Thursday fulham Stuff - 25/03/21...

[WhiteJC]

Aston Villa urged to sign trio if Fulham go down

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie has urged the club to look at three Fulham players if the London club are relegated at the end of the season.

According to Hendrie, Harrison Reed, Ademola Lookman and Bobby Decordova-Reid would prove to be quality signings for the Midlands club.

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Hendrie said: "If Fulham do go down, I just feel that there's possibly a couple of players I would certainly look at in that team that would certainly stand out for me.

"Harrison Reed in the midfield, Ademola Lookman and Bobby Decordova-Reid, he's one again that I'd certainly have, and he would play week in, week out."

Villa could definitely use more depth in their attack, and the likes of Lookman and Decordova-Reid would be superb additions.

The likes of Anwar El Ghazi and Trezeguet have been poor this season, and Smith must look to add more competition to his attacking unit.

Both Lookman and Decordova-Reid have done well for Fulham and may help Scott Parker guide the London side to safety.

That said, Lookman is on loan from RB Leipzig, and it is unknown whether the German outfit are prepared to cash in on him.

Reed has also proven himself capable at this level and would add some much-needed depth and quality to the Villa midfield.

Smith has managed to put together a talented core at Villa, and with a couple of quality additions, they could really establish themselves as a top-half team in the Premier League.

The likes of Lookman, Decordova-Reid and Reed are good players who will be keen on playing top-flight football next season, and it would be difficult for Fulham to hold onto them if they go down to the Championship.



https://sportslens.com/aston-villa-urged-to-sign-trio-if-fulham-go-down/342276/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham player's name 'hovering' around potential big transfer – Agent has fingers in all the pies

Loaned for the season from Paris Saint-Germain, Alphonse Aréola has impressed for Fulham this season.

There's no two ways about it, and the Cottagers would likely be far worse off than they are without the France international between their sticks, which is a good thing for all involved.

After all, Fulham have an option to buy, most likely tied to whether or not the club stay up in the Premier League, meaning they could make the move permanent if they so wish.

However, with Scott Parker's men currently playing with fire in and around the relegation zone, Mino Raiola cannot be blamed for looking at other avenues for his client.

Managing both Gianluigi Donnarumma and Aréola, the super agent has his fingers in plenty of pies right now and is likely to have a busy summer, since the Milan star has yet to renew his deal, and Paris Saint-Germain are interested in having him replace Keylor Navas for when the Costa Rican calls it a day.

The Ligue 1 champions also happen to own the Fulham loanee, which is why Tuttosport, perhaps unsurprisingly, are reporting that Leonardo has been trying to nudge the Frenchman towards the Serie A side in hope it helps them acquire his Italian counterpart.

It's said his name is 'hovering' around Milan, but should Donnarumma move elsewhere, the Italian newspaper reckon the Rossoneri will look at goalkeepers within their league, with Juan Musso 'the most followed'.

The priority remains extending the Italy international's contract, and with Fulham only two points behind Newcastle, albeit having played an extra game, there's still hope for them to stay up and potentially make Aréola's loan a permanent deal.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-players-name-hovering-around-potential-big-transfer-agent-fingers-pies/

[WhiteJC]

Become An Official International Supporters Group

The Club are delighted to have recently relaunched our Official International Supporters Group scheme and we're calling on groups from around the world to join our evergrowing list!

With 18 supporters groups across six different continents so far officially recognised by the Club, a dedicated page has been set up here to showcase our Supporter Groups and help to connect fellow Fulham fans all around the world.

As well as being listed on our website, groups officially recognised by the Club will receive an Official Supporters Group digital logo and certificate, take part in ad-hoc features for the Club's digital channels throughout the season and much more! More information on the criteria required to gain official status please can be found here.

If you run your own supporter group and want to join our network of Official International Supporters Groups, please email [email protected] with information about your group including group name, club secretary and contact details including email address, country, group logo - if you have one – as well as photos of your group you'd like posted on the fulhamfc.com.

