Mick McCarthy

[Charlie Darwin]

Kinsella is back with their u18s afaik.

[geysir]

It's going to be tight for Mick (and staff) with the qualifiers starting in March. The timing of the appointment just compounds the error of not appointing a new manager before the UNL.

[pineapple stu]

It's the vision geysir. Vision. You wouldn't understand. You're not on 360k/year.

[backstothewall]

The options available to Mick McCarthy

Goalkeeper
Darren Randolph
Rob Elliott
Kieren Westwood
Stephen Henderson
Colin Doyle
Ian Lawlor
Sean McDermott
Kieran O'Hara
Caoimhin Kelleher

A year ago he might have felt under pressure but to my mind Randolph is pretty secure in the #1 shirt. Elliott and Westwood have both lost their place at club level and Randolph has been performing for club and country. Mick coming in will presumably mean Henderson is out of the doghouse if he can get fit and playing football somewhere. Kelleher made the senior squad recently but I’d assume Kenny will want him for the U21 squad. Potentially the first tug of war between him and Mick

Right-Back
Seamus Coleman
Matt Doherty
Cyrus Christie

Mick has 3 good options available to him, but very little else. One of the challenges he will obviously have is keeping the 3 of them happy.

Centre-Back
Shane Duffy
John Egan
Kevin Long
Ciaran Clark
Richard Keogh
Darragh Lenihan
Jimmy Dunne
Alex Pearce
Tommy Hoban
Lee O’Connor
Ryan Nolan
Conor Masterson

We have decent strength here. Duffy is one of the first names on the teamsheet and there are plenty of options to play beside him. And a couple of decent looking prospects in the pipeline. It would be good to get a long term partnership established and MMcC will understand the value of that as well as anybody. And of course Declan Rice may potentially come back into the mix.

Left-Back
Greg Cunningham
Stephen Ward
Enda Stevens
Derrick Williams

It isn’t great. Playing Brady there is another option, particularly if MMcC continues with 3 at the back. But I’d guess Robbie Keane could be putting in a lot of motorway miles trying to dig up other options.

Right-Wing
Daryl Horgan
Aiden McGeady
Jonny Hayes
Sean Scannell
Jake Mulraney

The right wing isn’t a lot better than left-back. McGeady is a has-been and the others never will be. O’Dowda has played there in the past and has impressed me in that role and Callum McManaman is still eligible afaik. If he could be brought on board it might help a bit

Central Midfield
Harry Arter
Jeff Hendrick
James McCarthy
Conor Hourihane
Alan Browne
David Meyler
Alan Judge
Shaun Williams
Dan Crowley
Josh Cullen
Connor Ronan
Richie Towell
Ryan Manning

Hendrick looks lost, and there are obviously doubts over the future of McCarthy. It’s a little depressing but Browne and Hourihane are both playing well in the Championship and Liam Kelly could possibly come back into the mix. MmcC will possibly start playing to the strengths of the likes of Arter/Hendrick rather than whatever has been going on for the last 18 months. For me the biggest positive is that I’m probably never going to see Cyrus Christie playing in central midfield ever again.

Left-Wing
Robbie Brady
James McClean
Callum O’Dowda
Callum Robinson
Aiden O’Brien
Ronan Curtis
Anthony Pilkington
Olamide Shodipo

A pity Robinson has picked up an injury. Fingers and everything else crossed that he comes back as strong as he has looked for us so far. His introduction has been one of the few highlights of a **** year. McClean seems to have gone back a step. The chaos he brings to a game is perhaps a better option from the bench

Forwards
Shane Long
Scott Hogan
Michael Obafemi
Graham Burke
Joe Mason
Will Keane
David McGoldrick
Sean Maguire

We have a lot of depth but not a lot of strength here. Perhaps Obafemi can really kick on at Southampton. In a dream world he and Jonathan Afolobi will get a run together and rack up 20 goals between them to keep Southampton up. It might not sound terribly plausible but the next most likely option to solve our striker issue is for Shane Long to recover his form so it’s either hope for the 2 young lads to make the breakthrough or get on to Saint Jude about Shane. I agree with the idea that McGoldrick is likely to return the squad given his previous relationship with MmcC. Patrick Bamford isn’t exactly Gabriel Batistuta but if he can be brought in he might be a good option for the next campaign. Adam Idah and Aaron Connolly maybe offer some hope just beyond the horizon.

