Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria - Sunday, 23rd March 2025 - UEFA Nations League

Do away goals make a difference in this? Or is it going to extra time as it stands?

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Originally Posted by Nesta99

We are really vulnerable for whatever reason when teams break against us. I think it blunts us in attack, a safe pass back to maintain possession in fear of having to scramble a defence if we turn over possession trying the more ambitious ball. Its i the back of the minds i the payers and if you fear a diaster its like a self fulfilling prophecy. The nervousness filters in to the crowd. Score and I think we've shown the ability to manage the game to a close by being fantastically boring.

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It's the 2 man midfield I think. We can be outnumbered fairly quickly on the break because of it.

Would this be a game for Armstrong later on if we still need a goal? Idah doesn't seem to suit teams that sit in, and Bulgaria will probably be happy to sit in now for the most part.

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

Do away goals make a difference in this? Or is it going to extra time as it stands?

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No away goals any more

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

It's the 2 man midfield I think. We can be outnumbered fairly quickly on the break because of it.

Would this be a game for Armstrong later on if we still need a goal? Idah doesn't seem to suit teams that sit in, and Bulgaria will probably be happy to sit in now for the most part.

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I know thats the general thinking with 2 in the middle but I still think we should be more composed even in the quick transition. Defenders roam forward someone should be ready to step in. We do get numbers back but is mayhem, 2 players going toward player in possession, runners not tracked or cut out - poor positioning in the panic. We're in a new old era of 2 up front and I think it suits us better but Ferguson is trying too hard to be involved so is more a passenger as a result, out of position and unable to get back to where he is a threat, except on set pieces.

Ev on form buries that and asks questions later...

Idah has to come on for Ferguson here

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Ev on form buries that and asks questions later...

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Those strikes fizz in under the keeper a year or two ago. Newcastle springs to mind. That effort was a poor imitation.

We have a game to win. He's going to be off in a minute. He has a lot of work to do to figure this all out.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Those strikes fizz in under the keeper a year or two ago. Newcastle springs to mind. That effort was a poor imitation.

We have a game to win. He's going to be off in a minute. He has a lot of work to do to figure this all out.

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I've never been more happy to be caught out like this. Absolutely utterly delighted. What a finish.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Those strikes fizz in under the keeper a year or two ago. Newcastle springs to mind. That effort was a poor imitation.

We have a game to win. He's going to be off in a minute. He has a lot of work to do to figure this all out.

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That's the exact goal I was thinking of

But he's finished that one nicely, just as he was about to go off. Back in this!

Edit - it's Parrott off actually. I wonder was that the plan, or did the goal change it?

Super stuff. Lovely return from Azaz and then a thumping finish.

Delighted to be proven completely wrong.

I'll be delighted to see Dunne coming on, a long time happening. Real local thats from just over the road from me.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

That's the exact goal I was thinking of

But he's finished that one nicely, just as he was about to go off. Back in this!

Edit - it's Parrott off actually. I wonder was that the plan, or did the goal change it?

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Suggestions that he picked up a knock

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Originally Posted by rebelmusic

Suggestions that he picked up a knock

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He did look to have a slight limp coming off.

Idah off the bench to finish off crap opposition

It had to be!

Nice controlled finish in fairness

I think Cullen has been dreadful tonight. I normally cut him slack because I feel he can be left at sea by those around him. Tonight he has just been very bad in very simple situations. Knight had a few hairy moments but I thought he improved.

So happy for Sykes and him having an impact.

One for the students, but Isn't Jimmy Dunne the most popular full name to play for Ireland seniors, the present Jimmy Dunne is at least the 4th.

For a while it looked like we might wilt and let ourselves have the game be dictated to us by an opposition as poor as us, if not worse, but we sorted things out and, even though we needed Idah's goal to settle the nerves, we were back in control ofter the equaliser.

thank god we won but that mob are abysmal. delighted with fergusons goal, hopefully gives him confidence. still badly stuck for cms, knight is a nothing player.