France V Republic of Ireland - Sunday, 26 June 2016 - Euro 2016 Round of 16

**BonnieShels** · 25/06/2016, 6:05 PM

Wouldnt change a thing bar Walters for Murphy. And even then that's just out of curiosity. Murphy was great the other night. I can imagine a fit Walters being a bigger pain to play against though.

**Olé Olé** · 25/06/2016, 6:35 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

Wouldnt change a thing bar Walters for Murphy. And even then that's just out of curiosity. Murphy was great the other night. I can imagine a fit Walters being a bigger pain to play against though.

I agree. Fair enough Murphy held the ball up but we didn't score whilst he was on the field, despite having the majority of the ball. Granted he played his part in retaining the ball but I don't think Walters would leave us down with his touch and control. And, Walters can score. He has a 25% strike rate for Ireland. Murphy has a 0% strike rate. They have 40 and 21 caps respectively.

I'm a bit worried Ward is out. And if he's not at 100% then how will a dodgy ankle cope against the electric movement whoever will be on his flank will employ (Kingsley Coman? Would need more than a good strapping for him)?

**Stuttgart88** · 25/06/2016, 8:00 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

The only changes I see happening are O'Shea for Keogh and Walters for Murphy.

Do you really see Keogh making way for O'Shea rather than Duffy? I can see Duffy and O'Shea working but still...

I think he'll stick with Murphy and tell him to run himself into the ground for 60 mins.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 26/06/2016, 9:12 AM

While beating France in their own tournament would be the kind of result that could genuinely stand as our greatest ever, I just don't see it happening today. France have an advantage in rest days, an advantage in fans in the stadium, are bound to have the standard preference from the officials on 50/50's. Their squad is better, man for man, than ours for the most part. Unlike Italy, they have something to play for.

Obviously there's always the chance of something upsetting the applecart - an early goal, a red card, just a general ****ting the bed from the hosts - but while I don't think it'll be as bad as the Belgium result, I can imagine a similar kind of game where Ireland cede possession and try and live on scraps at the other end.

I've also been struck by the differing opinions on using the handball as a potential motivator. You can see it still hurts former players like Duff, but members of the actual squad either don't care or don't want to think about it.

**DeLorean** · 26/06/2016, 11:25 AM

For the record, if we did manage to win somehow, obviously the Henry thing would add an extra bit of satisfaction, maybe even provide some badly needed closure for those still twisting and turning at night! I just think it's a waste of energy trying to use it in the build up, focus on the positives and the here and now, the controlables as they say. I'm sure that's what the squad are doing and it's not as if they seriously need any more motivation than the prize on offer anyway.

**DeLorean** · 26/06/2016, 11:46 AM

**Stuttgart88** · 26/06/2016, 11:47 AM

No changes

**legendz** · 26/06/2016, 11:48 AM

The odds for today's game seem fair enough. The Italians sat back a bit. France will thrown more at us. We will need at least a performance of a similar level to Wednesday night. I hope for the best!

**nigel-harps1954** · 26/06/2016, 12:06 PM

Great news! Don't change a winning team! Getting excited now, which is great because I've a killer hangover and the thoughts of going to play a gig later on have not been great thus far today. Come on the lads!

**DeLorean** · 26/06/2016, 12:21 PM

I'd have made a couple of changes I think. Not changing a winning team are only words with no substance really, every game is different and every opposition provide a different challenge. It's chalk and cheese compared to last Wednesday in terms of the task we're facing. I know we'll be aiming to make it a 4-3-3 but in terms of our players natural positions it's more of a 4-4-2 so I just hope we're not run ragged. I think Whelan's absence should help in that regard though because at least we have the legs, notwithstanding the possibility of burnout from Wednesday. Monumental task for Duffy and Keogh. I do like having the Hoolahan option in reserve but I'd like him on the pitch from the start also, can't have it all I guess! Walters a good option off the bench also hopefully.

I don't mean this in a defeatist way but we're in bonus territory for sure at this stage, hopefully they can give it a right cut.

**Stuttgart88** · 26/06/2016, 12:32 PM

I see your point. I think this is a pressure free game for us but not for them. I worry less about the selection, more about the short recovery time, heat, lack of fans. We could be dead on our feet if it goes to ET.

**tetsujin1979** · 26/06/2016, 12:33 PM

few subtle digs from Martin O'Neill to Tony O'Donoghue there

**SkStu** · 26/06/2016, 12:36 PM

I am hoping that we are competitive and if we can't win it (for all the good reasons outlined in the last couple of posts) that we go out with a bang, not a whimper. No repeat of Belgium, lets see confidence, composure and class.