Republic of Ireland Team Talk/News/Rumours 2020/2021 - see Mod Note in OP [18/11/20]

johnnyryan89

Aaron Connolly rules out of the internationals by Graham Potter. Has a cracked rib and won't be back until after the games.

~Rebel~

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Aaron Connolly rules out of the internationals by Graham Potter. Has a cracked rib and won't be back until after the games.

Christ, Kenny has had absolutely no luck with his squads!

Ferris_Bueller

Disaster, he is one player I really did not want getting injured. His pace was probably our only attacking threat apart from set pieces. Really not optimistic going into these qualifiers.

ballsymchugh

jaysis you'd hope no irish players get any club time this weekend at this rate

Duff

Connolly is unbelievably injury prone. Kenny has the worst injury luck for a manager I've ever seen.

johnnyryan89

Ferris_Bueller wrote: »

Disaster, he is one player I really did not want getting injured. His pace was probably our only attacking threat apart from set pieces. Really not optimistic going into these qualifiers.

Could probably see Coleman and Doherty playing together on the right. He mentioned in a Q&A last night that both players can be accommodated in the same team. There'll also be someone at the EFL cup final on Sunday featuring McGeady and O'Connor, so McGeady could end up in a squad nearly four years after his last call up.

SomethingElse

Duff wrote: »

Connolly is unbelievably injury prone. Kenny has the worst injury luck for a manager I've ever seen.

For our last competitive match he was only missing one definite starter (Connolly) and our opposition were missing their three best players.

~Rebel~

SomethingElse wrote: »

For our last competitive match he was only missing one definite starter (Connolly) and our opposition were missing their three best players.

Depends on how you define definite starters really, but whatever way you look at it, it was a lot more than that... Connolly, Coleman, Doherty, McCarthy, Hendrick, Stevens, and Robinson were all missing. Could easily consider all of them starters, and I would say a minimum of 5 of those 7 are definite starters if fit. So that's at least half his starting outfielders missing in his last competitive match.

And that's not even getting into some of the other farcical windows he's been forced to deal with, with a rotating stream of players in and out through covid and injuries.

johnnyryan89

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Depends on how you define definite starters really, but whatever way you look at it, it was a lot more than that... Connolly, Coleman, Doherty, McCarthy, Hendrick, Stevens, and Robinson were all missing. Could easily consider all of them starters, and I would say a minimum of 5 of those 7 are definite starters if fit. So that's at least half his starting outfielders missing in his last competitive match.

And that's not even getting into some of the other farcical windows he's been forced to deal with, with a rotating stream of players in and out through covid and injuries.

Only Connolly and Coleman were missing from Slovakia.

~Rebel~

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Only Connolly and Coleman were missing from Slovakia.

What's Slovakia got to do with anything? The poster said we were only missing one starter in our last competitive match, which was Bulgaria last November. As I said, we were really missing between 5 and 7.

If we're not counting those games as competitive anymore, then I trust we're also not getting hung up on their results?

johnnyryan89

~Rebel~ wrote: »

What's Slovakia got to do with anything? The poster said we were only missing one starter in our last competitive match, which was Bulgaria last November. As I said, we were really missing between 5 and 7.

If we're not counting those games as competitive anymore, then I trust we're also not getting hung up on their results?

Because Slovakia is the only meaningful game we've played under Kenny.

I never gave a **** about the nation's league results, it's a competition teams use to experiment. Couldn't give a **** about the results in this campaign either and have always said we should be using it to build towards the next Euros in Germany.

johnnyryan89

Adam Idah possibly ruled out with a hernia, might need surgery.

johnnyryan89

sugarman wrote: »

...AH here!

He's to see a specialist on Monday to see if he needs surgery.

henke

Jesus we are having some bad luck with injuries.

Brock Turnpike

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Only Connolly and Coleman were missing from Slovakia.

Idaho too. Mary have started that game too. Certainly would've come on.

~Rebel~

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Because Slovakia is the only meaningful game we've played under Kenny.

I never gave a **** about the nation's league results, it's a competition teams use to experiment. Couldn't give a **** about the results in this campaign either and have always said we should be using it to build towards the next Euros in Germany.

The conversation arose only a few posts ago from someone saying "Kenny has the worst injury luck for a manager I've ever seen."

In that context, only counting a single international match from almost a year ago seems a bit pointless.

Kenny has had absolutely atrocious luck with his squads, with a constant rotation of injuries and virus cases, so there's been no oppertunity to build consistency, in an already disjointed and distanced Covid world.

It's perhaps no surprise that we've given one of our better performances against Slovakia in one of the few matches we've had an almost healthy squad.

