Slovakia v Ireland, Thursday, 08th October 2020

I think its hard to get as excited as we really don't know what we are going to get. Going into an empty stadium, not sure what we are facing. Not really sure how ready we are, but expectations not that high. 

Fruice wrote: Fozz wrote: I'm excited for Thurs but nothing like the first SK game in Sept, when anything was possible. After those two games, with poor results and some poor play and some good play, expectations have been dampened but maybe that's a good thing. I'll say nothing but am hopeful we can play a far better pressing game and our forwards click. Way I see it, if we fall short on Thurs then it's a clean sheet and SK can start really experimenting with lineups as he'll have (hopefully, damn U COVID!) four NL matches to do whatever he wants in. Silver lining and all that... If we lose Thursday night then it definitely won’t be a clean sheet for Kenny. That would be 3 loses on the spin and a serious blot on his copy book and with 2 more games to follow with players disappointed to miss out on a chance to qualify for a major finals. Could be hard to pick them up. For himself he really needs to win if he does lads will be buzzing for the other 2 games with a playoff coming up. 3 competitive games in 2 weeks would be a great way for him to set them up in his mould. But this will all be dependent on getting the win Thursday. it’s Kenny’s   Biggest game of his managerial career to date he should be buzzing for it.

Member of the backroom team has tested positive for Covid. No effect on teams departure 

Denis Irwin wrote: Member of the backroom team has tested positive for Covid. No effect on teams departure   https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/1006/1169785-irish-backroom-staff-member-tests-positive-for-covid-19/

The ridiculous shambles that is the new qualifying process, the fact that we're even still in with a hope after being so bloody awful for years, has probably put people off the team. Nothing but bad results and terrible attempts to play football. And the fact that the Euros may not even happen, and the new international format with 74 teams or whatever has really diluted the tournament.

GaretFarellysNutSack wrote: The ridiculous shambles that is the new qualifying process, the fact that we're even still in with a hope after being so bloody awful for years, has probably put people off the team. Nothing but bad results and terrible attempts to play football. And the fact that the Euros may not even happen, and the new international format with 74 teams or whatever has really diluted the tournament. With the next world cup being an absolute joke in Qatar, and the expansion of the World Cup coming sooner or later, the golden era of international football is coming to an end.  Maybe we'll suddenly start to look like a bunch of players who know what they're doing on Thursday but it's unlikely. We've seen before that all it takes is one decent midfielder in the opposing team for them to utterly dominate us, so I don't have much hope against this lot.  We could pull something out of the bag, but I just don't think we have the players to beat Slovakia, never mind Bosnia.

A defence looking to play out from the back and play a high line with a carthorse like Shane Duffy as it’s lynchpin.

Dots1982 wrote: Cold light of day view A defence looking to play out from the back and play a high line with a carthorse like Shane Duffy as it’s lynchpin. A midfield looking to play a passing possession game that can’t pass the ball forward nevermind play killer passes. A trio of front men with a total of 2 international goals to their name. Our big hope is the Slovaks are really bad.

Goodness you are so right 

We are unbeaten against Slovenia.