Must be a chance of a call up for Aaron Connolly and Parrott given today's performances for the U21s - if they can make some PL appearances in the meantime.

Not sure either Hourihane or Christie will be playing LB instead of Stevens though, after the Bulgaria game.  

Neither will he be playing Hourihane at LB (thankfully).  Suggested taking Stephen Ward out of international retirement to fill in.  Possibly an odd choice, since James McClean is keeping Ward out of their club side at LB.  Also no mention of Ryan Manning as an option. 

Saw lads sl*gging Judge off (I agree BTW, he's not up to it) but Mick f**king loves him. 

You hear Mick talking throughout the game, especially with ear phones in. 

"give it Judgey" etc he didn't shut up mentioning his name.

Mick is basically MON with a better engine 

Possibility McCarthy comes into the frame if he is playing & fit-Arter might have been in frame too had he turned up, he won't be next time, even if he does turn up. Order on bench might change, Cullen, Byrne and Collins did themselves no harm at all this evening (as opposed to say, Hogan, O'Dowda or Judge).

Anyone expecting anything else may as well go get their ears checked, hard to think of a way Mick could have been blunter about it bar releasing the team to play Georgia this evening. 

Dont give a toss if mick himself is playing 

Mod Edit; 

Give it a rest Hans. These posts are numbingly repetitive. Most of us get the fact we have a conservative, risk averse manager, who will continue to do conservative, risk averse things. Posting stuff like  ''Ronnie Whelan!!'' ''What next, Liam Brady ? '' in each and every thread as you have been doing for most of the day isn't adding much to any discussion. 

the last game out there was a mess too . 

if we can get three points out there then I think mick will have earned his coin regardless of what comes afterwards , this is a tough fixture 

So assuming that providing everyone was fully fit for a Georgia then mick will go with:

Would mean the limited midfield players we have could focus on one game each, and at least play with some intensity. Two tough away games back to back with the same XI would be a bit too much, i suspect Mick knows this.

No problem at all with whatever way you or others decide to mod my posts. I would appreciate though if about 20 posts from 3/4 posters in the past week are also edited/deleted - these posts are repetitive and utter sh*te, constantly going on about how fans will get a shock when Stephen Kenny's team don't look like Brazil.

At least my posts are current, dealing with McCarthys decision to possibly recall a geriatric Stephen Ward. 

Yours in Irish fandom,

  Ireland's number 1 fan, 

     Hans.

 

Maybe a photo has emerged of the Liverpool left back with a tricolour round him at a Celtic game. Must be declaring along with Mikey Johnston

And if he does recall him, he does. McCarthy has trawled a very broad net (even though his team is pretty set in stone), and I’m sure if Walters had not retired entirely, MM would have been banging down his door.

We have to accept there is a goal in mind, and as things stand that goal may be achieved. Kenny is doing well with the U21s and for the first time in years there is some joined up thinking going on.

As for the joined up thinking, let's just dismiss that notion. There was absolutely no joined up thinking in the McCarthy Kenny appointments. It was a political and PR stroke. It may well work out better for Kenny in the long run, but that doesn't make it a brilliant FAI recruitment decision with great foresight.

Btw, mods feel free to edit. Not sure am I allowed to talk about a retired Walters. Even if another poster mentioned him first.

McCarthy has “been there-done that”, and was likely to be able to plug the gap where we would have no friendly matches before the Gibraltar and Georgia games. So an established head made

Sense. 

Unlike before, the 21s have significant prominence and are being overseen by one of the most successful, domestic managers. He is dealing with players who have the compliments of the likes of Klopp and Poch in their ears, and he is bringing these players together in advance of a potential massive rebuild, which would have been silly to start with only 8 months the to secure a place at the euros.

How about McKeano.

They really should have beaten us at least once over the recent games. Hopefully our luck continues in Threeblisi 

If Roy was the tea boy for MON, Robbie certainly is for Mick. TC is the assistant.

I always thought it was one of Whelan’s poorest performances in an Irish shirt. After that, O’Neill dropped him, I think.

I always felt Georgia were a little surprised how direct we were in March after dominating the last two games and really putting it up to us in Dublin in 2015.

As one poster pointed out, Whelan probably won’t last the 90 minutes in both games so it will be interesting to see what Mick does.

 

Ah here. 3-0 would have been a more fair scoreline that night

There was absolutely no joined up thinking in the appointment of both McCarthy and Kenny. It was a PR job by Delaney and the FAI and a brilliant one at that.

Anyone following exactly what happened at the time will realise there was no joined up thinking. If there was, negotiations with Kenny wouldn't have played out the way they did. The FAI did not want to give Kenny his senior contract. They only wanted Kenny for the u21 role to keep fans onside. Kenny pushed for a stint with the U21s and then the senior contract all signed off.

If there was joined up thinking, those negotiations would never have taken place like that. The FAI would have went to Kenny and said you will be the senior manager in 18 months time once you do a stint with the U21s first. This did not happen.

