Hmmm.
2-1 Green Goblins
Expecting a 1-1 draw. Hoping for any kind of win. I'd guess 2-1 if we win. Without Duffy in the side, we don't keep a lot of clean sheets, so probably need 2 goals to win - which we could definitely do, despite the fact the greeks will be fairly tight at the back.
Here's the Paddy Power odds. I am a little more optimistic than that, but the bookies have a strong incentive to know what they're doing.
You can't spell failure without FAI
I've a reoccurring nightmare that we take the lead and then blow it
2/1 isn't bad for the draw. As expected Liam Scales and Jack Taylor are the two that drop out for the match day squad.
The prep looks to be going well. The worry with these longer training camps is the players get bored and fall out with each other. The footage coming out looks like the players are enjoying it (to be fair I'd be worried if the FAI were posting footage of them knocking the heads off each other!). They should be well acclimatised to the warmer weather. They're coming off an impressive performance and now they have a great opportunity to build on that and add the all important result. I'd agree with a draw being the most likely outcome, but I do think there's a decent chance for a win. I was hoping to see a front two with Idah and Ferguson, I think with their size and mobility they'd be a nightmare for any defence to deal with, but with Idah missing some training that may not happen. I'd also probably prefer to see Smallbone start ahead of Knight, he had a strong season and impressed when given the chance. Knight could be a great impact sub, and at least now it looks like we have players who will be disappointed not to start but who are capable impact subs (potentially Knight, Obafemi/Idah, Johnston, Parrott, McClean can all bring energy and a bit of quality). I'd imagine the starting team is more or less as others have posted;
Bazunu
Doherty
Collins
Egan
O'Shea
O'Dowda (slight chance it's McCLean)
Molumby
Cullen
Smallbone (or Knight)
Obafemi (or Idah)
Ferguson
It more or less picks itself on recent performances. Just those three potential question marks. I don't think there's going to be a dramatic change like Johnston being thrown in, unless he's been absolutely sensational in training. Himself and McGrath maybe have a chance of starting if there's a slight shift in formation for the Gibraltar game.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Tallaght Stadium Regular
The main worry I think is that you could qualify a lot that team as -
Bazunu - dropped for last six games of the season
Doherty - 16 minutes since the end of Jan
Collins - two full games, three half-games and four token sub appearances since the end of Jan
Egan
O'Shea - hasn't played since mid-March
O'Dowda
Molumby
Cullen
Smallbone
Obafemi - 166 minutes since mid November
Ferguson
So half the team not getting regular football lately. Course, in a June game that could be an advantage as well, but I think on balance it's not a good thing for us.
Don't think Smallbone will start ahead of Knight. Now there's nothing between them and on merit he's had a good season to justify a starting spot. Also our set pieces improve if he starts as we don't have anyone else that's decent at them bar McGrath but don't see him starting.
Just don't see Kenny dropping Knight for this game. Now maybe both Knight and Smallbone start. 3-4-3 with Knight and Smallbone rather than Johnston as two players who'll support Ferguson.
Don't think Obafemi will start going off McDonnells comments that Obafemi was meant to do a press conference yesterday but opted not to. Might hint at he's not starting and didn't wanna do it knowing that.
I'd guess Knight will be preferred to start for the hard running he'll do.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Had a look at a potential Greek team in a similar vein - they have had a lot more game time than we have, but not without issues either.Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Vlachodimos – Benfica – Regular Starter
Baldock – Sheff Utd – Regular Starter
Mavropanos – Vfb Stuttgart – Regular Starter
Chatzidiakos – AZ Alkmaar – Regular Starter
Tsimikas – Liverpool – 20 apps last season
Siopis – Trabsonspor – regular Starter
Mantalos – AEK Athens – generally used substitute
Masouras – Olympiakos – in and out of team – no full 90 mins all season
Bakasetas – Trabsonspor – Regular starter – missed 6 of last 12 games through injury / suspension
Pelkas – Hull City - Mainly used as a substitute last 6-8 weeks, 1 start
Pavlidis – AZ Alkmaar – Regular Starter
Huge game for us tonight. If we could nick a win and looking as how poor the Dutch look under Koeman there may be a glimmer of hope and some momentum to be gained. All indicators point to the dreaded 1-1 draw for me though.
1-1
A little something for everyone
Ferguson is obviously starting, but wouldn't it be smarter to start McClean than O'Dowda in that case. In terms of how they play you know what you're getting from McClean and that's putting the ball into the box. No point bringing him on in the second half when Ferguson is likely to be replaced himself. Idah will likely replace Ferguson but he's harmless in the air when attacking crosses. Browne would do a better job than him in those situations
With O'Dowda coming on in the second half you've got fresh legs in a player who'll look to run at defenders. Especially if Johnston starts because he's looked good coming on later in the game when there's space for him to run at defences. You'd at least want someone with that ability to spring from the bench.
Stutts and I were at that match IIRC. It was a windy day, and a sea gull nicked his sausage roll. I still have the ticket somewhere.
Bray fans nicking food - not surprised tbh.
Sorry I mistakenly deleted my original post while trying to edit. Baldock also started in a friendly for MK Dons v Drogheda in which he lost 1-0. Delle Alli missed a penalty. He also lost 1-0 to Pats. Hopefully these are omens for tonight!
You've got no fans.
He also played in a 2-2 draw against UCD in the Bowl at the same time actually. Alan Smith (ex Man United) was captain at the time. Darren Potter and Luke Chadwick also involved. Hadn't spotted Baldock though.
A link for the game? Anyone have one?
I've noticed that happens when you try to edit the post using mobile (it doesnt happen if you think to convert your view to web view before you edit). Something for the support forum maybe?
I will go with an unreasonably optimistic score tonight of Greece 1 : 2 Ireland
Use a good VPN and watch on the RTE player, or get yourself an IPTV subscription
there was a thread about it on the support forum. The workaroubnd I use is that, when I've tapped the screen, and the "delete" menu appears, tap "Go advanced" and you can continue editing the post
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