Darren Randolph G Free agent b.1987

[DeLorean]

He's a man of regular mistakes at club level.

[jbyrne]

named in championship team of the year...
https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/0424/1045434-randolph-included-in-pfa-championship-team-of-the-year/

[DeLorean]

Return to West Ham confirmed - https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/january/15-january/darren-randolph-returns-west-ham-united

[Fizzer]

The Belfast Telegraph are reporting that he’s retiring from international duty. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/republic-keeper-darren-randolph-to-call-it-quits-on-the-international-scene-39767925.html

[Trequartista20]

More good news.

The way things are going I don't think he'll be the last either...

[ColourfulPeanut]

Article is deleted and not reported anywhere else.

Strange one, wonder what's going on?

[Trequartista20]

Article is deleted and not reported anywhere else.

Strange one, wonder what's going on?

Hopefully it's nonsense. We can't afford to lose Randolph.

[boovidge]

Maybe he saw the posts on here calling for him to be replaced by a teenager

[NeverFeltBetter]

He'd be a huge loss. I did say it a while ago, but I think for us he's been Given-level at times.

[seanfhear]

Surely he needs the games considering he is not playing in the league for West Ham ~ ~ Has Covid -19 driven everyone Bonkers ?

I think we could do with having another go at the English to Unite the Country !

[Colbert Report]

Fabianski injured in the warm up away to Everton today, so Randolph gets the start, his first appearance in the league this season.

[tetsujin1979]

he's the 21st Irish player in the Premier League this season, the same as in the 2019/20 season

[Eirambler]

It's actually good going by our standards to have had 21 different players make Premier League appearances by new year's day, I'd say it has been a few years since that has happened. Not sure where we might get any more from though, I can't think of any other Irish players looking close to a breakthrough in the division. I suppose Lewis Richards has been on the bench for Wolves so not beyond possibility that he might get a run at some stage.

Not wanting to wish any serious injury on anyone or anything but it would be good if Randolph got a reasonable run of games now over the next few weeks. Didn't have much to do today.

[zero]

thread title says west brom which is confusing - thought perhaps big Sam had brought him in on loan.

[samhaydenjr]

It's actually good going by our standards to have had 21 different players make Premier League appearances by new year's day, I'd say it has been a few years since that has happened. Not sure where we might get any more from though, I can't think of any other Irish players looking close to a breakthrough in the division. I suppose Lewis Richards has been on the bench for Wolves so not beyond possibility that he might get a run at some stage.

Not wanting to wish any serious injury on anyone or anything but it would be good if Randolph got a reasonable run of games now over the next few weeks. Didn't have much to do today.

I guess the best indicator will be the FA Cup 3rd round games, where we might hopefully see some players getting game time if they've been making an impact at U23 level - possibilities would include Mipo Odubeko, Will Ferry and Tyreik Wright. Although it might be equally important to see those in the 21, who haven't played much get more game time - so we'd be looking at Randolph, Le;;eher, Kevin Long, Dunne, Obafemi, Smallbone and Molumby

[tetsujin1979]

It's actually good going by our standards to have had 21 different players make Premier League appearances by new year's day, I'd say it has been a few years since that has happened. Not sure where we might get any more from though, I can't think of any other Irish players looking close to a breakthrough in the division. I suppose Lewis Richards has been on the bench for Wolves so not beyond possibility that he might get a run at some stage.

Not wanting to wish any serious injury on anyone or anything but it would be good if Randolph got a reasonable run of games now over the next few weeks. Didn't have much to do today.
the 2014/15 season was the last time more than 20 Irish players had played in the Premier League before new year's day, 24 - Richard Dunne, Paul McShane, Steven Reid, John O'Shea, Damien Delaney, Glenn Whelan, Jonathan Walters, Aiden McGeady, Joey O'Brien, Robert Elliot, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Stephen Ireland, Stephen Quinn, Darron Gibson, James McCarthy, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ward, David Meyler, Ciaran Clark, Seamus Coleman, Kevin Long, Robbie Brady, and Reece Grego-Cox

