Republic of Ireland V Belgium - Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - Friendly

[Snapshot]

I don't. Omobamidele is comfortable on the ball, has a turn of pace, is playing in the Premiership, and looks at ease at this level. Obafemi has lost his way recently but we know he is capable of scoring at this level - the goal against Armenia being particularly impressive. I personally don't think Keane is good enough but regardless he doesn't have that explosive burst Obafemi has and arguably is too similar in style to others picked in the forward positions. Ideally the squad picked should be complementary with each individual offering something different.

You're entitled to the emboldened opinion but it's fundamentally unfair. Will Keane has 60-plus goals (Championship 21 + L1 38 + cups) over current and past three seasons, and consistently does what's asked of him - he scores goals. Kenny gave him but minutes over five caps while indulging his failed pet projects like Parrot and Idah. The emergence of Ferguson and the current exploits of Ogbene and especially Szmodics have changed the forward landscape somewhat but Keane's value should not be so summarily dismissed.

[texidub]

The emergence of Ferguson and the current exploits of Ogbene and especially Szmodics have changed the forward landscape somewhat but Keane's value should not be so summarily dismissed.

Agree. He may be a victim of bad timing and he did look like a bit of a lump in previous appearances, but if Szmodics is in the picture for his goal scoring exploits, Keane has to be there or thereabouts too.

[pineapple stu]

I think there's a valid point for all that that Obafemi does offer something different whereas Keane may be a less effective Szmodics - yet I'd rather Obafemi delivered something different rather than just offered it. I'm not convinced he's earned his place in the squad.

Omobamidele has had his problems with Forest - he's cost them goals in two recent matches (and cost us a goal v New Zealand too). It's good to see him getting game time after a year on the bench but I think he's still quite rusty. Maybe he wouldn't be in the squad if Egan/Duffy/Lenihan were fit. O'Brien in is good - but I think I'd rather have one of McGuinness/McNally/Dunne/McLoughlin (whoever's on best form/getting game time - can't remember how they're all doing)

I don't think those are critical issues with the squad though for all that

[Razors left peg]

Keane has been called up a few times, hes not been good in the bits he played and maybe he didnt look great in training. Hes a journeyman lower league striker who'll never be anything more than that..... but I suppose we have to be complaining about someone not getting called up, its what we do.

[Razors left peg]

I think there's a valid point for all that that Obafemi does offer something different whereas Keane may be a less effective Szmodics - yet I'd rather Obafemi delivered something different rather than just offered it. I'm not convinced he's earned his place in the squad.

Omobamidele has had his problems with Forest - he's cost them goals in two recent matches (and cost us a goal v New Zealand too). It's good to see him getting game time after a year on the bench but I think he's still quite rusty. Maybe he wouldn't be in the squad if Egan/Duffy/Lenihan were fit. O'Brien in is good - but I think I'd rather have one of McGuinness/McNally/Dunne/McLoughlin (whoever's on best form/getting game time - can't remember how they're all doing)

I don't think those are critical issues with the squad though for all that

You have a problem calling in Omobamidele cos hes rusty.... but you wanted Kelleher to start every game for us when he wasnt getting a sniff of game time. How does that add up?

You'd rather any of McGuinness/McNally/Dunne/McLoughlin over O'Brien even though you dont know how well they are playing. This just feels like something you are saying to try sound edgy and go against the thinking of most people. And its an absolutely nonsensical opinion. O'Brien has earned his call up. What hes doing in his 1st year in France is extremely impressive

[elatedscum]

Maybe he wouldn't be in the squad if Egan/Duffy/Lenihan were fit. O'Brien in is good - but I think I'd rather have one of McGuinness/McNally/Dunne/McLoughlin (whoever's on best form/getting game time - can't remember how they're all doing)

McGuinness and McNally are both injured. McLoughlin isn't getting his game at all. Dunne is playing at RB. Jake Clarke-Salter is playing centre-half for QPR. Himself or Jimmy Dunne are probably next in line

[pineapple stu]

You have a problem calling in Omobamidele cos hes rusty...

And costing goals. And in a position where we have options. (Albeit it seems more are injured than I thought)

You'd rather any of McGuinness/McNally/Dunne/McLoughlin over O'Brien

My post was badly-phrased; sorry. I'd rather one of the above ahead of Omobamidele for the reasons above. O'Brien in is good (as I said - before then talking about Omobamidele without actually referencing that fact)

[Razors left peg]

And costing goals. And in a position where we have options. (Albeit it seems more are injured than I thought)


My post was badly-phrased; sorry. I'd rather one of the above ahead of Omobamidele for the reasons above. O'Brien in is good (as I said - before then talking about Omobamidele without actually referencing that fact)

We have options in goals too, but you always would rather the guy who plays the least so your argument doesnt stack up

[Jolly Red Giant]

Dan McDonnell's weekly newsletter says Hodge & Moran to join squad for Swiss game. Sorry if already mentioned.

Thought he said Moran and Armstrong ?

[Jolly Red Giant]

Omobamidele has had his problems with Forest - he's cost them goals in two recent matches (and cost us a goal v New Zealand too). It's good to see him getting game time after a year on the bench but I think he's still quite rusty. Maybe he wouldn't be in the squad if Egan/Duffy/Lenihan were fit. O'Brien in is good - but I think I'd rather have one of McGuinness/McNally/Dunne/McLoughlin (whoever's on best form/getting game time - can't remember how they're all doing)

You also have to remember that Omobamidele was out for a year with a very serious back injury.

