Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

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There were better players ahead of some of them hence the lack of caps.

Whatever about the merits of Stephen Kenny, the glee with which people are looking to use his record to have a go at “LOI fanboys” really gets my goat. Is there anywhere else in Europe where supposed “fans” have such contempt for their own league ? Maybe they should stick to supporting Man U and Liverpool.

Anyone with an ounce of sense knew exactly what the outcome of appointing a failed Dunfermline LOI grade manager to an international management job would result in. Since then, we've had two years of excuses, "COVID", "he's changing Irish football" among a host of other bollocks. It was clear from day one that this emperor had no clothes, but all of the media, the LOI fans spun the same bullshit line.

Well thankfully results don't lie, and the "success" of the Kenny era is there for all to see. You lads own this, this is where "give him a chance" has gotten us.

Stephen Kenny, “it was a tactical game”. Good grief

Is it fair to say that the only changes in style under the Kenny regime is we pass the ball about a bit prior to lumping it into the box hoping for Duffy or someone to get their hear on it.

I don't watch an awful lot of soccer to be fair. I would watch all the Ireland games, would go to the odd cork city match and watch a bit on TV. Am I missing something? It just seems like we still have no real way of breaking down teams.

I think we miss Doherty terribly as he was the player that seemed to link the whole thing together regardless of what wing he was on. Was able to to step in side and pass the ball. If you go with wing backs in this system they need to be really creative. You couldn't have said that about either Stevens or Christie tonight.

Why not play ogbene there the next night or festy? Their is no urgency from the wing backs what so ever. I thought McClean did well when he came on. I hope we improve and Kenny keeps the job but if we are on less the 3 points at least after this window I'd say he might have to go

We were poor tonight no doubt about it. We've a big problem in that while we have a ton of young centre backs and goalies coming through, we've got next to nothing upfront coming through. I'd criticise Kenny's lineup tonight, Ogbene and Robinson aren't strong enough forwards to play the role they were asked to do today. Robinson was just poor and Ogbene is a winger or wing back not a centre striker. Kenny was overreliant on their pace causing problems and when that didn't work he didn't react fast enough to change it. Was surprised Knight got man of the match, lots of running but little quality on the ball and too easily bypassed by the Ukrainian midfield. Thought Cullen and Hendrick had a tough night as Ukraines midfield give them the run around at times. We could do with some players of the Ukrainian technical level as their midfield was a joy to watch in how they cut through ours at times.

Egan give away a stupid foul for their goal and I was disappointed with Duffy tonight, he made a good few errors plus he should have buried that chance that hit the crossbar. It was a free header six or seven yards out he shouldn't miss that. Wasn't mad on Kelleher either, their goal was sloppy and some of his kicking wasn't great either. Collins was man of the match I felt, he defended well and was useful on the ball too.

Strange atmosphere at the match tonight. Lads behind the goal were very quiet for most of the match and there was loads of Ukrainian women and children in the section I was in. Hope they had a great time at least.

I'd be a fan of Kenny but he needs results at this stage. One thing he definitely needs to drop his the overreliance on pace and energy as the sole factors for our forwards. Need much more cleverness and guile in attack, Jack Byrne or a player like him is needed.

Fine and Duffys foul was a definite peno so Ukraine were unlucky. Please move on, no-one was robbed by the officials. Its a truly bizzare pov to take away from that match.

Not stone wall territory though. Ive seen them not given mote than given.

I think Tony O'Donoghue knows something we dont re kennys frame of mind.

Such a frustrating night, particularly with Saturday fresh in the memory. Felt like we could have played for hours and not scored a goal. No positives to take from tonight as far as I'm concerned, can't say any player played particularly well or that we were unlucky to lose. It doesn't feel like we are going in any particular direction anytime fast. Since around 2017 we have been brutal and it has frankly felt like a chore to go to games. We could change manager and have a new false hope but not sure what difference that would make. We are where we deserve to be. Brutal and no reason to be optimistic. Depressing few days for our national team and only going to get worse over our next two games.

Looks like Bazunu could be a Premier League keeper next season. Though some comments that Southampton are initially looking for a young no.2 that can challenge for the no.1 spot. James Ducker reporting that if a deal happens a buy back option and sell on clause is expected to be in any deal.

Southampton fans not happy though and see it as a potential Angus Gunn 2.0 who they also signed from City. Fans feel it's an experienced no.1 they need to replace McCarthy outright. Has his work cut out for him anyway if he goes in as no.1 because Southampton's defence is absolutely rank. Only finished five points above relegation and could be in a relegation battle if they don't improve that back four.

Can the FAI afford to pay him out and replace him? Any experienced manager with a half decent reputation would be more expensive than Kenny (I'd assume anyway).

Im very surprised Kenny is earning so much

well, I suppose I was thinking he might walk.