Brave call given it's 20 years since his last capOriginally Posted by Diggs246
Kelleher
Andrew O. OShea Collins Scales
Ogbene Cullen Jason M Mcateer
Sammie Sz
Troy
Brave call given it's 20 years since his last cap
Yeah, I think we'll win and I'm really looking forward to the game.
I definitely think I must have some sort of condition or ism at this rate!
Kelleher;
Festy, Collins, O'Shea, Brady;
Ogbene, Cullen, Molumby, Szmodics;
Parrott, Ferguson.
Bit of a shot in the dark and probably too attacking, this sort of lineup would intrigue me.
Given that Omobamidele isn't playing at all for his club, he probably has no business being in the squad, nevermind starting, but based on the last window I suspect he might well start at right back if HH goes 4-4-2. I think Festy has a strong claim to start ahead of him though - he has been playing well recently and is used to playing the right side of defence.
People groan about Robbie Brady, but I think he's in the team on merit and his set-piece deliveries are probably the best in the squad.
It wouldn't be a huge surprise, but I could see HH opting for 3-5-2 based on who he has chosen in the panel. In that case this XI might be interesting:
Kelleher
O'Shea, Collins, Scales
Ogbene, Molumby, Cullen, Brady
Szmodics
Parrott, Ferguson
Our best three CBs on paper have to be O'Shea, Collins and Scales. There's balance to that combination and they're all currently performing at a high level. McGuinness is toiling at the bottom end of the Championship with Luton, but he's been called up for a closer look and he could potentially come in for Scales. I'd be curious to see what a front three of Ferguson with Parrott and Szmodics just behind on either side would look like. They are all good enough technically to create problems for defences, but I have a feeling there might only be room for two (or even one) of them.
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
O’Dowda doesn’t make the squad…
What I would do:
Kelleher
O’Shea
Collins
Scales
Brady
Cullen
Molumby
Ogbene
Knight
Szmodics
Parrott
What I’d guess he might do:
Kelleher
Omobamidele
O’Shea
Collins
Brady
Cullen
Molumby
Ogbene
Knight
Szmodzics
Ferguson
O'Dowda withdrew injured a few days ago. Interesting that we didn't call up another left-sided option to replace him. Manning was there but overlooked (and in fairness has only played what - one game all season?) But not a great look for any sort of solution to our problems there.
Hadn’t seen that. Weird, made total sense not to call up Manning when the squad was announced but once he started against Arsenal, that changed. Would have been smart and easy to call him up to replace O’Dowda but feels like we’re still making strange decisions like only calling up 4 midfielders last camp. I still think choosing a camp when Coleman is injured to drop Doherty isn’t smart when we’re left with a choice of 2 centre halves or a wing back to play right back and recently we were calling up 28 man squads, so there’s no real limit to what we can choose.
I'd be fairly sure that Doherty's omission was a statement along the lines of coasting along won't be tolerated, despite whatever media spin may have been put on it. As such would have looked a bit weak to back down on it.
Even if we we had to pick full backs from the LOI I wouldn't bring Doherty back. Absolutely the correct decision and a ballsy one by Heimir.
You've got no fans.
This would be my predicted team as well. Scales might challenge Brady and Parrott might challenge Szmodics for starting spots.
I wouldn't be surprised if he gives one or two people a chance that we're not expecting. He's in a sweet spot to get a couple of lads to play their hearts out for him in the long term by showing them some trust so I think we might see Taylor or Azaz or someone somewhere noone is expecting.
With the demands of the two positions becoming ever more similar, I know we are all used to fullbacks playing in midfield by now (Lahm, incl. inverted etc) but one of the interesting things that i have seen a little bit of recently is midfielders playing full back (in a back 4) to some degree of success - usually in a pinch, which i think applies to us in both FB positions. Garner at Everton is one. Do we have any candidates for that type of switch (recognizing Brady may already count)?
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
Well have we not kind of tried that with Browne and O'Dowda to limited success (and Browne wasn't even called up this time)?
Knight. Played there for Derby. Suitable skillset too maybe. Makes as much sense as putting Omobamidele there in his condition. Expect Omobamidele to play though.
Last edited by CraftyToePoke; 10/10/2024 at 3:18 PM.
Brady and Browne crossed my mind, yeah (Browne was deployed as more of a wing back iirc) and, just for clarity, I was referring to central mids. Knight is a great call. No one jumps out similarly on the left...
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
We're not exactly flush with centre mids to be playing them at full back.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Browne did it for Kenny. Meyler did it for O'Neill. I think Knight might have played there once under Kenny and maybe Sykes off the bench...
He has spent time on the bench, Knight, for us despite that.
I'd look at him there if we're having to look at Omobamidele there. Cullen / Taylor / Molumby / Smallbone when back, he can probably be spared if needed if it worked.
Last edited by CraftyToePoke; 10/10/2024 at 3:36 PM.
Team announced:
Kelleher
O’Shea
Collins
Scales
Brady
Knight
Cullen
Azaz
Ogbene
Ferguson
Szmodics
https://x.com/IrelandFootball/status...30193483461115
Is this 4 at the back with O'Shea right back and Brady left back?
Or 5 at the back with Ogbene or Knight right wing back and Brady left wing back?
Seems like:
Kelleher
Ogbene O'Shea Collins Scales Brady
Cullen Knight
Ogbene Szmodics Azaz
Ferguson
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