The team would have been built around Wes Tony. Even Andy Reid would make an enormous difference. For all our possession we dont have that player with a spark of brilliance to pick a killer passOriginally Posted by TonyD
Given the paucity of our midfield options at the minute, I’d be loath to write off Byrne. He’s only really had cameos up to now compared to some who have consistently underwhelmed. It would be good if Smallbone got that move to Forest, as he looks like a player, but not really had a proper run at Southampton.
He wasn't that fat.
He was a Big Entertainer ! !
Byrne off the bench with 20 minutes to go would be a decent option to have in some games. His pass this season for the assist against Dundalk was the best Ive seen anywhere in years
The gulf between LOI and senior international level has been clearly evident throughout the past 30 years, Byrne has failed in England, Scotland, Cyprus, he did do ok with a poor Dutch team at a young age, and has only blossomed in the LOI. In his brief cameo for Ireland he also failed to impress. Byrne is a firm no for me.
Andorra got their first ever Nations League win tonight, so that just leaves four winless teams now, Iceland, Ireland, NI and San Marino.
Im sticking with:
Travers
Ebosele, Collins, Duffy, O’Shea, McClean
Cullen, Molumby,
Parrott, Obafemi, Knight
That team will beat Scotland if selected.
Alan Browne isn’t good enough. Ogbene is a useful impact sub, not a future starter for me unless he drastically improves in the championship next season. Christie had another underwhelming club season, and has never impressed me in an irish shirt. It’s time to blood Festy in. Robinson can remain as a bench option. I like Lenihan, but would take Duffy’s experience as a stop gap until Omobamidele is back fit. If reverting to flat back 4 that could change things, with O’Shea needed at RB, I would NOT trust Festy right now unless Collins is right behind him, or you push him further up the field.
That’d be a great team. Kenny’s retrenched with fear this campaign relying on over the hill players. The only shining lights have been the kids, so let’s whack them all in and see what they can do. No such thing as a bad experience and will negate the usual cautious cynicism of our senior perennial underachievers.
Kenny would be better to go down fighting with a team like this, than with a Whimper that, we are almost certain to get from him in the next two games ! !
Festy hasn't made the match day 23 unfortunately.
Ogbene injured too it seems. Manning and Ebosele the two to miss out on the matchday squad - bit strange as they're both in relatively similar positions? Hogan and Lenihan added to the 23 instead.
I think we're due a hammering one of these days unfortunately - Ukraine could have done it based on the Scotland game but made 10 changes instead; Belgium could have done it based on the first 30 minutes of the match but again their decision to play a second string helped us; Portugal could have done it based on how they've been playing lately (they were a joy to watch v Switzerland) but they simply weren't bothered in Lansdowne; Serbia could have done it but for a combination of poor finishing and great goalkeeping.
I don't think Scotland are the team to deliver it though; they've some players we'd kill for, but up front isn't their strength. Is it predictable to suggest we'll start brightly, get lost midway through the first half, gradually fall back before conceding a goal, and then lumping forward to Duffy for the last 15 minutes but failing to rescue a 1-0 defeat?
I'd hope for a reaction to the Ukraine game, but then I hoped for the same reaction from the Armenia game and it didn't happen.
Ukraine on Wednesday could be a long night if they bring back in their top players.
Last edited by pineapple stu; 11/06/2022 at 9:56 AM.
manning must be seen as a cb and only a cb. no other reason to explain his omission
But why did he play wing-back against Lithuania then?
no idea tbh. its the only explanation i have for him not being included in the matchday squads.
This team isnt good enough to go on a run of wins and Kennys credibility is shot.
Its a case of get rid of him now or limp into the euros qualifying and get rid of him after a couple of games.
The FAI will be looking for the cheapest way out at this stage so id guess it will be at the end of the Nations league (if he gets that far).
They put it out there that there was a performance clause in his contract and youd have to think he hasnt ticked that box.
Only thing he has going for him from an FAI perspective is he is cheap.
Are we better off getting relegated at this stage and having a better Nations league the next time?
Ogbene, Coleman and Doherty are out and Festy still can't make the matchday squad. Baffling. And why ignore one of your better footballing options, in Manning, when you profess a desire to play a possession-based game?
'Michael Obafemi is in line for a first Irish start, with Alan Browne also pushing for involvement either in midfield or at right wing-back, with James McClean set to get the nod ahead of Enda Stevens on the other side. Dara O’Shea is the front runner to replace Egan.':
https://m.independent.ie/sport/socce...-41742138.html
So Alan Browne at wingback, again.
Good grief...
Last edited by Trequartista20; 11/06/2022 at 10:51 AM.
No, because League B offers a route to the World Cup playoffs next time and League C doesn't. So if he relegates us he has damaged our chances up to 2026 as well. Tonight is his last chance, no win tonight and he has to go, simple as that. It will only be a small payoff because of the break clause in his contract and it will give a new man the time and a chance to undo some of the damage in the autumn and rebuild towards the qualifiers next year.
This is disturbing news to wake up to…
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