midfielder, Brady on the right, McClean on the left. Let’s just say there weren’t many times when one of them got past a defender.Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
It’s fair enough really. I do think the value of having a dead ball specialist in Brady or Hourihane is directly linked to whether you play Shane Duffy.
I'd play Brady in midfield if anywhere. He's got ability, but injuries have really robbed him of his pace.
Kelleher reportedly ruled out. Kevin Long also out (thus the Lenihan call up).
Huge night coming up for Travers on Wednesday.
Kelleher and Kevin Long out
Coventry added
Hourihan and O'Dowda also confirmed out (although we kind of figured that from the weekend)
I prefer McGeady in the team as far as I am concerned. Or Connor Ronan. GK situation will destroy our confidence. Again we need some experience gloves maybe Sean McDermott or Colin Doyle, I want Dean Kiely in goals, we are in deep trouble
Never Fear ~ ~ It is when the Irish are in the Deepest of Trouble that The Spirit of the Irish Rises ! !Quote:
Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish
This was a window of international football to convince a fellow like Mikey Johnston to play for the Republic, this is a missed chance, I know this fellow has been out for 9 months and just coming back, but not included for the scottish, we need a fellow of his flair.
We are gonna need a better direction about dual players, we cant afford injury crisis this much!
James McClean also unavailable, according to his irish coach at the clubQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
No, he's struggling with injury and O'Neill wouldn't play him on Wednesday in a club game, but he can't make him unavailable
Yeah he said everything is up to our medical staff to risk him or not. I dont think the irish doctors will make him play. I would play Manning there, or Scully or McGeady who are fit enough and that McGrath fellow in Scotland.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
As I said before we must convince dual players with an abrasive approach a la Jackie C.. Players like Mikey Johnston, Connor Ronan and others must be fast tracked. Delap i believe will end up playing for Ireland because of his dad and grandpa, but we've got to move fast. I believe scottish-irish are more eager to play for Eire than english born guys with irish ancensty, but every person is a world of difference, we must ask and pronto!
Bielsa, unless you have any new evidence that Mikey Johnston will declare for Ireland, don't mention him again.
I think the way Stephen Kenny sets us up to play is very naive, but to be fair to the man, the covid situation last time around followed by the injuries to the squad this time out make it hard to judge him fairly.
His team and tactics in Belgrade will be a good measure. O'Shea and/or Clark omitted to facilitate Duffy, leaving Doherty or Coleman on the bench - and playing his naive go-nowhere tip-tap will seriously undermine his credibility. I'm hopeful (but not confident) he'll produce a strategy to make a draw feasible.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
Then again would you want Clarke / O'Shea or Duffy up against Mitrovic if they play him ? If its about a nuts and bolts pragmatic eleven to not lose this game, whatever about tipping and tapping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Snapshot
And before you start :) no I don't want Duffy in the side either overall. But picture corner after corner and ball after ball aimed at that wilder beast Mitrovic, which of the three would you want marking him ?
I don't envy the guy. Duffy in the air is our only real scoring threat, so he has to play him an omit O'Shea, no doubt in my mind.
my team:
-----------------Travers
Coleman-Duffy-Clark-Stevens
Doherty-Browne-Hendrick-Knight-Brady
----------------Long
We'll be lucky not to lose 4-0.
You make a good point - but I believe O'Shea/Clark is the way to go. Duffy's game looks shattered - he's slow, missing tackles, timing is askew, poor distributer from the back - and that's just at SPFL level (he was on the Celtic bench last game). Potter got rid of him at Brighton for the same deficiencies. Yes, he has been good for our corners - but can we afford to select a key defender in a vital game for that reason?Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
I think your selection (with O'Shea for Duffy, and Connolly, if fit, for Long) is as good as it gets. I'd give it a fighting chance of a draw. O'Shea has been consistently good at EPL level and deserves his place. At corners, Clark also has a useful scoring record with Newcastle and while at Villa.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
I'd have Cullen in the team to anchor the midfield and provide the momentum link from back to front. With an untested goalkeeper, think it is advisable for Kenny to keep changes in the back line to the minimal necessary. So I'd gamble on Duffy despite concern and would lean towards packing the team with as many senior players as possible with the goalkeeper issue and Cullen starting.