I would go with this team against Gibraltar
-------------Randy
Coleman Duffy Egan Stevens
Doherty McCarthy Browne Brady
----------McGoldrick
----------Michael Obafemi
For me:
.……Randolph
Coleman Duffy Keogh/Long Doherty
O’Dowda Brady Browne McClean
..……McGoldrick
.…Long/Maguire
I’ll no doubt change my mind on this in 5 minutes
Folding my way into the big money!!!
I would go with this team against Gibraltar
-------------Randy
Coleman Duffy Egan Stevens
Doherty McCarthy Browne Brady
----------McGoldrick
----------Michael Obafemi
Is McCarthy match-fit though?
Not yet, but I'm hoping he will get some game time before the international breakOriginally Posted by Fixer82
Gibraltar is a pretty ideal fixture to build up some match fitness. Shame he didn't get a loan move in January though.
I like how you clarified that it was Michael Obafemi and not some other Irish Obafemi that's in and around the team
-------------Randy
------Egan Duffy Clark-------
Doherty McCarthy Browne Brady
----------McGoldrick
------Obafemi----Robinson----
or
-----------------------------Kieran O'Hara
----------Ryan Nolan - Brendan Hines-Ike - Cian Flanagan-------
Conor Coventry - Ryan Johansson - Caoimhin Fowler - Robin Walsh
--------------------------Dan Crowley
------Nathan Redmond----Paddy Bamford--------------------------
Well if he hadn't, it could have referred to a shock call-up for his brother Afolabi. And before you all accuse me of cultural ignorance, I am not referring to his Southampton team-mate - I know they are not related. Because Michael Obafemi, who plays alongside Jonathan Afolabi for Southampton and Ireland, has a footballer older brother called Afolabi Obafemi, although he was born in England and I don't know if he lived in Ireland for long enough to qualify. He plays for Barking: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afolabi_ObafemiI like how you clarified that it was Michael Obafemi and not some other Irish Obafemi that's in and around the team
Hahaha! That’s great!
Consider me informed!
D’you want some milk of the poppy for that burn?....
Or
-------------------Randolph
Coleman Duffy Stevens
Doherty McCarthy Browne Brady
------------------McGoldrick
----------Maguire Obafemi
Only 3 defenders in an attack minded team, but surely Doherty and Browne's intervention could handle anything Gibraltar had to throw at our defence?
No place for Hendrick based on last few performances. Ditto Long. Probably a bit harsh on McLean, who should be the frist substitute on the list.
Ok so I'll go with a standard 4-4-2. I think we need to play two up front with wingers & full backs to create the chances. No need of 5 in midfield (3 central midfielders) as we should have more than enough in two central midfielders to handle them.
GK - Darren Randolph
DR - Seamus Coleman
CB - Shane Duffy
CB - Ciaran Clarke
DL - Enda Stevens
MR - Matt Doherty
MC - James McCarthy
MC - Alan Browne
ML - Robbie Brady
FW - Shane Long
FW - Séanie Maguire
Only the one player (slightly) out of position, Matt Doherty. I had to squeeze both himself and Coleman in there as one's bang on form and the other's the captain. James McCarthy gets in there to build up match sharpness and confidence. Alan Browne is in there for being in great form also, ahead of the likes of Arter, Hendrick, etc. Brady ahead of McClean for his set piece delivery and bit more creativity.
It's a cliche, and it's not true. There are easy games and this should be one of them. With that in mind i see this game as an opportunity to get a few young players over the hurdle of getting their first international camp and experiment with new systemsThere are no easy games in international football
I would like to see us try playing a 3-4-3 in the next 2 games. I think it's the system which best suits the players we have.
This would be something like...
------------- Kelleher ------------
--- Coleman O'Connor Duffy ---
Doherty Arter Johansson Brady
-- O'Dowda Connolly Obafemi --
Though the kids in the team could easily be Nolan, Masterson Idah, Parrott or Afolabi.
In terms of the message we are sending out though i feel it is important to play Obafemi and at least one who was born in Ireland. With all that has gone on recently I would be wanting to make it obvious that it's about developing a new generation of players and not just putting caps on players before some other country come knocking.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
Rudolph
Coleman * Duffy * Egan * Stevens
Doherty * Arter * Browne * O'Dowda
McGoldrick
Obafemi
Surprised at the lack of O'Dowda in the lineups so far.
I can see Duffy running riot from set pieces vs Gibraltar. Will definitely be having a few bob on him scoring.
I'm aware that Obafemi has just the one senior goal to his name and may even miss out through injury, but after years of watching 'solid pros' scrapping to valiant away (and too often, home) draws, I have never been in more of a mind to see youth having its fling and maverick talents running wild.
I back some of your shouts there. The opposition being Gibraltar and us having a new manager means the slate is clean for Mick to pick on form, as opposed to having McClean and Christie in mind for most positions. I fancy O'Dowda, Doherty and Browne to start too as they are our form players. Egan, Stevens and McGoldrick are all doing well at club level too so they're in with a shout. I would like to see Seani Maguire start alongside Obafemi or instead of him, personally. Both are probably too small to play together. I think Seani needs plenty blooding at this level for us.
Obafemi or Maguire up top would at the very least have some fizz of excitement about it. I can't say the same about Long or even Walters at this stage. Murphy and Whelan out of retirement? Depressing talk. I pulled Arter from the much-of-a-muchness gallery we have to deal with in central midfield.
Fizz is a good word for those two. Real balls of energy that can get behind defences.
I concur on Arter. A fit and playing McCarthy would be preferable for me but I can't see him getting much game time this season for his club.
Randolph
Coleman Duffy Clark Stevens
Doherty Arter Hendrick Brady
O'Dowda
Maguire
https://kesslereffect.bandcamp.com/album/kepler - New music. It's not that bad.
I'm torn on this one, I've got to be honest, very torn. While "there's no such thing as a gimme in Int. football", this is the very definition of that.
I think there are certain players who absolutely must start:
John Egan; Shaun Williams; Enda Stevens; Matt Doherty, Alan Browne, Seanie Maguire.
As much as I think he's blown out of proportion, and hasn't been as good or as composed as people make out, there isn't a justification for not playing Shane Duffy. Randolph will start, but I just don't like him, and his use of the ball is ****ing atrocious. I'd love to see a bit of ambition and give the lad kelleher a spot.
We're going to have a lot of the ball, we're going to be on the front foot, and they're not going to create a whole lot. Chances are they'll have just the one up top. I like the 3 at the back idea, and Seamus playing right of the 3 gives us an outlet to bring the ball out from the back in the right manner.
In that regard, I'd pick these:
---------------------Gk----------------------
--------------------Duffy--------------------
------Coleman---------------Egan----------
Doherty---Browne---Williams-----Stevens
--------McGoldrick-------O'Dowda----------
-------------------Maguire-------------------
But I know that Robbie Brady, Jeff Hendrick, James McClean, Will Keane, Richard Keogh and probably Cyrus Christie are all going to start, despite being absolute gash on a consistent basis for Ireland for the guts of 18 months now.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Good man, I'd go along with most of that. Obafemi probably out with injury now.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
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