Seen that already man ,I have to get back a bit earlier for work so I was hoping for a lift and could throw in a few quid for petrol .

Longford to LR if that’s any use to you. I’ll post up details if there’s one going next week. 

Hey buddy - That would be great , Thanks!

They will be sent by ticketmaster from my Fai account

Sack him on the spot if he tries Parrott behind the front two again. Been tried and failed. 

I think he's a 8 10 hybrid.

Too slow for front and not clinical. Decent engine and good flicks. Good game to try him.

It absolutely isn't. He's not a midfielder and dropping back to 2 in midfield in a must win game after all the previous failures with that system would be straight up insane.

Have 4 tickets seated together available for this. PM if interested 

Id have no major issue with that although i feel Ogbene has to accomodated. Hes a real handful and looks like scoring if given the chance. Hes in form also. I think were wasting an opportunity leaving him on the bench right now.

I dont agree with any of that. How is his decision making questionable?

Hes brutal for it and even worse for drifting out of central positions to wide. When he came on last night we were practically playing 3-6-1 with himself and McClean/Brady getting in one anothers way far too often on the left and Ogbene being the only options ready to receive a ball into the area.

Bar his flash in the pan run of 3/4 games this time last year for us hes seriously gone missing and should be nowhere near the team. Id sooner give Hogan a run off the bench.

John Nice wrote: Anyway enough of the post mortems and quibbling over Kenny. Thoughts on the XI to face Armenia? Don't see too many changes myself, fitness issues notwithstanding, Hendrick for the suspended Cullen and surely Ogbene has to start for one of the front pair.

I'd get fresh legs in as much as possible. We have enough examples now where we put in a big shift in for one game and followed it up 3 days later with a fatigue-hit flat performances that we should take the hint.

Serbia away -> Lux home

Portugal away -> Azerbaijan home

Belgium -> Lithuania

Armenia away ->Ukraine home.

I'd go:

        Robinson    Ogbene

                 Browne

Brady Molumby Hendrick Doherty

         O'Shea Egan Collins

                 Bazunu

Parrott & Obafemi to get 20-30mins. That's clearly a great partnership in the making even though they've only played together twice ever. Getting them on the pitch together as often as possible should be a priority to help develop that.

Taking that into account I could see Doherty dropping out at least..

Obafemi------------Ogbene

Parrott

Brady------Cullen----Hendrick-----Doherty

Egan-----Duffy----Collins

Bazunu

I'd freshen it up a little bit for this one. Duffy's aerial threat might be useful. Brady would add extra creativity, as would Hendrick over Molumby (different type of game). We need to dominate possession.

I'd stick with Parrott. He needs a goal to build confidence. Obafemi and Ogbene's pace down the sides with him acting as the link man, is something I would like to see.

Hoping for a 2-0 win. 

In that case, Molumby in for him.

Cullen is suspended. 3-4-3 for me (I know, I know)

BAZUNU

COLLINS EGAN O'SHEA

DOHERTY MC CLEAN

MOLUMBY HENDRICK

OGBENE ROBINSON

OBAFEMI/HOGAN

I'd have no problem with Brady in for Mc Clean, but Mc Clean did enough to keep his spot assuming he's fully fit. Brady might be worth the spot for his set piece delivery however. Fitness permitting, Matt should start again, he will be sharper for the 80 minutes on Saturday and I think Coleman's days as a starter are gone, particularly at RWB where he's never really looked comfortable. No reason to change the CB's (we might need Duffy on for the last 10 though , hopefully not)

Jeff in for the suspended Cullen, Molumby to do the dirty work (Knight can come off the bench 2nd half to keep energy levels up)

I'd personally rest Troy for reasons outlined in other threads, but he can come in for Robinson off the bench. Obafemi and Hogan to share the minutes up top 60/30 depending on fitness.

Thats my preference, but it's a big call for Kenny. He can obviously go with 3 in midfield with Browne or Knight as the 3rd midfielder - I just dont think either offer enough in terms of their passing/output in a game where we need goals. If we had a Smallbone or the like, I'd be more inclined to do that and I'd see that as Smallbone's potential position in the team when he steps up in November.
 

We can't play with a forward 3, how many times have we seen it fail under Kenny. It has to be 3-5-2. We don't have the players to not play 2 up top

Especially since Cullen is injured.

....................Bazuzu...................

.......Collins.....Egan....O'Shea.......

Coleman.......Molumby......McClean

........Hendrick.........Knight..........

......Ogbene............Obafemi........

Bazuza picks himself.

Keep the back three defenders the same, all comfortable on the ball, Collins and O'Shea can make runs forward to over load areas.

I thought Doherty let himself down with poor defending for the first Scottish goal and  missing a good chance as well as poor decision making in the final third. That is the only reason I'm going with Coleman, 6 of 1 and half a dozen in th other both are not match sharp.

I thought McClean did nothing wrong that last night, I think his energy and combative nature is what will be needed, he can be replaced with Brady if he is not preforming.

