Lithuania must be a poor side based on their results. I wouldn't expect too much rotation, 3 or 4 players maybe - Coleman, McClean, Duffy to drop to the bench. It's important to keep momentum going.
Eloratings site has them marginally better than Azerbaijan and a bit worse than Luxembourg.
It's not that long since we were lucky to draw at home to Azerbaijan, so I don't think we can be complacent, but after recent performances, I think we can be confident.
I think keeping momentum in results is important ahead of the NL, so while there's definitely room for rotation, I wouldn't go mad either. I'd like to see another forward option and another left-back in particular - Keane/Hogan and Manning to start maybe?
If things are going well into the second half, then you can look at a few other changes. But only if things are going well; I'd prioritise the result
I’d agree. I don’t think Kenny is in a position yet where he can afford any more poor performances or results. He’ll get slaughtered again if we don’t beat Lithuania. Important to keep the momentum going.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Keith Andrews has said there'll be some changes but isn't a fan of caps being thrown out for the sake of it. Bar Parrott can see the other three subs starting for the lads they replaced and probably O'Shea or Collins for Coleman. Then hopefully make a couple of subs at half time.
Curios to see the selection, I'd imagine max of 5 or 6 changes. Kelleher will start. There's a good case to rest Coleman and Duffy. Cullen is so key now it's hard to leave him out, but at the same time there's a need to see other options there. I think Hourihane might start there even though it's not a position he's played very well. Hendrick and Knight put in big shifts and one or both probably get a rest. I'd rest Ognbene too, he's proved his worth and he gets protected a bit at club level in terms of playing time and I think we should be doing similar. I'd definitely leave McClean out and give Manning a run. Robinson probably starts again seeing as he's not always a starter at club level. I'd like to see something along the lines of; Kelleher, Doherty, O'Shea, Egan, Collins, Manning, Cullen, Browne (or Sykes), Parrott, Keane, Robinson. I think Molumby might get on ahead of Sykes, I'd like to see Ronan get a run out in place of Robinson for the last half hour.
Agree with all the above. Wouldn't change much as we are finally close to a preferred 11 I think. I'd switch the following from the start: Coleman for Collins, Manning for McClean and maybe Knight for Keane. Would like to see him bring on O'Shea, Molumby, Knight/Keane, Ronan and Parrot with 30 or 40 to go. Weird that Ronan didn't make the bench against Belgium though so maybe has a knock or is further down the order than I would've thought/hoped.
Only a friendly but important to win and keep the good run going.
see no advantage in duffy or coleman playing here. Not too sure what will be done with midfield, i think cullen is a lot better than molumby so possibly give him the first 45 then swap out. About time we saw manning get a game too. Probably harsh to drop ogbene, either that or start him and bring parrott on in his place? id expect a 3-4-3 given the opposition but with players its flexible enough to go with a 3-4-2-1
CK
OShea Collins Egan
Doherty Cullen Browne Manning
Parrott Keane Robinson.
My guess would be there was less chance of him getting game time ahead of Browne, Keane, or Parrott who would have been seen as the preferred players to come on in that front three and in midfield given Browne replaced Hendrick rather than Knight which I thought he would have came on for instead. Sykes would have been preferred to him given he also covers wingback too.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
Duffy for Collins and think that could very well be the starting XI. Don't think he'll drop both Coleman and Duffy from the back three. O'Shea only coming back from injury could see him taken off early for Collins.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jd2793
Ogbene didn't start Rotherham's last match before the break because of possible issues with a hamstring injury so Kenny might only start him in one of these matches.
Makes sense. Didn't know Sykes can play wingback. Don't know much about him at all to be fair.Quote:
Originally Posted by JR89
A fair few in there who can do a decent enough job in multiple positions but my main worry as I said in the other thread is I don't know who replaces Cullen when needed.
Sure, but that's progress from the "I don't know which three random midfielders will start because they're all ****e" status quo not so long ago. I thought Hendrick was a bit unfairly written off at that point but plenty of others wanted him dropped too, and now we have a more or less functional midfield.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
I think we learn more from replacement players playing alongside the first string, so I'd swap no more than 3. Maybe Coleman, Hendrick and either Knight or Ogbene depending on Ogbene's hamstrings. In come Collins or O'Shea, Brown and maybe Keane (pushing Robinson wide).
I'm not getting up at 3 am local time for a friendly - especially while still fighting jet lag - but I look forward to reading the blow by blow here.
Well he's ended up there when Oxford have switched to a 3-5-2 at times but normally has played on the left or right for them. Along with him a being a central midfielder by trade he offers a lot more versatility than Ronan.Quote:
Originally Posted by ontheotherhand
Yeah Cullen is a big blow if he ever gets injured because there's no one that can step in for him. Kenny will probably see Hourihane as someone who could but unlike Cullen he often hides behind players to avoid passes in competitive games.
