In fairness, we have to have some bit of realism about this evening.
Azerbaijan is a bigger game in that if we don't win that - or at least play well and be unlucky - there's serious alarm bells starting to ring. Tonight I'm almost not worried about in a way (so long as we don't really get shown up)
Azerbaijan is must win. no excuses.Originally Posted by pineapple stu
if we don't win there is a real possibility (almost certainty) that we could finish last in the group. that would be unthinkable really
I agree; it's as close to a must-win as any game this early in a campaign. Azerbaijan is on Luxembourg's level. One defeat at that level is crap. Two would be cause for a resignation, not that I expect it of Kenny.
You can't spell failure without FAI
20 years to the day since the 1-0 win over a star studded holland...... and we only had 10 men for much of that game!
It's sad really, 20 years later and we are out after 2 games
I've constantly said that we've not reached the nadir, and I stand by that statement. We could reach it tonight.
As someone (can't remember who) said to me recently, despite all the criticism, all the whinging, all the fantasism, we've actually not had a hammering yet by anyone under Kenny. And that's correct, statistically - irrespective of the opposition we've faced.
I've a real fear that tonight could be that night - the night we reach our nadir, and the night we take a hammering. But, alternatively, I also think that tonight's game is totally disconnected to the other two. Nobody is expecting anything (I'd suspect even the players might have such thoughts) from tonight, bar a defeat and the possibility of some encouraging signs in the performance. not that should be acceptable, but there's got to be realism as to our current state of affairs, which now clearly and undeniably run beyond the manager's stewardship.
Lets assume Portugal are going to have chances - due to the way we're trying to play, their ability, and the recent signs that we are both conceding possession and gifting weaker teams chances. Assuming, and history points this way, that we are somewhat expansive (in so far as we won't defend deep and compact) and look to get our foot on the ball, then we could have a long uncomfortable night ahead of us.
I think Ronaldo going for the record is problematic for us in two ways. They'll keep the foot on the throat to get him his goal, and if he gets one early in the game, they'll go like the clappers to try and ensure he gets more, given they have the qatar game next before going to Baku.
as I said, I'm fearful tonight, I think we could be on the end of something really ugly, 5, 6 or 7 isn't beyond the realms....if a portugal team warming up for a world cup can put 5 against a better Irish side than the one we're likely to see tonight, then....
I'm very interested in how Duffy does tonight - I assume he'll be selected. I'm vocal in that he wouldn't be in my team, but I'm humble enough to acknowledge that he's started the season in seemingly fine form and there can be no quibble over his selection if it happens. But a commanding performance against Homoerectus Wood is not the same as facing Portugal, so I'll be interested to see what
Part of my is fascinated by where we are in terms of selection (both team and squad). As above, personally I'd totally disconnect tonight and Saturday. If anything I'd look at tonight as the bookend of a pretty shít two years. And Saturday is the beginning - either the beginning of the end, or the beginning of the start :-)
What do we know of Kenny?
He's loyal - but not to a fault.
He's happy to rotate between games, and between ambitions.
He's able to switch between formations.
I would not be surprised to see Hendrick and Hourihane chaperone Cullen in midfield, both for experience to provide cover for the wing backs or full backs between the lines, before being expended for Azerbaijan on Saturday. I do think that's a realistic possibility. Likewise we know that he's going to have his teams pressing high up the pitch, so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see more energetic athletic players starting in the front 3 or 4. That would mean McClean, Long, Connolly (who did a great job of this in tandem with Idah the last time they started together).
I've not been home to Ireland in nearly 3 years, but I'm going back for the Azerbaijan game, as I really do think it's the start of something new.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Assuming we lose tonight - I know, I know, pessimism and all that - but assuming it... if we won every other game in the group, and avoided defeat to Portugal in Dublin, would that be enough for posters here to see Kenny stay on for the Nations League?
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
I suppose. In that event you'd have signs of progression for sure, and beating Serbia would be an achievement.
Author of Never Felt Better (History, Film Reviews).
Agreed that would be progression and he would deserve the NL, but realism is out the window, if we get beaten 6 or 7 tonight and then think we can show Serbia a thing or two about a little game called football!
Much and all as a hammering is a nagging worry (there I go again!) in the back of my mind, would a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday be more or less of a nadir than a 5-0 tonight?
Certainly I can't quite remember the last time I was so downbeat about our chances a game, if ever.
I've no idea how bad we are or if the group is at rock bottom. Never have I seen such a lack of support for a developing team though, social media currently is a cesspit read for anyone who has any optimism in the nation's team going forward. Heavy defeat predicted by the masses, I personally can't see it.
I was heavily invested in Portugal in the euros as I got them in one of those Ł20 quid per month draws. Watching them, they conceded lots of chances and were turd, yep, got sweet FA back. On tonight, their players focusing on Ronaldo breaking the record could actually hinder them rather than help them and could take away from any game plan they have been instructed to carry out. That's my tuppence worth. As optimistic as I possibly can be.
As Irishmen we dilute our sense of nation by depending on the English to bring us our balls
Yes. Going from one win in 13 (and that vs Andorra in a friendly) to multiple competitive wins in a row and a draw with Portugal would be an astonishing turnaround.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Not expecting a result tonight but I am expecting a bit of courage. The nature of the performances under Kenny are very disappointing and the slow, passing tempo makes them team look lazy when things are not going right. Being written off and ridiculed should inspire the players and Kenny to prove people wrong. If we lose as timidly as we did in the friendly against England, I think it should be the end for Kenny regardless of the other 2 results.
It has to start somewhere!
I've no expectations either. I don't have a checklist of what I want to see other than RiffRaff's courage being the minimum, or what scoreline I'll tolerate. I'll know a creditable showing if and when I see it. Hungary really gave them a scare in the Euros and lost 3-0 in the end. If our game panned out the same way I can't say I'd be unhappy.
Courage, hunger, fight, with a bit of added ambition, creativity and composure. No too much to ask for I hope. It's going to be the beginning of something one way or the other, the end or a new era.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Tallaght Stadium Regular
Courage on its own is not enough, it has to be moral courage.
I don’t think I’ve been this pessimistic about our chances of a result since we beat the Germans
Technically you couldn't go from a nadir to a nadir, so I would say that a 1-0 defeat at home to Azerbaijan would indeed usurp a nadir of a tanking in Faro.Much and all as a hammering is a nagging worry (there I go again!
Certainly I can't quite remember the last time I was so downbeat about our chances a game, if ever.
I'm not actually downbeat about tonight, but more upbeat about saturday.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
That's an interesting point, but I think you'll agree, such an outcome (a 3-0 defeat) is only going to be digested one way, regardless of the manner of the defeat, or the style in executing the 3-0 defeat: a slaughtering of the manager and players associated with him - among the masses.
Would you agree?
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
This is a bit of a free hit for Kenny so any suggestions that tonight's result would put him in jeopardy seem wide of the mark. Perhaps if we really got a tanking that could be reviewed...
If we come out of the 3 games with fewer than 4 points I think that would show a distinct lack of progress.
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