Mr.Nice Guy

We are not the only country that has to contend with injuries. Slovakia were worse off when we prepared to face them, so let's not spin a revisionist narrative that we are where we are due to players being missing.

The worst luck we have of all is being saddled with a coach who is totally and utterly out of his depth.

~Rebel~

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

We are not the only country that has to contend with injuries. Slovakia were worse off when we prepared to face them, so let's not spin a revisionist narrative that we are where we are due to players being missing.

The worst luck we have of all is being saddled with a coach who is totally and utterly out of his depth.

Situations aren't down to any one thing though... it seems myopic not to mention the pretty freakish occurrences that have taken place during our international windows when our talent pool is as shallow as it is. I've especially never seen anything like the injury and covid hokey-pokey that took place in those October internationals - lads in and out on an hourly basis - it got to the point of being borderline hilarious.

I'm still patient enough on Kenny. Is he as good as what I'd like? Absolutely not, but what i'd like isn't within Ireland's grasp - especially right now. I think he's a talented manager - but I think it's also come a bit soon for him, in terms of the players he's working with. I'd have loved if he got to spend another 2 years with the U-21's, coming into the senior setup when more of the lads he'd worked with were of an age to step up. Would've been a more seamless transition. Instead, we're kind of in no mans land between the old and new generations. But seeing as we have no hope of qualifying for the World Cup anyway, I'm interested in seeing how the young lads do with him over the next year, and if there's anything there for the future. If it goes demonstrably badly, get someone new for the next Euros. Hopefully the FAI will be in a slightly less disastrous position by that stage too (though that's probably unlikely).

fullstop

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

We are not the only country that has to contend with injuries. Slovakia were worse off when we prepared to face them, so let's not spin a revisionist narrative that we are where we are due to players being missing.

The worst luck we have of all is being saddled with a coach who is totally and utterly out of his depth.

LOL.

Mr.Nice Guy

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Situations aren't down to any one thing though... it seems myopic not to mention the pretty freakish occurrences that have taken place during our international windows when our talent pool is as shallow as it is. I've especially never seen anything like the injury and covid hokey-pokey that took place in those October internationals - lads in and out on an hourly basis - it got to the point of being borderline hilarious.

I'm still patient enough on Kenny. Is he as good as what I'd like? Absolutely not, but what i'd like isn't within Ireland's grasp - especially right now. I think he's a talented manager - but I think it's also come a bit soon for him, in terms of the players he's working with. I'd have loved if he got to spend another 2 years with the U-21's, coming into the senior setup when more of the lads he'd worked with were of an age to step up. Would've been a more seamless transition. Instead, we're kind of in no mans land between the old and new generations. But seeing as we have no hope of qualifying for the World Cup anyway, I'm interested in seeing how the young lads do with him over the next year, and if there's anything there for the future. If it goes demonstrably badly, get someone new for the next Euros. Hopefully the FAI will be in a slightly less disastrous position by that stage too (though that's probably unlikely).

Worst year the international side have had since 1971, promised attacking football yet gave us no goals from open play, as well as more red cards than goals, alienated members of his staff by playing a controversial video, and to cap it off the team's best attacking player would rather concentrate on his club's impending relegation to the Championship than join up with the squad for international duty.

You're patient enough with that? Do we have to embarrass ourselves against Luxembourg for the penny to drop that maybe this man is not the messiah, but rather a very Nought-y boy?

~Rebel~

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Worst year the international side have had since 1971, promised attacking football yet gave us no goals from open play, as well as more red cards than goals, alienated members of his staff by playing a controversial video, and to cap it off the team's best attacking player would rather concentrate on his club's impending relegation to the Championship than join up with the squad for international duty.

You're patient enough with that? Do we have to embarrass ourselves against Luxembourg for the penny to drop that maybe this man is not the messiah, but rather a very Nought-y boy?

I'm not happy with how things have gone, but equally, I don't think it's fair to sack a guy in the middle of his contract after the most tumultuous year in decades - not just in terms of football, but in absolutely all aspects of life, and in ways that have made any sort of collective accomplishment and growth all the more challenging.

He's not even started the qualification stage he was hired for yet, so I'm happy enough for him to get that chance.

Brock Turnpike

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

We are not the only country that has to contend with injuries. Slovakia were worse off when we prepared to face them, so let's not spin a revisionist narrative that we are where we are due to players being missing.

The worst luck we have of all is being saddled with a coach who is totally and utterly out of his depth.

What's worse luck is the fact we have to read your nonsense on this forum.

Mr.Nice Guy

~Rebel~ wrote:

I'm not happy with how things have gone, but equally, I don't think it's fair to sack a guy in the middle of his contract after the most tumultuous year in decades - not just in terms of football, but in absolutely all aspects of life, and in ways that have made any sort of collective accomplishment and growth all the more challenging.

