Republic of Ireland V Switzerland- 5th September 2019 - Euro 2020 Qualifier

[Charlie Darwin]

I like to see us to start Stevens, Egan, Robinson and McGoldrick v Switzerland and try the system Sheffield United have been using.

I reckon Arter would be great in the Norwood role, and Doherty is obviously suited as a right wing back.

It feels like it would put a lot of round pegs in round holes and with quite a few of out lads playing there the others should be able to get up to speed very quickly. And Switzerland are likely to have as much trouble adapting to face it as other premier league sides seem to be having.

Not sure it'd be square pegs. Coleman has more than enough ability to play RCB in a three-man defence. McCarthy has always liked to play two forwards and that'd be one way to get them in with McGoldrick drifting between the lines. Rovers play the same way so could be a way to try out Jack Byrne against Bulgaria.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think it's generally a difficult system to implement at international level, as there's much less time on the training ground to . It's a system which requires a lot of mobility from the left and right centre halves, I remember us trying to play it against Mexico and getting absolutely murdered in a friendly two years ago – and doing it a little better, but still not particularly well against maybe Wales in the Nations League.

That was just a baffling selection against Mexico though - five wingers? MON seemed to set it up to fail. Trap did the same against Uruguay with James McCarthy at 10 and it worked OK.

[geysir]

You mean Trap had done likewise and set up James and the formation to fail to impress?

[Charlie Darwin]

I meant he played 3-5-2 but now that I think about he may have just played 4-5-1 and that was revolutionary by his standards.

[geysir]

Afair, James was positioned too far forward in an unfamiliar role at this level and Trap used his so so perforformance as an excuse not to select him. Mick has had no wriggle room, no Nations league games just straight into the thick of it with an unsettled and unbalanced team. I’d say he’s angling for a 4231, he would love to have James and one other in front of the back 4.

[backstothewall]

Rovers play the same way so could be a way to try out Jack Byrne against Bulgaria.

Ohh. I like that idea.

Egan has played on the left of the 3 fairly regularly for Sheff Utd. I'd be looking at him on the left of 3 with Duffy on the centre and Coleman on the right.

‐----------- Randolph ‐-----------
--- Coleman Duffy Egan ---
Doherty -- Arter -- Stevens
------ Byrne Hourihane ------
-- McGoldrick Robinson --

[third policeman]

Ohh. I like that idea.

Egan has played on the left of the 3 fairly regularly for Sheff Utd. I'd be looking at him on the left of 3 with Duffy on the centre and Coleman on the right.

‐----------- Randolph ‐-----------
--- Coleman Duffy Egan ---
Doherty -- Arter -- Stevens
------ Byrne Hourihane ------
-- McGoldrick Robinson --

McCarthy for Arter, otherwise decent lineup.

[Olé Olé]

Would be 9 PL players of a line up too. I can't see it though.

[DeLorean]

As for the personnel, Kevin Long can do it on the left, Duffy you'd imagine would play where Egan plays for Sheffield United. Ciaran Clark is probably the most mobile of the remaining centre halves but probably also better suited on the left. Not sure Keogh or Egan would be ideal to play on the side. I’ve seen people suggest playing Coleman in the right-centre-half slot which could work, I guess, but you’re probably losing some of his qualities. You lose your true wingers in that system, which hurts McClean and O’Dowda. A few years ago losing McClean would have been a major minus but now it’s not really much of a problem.

I think it was the Poland friendly when Long played this position. He did okay defensively but looked very uncomfortable on the ball. I think Keogh is a natural enough fit for the other side though.

[DeLorean]

Realistically, what are we expecting?

Randy (I make no apologies, greatest nickname ever).
Coleman
Keogh
Duffy
Stevens
McCarthy (if he sees some more game time at Palace, if not- Whelan/Arter).
Hourihane
Hendrick
McClean
McGoldrick
Robinson

[CraftyToePoke]

Realistically, what are we expecting?

Randy (I make no apologies, greatest nickname ever).
Coleman
Keogh
Duffy
Stevens
McCarthy (if he sees some more game time at Palace, if not- Whelan/Arter).
Hourihane
Hendrick
McClean
McGoldrick
Robinson

Its going to be a lot like this, yes. Functional, enough to stay in the game or not lose it heavily if things go badly early on.

[Olé Olé]

Realistically, what are we expecting?

Randy (I make no apologies, greatest nickname ever).
Coleman
Keogh
Duffy
Stevens
McCarthy (if he sees some more game time at Palace, if not- Whelan/Arter).
Hourihane
Hendrick
McClean
McGoldrick
Robinson

This will be the team. I would be very surprised with anything else. It ain't bad but I feel it could be improved.

[IsMiseSean]

McCarthy (if he sees some more game time at Palace, if not- Whelan/Arter).

McCarthy probably has more minutes than Whelan this season. Has Whelan started a game for Hearts yet?

[DeLorean]

McCarthy probably has more minutes than Whelan this season. Has Whelan started a game for Hearts yet?

Don't think so but Whelan isn't as badly in need of some proper game time. Chances are he'll play a bit before the Switzerland game anyway.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Whelan started for Hearts yesterday.

[geysir]

Shaqiri hasn't played for Liverpool this season, I suppose in his case that means he will be fresh rather than stale.

[geysir]

Realistically, what are we expecting?

Randy (I make no apologies, greatest nickname ever).
Coleman
Keogh
Duffy
Stevens
McCarthy (if he sees some more game time at Palace, if not- Whelan/Arter).
Hourihane
Hendrick
McClean
McGoldrick
Robinson

I doubt that Mick will change formation for this game and start with 2 forwards. Arter I think has to start and could hook up with James, i.e. if James plays tomorrow and impresses.

[Olé Olé]

I doubt that Mick will change formation for this game and start with 2 forwards. Arter I think has to start and could hook up with James, i.e. if James plays tomorrow and impresses.

I don't think they mean Robinson down the middle.

[geysir]

I don't think they mean Robinson down the middle.

I don't think Mick will deviate from the formation he has used, namely one up front. Del suggested 2 forwards in the starting line up, Robinson and McGoldrick.

[Olé Olé]

I don't think Mick will deviate from the formation he has used, namely one up front. Del suggested 2 forwards in the starting line up, Robinson and McGoldrick.

I'm saying McGoldrick would through the middle. Robinson on the wing.