2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championships

[nigel-harps1954]

I don't see the sense in having an under-21 training camp, whilst English clubs are in their pre-season and Irish clubs are mid-season. A disruption to all really, and the players coming from England would have to get special allowances not to have to quarantine, just to have some training sessions..

[tetsujin1979]

The training camp will be held in Northern Ireland, so no need to isolate.

[elatedscum]

I don't see the sense in having an under-21 training camp, whilst English clubs are in their pre-season and Irish clubs are mid-season. A disruption to all really, and the players coming from England would have to get special allowances not to have to quarantine, just to have some training sessions..

Jim Crawford's first game will be away to Italy, followed by a home game a few days later against an Iceland side they lost to - given the last game is against Luxembourg, those two games are basically the entirety of their campaign - so if results are negative, that'll be it for them. The two games Italy have in hand are home and away to Sweden, so you could easily see Italy drop points, so if you were to draw against Italy and win against Iceland you'd be in great shape.

You've possibly lost Connolly, Idah, Molumby and Parrott for October. So there'll need to be a bit of a rebuild as we'll be relatively light on attacking players. Maybe Farrugia and Elbouzedi on the wings and Obafemi up top. Otherwise Afolabi leading the line? Either way, with a new manager and a few players graduating to the seniors, there's plenty of work to do.

Shame they can't arrange a friendly, probably NI 21s would be the only option but they're playing 2 games this window... Maybe you'd be able to have a friendly with Scotland or Wales and play it in the Brandywell? Both sides are only playing one game, Wales early and Scotland late in the window.


After the last couple of days I'd be pleasantly surprised to see Obafemi involved. I can see him picking up a "knock" beforehand and withdrawing.

Wouldn't be surprised but hope his attitude is to arrive along and prove his worth and push for an October or November call-up to the seniors...

[ColourfulPeanut]

Squad for the camp named
1298600428561739777

[Diggs246]

Will smallbone and obafemi can make their way over together from Southampton.... if they need a lift I will pick them up

[youngirish]

A little light up front but the rest of the field looks solid. Surely Anthony Scully deserves a place now since he was getting regular starts and goals at Lincoln before Covid kicked in.

[Eirambler]

#prayforluca

From senior squad involvement to missing out on the Under 21s in the space of a year - a cautionary tale for others.

Hodge, Scully and Kilkenny must have been close as well.

[Olé Olé]

Will smallbone and obafemi can make their way over together from Southampton.... if they need a lift I will pick them up

I'm sure they will come gladly and willingly and without the need for you to chaperone them.

[Olé Olé]

#prayforluca

From senior squad involvement to missing out on the Under 21s in the space of a year - a cautionary tale for others.

Hodge, Scully and Kilkenny must have been close as well.

Conor McCarthy too- playing regularly for St Mirren. Warren O'Hora with his recent award at Brighton and loan move to MK Dons.

Spoiled for choice. Great to see.

[Diggs246]

I'm sure they will come gladly and willingly and without the need for you to chaperone them.

Your half right

[Razors left peg]

Saw Mandriou has been linked with a Dutch side, FC Twente. Maybe Jack Byrne could advise him of the merits of the move. Definitely a step up from LOI and if he does well there, are probably a platform to move to a better club

That would be a super move for him, hes an excellent player

[DeLorean]

I'm sure they will come gladly and willingly and without the need for you to chaperone them.

Apparently Southampton have deleted their tweet congratulating their three lads on the call-ups. Might mean nothing... :confused:

[Eminence Grise]

Maybe the tweet wasn't intresting enough?

[Olé Olé]

Apparently Southampton have deleted their tweet congratulating their three lads on the call-ups. Might mean nothing... :confused:

Maybe because 4 lads were called up? Thomas O'Connor was excluded from it.

[Olé Olé]

And just like that, the Tweet goes back up to include Thomas O'Connor. It is getting a bit much at this stage, lads.

1298626754538606592

[Eminence Grise]

Hm, very intres... nah, I'm not going there again.

