Would u not go with Doherty as right wing back and manning on the left?
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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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
I think that's all sensible, but might be modified by how people are doing in terms of fitness.Quote:
Originally Posted by MylesNotMiley
This sounds more sensible that anything Stephen Kenny is likely to give us.Quote:
Originally Posted by MylesNotMiley
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.
Yeah the fitness levels of the players will come in to it, but all being well that's what I'd like to see.Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
Going for 1-1 tonight. No one can have a run of constant defeats and draws. Tonight's the night, a bit of luck and then people start jumping the gun saying "if only" until October comes around and normal service resumes.
https://www.the42.ie/shane-keegan-ta...41565-Sep2021/
Some interesting analysis of the previous game. The conclusion probably sums up a lot of the argument around here too;
For tonight, I honestly don't know what to expect. Presumably the formation and set up will be more similar to the Portugal game that the Azeri game. Or does the management team gamble again on trying something a little bit different. Who replaces Coleman? Who comes into the midfield? Can Cullen, Duffy, Egan, Idah all manage another 90 minutes or does some consideration have to be given to resting one of them? Duffy and Idah would be the two I'd think might need a rest most, they're big lads and take a bruising in games, they probably need a bit more recovery time, plus Cullen has put in two huge shifts.Quote:
Conclusion
Let’s take a look at some of the stats.
Possession
Ireland 62% Azerbaijan 38%
Expected Goals
Ireland 2.05 Azerbaijan 0.28
Attempts from inside the 18-yard box
Ireland 14 Azerbaijan 4
Regardless of who the sides involved are, based on these metrics, the team getting the upper hand to this extent wins the game at least eight out of 10 times. Ireland didn’t. Why?
Is it because Stephen Kenny is not a good manager? Is it because the players are of a poor quality? Or was it down to bad luck?
The answer you will come up with will probably depend on what your perception of the players and management was before a ball was kicked in this game.
There's not too many options to rest Duffy, especially with Coleman out too, so presuming Duffy and Egan will start. I'm not sure it's the right game to return to a back 4 but I wouldn't rule it out either. It would be a huge gamble, but Omobambidele, alongside Egan in a back 4 would give a bit more pace and potentially the option to push higher up the field that could work. That increases the attacking options, do we go 4-3-3 with Robinson coming in on one side any Connolly/Horgan/Curtis on the other side? Idah or Collins through the middle? Or another roll of the dice and try an old fashioned 4-4-2, which would need a very disciplined central 2, presumably Cullen alongside Hourihane or Browne, McGrath probably too attacking, Molumby too erratic and Arter just doesn't seem to be an option despite taking up a squad space. Front two of Robinson and Idah or Collins? Maybe even Idah and Collins, if we're going to be trying to score from crosses, get the two big men on together, Idah offers pace in behind too.
There's a lot of options. A lot of gambles. Do the the FAI accept it's about building for the Euros and results now are not important? Can the fans and sponsors accept that? Is the damage being done to our ranking going to effect future seedings too much to be able to afford to continue experimenting? If it does all click tonight and there's a win to match a good performance, is Kenny safe for the next campaign regardless of the last rounds of games?
Difficult to ascribe any meaning to the result tonight. It may aswell be a friendly game, hoping for a decent performance and a couple of goals.
Hard to know who to play at wing back. Don’t really feel confident with any of McClean, Manning, Scales or Christie.
This team could be absolutely anything tonight. Kenny could reflect the team he played in the away version of this fixture which was a 3-5-2 - as distinct from the 3-4-3 that lined out Saturday.
Travers; Clark, O'Shea, Coleman; Doherty, Molumby, Cullen, Browne, Stevens; Connolly, Robinson
If you wanted to retain that shape and account for injuries and performances on Saturday, how would the below look:
Bazunu; Omobamidele, Egan, Duffy; Doherty, Cullen, Hendrick, Browne/McGrath, McClean/Manning; Idah, Robinson
There is always the possibility that we go to 4-2-3-1 but I'm not sure if Kenny has given Manning enough minutes to imply to me that he'd even trust him on the left of a back four. The alternatives would be Christie and McClean. Far less inspiring in my view.
Furthermore, if we did go 4-2-3-1, I don't know who plays in the front 4. I feel like we are short an option there. Robinson on one flank, Idah through the middle, Browne/McGrath at 10 (is it the game for Troy there?) and who goes on the other flank? Connolly?
Agreed. My concern is that I'm less confident about McClean, Scales or Christie at full back. Manning would be my pick.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
Just on the correlation between sponsors and performances, i think it's a really sad indictment of corporate Ireland that the value of sponsorship seems to depend so much on a successful senior team. Branding and brand activation can come in many flavours. Sponsor the whole game including the LOI and pitch the sponsorship as "Company X, proud to support football in Ireland across all levels, and support investment in facilities and coaching to allow Irish players at all levels and all ages achieve their long term potential".