Alternatively, if you are a Fulham fan currently living in an area where we have an Official International Supporters Group, why not get in touch with the listed group secretary and share your passion for the Club!



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/march/Become-An-Official-International-Supporters-Group/

[WhiteJC]

2021 AFCONQ vs Benin : Versatile Fulham defender Aina vows to make Super Eagles fans happy

Versatile Fulham defender Ola Aina has vowed to make the Super Eagles fans happy by winning Saturday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Republic of Benin.

The Chelsea academy product has been one of the key players in a Fulham side battling to beat the drop, starting all but one of their last twenty-seven matches in the English Premier League.

Aina probably stands a good chance of making Nigeria's starting lineup to face the Squirrels as Hoffenheim defender Kevin Akpoguma has not been called up for the games in March due to fitness issues.

"My ambition is to always be better and progress, you can learn something new every single day," Aina said.

"The big thing for me and for most of the players I think is not having the fans in COVID but nevertheless we have all adapted and it is what is.

"We have to play, we have to make the fans happy somehow, and hopefully that's how me can win the games and hopefully qualify."

A former England U19 skipper, Aina has started three of the four matches played by the national team in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel



https://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=39359

[WhiteJC]

Graeme Souness makes relegation prediction amid Newcastle United, Brighton and Fulham battle

Steve Bruce's Newcastle side are fighting to preserve their Premier League status this season

Graeme Souness thinks the Premier League relegation battle will go right down to the wire and be "nail-biting" for those involved.

Newcastle United, Brighton and Fulham are locked in a dogfight to beat the drop this season.

Fulham were beaten 2-1 by Leeds United at Craven Cottage on Friday night as they missed the chance to climb out of the bottom three.

Instead, they remained two points adrift of fourth-from-bottom Newcastle ahead of the Magpies' crunch clash with Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday evening.

Before kick-off, Brighton were just one place and one point better off than Steve Bruce's side.

Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion look doomed but the final relegation spot is very much still in play.

Former Newcastle boss Souness told Sky Sports before the Brighton game: "It was a disaster for Fulham (against Leeds). It's not terminal but it wasn't a good night for them.

"Both these teams tonight (Newcastle and Brighton) will think they've got a chance to put some air between them and Fulham.

"But it's not going to be decided tonight. I think this will go all the way to the very end and it's going to be nail-biting for at least two of the three we've mentioned - and maybe someone else could drop in there as well."

Looking at the respective run-ins, Souness added: "It's very hard to predict, because if you're down there, what you want is to be playing teams with nothing to play for.

"You could end up playing teams that are going for a European place or fighting for survival.

"You want to be playing that are... not in their armchairs but nearly in their armchairs and thinking of their summer holidays.

"We all know the small margins that decide Premier League games. It just means someone not being at it the full 100 per cent - maybe even 98 per cent - can decide games.

"So I think it's a really hard thing to predict what will happen between now and the end of the season from looking at the fixtures.

"It depends, in those last three or four games, where all those teams are at that particular time."



https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/souness-newcastle-brighton-fulham-relegation-20222501

[WhiteJC]

Mitrovic scores stunning chip

[WhiteJC]

Serbia 3-2 Republic of Ireland: Fulham star Aleksandar Mitrovic smashes late brace to secure emphatic comeback win after Alan Browne's early opener

    Serbia pulled off a strong comeback to defeat the Republic of Ireland
    Alan Browne broke the deadlock after 18 minutes with a low, headed effort
    Dusan Vlahovic equalised as the hosts started to assert their dominance
    Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic then grabbed a brace to wrap up all three points

For the Republic of Ireland, an 11-hour wait for a goal is finally over. For manager Stephen Kenny, though, a first win still lingers out of reach.

Make that nine matches and counting after Aleksandar Mitrovic's second-half double - including a stunning chip - secured three points for Serbia on Wednesday night.

