Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Probably so. We dont look like we have a player who can open them up either. Whats new. If they do sit back i think we should be looking at getting either hodges or Coventry off for another forward after 60 mins. Ferguson not offering much. Away goals dont count btw.

Not sure. I was closer to the ball than the goalie and im watching from Kildare.

Anyone know his official height? Looks tiny.

6 foot exactly, same height as Luke Shaw who also doesn't look tall.

Shaw carries a fair bit of timber so that might have something to do with it. Maher is probably 5'10. A lot of lads will add on an inch 😉

Thats why you leave in a player like ferguson. Doesnt do a tap and then pops up with that. Coybig.

Jaysus youve been quiet tonight lad. Welcome to the party. You'll get likes for that post.

Hodge was one of the better players tonight

Connolly brilliant tonight. If he keeps his attitude and work rate up to this level the lad will be fine.

I thought Smallbone was very casual. Definitely has quality, but too many fancy flicks that didn’t come off, and a lack of urgency about him.

Just to update this:

Guaranteed top seeds for the qualifiers will be Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, and Spain.

Czech Republic, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Poland are still fighting for the last three spots as top seeds.

England and Bosnia now join Wales as the guaranteed second seeds for the qualifiers and Romania will be third seeds with Sweden.

Tomorrow should see a few more pot three teams confirmed, let's hope we're not one of them.

Whats your opinion on the game tonight?

Yeh o'connor is poor to be fair. Has taken advantage of us not having am alternative option at 21s level up to now. Mad to think he has a senior cap. Ebolese would give us a lot more. O'connor just hasnt developed at all.

I disagree re ferguson. I dont think he offered a lot but look he got a goal and thats what good players do. His lack of pace will make it difficult to advance at PL level.

Hodge and redmond were excellent.

As i said if Aaron continues with the attitude and hunger he'll be grand.

The goalie is a disaster. Ive never been convinced by the lad and then he does that.

As ive said if we qualify Jim should be looking at the senior squad for players. Bazunu primarily. Playing the best teams in Europe we will be exposed if we dont have our best possible team out. The likes of Nathan, Troy, Gavin, Michael and Jayson all deserve the chance to play at a Euros. Regarding developmemt that will stand to them for seniors also. Coybig.

Their senior team only have a friendly on Tuesday night and as far as I know they have been involved with the u21 squad during this campaign.

Thought last night would have been a very good performance away from home but Israel were there for the taking and thought we were a bit too conservative against an Israel team playing 5-4-1. Didn't expect us to go three at the back until the away game.

Can see with the subs Crawford was happy with the draw and how we remained with the same formation even when they went down to ten men.

Israel will be forced to be more open at home and with the same performance should pick up the win.

Some win for Ukraine in Armenia

A draw is worthless. Even if we take six points we can still end up finishing third if Scotland beat Ukraine. If we finish second chances are we'll likely be second seeds for the draw and get a play off.

To have any hope of a draw, that Scottish midfield has to be rattled. It will be a good game to see where Kenny's Ireland is at. Scotland away combative type team. But not an overly technical one that can play around Ireland.

So there should be no excuses, Hard work and defensive solidity should be enough to get a draw. It would be an impressive result, in light of the previous Kenny results. No Irish injuries as well, so no excuses there either.

John Egan is captain again tonight so likely that Duffy isn't starting. They take turns when Coleman isn't starting and would have been Duffy's turn tonight.

Very happy with that XI.

Seven of the starting XI played in the last U21s campaign. Five still qualify for this campaign, and two still qualify for the 2025 campaign.

Very happy with that team, Parrott and Obafemi really feels like the right choice too given how well they connected as a partnership. By miles the highest ceilings of all our forward options, so quite happy to see them build on their great game together last time out.

great to see that midfield trio fairly nailed down now too.

Surely someone should have worked with him on media skills by now.