He's not even started the qualification stage he was hired for yet, so I'm happy enough for him to get that chance.

He was hired to continue McCarthy's objective of getting us to the Euros, and he failed. I don't see what's fair in allowing the chap to flounder at a job he's unsuitable for. Those who championed him believed he would make us a more attractive side, yet he repeatedly ignored the kind of players that could bring about such a style: Cullen, Byrne for example, and went with the old guard from the previous regime: Hendrick, Hourihane. I don't think even the most optimistic of fans believe at this stage we will outplaying decent opposition any time soon, so this is an experiment on the road to nowhere.

Brock Turnpike wrote: »

What's worse luck is the fact we have to read your nonsense on this forum.

This about sums up the counter arguments that can be offered at this point. Rich stuff certainly from a Kenny apologist that regurgitates possession stats to mask his hero's inadequacies. Put me on ignore then if it hurts you to read about the false prophet's failings.

~Rebel~

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

He was hired to continue McCarthy's objective of getting us to the Euros, and he failed. I don't see what's fair in allowing the chap to flounder at a job he's unsuitable for. Those who championed him believed he would make us a more attractive side, yet he repeatedly ignored the kind of players that could bring about such a style: Cullen, Byrne for example, and went with the old guard from the previous regime: Hendrick, Hourihane. I don't think even the most optimistic of fans believe at this stage we will outplaying decent opposition any time soon, so this is an experiment on the road to nowhere.

No he wasn't. That he got one match of the previous campaign was a fluke of timing, purely down to Covid causing lengthy delays that ran past Mick's contract.

He was hired primarily for the World Cup qualification run, which begins shortly.

I know how tough this year has been on me and others, so I'm prepared to take into account the reality of the situation, and how difficult it is to form collective success for an international manager (i.e much harder than for a club manager) under the pretty unprecedented circumstances. In part, this is from hearing him speak on numerous occasions - like in the video posted earlier - and am genuinely impressed by him as a manager and thinker, and am accepting that what he wants to do has been made much harder by the circumstances. And also, I simply don't believe there's a better option to be found if you have to pay off his contract, given the state of the associations finances. Fire him, and the next chap would have to be on even less - something that would immediately rule out someone like Chris Wilder, as you mentioned as an option in the other thread.

johnnyryan89

Hourihane and Manning are starting for Swansea in the early kick off, and Swansea are one up after a couple of mins from a Hourihane tap in after poor defending from Luton.

Nunu

For me Hourihane has been underwhelming in an Ireland shirt but I’m so glad somebody is fit & in form! Hopefully he translates it to the international stage for us.

johnnyryan89

Nunu wrote: »

For me Hourihane has been underwhelming in an Ireland shirt but I’m so glad somebody is fit & in form! Hopefully he translates it to the international stage for us.

Be shocked if he did. Read what some Swansea fans have to say and it's not all that positive at times. That his goals and assists look good on paper but his lack of effort means the other players need to accommodate him. That they can see why he wasn't getting his game at Villa.

Unless Kenny is going to pick lads who'll do the hard work Hourihane won't then you might as well start with ten men. Even then as someone pointed out Hourihane isn't a ball player or playmaker in the sense he'll want the ball to make things happen. He's even more of a luxury player than what Wes was, and Wes played in better Ireland teams who were more defensive.

Pawwed Rig

Whelan was the man for the hard work yet gets widely ridiculed by many sections of Ireland supporters

henke

Remember the name lads. Troy Parrott!!!

Dr. Bre

Gwan the Parrott !

johnnyryan89

Start him against Serbia

Francie Barrett

https://twitter.com/HotspurCentraI/status/1370754932807204866?s=09

Hopefully that's the monkey off his back now and he can kick on.

henke

Easy opener but was alert to punish the mistake. But this should do a lot for his confidence which is the big one.

ScummyMan

Fantastic news, I’m sure that’s a huge weight off his back now

For Forks Sake

Ferris_Bueller wrote: »

Disaster, he is one player I really did not want getting injured. His pace was probably our only attacking threat apart from set pieces. Really not optimistic going into these qualifiers.

Quick as Connolly may be, his decision making is atrocious and he wouldn't finish his dinner.

johnnyryan89

johnnyryan89 wrote: »

Start him against Serbia

Even though you seem to be saying it as a joke, it's hard to see who else starts with no McGoldrick, Connolly or Idah.

Long hasnt played much and Collins isnt up to much IMO.
Kenny has brought Parrott on in the last game(I think it was the last) so hes likely favourite to start.

~Rebel~

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Even though you seem to be saying it as a joke, it's hard to see who else starts with no McGoldrick, Connolly or Idah.

