SQUAD Greece (A) - Gibralter (H) June 2023

I like Browne as a right-back when facing teams that are not considered top-tier. 

He has shown his competence in that position during matches against Scotland at home and Ukraine away. 

He also possesses goal-scoring ability and can contribute to our attacks with a decent range of passing going forward.

It's worth noting that despite being played out of position in half of his appearances for Ireland, Browne has managed to score five goals in 29 matches, which is quite impressive.

I think he might, but it will be more like the box midfield used vs France with Knight shifting over to the RHS and Johnston playing the Ogbene role, but on the LHS. Only real difference to the team I had suggested further up is Browne over Mc Clean with Doherty shifting to the LHS and Johnston over Smallbone, where I had suggested that Johnston might be more effectively used off the bench vs tiring legs. That team wouldnt surprise me in the slightest. Obafemi was never likely to start this one imo (he will likely finish it).

I'd be pretty happy with that team. Maybe McLean over Browne to start, but be happy either way

I see a lot of "if we play like we did against France..." but this is a totally different challenge. Not much of what we did there is applicable.

We had 34% possession vs France, we'll certainly be looking to hold on to the ball more vs Greece, and look to make them do more of the running, because if we don't we'll be knackered by half time. We need players who can hold on to the ball & use it well (I've said before, Manning would have been perfect for this game).

That means NO McClean, he gives the ball away far too much. Beyond that, he simply doesn't have the legs for international football anymore.

It should also mean no Knight as he doesn't off enough in possession. McGrath or Smallbone should get the nod, both far more technical than Knight. Both are good on set-pieces too, something that went against us vs France only having Cullen taking them and they were poor all game (up until the very last 2).

 I'd lean McGrath as he's done it in big games for us before, he's got a bit of pace & he's match-fit having played right up to the end of May.

The only question is "who partners Ferguson?" Obafemi can't as he's only started 2 games since November and is very injury prone.

So it's Idah (pace & hold up play) or Parrott (proven a legitimate starter vs this level of opposition)

        [TP or AI]    Ferguson

                 McGrath

O'Dowda Cullen Molumby Doherty

         Lenihan Egan Collins

                  Bazunu

Collins at least got a few sub-appearances & started the last 2 games for Wolves, but still not ideal.

t_rAndy wrote: McClean or O'Dowda won't start if Doherty is playing LWB (where he has performed best under Kenny). Can see Kenny sticking with him there. If he was to shift across to RWB, I would go with O'Dowda personally with Mcclean to come on against tired Greek legs

It'll be Doherty & O'Dowda to start. Kenny likes O'Dowda for his pace, & has clearly been building him up over the November & March windows.

If you put Doherty on the left then you'd have to play Sykes at RWB (because Browne isn't fit to start), and I just can't see that happening. O'Dowda is a lot more prepared to start than Sykes.

That is very interesting, thanks for the info.