Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

What point are you trying to make?

I don't think Kelly was over the top. He caveated every positive comment he made with 'but Qatar are brutal'. He was happy to see us dominate, create chances , score goals and ultimately win.

FAI will be streaming the game on YouTube.

I wouldn't be dismissing Connolly, at least not yet anyway.

It's interesting that Kenny didn't even give him a single minute over this window, despite giving him lots of chances previously. I can't help but think that he's sending Connolly a message that he is going to need to apply himself more and that he can't just expect to play for us because our options upfront are poor. Kenny said in a recent presser that Connolly isn't playing enough games, and when he is he's only at 70% of his ability. Hopefully with Robinson kicking on, Idah and Ogbene showing that they're options, it might light a fire under Connolly to apply himself.

Lovely strike. Hit with pace and straight into the top corner from 25 yards out as well, keeper hadn't a chance. We're definitely in the ascendency now.

Zefi has some unbelievably tight ball control and can slip past opponents at ease. Reminds me a lot of Grealish when he played played for us.

No thanks on the blue jersey's but totally agree have never liked the current Ireland crest. It is horrible IMHO and would love to see us get a new one.

As someone that would like to see him there for the 2024 qualifiers they'd be stupid to announce any contract extension before the campaign is even over. Even if the majority of the board are in favour of it.

Any extension needs to happen before a ball is kicked in 2022. So hopefully they meet before November is over because if they decide not to give an extension then they'll need to be bringing someone else in before the nation's league.

I wonder would the FAI consider doing a 2024 contract, but with a break clause if we get relegated from our Nations League group. Relegation from the Nations League would be a real hammer blow for whoever is trying to get us to qualify for Euro 2028. A long time away, I know.

I do find it funny that Kenny is being judged more harshly than our previous managers. 2 campaigns has more or less been the bare minimum Ireland managers have gotten except for Staunton, who was completely out of his depth.

And Kenny has been asked to do more than the previous managers, by refreshing our squad and style of play, which hasn’t had such a drastic change since Micks first stint.

But yet you still have lads thinking he needs a result against Luxembourg to give him another contract. I think win would be a great way to sign off the current campaign but it’s not essential to me. I think he’s shown enough consistent improvement with the team to warrant a campaign where he’s not starting from scratch.

In general I think the previous approach of the short term ‘qualify by any means’ can get in the bin. I would much prefer to watch Ireland play well in qualifiers and miss out than sit back for games on end to get to a tournament to get walloped.

Even though yesterday was a friendly, there was such an atmosphere of joy around the team and fans that I haven’t seen in years. That’s what I want more of!

Fully agree either back a manager or sack him. I know it happened with MON and it cost us financially but that was JDs fault for always handing out ridiculous contracts as evidence of Roy Keane getting paid better than managers, Mick getting a bonus pay off when his contract ended, and handing Robbie Keane a four year contract as a coach. Though I still believe to this day that Keane was being groomed to come in as manager this manager. Plus MON and Co should have been replaced after that final WC campaign.

If we were relegated next summer then we'd be in League C for a Nations League campaign pre WC 2026. Would have no effect for Euro 2028 unless we didn't gain promotion.

Tickets for the Portugal game potentially on sale from next Tuesday to the general public

Albania are definitely a fourth seed to avoid. They've had a good WC qualification campaign with three teams that are going to be in League A next summer. Had they beaten Poland the other night they would have gotten a play off spot.

I think we'll probably be grand with our green kit for a while anyway... that ban only seems to be in Serie A, and only for 2nd and 3rd kits (teams that use green as their primary shirt colour are exempt).

Latest Brady rumour says that Bournemouth are interested - https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/bournemouth-plotting-transfer-swoop-for-29-y-o-free-agent/

From a purely marketing/tourism point of view, I reckon green will always have a prominent place on an Ireland flag. A redesign in some fashion would seem the right thing to do alright though, to recognise the two states becoming one (rather than them just joining us). Maybe green and blue or a green field with the red de Burgh cross or a red hand, or something...

I wasn't event trying to be biased. I think it's perfect for an AI and just an all round great looking flag.

It is but I am sure it could be tweaked so it was not the same. A decent option for sure although my personal preference is for some kind of variation on the 4 provinces flag.