Bulgaria V Republic of Ireland - Thursday, 3rd September 2020 - UEFA Nations League

**Diggs246** · 03/09/2020, 1:11 PM

It's been along time since we have seen our team play and a new manager etc. I'm excited. Even just to see my mates again for pints food and football..which is our god given right

**pineapple stu** · 03/09/2020, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Or a sign of working from home?!

It's a welcome change if that's what's causing it!

**DeLorean** · 03/09/2020, 1:44 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I wonder is 12 pages of discussion on this match a sign of higher-than-usual interest in the match? Seems a much busier thread than we've had here for a long time. I'm looking forward to it to be honest. Hard to know what to expect - didn't England win 6-0 here last year? And Bulgaria were wojus when they played in Lansdowne last year.

I think there are some relatively new posters who have added a lot in general recently, all with their own areas of expertise/specific interest. And some not so new posters who appear to be posting a lot more, great to see.

(Now... virtual group hug

).

**paul_oshea** · 03/09/2020, 1:51 PM

Start Travers, bench Randolph. Can't do any worse than Randolph has anyway. And he could just bring more. Bulgaria away in an empty Stadium no better time for a debut.

**DeLorean** · 03/09/2020, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by elatedscum

This is my only memory of Travers distribution:

https://youtu.be/YFmrc1BtxB0 (Goal 1) - not entirely his fault but relevant to the discussion.

We analysed that to death at the time actually, starting here.

I remember watching it live and just hoping the ball wouldn't end up in the net, might have been easily forgotten then. Hopefully he can start the season as Bournemouth number one, but I suppose they more likely to go with Begovic (forgot he was there until I checked their squad!)?

**DCWA** · 03/09/2020, 2:06 PM

McClean now unlikely to play due to a hand injury sustained in training today.

**backstothewall** · 03/09/2020, 2:26 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I wonder is 12 pages of discussion on this match a sign of higher-than-usual interest in the match? Seems a much busier thread than we've had here for a long time.

Perhaps some of the posters from you know where are proper grown ups now and have graduated to foot.ie

**Kingdom** · 03/09/2020, 2:44 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Or a sign of working from home?!

Quiet you

**Kingdom** · 03/09/2020, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

I think there are some relatively new posters who have added a lot in general recently, all with their own areas of expertise/specific interest. And some not so new posters who appear to be posting a lot more, great to see.

(Now... virtual group hug

).

Here come the w, sorry, thank brigade now....

**tetsujin1979** · 03/09/2020, 3:21 PM

From this in today's Evening Echo - https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/Ad...8be3f06b6c0-ds - Graham Cummins reckons it's going to

Code:

         Randolph
Doherty Egan Duffy Stevens
 Hendrick McCarthy Hourihane
 O'Dowda    Idah   Connolly

**pineapple stu** · 03/09/2020, 3:25 PM

Jaysus. That's a front line for a friendly, not a competitive match where a manager wants a good start to their career!

**Olé Olé** · 03/09/2020, 3:44 PM

Originally Posted by DCWA

McClean now unlikely to play due to a hand injury sustained in training today.

I saw his hand wrapped up in this video of training yesterday on the FAI's Twitter so he was carrying the injury. It might be just safer to play him in the next game and Connolly tonight.

https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status...52374339452928

**Kingdom** · 03/09/2020, 3:52 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Jaysus. That's a front line for a friendly, not a competitive match where a manager wants a good start to their career!

In my mind, there's a clear line of thinking amongst fans, incl those on here, with regard to selection - and it's simple. There's never going to be the absolute right time to change something in international football, but there has to be A time. And this is where the divide is imo - this is as good a time to do it. If not now, then it won't be Finland either, and it won't be Slovakia. If it's not Slovakia, then it won't be until next year, and the problem only rolls further on down the road.

That aside, and referring to the Echo team (assume that they've been in touch with Idah's people) I wouldn't be surprised either if the formation is a little different to what was anticipated. It could as easily be McCarthy and Hourihane as a 2 with Hendrick O'Dowda and Connolly behind Idah, with Hendrick and Connolly tucking in more than traditional wingers and letting Doherty and Stevens provide the width.

**pineapple stu** · 03/09/2020, 4:15 PM

I suppose this is the catch with fewer friendly games alright.

If you think of Mick McCarthy's first games - you hadn't heard of half of those players. Some worked, some didn't. By the time of the first qualifier, we had a decent side already, including Harte, O'Neill and others.

It'd be an interesting line-up for a friendly. But if there aren't any, then I guess we have to just throw the guys in at the deep end for what could be a key enough game in the group.

But let's see how it goes. Maybe it's the covid talking, but I haven't looked forward to a game this much in a long time.

**Kingdom** · 03/09/2020, 5:15 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I suppose this is the catch with fewer friendly games alright.

If you think of Mick McCarthy's first games - you hadn't heard of half of those players. Some worked, some didn't. By the time of the first qualifier, we had a decent side already, including Harte, O'Neill and others.

It'd be an interesting line-up for a friendly. But if there aren't any, then I guess we have to just throw the guys in at the deep end for what could be a key enough game in the group.

But let's see how it goes. Maybe it's the covid talking, but I haven't looked forward to a game this much in a long time.

You're a better diplomat than I am UCDStu.

**DeLorean** · 03/09/2020, 5:21 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Maybe it's the covid talking, but I haven't looked forward to a game this much in a long time.

I think it might be the Trap/MON/Mick talking. I suppose Connolly has a season of regular PL football behind him and has already played in important games for us. O'Dowda is reasonably experienced at this stage, though he needs to start delivering in a bigger way for club and country. Idah is a bold call for sure.