Portugal V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 1st Sep 2021 - 2022 World Cup Qualifier

[Stuttgart88]

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?

I'm not sure I would. It's an extreme example but I'd like to think if we lost 3-0 as "well" as Hungary did it'd be seen as a gutsy creditable showing. But if he lose 3-0 by lying down and having our tummies tickled it'll be different. But I'd also expect some people not to watch the game and only see the result and think what you're expecting.

[Diggs246]

I think the key game for kenny and his survival is Azerbaijan.
If we pick up a point tonight or v Serbia. A draw v Azerbaijan that would just about save him. However if we were lose tonight 1-0 and lose to Azerbaijan I think he is a goner, even if we take something off Serbia

[Kingdom]

I'm not sure I would. It's an extreme example but I'd like to think if we lost 3-0 as "well" as Hungary did it'd be seen as a gutsy creditable showing. But if he lose 3-0 by lying down and having our tummies tickled it'll be different. But I'd also expect some people not to watch the game and only see the result and think what you're expecting.

The King 3-0 in Germany: "Courageous defeat with weakened team" or "meek belly-tickle"? I can't remember, but I do remember King getting slaughtered after the game.

[SkStu]

Far better Irish teams than this have been dissected and destroyed by Portugal before. Worth remembering when the final whistle goes and the result and performance analysed.

I'm looking for a continuation of the cohesion in the formation and approach that was evident against Hungary; the continuation of a more hybrid style (possession first but direct when warranted); and a few chances or moments of excitement to get me off my couch. Courageousness, guts and a bit of fight should be a given.

[brine3]

20/1. Can't remember seeing worse odds for an Irish win. Maybe a euro just in case? 😀

[elatedscum]

it's a weird one - this feels in some respects like the least disrupted squad Kenny has had so far and yet, it's still missing 5 or 6 players who could legitimately start (Robinson, Stevens, Knight, McCarthy, Browne, Brady) and a few squad players (Ogbene, O'Dowda, Travers).

probably an expression of the luck Kenny has had so far...

[brine3]

Brady still doesn't have a new club, as far as I know. The English leagues are grinding up our players and spitting them out.

[elatedscum]

Brady still doesn't have a new club, as far as I know. The English leagues are grinding up our players and spitting them out.

rumours linking him to a team in the turkish super league i believe

[elatedscum]

Bazunu

Coleman Egan Duffy O'Shea Doherty

McGrath Cullen Hendrick

Connolly Idah

[elatedscum]

i think that's pretty much the team i would have expected, probably with the exception of Molumby ahead of McGrath. No complaints really. Cullen and McGrath were the only two midfielders who have played this season. Hendrick, Molumby, Hourihane and Arter were all lacking

[DeLorean]

The King 3-0 in Germany: "Courageous defeat with weakened team" or "meek belly-tickle"? I can't remember, but I do remember King getting slaughtered after the game.

He certainly wasn't slaughtered because we lost 3-0 in itself anyway. He didn't even make a substitution such was his desire not to jeaporadise his badge of honour 2-0 defeat, then lamented the cruel insurance goal in the aftermath as if it was the make or break moment of the night. It was so small time it was untrue.

[SkStu]

i think that's pretty much the team i would have expected, probably with the exception of Molumby ahead of McGrath. No complaints really. Cullen and McGrath were the only two midfielders who have played this season. Hendrick, Molumby, Hourihane and Arter were all lacking

Really brave to go with McGrath though, all things considered. Fair play to SK... i think

Hendrick has got to rediscover his b0llocks.

[EalingGreen]

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

I was at Ronaldo's 100th cap, at home to NI in a qualifier in Porto in 2012.

Big presentation to him beforehand etc- basically the whole evening was "The Ronnie Show".

Anyhow, for the first 30 mins of the game, it was all about him, demanding the ball at every opportunity, dribbling or shooting from every distance and angle, mostly down their right flank where he got no joy against our LB, Ryan McGivern. Seriously. That Ryan McGivern!

So for the next 30 mins he switched to their left, where RB Aaron Hughes dealt with him equally comnfortably.

And for the last 30 mins, he just wandered all over the pitch, pointing and gesticulating to his teammates, whose fault this all clearly was.

Meanwhile, Niall McGinn had given us the lead on the half hour, which we deservedly held until 10 mins to go, when (Spurs flop) Helder Postiga scrambled in the equaliser.

It was clear that the Portugese Coach, Paulo Bento had absolutely no control over matters from the touchline, and it was no surprise when he was sacked a few games later.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/19977579.amp

Maybe you'll get a repeat tonight?

Otoh, when Portugal came to Belfast for the return game a few months later, a half-fit but brilliant Ronaldo scored a hat-trick, as they humped us 4-2!

[tetsujin1979]

Portugal's team is just indecent

[seanfhear]

Under achievers at the Euros though.

[paul_oshea]

Who's out cos of covid?

[paul_oshea]

Shane Long has been ruled out of the match as a result of a positive Covid-19 test.

[paul_oshea]

Kenny must have read everything on here from stu and disregarded his opinion, and selected bazunu anyway

[mark12345]

Kenny must have read everything on here from stu and disregarded his opinion, and selected bazunu anyway

Anyone know of a link to watch the game?

[paul_oshea]

Brady thinks Kenny doesn't sound confident at all, that's he learnt molumby and Cullen aren't capable of playing the midfield possession game and so he's had to learn to become more pragmatic.

Didi says more ways to win games than one, teams have to find ways to win.