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Looking like 31 degrees at kickoff tomorrow, which is 5pm local time.
That's not going to help us. Not sure why it's on so early actually.
Meanwhile the Armenians are talking up revenge for that red card for their keeper in 2011 when they had play-off hopes in what I think is still their best ever qualifying campaign, but I don't know how much that'll impact things in reality.
They're not really that was just one guy on a podcast with an Irish soccer journalist.
It's also their captain - https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022...enian-skipper/
According to Dan McDonnell it could be Ogbene, Robinson, and Parrott as the front going by how the team has trained and possibly Stevens starting at LWB. Interesting that Kelleher has been given the no.1 jersey in the match day squad and some talk that Bazunu hasn't trained fully because of a back issue. Could be an indication that Kelleher will possibly start.
RTÉ think it'll be Obafemi, Robinson and Knight up front - https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022...-need-to-know/
There's a lot of guessing going on in the media.
I think safe enough to say the following will start:
Egan
Duffy
Coleman
Cullen
Hendrick
Robinson
And these will probably start:
Collins
Stevens
Ogbene
So that leaves one of Bazunu and Kelleher in goal and one of Knight, Parrott and Obafemi in the forwards.
The consensus seems to be that he's going with Parrott up front. Goalkeeper could go either way, might depend on Bazunu's back injury.
getting nervous now.. wont even see the first half as I'll be in a car driving to Dublin for a concert.. COYBIG
I’d go with:
Bazunu/Kelleher
Coleman
Collins
Duffy
Egan
McClean
Hendrick
Cullen
Ogbene
Robinson
Obafemi
-
Would have no issue with Knight or Parrott coming in within the front 3. Or O’Shea among the back 3. Or Stevens in at wing back
Would probably have left Coleman for Wednesday, but thats 50/50.. going to be interesting to see if Bazunu gets back in if Kelleher does well.. and likely to see Obafemi get a run
5 subs yeah?
Yeah five subs, and will be water breaks in the 20th and 65th minute too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Insidetherock
Ball retention is an unusual criticism of Bazunu I'd have thought?
That said, you'd like to think this game will be decided at the other end of the pitch. Here's hoping for more spark than against Lithuania or the first hour in Luxembourg
Kelleher ahead of Travers is a strange choice
Starting the games in March has probably been a factor in selection. Though I feel Kenny has always had a soft spot for Kelleher so finds himself ahead of Travers in the pecking order and would be his no.1 only for injuries.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Kelleher is a firm number 3 for me until we see him play club games, Travers if Bazunu isn’t 100%. Nice to see anyone start ahead of McClean, we need to move on. Bagan looked good last night for the u21s so you never know. Solid team. Hope to see Obafemi get some good game time. Disappointed not to see Ebosele on the bench. Knight for Hendrick for me.
Bit harsh on McClean I think - he can be inconsistent, but he's had a good season (only Irish player in the L1 Team of the Season, and we've a lot of L1 players) and it's hard to ditch him yet.
I'd like to see more options there for sure, but I don't think we need to be actively getting rid of McClean. He could be a good impact sub in a game like this if we're struggling an hour in
I actually thought he was 35, but I see he’s 33. I’d agree keep him in the squad for experience and as potential impact sub. Still badly need a good LB/LWB to take the bull by the horns
Robinson is the starting player you’d be most worried about. Hasn’t been in great club form and work rate can be hit and miss. If it’s not working out we’ve plenty of options to replace him early at least. Otherwise a very solid looking side and they’ve started well.
Don’t think that was going in anyway but great reactions from Kelleher to save it anyway. Collins a little bit sloppy to get caught in the first place.
And Collins gets Duffy booked. Really shaky start from him. Need to settle back down now.