Potentially eligible players thread

[zero]

They won it's been a good startback for them. Can't understand how no journalist is asking if his paperwork is been processed

Re Crowley, yes that does seem odd. 3 goals and 5 assists this season, still only 21. You'd think one of the bigger Dutch clubs could make a move for him if he continues performing.

[Diggs246]

Re Crowley, yes that does seem odd. 3 goals and 5 assists this season, still only 21. You'd think one of the bigger Dutch clubs could make a move for him if he continues performing.

We are screaming out for a Wes replacement and we might have one ready to roll,...its madness

[geysir]

That article isn't very clear on his mother's background. This tweet and responses below clear things up: https://twitter.com/GerKeville/status/1089247203196092417?s=19

So his mother was born in England to her Irish parents before moving back to Ireland and being raised here from 10 onwards. So she's firmly Irish.

A pity for the English FA not realising that he was eligible for them. They would have joined the hunt in light of their recent record.
It's possible Ryan's mother might not have applied for British citizenship, therefore Ryan was saved from having to endure the power point presentation from the waistcoated one

[tetsujin1979]

Armstrong Okoflex training with the Celtic first team today
1092392141588967425

[Sullivinho]

Armstrong Okoflex training with the Celtic first team today

If you were messing about with one of them superhero name generators and it came up with Armstrong Okoflex, you'd be well pleased.

[elatedscum]

I saw Conor Noss is down in transfermarkt as being a dual citizen of Ireland and Germany. Anyone heard anything about him? Seems to be doing alright for Borrusia Monchengladbach.

https://www.transfermarkt.si/conor-noss/profil/spieler/520857

[liamoo11]

Crowley scored a penalty today. He has 5 goals and six assists in 25 league and cup games so far

[mark12345]

Crowley scored a penalty today. He has 5 goals and six assists in 25 league and cup games so far

Mick was at the game.

[mark12345]

Mick was at the game.

Don't know if he was or wasn't -just wanted to judge the enthusiasm of the posters for a potential call up for young Danny.

[Diggs246]

Mick was at the game.

Thats great news! Hopefully he is named in the next squad and any nessasary paperwork wont delay things

[The Fly]

Don't know if he was or wasn't -just wanted to judge the enthusiasm of the posters for a potential call up for young Danny.

In 3 minutes...on a Sunday?

[liamoo11]

Thats great news! Hopefully he is named in the next squad and any nessasary paperwork wont delay things

Yes that is great news delighted thought he was been ignored which would be a shame. Maybe he will be in squad in few weeks so

[mark12345]

I'm just hoping upon hope that the lad that gets in the next squad.
Also hoping to spark a debate about him so that Mick doesn't forget him.
Far as I can see, he is the most creative talent around available to Ireland.

[The Fly]

I'm just hoping upon hope that the lad that gets in the next squad.
Also hoping to spark a debate about him so that Mick doesn't forget him.
Far as I can see, he is the most creative talent around available to Ireland.

I doubt Mick follows foot.ie mark. :p

Anyway...given both his ability and stated desire to play for us, I'm pretty confident that he'll be included. It would be bizarre, and negligent, if he isn't.

[samhaydenjr]

Mick was at the game.


Don't know if he was or wasn't -just wanted to judge the enthusiasm of the posters for a potential call up for young Danny.


Thats great news! Hopefully he is named in the next squad and any nessasary paperwork wont delay things


Yes that is great news delighted thought he was been ignored which would be a shame. Maybe he will be in squad in few weeks so

OK, I just want to nip some potential burgeoning confusion in the bud here Diggs and Liamoo - there is no indication Mick was at the game - Mark12345 just said that to "judge the enthusiasm... for a call-up... " - so as far as I can see there's no actual reason to believe that Crowley will be in the squad against Gibraltar.