If Ireland are to reach a first World Cup since 2002, that duck needs to be broken sharpish.

   
Aleksandar Mitrovic was the hero after scoring a late brace to wrap up all three points


Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Mark Travers was left helpless as Mitrovic found the top corner


Earlier Dusan Vlahovic had slotted home to cancel out Alan Browne's early header

Kenny's side led in Belgrade after Alan Browne headed home their first goal in eight matches and 677 minutes.

But Dusan Vlahovic equalised before substitute Mitrovic broke Irish hearts.

First he spotted rookie goalkeeper Mark Travers off his line and exquisitely lifted the ball over his head from 25 yards out. Then, seven minutes later, Mitrovic's header made sure of the win.

It was a cruel end to a night that started with such promise for Ireland. After Browne headed home Callum Robinson's cross, there was delight on the visiting bench.


Red shirts gathered en masse to celebrate the levelling of the scoreline in Belgrade


Browne jumped highest in the first half to open the scoring with a low, precision header


Browne was mobbed by his team-mates after getting the Republic of Ireland off the mark

And why not after such a barren spell since their first game under Kenny?

The coach's bold selections seemed to be paying off until his new-look backline were too easily cut apart. Vlahovic ran on to Dusan Tadic's header and Serbia were level.

After the break, Vlahovic saw a second ruled out for offside before Aaron Connolly's calls for a penalty at the other end were waved away.

Soon, though, Mitrovic's brilliance had pulled Serbia clear. James Collins did take advantage of a defensive mix-up to give Ireland hope late on but their 16-month wait for a win goes on.

And the road to Qatar just got a little bit steeper.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9399561/Serbia-3-2-Republic-Ireland-Fulham-star-Aleksandar-Mitrovic-smashes-late-brace.html

[WhiteJC]

Ireland undone by Mitrovic magic in Belgrade in opening World Cup qualifier

Ireland's opening World Cup qualifier started in style but ended in agony as Serbia came from behind to deservedly beat Stephen Kenny's side at Stadion Rajko Mitic.

Alan Browne scored Ireland's first goal in seven matches with a fine header to open the scoring in Belgrade after 18 minutes, before Dusan Vlahovic levelled matters five minutes before half-time.

Dusan Tadic played a captain's role throughout and his quality provided two second-half goals for substitute Aleksandar Mitrovic, whose brace oozed quality from both boot and head.

Ireland fought to get back in the game and managed to give themselves hope in the 86th minute, as substitute James Collins was on hand to clip the ball home, however, despite a final push in added time, Serbia held on to take all three points.

FULL MATCH DETAILS
Kenny opted for youth over experience with players like Jayson Molumby and Dara O'Shea named alongside rookie keeper Mark Travers, while stalwarts like Jeff Hendrick, Robbie Brady and Shane Duffy were left on the bench.

Two corners inside the opening two minutes proved positive as Ireland started on the front foot, with the second of the set-pieces drilled in low but a ricochet goalwards just passed the wrong side of the post.

The home side burst into life in the sixth minute with a slick move down the right flank as Tadic linked up play before a clever ball was rolled in behind the Irish line. Travers came out to clear, but Coleman took no chances to come across, sweep up and clear the danger.

Ireland's shape out of possession was excellent, as the entire team moved as one unit and they even had the confidence to put on a high press, which forced Serbia to take chances at the back, but their quality of pass got them out of trouble.

Ireland were waiting over 600 minutes to score, since grabbing a late equaliser in Bulgaria back in the manager's first game in charge, and when Browne rose at the back post to head the ball back across the keeper into the back of the net, it was well worth the wait.

And it all came from a fine footballing move that started out on the right flank with Matt Doherty bursting forward, before a ball into the middle was picked up by Browne, who sprayed it left through Enda Stevens and then into the feet of Callum Robinson.

The West Brom man took a moment, slipped past the defender and clipped a delightful ball in the direction of the back post, and Browne did the rest with a textbook downward header to open the scoring.