This is all off topic, apologies. I can't believe people still credit the FAI with joined up thinking here. Comical stuff. On a side note, how exactly is it joined up thinking when there will be zero continuity between the senior and U21 sides when McCarthy goes? It will be a huge transition period. If such thinking was taking place, surely a manager of the most old school turgid tactics wouldn't be in the senior role now. There will not be a smooth transition once McCarthy goes. In fact, there will most likely be a massive transition phase.

if these guys can kick on and break into their club teams then you would expect quite a bit of continuity between the two sides. 
 

Continuity doesn’t have to be in every aspect, including style of play. Kenny will essentially be left with an intimate understanding of our youth teams and the MM period permitted that. Once he understands the scope at that level he can make his own decisions as to who will play.

There was no time or reason to start the transition early, as you could be essentially forfeiting a place at the Euros.

It was a much improved performance and Ireland were by far the better team, but Georgia had a couple of chances. Randolph made an excellent save and they nearly scored from long range while we never really looked like finishing it off. In fact, our best chance of the game was before we scored and didn’t create too much after scoring. We were the better team, but there could have been no complaints if Georgia had nicked a draw.

To get to three we would have had to create three and I don’t think we did.

Indeed, and we also have a six-game Nations League C campaign for Kenny's first few matches. Plenty of scope to introduce new players.

Brain fart!

I also don’t think he will play the same side twice. Lots can happen in the first game and Whelan probably hasn’t the legs for 2 tough aways.

But I still think Mick will go with his A team against georgia and then see what he is left with to face the Swiss, rather than resting Whelan against Switzerland, for example .

Going to be a long wait for this match 

Who do ourselves and the Swiss have at risk of suspension?

Jaysus hans take a day off........ 

There have been numerous posts saying that Whelan, our mainstay in midfield, will not be able to play 2 games in the space of 4 days or whatever. This is not an issue though? 

Why would I take a day off? My point is perfectly valid to the topic is it not? 

Given that Georgia will be no doubt a tough game, he is 35 and he is generally looking leggy as it is, might be a bridge too far to expect two bit away performances from him. Mick might be tempted to rest him in anticipation of match against the Swiss or let him give it his best against Georgia in the hope we can get the job done there and deal swiss after. I think he will take the latter option 

Genuinely an incredible scenario to be in. You'd say something if we were nursing a player like Paul McGrath through two games over a few days.

Im looking at it through McCarthy’s eyes. 

In reality, there is not much difference in what we will get whether it be Whelan or McCarthy or Cullen. Either of McCarthy or cullen  could be an upgrade in the end. Whelan has the experience going for him

I'll sleep that bit easier tonight knowing that you appreciate my modding skills, or lack of same. 

Oddly enough, I don't actually disagree with much you have posted, and on the whole, I'd probably agree with al lot more of your opinions than I would disagree with. The conversation you had with HF above there, 2 different viewpoints, absolutely fine, ye are both well able to argue yer respective corners. I'd like to see more of that here in general, but that's only my personal opinion. 

That is fairly different to what you were at yesterday though, which was mainly posting variations of the same opinion over & over again looking for a bite when few were willing to engage. The first time is usually enough, if you want to make the point again because it's got lost several pages later, also fair enough, posting it every 2nd or 3rd post is spamming & holiday time. 

I don't see each & every thread or post, no more than any of the rest of the mods do, but I'm not singling you out, if I see the same multiple post stuff from other posters repeating the same thing over & over, the same will apply to them. 

I don't expect you to be checking on every single thread. In the last 6 months I have had 2 stalkers on here. One has been banished I believe, robbo (Bhobs reincarnation), the other Dublin Doc - I can't take a sh*the at this stage without him being present. It is comical that one mod, any of them, don't spot such behaviour. I might as well just say it, there's no f*cking way that such behaviour hasn't been spotted.

I generally have no bother at all with such douchebags following me around if they even say 1 constructive thing for every 10 sirmolex comments. That isn't the case though. 

If you need any modding help in future let me know. I'll clean this place up in no time. 

Yours in modding,

  Hans

Mick has more or less said the team. If 10 of the lads (Enda is out) don't play a single minute between now and Georgia they will all still start. 

The LB position is up for grabs as who may come off the bench. We have to beat Georgia. 

Going to be a horrendous 90 mins of football. 0-1 being the score. 

God help us if we score early (inside first 10 mins) as it will be 90 mins of us standing behind the ball. 

God help us if we don’t score...i feel getting out of the group is out best chance of qualifying 

I’m not sure Whelan will start in Tbilisi. He isn’t up to two games in a short space of time and is probably more suited to the second one. McCarthy, if he can get fully fit, stay fit and play some matches, is a possibility, but it is a lot to ask. I can’t see Cullen being thrown in despite last night’s performance, not at this stage. Arter is going to Ibiza that week too. Unless he alters it completely and starts Hourihane and Hendrick deeper and uses an attacker in the hole. ( Feel free to insert GIF) 

Link?

