Right now Id be picking Azaz over Szmodics for sure. Szmodics energy off the bench could be really good though
Its really not that complicated!!!
I'm thinking it would be a massive call to not pick your captain in your 23 man squad. He is fit, at least to the extent that he was about to come on when O'Brien cramped up at the weekend. If he isn't called up when fit then I don't see how he could continue as captain any more.Originally Posted by elatedscum
Collins is effectively the new captain anyway I would have thought?
Its really not that complicated!!!
Effectively. There was no handover though. June was the opportunity for that but HH didn't take it. He really should have though and still kept Coleman around for emergencies.
One possible tactic would be to use this window for the handover, bring Coleman in as a mascot and have a 'Do it for Seamus' speech before going on the pitch against Hungary. I might be watching too many sports movies but it would be a good way to motivate the team...and Collins will likely play a blinder when he gets the official nod.
Collins is the on-field captain really at this point alright. But my understanding is that if there was an event involving the Ireland captain today, it would be Coleman who would attend.
Of course it's possible that part of the announcement tomorrow is that Collins is becoming the official captain.
I never really remember the captaincy handover as a big thing really. It just always gets to the point that where someone just takes it on no?
I hope there's no more nonsense like Long complaining that "his number" was given to someone else. The captain has to be a guaranteed starter and Im fairly sure Seamus gets that considering he'd struggle to make the squad now
Its really not that complicated!!!
I just think it makes no sense to have Manning or Omobamidele or Doherty arriving in the squad 24-48 hours before a game and starting that match when they could have been there for the previous week or whatever. And i think that’s happened with all of them.
We’ve had situations where we were balancing choosing our first choice players who might be carrying knocks and fit players who are definitely available rather than taking both.
We’ve struggled when switching systems between two games in the same camp, one where we played a back 5 and the other with a back 4. With a back 5, you want 5 CBs in the squad and with a back 4 just 4. We’ve had games where we’ve then had only one midfielder on the bench covering 3 players and 3 centre backs on the bench instead.
It’s also maybe hindered us from introducing new players earlier and reduced competition once the squad itself is together…
Like if Ebosele misses out from a squad where we might need him and want him because it costs €1k or whatever to call him up - that makes absolutely no sense to me
Republic of Ireland Squad - Hungary & Armenia
Goalkeepers: CaoimhÃn Kelleher (Brentford), Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Mark Travers (Everton).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jake O'Brien (Everton), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O'Shea (Ipswich Town), Jimmy Dunne (Queens Park Rangers), Bosun Lawal (Stoke City), Liam Scales (Celtic), Ryan Manning (Southampton).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jack Taylor (Ipswich Town), Killian Phillips (St. Mirren).
Attackers: Evan Ferguson (AS Roma), Troy Parrott (AZ Alkmaar), Adam Idah (Celtic), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Sammie Szmodics (Ipswich Town), Chiedozie Ogbene (Ipswich Town), Kasey McAteer (Ipswich Town), Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion).
That midfield would make you cry
Last edited by The Fly; 26/08/2025 at 9:55 AM.
Is there nobody else we could put in there? Molumby the obvious one (unless he's suspended?) He's not great, but it's another body where one appears to be sorely needed.
I think he's made up his mind with Cullen and Taylor in the middle, which i 100% agree with
Knight and Philips energy off the bench could be vital
I absolutely think we are going to win this game, it just feels right
He'll go with Cullen and Knight in the middle, surely?
I don't understand why Jayson Molumby isn't involved. I really don't - hands up I'm totally biased here as I'm a massive fan of his. I appreciate that the midfielders are probably siloed into 'smally's' and 'tallys' and Cullen and Knight are going to be ahead of him in that regard (whether I like it or not). I'd have Taylor in the squad as I think he's got that je ne sais quoi that none of our other midfield options have, but there should be a place for Molumby.
Unless he's suspended, but I don't think he is.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
For me, it’s a left back short, O’Dowda presumably. At the moment it’s between Manning and Scales for the position and I am much prefer Scales in the centre than on the left. I also think that this squad is definitely missing Molumby and Festy
This squad of players is quite interesting. Options at both ends of the pitch but nothing in the middle. Crying out for a 4-3-3 formation with Mikey Johnson in the middle of the park as a playmaker of sorts or perhaps Ogbene in midfield as a marauding wing man. Smozdics, Parrot and Ferguson up top with a liberal supply of ball would be nice for a change
Seems very light on CMs
Folding my way into the big money!!!
Its just weird how its listed. Azaz and Lawal both could have been listed as midfielders and it would have looked better balanced on paper
Its really not that complicated!!!
HH doesnt seemt to fancy Molumby, it happens. With the way the team is set up the two in midfield are there to be water carriers. Theres only 2 positions so selecting 4 in squad for it seems fine. also Lawal and Collins can play there, all though people seem to have gone off the Collins in midfield thing.
Apparently Louie Barry has declared for us and was considered for this squad
Its really not that complicated!!!
In terms of the squad I predicted in the first post the changes are Coleman, O'Dowda and Molumby out and Dunne, Lawal and Phillips in. Not sure if that's stronger or weaker overall. Not having Festy as a bench option was always a strong possibility, but disappointing nonetheless.
HH apparently spoke of the squad being difficult to pick because of a "need" to limit the number to 23 players. Not clear yet if it was picked up on in terms of what the "need" is though - is it because that's the number he wants to work with or is it because he has been set a limit by the association.
Last edited by Eirambler; 26/08/2025 at 11:21 AM.
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