The John O'Shea era draws to a close.

What's the XI going to be?

I think there'll have to be 5-6 changes.

Bazunu will get a game.

Brady & Coleman are unlikely to be able for 2 games in 3 days, so Manning & Doherty in there.

Front 3 will probably change. Idah & Azaz in for Ferguson & Szmodics. Maybe Festy in for Ogbene, but I can see JOS keeping Ogbene & Szmodics in (though Blackburn have a big game vs Ipswich on Friday..).

Does O'Brien start? If so that's potentially 7 changes, hard to see JOS going that far, he won't want a loss on his record.

What I'd like to see:

Idah

Azaz----------Ogbene

Manning--Cullen--Smallbone--Doherty

O'Shea--O'Brien--Andy O

Bazunu

Obafemi, Moran, Festy & Johnston off the bench. Think it's unlikely Hodge gets on.

Jake O Brien will come in I think. 

Szmodics may start but think we'll see changes at half time 

Didn’t JOS say there would be a few changes in his post match presser? 

                           

Bazunu 

Festy Omobamidele Collins O’Shea Manning 

Cullen Knight 

Szmodics Johnston 

Ferguson 

This is the team i would like to see but wont happen. 

Too many cameras for that now. 

Pretty sure Idah will start. Would like to see Azaz in place of Ogbene. 

 Whoops. Stout gone to my head 

Shermanator1 wrote: I'd not have Doherty anywhere close to the team.  He's rarely if ever impressed me in an Ireland shirt, and seems to have a questionable attitude. I'd keep the front three intact, and allow them to work on their chemistry.  Azaz and Hodge should hopefully see some time on the pitch.  I'd keep Collins and O'Shea in the back, while taking a good look at some of the other defending options we have available.  Might be time to let Travers get another game.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

I don't  know if its just his demeanor or body language or what.  He appears languid and disinterested.  Not the type of player to burst a gut or have the appearance of it.  He actually might be well up for it but just appears lazy because of his body language.

That is bollix. More often than not? Go way will ya

I read an interview with him and he addressed this topic with some Spurs fan. They said he seems to not run very hard or try much and Doherty said he'd be breaking his bollix. It's the body language and languid style. I like it, better then the pretend to sing the anthem kiss the badge rubbish fans love so much. 

The reason Doherty has been crap in games for Ireland is because the team is crap. 

He's lucky to still have an Ireland career based on his performances the last 12 months. Strolling around the pitch without a care in the world.

Another example of one of our better players taking pelters because they're only good rather than great.

I do agree that his body language sends the wrong message, he's getting on a bit, not playing for his club regularly and playing in a poor team.

I can see JOS making a lot of changes tonight, I would say most players will get a run including Azas.

I would like to see some new faces, but not so many that we comprise on the shape we held in the Belgium game.

Wouldn't mind seeing something like this:

                      Kelleher

Coleman Collins Omo O'Brien Brady ()

     Azaz Cullen Smallbone Szmodics

                     Ferguson

Hodge, Moran and Ebosele on at 60 mins.

I've been happy to wait for the FAI to get the right new manager but this window is still an opportunity missed. We should be trying out new formations, blooding new players etc but there isn't the incentive for JOS to do that.

I think they may have known Belgium and probably the Swiss will play a weakened team increasing our chances of winning these games.

Yes, because of how the rankings used to be calculated that worked in their favour as old results dropped off the calculations. 

Ferguson

Azaz--------------Knight

Doherty-------Cullen-----Smallbone------Ebosele

O'Shea-------Collins-------O'Brien

Bazunu

I think he should start both Azaz and O'Brien. Have a proper look at them both. Szmodics has a game with Blackburn on Friday night, so maybe it'd be best to only give him 30-35 minutes in the 2nd half.

I'd start Ferguson again. It's in our best interest that he ends this international window with a goal.

Hopefully Hodge makes his debut at some stage in the 2nd half.

I don't mind three at the back. We have 6-7 good CB options and most of our FB options are more comfortable at wing back. Manning, Brady, O'Dowda, Doherty and Ebosele. Even Ogbene.

Johnston is unlucky that he doesn't really fit. Unless we play 3-4-3 vs weaker opposition.

Sammie Szmodics will go his entire Éire career without scoring like other former greats such as Anthony Stokes, Caleb Folan, Leon Best and Conor Sammon.

No chance.  He'll score a good few goals.  If he plays tonight and is given 90 mins I'd back him to score.  He'll probably only get 30 mins though.

David McGoldrick is the best Brit to have played for us is recent times and he could only muster up 1 goal.

Keep your expectations low and watch from the shadows.

Doherty has always been like that though. He is just chill to the point of looking like he doesn't care but I've seen him put in many good shifts for Wolves over the years even this season he has been very much trusted to see out games and is any vacancy at wingback left or right he plays. So he's not retired yet very unlucky Nelson Semedo and to an extent Rayan Ait-Nouri are in the forms of their lives.

Ireland just don't really play to his strengths he needs license to get in attacking positions and he doesn't have much pace so it's all about movement and being on the same wavelength as other players who can bring him into play but he is playing with worse players for the most part.

Johnston plays best from the left. Cut inside and shoot.

Szmodics and Azaz also suit playing form the left if we do play with two behind a ST or two wide of a ST.

We could do with a left footed RW option for that side. Ogbene likes to hold his width, as does Ebosele. 

I would like to see Ebosele get a start along with O'Brien. Ideally Azaz too but atleast a significant cameo. Hodge and Moran to get some minutes too. 

I don't think we have that sort of player in our pool at least as realistic options for the next year. But I agree.

Newryrep wrote: What TV channel is showing this  ?

VM2

2-1 win for us 🙏🙏🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

Bazunu, Knight and Johnston in for Kelleher, Smallbone and Ogbene.

Uninspiring yet expected.

Another 0-0 I predict.

Ya a bit meh. How has Jake O'Brien not got a start????? Whats the point of friendles ffs 

Make no mistake O’Shea sees this as his audition for the job! An absolute shambles if we are being honest.

These March friendlies should be all about giving players an opportunity.

O'Shea probably: "Shur he plays for Lens he does. Needs to be movin to Everton this summer. Can't be arsed watching that French sh*te".

Would take givingg O'Brien a chance over any of our struggling PL CBs who are shipping goals every week but nope outside of England doesn't count.

Same old same old. No attempt really to address midfield either. Very disappointing all round.

Comical.

It's not a qualifier. Give lads a game.

Unlikely to get this level of change with any new manager and there is good reason for it 

This place needs to calm down. If he made 11 changes some of you’d be criticising him for not maintaining stability. 

O’Brien will probably get the second half.

No doubt, he knows it'll do his own future chances of work with Ireland or getting another job no harm to get a result too.

Fans turning their backs on OShea already?

Moronic defying from O'Shea to give away the FK.

Exactly. All so slow. The fooking throw ins drive me wild with rage. Pretty dreadful so far.

It's painful to watch.

Not enough Bielsa type managers. See obvious problems? Then fooking change it.

It’s a free all day long. Poor defending by O’ Shea. 

Certainly to play twice in 3 days

Embarrassing. Saved by the HT whistle

Spot-on. Have improved a little as the half has gone on though. Pretty dour fare overall. 

As an aside, that TV3 commentator and Gary Breen are fair f**king annoying. Their anti-Bazunu/pro-Kelleher agenda is ridiculous. 

Evan’s lumbering a bit himself. We need to get more bodies in the middle. 4-5-1