[Diggs246]

Great post.

I have a feeling if Doherty continues his good form he will play right back and that mick will play coleman in right wing.

[backstothewall]

I'd like to see us try a 3-4-3 with Coleman in a back 3. I've mentioned before I'd envision him playing a similar role to that Kyle Walker has for England.

------------ Randolph ---------
---- Coleman Duffy Egan -----
Doherty Arter Hendrick Brady
-- O'Dowda ------ Robinson --
----------- Maguire ------------

The big danger of playing a back 3 is having your centre backs dragged out towards the touchline where they aren't comfortable and getting into trouble against the opposition winger. But Egan plays on the left of a 3 for his club, and Coleman obviously wouldn't mind ending up in the full back position. I'm not sure how likely it is that McCarthy would play a back 3 though. Off the top of my head I can't remember him trying it for any club he's been at.

No matter what system we play it would look a lot better with even a middle of the road premier league striker leading the line.

[CraftyToePoke]

Clarke played left of a three tonight for Newcastle I think.

[Yard of Pace]

The right wing isn’t a lot better than left-back. McGeady is a has-been and the others never will be.

Just wanted to comment on this. Many are lamenting the absences of Dunne, Duff, Kilbane, Given, etc etc yet we have a guy with almost 100 caps aged just 32 and he's a write-off, end of story?

I went digging and here's the most recent thread on Aiden from Sunderland fans. I think it seems very balanced. I really don't think we should be dismissing anyone, especially not someone who played 7 times for us in 2017 and with Robbie on board now who played so often with Aiden, (and while I'm at it. what about Gibson??)...I could see him being important again. I could also see him never playing again, but I am realistic. I thiink the former has more possible success.

https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/mcgeady.1452845/

Just wanted to throw that in there.

[Olé Olé]

Just on the full back point, Cunningham apparently did well at the weekend for Cardiff. We have 4 full backs starting in the PL and Ends Stevens was bright against NI so there are so many options there. 2 excellent PL right backs countered by a dearth of options at right midfield is worrying. Whilst I hope Nathan Collins and Oisin McEntee and Lee O'Connor make a breakthrough, how very badly we need the likes of Parrott and Idah and Connolly to follow Obafemi. Kenny's comment yesterday suggest he will be open to fast-tracking those lads into his under 21 side.

[tetsujin1979]

How many of them are still eligible for the under 19s? Depending on the draw, we could have two underage teams at a tournament next year

[backstothewall]

With Kenny being the next senior manager, at least on paper, I like the idea of hot-housing a generation of talent under him.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Great post.

I have a feeling if Doherty continues his good form he will play right back and that mick will play coleman in right wing.

I think he may play Doherty left back. He's played there before for Wolves.

[EAFC_rdfl]

I think he may play Doherty left back. He's played there before for Wolves.

I thought he might play Doherty right mid! A bit like Gary Kelly back in the 2000s? A bit like what backstothewall had above with a slight shift:
------------ Randolph ---------
Coleman Duffy Egan Brady
Doherty Arter Hendrick O'Dowda
-----------Robinson -----------
----------- Maguire ------------

If Rice declares, I'd like to see it more like this:
------------ Randolph ---------
Coleman Duffy Egan Brady
-------------Rice ---------------
Doherty Arter Hendrick Robinson
----------- Maguire ------------

Though I'm not sure Maguire is the number 1 front man, can Robinson do that role? Also see the 2nd CB spot as any one of 3 or 4 really but left Egan there for now.

[DeLorean]

I'm not sure how likely it is that McCarthy would play a back 3 though.

I think he indicated it's unlikely in the press conference and suggested the game has moved on from 4-4-2 also.

[zero]

I think he indicated it's unlikely in the press conference and suggested the game has moved on from 4-4-2 also.