As to whether he should be... well... he does seem to be a talented youngster who's having a pretty good season at a middling Eredivisie side. And, yes, we could do with a creative midfield player. But remember also that our next five games are all competitive - there's no friendlies available for blooding players in before the Bulgaria game in September (although the two Gibraltar games could give us an opportunity for limited experimentation). Plus if we assume eight midfielders in the squad and no injuries, then the most likely octet would be McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean, O'Dowda, Browne and one from Hourihane, Horgan, Judge and Williams, with Judge in particular being a more experienced creative midfield option. And if Rice makes himself available, that's another option in midfield - and Mick may choose to try to accommodate our three Premier League right-backs by moving one of them further forward. So I wouldn't be shocked to my core if Mick decided that now wasn't the right time to bring in Crowley. On the other hand, if there were a couple of injuries affecting us, or if Mick just decides to take a shot with him against Gibraltar, then sure, why not?

[Diggs246]

OK, I just want to nip some potential burgeoning confusion in the bud here Diggs and Liamoo - there is no indication Mick was at the game - Mark12345 just said that to "judge the enthusiasm... for a call-up... " - so as far as I can see there's no actual reason to believe that Crowley will be in the squad against Gibraltar.

As to whether he should be... well... he does seem to be a talented youngster who's having a pretty good season at a middling Eredivisie side. And, yes, we could do with a creative midfield player. But remember also that our next five games are all competitive - there's no friendlies available for blooding players in before the Bulgaria game in September (although the two Gibraltar games could give us an opportunity for limited experimentation). Plus if we assume eight midfielders in the squad and no injuries, then the most likely octet would be McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean, O'Dowda, Browne and one from Hourihane, Horgan, Judge and Williams, with Judge in particular being a more experienced creative midfield option. And if Rice makes himself available, that's another option in midfield - and Mick may choose to try to accommodate our three Premier League right-backs by moving one of them further forward. So I wouldn't be shocked to my core if Mick decided that now wasn't the right time to bring in Crowley. On the other hand, if there were a couple of injuries affecting us, or if Mick just decides to take a shot with him against Gibraltar, then sure, why not?

Mark Mark Mark, please don't do that

[Dunners]

If Crowley is not in the first squad then I’m sorry that’s gross negligence on Mick’s part.
No excuses he can’t be ignored

[samhaydenjr]

If Crowley is not in the first squad then I’m sorry that’s gross negligence on Mick’s part.
No excuses he can’t be ignored

I think I gave 11 excuses above.

[The Fly]

I think I gave 11 excuses above.

We're talking about a place in the squad remember. There's no reason he shouldn't be included.

Whether he makes the actual team/subs bench is for another day.

[Olé Olé]

I don't necessarily disagree with you Sam but what are the chances all 11 are fit at once?

[tetsujin1979]

Also, we still don't know how far along the change of allegiance process is, or even if it's in progress at all

[Olé Olé]

Also, we still don't know how far along the change of allegiance process is, or even if it's in progress at all
Negligence on behalf of everyone involved if the process hasn't been kicked off. Crowley has spent the last few years like a teenager that keeps getting drawn back to the better-looking blonde when she gives him a text even though he knows he prefers the cute ginger girl with the awesome personality.

[DeLorean]

I don't think the blonde has any interest. I could be wrong, but I'm inclined to think that Mick, anyway, has done nothing regards Crowley. If he went to see him play, we'd know about it. If he had intended speaking to him, we'd probably know about it too. He made his intentions very clear with regards Bamford, etc.

[paul_oshea]

England centric policy to the fore again. Not great start for a new manager.

[The Fly]

Also, we still don't know how far along the change of allegiance process is, or even if it's in progress at all

True, most of us are operating on the assumption that the wheels have already been set in motion.

It would be disappointing to learn otherwise.

[samhaydenjr]

We're talking about a place in the squad remember. There's no reason he shouldn't be included.

Whether he makes the actual team/subs bench is for another day.

If we assume eight midfielders in the squad, I would then have seven ahead of him for sure - McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean, O'Dowda and Browne. To say he must be included then involves making the case for him being in the squad ahead of Hourihane, Horgan, Judge, Williams, Meyler and McGeady (who I forgot about). You might even make the case that Ryan Manning, with over 50 appearances and seven goals at Championship level, has as much of a claim for a spot as Crowley. Plus, if Declan Rice sees the light in the next few weeks, he could take that final midfield place. So, again, I'm not saying that Crowley shouldn't be in the squad (if he continues as he is going now, he could be a very handy asset), I'm just saying that his exclusion wouldn't necessarily be a shocker.


