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

[CraftyToePoke]

That's what I feel too. The keeper issue is one factor - we're missing three keepers and that's not good with a small panel like ours. And we've no forwards. No keepers and no forwards is never a good mix.

Ah but look at that midfield of ours, the talent in there will paper over any cracks elsewhere with plenty left over.

[backstothewall]

I expect a defeat.

This is the team I'd go with, but I don't expect Kenny to abandon his 4-3-3 unfortunately

--------------- Bazunu -----------

------ Coleman Duffy Clark ------

Doherty Hendrick Cullen Stevens

--- Robinson Parrott Connolly ---

[paul_oshea]

Its very noticeable how little traffic is going through this forum in the build up to a new campaign kicking off. Its obviously a sign of the apathy that has built up along with the disappointment of how little the young players have developed this season. Kenny needs a good start tomorrow to try get a buzz going again.

I'd put it all down to Covid, sure some journos didn't even seem to know when the game was on, saying next week instead of this! That's why I think its a great time to be an Irish manager, yes there's upheavel but there's also little interest so a pressure free environment for the past year and short term foreseeable future.

Theres a general feeling of less involvement, attachment to many things at the moment, not just sport or certainly not just soccer/football.

[Razors left peg]

I'd put it all down to Covid, sure some journos didn't even seem to know when the game was on, saying next week instead of this! That's why I think its a great time to be an Irish manager, yes there's upheavel but there's also little interest so a pressure free environment for the past year and short term foreseeable future.

Theres a general feeling of less involvement, attachment to many things at the moment, not just sport or certainly not just soccer/football.

Very fair point. Not evening being able to go to pub to watch game doesnt help. I kinda felt the same with the 6 Nations, just didnt have the same feel to it

[geysir]

I'd be curious to see what the tv viewing figures will be.
I wouldn't put the apathy all down to covid, that would be ignoring the herd of elephants in the room. Relatively speaking it's ( or near enough) the poorest quality squad ever made available to an any Irish manager for a competitive games since Irl v Austria in the early 70's and it follows that competitive performances/results on the field have suffered to degrees beyond the memory bank of most fans.

Despite their low points tally in the Euro qualifiers, Luxembourg are a very decent competitive team and will be targeting us as a good chance for an away 3 pointer.

[John83]

Despite their low points tally in the Euro qualifiers, Luxembourg are a very decent competitive team and will be targeting us as a good chance for an away 3 pointer.

Even now, they'd need a bit of luck to beat us, but it's sad that it's even a possibility.

[Snapshot]

I'd be curious to see what the tv viewing figures will be.
I wouldn't put the apathy all down to covid, that would be ignoring the herd of elephants in the room. Relatively speaking it's ( or near enough) the poorest quality squad ever made available to an any Irish manager for a competitive games since Irl v Austria in the early 70's and it follows that competitive performances/results on the field have suffered to degrees beyond the memory bank of most fans.

Despite their low points tally in the Euro qualifiers, Luxembourg are a very decent competitive team and will be targeting us as a good chance for an away 3 pointer.

There's no elephant in the room. The apathy is down to poor results, no goals and doubts about the manager. Despite the withdrawals, the team proferred by backstothewall above contains only two players not connected to EPL clubs. Apart from Egan and the goalkeeper situation there's nobody missing who cannot be replaced adequately.

[Kingdom]

Is it? I would have thought a 25-page thread on the games already was quite decent for here.

Though I do remember the days when there'd also be a 20-page thread of people planning to go to the games

I can do a historical 3 page irrational post if you like? For sentimentality purposes naturally...

[Bielsa´s irish]

whats the story ¿? how is his eleven? i would give the nod to a mixture of experienced and newcomers. First half an hour is important, but without attendance the "local or visitor" factor isnt that vital

[Bielsa´s irish]

probable Serbia eleven, with a 3-3-1-3 formation it seems an all out to attack under Stojkovic, what a great 10 he was! this 11 is not confirmed yet.


rajkovic
spahir
mitrovic
milenkovic

gudeij
maksimovic
duricic
lazovic

vlahovic
kostic
tadic

[paul_oshea]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021...-counts-kenny/

I think that answers the question of Kenny ever changing it up.

[pineapple stu]

whats the story ¿?

Why would you put the upside-down question mark at the end...?

[paul_oshea]

I'd be curious to see what the tv viewing figures will be.
I wouldn't put the apathy all down to covid, that would be ignoring the herd of elephants in the room. Relatively speaking it's ( or near enough) the poorest quality squad ever made available to an any Irish manager for a competitive games since Irl v Austria in the early 70's and it follows that competitive performances/results on the field have suffered to degrees beyond the memory bank of most fans.

Despite their low points tally in the Euro qualifiers, Luxembourg are a very decent competitive team and will be targeting us as a good chance for an away 3 pointer.

I don't think viewing figures will tell much, it can be argued either way, for both arguments if the numbers are low or high. My assumption is they will be relatively low, at least lower than other qualifiers pre-covid, lower than the previous opening qualifying campaign against Serbia away.

The apathy is probably not solely covid related, but when its all over and if still doing poorly it will be that we are sh1te basically : D

Snapshot makes a good point, theres little excuses anymore about missing personnel. This is it. This is where we and Kenny are at. So if he's going to have any impact it will start now.

[DeLorean]

The build up, both on here and in the media, seems pretty standard to me to be honest. Agree that viewing figures won't mean much though with the lack of alternatives and half the country out of work.

[pineapple stu]

FWIW, voting in the best kit thread has seen a slight uptick this week

[jbyrne]

Its very noticeable how little traffic is going through this forum in the build up to a new campaign kicking off. Its obviously a sign of the apathy that has built up along with the disappointment of how little the young players have developed this season. Kenny needs a good start tomorrow to try get a buzz going again.

i was pleasantly surprised to see a few people with jerseys and ireland tracksuit tops walking their kids to school this morning.
i think people are more interested than might immediately be apparent. it is the start of the World cup after all.

i do think RTE could have done a far better job building up a bit of excitement. all its been for the last couple of weeks is the cheltenham horseys and the rugger and they don't have the TV rights to either!!!!!

[paul_oshea]

Weren't you warned about that?

[nigel-harps1954]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021...-counts-kenny/

I think that answers the question of Kenny ever changing it up.

Why would he waste 8 games trying to bring about a change in style and approach to games, to immediately bin all of that when the WC Qualifiers come around?

[backstothewall]

Why would he waste 8 games trying to bring about a change in style and approach to games, to immediately bin all of that when the WC Qualifiers come around?

Quite simple really. Because it hasn't worked.

[seanfhear]

Exam Day !