Hendrick and Hourihane should not be near the squad. That's been our downfall for years - persisting with players who cannot perform. If we're moving on from Randolph (and apparently Mccarthy too) then why not this pair?
I'm sorry to see Clark excluded; more Premier League goals (15) than any of the squad's forwards other than Long. Former captain of England U-18s, U-19s and U-20s, he opted for Ireland and I think he has always done his best for us. Sentiment aside, can we do without his experience against Portugal?
I don't see who plays right wing in a front three in that squad. Connolly and Curtis are more comfortable on the left. I'm not sure about Horgan - can he play either wing?
So maybe we're looking at a front 2, as one or two posters have suggested above.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Please God we are playing a front 2. Just no quality to play 2 wide players. Connolly does not even want to play as a wide player. Horgan just not good enough might be an option as a right wing back if everyone else was injured. Curtis is just not good enough out wide . Terrible we are this far into kennys reign and we don't know what formation we want to play. In no way are we a good enough side that we can chop and change formations .Originally Posted by John83
Is Randolph injured?
McCarthy didn’t make Celtic bench tonight so maybe can’t complain.
But Arter, Hendrick and Hourihane hardly setting the world alight either.
Surprised at Long’s inclusion but happy to see him there.
Surprised at Clark’s omission.
It really is a shallow pool Kenny has to choose from
Ah the Hendrick hate continues
Hendrick was brilliant in Euro 2016.
And has done very little since.
He’s a frustrating player
The fustration being voiced toward Hendrick and Hourihane’s continued inclusion is understandable and I share the opinion that they have offered next to nothingz
I am just not sure Kenny had many if any alternatives?
Knight out injured, McCarthy a few minutes for Celtic but just getting there fitness wise. Jack Byrne hasn’t played in a long time. McEneff is a
sub at Hearts. Robbie Brady has no club.
What other credible options even is there in midfield ? Doyle - Hayes? I am sure I am forgetting players but I can’t see reasonable options other than Hourihane and Hendrick atm.
I'm no fan of Kenny, but you can hardly fault him for the poor midfield options available to choose from. We could end up losing all three matches.
Agree with this. Silk purse and sow's ear come to mind
Is there a spare traffic cone knocking about? If there is then that is a better alternative than Jeff Hendrick as the ball might take a lucky bounce off it in our favour.
There were times at Newcastle last year where playing with 10 men would have been more useful than having Hendrick on, he was that bad. Doesn't create anything, doesn't press, doesn't break play up, doesn't have an engine and doesn't pick out a pass. He's everything you don't want in a midfield player.
Hendrick is one of the worst irish midfielders i have watched. Being the case of James McCarthy one of the best being poorly coached by Trapattoni saying he was like Platini but with a shy personality
can anyone guess Stephen Kenny's starting 11 V Portugal
Kelleher as keeper I guess
Coleman and doherty. Duffy egan o shea at the back 3
3 midfielders. Hendrick one of them
Parrot and conolly up front
He might be loyal to Bazunu.
I'd guess Cullen is a nailed on starter too. Third mid is a bit of a toss-up: sadly, looking for least worst option rather than anything more positive.
Idah might be in the mix up front too.
Last edited by John83; 27/08/2021 at 11:44 AM. Reason: typo
You can't spell failure without FAI
I’d guess
Bazunu
Coleman Egan Duffy O’Shea Doherty
Molumby Cullen Hendrick
Idah Connolly
-
Not the team I’d play but that’d fit previous teams. McClean could start at left wing back, Doherty shifts to the right, Coleman to the right central slot and O’Shea comes out.
Similarly 4-3-3 would have O’Shea dropping out, replaced by Parrott or Horgan out wide
I’d pick Kelleher over Bazunu personally but he selected Bazunu previously
Is there anything to be said for going with a lone striker up front to pack the defence and mid that bit more?
Idah and Connolly are going to see **** all of the ball against Portugal away; not sure if there's much to be said for playing both of them.
Everything you say CP is true. And yet we persist with Hendrick. People say Kenny doesn't have many options. True for the most part, but we cannot keep rewarding pathetic performances / performers. Alternatives - Graham Carey, Kilkenny and any Dundalk midfielder come to mind
He'd be crucified if he picked Carey, Kilkenny or a LOI player.
He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't around here. Clark omission aside, he's picked the best fit and available squad. Kilkenny v. Arter is marginal, he went with experience.
I don't see what more he can do.
Personally I'd pick Parrott as one of the two up front but drop him a bit deeper behind whoever is up top. So more of a 5-3-1-1 than two out and out strikers.
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