I don't necessarily disagree with you Sam but what are the chances all 11 are fit at once?

I know, we definitely need a bit more depth in midfield, but so far it looks like everybody will be available (knock on wood) - if not, then Crowley might be competing for one of two or three spots, rather than the last one and would be more likely to merit inclusion

[The Fly]

If we assume eight midfielders in the squad, I would then have seven ahead of him for sure - McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean, O'Dowda and Browne. To say he must be included then involves making the case for him being in the squad ahead of Hourihane, Horgan, Judge, Williams, Meyler and McGeady (who I forgot about). You might even make the case that Ryan Manning, with over 50 appearances and seven goals at Championship level, has as much of a claim for a spot as Crowley. Plus, if Declan Rice sees the light in the next few weeks, he could take that final midfield place. So, again, I'm not saying that Crowley shouldn't be in the squad (if he continues as he is going now, he could be a very handy asset), I'm just saying that his exclusion wouldn't necessarily be a shocker.

You're just naming players there without mentioning their specific position and skillset. Which of those midfielders are similar to Crowley?

[SkStu]

Is it fair to expect that uncapped players will just waltz into McCarthys first squad for his first set of competitive games? I don’t think so. Unless Crowley (or anyone) was truly tearing up trees at a decent level, it’d be a real stretch.

It’s really the fault of Il Monkeano (and their evil overlords) for staying as long as they did (being allowed to) and sitting on their useless holes collecting a hefty wedge for doing fck all except wasting opportunities and time that would have been better spent for a management team that cares.

[The Fly]

Is it fair to expect that uncapped players will just waltz into McCarthys first squad for his first set of competitive games? I don’t think so. Unless Crowley (or anyone) was truly tearing up trees at a decent level, it’d be a real stretch.

It’s really the fault of Il Monkeano (and their evil overlords) for staying as long as they did (being allowed to) and sitting on their useless holes collecting a hefty wedge for doing fck all except wasting opportunities and time that would have been better spent for a management team that cares.

None of our players are tearing up trees.

[SkStu]

None of our players are tearing up trees.

I’m talking about the case for an uncapped/untested player being brought straight into the squad for a competitive series.

[SkStu]

And I don’t think I fully agree with your statement - Rice, Browne, Robinson, Duffy are a few that spring to mind.

[liamoo11]

You're just naming players there without mentioning their specific position and skillset. Which of those midfielders are similar to Crowley?

Exactly. O dowda is the only similar player to Crowley who could play as a ten with creativity and guile. Poor judge has never recovered since the horror injury. Brady has been lost when played in the position for us.

if we want to play possession football and don't want Georgia to own the ball against us like they usually do we need players like Crowley. If we want to continue with hoofball then he mightn't be that helpful

[mark12345]

If we assume eight midfielders in the squad, I would then have seven ahead of him for sure - McCarthy, Brady, Hendrick, Arter, McClean, O'Dowda and Browne. To say he must be included then involves making the case for him being in the squad ahead of Hourihane, Horgan, Judge, Williams, Meyler and McGeady (who I forgot about). You might even make the case that Ryan Manning, with over 50 appearances and seven goals at Championship level, has as much of a claim for a spot as Crowley. Plus, if Declan Rice sees the light in the next few weeks, he could take that final midfield place. So, again, I'm not saying that Crowley shouldn't be in the squad (if he continues as he is going now, he could be a very handy asset), I'm just saying that his exclusion wouldn't necessarily be a shocker.

If any of those 14 players you mention above had the ability to be a creative force in the Irish midfield, no one would be calling for Crowley's inclusion.

[samhaydenjr]

If any of those 14 players you mention above had the ability to be a creative force in the Irish midfield, no one would be calling for Crowley's inclusion.

