World Cup Qualification Playoffs - March 2026

[rebelmusic]

I'm of the firm belief that if HH can get the tactics right for the first 20 mins against Czechia then it'll be ours for the taking. I did read some worrying suggestions they might move the venue to some manky commute which suggests they are pretty fearful..

One area we didn't really touch on in the last few days of debate - going back to the second window there was a lot of consensus on here that the pairing of Cullen and Knight was a big part of the problem. Now that we've had two games without Knight, does HH bring him back into the starting lineup or does Molumby keep his spot. I'm inclined to say the latter but curious on everyone's opinion

[irishfan86]

One area we didn't really touch on in the last few days of debate - going back to the second window there was a lot of consensus on here that the pairing of Cullen and Knight was a big part of the problem. Now that we've had two games without Knight, does HH bring him back into the starting lineup or does Molumby keep his spot. I'm inclined to say the latter but curious on everyone's opinion

I mean is this even a question?

Has to be Molumby for me. Taylor if unavailable. Go with the guys that got you there unless it’s an established star, which Knight isn’t. In the squad, off the bench, sure — and in general terms there’s not much between Molumby, Taylor and Knight — they’re all solid Championship level midfielders. But don't mess with a winning formula unless Molumby/Taylor unavailable IMO.

[Fixer82]

I'm of the firm belief that if HH can get the tactics right for the first 20 mins against Czechia then it'll be ours for the taking. I did read some worrying suggestions they might move the venue to some manky commute which suggests they are pretty fearful..

One area we didn't really touch on in the last few days of debate - going back to the second window there was a lot of consensus on here that the pairing of Cullen and Knight was a big part of the problem. Now that we've had two games without Knight, does HH bring him back into the starting lineup or does Molumby keep his spot. I'm inclined to say the latter but curious on everyone's opinion

100% Knight doesn’t fit in to the picture at the moment. I’m not sure he and Cullen have ever worked well together and I don’t see Cullen being dropped.

I’m wondering could Azaz and Cullen play together with Ferguson and Parrott up top somehow

[Eirambler]

I don't think we need to start both Ferguson and Parrott. Parrott has the 9 role nailed down for now, Ferguson could be back in the Brighton reserves by March the way his season has gone so far. I'd hold him back as a better alternative to Idah to come in off the bench if needed.

[texidub]

I really like Knight and Ferguson, and there are always horses for courses, but they have been overtaken by Molumby and Parrott.

[Eirambler]

Both can have important roles as subs as well though. There's Smallbone to come back in too. I always thought Knight looked better for Ireland in a more advanced role, dropping in to midfield when out of possession. Kenny had a degree of success with him using him that way. Can't remember if it was during the Anthony Barry period or the John Eustace one, possibly both? Could see him being a handy option in that kind of role off the bench in a game where we're defending a lead.

[~YTM~]

The current format didn't seem bad but different strokes for different folks.
12 automatic and 4 playoff route spots this time round. Possibly something like 8 automatic, 8 direct to playoff finals and 16 in playoff semi finals is the kind of tiered approach UEFA might take. At the end of the day, it'll be revenue driven.
The Euros are more difficult to increase jeopardy with 22 or 23 qualifying spots.

Hopefully it never follows the same format as the women's game which has turned qualifiers into another Nations League style tournament. I like the Nations League but having one now every year would be overkill. The women's team just won promotion to League A but come next year could find themselves relegated back to League B depending on where they finish in UEFAs WC Nations League style qualifiers.

[~YTM~]

Both can have important roles as subs as well though. There's Smallbone to come back in too. I always thought Knight looked better for Ireland in a more advanced role, dropping in to midfield when out of possession. Kenny had a degree of success with him using him that way. Can't remember if it was during the Anthony Barry period or the John Eustace one, possibly both? Could see him being a handy option in that kind of role off the bench in a game where we're defending a lead.

That Luxembourg game in particular was during Barry's time. Came on for Idah and Robinson got moved CF from LW. Won the free kick for the first goal and got the assists for goals two and three. Kenny kept it for the next game against Belgium when Eustace came in but dropped it come the NLs. Think Knight might have been carrying a knock and that's why Parrott started the first game playing wide.

If we're playing with WBs then RWB could also be another role for Knight to possibly play. Always thought Browne played well when he filled in at RWB. And instead of making a like for like sub in Molumby for Knight could possibly drop Azaz deeper to have a playmaker deeper in midfield and have Knights energy and athleticism supporting Ogbene with the CF.

It's a pity things to turned to **** for Derby as a club. As in his first season at Derby he looked like he could develop into a goal scoring midfielder under Cocu.

[elatedscum]

Given our potential seeding for the World Cup was confirmed today, I did a mock draw which includes the other rules for the draw announced today.

We ended up in Group B:

Canada
Croatia
Tunisia
Czechia / Ireland / Denmark / Macedonia

Other groups to give a flavour for how it might look….

Group A:

Mexico
Colombia
Uzbekistan
Ukraine / Sweden / Poland / Albania

Group C:

Portugal
Australia
Scotland
Ghana

Group D:

USA
South Korea
South Africa
Italy/Wales/Bosnia/NI

Group E:

Germany
Switzerland
Qatar
Cape Verde

Group F:

Brazil
Austria
Saudi Arabia
Jamaica / DR Congo / New Caledonia

Group G:

England
Japan
Egypt
New Zealand

Group H:

Belgium
Morrocco
Norway
Bolivia / Iraq / Suriname

Group I:

France
Senegal
Paraguay
Haiti

Group J:

Spain
Ecuador
Algeria
Jordan

Group K:

Netherlands
Uruguay
Ivory Coast
Curacao

Group L:

Argentina
Iran
Panama
Turkey / Romania / Kosovo / Slovakia