Serbia V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 24th March 2021 - World Cup 2022 Qualifier

**pineapple stu** · 13/03/2021, 7:35 AM

It's maybe not that clear cut who starts in goal - especially if Kelleher's injured - but if Bazunu starts, we're in big trouble. And certainly the earlier Shay Given comparison, which I was initially responding to, doesn't stack up.

**liamoo11** · 13/03/2021, 7:43 AM

Even though we have so many injured I think we can still put out a reasonable side
Kelleher
Coleman Duffy Clark Steven's
Doherty Cullen knight Brady
Hendrick
Robinson

We are going to need energy on midfield and that team has that. Browne might be likely to start ahead of knight . We will need either brady or hourihane for set pieces and I just dont think hourihane has the legs to do the work we will need in a middle three in Serbia. We are going to play possession football not long ball so Robinson centrally gives is bit of pace and mobility and we wont be asking him to win high ball cause we not playing like that anymore. Long gives us 20 mins of pace off the bench. I find it hard to see Duffy not playing and a backs to the wall game in Serbia might suit him. The great thing about having no remotely world class players is that despite lots of injuries most of the replacement s are of a similar standard.

**DeLorean** · 13/03/2021, 7:45 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

It's maybe not that clear cut who starts in goal - especially if Kelleher's injured - but if Bazunu starts, we're in big trouble. And certainly the earlier Shay Given comparison, which I was initially responding to, doesn't stack up.

The Given comparison came afterwards but, no, it doesn't stack up at all. Am I to take it you don't think we're in big trouble if Travers or Kelleher start, or at least considerably less trouble in a goalkeeping sense than if it's Bazunu? I don't see the risk level being increased all that much, especially seeing as he's the one playing every week in a team getting dominated. But still, Travers for me.

**pineapple stu** · 13/03/2021, 8:39 AM

The Given comparison was post #129, which was pretty much at the start of all this? Appreciate it wasn't you who made it though.

Yes, I think we're in trouble regardless. Kelleher I'd be ok with as I do think the Given comparisons stack up there. He's played a few games at a decent level and done reasonably well, but it's not clear if he'll be fit in time. Bazunu - "he isn't making bad mistakes every week" isn't a ringing endorsement. (The old joke about the two guys fleeing a lion comes to mind - I don't need to be fast to survive, I just need to be faster than the other guy. PotM just means he's showing better than the attacking players who haven't scored in seven games) Travers - yeah, also wouldn't be confident. And then you add in that we've also got no forwards and our competitiveness thus far under Kenny has needed some good performances from Randolph, and you get my earlier conclusion that I'm worried about the Luxembourg game, never mind Serbia.

**DeLorean** · 13/03/2021, 9:13 AM

Your post #127 was what I was discussing really, the Given comparison was after that (#129 as you say).

The potm award doesn't prove much but I think the amount of goals conceded proves possibly even less. The fact that the fans appear happy with him might suggest it would be far more only for him. Highly speculative of course.

Kelleher has done okay in a couple of high profile games but poorly (imo) in a string of lesser ones, including for our U21's.

**Diggs246** · 13/03/2021, 9:27 AM

Travers will surely be the one after kelleher. Has both premier league and international experience.

**pineapple stu** · 13/03/2021, 9:37 AM

Again, I don't think PotM necessarily means the fans are happy with him. Someone has to win it. And even if they are happy with him, they're still at the foot of the third tier. That's not good enough for a game against Serbia. He may have promise, but he's not ready.

I think Kelleher has done well any time he's played this season. He's played five games for Liverpool and conceded three goals. He had some dodgy games last season (the 5-5 v Arsenal springs to mind), but that was 18 months ago in a young player's development. Yes, goals against isn't the only way to judge a keeper, but I'd rather the guy keeping a clean sheet against Ajax in the Champions League than the one conceding more than two goals a game in the third tier. That's a big performance gap that you can't ignore.

And I'd still be slightly worried about Kelleher in Serbia.

**DeLorean** · 13/03/2021, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

. Yes, goals against isn't the only way to judge a keeper, but I'd rather the guy keeping a clean sheet against Ajax in the Champions League than the one conceding more than two goals a game in the third tier. That's a big performance gap that you can't ignore.

And probably the reason I'd give Kelleher a hesitant nod out of the two, but playing a game or two every six months isn't exactly good preparation compared to the run of games Bazunu has put together this season. And the reason most on here (I think) wanted Kelleher to go out on loan too, albeit not necessarily to L1.

**pineapple stu** · 13/03/2021, 1:46 PM

It's not ideal, sure, but then it's the same for Randolph. Training at a club like Liverpool every day is worth something in itself.

Bazunu and Kelleher are at the top two clubs in England at the moment. Klopp reckons Kelleher is his number 2, while Pep think Bazunu needs to go out on loan to a lower tier side. That's another good reason for me to want Kelleher ahead of Bazunu. He's just not ready. There's no question of who I'd pick if the two were fit. We can't go into vital qualifiers with a player shipping two goals a game in the English third tier. Mitrovic, Tadic and Jovic would have a field day.

**Trequartista20** · 13/03/2021, 2:09 PM

I'm not sure if Danny Rogers is back to fitness at Kilmarnock, but he'd be a solid option. Colin Doyle's been filling in for him recently. Bonham at Gillingham rarely gets mentioned and has been playing regularly and well for some time. And there's McDermott at KBK, though the Norwegian season doesn't start until next month.

I think we're just about covered.

I'd definitely have Bazanu in the squad, but I'd have my fingers crossed that Kelleher makes it.

**pineapple stu** · 13/03/2021, 2:31 PM

Yeah, summer seasons aren't great for March games alright. A couple of LoI players got call-ups to the last squad, but I'd probably rule them out on the basis of no game in four months alone.

Didn't realise Doyle was still playing, though League One was really his level too (albeit at the top of it)

**John83** · 13/03/2021, 2:32 PM

Originally Posted by Snapshot

So what's your team with what's currently available?

Not sure, and I may have lost track of an injury, but something like this. I'm least sure of the midfield, but hey-ho. I think there's no chance of Kenny setting up like this either.

Code:

                  Kelleher

         Coleman - O'Shea - Clark
Doherty                            Stevens
        Brown - Knight - Hendrick
           Long       Robinson

**Trequartista20** · 13/03/2021, 2:38 PM

Is there anything to be said for calling at least one of the St Mirren contingent up? McGrath and Doyle-Hayes must be in with a shout. At least they're showing some decent form this season, and with the best will in the world you can't say that about too many of our lads this term.

**Trequartista20** · 13/03/2021, 2:42 PM

Originally Posted by John83

Not sure, and I may have lost track of an injury, but something like this. I'm least sure of the midfield, but hey-ho. I think there's no chance of Kenny setting up like this either.

Code:

                  Kelleher

         Coleman - O'Shea - Clark
Doherty                            Stevens
        Brown - Knight - Hendrick
           Long       Robinson

Not bad. Based on form, Cullen probably ought to start. I'm hopeful O'Dowda makes it. Maguire, back for PNE today, offers another much-needed attacking option.

**Bielsa�s irish** · 13/03/2021, 2:56 PM

Originally Posted by Trequartista20

Is there anything to be said for calling at least one of the St Mirren contingent up? McGrath and Doyle-Hayes must be in with a shout. At least they're showing some decent form this season, and with the best will in the world you can't say that about too many of our lads this term.

that

That Mcgrath fellow deserves a call up best individual footballer in Scotland according to stats. Scully also deserves. Would get Sean McDermott in the squad to start vs Qatar. McGeady return will lift the team spirit after those dull apathic display