Molumby I see as someone more suited to be playing next to Cullen rather than someone who could replace him. Probably hoping one of Kilkenny or Coventry can push on once they're finished with the 21s in the summer. Coventry is playing a bit like how Cullen does for us at MK Dons. Would hope a loan move back to MK Dons is possible for him.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JR89
agree with all of that. molumby more of a 'destroyer' type who can win you the ball back at will but once he has it hes not nearly as good as someone like cullen at circulating it. Really need one of those two 21s to kick on. its hard to see a role for molumby in this team imo unless his on the ball stuff improves.
I would like to see the following lads get a good run:
Collins
Manning
Sykes
Molumby
Parrott
Ronan
I can't see them all starting but Collins has a good chance as Coleman might be rested. Same with Manning for McClean, it might be a good opportunity to give McClean a break. In midfield, I expect that if Hendrick or Cullen are rested then Kenny will look to Hourihane first and perhaps Browne, and then maybe Molumby. Sykes is one to come off the bench. I'd nearly prefer that as he'd be due a right good reception.
I can see Ogbene being rested, maybe Knight but hard to know. Parrott and Keane could come in alongside Robinson but I'm not sure how that works in terms of our energy at the front. I do think Kenny wants an extended look at Keane. And I think Parrott would feel he should be ahead of Ronan in the queue for a start.
I can see the following team:
CK
Collins Duffy Egan
Doherty Hourihane Cullen Manning
Parrott Keane Robinson
Hopefully Ronan, Sykes and Molumby get good half hour runs at a minimum. All 3 would relish a cut and get a good reception. Ronan for his debut, Sykes for his debut and backstory and Molumby for his style.
Are we building for the future or are we not? Picking full strength teams including 32 and 33 year olds in friendly games doesn't appear to be based on any future planning. The result seems more important than developing players. For Lithuania, players have to be tried out. Obviously not a completely different 11 but some younger prospects need a run out.
Yeah, we are. We have introduced a multitude of new, young players and given them caps in the last two years.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
Bazunu, Kelleher, Collins, O'Shea, Omobamidele, Collins, McGrath, Knight, Molumby, Idah, Ogbene, Manning. Connolly & Parrott featured more regularly than they had under previous.
Call ups for a host of others Jack Taylor, Conor Coventry, Liam Scales, Danny Mandroiu and Aaron McEneff.
The game and selection against Lithuania has absolutely nothing to do with the question you asked given the evidence i just provided above. Momentum is also important. But, even with that, he has already said he will make changes for it.
That would be my team except Id keep Hendrick instead of BrowneQuote:
Originally Posted by Jd2793
Absolutely. I like the midfield balance now and I was one of those who wrote Hendrick off. Not sure if it's Kenny getting the most out of him or Hendrick just realizing he's in his last few good years but he's been hugely improved. I think himself and Cullen are locked in now and think Knight will become the nailed on 3rd if he isn't already. There's more to come from him.Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
For a while there we had a case of not knowing who our best 5 in midfield and attack would be. It feels like we are getting there now. Certainly Robinson and Ogbene are the looking like the best 2 we have up top.
Well Boomers, I hope he makes all the changes he wants & pays not one bit of attention to the noisy nub of non believers seeking to turn any and every setback into a referendum on the competency of his tenure. Wouldn't you agree ?Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
Crazy to see how Cullen went from not being able to get a look in during the Nation's League to being the first name on the team sheet in the last 12months. Probably wouldn't have gotten that chance 12 months ago either if it wasn't for injuries and poor form of others.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jd2793
McCarthy was introducing those players! Have a look at his squads. Connolly, O Shea, Byrne, O Connor, Travers etc etc. Kenny was picking what he considered to be the best players available irrespective of age or looking to the future right up till we lost to Luxembourg. I'm talking about competitive games here. The narrative changed after the Luxembourg game.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Against Belgium we saw the same. Why are 32 and 33 year olds being picked in friendlies if we're building for the future? It doesn't add up. Why aren't players being introduced off the bench even? A game against Lithuania isn't much of a test for them.
You can't have it every way. Results don't matter because we're building on one hand but then pick full strength teams and treat friendlies like qualifying matches on the other.Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
Firstly, i didnt mention Byrne, O'Connor or Travers in my list. I qualified Connolly and mentioned that O'Shea got his first cap under SK.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
Secondly, does "building for the future" mean, to you, that you field only a team of U25's or debutantes in friendlies? Really? Does the 2 years of providing caps to new, young players in competitive games and friendlies not convince you sufficiently that he is building the future? I find that quite strange. Does he not get the right to balance experimentation with maintaining momentum? Would it not make sense to bring a handful in to start and then some of the other new players in off the bench? Is it really an all or nothing proposition?
Thirdly, whatever Boomer!
I was listing some of the players McCarthy introduced. He would have introduced more but they were left with the u21's for Kenny. These players were going to be introduced no matter who was in charge.Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
Building for the future is not playing 32 and 33 year olds in friendly matches. Do you think that's building for the future? Again, he was picking what he thought were the best 11 available to him up until Luxembourg. Look at the nations league prior to that.
Kenny is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. I'm not sure what your last sentence is about? Is that meant to be a witty remark or something?
