So, further evidence that Kenny was being honest and there's no underlying conspiracy theory here. Probably time to leave it at that until the June games at least.
So, further evidence that Kenny was being honest and there's no underlying conspiracy theory here. Probably time to leave it at that until the June games at least.
If you had read my post on the previous page where I quoted him "before this year" was also included.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
So in your rush to hammer Kenny you just conveniently skipped over that part
What rush to hammer Kenny?
Seriously RLP, an aul chill pill wouldn't go amiss for you. Ironically, given you're accusing others of being internet warriors.
I'm sure you were just being nice hereQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
When you're dealing with young players, you want to prioritize the long term over the short term. Any reasonable person would acknowledge Obafemi has struggled with injuries and playing consistently. He's on a run now and these friendlies are not vital. Let him establish his club career and get used to the rigours of senior football. We've seen similar struggles with Connolly too. It's a problem with young sprinters, getting used to how much they can push themselves over the course of a season.
I'd prefer to have him with the group, even to watch or lightly participate in the training sessions, as I think there'd be value there. That would be a reasonable compromise and it's disappointing Obafemi has decided not to participate at all.
I like the squad tbf. I would have brought James McCarthy and Liam Scales both in a winning team. Maybe Smallbone and the kid At Brighton. Jimmy Dunne too.
I dont get al this fuss about Obafemi he is just a post teenager ln the learning. We have Knight on his position with Ogbene too
Knight will play out wide on the right
The main thing before names is how the 11 will cope without Barry and the nat team coach.
Ok, everybody to neutral corners and take a breath.
Players: McGoldrick… and? Am I missing anyone? 1 retirement in 2 years is pretty impressive.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
The fact the likes of Shane Long and Seamus Coleman are still available for selection is a testament to Kenny - and of course to the men themselves
Kenny isn't great on the media stuff. That's well acknowledged.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
So as a possible answer to my question, it was certainly worth considering.
As it turned out, it's extratime who maybe aren't great at the media stuff.
In fairness Stu, Razor pointed out to you twice (before your Pundit Arena research) what SK actually did say. You even quoted him in post #60. He reiterated the point about it being 'before this year' in post #65, but you still continued to fight the fight that wasn't there. Let's not put all the blame on extratime, they only set you on your way. :)
He has you there Pineapple. He types the truth.
I await your usual micro point deflection hair splitting pedantry combo with anticipation as you navigate from here.
Surprised there's no mention of the lack of League of Ireland players
Who would you suggest? Forrester? McGonigle is the form player and he's from the north. Jack Byrne isn't close to the levels he hit when called up previously. Same for Graham Burke who I don't think was ever good enough for a call up to begin with. Duffy injured.
Don't think anyone eligible in the league now would have enough to make a mark to be honest. Overall quality might be the same but there are no obvious standouts for me. Maybe one will emerge.
I’m biased, obviously, but I don’t think Forrestor would be out of place. I’m not expecting him to be called up, but I think he’s upped his game again this season, and is a class act. I think only personal issues stopped him making a real go of it across the water. I’m delighted he’s back with us though.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
He did in fairness - I misread the post/missed the extra quote (Paris In In The Spring syndrome)Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I think Byrne was worth a squad place when he was in form at Rovers. Helped that he had a good set piece on him too. But he was a standout player here. I don't think there's anyone else close tbh.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
I’d agree that Jack is probably the best footballer in the league. Michael Duffy probably has the ability to knock on the door of the squad and is in my opinion a better footballer than say Ronan Curtis - but obviously he’s injured. Git Forrester is the other player than is worth considering right now. He’s playing his best football since he came home and he’s fitter than he has been in a while. Anyone who saw him play against Spurs or Chelsea wouldn’t doubt his ability. Totally legitimate not to include him - but if he was in a squad I wouldn’t think it was a bad call.
I’d definitely have McGrath in - but can totally understand Kenny not picking him. I think I’d have Shane Long in the squad, considering there’s no Idah, Obafemi or Connolly. He’s obviously playing **** all for Southampton but he’s playing well whenever he gets the chance. Once again, can’t really argue with Long not being included.
Haven’t really seen Manning do it - Christie has looked the more impressive player when I’ve seen Swansea play this season. But Scales hasn’t been involved for Celtic in ages I think since they got knocked out of the Europa league and there are few alternatives: Enda Stevens is still injured, not sure if Derrick Williams is playing for LA Galaxy since their season started - I think Robbie Brady could do a job at left back but he can’t stay fit either. Bagan is an option but I don’t think he’s quite there yet either, so no real complaints about Manning.
Good to see Ronan get a call-up, he’s a pretty unique footballer in an irish context. And Sykes, I’ve not really seen enough of, but I like the fact that he’s made it to the squad. I always feel sorry for guys like Michael Duffy or Aaron McEneff who pick us and then never make a squad, it’s understandable but I always feel a bit disappointed for them…
Yeah I think Forrester is among a very select group of LoI players from my time following the league who wouldn't look out of place a few levels up. And in his case we know that's the case as he played League 1 and did very well. That said, I also don't think he'd add much more than we have available at the moment at least. It would be great to see him in a squad but I don't think he has the same level of ability as Jack Byrne did when he was flying. Subjective obviously. Forrester is class and I'd love to watch him every week. Nice lad too from interviews etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by TonyD
Left wing back is a bit of a long term concern, with Stevens getting on and everyone else unconvincing to some degree or other: out of position, fading with age, or not yet proven. I don't know if Manning is going to be the long term solution there because he's been playing a different position at club level. I thought he looked shakey there when he's played, but maybe the England game has biased my opinion of him a little unfairly. I'd probably be using Christie too, or rather Doherty with Christie covering Coleman on the right, but there's good reason to try Manning in some friendlies.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
Vs Belgium I would go with
..,........................Bazunu................. ......