Would be interesting to see someone like Lidl come on board. They've worked absolute wonders with ladies Gaelic football. There needs to be some sort of ingenuity and passion from the sponsors towards the game in general. That seems to be really lacking from any recent sponsors, the only interest seems to be having the name on the replica jerseys of the senior team.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Like the aib GAA one? That's good marketing but we all know the reality is the senior all Ireland and that's where the money is being pumped - the gaa just ensure fair and equal distribution.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Btw I checked the Bulgaria thread it was locked I was a little lost trying to find the actual post but if it's related to suggesting certain posters were ignoring things and inferring you as one of those happy to rescind any post suggesting so. I genuinely can't remember now what was said and wasn't following it going back through the last 5 pages.
Anything minority, underage and/or women in sport related they're all happy to jump on board. That's the forcing function, the FAI doesn't have one - until we make playoffs and qualifications.Quote:
Originally Posted by passinginterest
The equal payment got so little traction leading up to an international window, it was shameful really and a good chance to jump on a marketing pr win and bring in potential broad sponsorship not just for women as a way of funding the equal pay but yet it didn't....
elverys are all over the FAI summer camps.Quote:
Originally Posted by passinginterest
carlsberg, nissan, spar and many others also seem to be sponsoring without getting their name on the shirt.
Again they're all happy to be seen getting involved in participation related campaigns. The men's senior international team and/or leagues does not have a forcing function until we start qualifying for things be that ecl, el or euros/world cupsQuote:
Originally Posted by jbyrne
100% Manning is no world beater, but is by a county mile the best option at wing backQuote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
also Robinson and Mcgrath have to start.
Also Ive a funny feeling he will parachute Arter into the starting 11
People under pressure make decisions they wouldn't normally make ( usually wrong ones)
Posts 422, 424 and 425 were pretty clear - you overtly accused me of ignoring facts and labeled me as one of the "hard done by". It was spelt out clearly what you were being asked to either support or apologise for. Apologising now is better than nothing and I thank you for that, but you had ample opportunity to engage at the time and chose not to and unfortunately that's left a lasting impression and imho was pretty telling as to how you treat this forum.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Well, Travers is injured, so straight off that's one team it couldn't be :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Agree in general though. No idea what to expect. Serbia are off the back of a big win against Luxembourg (4-1) and really outplayed us for long spells in Belgrade, so I would be very wary of trying too much youth over experience here. Possibly the biggest selection issue tonight is Mitrovic, who's apparently struggling with injury. It'd be a huge boost to us if he were missing, but I suspect it's just pre-match posturing and he'll be fine.
Playing Arter would be madness. He's not a 'defensive midfielder' at all, he simply doesn't have the tactical discipline or temperament to play there. He's a box-to-box midfielder whose legs have gone, and is red card waiting to happen.
Why he's in the squad ahead of the likes of Kilkenny, Coventry and Doyle-Hayes is completely bewildering.
With half the campaign yet to play Kenny's created a situation where the rest of the matches are dead rubbers. I never thought we'd fall so far and so quickly.
Therefore we may as well give Kelleher, who'll be our number 1 long-term, game-time, play Omobamidele, give Manning a chance to show what he can do, try McGrath in a number 10 role and play Parrott in his favoured central position.
Sadly we've nothing to lose now.
100% agree on arter, shouldn't be near the squad, I just have a sneaky feeling he start him, 100% as well on McGrath get him on the pitchQuote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
Parrott was poor on Saturday, so I'm unsure on that one, but as u say we have nothing to lose
I think there's always something to lose - a 4-0 battering would impact morale more than a 2-1 for example.
Coventry and Kilkenny in particular have done nothing to warrant a call-up. That's not to say Arter should start, but we can't just throw around random names and think that they'll slot into a game against Serbia without any impacts.
The Arter situation is strange - he is included in every squad but has he started under Kenny? once perhaps?Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
Yep - Finland at home.
Also came on as a late sub against Andorra
Connolly out with injury. A bit coincidental that he was hooked at HT the other day and his performance criticised but will take it at face value.
Aaron Connolly injured now; Liam Scales and Cyrus Christie both in the matchday squad.
I guess this means Robinson up front. No harm - would have made that change anyway.
Could anything more typify the fickle Irish football 'fan'? Only support the team when it's winning.Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
Will be interesting to see how big/small the crowd is tonight. I suspect a draw after a 'hard fought' effort from the Irish lads. The Kenny saga will rumble on.