There were 20 in 2015/16 - John O'Shea, Damien Delaney, Glenn Whelan, Jonathan Walters, Robert Elliot, Shane Long, Stephen Ireland, Darren Randolph, Darron Gibson, Wes Hoolahan, James McCarthy, Marc Wilson, Harry Arter, Ciaran Clark, Seamus Coleman, Eunan O'Kane, Robbie Brady, James McClean, Josh Cullen, and Kevin Toner

The most Irish players to have appeared in the league before New Years Day is 36, in both the 2009/10 and 2011/12 seasons
2009/10 - Stephen Carr, Lee Carsley, Rory Delap, Steve Finnan, Shay Given, Kevin Kilbane, Andy O'Brien, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne, Paul McShane, Robbie Keane, Steven Reid, Stephen Hunt, Keith Andrews, John O'Shea, Liam Lawrence, Andy Reid, Glenn Whelan, Caleb Folan, Kevin Foley, Keith Fahey, Stephen Kelly, Andy Keogh, Daryl Murphy, Kevin Doyle, Chris McCann, Stephen Ireland, Darron Gibson, James McCarthy, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ward, David Meyler, Ciaran Clark, Seamus Coleman, Jay O'Shea, and Greg Cunningham
2011/12 - Rory Delap, Shay Given, Damien Duff, Richard Dunne, Robbie Keane, Steven Reid, Paddy Kenny, Stephen Hunt, Keith Andrews, John O'Shea, Glenn Whelan, Kevin Foley, Jonathan Walters, Stephen Kelly, Keiren Westwood, Leon Best, Kevin Doyle, Shane Long, Stephen Ireland, Simon Cox, Darron Gibson, Wes Hoolahan, James McCarthy, Anthony Pilkington, Marc Wilson, Stephen Ward, Conor Sammon, David Meyler, Ciaran Clark, Shane Duffy, Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Michael Harriman, James McClean, Anthony Forde, and Samir Carruthers


thread title says west brom which is confusing - thought perhaps big Sam had brought him in on loan.
Fixed

[John83]

It says a lot that we're at not much above half the number of PL players of ten years ago. Not that Championship players are necessarily rubbish, but the averages tell us something about the standard of the playing pool available to the national team.

[tetsujin1979]

30 players would play, on average, in every Premier League season, until the 2012-13 season, when 29 players appeared, and the number of Irish players declined every year after that, reaching a lowpoint of only 15 players in 2018/19(see below), but it's improved since with 21 players in 2019/20 and the current season. I actually think the 2017/18 season was worse, 17 players appeared, averaging 15.7 appearances each - the 15 players from the 2018/19 season averaged 17.66 appearances each.



Season
Count
Appearances
Average


1992-93
32
763
23.84


1993-94
28
658
23.50


1994-95
25
602
24.08


1995-96
30
526
17.53


1996-97
35
561
16.03


1997-98
33
532
16.12


1998-99
31
579
18.68


1999-00
34
612
18.00


2000-01
32
672
21.00


2001-02
31
601
19.39


2002-03
36
699
19.42


2003-04
33
759
23.00


2004-05
28
641
22.89


2005-06
33
645
19.55


2006-07
26
549
21.12


2007-08
28
628
22.43


2008-09
26
505
19.42


2009-10
36
690
19.17


2010-11
30
589
19.63


2011-12
36
768
21.33


2012-13
29
575
19.83


2013-14
26
505
19.42


2014-15
25
480
19.20


2015-16
21
424
20.19


2016-17
18
399
22.17


2017-18
17
267
15.71


2018-19
15
265
17.67


2019-20
21
420
20.00


2020-21
21
154
7.33



FWIW I'd estimate the average number of appearances to be around 16.4 at the end of the season

[Olé Olé]

It says a lot that we're at not much above half the number of PL players of ten years ago. Not that Championship players are necessarily rubbish, but the averages tell us something about the standard of the playing pool available to the national team.
There has definitely been a regression in the standard of the playing pool available. Not sure if it is entirely borne out by the fact that we are not much above half the number of PL players of ten years ago.

