kenny hasnt been good but dear god hes had some rough luck. hard not to feel a bit sorry for him
I'm of the belief that you make your own luck in football,and Kenny used up all his convincing the Irish football public he was up to the job despite winning only 1 or 2 games now and then.
The Ireland job is a poisoned chalice to some degree as the lack of Irish player's playing week to week at even a remotely decent level ultimately hinders the coach in his choices.
Big money is easy to come by in English lower league level and the average Irish player is competing with players from 150 different countries for their places.
The fact that international tournaments are continuing to swell in number's and yet we still cannot qualify to save our life is galling enough,but the fact that the sweaties and the Welsh are qualifying for events really grates.
With Obafemi and Ferguson out, options look pretty bleak at No.9. Idah and Keane competing for a place, unless Troy (or Hogan) is given a late call-up...
If you call Parrott up, you've two forwards (along with Connolly) not fully match fit though. Not ideal either.
Robinson is injured too, yeah? Hasn't made the bench at club level the last couple of games.
This could be a long week...
Sinclair Armstrong has started the season well for QPR scoring 1 and a couple of assists, he is in the 21's might be worth a shout off the bench.
He has huge pace.
It's only two days until the French game, I doubt anyone will be called up with such a short lead in. The U21s are playing Turkey on Friday, and then San Marino on Tuesday. There could be someone promoted for the Dutch game, even if just to take make up the numbers, and sent back to Cork for the qualifier against San Marino
think i'd probably do this:
Bazunu
O’shea
Collins
Duffy
Egan / Omobamidele
Manning
Ogbene
Cullen
Molumby
Smallbone / Knight
Idah
Not mad on starting either of Idah or Keane up top, but I think Idah is more likely to give you 60 minutes of relentless work and hold up the ball for the rest of the team to regroup.
Even without Ferguson we've got 3 CFs in the squad and Kenny probably views Ogbene as a CF too but won't include him cause he'll be playing a support role anyway.
So on the fact we've got three CFs and probably will be starting the game with only one, then I can't see him calling up anyone else.
As Tets said could end up with someone from the U21s joining in with the seniors to make up the numbers. Sinclair Armstrong wouldn't be a bad option given his style rather than Parrott.
It'll take Parrot about 4 hours by train to get to Gare du Nord in Paris - possibly 3 - if he was to be called up as a last minute replacement and knows the set-up at this stage.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Keane is the direct and obvious replacement for Ferguson. After his performance against France in Dublin, we will likely see Ogbene beside him in a 3-5-2 (and with Knight theoretically adding a more attacking link from midfield (possibly McGrath)) but in a more defensive mindset. Connolly possibly off the left in a 3-4-3 but i think that would be suicide.
Mightn't suit us to have him there but he's also played Ogbene there so think he'd view Connolly as someone that could play there too. Plus given his minutes played I can't see him starting and only coming off the bench.
Think we'll see a midfield and CF of:
[Center]Ogbene Molumby Cullen Knight
Idah[/Center]
In defence it's a flat midfield four and in attack Ogbene and Knight will be asked to get forward to support Idah. Think Connolly will be seen as an option to replace Ogbene or Knight to support the CF rather than playing as the CF.
Bookmarks