Quote0-0 away in 1st leg would be ok, but I'm hoping for better. This is not a good Bulgarian team and it should be perfect for Hallgrimsson to start making something out of us if hes going to
Match thread time.
Who'd take 0-0 now ?
0-0 away in 1st leg would be ok, but I'm hoping for better. This is not a good Bulgarian team and it should be perfect for Hallgrimsson to start making something out of us if hes going to
Its really not that complicated!!!
A draw away and a win at home would be fine. Very important that we win the tie overall, whatever way it comes about.
Manning and Moran replace O'Dowda and Smallbone in the squad.
We are world beaters now!
Manning's an interesting one, I think he should generally be in squads like many others, but any time I seen him play for Ireland, he hasn't offered particularly much, maybe that would change with a sustained run, maybe not.
One thing that sticks with me, is I remember between seasons at one point, possibly before he signed for either Swansea or Southampton, he was left out of an Ireland squad because he didn't want to get injured while negotiating who to sign for, he did an interview around that time, generally talking abut his career, life as a footballer, how football isn't actually his priority in life and that he's just concentrating on getting the best deal for his career so that he can secure his family's future. That's all fair, and something I wouldn't hold against anyone, but perhaps also not the kind of die for the team attitude managers looking for short term results look for, and could be why he's never seemed to be a first choice pick for us.
A fit Smallbone would have been helpful to have, Moran is a step down there. COD to Manning is much of a muchness, Manning seems to have put in some decent performances at a high level, so good to know he's at least third pick at left back ahead of Stevens, who was referenced by HH in his press conference also.
i do remember seeing him play for ireland u21s in a centre midfield with Josh Cullen and Declan Rice. Can't remember if it was the Azerbaijan game or the Norway game - but he won MOTM and it was exactly that die for the team type of performance you were talking about. Gerrard-eque in his combination of the driving, the tackling, the yards covered and the passing range, obviously at a much lower level. nonetheless, he seemed really passionate to play for his country...Originally Posted by Acornvilla
I hope that he will go with the shape that was picked against England. Id like to get another look at what they were trying to do with Collins before it all went t1ts up with red card.
Kelleher
Doherty O'Brien O'Shea Brady
Collins
Cullen Taylor
Azaz Parrott
Ferguson
Collins supplementing both the midfield and defense at times. It lacks for width but I think theres scope for Collins to cover back while the full backs go forward, and there are options off the bench if real width is needed as game goes on. I think this gets all our form players on the pitch, and even though I know Ferguson cant be regarded as a form player I still think hes our best striker, 4 International goals at the age of 20 is not bad.
Its really not that complicated!!!
I like the thinking there...although I think I'd but Doherty as CB and O'Brien at RB. More in line with their current form and following the Moyes logic of RB being a safer spot for a young player .
I agree on the Collins bit as well. We were containing England quite well until the red card and that kick out option was handy as well.
I don't think I'd argue too strongly but I'm not sure I like the idea of Doherty in a 2
Its really not that complicated!!!
Outside of the fame and money, I'd say the actual training every day, traveling, eating right, missing life events, endless competition, having everyone have an opinion on you bit is a relentless grind, plenty of people lose a bit of hunger as they become established, you need a very particular personality to keep pushing all the time.
I got the impression from what he said that he was happy with his level, the goal was more about self preservation and protecting the life he's built for the future. He's done great to go from LOI 1st division to a PL playing international, I'm not making any negative remarks about him or his attitude, but I wouldn't say he brought that u21's energy to any senior apps I've seen
Last edited by Acornvilla; 18/03/2025 at 7:37 AM.
I can't find live TV details in UK. Anyone know? No listings on Premier, SKY or TNT.
Most recent NL games were streamed online by Premier Sports with no commentary.
I may have to find a pub with RTE.
I think it's only on RTE. I'll PM you
Its TBC on here ; https://www.live-footballontv.com/
Which is unusual, but keep an eye.
It's clear Bulgarian football is at a low ebb now. It was also at a low ebb when we played them last with a far better squad, and we didn't really impress then either failing to beat them.
I know this will sound stupid, I think we've got to score out there. I'd prefer a 1-1 draw than a 0-0.
I don't think we were as good in the victory against Finland as was made out - there were parts of the games where we absolutely awful and the result papered over some craics I thought. That said, we were superb for 45 mins against England, really really tight and impressive to watch, but reconciling that with the collapse- the utter collapse - in that 2nd half is difficult also. so the difficult circumstances of that 2nd half probably unfairly undermines that first half performance.
So the question is whether we get the first half Wembley performance, or the 2nd half Wembley performance; if it's the former, then the 0-0 would be unwelcome; if the latter, then you'd run a mile with the 0-0.
Ultimately it's the result at the end of next Sunday evening that counts, so a platform to be confident and assertive in Dublin is needed. If we score over there, I'd be expecting a win. I'd worry if we came back with a scoreless draw that the nerves might kick in on Sunday, especially if it was still 0-0 going into the last 45
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
I don't think that sounds too stupid - always nice to know you can score against them when bringing them back home for a second leg. Though I don't know if I'd prefer a 1-1 over a 0-0 - it depends on the performance really.
I do think the Wembley performance won't be too relevant here - it's a very different type of game. We'll need to be able to get forward more than in the first half of that game. Kelleher and Collins - maybe even Doherty, strangely - are probably our strongest players at the moment so we should be able to keep it tight at the back and that's always a big start.
I think we should win over the two legs, but equally I can absolutely see us losing.
I think the Wembley 1st half performance is still relevant because even poor teams are able to over load us in midfield when we just play with a 2 and I think that was Hallgrimssons first sign of being able to address that. It was pretty clever and I'm looking to see if it works in a different type of game
Its really not that complicated!!!
I still don't get why the solution to that can't be to just put three actual midfielders in midfield. Especially this time around when we have plenty in the squad, we were short last time due to injuries I think.
My whole thesis on Collins in midfield is because the standard of "Actual midfielders" we have is quite poor and Collins is a Premier league rolls Royce.
We have good cover in the central defense department as well
I agree that Wembley and Plovdiv will not be comparable. Why I consider the Wembley First half relevant is because it wasn't a traditional Irish away to the big boys siege defence. It wasn't Moscow, it wasn't Zagreb, it was comfortable. Very comfortable.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
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