HEIMIR HALLGRIMSSON’S BEST hopes of upsetting Lee Carsley’s England on Saturday were discussed by Shane Keegan, David Sneyd and Gavin Cooney on the latest episode of the Football Family, the podcast for subscribers to The 42.
“I think that a 0-0 draw would be an outstanding sign of progress,” Keegan said.
“I think if he can set us up in a way that makes it extremely difficult for England to break us down, if England struggle to create chances and we show a bit of a threat from set pieces, I think there would be a lot to be happy about in terms of our chances of improving results.
“I don’t think there’s a lot to be happy about potentially in terms of how much of an enjoyable watch we’re going to see, but maybe we need to sacrifice one for the other at the moment.
“I would find it hard to believe that we are going to have too much of a semblance of nice, intricate football or much of a threat from open play in this one.”
Keegan added: “But, like I say, if we can limit them to a few chances and potentially even stop them from scoring, I think if we stop them from scoring on Saturday night with the amount of riches they have at their hands, that would be a sign that we’ve got an extremely organised manager with an ability to make better teams struggle.”
The Irish boss will not be the only manager under the spotlight on Saturday, as Lee Carsley aims to make a positive start to his term as interim England manager.
Speaking on Carsley’s chances of being named as the permanent Three Lions’ manager should his side perform well in these Nations League fixtures, The 42’s Cooney said: “England are playing what? Ireland, Greece and Finland, I mean there’s no set of results, really, that can make the case for him because such is the gap in quality that they should be winning all six games comfortably enough.
“But I guess it will come down to their style of play, how many goals they rack up, how free flowing and committed to attack they are.
“Basically, how different are you to the last guy?
“He’s in a sweet spot where there’s that element of continuity, just because of his background and the fact that he’s come through the FA.
“If he can kind of say to people that they will be a little bit more committed to attack then that’s probably enough for him.
“It depends on who else is available but he’s in the job now and the last interim manager they had appointed from the U21s became the manager.
“I think he’s got a great, great crack at it.”
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A 1-0 victory for Ireland would be better, with a goal with the last kick of the game!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: with Declan Rice scoring an OG
@Barry Fitzgerald: Brilliant Barry and Grealish the assist!!
The new ROI manager won’t have had any real chance to put his stamp on things. He’s basically let O Shea and McCarthy pick this team but I suspect as we go on that he will surprise us in terms of personnel. He will have a clear idea of how he wants the team to play and rather than try to change players habits in the limited time he will have with them I reckon he will pick players who already play as he wants. So for example he might go for a Jimmy Dunne rather than Liam Scales, Max O Leary rather than Kelleher.
Hoping for immediate improvement in our set pieces.
We’ll be lucky to get a 0-0, very lucky. Before any “that’s the spirit” replies. I’m just stating facts
@Mick O’K: that’s the spirit
@Halftime: that 2nd like was from me
@Mick O’K: so call it there Mick? No sitting on the fence?
@colin coady: they’ll beat us and we won’t score.
@Mick O’K: Pretty good facts
Strange headline i can only see england winning with ease 2 are 3 nil in all honesty
Need to go back to long ball game, get Niall Quinn back up there and put em under pressure. English dont like it up them etc
We ll be hammered if England are half interested in playing. We are a championship/L1 standard team.
@Gerard Lynch: Get yout boots out Ger!!
@Ollie Fitzpatrick: if Robbie ” tore his hamstring eating his breakfast ” Brady can make it I might have a chance.
This game is all about England really, how serious will they take it. If they want to beat us 4 or 5-0, they will. If they’re not really bothered, we might get a draw out of it.
@Ray Ridge: All about us ireland irish fans get a grip we dont care for the other side
This is our World Cup final. It be a major shock if we win. The formation we go will be interesting do we play 2 or 3 centre backs as most of our defenders are getting regular game time. Forward line who plays too some choices to make. I think McAteer will get some game time over the 2 games.
@Leighton Cullen: 3 centre backs would suggest wing backs. Centre midfield is a huge problem area for us, the manager may set up to protect that area especially against England.