It's been along time since we have seen our team play and a new manager etc. I'm excited. Even just to see my mates again for pints food and football..which is our god given right
It's been along time since we have seen our team play and a new manager etc. I'm excited. Even just to see my mates again for pints food and football..which is our god given right
It's a welcome change if that's what's causing it!Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I think there are some relatively new posters who have added a lot in general recently, all with their own areas of expertise/specific interest. And some not so new posters who appear to be posting a lot more, great to see.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
(Now... virtual group hug :o).
Start Travers, bench Randolph. Can't do any worse than Randolph has anyway. And he could just bring more. Bulgaria away in an empty Stadium no better time for a debut.
We analysed that to death at the time actually, starting here.Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
I remember watching it live and just hoping the ball wouldn't end up in the net, might have been easily forgotten then. Hopefully he can start the season as Bournemouth number one, but I suppose they more likely to go with Begovic (forgot he was there until I checked their squad!)?
McClean now unlikely to play due to a hand injury sustained in training today.
Perhaps some of the posters from you know where are proper grown ups now and have graduated to foot.ieQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Quiet youQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Here come the w, sorry, thank brigade now....Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
From this in today's Evening Echo - https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/Ad...8be3f06b6c0-ds - Graham Cummins reckons it's going to
Code:Randolph
Doherty Egan Duffy Stevens
Hendrick McCarthy Hourihane
O'Dowda Idah Connolly
Jaysus. That's a front line for a friendly, not a competitive match where a manager wants a good start to their career!
I saw his hand wrapped up in this video of training yesterday on the FAI's Twitter so he was carrying the injury. It might be just safer to play him in the next game and Connolly tonight.Quote:
Originally Posted by DCWA
https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status...52374339452928
In my mind, there's a clear line of thinking amongst fans, incl those on here, with regard to selection - and it's simple. There's never going to be the absolute right time to change something in international football, but there has to be A time. And this is where the divide is imo - this is as good a time to do it. If not now, then it won't be Finland either, and it won't be Slovakia. If it's not Slovakia, then it won't be until next year, and the problem only rolls further on down the road.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
That aside, and referring to the Echo team (assume that they've been in touch with Idah's people) I wouldn't be surprised either if the formation is a little different to what was anticipated. It could as easily be McCarthy and Hourihane as a 2 with Hendrick O'Dowda and Connolly behind Idah, with Hendrick and Connolly tucking in more than traditional wingers and letting Doherty and Stevens provide the width.
I suppose this is the catch with fewer friendly games alright.
If you think of Mick McCarthy's first games - you hadn't heard of half of those players. Some worked, some didn't. By the time of the first qualifier, we had a decent side already, including Harte, O'Neill and others.
It'd be an interesting line-up for a friendly. But if there aren't any, then I guess we have to just throw the guys in at the deep end for what could be a key enough game in the group.
But let's see how it goes. Maybe it's the covid talking, but I haven't looked forward to a game this much in a long time.
You're a better diplomat than I am UCDStu.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
I think it might be the Trap/MON/Mick talking. I suppose Connolly has a season of regular PL football behind him and has already played in important games for us. O'Dowda is reasonably experienced at this stage, though he needs to start delivering in a bigger way for club and country. Idah is a bold call for sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Randolph
Doherty Egan Duffy Stevens
Hendrick McCarthy Hourihane
O'Dowda Idah Connolly
That's the team.
Ireland:*Randolph; Doherty, Egan, Duffy, Stevens; Hendrick, McCarthy, Hourihane; Connolly, Idah, O'Dowda.
It's probably also the fact that I get to go to the pub for the first time in fecking ages :)
O'Dowda only one I'd question but exciting team
I'm happy with that except I'd have any other option instead of O'Dowda. He shouldn't have even been in the squad for me.
Interesting choice of team alright. Anyone know where someone might view the game online?
O’Dowda the one none of us saw coming. He’s obviously a super trainer in these camps because he seems to impress every manager. He’s shown flashes of quality, it’ll be interesting to see the shape and if he’s a bit deeper than Idah and Connolly. Looking forward to this.
I think it's a tad early for Idah to be a senior international but good luck to him. And I like the O'Dowda pick - if it's a continuation of how the U21s played under Kenny.
I'm assuming O'Dowda is picked with the intention of him showing pace and work rate on that right hand side, especially when Doherty goes forward.
With this 433, I hope we do okay with it, but at the same time that it's exposed for being a formation on the wayward path and that Kenny accepts our real truth in future lies with 4231.
I have logged in tonight to say almost exactly that.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Really looking forward to this game and really happy with the side put out. As Kingdom says abnove, change may as well come now, because there is never a good time.
Also, howya lads! :cool:
Any stream for the game lads?
Not too shabby so far. Think Idah is doing well.
soccerstreamsz dot comQuote:
Originally Posted by pateen
Ref is awful but decent start from us. Front 3 looking sharp, Doherty finding it a bit tougher than i thought to get into the game. Good pressing from midfield.
That press from Ireland is beautiful. The Bulgarians are really struggling with it. Great to see us holding possession too. Hasn’t quite clicked in final third yet.
McCarthy not at the races so far. Very sloppy in possession.
I like Duffy but he’s such a weak link trying to play out. He’s made some woeful passes in dangerous areas.
Yeah he’s had a few heavy touches and lost it cheaply too. He’s a big part of the shape and getting the press right though.Quote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
Duffy is an old fashioned centre half with Ireland. No harm in that at times. Kenny stamp is obvious already with only a few days with the squad. Onwards and upwards imo. No helter skelter stuff - great for the purists nd not just as seat of the pants stuff hoping for a ball to break, So far so good but not crated much in the final third.
Need to be more clinical with chances like that cut back and O'Dowda should have done a bit better.
At least the is an obvious struture, game plan, style and I would even say composure in possession. Its been a while for that. Randolph even same to have licence to be a sweeper keeper!
Methinks if offside not given penalty for Bulgaria at the box.
60% possession in the first half, I dont think we had that against Gibraltar.
Are 5 subs allowed?
interesting game. we are the better side but they've nearly got in on 2 or 3 occasions.
idah growing into the game a little bit but he will need to do more.