Republic of Ireland v Portugal - Thursday, 13th November - 2026 World Cup Qualifier

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Certainly left field. Its madness really that our lack of a left back as come to this. Its not like we havent seen this coming down the tracks for years

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Bring back James McClean

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

Bring back James McClean

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I take it you're being facetious, sure didn't he have some words about the regime in September?

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Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Certainly left field. Its madness really that our lack of a left back as come to this. Its not like we havent seen this coming down the tracks for years

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A rabbit has been pulled out of a hat to a certain extent with O'Toole. He's playing regularly in MLS which is probably a higher level than I anticipated we would end up picking a right back from (League 1).

But given the likelyhood that we would face this slection crunch at left back it's madness that he's not been capped before now. In an ideal world he would have spent a window with the squad without playing, then come back for a second window and made his international debut in a friendly or getting 10 minutes at the end of a Nations League. Instead of that he'll be expected to take a transatlantic flight, overcome any jet lag, train with the squad for 2 or 3 days and somehow get up to speed with how we play, then presumably play 90 minutes of a World Cup qualifier up against Bernardo Silva?

Is there any other option at left back for that game? I can't see any in that squad.

The FAI need to explain when they became aware of his eligibility and when he became available for selection (post any paperwork with FIFA if that was necessary).

HH said yesterday that O'Toole has been working on the paperwork for the past year, and that his clearance has just come through. Missing is the motivation as to why he chose O'Toole ahead of others. Not that I think Will Ferry should be in the squad, but the lack of continunity in the addition of new faces to squad selections is troubling. As much as players need to hit the ground running when they come in, there needs to be some balance in allowing them to bed in and get to know what's wanted/ how we play. Difficult to build a team if the makeup is in constant flux.

Just on FIFA eligibility, clearance paperwork etc... it always seems to take an age with us when a player is moving from another nation to us. I was struck by how swift the Rice move to England got done by FIFA in 2018/19.....