Long hasnt played much and Collins isnt up to much IMO.
Kenny has brought Parrott on in the last game(I think it was the last) so hes likely favourite to start.

Long and Collins are both playing at a higher level, and scoring more goals, so would have to think both are ahead of him in terms of starting. Long's been playing regularly since the start of February, so not much worry there.

Long's also probably the most capable of playing the lone-frontman role, able to take the ball back-to-goal, and also take advantage of a higher line by running in behind. He'd be by a mile my preference of the meager options available.

Ferris_Bueller

Likewise with Long, even if everyone was fit I'd nearly still go with him for Serbia. He can play the role well, works very hard for the team, has experience and is playing regularly. Not clinical in front of goal by any means but he is at least someone who has scored goals for us.

Pawwed Rig

Paddy Madden is at the same level as Parrott and scores more often

johnnyryan89

gilberto_eire wrote: »

Even though you seem to be saying it as a joke, it's hard to see who else starts with no McGoldrick, Connolly or Idah.

Long hasnt played much and Collins isnt up to much IMO.
Kenny has brought Parrott on in the last game(I think it was the last) so hes likely favourite to start.

Yeah somewhat was joking, but I'd start him against Serbia. I'd go with:

.........................Kelleher/Bazunu if not fit enough.
......Doherty - Clark - O'Shea - Stevens
Coleman - Browne - Cullen - Robinson
...........................Knight
...........................Parrott

That would be my starting XI. We ain't qualify for no WC, haven't qualified in 19 years with much better teams.

Pawwed Rig

I really hope that Kenny has learned from previous games where he left it way too late to make changes to try and win the thing. Giving someone 10 minutes when the team are already out on their feet is a waste of time.

johnnyryan89

sugarman wrote: »

Parrott, looking more and more like a McGoldrick type of player to me. Excellent work rate, hold up play and drops off very deep at times to held out midfield but also has the ability to get into the box and get on the end of things.

It's why I'd play Parrott ahead of Knight in the ten role. Basically copying what we did in the second half against Slovakia. Even Long up top with Parrott already as the ten rather than having Knight and Parrott switch with Parrott dropping back and Knight pushing on to press the defence. But Long will be retired from football once the qualifiers for Euro '24.

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

I really hope that Kenny has learned from previous games where he left it way too late to make changes to try and win the thing. Giving someone 10 minutes when the team are already out on their feet is a waste of time.

I'd say with it being the nation's league changes were often left until late in the game. Against Slovakia we made a double change on 60mins which had a positive impact for us and the other changes happened once we were in extra time.

Nunu

100% Westwood should get the call up.

In Serbian squad news, Dusan Vlahovic got a 1st half hattrick for Fiorentina yesterday. Obvious danger man with 11 goals now in his last 16 apps.

Ferris_Bueller

McGeady starts for Sunderland in the EFL trophy final. Disappointing that Lee O'Connor isn't in the squad for Tranmere, assuming he is injured. Aiden O'Brien not in the squad for Sunderland either.

johnnyryan89

Ferris_Bueller wrote: »

McGeady starts for Sunderland in the EFL trophy final. Disappointing that Lee O'Connor isn't in the squad for Tranmere, assuming he is injured. Aiden O'Brien not in the squad for Sunderland either.

Yup, picked up an ankle injury in training on Friday. Gutted for the young lad as he's been one of their best performers in the last two or three EFL cup games and has played well slotting back into RB lately, and you had Higgins there to watch today's game too.

henke

Doherty starts the North London derby. Hopefully signs there he might be turning a corner after a tough start.

Francie Barrett

Mcgeady assists with a really nice through ball played from within his own half. 1-0 Sunderland.

~Rebel~

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Mcgeady assists with a really nice through ball played from within his own half. 1-0 Sunderland.

Given our lack of creative players between injuries and form, he well deserves a call-up at this stage, even just as an option off the bench.

johnnyryan89

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Mcgeady assists with a really nice through ball played from within his own half. 1-0 Sunderland.

https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1371133864731684865

We had a lad that could pick out a pass like that before.

~Rebel~ wrote: »

Given our lack of creative players between injuries and form, he well deserves a call-up at this stage, even just as an option off the bench.

I'd start him, we've no one that can play a pass like that through the lines. Connolly is injured and O'Dowda is only back from injury. Stick McGeady out left and give him a bit of free reign to express himself. We're already accommodating Hourihane like and he's scarred of the ball most of the time.

wadacrack

henke wrote: »

Doherty starts the North London derby. Hopefully signs there he might be turning a corner after a tough start.

Hes really struggling with Tierney and Smith Rowe. Bale not tracking