I was wondering about that too. What kind of formation was he using at Ipswich? 4-5-1 / 4-3-3?

edit: seems he was going 3-5-2 quite a bit:

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-boss-could-change-formation-for-cardiff-city-clash-1-4933057

[backstothewall]

I was wondering about that too. What kind of formation was he using at Ipswich? 4-5-1 / 4-3-3?

edit: seems he was going 3-5-2 quite a bit:

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/sport/ipswich-town/ipswich-town-boss-could-change-formation-for-cardiff-city-clash-1-4933057

That's interesting. With the players we have 3 at the back makes the most sense to me.

[IsMiseSean]

Two midfielders left out of backstothewall list - Ryan Manning & Richie Towell would be ahead of Connor Ronan in the pecking order.

[DeLorean]

I wonder if Patrick Bamford will be approached. I seem to remember him scoring a couple of goals against Mick's Ipswich live on Sky a few years back, the season he pipped Daryl Murphy to the player of the year award I think.

[backstothewall]

Two midfielders left out of backstothewall list - Ryan Manning & Richie Towell would be ahead of Connor Ronan in the pecking order.

Yes. Oversight by me. I knew I'd miss the odd one. I'll update my list


I wonder if Patrick Bamford will be approached. I seem to remember him scoring a couple of goals against Mick's Ipswich live on Sky a few years back, the season he pipped Daryl Murphy to the player of the year award I think.

Same applies to Lukas Jutkiewicz. Digging up a striker from somewhere has to be a priority.

[marinobohs]

Mick also turned Ward from a striker into a LB

Kind of. Actually turned him into a left winger. Ward was asked to play left back because he was the only fit 'left footed' player available one match day and he reluctantly agreed.The rest is history.

[Stuttgart88]

Just wanted to comment on this. Many are lamenting the absences of Dunne, Duff, Kilbane, Given, etc etc yet we have a guy with almost 100 caps aged just 32 and he's a write-off, end of story?

I went digging and here's the most recent thread on Aiden from Sunderland fans. I think it seems very balanced. I really don't think we should be dismissing anyone, especially not someone who played 7 times for us in 2017 and with Robbie on board now who played so often with Aiden, (and while I'm at it. what about Gibson??)...I could see him being important again. I could also see him never playing again, but I am realistic. I thiink the former has more possible success.

https://www.readytogo.net/smb/threads/mcgeady.1452845/

Just wanted to throw that in there.Agree totally on McGeady and Gibson. Gibson, bar maybe a fit and spritely Jack Byrne, is still our most gifted traditional central midfielder. I'm not saying they should be starting but they shouldn't be automatically discarded either. Byrne is another who could forge a comeback yet. I've always had a soft spot for Gibson it has to be said.

[CraftyToePoke]

I wonder if Patrick Bamford will be approached. I seem to remember him scoring a couple of goals against Mick's Ipswich live on Sky a few years back, the season he pipped Daryl Murphy to the player of the year award I think.

I'd say so, MMcC's press conference featured heavily dual lads being entitled and welcome to play, and how he would be assessing all possible options for his first squad. It was no accidental message.

[TrapAPony]

I'd say so, MMcC's press conference featured heavily dual lads being entitled and welcome to play, and how he would be assessing all possible options for his first squad. It was no accidental message.

I was happy to hear that. We need to get the best squad of players available to us as we possibly can and if that means recruiting a number of English born players then so be it.

[EAFC_rdfl]

Yes. Oversight by me. I knew I'd miss the odd one. I'll update my list



Same applies to Lukas Jutkiewicz. Digging up a striker from somewhere has to be a priority.

Add Patrick Hoban to the list as well, certainly on a par with some of the others, and knows where the goal is.
The likes of Duffy and McEleney arguably should be included too.

[DeLorean]

Left-Back
Greg Cunningham
Stephen Ward
Enda Stevens
Derrick Williams

It isn’t great. Playing Brady there is another option, particularly if MMcC continues with 3 at the back. But I’d guess Robbie Keane could be putting in a lot of motorway miles trying to dig up other options.

