Goalkeeper and Defence
DARREN RANDOLPH, who was one of the few Republic players who impressed against the North, is likely to start in goals for the Irish team.
Ireland have struggled to convince as a unit with the 3-5-2 system, so 4-4-2 is perhaps worth reverting to at this stage.
John Egan played well on Thursday, but is out through injury. Darragh Lenihan, by contrast, appeared nervy at times and was almost responsible for two goals for the opposition, after conceding possession cheaply and allowing the North to counter. Given the relatively low stakes of the game, it would be surely be no harm trying out Manchester United youngster Lee O’Connor alongside Shane Duffy at the back. Enda Stevens has done reasonably well in previous appearances, so could start at full-back, while Seamus Coleman generally tends to look better as a right-back rather than at wing-back.
Midfield
Jeff Hendrick has been disappointing too often for the Boys in Green lately, and so could perhaps do with being taken out of the firing line, at least for a game or two. Ireland’s options are relatively limited, with just seven midfielders/wingers to choose from due to injury and suspension. Harry Arter and David Meyler both excelled in the team’s last competitive win over Wales, and so perhaps deserve another chance to play together in Aarhus. With James McClean suspended, Robbie Brady and Callum O’Dowda are the two obvious options out wide.
Attack
Ireland play plenty of long balls under O’Neill, so it would be no harm having someone with a degree of presence in attack, and Aiden O’Brien seems the obvious choice in this regard. Martin O’Neill indicated on Thursday that Michael Obafemi was a player for the future rather than the present, but Ireland have relatively little to lose on Monday, so it seems like the ideal time to try him out and see what he is capable of.
Ireland XI: Randolph; Coleman, Duffy, O’Connor, Stevens; O’Dowda, Meyler, Arter, Brady, Obafemi, O’Brien.
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Who cares anymore?
@David Harkin: yep, if FAI has any sort of brains close to the GAA or the IRFU they would do ok, but they are just awful, amateurs.
@David Harkin: oh look a rugby snobsider shows up to gloat at being the best team of about 8 in the world
@TheHospitalPass: what does the success of rugby have to do with the inadequacy of soccer
@Peter Brophy: he used the word ‘snobsider’. Whatever his opinion is, I doubt there’s much intelligence behind it.
@TheHospitalPass:I like your comment but why would they be the best team? Because they finally beat the dominant nation in a friendly? Going by that logic we were the best football team in the world in 2016 after beating the then reigning world champions Germany.
8 0 2 fomation is probably best. Our midfield is non existent most games. Best to keep the score down.
@John: we could line out 10-0-0 and still could three at least
Makes no difference what team is picked, when there is no game plan and no tactics … It’s just a farce!
I’d have O’Mahoney and stander up front. Aki in midfield wit ringrose. Stockdale and earls on the wing. Toner and Ryan centre back. I’d keep Coleman in full back. No need for a goalie
@Anthony: Well Earls certainly had the soccer pedigree as well as rugby
@Anthony: rob kearney In goal
I don’t care really but would love them to win tomorrow I’m not convinced though
@eilisheagers: personally I hope they lose and lose convincingly. It’s a long time till the next game. Better off getting this management change over & done with now before the qualifying starts. But Denmark will make lots of changes so who knows what’s going to happen . I don’t think too many people will be watching though. The team listed above is nonsense btw. O’Connor & Obafemi to start ?? Really ? Has the author even seen Obafemi play ?? I’d doubt it very much. Looking to him for goals is a bit like looking for a cheeseburger from an ice cream van. He’s a long long way to go
@Ronan McDermott: well we need to actually give the youngsters a chance. These are some of the only games we can with their being absolutely nothing to play for so I don’t see a problem with playing obafemi and o connor
@Kroenke Out: I hear your point. But Obafemi reminds me of Henrik Larson….. at the 1994 World Cup. He was running around like a headless chicken, losing the ball etc. Obafemi might turn into a fantastic player in years to come but to play him and/or O’Connor tomorrow is just an excuse in waiting for O’Neill after losing. I’d much rather see O’Neill & keane just go now rather than bring these 2 young guys in for what will no doubt turn into a bad experience for them. Toxic environment. Having said that I know maguire is Injured. Not sure about anyone else though. Just my opinion
@Ronan McDermott: fair enough and I see where your coming from and I too hope o neill and Keane get lost but sadly I don’t think that’ll happen
@Ronan McDermott: sound logic but with those 2 clowns after signing massive contract can’t see a sacking anytime soon I’m afraid?
