Ireland v Finland

[pineapple stu]

Well we got there in the end I suppose.

It does feel like we've strengthened the squad through injuries, strangely.

Robinson can maybe be a bit put out that he's not been brought in to replace Idah, but to be honest, much and all as he's on a purple patch right now, he's never really delivered much bar those six goals in four games three years ago. Agree we're ok with Ferguson, Cannon and Parrott there.

[Demesne Lad]

It does feel like we've strengthened the squad through injuries, strangely.

Robinson can maybe be a bit put out that he's not been brought in to replace Idah, but to be honest, much and all as he's on a purple patch right now, he's never really delivered much bar those six goals in four games three years ago. Agree we're ok with Ferguson, Cannon and Parrott there.

Robinson predicted at the beginning of the season that he would do well, because he was injury free and felt particularly fit after a good pre-season preparation. Ironically, he is now carrying an Achilles injury and was not in Cardiff's squad on Saturday.

[Eirambler]

One thing I notice is that we're teetering on the brink of having a squad with no 30-something players in it. Brady is injured this time, Coleman and Duffy have dropped out but Doherty has snuck in late to keep a 30+ player in the squad.

It is however now a squad that has zero players that have played at major tournament finals, or even been in a finals squad. I'm not sure if we have had a squad before now where that has been the case (other than before Euro 88 obviously). Possibly we did at some point under Kenny, someone might know. There also isn't a single player with over 50 caps.

[tetsujin1979]

One thing I notice is that we're teetering on the brink of having a squad with no 30-something players in it. Brady is injured this time, Coleman and Duffy have dropped out but Doherty has snuck in late to keep a 30+ player in the squad.

It is however now a squad that has zero players that have played at major tournament finals, or even been in a finals squad. I'm not sure if we have had a squad before now where that has been the case (other than before Euro 88 obviously). Possibly we did at some point under Kenny, someone might know. There also isn't a single player with over 50 caps.

The average number of caps in the squad is 15!

There's been a few games recently where the starting XI had no tournament experience, the last time was the Dutch game a year ago - Bazunu, Doherty, Manning, O'Shea, Scales, Collins, Browne, Cullen, Knight, Robinson, Ferguson
Duffy was an unused sub, the only player in the team who has appeared in a tournament

I'm pretty sure the last time there was zero tournament appearances across the starters and subs is the last game before Euro 88, against Poland in May 1998
Starting XI: Peyton, Morris, Hughton, McGrath, Moran, Galvin, Whelan, Sheridan, Sheedy, Cascarino, Aldridge
Subs: Quinn, Byrne, Kelly, O'Brien

[pineapple stu]

England have lost eight players from their squad - Alexander-Arnold, Rice, Saka, Palmer, Colwill, Foden, Grealish and Ramsdale - and have called up Branthwaite, Bowen, Trafford and Livramento. Still can't see us getting a result out there, mind. But nice to see Grealish and Rice won't be scoring against us again anyway.

[Eirambler]

Surprised they haven't called up Delap. He's in form and they can completely tie him with a cap in a NL game of minimal importance to them.

[geysir]

I think he looks a bit clumsy at left back. I think he's better facing play from a central position than he is from the touchline.

I guess now that he had issues returning to the Celtic first team after Aberdeen which affected his performances in August '23, issues which were quickly dealt with by Rodgers.
Aberdeen had wanted a buy-in clause in that loan deal but Ange point blank refused, obviously saw something of note in Scales.

[Stuttgart88]

I didn't know that. I always assumed it was the opposite, Ange didn't rate him.