Slovakia v Republic of Ireland - 8th October 2020 - Euro 2020 Playoff Semi Final

[Trequartista20]

Yes. I meant players you can name on the bench, ie 10 outfield players plus 2 keepers.

[John83]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. It's risky not to bring Long unless he's picked up a knock in training or something.

[Diggs246]

The cullen decision is more ridiculous he was brought in to replace arter. If james gets injured. The famous 433 formation is even more problematic. Jason molumby would be the only option. Dont get me wrong he is a good player but as of today I would pick cullen in the DM role all day long ahead of him

[paul_oshea]

Its unlikely James will last 120, so not having a like for like replacement for him seems naive, but i guess molumby is that...

[Diggs246]

My view is that james and ditzy will be the players who will do the business for us today

[elatedscum]

i think they have a 25 man squad because there are 3 games, and if someone picks up a knock, you can't necessarily quickly and easily replace them, because they have to have been tested for covid at certain points etc. etc. (maybe a u21 could move across from 21s to senior).

Available to come on in centre midfield are Byrne, Molumby and Browne - and possibly Brady. Personally I'd have Cullen in there for that deep position (ahead of Browne), but maybe they had a look at him in training and thought he wasn't ready. The only other option to be called up in that position was Glen Whelan I think. Personally, I'd rather have Cullen.

As for the Kevin Long call, it's basically position for position and they've left out one centre half to have both Idah and Shane Long on the bench. I think in the last 500 games i've watched, i haven't seen both centre halves get injured etc. If they want Williams as their first choice replacement, then I have no issues with it...

P.S. It could be worse for Slovakia... https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54446356

[Olé Olé]

Sure what's all the complaining about Cullen for so- don't we have Keith Andrews there to do a job!

[Trequartista20]

Yeah, I'd agree with that. It's risky not to bring Long unless he's picked up a knock in training or something.

i think they have a 25 man squad because there are 3 games, and if someone picks up a knock, you can't necessarily quickly and easily replace them, because they have to have been tested for covid at certain points etc. etc. (maybe a u21 could move across from 21s to senior).

Available to come on in centre midfield are Byrne, Molumby and Browne - and possibly Brady. Personally I'd have Cullen in there for that deep position (ahead of Browne), but maybe they had a look at him in training and thought he wasn't ready. The only other option to be called up in that position was Glen Whelan I think. Personally, I'd rather have Cullen.

As for the Kevin Long call, it's basically position for position and they've left out one centre half to have both Idah and Shane Long on the bench. I think in the last 500 games i've watched, i haven't seen both centre halves get injured etc. If they want Williams as their first choice replacement, then I have no issues with it...

P.S. It could be worse for Slovakia... https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54446356

As well as both centre-halves, Williams is also supposed to cover at left-back too - that was my point. Anyway, let's hope this is a non-issue.

[Kingdom]

Byrne is in.

[Kingdom]

As well as both centre-halves, Williams is also supposed to cover at left-back too - that was my point. Anyway, let's hope this is a non-issue.

Come on - the cover for LB is in the form of McClean and Brady, who have both played there for club and country.

[Trequartista20]

A Slovak journalist's view.

https://www.the42.ie/the-view-from-s...26144-Oct2020/

Looking at the back four in his predicted line-up, one centre half is playing in the Spanish second tier, the other in the Italian second tier. Their right-back only made six appearances for Hertha in the Bundesliga last season, with only three of those starts. Their left-back isn't 't playing at a high level either.

They look eminently get-at-able from a defensive standpoint. We need to make this count.

[Trequartista20]

Come on - the cover for LB is in the form of McClean and Brady, who have both played there for club and country.

Two attacking midfielders, currently out of favour at their clubs? You would only really countenance doing that against extremely weak Andorra/San Marino level opposition or if you're a couple of goals down late on with little to lose.

[Kingdom]

Two attacking midfielders, currently out of favour at their clubs? You would only really countenance doing that against extremely weak Andorra/San Marino level opposition or if you're a couple of goals down late on with little to lose.

It's not first cover : you could argue that Matt Doherty is first cover;
It's not second cover: Derrick Williams;
So it's third cover: two senior members of the squad who are versatile and have played multiple positions for club and country.

If he has to resort to it, then we're likely goosed elsewhere on the pitch in the first place. So, yeah, I'm cool with it. Especially if it means he can continue with an extra midfielder or attacker.

[elatedscum]

Cyrus Christie has also played at left back for club and country on occasion...

[Diggs246]

Cyrus Christie has also played at left back for club and country on occasion...

Don't.. just don't !

[Razors left peg]

Possibly true in regards to Cullen, but it inevitably leads to questions over why he was called up at all.

You would have thought Long would have made the 23 as reliable central defensive cover. As it is, Derrick Williams is all we have as cover for both centre-back positions and left-back. Which seems to constitute a rather unnecessary risk in context of a potential 120-minute game when you're permitted 10 outfield substitutes.

There's also the Wales game where Kenny might take a look at him

[paul_oshea]

2 things i hope for tonight.

1. the ball is always played forward and in front of a running winger, and doesnt pause, stop, slowdown the forward motion of said player. I expected this to be the first noticeable change from Kennys time but didnt see it the last 2 games.
2. Whoever plays centrally regardless of 4-3-3 or whatever other slight variation of that possible, doesnt drop deep or wide to receive the ball and if they do ,that another player has license to go central then. I'm saying this because i expect him to play McG central of a 3 and then drops deep and we've no one in the middle. i would like for him to go with ROBBiO in the centre with McG behind him and Doherty covering the right side of the pitch as he moves central when McG goes deep, that or allow both McG and Robbo to rove and interchange.

The problem in the past (previous managers) we've had with any central player up top is theyve had to run channels to receive the ball and inevitably slowed down the game and (their) play to get a ball to someone or wait for someone to get into the box. Its the same problem now but with the channel being deep central (not south central).

[Diggs246]

My understanding is we will have the dreaded VAR today is that correct?

[paul_oshea]

"I don't think you have too many teams now in Europe who play long balls.

"Ireland coming here to play football will be better for us, our defenders are not used to playing against a long-ball team, so it suits us when our opponent tries to play football." -Former slovak player nemeth

its an interesting one, all teams would always say how difficult it is to play against the Irish because of the long ball. Even the big ones, though theyd usually get the result they needed.

[paul_oshea]

“A lot of people in our country are fans of success,” Antol explains. “They follow the team, but they most of the time go out from the home, go to the street, when there is a big success.

sounds familiar...