@Dougal67: when did they last sign ? I can’t remember. Another point here is the salaries O’Neill & keane will draw from tomo to the next game is probably equivalent to 5 times the amount the Irish league champions get in prize money. If something doesn’t look right it usually isn’t. And there’s something seriously wrong here. I don’t like saying I’d be happy if we get hammered tomo but whatever pushes O’Neill & keane out or closer to the door is totally fine by me. After that by all means play All the younger players that are available if it helps them develop.
@Ronan McDermott: Obafemi is the only available striker to have played in the premier league. Maguire is injured and the rest have not taken their opportunities. It is a nothing game so may as well give him a try.
@Ronan McDermott: @Ronan McDermott: Signed 2 year extension in Jan 18 so there till 1/2020?
I agree the alternative is a scrappy 0-0 or a fluke 1-0 set piece and he lives on it till 2020!
@Ronan McDermott: the fact remains, sadly, that this management team are here until the end of euro2020, and as its pretty sure we will get a play-off place, thats March 2020 at least.
If we qualify, then your looking at 2024
You need a manager whos pig headed to some degree and does it his way and not the way of the masses but at some point he needs to have a crack off teams.Himself and mourinho are stuck in the past a bit.Need to let players play to get the most out of what we have.If we loose so be it,rather that than to qualify via boring tactics only to be the laughing stock at tournament we’re not good enough yet to be at
I agree with that team. We need to let the youngsters play. However I really don’t think he will and it’ll probably be the same old boring team
O’Connor plays a lot at full back and O’Brien was poor against Wales.
It makes no difference who he picks, the team is devoid of direction, ideas, imagination & tactics. That’s down to the manager and coaching staff. FAI take note, delaying the inevitable will cost you more in the long term, poor attendances, lack of Tv revenue and major sponsorships money. . The Management must go and must go now, irrespective of tonight’s result.
Does a win do anything to help coefficients etc?
@Joe: Nope bottom place sorted that out, pot 3
Don’t dismiss Callum Robinson yet he has been outstanding this year for PNE this season developed his game beyond what we thought he had. A bright light in a struggling team this term. Very consistent. Get the ball to him, he will make the runs all the game.
So O’Connor has never made a senior club appearance seriously he’s getting a shot a bit desperate. I mean I know he plays for United so he would be doing well to play but wait till next year when he goes out on loan. Surely we have other center half’s who deserve a shot also we are playing him out of position what a joke. Hope we get beaten 5-0 and O’Neil resigns and keane gets the job on the RTÉ panel. Personally I don’t care about Delaney I don’t think he’s the best man to be head of the FAI but I’m not that bothered. Bring in big Sam to get results.
@Tom Webb: Jimmy Dunne playing every week for a good (by SPL standard) Hearts side. He’d be the player I would like to see get a run at centre back. It doesn’t need to be construed as an effort to tie him down- it sounds to me like he simply listened to what Michael O’Neill had to say and I’m sure he or his agent were responsible for leaking the conversation to the Irish papers which miraculously forced O’Neill’s hand for a call-up.
11at back as per
Saw O Brien make Mac Goldrick look like Maradonna recently. 5 or 6 in panel would not get a game in National League.Surely there’s clauses in contact s relating to poor results to get rid of Keane and O Neill
It’s hard to care to be honest but trying my best I would say Christie at left fullback and Keogh alongside Duffy. Otherwise yeah, your team.
It’s very hard to get excited for this one sadly
Even though we dont have the calibre of player, its no excuse for the lack of heart and hard work thats been missing from Irish performances, especially from Thursday night. We have nothing to lose by giving youth a chance in that sense.
WOW. You need to lay off the auld crack pipe, Paul. O’Connor and Obafemi? Leaving Robinson and Keogh out of the team in favour of players that aren’t playing regular football? Is it a hammering you’re after?
Doesn’t really matter anymore