Ireland v Hungary and Armenia - September 2025

[mark12345]

Squad selection aside, I'll be interested in how HH approaches this one. He's making the right noises, but he's kind of conceded that he'll take the draw at home (not unwise, fair is fair).

Kerkez, as much as I like him, looks like someone who can be targeted defensively and it is absolutely clear he's a liability in the air. In that respect, for any set-pieces, I would overload the front, go long and attack him with someone unusually capable in the air - Matt Doherty, Jack Taylor, or COD (had he been selected). Let Ferguson Collins and O'Shea draw their big lads away and isolate Kerkez.

Secondly, Szobosolai. I'd man mark him, I'd sit Jason Knight on him all game - well technically I would sit Molumby on him all game, but in lieu of him not being in the squad, I'd give it to Knight. He's a fine player and he could really kill us in an area where we've shown scant willingness to learn this decade.

I haven't seen that weakness in Kerkez, but fair play to you for a good observation. You mentioned the aerial game - that is exactly where we will find success against Hungary. Collins, O'Shea, Doherty, Ferguson and maybe even Scales or O'Brien at some point during the game. That is a serious amount of weaponry for corners and free kicks. Or from crosses from Ogbene and Johnson. All that said I sure as heck don't like to hear that HH would settle for a draw.

[Kingdom]

I haven't seen that weakness in Kerkez, but fair play to you for a good observation. You mentioned the aerial game - that is exactly where we will find success against Hungary. Collins, O'Shea, Doherty, Ferguson and maybe even Scales or O'Brien at some point during the game. That is a serious amount of weaponry for corners and free kicks. Or from crosses from Ogbene and Johnson. All that said I sure as heck don't like to hear that HH would settle for a draw.

Tony Gordon - who to be extremely fair to him this season has shown a good determination to win duels in the air - beat him badly on Monday night and was a left off before Guimares (I think?) made him look absolutely clueless at defending anything aerial for the first Toon goal.

Against Bournemouth, twice I'm nearly 100% sure the ball came across the box and he was almost crouched down (not a good look for a little 'un) looking skyward as the ball crossed his patch.

Could it be a blip? For sure. Could it be something to consider, examine and exploit further? Of course. Is it something Mark Travers might have noticed and could be consulted about even if not in the squad? Absolutely.
Of course, there's no guarantee that he'll play lb for them - when they played in Dublin last year, their formation was unorthodox, and I wouldn't be surprised if he has a more attack-minded role for them (they'll surely look to win in Dublin ahead of hosting Portugal)?

[Razors left peg]

Id be willing to bet that we have smaller squads now due to financial reasons

The story today from John Fallon about redundancies in the FAI probably backs up this theory

[Kingdom]

RTE Sport online are claiming it is a UEFA requirement to only have a 23 man squad. Seems unusual.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025...-gets-serious/

"UEFA stipulations limit the manager to calling up a maximum of 23 players for the international window, and Hallgrimsson admitted that it was a tough task attempting to get the balance right with the final selection.

A welcome headache, no doubt, as Hallgrimsson’s 12-month tenure has resulted in a settled squad with real competition for places, and with so many established players omitted, including captain Seamus Coleman, it places an added onus on those involved to hold onto their jersey.

Hallgrimsson also offered some insight into his selection process, with a real emphasis on versatility and on those who can bring something different to the squad."

[Razors left peg]

RTE Sport online are claiming it is a UEFA requirement to only have a 23 man squad. Seems unusual.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2025...-gets-serious/

"UEFA stipulations limit the manager to calling up a maximum of 23 players for the international window, and Hallgrimsson admitted that it was a tough task attempting to get the balance right with the final selection.

A welcome headache, no doubt, as Hallgrimsson’s 12-month tenure has resulted in a settled squad with real competition for places, and with so many established players omitted, including captain Seamus Coleman, it places an added onus on those involved to hold onto their jersey.

Hallgrimsson also offered some insight into his selection process, with a real emphasis on versatility and on those who can bring something different to the squad."

If thats true maybe its to try keep a level playing field for all countries?

[Kingdom]

If thats true maybe its to try keep a level playing field for all countries?

Those first 3 words are very important.
The wording "a maximum of" on RTE suggests that no replacements are permitted. In a post-pandemic world...that seems very unusual.

[pineapple stu]

But Hungary have 27 in their squad...

"This time, Marco Rossi announced a larger than usual squad of 27 men for the World Cup qualifying matches in September, so that the national team would be prepared for all eventualities in the first two matches of the World Cup qualification."

You can only name 23 players in the matchday squad afaik. But that's different.

[Razors left peg]

Ok so we are back to FAI being cheap and broke