Tom Field has virtually disappeared since bursting on to the scene a couple of years back. Still only 21 though.

[osarusan]

Add Patrick Hoban to the list as well, certainly on a par with some of the others, and knows where the goal is.

Hoban has what, 7 goals in 65 League 2 appearances, and 0 in 10 in the Conference.

He is banging the goals in at LOI level, but you can't say he is on a par with somebody like Jutkiewicz, who has more than 60 championship goals to his name, and who scored 10 goals in 18 games for Birmingham last season.

Now, Hoban may be a much improved player these days than he was then, but the calibre of opposition player that they have proven themselves equal to (or better than) can't even be compared.

[Diggs246]

Hoban has what, 7 goals in 65 League 2 appearances, and 0 in 10 in the Conference.

He is banging the goals in at LOI level, but you can't say he is on a par with somebody like Jutkiewicz, who has more than 60 championship goals to his name, and who scored 10 goals in 18 games for Birmingham last season.

I know its not a popular stance, but if we look at the recent stars of the LOI who made a move to England its not good:
Richie Towel over all disappointing, but is in a better place now to be fair
Daryl Horgan failed at Championship level
Andy Boyle never took off at all
Graham Burke looks like it hasn't worked
Seani Maguire the jury is still out ( injury hasn't helped)

[TrapAPony]

I agree with osarusan & diggs. There is no way is Hoban good enough and the LOI is not a good standard in general. Player of the month for October Paddy McEleney, while a good player in the LOI, only very recently failed to make the grade at Oldham. That's not the standard required for the national team.

[DeLorean]

Particularly when we don't have so much as a friendly game to test their credentials.

[irishfan86]

Particularly when we don't have so much as a friendly game test their credentials.

I realize there are no friendlies scheduled at the moment -- is there any opportunity in the international calendar to get in a match or two before the Euro qualifiers begin? I would hope we can have at least one camp and a match or ideally two for Mick to at least establish some basics with the group.

[DeLorean]

I realize there are no friendlies scheduled at the moment -- is there any opportunity in the international calendar to get in a match or two before the Euro qualifiers begin? I would hope we can have at least one camp and a match or ideally two for Mick to at least establish some basics with the group.

It would appear not. The point about our next game being a qualifier has been made repeatedly in press conferences and interviews. McCarthy said he's hoping for a favourable opening fixture.

[SkStu]

Particularly when we don't have so much as a friendly game to test their credentials.

I was wondering at the weekend whether Mick might try and have a B international? Clubs would never approve that sort of game though (those days are gone) so looks like the only time he will get to see them up close would be at some sort of training camp on an international week. Not even sure that is feasible.

[pineapple stu]

I know its not a popular stance, but if we look at the recent stars of the LOI who made a move to England its not good:
Richie Towel over all disappointing, but is in a better place now to be fair
Daryl Horgan failed at Championship level
Andy Boyle never took off at all
Graham Burke looks like it hasn't worked
Seani Maguire the jury is still out ( injury hasn't helped)
Popular or not, it's entirely fair. Even Dave McMillan is struggling to make it off the bench at St Johnstone despite a promising start, and you could add Chris Forrester (transfer listed at Peterborough; recently moved to Aberdeen) and Danny Kearns (promising start at Peterborough, but now back at Linfield).

The LoI is a fun league, but it's a weak league. It's partly what makes the insistence that Mick must move aside in two years for Stephen Kenny a bit puzzling.

[irishfan86]

As far as I'm concerned, if we qualify for the Euros and play well at the tournament, Mick stays on. It would be absurd for any other situation to play out. He's an excellent man manager as well and I suspect senior players will speak out if the original plan is followed out regardless of our performance.

If Kenny is a patriot I would like him to sit out taking the role until an appropriate time for a switch (naïve and wishful thinking on my part I know).

[TrapAPony]

The LoI is a fun league, but it's a weak league. It's partly what makes the insistence that Mick must move aside in two years for Stephen Kenny a bit puzzling.

It seems like a move to please LOI fans more than anything else to me.

