Itās a Euros campaign coming up. Much easier to qualify for, worst case scenario probably being the same as last time, a playoff semi and final against a similar team. Teams with a similar profile to us qualify for European Championships these days
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Totally agee. No improvement after 4 nations league games in June and i think Kenny will have to go.
What seed will we be by then?
If we dont improve even that will be beyond us.
We finished bottom of our Nations League group last time and still got a playoff
Thatās true, but I think we were trading on our relatively high seeding. Most of the teams ahead of us qualified automatically. We wont have that luxury next time as we will be at a lower level.
I totally agree with the youth policy and support it and wouldnāt judge him on Nations League games as they are effectively glorified friendlies but Iām not convinced by Steo Kenny at all. The performances against Slovakia, Serbia away and Portugal were good and earn respect but we were abject against Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in games we really ought to be winning. I donāt think a gradual change of style and picking up about 7 points from those 5 games are mutually exclusive. Iād take 7 points from 5 games so far and feel thatās being realistic but here we are on 2.
Ultimately I think Kenny deserves until the end of the campaign but no further than that if results donāt improve in the short term. I think a fluid approach should be possible and the fixation with Kenny ball mitigates some of our positive full blooded football. Thatās what rescued a draw against Serbia. Regardless of player quality we should be beating Luxembourg and Azerbaijan at home.
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Weāre currently 25th in the UEFA rankings. Top 30 by the end of the Nations League would have us as a 3rd seed. Top 20 a 2nd seed which is less likely
I think weāre actually still in League B but itās been restructured so that there is 16 teams in the leagues so we would probably have to win a game or two this time alright
Itās not beyond us, and with the age profile of the team, they should get better. Iām just not convinced by Kenny
It would be a great storyline for diversity too with Hughton leading a new Ireland of Gav Baz, Obamidele and Idah. An example for the rest of Europe.
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The average age is 26
Coleman, Duffy, Egan, McClean, Hendrick all probably have one more campaign. McClean not even.
That means the next manager is straight into qualification for the Euros with no prep.
My biggest gripe with kenny is that we are still a muddle and the issues that appeared in game two and three are still every bit as evident in games 14 and 15. The inability to press in any kind of coherent manner, how open we are when we lose the ball anywhere around midfield and for all this talk of possession football all we seem to really do is play safe boring passes deep in our own half that go no where and against decent opposition thet take the ball off us as soon as they press us. These are aspects that are somewhat in a managers/coaches control yet we are still doing the same things with the same results. Tadic had the run of the pitch in Serbia and aside from a couple of physical tackles early Tuesday night it was the same.
Our best play against the likes of Serbia is when we broke at pace or capitalised on a mistake which allowed us to counter. I just donāt think Kenny is capable of putting a team out with a clear and pragmatic tactical approach which suits what we have and whatās coming through and I think we will still look a disjointed side in 10 or 15 more games time under him.
I donāt think the alternatives are all that great but this narrative that it is Kennys progressive football or route one hoof ball is completely misguided. There is definitely a balance that can be struck in between and my biggest disappointment with Kenny is that he shows no sign of striking it.
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The line that the likes of Ken Earley trot out that no other manager could do any better is lazy and inaccurate. Thereās almost a civil war within Irish football between pro-Kenny and those dubious of his credentials. Itās sacrilegious to even question his management.
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I would say he is more suited as CDM. He seems bit wasted as a CB because he is so comfortable on the ball.
Kennyās contract doesnāt expire until next July so that would take in The Nations League games early next year. Although Hill was saying theyāll have a standard review of this qualifying campaign when it finishes in November. Iād say theyāll give clarity then on whether theyāre sticking with Kenny for next year and beyond.
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This is a fight for the soul of Irish football.
Bohemians will save Irish football.
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He had 2 years at this mate if even that
This isnāt like bazunu who was with rovers as a kid
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