I can see Cullen and that Molumby playing off him in the future. That Sykes is also a central mid.
Press Conference earlier today...
Informed my how bad Bulgaria were in Dublin and buoyed by a sense of optimism, I have had a wager on Ireland at 13/10. Not sure if I'm even mad to have a nibble on us minus 1 at 4/1.
I will admit it isn't great that Kenny will only have two training sessions with the lads but I'm sure there has been and will be numerous tactical sessions.
Expected line up for me is
Randolph/ Coleman, Duffy, Egan, Stevens/ McCarthy or After, Hendrick, Hourihane/ Long, Idah and Connolly.
I would also say there's every chance Doherty replaces Coleman, Molumby for Hourihane and either Brady or McClean for Long. If he doesn't fancy Idah centre forward in McGoldrick's absence then Long could feature there.
Expected line up for me is:
Randolph/ Doherty, Duffy, Egan, Stevens/ McCarthy or Arter, Hendrick, Hourihane/ Long, McClean and Connolly.
Could obviously see the Doherty/Coleman go either way but his language in the press conference made me think it was gonna be Doherty but just guessing. Think he'll start with Long up top, and he'll play Connolly out wide. He talked about holding up the ball and probably only Idah and Long are capable of doing that by themselves.
Suspect he's more likely to bring Idah off the bench. If he's comfortable playing Connolly wide right, then I think he'll start McClean wide left and Long up top. If he's not, then it's McClean and Connolly vying for wide left and Long and Idah for the centre and Long and Robinson for wide right. Could also see Molumby come into the midfield.
Really looking forward to the game...
Randolph
Coleman(/Doherty)
Duffy
Egan
Stevens
Arter
Molumby(/Hendrick)
Hourihane
Robinson(/Long)
Idah
Connolly(/McClean/Robinson)
I'd say that's the basis of the team with probably four or five spots up for debate.
Coleman is captain so I'd say he'll hold on the the right back spot for now, it will continue to be very close between him and Doherty though.
Molumby will push hard for Hendrick's spot in midfield, personally I'd go with Molumby, it's long past time to mix up our midfield a bit. Hourihane stays in the team - if nothing else he is needed for set pieces. With Molumby and Arter working hard behind him and both hopefully being an improvement on Whelan and Hendrick it might give Hourihane the freedom to create a bit more in attack.
I'm not 100% sure he sees Long as a centre forward, in the same way he doesn't see Obafemi as a centre forward. I'd say Long is possibly competing with Robinson for the right sided forward position. That might be the closest call of the lot. Robinson would also be in the mix with McClean and Connolly for the left position. With McGoldrick and Parrott out that would leave Idah and Maguire, or possibly Long at a stretch, competing for the centre forward spot, so I think he might start Idah.
I think he may go Robinson/Idah/Connolly up front with Long and McClean to come on in the second half.
I like the look of the team overall.
Last edited by Eirambler; 31/08/2020 at 7:04 AM.
Coleman could go right wing and Doherty right back
Interesting to see myself, Eirambler and elatedscum have all been largely in agreement regarding the side and, where we haven't been, we have conceded in our notes after that the likely rotations are largely similar. I would concur with or Be fairly positive regarding the combinations both of ye have set out.
It's amazing to see Irish fans largely assured that the manager is going to go with sensible selections and consensus can form on same. I remember my head being in my hands too many times going to match upon hearing the team announced.
Coleman as right wing forward in a 4-3-3? I can't see that at all. If he was going to try something like that he'd push Doherty up, but he won't do that either.
In a 4-4-2 you could just about find a way to get Coleman and Doherty on the field at the same time. But it doesn't work at all in a 4-3-3/4-5-1, which we know is Kenny's setup.
yep, I don't think there'll be a "wing" position. If 442 it'd make more sense.
Either way I hope Kenny doesn't try to force big name players onto the pitch just to get them on. Balance and purpose will be critical in getting it right. Newspaper suggestions are that Hendrick will be given an attacking role. Right side of a narrow midfield 3 makes sense to me and would be my pick.
Did he not say Coleman will remain as captain ( surely he will play then) and he also said Doherty hasn't been treated right to date and should have way more caps
Sounds to me they are both starting no?
Doherty is just back off a three week holiday, Wolves season only finished a few weeks back. Really cant see that its likely he'll start after two training sessions and minimal fitness work. Guaranteed an injury if he does.
What what this if he is playing 4-3-3??
Coleman Duffy Egan Stevens
Molumby Arter Jeff
Doherty long Connolly
I'm assuming this is actually televised but I don't see it on any of the listings?
It really is amazing. I don't think I remember even a squad where every single player, I am happy is in it.
Additional call-ups being also fine.
What is this madness?
Maybe the FAI, defined as they are by chaos and anarchy, have decided that as the rest of the world is now in this state, it was time for them to appoint a manager who is level-headed, no-bull and has us all in a state of placid contentment.
(That he was appointed before Covid is one for the non-sheeple, I suppose...)
Sky have it
Listed here - https://www.live-footballontv.com/
Handy site
Also looks like james McCarthy is ok folks!! So we can all change our team selections
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020...ireland-squad/
Randolph
Doc----Duffy----Egan----Stevens
Hendrick - JMcC - Hourihane (though I fancy Brady in that role)
Long - Idah - Connolly
Serious pace and running power in the forward 3.
Also fits with a prediction I made ages ago that I didn't see any more than 5 current U21s in the squad, with maybe only 1 starting![]()
I think McGoldrick will play when fit. I don't have huge conviction about McCarthy. I like what Cullen does in that role and would like to see Molumby play there too.
Can Molumby play tight right in the role I've given Hendrick above?
I don't have huge conviction in my Hourihane pick either, but he does things that others can't. A fit and in form Brady would get the nod for me, but when has he been either recently?
McClean and Maguire could feature as subs, and both Long and Connolly can play in two of the front three positions I think.
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