Serbia's corner count was building, seven by the 25-minute mark, but again the Irish defence was regimented and yielded little, with Travers a virtual spectator at this stage of proceedings.

The home side then almost unlocked the defence as Dusan Vlahovic and Filip Djuricic both raced into the box, chasing a perfectly clipped Tadic through-ball, but again the Irish were alert with both O'Shea and Coleman getting between man and ball.

Another Ireland attack had Serbia back-peddling, as Cullen intercepted a pass, which had Stevens motoring down the left, anticipating quick ball. It arrived right in the stride of the former Shamrock Rovers man and he opted to try to beat the retreating defender to reach Connolly who was bombing into the box.

But the ball just lacked that bit of power to get past the first man and Serbia cleared, but it showed that gaps were starting to open up in behind as the home side searched for an equaliser.

However, five minutes before the break the home side restored parity and for once they opted for a more direct approach, and it paid dividends with Vlahovic slotting the ball home after racing on to a Tadic header.

It all came from a situation where Ireland looked to be in control, but a quick aerial ball into the captain, who beat Ciaran Clark in the air, which sent the striker racing away from O'Shea and his first-time effort gave Travers no chance.

The goal sparked the home side into life and they threatened three times inside the final few minutes of the first half as first, Djuricic's effort was deflected wide at the near post as the ball was slipped in from the left, before Travers made a fine near-post save from Vlahovic after another great Tadic pass.

And then the Serbia captain had the audacity to try to score from the resulting corner as he spotted a big gap at the near post. Travers had to scramble across the goal to make sure it wouldn't sneak in and he took a fair smack off the post for his troubles.

But the visitors held on until the break, and despite the final flurry from the hosts, Kenny's men would overall be quite pleased with the opening 45.

Serbia made a change at the break with Filip Kostic replacing Filip Mladenovic, and the home side were straight on the front foot, however, Sasa Lukic could not work his shot on target after good work from Tadic and Djuricic inside the box.

Ireland got back into attack mode in the 49th minute as the ball was worked down the right flank from a throw-in. Robinson raced to the by-line and slipped a dangerous ball across the face with Connolly arriving, but again some sharp defending prevented the ball being worked on goal.

Vlahovic then had a goal disallowed for offside as he raced onto a Tadic through-ball, but replays show that the striker was well beyond the last defender.

Moments later, Ireland were appealing for a penalty as Connolly went down in the box. The referee was on the spot, and immediately signalled for a corner, and replays of the challenge offered nothing conclusive, despite one angle making it look as if contact had been made with the player.

Then it was Vlahovic's turn to go down inside the box as he fell over the prone Coleman who had slipped as the ball was being played through. The referee again was not interested.

Matt Doherty was again forward in attack as Ireland again worked a great passage of play down the right as Robinson then rolled in the Spurs defender on the overlap.

The ball was played behind the arriving Connolly, before a corner kick was awarded, where Clark saw his near-post header fly wide.

More last-ditch defending was needed by Coleman in the 58th minute to get just in front of Tadic in the box, who was looking to turn the ball goalwards, as the game really started to open up, with both sides looking to play attacking football.

Ireland's discipline in defence was proving vital against a Serbian side who were getting better as the game progressed.

Jeff Hendrick was the first of the Ireland substitutes, replacing Molumby in midfield; the Waterford native had put in a fine shift in the Irish engine room.

But Serbia were starting to turn the screw as a Nikola Milenkovic's snap-shot went inches past the post with Vlahovic sliding in and almost turning it home, as it just slipped past the attacker's foot and the post.

The difference in strength of squads was emphasised by the home side sending on two quality players in Nemanja Maksimovic and Mitrovic in the 63rd minute, while Connolly was struggling with cramp, as the Brighton striker has played little club football as he returns from injury.

And the quality from the bench paid returns straight away as Mitrovic was slipped in on the right side by Tadic, before he spotted Travers off his line.

