Eh...
So what now?
Same again sounds wrong. But who do you bring into the team?
I have a feeling this one is going to be utterly depressing to watch.
Qatar beat Luxembourg, didn't they? They're effectively on tour and playing reasonably well. This has disaster written all over it to be honest.
Buzzing for this one!
I think we will have friendlies that have yet to be organized pre Euro 2021.
whats gonna be our 11?
I'd like this. I'm going to keep the 352 on the basis that Kenny seems to have decided this is his formation now
Bazunu
Coleman o'shea Steven's
Christie manning
Coventry knight
Brady
Parrott Robinson
Cullen prob needs a rest so would be good to see Coventry who is a natural holding midfielder. Knight should have the legs for another outing and will be an important players over the next few years. Brady produced 3 or 4 superb crosses last day and is our only player resembling an actual 10. Be nice to see parrott have a chance and Robinson has been good but struggling for match fitness.
I think he'll go with a stronger team than that. He needs a result.
You can't spell failure without FAI
A concern is Kenny's comments that some of the players were struggling with two games in four days because they eren't getting regular club action.
For a third game in six days, that'd mean either a few changes or an 80% fit team.
I agree he needs a result though
I think he will start to push his philosophy of changing Irish football even more now to justify getting to have this campaign and the next euros and a big part of that from now on will be beefing in young players who will then in hoscnarrative be ready to get us qualified for the next euros. That story doesnt play as well if he goes picking a Collins over a parrott for a friendly. I am assuming Doherty is out injured . I thought Clark was very uncomfortable in possession last night
Here's my team:
------Bazunu
Coleman-Duffy-Clark-O'Shea-Stevens
-------Hendrick-Browne--------------
Doherty----Collins----------Brady
First sub off the bench is McClean for me.
Sad thing is I've zero confidence in us winning this game
They're actually Asian Champions from 2019.
Ordinarily this game would be an opportunity for experimentation, but at this stage we just need a win to get the monkey off our back.
For that reason I'd persist with the 3 at the back and play a relatively strong side
------------------- O'Hara ---------------
---------- Coleman Duffy Clark ---------
Christie Molumby Cullen Brady Stevens
---------------- Long Collins -------------
I think it's key that the wingbacks push forward further. Both Coleman and Clark are comfortable going into wide areas of the pitch so there's no reason why they can't push forward that bit more.
There's been talk that Shane Duffy can't play in a back three on the basis of how he played for Brighton in that system towards the end of his time there. But his subsequent performances for Celtic suggest he can't play in a back 4 either. I suspect that was an excuse back then, and that he's experienced nothing more than a catastrophic lose of form. Having that extra man close to him can only be a good thing, and even out of form his physical presence alone is worth having.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
O'Hara in goal? Surely we double down and give Bazunu a chance to stake a permanent claim to the jersey after decent first show on Saturday? O'Hara is probably 5th choice all things considered.
I think Duffy will return alright. I'd keep O'Shea. He's been one of the few bright spots even if he was at fault for Serbia's first.
I'd go for continuity in team selection, unless they are other reasons forcing change. Need to establish our best 11 and build a settled side - tweaks to selections can be made once that is achieved. Not a fan of the three at back (add Luxembourg to a list of failings using it (Macedonia 3-2 away, Iceland 0-0 at home)) as there is an under appreciation of how much coaching is needed to get it positionally right. But I'd continue with it for the sake of continuity.
However, end game for Kenny regardless of result/ performance imo. Too many knives out to survive the five months to the next fixture.
I suppose the argument before last Wednesday was that we had 3 young keepers in the squad, all roughly the same level (ie playing in League One) and so it would be beneficial to give all three some game time, be that one player starting v Serbia/Luxembourg and the other two getting a half each v Qatar, or each player getting one game.
I'm not entirely sure that holds if we're now saying that we need to play for a morale-boosting win v Qatar though.
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