Bulgaria V Republic of Ireland - Thursday, 3rd September 2020 - UEFA Nations League

I wonder is there a bit of an issue with him not getting along with some of the other players too? Someone dragged up this "what am I seeing" quote from Connolly when Obafemi was first in the senior squad https://twitter.com/EamonnDonohoe/st...91365297233920

Kenny has worked with Parrot, Idah and Obafemi, three completely different players. Kenny has spoken about picking the squad with a particular system in mind, so they wouldn't be directly competing with each other. Parrot is a 10, Idah is a true centre forward (although effective wide too), Obafemi is more a wide forward, where there's arguably more competition with established senior players (Robinson, McClean, Connolly). Parrot seems to be in for McGoldrick, O'Dowda possibly seen as the other option in that role. Idah presumably competing with Long from the central role. Obafemi doesn't have the physicality of Long or Idah, although he could be a central forward too, just for a different system.

There is a thing that people often overlook in group dynamic.
Some players may just not mix well with the group or bring as much to the group off the pitch as others.

Of course, in this case it's harder to know as it's Kenny's first squad.

I'd have thought Obafemi was a shoe-in but not happy with his attitude online.
Having said that, footballers being petulant is nothing new and I wouldn't hold it against him for too long.

At least it shows he's eager.

Its about as progressive a squad as we could have hoped for really in the circumstances and there's something for everyone in there. Its not all roses but its a fine squad.

Defenders - about as expected but a little light on defenders here. Its difficult to know what the thinking behind that is and theres no one in midfield, say, that you could even identify could cover our centre back positions if we were in a bind.

Midfield - its good to see Molumby in there and hes there on merit. McCarthy back too is great to see. Arter coming back is interesting but we probably knew it was coming. Not sure if McCarthy and Arter in there ahead of Cullen is a good long term play but no real complaints.

Forwrds - I thought Obafemi would be a shoo-in to be honest. While SK says hes not married to any system, its a real horses for courses selection up front with a 1 and 2 for each forward position. Oba would have given something a little different and allowed SK to change the system if it wasnt working in a particular game. I'd have had him there ahead of Parrott. I like Callum O'Dowda but he is really fortunate to have made the cut and i think Robinson's versatility stands to him too in terms of this selection.

SK explains his rationale:

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-39473362.html

Bulgaria announced their squad for the game against us, and Wales: https://bfunion.bg/news/47008/0

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Goalkeepers: Nikolay Mihailov (Levski), Georgi Georgiev (Black Sea), Martin Lukov (Lokomotiv Plovdiv);

Defenders: Petar Zanev (CSKA-Sofia), Strahil Popov (Hatayspor), Vasil Bozhikov (Slovan Bratislava), Anton Nedyalkov (Ludogorets), Christian Dimitrov (Hajduk Split), Ivan Goranov (Charloroa), Cicinho (Ludogorets), Viktor Popov ( Black Sea), Stanislav Rabotov (Botev Plovdiv);

Midfielders: Georgi Kostadinov (Arsenal Tula), Todor Nedelev (Botev Plovdiv), Kristian Malinov (Leuven), Alexander Tsvetkov (Beroe), Galin Ivanov (CSKA 1948), Yanis Karabelov (Slavia), Birsent Karagaren (Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Svetoslav (Arda), Filip Krastev (Slavia);

Forwards: Dimitar Iliev (Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Bozhidar Kraev (Midtjylland), Spas Delev (Arda), Ismail Isa (Black Sea).

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The Bulgarian FA's wiki page has been updated with this squad, and the relevant information for each player - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgar...l_team#Players

I dont agree with all the squad but the debate about so many different players making it or not shows that there is genuine competition for places, and that will only get more fierce in next few years the way the younger players are coming through.

I think we are a bit thin at the back. Kevin Long should be added or that other kid Dara O'shea from WBA. This means Doherty will be a defender

In midfield I would have added Cullen and Manning

up front we have options.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

I would be disappointed if I were Obafemi and I had scored goals against United and Chelsea and played far more games in the league than Parrott and Idah combined. Is he injured?

Cullen was probably a 50/50 with Molumby. Smallbone has plenty time.

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Yes I thought the same. But Obafemi will get a chance next round

Where were you all day Bielsa ? Your thread, your squad, your moment and no sign of you.