I don't know... I thought Judge was supposed to be pretty creative. I know I may not get to see enough games to say for certain, so maybe I'd better check with someone else from the forum:


Hallelujah! We badly need him. Either he or Liam Kelly, or both, will take over from Wes Hoolahan when he inevitably retires. Judge is a fine fine talent.;)

Anyway, is it absolutely necessary to have a small player who can pass a bit and is having a decent enough season at a mid-sized Eredivisie team? I mean, while we are still a little thin in midfield we have four Premier League midfielders; Browne has 11 goals and 4 assists so far this season and has come on in leaps and bounds recently - it's probably only a matter of time before he's a Premier League player; Hourihane has 5 goals and 9 assists, leaving him fourth in the Championship assists rankings; O'Dowda has four goals in his last twelve appearances and four assists for the season has come on in leaps and bounds recently - it's probably only a matter of time before he's a Premier League player; McClean has six assists and lots of International experience. In League One, McGeady has eight goals and five assists, but he's probably still capable of doing it at a higher level for a year and has lots of international experience.

Look, if Crowley's commitment and breakthrough had happened this time last year, I would have said "Absolutely! Use the Summer friendlies to blood him in and give him the competitive experience in the Nations League". But we're going straight into Euro 2020 qualifiers and our squad needs to be ready to go, not still awaiting final tests.

However, as I have repeatedly said, there may be a case to be made for taking a chance on him in the first half, as two of or first four are against Gibraltar. But that doesn't mean absolute entitlement to a squad place.

[mark12345]

Agree with most of what you say here re: Crowley. The pity is that he should have been blooded by now by O'Neill (assuming as we are that he's been eligible for quite some time now).
I would look to give him some game time in Gibraltar (perhaps with a couple of goals in the bank in the second half). Not an ideal situation, as you say, but the only one open to us right now.
I don't rate any of the players mentioned as playmakers. I like Browne's work rate and O'Dowda's guile and McClean can never be faulted for his effort but he's never going to be a creative force.

Football has moved on as we see every weekend when watching Liverpool / City / Tottenham, and unfortunately we are the land that time forgot. We will face that type of playing style in Switzerland and Denmark and even Georgia, so ball retention is going to be key. A lot is resting on Mick McCarthy's shoulders right now. If you turn on the TV for the first game and see Duffy or Keogh hoofing the ball long in the first five minutes, you should know it's going to be a long, long campaign.

[The Fly]

I’m talking about the case for an uncapped/untested player being brought straight into the squad for a competitive series.

That's fair enough. It's a pity there isn't a friendly or two before then for McCarthy and the management team to have a look at a few things, but there's still scope to try something in the Gibraltar game which is first up.

[Charlie Darwin]

Agree with most of what you say here re: Crowley. The pity is that he should have been blooded by now by O'Neill (assuming as we are that he's been eligible for quite some time now).
He hasn't been. He gave an interview a couple of months ago where he said he'd request to change his nationality if he was called up. There is no suggestion that he's made any sort of request since.

[TrapAPony]

Don't know what the situation is with this lad but Armstrong Okoflex is on the bench v Kilmarnock today

[mark12345]

He hasn't been. He gave an interview a couple of months ago where he said he'd request to change his nationality if he was called up. There is no suggestion that he's made any sort of request since.

That's very disappointing if true. I thought the paperwork was out of the way and his being called up to the squad was just a formality at this stage.

[geysir]

He hasn't been. He gave an interview a couple of months ago where he said he'd request to change his nationality if he was called up. There is no suggestion that he's made any sort of request since.
Don't you think the intended new country would have to be a part of the transfer request, at least to say 'we're interested in you should you be willing to go through the transfer process'?
It's a divorce but the player who initiates the divorce would need to have the bit on the side to be serious enough to participate in the process and be waiting with open arms.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm sure all they'd have to do is contact the association to say they'd like to initiate the process. I can only read between the lines on Crowley but I got the impression from what he said in an interview (with the Independent I think) that he wouldn't do it without it being made worth his while.

