FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[Captain Scarlet]

So when all this started and Kenny got the job we were all excited about Bazunu, Kelleher, Connolly, Parrott. Idah, Knight and more. That's not even including the likes of Omobamidele and Collins at the back...
Now the system that produced all those lads is shite and the reason we can't play is that we have no players and there is nothing Kenny can do about it...so the FAI need to build an academy system (which they do!)
Our U17s also beat Mexico and there are some good players there, again in the system that is not fit for purpose...

We are playing progressive football but I saw a stat that we swung 30 crosses into the box in the second half alone that last day...a big Shane Duffy header salvages a point.

We did very well v Portugal and then he changes the formation and brings in McClean and drops McGrath. He sticks with three at the back and drops Omobamidele...

I am north anti-Kenny and I do think we are a bad team at the moment but he can't be absolved for some strange calls. If we stuck with 5-3-2 with wing backs and had Hourihane in with McGrath and Cullen we would got more control.
Troy Parrot is always poor when he pushed out wide IMO.

And it doesn't have to be an extreme of going from a progressive manager to Pulis or Big Sam but like surely questions are allowed to be asked. It's either knives out or defend the manager no matter what these days.

If we don't get some performances before the end of the campaign how can he go on?

[Hound]

I thought McGrath was ill or something?

Hourihane is not up to it. Not sure if Molumby is but I'd be in favour of giving him gametime. Sub is enough for Hourihane.

Robinson also wasnt fit to start after his covid and isolation.

[Itchy]

So when all this started and Kenny got the job we were all excited about Bazunu, Kelleher, Connolly, Parrott. Idah, Knight and more. That's not even including the likes of Omobamidele and Collins at the back...
Now the system that produced all those lads is shite and the reason we can't play is that we have no players and there is nothing Kenny can do about it...so the FAI need to build an academy system (which they do!)
Our U17s also beat Mexico and there are some good players there, again in the system that is not fit for purpose...

We are playing progressive football but I saw a stat that we swung 30 crosses into the box in the second half alone that last day...a big Shane Duffy header salvages a point.

We did very well v Portugal and then he changes the formation and brings in McClean and drops McGrath. He sticks with three at the back and drops Omobamidele...

I am north anti-Kenny and I do think we are a bad team at the moment but he can't be absolved for some strange calls. If we stuck with 5-3-2 with wing backs and had Hourihane in with McGrath and Cullen we would got more control.
Troy Parrot is always poor when he pushed out wide IMO.

And it doesn't have to be an extreme of going from a progressive manager to Pulis or Big Sam but like surely questions are allowed to be asked. It's either knives out or defend the manager no matter what these days.

If we don't get some performances before the end of the campaign how can he go on?

I think you can certainly question his tactics and selection. The problem i see here is people who clearly know nothing about soccer other than sitting on their holes roaring at Man Utd or Liverpool on tv every week, coming on and somehow expecting Ireland to be going to Portugal and winning and when they dont its the managers fault.

[lurganblue]

I thought McGrath was ill or something?

Hourihane is not up to it. Not sure if Molumby is but I'd be in favour of giving him gametime. Sub is enough for Hourihane.

Robinson also wasnt fit to start after his covid and isolation.

I agree, Hourihane probably isnt at the level to start but something needs done with set pieces in his absence.  The delivery much improved after his introduction.

[Cavan19]

I think Kelleher is the best goalie we have at the moment.

How have you come to that conclusion?

[Captain Scarlet]

So when all this started and Kenny got the job we were all excited about Bazunu, Kelleher, Connolly, Parrott. Idah, Knight and more. That's not even including the likes of Omobamidele and Collins at the back...
Now the system that produced all those lads is shite and the reason we can't play is that we have no players and there is nothing Kenny can do about it...so the FAI need to build an academy system (which they do!)
Our U17s also beat Mexico and there are some good players there, again in the system that is not fit for purpose...

We are playing progressive football but I saw a stat that we swung 30 crosses into the box in the second half alone that last day...a big Shane Duffy header salvages a point.

We did very well v Portugal and then he changes the formation and brings in McClean and drops McGrath. He sticks with three at the back and drops Omobamidele...

I am north anti-Kenny and I do think we are a bad team at the moment but he can't be absolved for some strange calls. If we stuck with 5-3-2 with wing backs and had Hourihane in with McGrath and Cullen we would got more control.
Troy Parrot is always poor when he pushed out wide IMO.

And it doesn't have to be an extreme of going from a progressive manager to Pulis or Big Sam but like surely questions are allowed to be asked. It's either knives out or defend the manager no matter what these days.

If we don't get some performances before the end of the campaign how can he go on?

I think you can certainly question his tactics and selection. The problem i see here is people who clearly know nothing about soccer other than sitting on their holes roaring at Man Utd or Liverpool on tv every week, coming on and somehow expecting Ireland to be going to Portugal and winning and when they dont its the managers fault.

I was positive overall when he came in and I know it has not been an easy year, but he has switched from his 4-3-3 with the 21s which we were told was his go-to and since then there have been a good few swaps.
V Portugal it looked good but then

Next day, if he is being given a free hit he should start Omobamidele, McGrath and have Manning in there too. Doherty RWB, Manning LWB and get one more creative player out there if he can.
Hourihane is decent championship level and that is better than a lot of what we have.

[J70]

Slightly off topic but finn harps absolutely flying again.  Great stuff.  St pats the other week rovers the night

Great to see. Harps exist hand-to-mouth most of the time, never mind during pandemics. They're managing to just about hang in there in the premier division the last couple of seasons. This run should hopefully help them make again this year. New stadium hopefully too in the next couple of seasons.

Two big wins against Derry City this season as well.

[general]

Is the bars open at the Aviva for the soccer? Group of us going tomorrow night

[Cobra]

Is the bars open at the Aviva for the soccer? Group of us going tomorrow night

You'd want a hit of heroin never mind a pint to suffer that football at the minute...

[general]

Ah sure things can always get worse. good times and bad

[Capt Pat]

I think Kelleher is the best goalie we have at the moment.

How have you come to that conclusion?

From watching Kelleher play for Liverpool a few times. Bazunu is good at the old penaties but overall I think Kelleher is ahead at this point in time.

[Baile Brigín 2]

Is the bars open at the Aviva for the soccer? Group of us going tomorrow night

I don't think so

[Baile Brigín 2]

I think Kelleher is the best goalie we have at the moment.

How have you come to that conclusion?

From watching Kelleher play for Liverpool a few times. Bazunu is good at the old penaties but overall I think Kelleher is ahead at this point in time.

let me guess, you are a Liverpool fan?

[red hander]

Is the bars open at the Aviva for the soccer? Group of us going tomorrow night

I don't think so

They're not. Was down on Saturday. Back down tomorrow (for my sins). Pubs were wild quiet for a Saturday.

[Cavan19]

I think Kelleher is the best goalie we have at the moment.

How have you come to that conclusion?

From watching Kelleher play for Liverpool a few times. Bazunu is good at the old penaties but overall I think Kelleher is ahead at this point in time.

Kelleher has only played a handful of games and won't see much game time this year either. He probably should have looked for a loan move this season.  I don't think you have seen enough of either to say that Kelleher is better.