England v Republic of Ireland: Nations League – live

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“As a trepidatious Ireland fan I am hoping that we avoid a shellacking,” says Niall Mullen. “That will likely depend on the catlike reflexes of Caoimhín ‘Caoimh’ Kelleher. As a proud Three Lioner yourself would you swap him for Pickford?”

That’s a good question, apart from the fact I’m neither proud nor a Three Lioner. As a neutral I’d probably keep Pickford at this stage, for his experience as much as anything, but there isn’t much in it. Kelleher is ceaselessly impressive. I remember MBMing a Liverpool game during Covid, possibly at home to Wolves, when he made his Premier League debut. He kept a clean sheet but what really stood out, even in the first 10-15 minutes, was how calm and authoritative he was. Even when young keepers make great saves, you expect them to be like a cat on a hot tin roof.

Good Luck Mr Gorsky Carsley

“Thanks for clarifying the Ireland manager is a qualified dentist,” says DFGTR EDTRTT (sic). “So many unqualified dentists out there.”

You’re most welcome; information should be shared. I can lend you a couple of vowels as well if you like.

“Guess what?” says Jeremy Boyce. “I’m beginning to wonder if the FA weren’t a little hasty in picking up the phone to Thomas Tuchel. Carsley has made a more than decent fist of his interim term. The Greece embarrassment at Wembley aside, results have been okay, and should be again tonight.

“The no-shows have obliged him to turn to others, and he’s turned to the yoof. Quite right. They are the future, and if you’re good enough you’re old enough. Wasn’t there a famous northern team manager who thought similarly? Maybe two of them?

“He also seems to understand the idea of ‘rotation’, not overburdening your best players, picking on merit and form, not reputation. TT may have done him a favour, he’ll have good credentials when the inevitable managerial merry-go-round spins next time.”

In my opinion, if Carsley was the permanent manager he’d been overwhelmed by the off-field nonsense. He’s an outstanding youth coach, one the FA should cherish. That’s the impression I get, anyway, and I can’t be locked up for it. At least not yet.

Curtis Jones, who in the last couple of months has taken a shortcut from good to really, really good in the last couple of months, also gets another start tonight.

Lee Carsley speaks to ITV

[What impressed you most against Greece?] The mentality that we played with, the ability and intensity. We spoke about matching their enthusiasm. We did that and we’ll have to do the same today.

[On having the same five players behind the striker] With the time we’ve had on the training ground, I felt it was important to have more consistency of selection.

[On Tino Livramento] He’s a player I’ve coached for a number of years. He’s very talented, he’s playing well for Newcastle, so I’m looking forward to watching him.

GARY NAYLOR, THIS IS FOR YOU

“The football will have to go some to get anywhere near the Anderson - Littler semi-final in the darts,” says Simon McMahon. “Did you see it? It doesn’t get any better. Sorry if you’re not watching, no spoilers.”

Are you suggesting that, because the blog hasn’t been updated for about half an hour, I must have been spellbound by one of the greatest semi-finals of all time? You’ve got nothing on me!

Noni Madueke starts again tonight, having been one of the success stories of the Carsley Months.

Team news: Hall, Livramento start

Lee Carsley continues to experiment, giving a debut to Tino Livramento and a full debut to his fellow Newcastle full-back Lewis Hall.

Harry Kane also returns in the only other change from Thursday’s win in Greece. Ezri Konsa, Rico Lewis and Ollie Watkins drop out.

The Republic of Ireland also make three changes from their win over Finland. Luton’s Mark McGuinness makes his debut in defence, with Dara O’Shea and Jayson Molumby also coming into the side. Matt Doherty, Jason Knight and Mikey Johnston drop out, which probably means a switch to a back five.

England (4-2-3-1) Pickford; Livramento, Walker, Guehi, Hall; Gallagher, Jones; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane.
Substitutes: Henderson, Trafford, Lewis, Gibbs-White, Gomes, Quansah, Harwood-Bellis, Watkins, Rogers, Bowen, Solanke.

Republic of Ireland (possible 5-4-1) Kelleher; O’Shea, McGuinness, Collins, Scales, O’Dowda; Ebosele, Cullen, Molumby, Szmodics; Ferguson.
Substitutes: O’Leary, Travers, Doherty, Parrott, Johnston, O’Brien, Moran, Azaz, Manning, Coventry, McAteer, Cannon.

Referee Erik Lambrechts (Belgium).

Preamble

Hello and welcome to live, minute-by-minute coverage of England v Republic of Ireland at Wembley. The Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson may be a qualified dentist, but Lee Carsley’s spell as interim England manager has been more like a trip to the dentist. Okay, it’s had enough in common for a half-arsed analogy. We spent much of the time wincing, whining and worrying, only to belatedly realise it was far less painful than we feared and we’re in a healthier state than we were beforehand.

If England beat the Republic of Ireland at Wembley this evening, they will win Group B2 and return to – ludicrous phrase alert – the Nations League top table. In fact all they need to do is match Greece’s result in Finland, so victory may not be essential.

History will probably be kind to Carsley, who put his big bald head in the firing line for the greater good. He balanced the present and future almost perfectly, getting the results needed while conducting various fact-finding missions that will make Thomas Tuchel’s life easier when he takes over in the new year.

All of the above will be hastily deleted if England make a Horlicks of this afternoon’s game. But let’s not go back to the dentist’s waiting room just yet.

Kick off 5pm.