If you look at the 2011/2012 list, there are players who would definitely struggle to get into the PL today. The quality there has improved and, as a result, as has the quality at Championship level. There are plenty in there that somehow managed to get a look in at Premier League level that would not today and, in many cases, their career trajectories have shown that.

This is slightly less evident in the class of 2009/2010, but Jay O'Shea, Lawrence, Folan and Andy Keogh do not get into a present day top half Championship side, let alone get brought up to the Premier League should said side get promoted. Nor does a Premier League side purchase them. Cox and Sammon from the 2011/2012 class struck me similarly and I don't think Forde, Carruthers or Harriman were near the same standard as our other teenage debutants from this year and last.

Overall, I definitely agree with your point. But if you look at the young players getting their Premier League debuts, the money spent when Championship players sign for a Premier League club and the quality of the squads at the promoted sides this year I think it becomes apparent that Wigan buying Conor Sammon or Andy Keogh being promoted with and kept by Wolves does not occur today.

[Olé Olé]

Having looked at the 2014/2015 group (with the numbers the same as this year's thus far), the only outlier I see there is Greego-Cox and, maybe, Stephen Quinn. That definitely shows the improvement in the Premier League in that short period but may also show a regression in our playing pool too.

Ultimately, though, our national side's fortunes should be the best measurement of the quality of our playing pool. Although, one could point to the numbers in 2014/2015 and our qualification for the Euros on 2016 and ask if we should quality for the World Cup in 2022 on the grounds of having comparable numbers. Qualification for a World Cup, however, is still more difficult (I think it is, even in spite of the changes to format?).

My assertions above are completely ignorant of the impact of a manager and coaching staff and style of play. Michael O'Neill and his Northern Ireland side show the importance of same.

[seanfhear]

There has definitely been a regression in the standard of the playing pool available. Not sure if it is entirely borne out by the fact that we are not much above half the number of PL players of ten years ago.

If you look at the 2011/2012 list, there are players who would definitely struggle to get into the PL today. The quality there has improved and, as a result, as has the quality at Championship level. There are plenty in there that somehow managed to get a look in at Premier League level that would not today and, in many cases, their career trajectories have shown that.

This is slightly less evident in the class of 2009/2010, but Jay O'Shea, Lawrence, Folan and Andy Keogh do not get into a present day top half Championship side, let alone get brought up to the Premier League should said side get promoted. Nor does a Premier League side purchase them. Cox and Sammon from the 2011/2012 class struck me similarly and I don't think Forde, Carruthers or Harriman were near the same standard as our other teenage debutants from this year and last.

Overall, I definitely agree with your point. But if you look at the young players getting their Premier League debuts, the money spent when Championship players sign for a Premier League club and the quality of the squads at the promoted sides this year I think it becomes apparent that Wigan buying Conor Sammon or Andy Keogh being promoted with and kept by Wolves does not occur today.I actually think Liam Lawrence was a decent quality player that lacked a bit of pace whether that was due to injuries or not ~ I don’t know.

[Eirambler]

I would agree with a lot of that. I think you will always get a few players getting game time at that level though who turn out to not be good enough in the long run. We may look back at this year's list in a few years and be amazed that someone like Jimmy Dunne (or Lewis Richards if he gets minutes) played premier League depending on how their careers turn out. I would guess that those lists probably include a few players who got a run out near the end of the season in mid table teams that had little to play for, which can often top up the numbers late in the season.

In terms of qualification for tournaments my own belief is that we're going to have to ride out the next two years - we don't currently have a good enough team and the world cup qualification process is too difficult for us at our current level.

However, after that we're looking at another 24 team Euros in 2024 and from the 2026 world cup onwards there should be at least 16 European qualifiers so, as the standard of our squad hopefully improves, it should be timed nicely alongside the World Cup becoming at least a little easier to qualify for and the continuation of the 24 team Euros.