Try Molumby in Cullens role, Hendrick and Knight should have enough ability to get forward, create and battle in midfield.

I know people have said Ogbene and Obafemi won't work together but they havent actually played together to find that out. Parrott worked hard and played the full match so I don't think he will have the energy levels and take him out of the firing line with all the attention he is getting about missing that one on one in the Scots match. 

A few ify calls there I know. But I don't think Doherty, Brown or Brady did enough to start.

It's a concern for sure, but we played 5-2-3 over there with weaker personnel (Coleman and Stevens were the wing backs - No Obafemi) and while we lost, we were much the better team (I watched it back), so I dont think the formation was necessarily the issue -we had 65% possession, 6 corners to 2, 13 attempts to 9. At home, we are going to have a lot of possession again - I just dont see that the like of Knight or Browne as the 3rd midfielder are the kind of lads to help us break them down (Smallbone then maybe), so I'd go again with what should really have worked over there (we didnt actually play that badly despite the result imo). We will create chances, we have to take them.

Individual errors let us down on Saturday, some borne out of lack of game time or lack of confidence from club level.

Tomorrow is must win 

Is there any update on this buddy ?

@ John Nice, we were very much exposed on the break in the Armenia away match tho. There was too much space in midfield with just Cullen covering there by himself whenever Hendrick moved forward to join the attack.  Ukraine exposed the same problem in the next match.

I think having the three in midfield makes us less exposed to the break because Armenia's better players are attackers No8 Spertsyan (who scored against us in the last match) and No10 Zelarayain (who missed the last match when we played them but is back from injury now), their No 11 Barseghyan caused us serious problems too. We can't give these lads space.

Plus I think having more bodies in midfield means Ireland can commit our wing backs further up the pitch.

I watched bits of the last Armenia match too. Ogbene and Robinson actually got behind the Armenian defensive with some good through balls but those chances were all fluffed. A lot by Robinson, Ogbene actually created a few of the balls for Robinson.

Ogbene was fouled like feck in the last match because of his pace, that is why I called for both Ogbene and Obafemi start up top together as they will get behind the Armenia defence and I think the Armenians will not get way with as many fouls against us this time and I can see an Armenia red card if we start with pace up top. Just my thoughts

Fair enough, I agree they are a threat on the break (better than some on here give them credit for), that's why I'd want both Molumby and Hendrick to sit and shift across when the wing backs push on, but I just think we need to get Ogbene on the pitch one way or another. He will surely be chomping at the bit, having been left out on Saturday. Whether that's in a 2 or a 3 is one for the manager, but he has to get a player who is in good scoring form at club level on to the pitch. We must take our chances - if we can take an early one, we can go on and win comfortably, but if we miss a couple early and end up 0-0 at half time, the pressure will really start to build.

Just also on this point, we are playing 3 at the back also, so 3 in midfield (none of whom are particularly creative/threatening) seems like overkill, regardless of their threat on the break. If we had played it successfully more often, there's even probably an argument to go with a 4-3-3 in a game like this, but I dont think thats a realistic call at this point in our development.

Can sell them together or individual. €20 each.. Lower than face value I think. 

Message me on 07793271051

Pierce. 

.

Apologies for delay, message only went up there. Contact Peter on 0872917307

Kenny said in the presser today that he won't be changing to a 4 at the back. He also mentioned that Armenia are a counter attacking team. I just think we are playing into their hands with just two in midfield especially since we are without Cullen.

I agree with you that we need an early goal to settle into the match and get the Aviva crowd roaring and behind the team.

The problem for me is that none our midfielders either score or create regularly, so you are left with a real paucity of potential goal scorers on the pitch. It's a conundrum and one we have to solve going forward. I'd like to see us try 433 again in November, despite our stock of excellent CB's, and get Smallbone involved. Think we will need another string to our bow in time!

I think Parrott needs dropping after that miss which I agree is harsh... but you can't be missing chances like that ffs. At the same time though, I've never seen much from Hogan despite his decent start to the season.

I'd bring Brady in for McClean. Nothing on McClean, I think he was fine against Scotland, but we'll need more guile than aggression against Armenia.

O'Dowda or Browne for Knight, he was a wasted jersey when we were in.

 possession.

Hendrick for Cullen, please please don't let it be Hourihane.

I'd keep the same back 3. I'd probably keep Doherty in there, he showed some real silky touches in possession and moved us forward really well. Him and Collins could be a great avenue for getting the ball moving up the pitch with purpose. At the same time I wouldn't begrudge Coleman getting a game

I'd stick with Parrott and Obafemi give it another go I thought they linked up well. If Parrott had scored then no one would be calling for him to be dropped. Ogbene is a good replacement to come in. 

Scotland and Ukraine have tanked these boys, it really shines a light on our loss to them. 

Would agree with this. 

No need for big changes, just get the job done 

The only worry I have is that Armenia were the better team for most of the first half in the Ukraine game. We could do with scoring early tonight

There's no can't. Teams have to be adaptable and be willing to change if needed.

Scotland played with a back three for several years until they switched to a back four against Ukraine. They won comfortably and stuck with it for the game against us.

