Republic of Ireland General Discussion Thread 2026

Thats an exaggeration to be fair.

Yes, we've been disappointing. But I'd say 3rd best team in the group is where we sit.

Armenia are the 4th best team in the group. A point worse off than us and they've a significantly worse goal difference. They got walloped 5-0 by Portugal already, and they still have to travel to Lisbon.

We kept Portugal at bay until something like the 91st minute.

I don't realistically expect we will make the play-off, but I still really want to see us pick up some points from the remaining fixtures

are people going to be mildly surprised or completely lose their sh*t when Idah probably starts over Parrott tonight?

Not really, because to react like that you have to have certain expectations of the squad in the first place which most of us don't have. Nobody expects anything but defeat. We hope for better but that's different.

No one is going to be overly upset with a defeat if that's the result.

Bring in Idah. Three of the four goals Portugal conceded v Hungary were headers, one was from a corner and the other two were from hopeful crosses into the box. The 90th min equaliser in Lisbon was schoolboy league defending by Portugal. They can be got at but as always our lack of concentration will be our downfall.
Hungary should win which will make tonight’s match interesting, it will be a knock-out match rather than a group match if you know what I mean. It would be good to see us having a real go at them but having said that we don’t have the quality to beat them.

the game is more complicated than just goals in games ratios. Parrott scores in matches AZ dominate and they play a patient dominant passing game (unlike Ireland who’s style of play is of no comparison to AZ) but there’s no proof Parrott can do anything against good teams with real quality centre backs.

he offers no threat of pace or runs in behind that Idah (an inferior touch player to Parrott ) does. In a game that will offer scraps to the front man you’re probably better off with Idah at the start.

Parrott might start but I’d see it as more likely Idah does.

You know in his last 5 games, Troy has scored 2 goals in one game and blanked in the other 4 and missed 2 penalties in those 5?

the narrative hes scoring freely …very debateable

Idah is stronger at chasing lost causes, Parrott a better footballer but football won’t come into it much tonight

I could be way wrong anyway how Heimar sees it

yeah maybe, I mean whenever Parrott is brought up there’s people falling over himself to say he’s bang in form. It’s more complicated than that.

There is a tendency to talk about Idah like he’s basically useless while Parrott is far far superior. Football is more complicated than that when you’re talking about players who are fairly even in the level they’ve played at in their career so far.

There’s a tendency to look at goals in games ratios but really its far more important to look at skill sets suiting certain situations.

For what it’s worth i watched Idah play vs Preston for Swansea a week back and he impressed me how he stretched the Preston defense and took on defenders and laid the ball off. He fcuked up at times as well.

But the average Irish fan only sees the result, if that, and he played 90 and didn’t score.

Starting early as you need to be well oiled up when watching this Irish team.

Any know where to watch the Hungary and Armenia game?

Castleknock Hotel. I saw HH walking away from the hotel about 30 mins ago, thought he’d be pushing it for time! Not sure what time they leave the hotel to get to the ground

First nail in coffin ….

Parrot starts. Idah on the bench.