The finish from the Fulham forward was exquisite as he sent a pin-point lob with pace over the outstretched arms of the Irish keeper as Serbia deservingly took control of the game with their second.

Serbia sensed that they could put the game beyond the Irish, who were being stretched out of shape, and then in the 75th minute, Tadic once again worked his magic to clip a ball over the Irish defence and right onto the head of the arriving Mitrovic, who headed the ball back across goal and into the back of the net.

Job done for the home side as the inspirational captain was waved to the warmth of the bench, with head coach Dragan Stojkovic turning his attention to the vital home game against Portugal on Saturday.

Ireland threw caution to the wind with a trio of substitutions, but it was an uphill battle to attempt to claw back two goals against a side of such quality.

To their credit Kenny's plucky side gradually started to chip away at the home side who were easing down through the gears, and they narrowed the gap with five minutes remaining.

A hopeful Brady ball was lifted over the top, with Shane Long hustling in the box as keeper and defender got their wires crossed, allowing fellow substitute James Collins to clip the ball goalwards before making sure of the finish.

Ireland piled forward for the remaining minutes, with Travers even venturing up for a corner in the final minute of injury time, however, the third goal would not arrive as Kenny's World Cup campaign ended in defeat.

Serbia: Marko Dmitrovic; Strahinja Pavlovic, Stefan Mitrovic, Nikola Milenkovic; Milan Gajic, Sasa Lukic, Uros Racic (Nemanja Maksimovic 63), Filip Mladenovic (Filip Kostic HT); Dusan Tadic (capt) (Nemanja Gudelj 78), Dusan Vlahovic (Luka Jovic 82), Filip Djuricic (Aleksandar Mitrovic 63).

Republic of Ireland: Mark Travers; Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Enda Stevens, Ciaran Clark (Robbie Brady 79), Dara O'Shea; Alan Browne (James Collins 79), Jayson Molumby (Jeff Hendrick 61), Josh Cullen; Callum Robinson (James McClean 79), Aaron Connolly (Shane Long 67).

Referee: Davide Massa (ITA).



https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2021/0324/1205966-ireland-undone-by-mitrovic-magic-in-belgrade/

[WhiteJC]

Republic end goal drought but Mitrovic's double is decisive for Serbia


Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates after scoring his first goal against Ireland. Photograph: Andrej Cukic/EPA

The Republic of Ireland ended their epic goal drought and were on course for a bright start to their World Cup campaign until Aleksandar Mitrovic came off the bench.

The Fulham striker scored twice in quick succession to build on Dusan Vlahovic's first-half effort, which had cancelled out the lead given to Stephen Kenny's men by Alan Browne. A late goal by James Collins was not enough to salvage a point from an honourable Irish performance.

Kenny's wait for a first win since his appointment as Ireland manager goes on. If it does not come at home against Luxembourg on Saturday, then Ireland can probably forget about returning to the world stage after an absence of two decades.

Yet green shoots of hope could be seen in their display in Belgrade, where, with a side weakened by injuries and after seven matches without a goal, they took a deserved lead.

Kenny made bold selections and his answer to the riddle of how to fit two of Ireland's best players into the team was to alter formation, deploying Séamus Coleman in a back three while Matt Doherty started at right wing-back. Browne and Josh Cullen did well in midfield and the Preston man opened the scoring with a lovely goal that vindicated the manager's formation. Enda Stevens, the left wing‑back, foraged down the flank before serving the vibrant Callum Robinson, who clipped a dainty cross to the back post. Browne jumped highest and guided a downward header into the corner of the net.

Serbia, too, are in transition with two debutants in the lineup chosen by their new manager, Dragan Stojkovic. But they have class up front that Ireland simply do not. They demonstrated that just before the break, when Vlahovic beat Dara O'Shea to a flick-on by the inventive Dusan Tadic and finished without fuss. Ireland had defended smartly up to that and continued to do so as the hosts forced them backwards.