[Stuttgart88]

As far as I'm concerned, if we qualify for the Euros and play well at the tournament, Mick stays on. It would be absurd for any other situation to play out. He's an excellent man manager as well and I suspect senior players will speak out if the original plan is followed out regardless of our performance.

If Kenny is a patriot I would like him to sit out taking the role until an appropriate time for a switch (naïve and wishful thinking on my part I know).I'm equally naive and wishful. And it could be spun that the U21s are doing well so it'd be disruptive to change, he'd agree to an extension to the handover (knowing an extra 100k a year has simultaneously been added to his pay packet!). He knows he'd be on a hiding to nothing if he took over if Mick is successful, especially if Kenny isn't.

[irishfan86]

Anyway -- fingers crossed we perform well enough over the next two years to make this an incredibly awkward situation for everyone!

[SkStu]

It seems like a move to please LOI fans more than anything else to me.

I don't know why that would be the case - LOI fans are a tiny portion of the community/fan base, really - and usually LOI opinions get quickly and easily ignored/dismissed by the rest. So there's very little goodwill on offer to JD in this equation.

I'd like to think - and do believe - that it is a measured and merited decision.

[pineapple stu]

True. And it's not like Delaney gives a **** about the league, let alone its fans

[geysir]

It was a win win win decision for Delaney. Kenny actually merits the appointment, there's the appeasement factor and the deflection.

[IsMiseSean]

Daryl Horgan failed at Championship level


In fairness to Horgan - he was doing very well under Simon Grayson until he left for Sunderland. Alex Neil never really fancied him.

[Charlie Darwin]

McEleney hardly failed to make the grade at Oldham either. He left the club because it was a ****show. Forrester had a good couple of years before personal problems got in the way. Not saying the league is amazing but there've been plenty of players who have gone across and done well.

[The Fly]

"As Mick McCarthy prepares to begin his second reign as Ireland manager we take a look at 15 potential players the former Wolves boss could introduce into the Irish first team." -


http://www.punditarena.com/irish-football/nmenezes/fifteen-exciting-talents-mccarthy-introduce/

[Diggs246]

In fairness to Horgan - he was doing very well under Simon Grayson until he left for Sunderland. Alex Neil never really fancied him.

Very well!? Has somebody got their galway colours on!!

[IsMiseSean]

Very well!? Has somebody got their galway colours on!!

I probably have a little - but he was a regular in the team and scored a few goals.

He was certainly more impressive than the likes of Burke, O'Connor & Boyle.

[liamoo11]

"As Mick McCarthy prepares to begin his second reign as Ireland manager we take a look at 15 potential players the former Wolves boss could introduce into the Irish first team." -


http://www.punditarena.com/irish-football/nmenezes/fifteen-exciting-talents-mccarthy-introduce/

Is that statement that Johansson is believed to be declaring for us true and where has that come from?

Kyle Scott won't be eligible for our 21s but he is a good call would be worth bringing him in if we could even though he is currently at second division level in Holland

[Olé Olé]

Inability to write coherent English- "it is widely expected that Johansson has decided to represent Ireland" - would make me doubt that writer's credibility.

[Fixer82]

In fairness to Horgan - he was doing very well under Simon Grayson until he left for Sunderland. Alex Neil never really fancied him.

Even in the little tight shorts??

[tetsujin1979]

Is that statement that Johansson is believed to be declaring for us true and where has that come from?

"As Mick McCarthy prepares to begin his second reign as Ireland manager we take a look at 15 potential players the former Wolves boss could introduce into the Irish first team." -

http://www.punditarena.com/irish-football/nmenezes/fifteen-exciting-talents-mccarthy-introduce/

Kyle Scott won't be eligible for our 21s but he is a good call would be worth bringing him in if we could even though he is currently at second division level in Holland


Inability to write coherent English- "it is widely expected that Johansson has decided to represent Ireland" - would make me doubt that writer's credibility.


you lost me at "punditarena"

[Kingdom]

You see I've a serious issue with him saying he can't be aware of every player. Of course he can. Half of the people on this forum - as a hobby! - know just about any player that is senior and available, but the National team manager isn't??? Come on for god sake.