[geysir]

I'm sure all they'd have to do is contact the association to say they'd like to initiate the process. I can only read between the lines on Crowley but I got the impression from what he said in an interview (with the Independent I think) that he wouldn't do it without it being made worth his while.
I think he'd have to be asked first by the FAI, it's only proper to be invited to join should he so wish. The process of applying for the switch is not just a divorce process, a player virtually has to declare his other interest and to his dying day that's the intl team he wants to play for.

[Charlie Darwin]

Ah, if the Rice situation proves anything it's that player's are capable of making whatever decision they like. If he wants to play for Ireland he's fully able to make contact himself.

[geysir]

Ah, if the Rice situation proves anything it's that player's are capable of making whatever decision they like. If he wants to play for Ireland he's fully able to make contact himself.
Of course he can make contact with the FAI but seeing as Mick is already travelling around England selling the notion of Ireland to some half ársed (nationality wise) average players, it's a no brainer for Mick to contact a talented player willing to be contacted and the FAI then guide him through the transfer process.
A no brainer.

[DeLorean]

Will Keane hopes to be available in the next few months - https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/potential-ireland-recruit-will-keane-impresses-mick-mccarthy-on-scouting-mission-905217.html

[samhaydenjr]

Will Keane hopes to be available in the next few months - https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/potential-ireland-recruit-will-keane-impresses-mick-mccarthy-on-scouting-mission-905217.html

I missed that he scored on the weekend, his second since his move to Ipswich. A little difficult to gauge where he'd be right not in the ranking - how do we compare him to our three free-scoring League One forwards (Collins, Cox and Curtis)? How does he compare with Aiden O'Brien, Scott Hogan or a fit-again Jon Walters? Are these two goals just a mini-streak, or actually a sign that he's ready to deliver on his youth career promise? Now if he does keep this form going, and scores another 4-6 by the end of the season, he might move up the list and be comparable to Sean Maguire. In that case it might be worth our while looking at him in the home game against Gibraltar and/or the Bulgaria friendly. But even then, we may still be looking to build up the caps for Obafemi, Robinson and Maguire.

All that said, it's nice to see him come on board, hopefully it will encourage a certain Netherlands-based midfielder to commit fully to us

[TrapAPony]

Will Keane hopes to be available in the next few months - https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/soccer/potential-ireland-recruit-will-keane-impresses-mick-mccarthy-on-scouting-mission-905217.html

Will Keane's declaration doesn't get me excited at all. An injury plagued striker (who had potential one time) who is on loan from Hull to Ipswich who are rooted to the bottom of the Championship and heading into League 1. We are really at a low ebb if we are relying on him to be our saviour.

[samhaydenjr]

Will Keane's declaration doesn't get me excited at all. An injury plagued striker (who had potential one time) who is on loan from Hull to Ipswich who are rooted to the bottom of the Championship and heading into League 1. We are really at a low ebb if we are relying on him to be our saviour.

I understand, definitely not punching the air at that one - assuming everybody's fully fit, the forwards for our game against Gibraltar must surely come from Long, Obafemi, McGoldrick, Robinson and Maguire, so I hope McCarthy isn't going to shaft one of them to accommodate a late-joiner with a less-than-stellar record (albeit injury affected) just to entice him to come on board. However, like I said, if this loan move to Ipswich gives him the chance to deliver on his early promise and leave his injury worries behind and he scores regularly between now and the end of the season, then perhaps he will be worth a second look in the Autumn (I think his contract at Hull is up in May also, so he'd want a permanent deal arranged by then also)

That said, he's almost certainly not our goalscoring saviour, just potentially a useful squad player - although the chances of him being our fifth-best striker in a year's time are probably not that much better than the chances of him being fifteenth.

Excellent header, in fairness:


https://youtu.be/k1gR94fT7WI?t=94

[SkStu]

He looks like the closest thing we have to Cilian Sheridan.... literally.

[geysir]

He looks like the closest thing we have to Cilian Sheridan.... literally.
I'd prefer if he reminded you of Zlatan.