When the 32 and 33 year year olds are still playing at a higher level and are almost certain to be fully involved in our next qualifying campaign it would be negligent not to be including them. The team is in transition, the older players are learning the new style and system as much as the younger ones. There needs to be at least some continuity. Some of the lads who don’t have a future like Long and Randolph have already been phased out. I’m sure more will follow as what they bring to the squad is out balanced by their deterioration due to age.
Let’s not forget that there’s constant talk about the great atmosphere in the squad and the relationships between the players. I’ve no doubt that in some cases where it’s been a relatively close call on ability Kenny is selecting the personality that fits better. The experienced lads are important in that respect too and you need at least one or two on the field in all but the most meaningless of friendlies and we all know at the moment every game is still very meaningful for Kenny and the squad.
So, he would have your support tomorrow, to change the side comprehensively, thus maybe sacrificing the result, in order to bring players we'll soon enough need into the fold ? Is that your position ?Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
The narrative changed when we got beaten by Luxembourg and knocked out of world cup qualifying. That tournament didn't matter and it was all about building for 2024 all of a sudden. If that's the excuse for horrendous results, then why were players who are unlikely to make 2024 being played and continue to be selected?Quote:
Originally Posted by passinginterest
That's not what I'm saying at all. I'm pointing out that you and others have been taken by a snake oil salesman. You've fallen for the bluster and spin. The actual facts are that Kenny's reign has been a disaster, on a par with Staunton's reign. You wouldn't think that reading his media pals pieces and some sections of our support. But we'll beat Lithuania and the hype train will continue until it finally crashes and everyone realises that Kenny is just a chancer who should neve have been let near our senior team.Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
Now we're getting to it & at least you've the decency to come on here & argue it unlike the number of conspicuous by their absence grass snakes lads who we'll hear from again when a result suits their narrative I'm sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
What represents a crash to you ?
A loss in a qualifying game ?
A failure to qualify ?
Given that, 88 to 94 anomaly apart we have no track record of consistently qualifying for tournaments anyway & scant key game victories, plenty draws, some of use, most not.
Genuinely interested.
Why did you list some of the players McCarthy introduced? You seem to have some sort of yearning for Mick to return - as well as Darren Randolph - but for the 5 players you highlighted in terms of bringing new/young through, i listed 17 (I forgot Ronan actually, make that 18) and that was leaving aside players like Keane and Szmodics who are older and/or havent really featured in a squad. You asked a question "is he really building for the future" - - i think you have the facts there.Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
Choose to ignore them i suppose but i would like to see if you might not ignore the other questions i asked in my post about the Lithuania friendly and why the need to drop 32 and 33 year olds to prove that he is building for the future. I suppose you chose to ignore those questions because it points out the farce of your position on Kenny. For reference:
On another note, you think that SK's reign has been a disaster. Does improvement count for anything? Or is the Luxembourg defeat his forever career defining moment for you Boomer?Quote:
- Secondly, does "building for the future" mean, to you, that you field only a team of U25's or debutantes in friendlies? Really?
- Does the 2 years of providing caps to new, young players in competitive games and friendlies not convince you sufficiently that he is building the future? I find that quite strange.
- Does he not get the right to balance experimentation with maintaining momentum?
- Would it not make sense to bring a handful in to start and then some of the other new players in off the bench?
- Is it really an all or nothing proposition?
First 10 games: 0-4-6
Last 10 games: 4-5-1
Belgium drawn friendly was his 21st.
Kenny took over a team battling it out with European championship contenders, he dragged the team down to battling it out with European minnows. Thems the facts. What results has he actually achieved as Ireland manager?Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
Now now Boomers ....Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
What represents a crash to you ?
You yourself said " untill it finally crashes "
So by that you're saying the crash is yet to come.
I was pointing out that McCarthy or any other manager would be bringing through some of our most promising players in a long time. Remember McCarthy had to leave some players with the 21's!Quote:
Originally Posted by SkStu
How is playing 32 and 33 year olds building for the future?
Losing the play off to the European championships, finishing second bottom with 0 wins in the nations league and finishing level on points with Luxembourg, miles behind the group leaders is a disaster. Up there with Staunton. Or do you think winning 4 games against Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, Qatar and Andorra is a successful reign Boomer?
So what results has Kenny achieved as Ireland manager boomer?Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
Kenny was battling it out with Portugal and Serbia in the head to head games in the last group. They would both be regarded as equal or better to Denmark and Switzerland. We finished 3rd in the group, like we did under Mick.... where is the big drop off?Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
You can't answer me can you ?Quote:
Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA
You're not able to.
Small matter of f**cking Portugals qualification campaign up also in Dublin, wasn't there ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
Would that count as a result Boomers ?
Switzerland got to the European championship quarter finals beating France and losing to Spain on penalties. Denmark got to the European semi finals only losing in extra time. We battered Denmark in the final group game after drawing with them away. We should have qualified ahead of them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
Kenny lost to Luxembourg which effectively got us knocked out of the group after 2 games. We finished level on points with Luxembourg, 8 points behind Portugal and 11 points behind Serbia. And you're seriously asking where is the big drop off? 😂
Any achievements at all to list? Coming ahead of Bulgaria in the nations league maybe? Finishing above Azerbaijan?Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke