Portugal v Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 11 October 2025 - 2026 World Cup Qualifier

[pineapple stu]

I saw some Home Nation squads being announced today, so I guess the Ireland squad for Portugal away and Armenia at home is imminent.

Is there anything we can possibly change to avoid a hammering against Portugal though? Their first game since Diogo Jota's death, Ronaldo chasing 150 goals, and only 15 months since we were ****ed on 3-0 in Aveiro, when we were lucky enough to get nil.

Could be a tougher watch than the Armenia game - at the moment the only consolation is that we often up our game against the better teams. But I don't see that being close to enough to earn a point here.

[Grafter]

Recall Coleman and Egan to squad to cool things down a bit.

[Razors left peg]

I saw some Home Nation squads being announced today, so I guess the Ireland squad for Portugal away and Armenia at home is imminent.

Is there anything we can possibly change to avoid a hammering against Portugal though? Their first game since Diogo Jota's death, Ronaldo chasing 150 goals, and only 15 months since we were ****ed on 3-0 in Aveiro, when we were lucky enough to get nil.

Could be a tougher watch than the Armenia game - at the moment the only consolation is that we often up our game against the better teams. But I don't see that being close to enough to earn a point here.

In 12 years of marriage this will be the 1st time Im gonna watch Ireland v Portugal in the same room as the Mrs.... thats how much that Armenia game has broken me. Ive no enthusiasm, excitement or any hope of a result. Shes been giving me digs for the last couple weeks about Ronaldo gonna break the record against us and I just shrug the shoulders. Its pitiful

[elatedscum]

In 12 years of marriage this will be the 1st time Im gonna watch Ireland v Portugal in the same room as the Mrs.... thats how much that Armenia game has broken me. Ive no enthusiasm, excitement or any hope of a result. Shes been giving me digs for the last couple weeks about Ronaldo gonna break the record against us and I just shrug the shoulders. Its pitiful

Didn’t he already break the record against us in the game where Bazunu saved the penalty and he got two late headers?

[elatedscum]

I saw some Home Nation squads being announced today, so I guess the Ireland squad for Portugal away and Armenia at home is imminent.

Is there anything we can possibly change to avoid a hammering against Portugal though? Their first game since Diogo Jota's death, Ronaldo chasing 150 goals, and only 15 months since we were ****ed on 3-0 in Aveiro, when we were lucky enough to get nil.

Could be a tougher watch than the Armenia game - at the moment the only consolation is that we often up our game against the better teams. But I don't see that being close to enough to earn a point here.

I’d certainly have Coleman in the squad in place of Jimmy Dunne, he probably does more for the squad than John O’Shea and does it for free. I’d also have Molumby back for energy and bite and hunger in place of Phillips. I’d have O’Dowda over Honahan. I’d have Festy in the squad as a winger and I’d find a slot for Jamie McGrath and get rid of Jonny Kenny in favour of someone else - could just be Festy or you could take an extra striker

[rebelmusic]

Watched the stoke game tonight with Lawal playing right back. He's the only bright spark I can see and could be very effective in a DM role, breaking up play and taking the quick smart pass.

We need to play Trappatoni style for this game if there's any hope of getting a point. My original hope was that HH would bring this kinda of system with a modern twist but it hasn't materialized.

After all of this it actually makes me think Big Sam would have been a good manager choice for us.

[Razors left peg]

Didn’t he already break the record against us in the game where Bazunu saved the penalty and he got two late headers?

Yeah hes chasing 150 International goals, think he needs 9 more

[elatedscum]

Watched the stoke game tonight with Lawal playing right back. He's the only bright spark I can see and could be very effective in a DM role, breaking up play and taking the quick smart pass.

Did he come off injured?

[CraftyToePoke]

Is there anything we can possibly change

The date on the thread, to the correct one maybe ?

This is such a no win situation, play like heroes, run them close like Kenny did, makes the Armenia result even more infuriating.

There's merit to a good solid hiding here, the game effectively over 30 minutes in. That is how fcuked things are.

[pineapple stu]

The date on the thread, to the correct one maybe ?

Arse. Don't know how I did that, but can't change it now. Over to tets/John...

I’d certainly have Coleman in the squad in place of Jimmy Dunne, he probably does more for the squad than John O’Shea and does it for free. I’d also have Molumby back for energy and bite and hunger in place of Phillips. I’d have O’Dowda over Honahan. I’d have Festy in the squad as a winger and I’d find a slot for Jamie McGrath and get rid of Jonny Kenny in favour of someone else - could just be Festy or you could take an extra striker

Not sure on Coleman, but the rest seem equally sensible and futile at the same time.

I can see this being 4-0 or 5-0. It's all set to be a kind of game where Portugal just don't let up when the points are in the bag.

[Eirambler]

Yeah hes chasing 150 International goals, think he needs 9 more

If the Ireland version of Nathan Collins turns up again you couldn't completely rule it out.

[tetsujin1979]

also, Ronaldo needs one goal to equal the record number of goals scored against us. The record of five is currently held by retired Polish striker Włodzimierz Lubański, who was Poland's record goalscorer, with 48 goals, until Lewandowski broke the record in 2022
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C5%8...ationals_goals

[rebelmusic]

Did he come off injured?

Yes. It didn't look too bad though. He was in a bit of pain but was hard to tell how tactical the whole thing was

[SkStu]

the rest seem equally sensible and futile at the same time.

exactly my thoughts reading ES' post.