Or Sheridan

Siesta time I suppose, was it ?

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

Ireland squad v Bulgaria and Finland

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Mark Travers (Bournemouth), Kieran O’Hara (unattached)

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Darragh Lenihan (Blackburn Rovers).

Midfielders: James McCarthy (Crystal Palace), Harry Arter (Fulham), Jeff Hendrick (unattached), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Jayson Molumby (Brighton and Hove Albion), Robbie Brady (Burnley).

Forwards: Callum Robinson (Sheffield United), Callum O’Dowda (Bristol City), James McClean (Stoke City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur – on loan at Millwall), Shane Long (Southampton).

Note: David McGoldrick (Sheffield United) will join the squad for the Finland game.

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Kevin Long and Jack Byrne on stand by list. Ciaran Clark injured.

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Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

Where were you all day Bielsa ? Your thread, your squad, your moment and no sign of you.

Or Sheridan

Siesta time I suppose, was it ?

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hahaha no nap at all.

I was doing zoom classroom with my students at the university. Sheridan for Idah, could have been better, Idah is too young, weve got Parrott and Connolly. Parrott is not a 10, he is a goalscorer.

Manning as well. Manning is someone I really rate but as a midfielder, maybe its between him and O'Dowda, hope Odowda take this chance.

It was a flip coin between Cullen or Molumby.

Maybe Sean McDermott but he is listed injured

Mostly homebased players in the Bulgarian squad and they have no players attached to any club in the big leagues.

With us, I don't know what to make of the squad Kenny picked, it's all about how he sets the team up to play.
But could we be making a return to the revolutionary retro christmas tree formation of Mick's mid 1990's Ireland?

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Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish

hahaha no nap at all.

I was doing zoom classroom with my students at the university. Sheridan for Idah, could have been better, Idah is too young, weve got Parrott and Connolly. Parrott is not a 10, he is a goalscorer.

Manning as well. Manning is someone I really rate but as a midfielder, maybe its between him and O'Dowda, hope Odowda take this chance.

It was a flip coin between Cullen or Molumby.

Maybe Sean McDermott but he is listed injured

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Bielsa, I warned you already about the random capitals routine from YBIG, the same applies to applying the bold style at random

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Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish

hahaha no nap at all.

I was doing zoom classroom with my students at the university. Sheridan for Idah, could have been better, Idah is too young, weve got Parrott and Connolly. Parrott is not a 10, he is a goalscorer.

Manning as well. Manning is someone I really rate but as a midfielder, maybe its between him and O'Dowda, hope Odowda take this chance.

It was a flip coin between Cullen or Molumby.

Maybe Sean McDermott but he is listed injured

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Why aren't you shouting O'Dowda's name?

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Bielsa, I warned you already about the random capitals routine from YBIG, the same applies to applying the bold style at random

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sorry its my journalist's approach

didnt mean to bug you.

no caps no bold nor italics. Ok

lets cut to the chase.... i mean football talk

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Originally Posted by Fixer82

Why aren't you shouting O'Dowda's name?

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thank you! my thistle!

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Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish

thank you! my thistle!

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Ar aghaidh leat a mhac! Scaoil amach an bobailín!

I'm of the belief we will beat both Bulgaria and Finland.. but I've an awful feeling Slovakia will do us. Which is really the only game that we need to win

anyone know what the story is with 3? Wasn't the deal supposed to come to an end in July of 2020?

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Originally Posted by Diggs246

He should have been picked. But dont be a lemon about it. Call kenny and chat about it. Dont show that u cant spell and are a baby

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When Hassenhuttl chided him for being unprofessional, I think this may have been the type of thing he was referring to, because he made a point of saying that Obafemi works hard at the same time and it was just after he had complained publicly about not getting enough game time.

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Originally Posted by Diggs246

But it should be a surprise, since the last u21 game(s) things have happened.
Obafemi is a premier league player and goal scorer. We know for a fact he can do the business against some of the best teams in the world ( man utd and Chelsea)
He is also one of the fastest players in the league. I accept he is far from the finished article but he should be in the squad.

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Agree fully with this, though - Obafemi is ready to go - has done as well as Connolly this season plus his pace is a serious weapon. I feel Idah is on the verge of a big breakthrough but I'd like to see it happen before making him the focal point of some serious games - this applies even more to Parrott