.............O Shea.....Duffy....Egan............
Coleman....Cullen......Hendrick....Doherty
Knight...............Robinson.........Ronan
Ogbene is starting all day long. His raw pace caused Portugal so many problems. He could do the same against Belgium. Knight probably starts on the left and Ronan plays against LatviaQuote:
Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish
The team that started against Luxembourg bar Knight for Idah obviously will more than likely start against Belgium depending on the fitness of lads. Lined up as 3-4-3 but Knight will probably spend most of the game central.
...........................Bazunu
..........Coleman - Duffy - Egan
Doherty - Hendrick - Cullen - McClean
..........Ogbene - Robinson - Knight
Yes I think that will be the team Kenny picks. I don't really like seeing Coleman as a makeshift centre back when we have so many good young centre backs (I'd use these games to bring Collins into the team) and I don't think McClean is good enough defensively to play LWB (so I'd play Doherty over there and start Coleman at RWB), but I think that's what Kenny will go for.
Absolutely. Put Doherty in for McLean, push Coleman up and play around centre half
Watching the EFL highlights and Bagan going forward suits how Kenny wants his WBs to get involved in attacks. Found himself in the box early in the game and the keeper pulled off a good save to tip onto the crossbar, and got the assist for Cardiff's opener. Often finds himself in good attacking positions that you'd think he's playing as one of the two behind the striker, his chance and assist showing that.Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
Defensively though he can be poor. Can switch off at times and think he needs to be more aggressive at times. It's an area he needs to improve on but going forward he's decent. Definitely more of a WB rather than FB ATM. Hopefully keeps on improving and we see him in the squad for November. Would definitely be a good time to bring him.
Yeah I'd much prefer seeing Doherty on the left and Coleman on the right. Doherty probably had his best game for us on the left against Portugal and Collins I think is good enough to start RCB. Hope he gets the 90mins against Lithuania at least.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
While he's not playing weekly for Burnley the fans have mostly been impressed whenever he's stepped in to cover for Tarkowski or Mee. Pity he'll probably be back in the championship next season.
Christie has been in outstanding form for Swansea and is unlucky not to have been included. I could have understood had he called up Festy, but this squad is neither obviously for the future or the present. Long is playing today and is certainly, even at this stage in his career, an upgrade on some of those selected.Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
The most important match of the two (in terms of not being embarassed/taking a tanking, but also a real possibility to get a result that would look impressive even against a top tier side) even if the Lithuania game is the real important game (imo - in terms of giving real minutes to those fringe players).
In light of the former, there's no chance he doesn't start Bazunu, Doherty, McClean, Duffy, Egan, Cullen, Hendrick, Ogbene & Robinson. They will all be nailed on.
Bazunu
X1 - Collins
Duffy
Egan
Doherty
Hendrick
Cullen
McClean
Ogbene
Robinson
x2 - Knight
x1 - at some stage he's got to blood Collins or Lenihan. He knows he can rely on Dara, and the Lithuania game is probably better for someone who is unlikely to be matchfit.
x2 - Now that I've established football is an 11 player game - :eek: - Knight is a more likely starter than Molumby as he gives more going forward and defending from the front.
If he lines out above, then he's got to give lads game time against Lithuania.
Kelleher
Duffy
OShea
Lenihan
Coleman
Molumby
Hourihane
Manning
Sykes
Keane
Hogan
Again, now that rules of composition of sides has been established, I don't believe he'd call Sykes in without giving him a start. Maybe we'll see something a little different, without natural wide players - two sort of supporting Hogan, Keane slightly withdrawn and Sykes attacking from deeper.
Ugh that was awkward
I hope we go into this game as players and fans with the right temperament for all intents and purposes this is their AB side. A good performance and a win from Ireland should be the goal here. But if we get beaten by 2-3 then we're back where we started, and it asks a lot of questions again.
Kingdom I think we'll get in trouble if we try to start 12 players in both games.
:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
"can we be team number 33 at the world cup and play with 12 players?" They asked that. Really.
Would football be better if teams could only field 10 players each ( including goalkeepers ) ?
And called it 10-a-side?
I've been screaming for rank based player allocations for a long time. As the gap grows between the top nations and the likes of us, handicaps for rank need to be introduced.
Belgium should only be able to field 11 players - the handicap rank of their opposition. So if they are playing us, ranked 49, we should have a handicap of, for example, 2. So Belgium should start the game with 9 players.
Rank and handicap scale
1-20: no handicap
21-40: handicap of 1
41-60: handicap of 2
61-80: handicap of 3
Nah, it'll be fine trust me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
That's what happens when you've got hybrid on the brain. Hmmm, a hybrid 433/352/343 formation - I know: 12 players!
morto.
My post with 12 players was an accident. I'm assuming the above is deliberate?Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
was looking to get another 2 tickets for Belgium this morning but it appears there are only single tickets available except for the premium.
looks like a crowd well in excess of 40,000