Of the CBs we have he is the most talented - and hopefully will get back to his best form in the near future and kick on.

[pineapple stu]

We have options in goals too, but you always would rather the guy who plays the least so your argument doesnt stack up

I don't think I've ever wanted Kelleher to start every game for us (heck, on this thread I've already said I don't even want him to start every game this month) so I don't think your argument is all it's made out to be tbh.

I do think he's a better keeper but I've said many times I admire Bazunu for not taking the easy route and instead leaving Man City for first team football

But when you have a keeper out of his depth in the Premier versus one at one of its top clubs, that's a bit different to a rusty relegation-threatened Premier defender and a solid Championship option

[ontheotherhand]

You're entitled to the emboldened opinion but it's fundamentally unfair. Will Keane has 60-plus goals (Championship 21 + L1 38 + cups) over current and past three seasons, and consistently does what's asked of him - he scores goals. Kenny gave him but minutes over five caps while indulging his failed pet projects like Parrot and Idah. The emergence of Ferguson and the current exploits of Ogbene and especially Szmodics have changed the forward landscape somewhat but Keane's value should not be so summarily dismissed.

Kenny capped Keane ffs. Of all the sticks littered around the ground, good strong sticks, you pick this broken one?

Why even mention Kenny? O'Shea picked this team. ??

I agree with you though in general. Keane seems worth a place on paper....but maybe there's something about him that doesn't work with the squad.

[JR89]

Scales a possible doubt for the internationals. Misses Celtic's game this weekend after picking up a knock in training.

[Crosby87]

Scales a possible doubt for the internationals. Misses Celtic's game this weekend after picking up a knock in training.

Yes he was stepped on too many times, supposedly.

[Eminence Grise]

this is the type of thing i have been thinking about if we go with a back 4

baz/kells
doherty collins o'shea scales
cullen knight
ogbene szmodics johnston
Ferguson(Idah)

in a 5-3-2 it becomes more difficult to fit in the attacking/form players (i.e. szmodics, ogbene and johnston).

baz/kells
doherty collins obam o'shea scales
ogbene cullen knight
szmodics/smallbone/johnston
Ferguson(Idah)

I think reverting to a back 4 might make sense though the opposition is pretty decent. It may be the case that O'Shea is better suited to LB than scales at this point?

I'm far from a tactical genius, but it looks to me with most of the formations we can try, we lose out either up front (only 1) or on the wings (LWB being a problem, or we’re playing wingers too deep), or don’t reinforce Cullen in midfield. A 3142 is about the only I can think of, allowing for its weaknesses and the personnel we have, that gets round the left wingback problem, gives us two up front and speed on the wings, with Cullen the base point of a midfield triangle.

Omobamidele - Collins - O'Shea

- Cullen -

Ogbene - Knight - Smallbone - Johnston

- Ferguson - Szmodics

[SkStu]

I try to stay away from forecasting what a new manager will do as I just always find the selections and possibilities fascinating. With the squad selected, it looks perfectly set up for a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 variation (which I’m sure Luton is currently deploying with Ogbene part of that line of 2). The only really problem we have is the wide players in the midfield four which should really be pacy, hard working wing backs. I can’t name one that is good enough to start. Possibly Ebosele (but I just don’t rate him). If we went with Doherty on the right it wouldn’t be too bad there but the left is where we are really screwed. At the back I’d go with Scales on the left of the three to allow O’Shea fill the LWB spot. Not ideal but could work. I’ve no concerns with Omobamidele but Collins still making me nervous. In the middle you have Cullen sitting and playing the crab role with Knight primarily defending but more liberty to box to box (he has the pace and stamina). Line of two, one pulling wide on the break but both coming in narrow in possession game and on defense. Ogbene plays there for Luton and it would suit MJ and Sammie too. Ferguson leading the line which he has a bit of a problem with as he’s not an out and out 9 but you can’t leave him out.

Baz/Kev

Omobamidele - Collins - Scales

Doherty - Cullen - Knight - O’Shea

Ogbene/Sammie - Mikey/Sammie

Fergilicious

[JR89]

Rather than have Ogbene and Mikey compete for a spot next to Sammie just move Ogbene to wing back. A position he's played recently at a high level and has caused teams issues.

[elatedscum]

There’s no perfect solution really.

3-5-2 / 5-3-2 - you can’t use Johnston but you get Ogbene at wing back and Ferguson and Szmodics up top.

4-3-3 you lose one of Sammy or Evan

3-4-3 you get overrun in midfield and you lose either Evan or Sz.

4-4-2 you probably get overrun in midfield

[SkStu]

There’s no perfect solution really.

3-5-2 / 5-3-2 - you can’t use Johnston but you get Ogbene at wing back and Ferguson and Szmodics up top.

4-3-3 you lose one of Sammy or Evan

3-4-3 you get overrun in midfield and you lose either Evan or Sz.

4-4-2 you probably get overrun in midfield

Can’t debate any of that… it’s a conundrum.

[seanfhear]

There’s no perfect solution really.

3-5-2 / 5-3-2 - you can’t use Johnston but you get Ogbene at wing back and Ferguson and Szmodics up top.

4-3-3 you lose one of Sammy or Evan

3-4-3 you get overrun in midfield and you lose either Evan or Sz.

4-4-2 you probably get overrun in midfield

What wrong with 5-5 ? !