Anyway, since this is the Randolph thread, any news on Fabianski's injury?

[nigel-harps1954]

https://www.claretandhugh.info/fabianski-update-2/

Fabianski expected to return for the next game, according to this.

[passinginterest]

Started against City today. Might have been a bit better for the City goal.

Just gone over on his ankle taking a goal kick and may have to come off. Seems to hurt himself taking goal kicks a lot.

[Olé Olé]

Difficult to fault him on either goal, in my view. The first one he might have done better with but the ball was sublime and Stones almost got to it before Dias. Between coming for it, thinking Stones might get it or whatever else he was thinking, he wasn't perfectly positioned for Dias and that is true. Difficult to blame him for it I think.

The ankle was a funny one. He stayed on the pitch for the entire a game and the commentators said that the third choice keeper was warming up for the rest of the match after Randolph got injured.

Hopefully it doesn't cost him any games if Fabianski is out again.

[tetsujin1979]

Randolph was named in West Ham's U23 side but had to be replaced before kick off
1379494632480968708

[tetsujin1979]

Player for west ham U23 did today against Everton, alongside Coventry and Odubeko. West Ham won 2-1, both goals from Odubeko
1384152304610205700

[seanfhear]

Player for west ham U23 did today against Everton, alongside Coventry and Odubeko. West Ham won 2-1, both goals from Odubeko
1384152304610205700
Fabianski let in a howler ( according to the radio I was listening to ) at the weekend. Maybe Randolph will get a game before the season is over.

[Stuttgart88]

Ah Fabianski has been really good for them. Clearly their no. 1 I reckon unless his form goes completely to pot.

[sadloserkid]

And even if they want to supplant Fabianski they'll look to buy in, they won't be putting their faith in a 33 year old with 32 PL games to his name.

[tetsujin1979]

30 players would play, on average, in every Premier League season, until the 2012-13 season, when 29 players appeared, and the number of Irish players declined every year after that, reaching a lowpoint of only 15 players in 2018/19(see below), but it's improved since with 21 players in 2019/20 and the current season. I actually think the 2017/18 season was worse, 17 players appeared, averaging 15.7 appearances each - the 15 players from the 2018/19 season averaged 17.66 appearances each.

FWIW I'd estimate the average number of appearances to be around 16.4 at the end of the season
I wasn't too far off, 21 Irish players appeared in the 2020/21 Premier League season, making 329 appearances in total, averaging 15.66 appearances each.

[Colbert Report]

West Ham signed Alphonse Areola in the summer, who is expected to battle with Fabianski for the number one spot this seaon, leaving Randolph as the clear number three. Would be nice to see him go out on loan but I can't fault the guy for collecting a nice pay packet.

[JR89]

Bournemouth reportedly have shown some interest in signing Darren Randolph. Hasn't made a competitive appearance since May 2021 and out of contract with West Ham in the summer.

[Demesne Lad]

Permanent transfer for Randolph agreed, according to BBC Football. Not exactly a vote of confidence in Travers.

[seanfhear]

Permanent transfer for Randolph agreed, according to BBC Football. Not exactly a vote of confidence in Travers.
Is Travers can't hold off Darren Randolfh ( at his age and recent amount of playing ) then Travers probably ain't good enough for that level.

[JR89]

Bournemouth only have two senior keepers and had an U21s keeper covering Travers while Neto was injured. Plus Neto only signed a one contract at Bournemouth so Travers could be the only senior keeper at Bournemouth come the summer.

Makes sense for them to get an experienced third choice keeper, especially if they want to keep him on next season as second choice if Neto leaves. Reports say they've taken over his contract from West Ham so might only be a short term transfer till the summer.

[elatedscum]

Bournemouth only have two senior keepers and had an U21s keeper covering Travers while Neto was injured. Plus Neto only signed a one contract at Bournemouth so Travers could be the only senior keeper at Bournemouth come the summer.

