HOW HEIMIR HALLGRÍMSSON’S Ireland should line up for Thursday’s Nations League clash against Finland was discussed by David Sneyd and Shane Keegan on this week’s episode of The Football Family, the podcast for subscribers to The 42.
“I think if they’re going to change something, they should change the structure of that midfield to maybe allow Ireland to have two players up front,” Sneyd said.
“Evan Ferguson and Sammie Szmodics up top together – I would love to see it! If we’re trying something new and trying to see new combinations, and it’s not just the whole little and large thing. With the type of players that they are, I think they might be able to link up well.”
Former Cobh Ramblers boss Keegan added: “Big time. I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m crying out for this. I would absolutely love to see it.
“As I keep saying, I would stick with the three in midfield and have Chiedozie Ogbene at right-wing back, where he can raid on from there. I think we need to play with three hard-working central midfielders although you do need them to show some quality on the ball as well.
“I’m still not quite sure who plays at left-wing back, it probably has to be Robbie Brady by default, doesn’t it?
“In the longer term, I would like to see Ryan Manning given a chance there and then I think a back three of Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins and Liam Scales has the potential to be really good,” Keegan said
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Our team honestly isn’t that bad up top and in defence. Far below what we’re used to of old but lots of lower end premier league players in those positions. Our midfield on the other hand is truly abysmal.
Our form striker is Parrott, reward form
Reco: (back to basics) 4 – 4 – 2, specifically (L to R): Andrew Omobamidelic. Nathan C., Dara O’Shea, Liam Scales: Midfield: Ogbene, Cullen, Molumby (or Finn A) and Mikey Johnston: F: Troy P., and Sammie Szmodics. Why? Mikey Johnson and Ogbene will drive forward. Cullen and Molumby will work their tails off in the center. Our best game in recent times was against Scotland in Dublin, when Parrott and (player whose name I forgot but is not in this squad). Parrott and Szmodics will run their butts off. Rest to come off the bench.
@Derek Creevey: obafemi?
@Derek Creevey: Dont forget we need a goalkeeper lol
@Derek Creevey: was at that match we were brilliant from the first minute to the last. Obafemi scored a worldie. All 3 goals were taken well. It was a standout performance and I came away scratching my head likr where did that come from because we were poor beforehand and again after…. It’s like we raised our game for a local derby and then went back into ourselves I don’t know why we can’t play like that all the time? We need to try rediscover the performance and attitude from that day because they clearly have itbin them just don’t shoe it often enough
Szmodics shouldn’t be up front we need him on the wing and Ferguson should never have got called up I think he should’ve been called up to the u21s to gain more confidence. I think the 2 upfront should be Parrott and Idah but I would prefer us to go for the 4 – 2 – 3 -1
@ashton oriordan: Adam Idah … you haven’t watch Adam play in a while .
One goal between the player’s not good
@Simon Dwyer: Ferguson has been injured until now can’t blame him for that
@Simon Dwyer: we have to try something. Lack of goals isn’t helped by a pretty weak midfield but I’d like to see these two have a couple of games together and see what they can do.
@Simon Dwyer: No goals in quailfying matche’s for god knows how long i cant remember a goal its being so long
Would like to see Idah in ahead of Ferguson as he’s more game time this season..Sammie Szmodics beside him.. And drop Smallbone and bring in Parrot behind them for some creativity.. Then wing backs of Manning and Ogbene.. Molumby and Cullen as defensive midfielders..Back 3 of Collins, Scales and O’Brien..
@Brian McMahon: Sorry left out O’Shea at the back..Instead of O’Brien