For games like Armenia at home, we have to be able to adapt. We need to dominate the game. You take more risks against certain opposition. Otherwise you don't get your reward.

Parrott is well capable of dropping back into a three if needed. Formations change during different phases of the play. It's not set in stone.

His lack of pace makes him an 8 apparently 

More of a false 9.

I think we could get away with a two man midfield if we play Brady as left back, he can push into the middle when we're in possession.

                 Bazunu

          O'Shea Collins Egan

Doherty                           Brady

            Knight Molumby

      Obafemi Parrott Robinson

I agree a 3 man midfield is needed.

People need to remember we are playing at home to Armenia who have lost all 4 of their games v Ukraine and Scotland. Their only points was against us. We should dominate the game and we should beat them. 

Doherty made a bad mistake for Scotland goal alright, but he cleared off the line to prevent a goal 10-15 mins later. He is a better player than Coleman at the moment. If it is obvious he doesn't have the legs for 2 games in 4 days I would take him off at HT or after 60 mins, put either Browne or Coleman at RWB then. 

McClean did nothing wrong so he starts again at LWB. 

Browne in for Cullen (I still have it in for Hendrick, his lack of work rate and tracking back is terrible. I would only bring him on after 60 if we are not winning). 

Parrott likes playing against the weaker teams - I was very disappointed with him away to Scotland on Saturday but I would give him another chance today. I would take him off after 45-60 if not performing. 

Obafemi did enough to retain his starting place. 

Ogbene first sub on. Brady and Hendrick should also be introduced. 

Bazunu

Doherty Collins Egan OShea McClean

Browne Molumby Knight

Parrott Obafemi 

Ogbene listed TP as the fastest players in the squad.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLs1qXa8068&ab_channel=FAITV" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLs1qXa8068&ab_channel=FAITV

1.10s

Yes, I watched that at the weekend, interestingly everybody else in the squad went with Ogbene - I thought Obafemi would be up there. In any case, I think Troy has always looked pretty quick to me. His lack of speed seems like an urban myth, he's plenty fast enough, he just needs to put the ball in the net consistently, pace is not his issue.

Looking at some of the people in the video - Sykes etc. I'd say it was filmed during the March window when Obafemi wasn't in the squad.

Must have been filmed ages ago as Manning and Sykes are in that video, maybe when Obafemi wasn’t in the squad? 

You made some good points about Doherty and Parrott.

 I would agree about starting Doherty over Coleman having a good think about it now.

With Parrott it all depends on his state of mind after missing that chance with the over reaction of the media and some of the public about it. Parrott/Obafemi is a good partnership in fairness with a lot of potential, it is rare that a striking partnership like theirs sparked off straight away from their very first start together. I don't think any of our other striking options/partnerships clicked that quick or have played as well together.

I just can't justify starting Browne in my mind after his stupidity caused the peno that lost the match against the Scots. Hendrick build a career on being a very hardworking midfielder for club and country. I think people are are just remembering the first Armenia and Ukraine match where he wasn't match fit/sharp. He would not have made 139 appearances under Dyche at Burnley in the Premier league if he wasn't hard working, same with O'Neill for Ireland he won't have pick him either because all he wanted midfielders to do was to work hard covering ground. I think Hendrick has a better eye for a pass than Browne , he has proved that in the Azerbaijan, Qatar and Luxembourg wins last year where his eye for a pass created or lead to a goal. I'm not saying Hendrick is Xavi or anything tho.

Regarding Hendrick, I posted this in the Euro24 thread in response to a post, but it may get lost there. Personally I think Hendrick has to start.

..........................Bazunu.............................

............Collins.....Egan....O'Shea...............

Ogbene....Hendrick...Molumby.....Brady..

...........................Knight.............................

.............Robinson.........Obafemi...............

Ogbene has experience in that position and will offer something completely different to Doherty who was poor enough on Saturday. Our midfield 3 was very flat the other night and although that worked and suits games like Saturday, we'll need someone predominantly in 10 position tonight and I don't see the point in playing 2 strikers at home against Armenia if one is gonna keep dropping deep to fill a gap. I'm going for Robinson over Parrot based of previous performances and in the hope that Robinson can recapture some of that form he had against Qatar and Azerbaijan last October. 

No issues with the 11 selected, but slightly concerning that Dan McDonnell is suggesting that Knight may play up with the forwards like in the home game v Ukraine.

Brady in for McClean and Hendrick in for Cullen everything else the same as V the Scots

Any danger Kenny privately would take a draw?

Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane are playing for Armenia?

Egan's the new Duffy.

Poor goalkeeping though.

That's why I would have played Duffy tonight. We're having a lot of joy aerially.

We need to up the tempo. Go out and score some goals from open play in the 2nd half.

Brady could be be better suited to a central role. He doesn't really want to run with the ball. He's a pass first wide player.

Obafemi does it again!

Hopefully that allows us to be more expansive now.

I'd be sending on Ogbene pretty soon, he could make hay against tired Armenians here.