Makes sense for them to get an experienced third choice keeper, especially if they want to keep him on next season as second choice if Neto leaves. Reports say they've taken over his contract from West Ham so might only be a short term transfer till the summer.

BBC saying that Randolph had 18 months left on his West Ham contract. I'd have to imagine that Randolph is coming in to be 2nd choice, making Travers 3rd. I'd say if they get relegated, Neto will leave and Travers and Randolph will fight for the jersey next season.

If Travers could, he'd do well to get a championship loan move for the next 5 months. I'm sure there's a team that would be glad to have him

[pineapple stu]

Travers did at least show last season that he was a decent Championship keeper, so it'd be surprising if they were giving up on him so soon.

I guess we'll find out at their next league match. I presume Randolph is fit enough to sit on the bench after the last couple of years.

[JR89]

BBC saying that Randolph had 18 months left on his West Ham contract. I'd have to imagine that Randolph is coming in to be 2nd choice, making Travers 3rd. I'd say if they get relegated, Neto will leave and Travers and Randolph will fight for the jersey next season.

If Travers could, he'd do well to get a championship loan move for the next 5 months. I'm sure there's a team that would be glad to have him

https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/january/15-january/darren-randolph-returns-west-ham-united

Only signed a three and a half year deal when he joined so free agent come the summer.

[Eirambler]

Travers is an interesting one because he really was one of the best keepers in the Championship last season and was player of the season in a promotion winning team. Yet, having seen him play a good bit in the EPL this season, it's clear that he's absolutely miles off the level required to be a first choice Premier League keeper. Almost to the point where I'd say he needs to completely reinvent his style of goalkeeping if he's to ever make the step up.

[Razors left peg]

To me this sounds like Travers will be going on loan for the rest of the season and Randolph was brought in as cover before they allow that to happen, next few days will tell all.

[irishfan86]

Would be a bit wild if Randolph began starting matches and doing well for Bournemouth. A path back to the Ireland squad? Good luck to him.

[Demesne Lad]

Bournemouth only have two senior keepers and had an U21s keeper covering Travers while Neto was injured. Plus Neto only signed a one contract at Bournemouth so Travers could be the only senior keeper at Bournemouth come the summer.

Makes sense for them to get an experienced third choice keeper, especially if they want to keep him on next season as second choice if Neto leaves. Reports say they've taken over his contract from West Ham so might only be a short term transfer till the summer.

The U-21 keeper turned 21 and has gone on loan to Slough Town; he has been replaced as no. 3 by another U-21. Meanwhile, some Italian media claimed earlier this month that Inter Milan wanted Neto to become no.2 to Onana if the captain, Samir Handanovic decides to leave at the end of his contract next summer. So the future for Travers - and Randolph - will probably depend on Bournemouth's status for 2023/24. Would Neto prefer to be no.2 at Inter, or a no.1 in the Championship?

[JR89]

The U-21 keeper turned 21 and has gone on loan to Slough Town; he has been replaced as no. 3 by another U-21. Meanwhile, some Italian media claimed earlier this month that Inter Milan wanted Neto to become no.2 to Onana if the captain, Samir Handanovic decides to leave at the end of his contract next summer. So the future for Travers - and Randolph - will probably depend on Bournemouth's status for 2023/24. Would Neto prefer to be no.2 at Inter, or a no.1 in the Championship?

Neto's preference will be whoever looks after his bank balance.

[Eirambler]

Neto won't be staying at Bournemouth to play in the Championship. He signed a 1 year contract so if/when they go down he'll be on the first flight out of there. Travers v Randolph for the jersey next season I'd say.

[pineapple stu]

On the day Harry Arter is released, Darren Randolph follows suit. Hasn't played a senior game in three years

https://www.birminghamworld.uk/sport/football/birmingham-city/darren-randolph-afc-bournemouth-birmingham-city-west-ham-middlesbrough-4654360

[nigel-harps1954]

Ideal move for Shamrock Rovers, given their goalkeeper issues, and Randolph has his goalkeeper academy up and running in Ireland.