Just seen the matchday squad there. Is it possible we'll be starting the 1 to 11? I think England did it the other night. That would be;
Bazunu
Doherty - Duffy - Egan - Manning
Cullen
Browne - Hourihane
Parrott - Idah - McClean
Considering Manning has been playing in a back 3 for club that could also be a 3-5-2 with McLean and Doherty wing backs
It's another switch in formation is the downside I guess. Three at the back in the last two games, which surprised me against Azerbaijan, but it seems against Serbia we'll need to be a bit more defensive than on Saturday.
If its only switching between two formations depending on a top 2 or bottom 2/3 seeds then its not really an issue. If its changing formation more often and/or personnel then it is as it still shows hes not sure what his best formation and lineup is. It makes sense to use the space against Serbia as they'' be going down the middle a lot and packing out the midfield, their midfield is their strongest area. Bypass it or go around it a 3-5-2 makes sense then, that and the fact we dont have anyone really capable of getting on the ball behind the forwards and dictating the play.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Arter hasn't started a league match this year - I'm not talking about this season, but the entire calendar year of 2021!Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
And you say Kilkenny and Coventry, two promising young players whose careers are in the ascendency and who've done well for the U-21 side have 'done nothing to warrant a call-up'. You think Arter has? And Doyle-Hayes' form has been good for 12 months now.
I'm not quite sure what you mean when you accuse be of 'throwing around random names', I would consider the players I mentioned as viable alternatives.
And of course you could say many of the current squad don't 'warrant a call up', but you can only pick from what you can pick from. Some of the players named, like Arter, Molumby and Christie have played no first-team football at all this season.
I take your point about a hammering damaging confidence, but I don't expect that to happen.
Sky sports reporting hourihane duffy and idah starting and mitrovic starting for Serbia.
I did say "that's not to say Arter should start", and indeed there's a case that we've said for others (McGeady) that League One isn't really a suitable standard and I wouldn't be too bothered if Arter weren't in the squad. I'd be quite happy in fact to leave our all our third tier players until they were at a decent level. But we are where we are.
But Conor Coventry has started five league games ever, and they were in the third tier 18 months ago, and he was subbed off in two of those. Kilkenny has started four league games ever. Are they really worth an inclusion over Arter? Are they really viable alternatives? I don't think they've shown anything to indicate they are.
Yes, that means that - given we have really few options elsewhere - I'm arguing Arter is still worth a call-up. That's an indication really of just how bad our squad is. Putting in worse players won't improve that.
I think his point is that young lads are just that, young lads, prospects thats all they are. If the other lads who are already in there and were the cream of the underage and theyre not doing anything then whats the point in picking others who are likely to contribute even less and take up an extra spot. Arter might be in there for experience in training and other stuff like that, i thought i saw brady yesterday in training. Horses for coursesQuote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
Kenny is speaking out both sides of his mouth and is all over the place. I heard him talking on the radio today, asking did people expect us to qualify for the World Cup, we haven't qualified for one since 2002 and then saying he's building a squad for 2024. I think very few people expected us to qualify for the World Cup but who would have predicted we'd be joint last and effectively out of qualification after 2 games? If he was just going for youngsters and attempting to build, that would be one thing but that clearly is not what he has been doing. Most of his reign has reminded me of the Staunton era and his laughable excuses are definitely in line with that time. Staunton thought he shouldn't have been sacked and that he was building for the future. He was pointing out drawing with Germany and home, only losing 1-0 away, drawing with Czech Republic, beating Slovakia and games like that as a defense. He didn't mention the embarrassing results, same as with Kenny.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
As for tonight, in one way I agree, we should be just giving youngsters a go but on the other hand, these players are being damaged by this set up. I hope they're protected from it until we get a competent manager in charge. In more similarities to the Stan era, I think we'll see a bounce back from an awful display. Possibly getting a draw.
I accept you wouldn't start Arter, but if your point is that Kenny's sensibly going for experienced options then that argument rather falls down when you consider how he's not picked Randolph, Williams, Lenihan and has several times left Shane Long out of squads, to name a few.
How many league games has Omobamidele started? And yet he was thrown into the deep end against Portugal in a position, central defence, where experience should count for even more than midfield. Where's the consistency?
Would, for example, Randolph not offer useful experience to the youthful trio of goalkeepers Kenny called upon?
Kenny's (new) line seems to be that we should never have expected to compete in this group and that he's building for Euro '24.
With that in mind, if Arter's not going to play and is only there as cover why not go for more youthful options who can gain vital experience along the way. Maybe Kilkenny and Coventry aren't good enough, maybe they never will be. Who knows? Like you say, we're desperate, however when a player's career is in sharp decline, as is the case with Arter, and, sad to say McClean, who now have little to offer us, I personally would go for the youthful option in the hopes that they one day might be.
I'm trying to remember the last time we had an essentially 'no stakes' competitive international... germany away with Noel King?