It took ingenuity from Mitrovic to shoot Serbia in front. Five minutes after being introduced, he took a pass from Tadic and sent an elegant lob from 20 yards over Mark Travers, the 21-year-old goalkeeper making his competitive international debut.

Mitrovic soon sealed his side's win, heading another fine cross by Tadic beyond Travers. Ireland fought back, with Shane Long pouncing on a defensive mistake to enable James Collins to make it 3-2.

"The players were terrific," Kenny said. "I can't believe we conceded three goals because it didn't look like that sort of match. [Serbia] have been ruthless with their finishing. We're really disappointed."



https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/24/serbia-republic-ireland-world-cup-qualifier-match-report

[WhiteJC]

Serbia's Aleksandar Mitrovic punishes Ireland with ruthless display of finishing
Fulham striker comes off the bench to decide World Cup qualifier in Belgrade

Serbia 3 Republic of Ireland 2

For a short spell in the second half it seemed as though we might have been watching a re-run of Ireland's last World Cup game in Belgrade unfold before our eyes. We wished! Once again, the visitors led then fell behind but when Aleksandar Mitrovic got his second goal in six minutes, the prospects of salvaging another draw immediately faded and so Ireland start their campaign with a loss.

That Stephen Kenny's side rallied late on, got an unlikely second goal and pushed into injury time for an equaliser was hugely to their credit but Serbia were decisively the better side during the spell in which Mitrovic's brace effectively won the game for them.

Ireland had started brightly and pursued a plan that made them very competitive for an hour or so but the effort, it seemed, had left too many players drained by the midway point in the second period, with the changes that the managers made tending to highlight the gap in the strength of their respective squads.

From his perspective, Kenny will be relieved that his side scored two goals – one involving real quality, the other terrific persistence – and pleased that a new formation worked well enough as long as his players had the energy to match their opponents. Alan Browne, who got that first goal, was excellent while relative newcomers Josh Cullen, Jayson Molumby and Dara O'Shea all turned in solid performances.

Unfortunately, Dusan Tadic was a cut above just about everybody else out there and having worked so hard to stay focused in the face of fairly constant Serbia pressure, the defending started to crumble slightly as everyone tired and the Serbs started to stretch things more effectively.

Kenny must have known how tough a night it would be but if had been tempted to play things conservatively given the poor run of results in the autumn and the pressure to start showing some improvement here, it didn't show in his team selection.

In Shane Duffy, Jeff Hendrick and Robbie Brady he left more than 150 caps and 14 goals on the bench. Shane Long had another 85 and 17 by himself and though three of the four were introduced over the course of the second half, the trust was placed in others.

The manager doubled down on the younger players, starting O'Shea in central defence with Séamus Coleman and Ciaran Clark and sticking with Molumby alongside Cullen in central midfield.

Aaron Connolly's presence was almost a given despite his recent injury, the only question beforehand being the specific role. In the end he started as one of two strikers in a 3-5-2 designed to better contain the home side's strikers, get Matt Doherty back into his preferred role and ensure Ireland would pose an attacking threat themselves.

Key to it all from early on was Browne, who sought to link the midfield with attack. The Preston player put huge energy into the role from the outset and while not everything went completely to plan, he personified the intent, working hard to unsettle opponents when chasing the ball, seeking to use the ball well while in possession.

The passing side of things remains a work in progress for the side even when they are playing well. They weren't always good enough to retain the ball under pressure here. Doherty was guilty on a couple of occasions of giving the ball away a little carelessly but there were occasions too when the likes of Cullen or O'Shea settled fairly happily for putting the ball out of play around their own area rather than risk trying to work their way out. There times, too, when the visitors seized the opportunity to run at their opponents from deep positions, to build quickly and get bodies forward.

The approach paid off when they opened the scoring 20 minutes in with Browne starting things, quickly winning the ball back and playing it square to Enda Stevens when it was briefly lost, then getting forward and above Filip Mladenovic to head home Callum Robinson's perfectly weighted cross.

