Portugal vs Éire Sep 1st Match Thread

I 100% agree, arter doesn't deserve to be near the squad, however, I'd say he's unlikely to play and swapping him for kilkenny doesn't change the optics on how bad the squad is.

Pathetic Murph. The warning issued around the last batch of games still stands regarding abuse of players/manager. 

Defensively, we have decent options and a strong defence can be moulded. The fact that lads like Ciaran Clark can be left out shows that we are not confined by lack of options in the area I also admire Kenny for selecting the two goalkeepers who are playing on a weekly, and the third who is sitting on the bench weekly in the PL. Randolph could have been an easy selection.

The midfield is decimated by injury. Browne, Knight, and possible McCarthy would all be in there if fitness was on their side, and in fact, you might even start all three. Robbie Brady is also absent, but if he were attached and fit, he would be in there. Given the lack of options, there was genuine reason to call up Kilkenny. You might also have given Coventry a call too.

Up front, there are options, just not ones I expect to score goals. Long continues to warm the bench at Southampton, Collins has been replaced by Moore in Cardiff's starting lineup. Parrott has been scoring this term, and hopefully he can bring that form with him.

But, I'm pessimistic about our chances. I think our midfield will be bullied, and I think our forward options will give no headaches. Kenny needs to set up from the back, and establish a robust, and difficult to breach back-line, and expect Cullen to drop deeper. Given what we have got, if we play open football, we'll get stuffed.

If ever we needed someone to lay down an early marker its now but we don’t have that player.

I agree with this. Our players, no matter how experienced, shouldn't be rewarded for putting themselves in positions where they have no chance of playing football. Randolph's case is different to just being dropped or being out of form. 

Hopefully it'll serve as an incentive/kick up the hole to our other players who aren't actively seeking out first team opportunities.

Kenny is not the problem.