 

1- Randy

2-Seamus

3-young Docherty

4-Duffy

5-Keogh

6-Whelan

7-robinson

8-hendrick

9-mcgoldrick

10-brady

11-mcclean.

 

 

my team

 

1-Randy

2-Coleman

3-Keogh

4-Duffy

5-Doherty

6-hendrick

7-robinson

8-McCarthy

9-mcgoldrick

10 Shane long

11 mcclean

 

Brady. Jesus, you wouldn't mind if it was Keane, Duff or Hoolahan we were waiting to come back from injury. I can't see him starting myself. I doubt he'll even get Burnley game time. 

Brady from a few years ago, I’d definitely have him in. Brady of the last two years, not so much. Would have McClean and Robinson ahead. Robinson didn’t have a good game against the Swiss but he offers us something different and I think it was just an off night. He also offers an opportunity to switch up the formation in the middle of the game like switching to 3-5-2 like we did against the Swiss which helped us to keep the Swiss guessing and at bay during the game. 

Are you really comparing Hoolahan to Keane and Duff?

Not sure..but it's best position by far. No better than what we have in central midfield & looks totally clueless when playing in the 10 role.

This ain't gonna happen but....

 

               Randolph

Coleman Duffy Keogh Doherty

           Whelan Cullen

                  Byrne

Robinson McGoldrick McClean

                       Randolph   

Coleman     Duffy         Keogh        Doherty

Robinson     Hendrick    McCarthy   O'Dowda

                          Byrne

                        McGoldrick

Team I'd pick for Switzerland 

                         Randolph 

Coleman      Duffy        Keogh      Stevens

                  Whelan     Hourihane

 Doherty             Browne             McClean

                       McGoldrick                        

Jack byrne will surely make our matchday 23 now too. can't see mick starting him but great option off the bench to create something if needs be.

Must be happening after this weekends round of games.  

Was thinking myself it must be soon, are we expecting any surprises? 

Those that would like to see some surprises will be disappointed 

He said - I'm paraphrasing - he won't be calling them up for the sake of it and disrupt the u21 and the player's development, but if they're playing in the PL, he would have to strongly consider them. 

To be replaced by Collins or Maquire or Long!! 

Purely from an options point of view, I'd go with Collins, Maguire, McGoldrick, Parrott.

Robinson will probably be out wide but can also play up top. 5 very different men to go up top, are potentially two up top if needs be. 

Hogan is on the decline unfortunately. We have players that can do what he can but better. Never fulfilled on that cracking stint with Brentford. He's coming to end of his Ireland days.

What Ireland days?  He;s been in the door 2 minutes as Roy would say.

And 2 minutes is all it will be. Poor bastard's gone to the dogs the last 2 years.

Slightly off topic but why is it that so many good or potentially good Irish players go the dogs so quickly?

The likes of Brady, Judge, Hogan, Elliott, Arter, McCarthy, Hendrick, Gibson, McClean, Meyler and Clark have all regressed in the past few years with a combination of injuries and off field problems hampering their club careers.

Perhaps they were never as good as they were cracked up to be. But I do think we've been particularly unlucky with injuries.

We're all guilty on here of hyping up Irish players and injuries have been cruel to McCarthy, Brady & Judge in particular but a lot of our players seem to struggle to kick on to the next level. After the Euros, we were all hoping Brady, Hendrick & McCarthy and perhaps Arter would be our main menbut it hasn't materialised for one reason or another. 

Was only watching those 2 goals he got against Man City on the final day of the 2012/2013 season. He has fallen off the face of a cliff

Makes him fit in with our midfield perfectly so.

Connelly, Parrott and Kilkenny should be included but wont as mick will let them stick with under 21s which is bad timing for us in regards these lads 

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0922/1077515-sadlier-impresses-mccarthy-after-bagging-goal/" rel="nofollow - https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0922/1077515-sadlier-impresses-mccarthy-after-bagging-goal/
 

Jesus, it's some spot. 

Absolutely beautiful city. I went to MacLaren's Irish pub today, hoping there would be a crowd to watch Georgia in the rugby. Unfortunately disappointed by the result and the crowd. 

But the man told me it will be kicking come October when Ireland are in town. 

Local draught beer is 4 Lari per half litre in there at present. €1.25 on Revolut. But off the beaten track you can get it for 2.50 Lari. 

Fegs are 4 Lari for an unknown brand, 5.80 for Marlboro or Camel. 

Main courses in decent restaurants 10-15 Lari. 

I know it isn't the first time for many of you, but those who don't know it, you will all have a great time out here.  

 Who are next in line, Egan and Long?

Not sure how comfortable I’d be starting Long with his lack of games. Lenihan looked v poor in the one friendly he got too. Is there a case for bringing back Alex Pearce? He’s the most experienced but a very average defender...

We'll miss Duffy's goal threat.