It would another 20 minutes before the hosts managed their first shot on target but they converted too with Tadic beating Clark to head Filip Djuricic's chipped ball on into space for Dusan Vlahovic, who got fractionally ahead of O'Shea before slotting the ball to the far corner as Mark Travers was edging towards the near.

Had the 21-year-old saved that with his outstretched leg and Ireland got to the break with a lead, it might have been a different night but the Serbs grew visibly in confidence after the ball rolled home, just inside the right-hand post.

There was nothing really that Travers could have done about the third either with Ireland losing the ball badly in midfield and Mitrovic getting between Clark and Stevens to head home from close range but he won't like watching the Fulham striker's first back with the Irishman caught off his line by the Serb who lobbed home from 25 yards out.

Both sides had penalty claims rejected. Ireland's came first, which Kenny obviously saw as critical afterwards, but the home side's was equally clearcut.

Late on, with the substitutes adding new energy, as they chased things and pulled one back when the other Mitrovic, Stefan attempted to head back towards his goalkeeper but got caught as Shane Long stole in and teed up James Collins who chased the ball home after his first attempt was blocked.

They kept at it but couldn't save themselves. Kenny reckoned afterwards that his side had been hard done by, which is debatable, but there was certainly enough shown here to allow the team go into Saturday's home game with Luxembourg believing they can get a first win then push on from there.

They will have to.

SERBIA: Dmitrovic (Eibar); Milenkovic (Fiorentina), S Mitrovic (Strasbourg), Pavlovic (Cercle Brugge); Gajic (Red Star), Lukic (Torino), Racic (Valencia), Mladenovic (Legia Warsaw); Tadic (Ajax), Vlahovic (Fiorenetina), Djuricic (Sassuolo).

Subs: Kostic (Eintracht Frankfurt) for Mladenovic (half-time), A Mitrovic (Fulham) for Djuricic and Maksimovic (Getafe) for Racic (66 mins), Gudelj (Seville) for Tadij (78 mins), Jovic (Eintracht Frankfurt) for Vlahovic (82 mins).

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Travers (Bournemouth); Coleman (Everton), O'Shea (West Brom), Clark (Newcastle United); Doherty (Tottenham), Molumby (Preston)m Browne (Preston), Cullen (Anderlecht), Stevens (Sheffield United); Connolly (Brighton), Robinson (West Brom).

Subs: Hendrick (Newcastle United) for Molumby, Long (Bournemouth) for Connolly (67 mins), Brady (Burnley) for Clark, McClean (Stoke City) for Browne and Collins (Luton) for Robinson (79 mins).

Referee: D Massa (Italy).



https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/serbia-s-aleksandar-mitrovic-punishes-ireland-with-ruthless-display-of-finishing-1.4519371

[filham]

Eight games to go but in a relegation fight and already the media vultures are hovering and trying to find new teams for our better players.
We really must get things together and avoid relegation if only to keep our squad together.

[Woolly Mammoth]

We do not want it to go to the last match and hope we can achieve a win or draw on the day.
If we are good enough to stay up, we need to
get wins v Aston Villa, Burnley, Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers, I am also confident of getting a result at Arsenal if we can put our minds to it as they are vulnerable. As for Chelsea and Manchester United anything can happen and any result from both those games is a bonus.
Regarding Newcastle we must put them to the back of our minds and not try and rely on the last game yet.
We need them to lose their game in hand, and do better each week than they do, they draw we win, they lose we get win or draw and so on.
It's a massive task to ask us to do unbeaten in our remaining 8 matches but that is what we have to try and do, but one thing is for sure we cannot afford to lose to Wolves, Villa, Saints, Arsenal or Burnley.
Winning 4 games out of 8 is the target, plus at least a couple draws to make sure.
We can beat Newcastle, but better to do it when we are already safe.