[DeLorean]

And just like that, the Tweet goes back up to include Thomas O'Connor. It is getting a bit much at this stage, lads.

https://twitter.com/SouthamptonFC/status/1298626754538606592?s=19


Very good.
But look, Obafemi was obviously having a strop just yesterday. It's not like the tiny, little bit of concern was based on absolutely nothing at all. And I did clearly state that it might be nothing. So, you know, chill.

[Razors left peg]

Just had a look at Obafemis Instagram page. Zero reference to Ireland on there. Was it deleted or never there?

[Eirambler]

Deleted it as part of his little strop I think.

[Razors left peg]

If that's the case hes a total idiot

[tetsujin1979]

He only has nine photos in his Instagram - https://instagram.com/obafemz
Still has Ireland stuff on his Twitter, e.g.
1063084893205344259

[gastric]

Kenny strikes me as a people person. I am sure by now he has contacted Obafemi to explain his reasoning and to challenge him to get back into the first team. I say this on the basis that it would have been a shock to Obafemi and the fact he is considered by some as a flight risk. Not worried by this, but I hope he turns out for the U 21s and shows character.

[Razors left peg]

Kenny strikes me as a people person. I am sure by now he has contacted Obafemi to explain his reasoning and to challenge him to get back into the first team. I say this on the basis that it would have been a shock to Obafemi and the fact he is considered by some as a flight risk. Not worried by this, but I hope he turns out for the U 21s and shows character.

I'd be surprised if there's not a lot of withdrawals from the u21s from the lads in 1st team at their club. Poor enough timing with new season starting so late.... that being said if he does pull out and Smallbone turns up it will be pretty telling that its not the club telling them to not go

[Diggs246]

Looks like ge did change his profile pic.
He must be a tool. Let see if he turns up. Crawford is confident anyway

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40038368.html%3ftype=amp

[tetsujin1979]

Looks like ge did change his profile pic.
He must be a tool. Let see if he turns up. Crawford is confident anyway

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40038368.html%3ftype=amp
Think he changed that a few weeks ago, pretty sure I saw it before yesterday

[Diggs246]

Well that's good. If he had changed it in petulance we would have a problematic guy on our hands

[Eirambler]

Hodge called up to the under 21 squad. Delighted to see that, thought he might have been in originally and it keeps him very much involved in the Ireland setup. Hopefully he might get a League 1 or similar standard loan move, a few of the Man City 2002 group seem to be going out on loan this year.

O'Shea out of the training camp obviously with the senior call up, might open up a spot for Conor McCarthy, Nico Jones or Warren O'Hora.

Still a ridiculous amount of competition for under 21 places even with five under 21s gone to the senior squad, can't remember anything like it, any of those three centre backs would have easily made most of our previous under 21 squads down the years.

[elatedscum]

Hodge called up to the under 21 squad. Delighted to see that, thought he might have been in originally and it keeps him very much involved in the Ireland setup. Hopefully he might get a League 1 or similar standard loan move, a few of the Man City 2002 group seem to be going out on loan this year.

O'Shea out of the training camp obviously with the senior call up, might open up a spot for Conor McCarthy, Nico Jones or Warren O'Hora.

Still a ridiculous amount of competition for under 21 places even with five under 21s gone to the senior squad, can't remember anything like it, any of those three centre backs would have easily made most of our previous under 21 squads down the years.

Really rate McCarthy of those three. There's so many centre-backs at that level really, O'Hora would certainly be next in line but the likes of Ndaba, O'Driscoll, Darragh O'Connor, Nolan, McEntee, McGuinness are all a good spell away from being in contention...

Did anyone pull out to make room for Hodge at 21s and O'Shea at senior level?

[Eirambler]

Not that has been confirmed, but there must be a reason for the switches. Hodge isn't a like for like replacement for O'Shea in the Under 21s either. Maybe Kenny realised he had left himself a bit short only picking six defenders - I would have had O'Shea in the initial squad because he covers the entire back line.

[elatedscum]

Reports Kenny has said that both McCarthy and Parrott are doubts due to knocks picked up in friendlies and are in Dublin to be assessed. Doesn't really link too much with O'Shea and Hodge but maybe he's just rejigged what was a top-heavy squad. Would imagine Byrne or Cullen could replace McCarthy if he's out...

[Olé Olé]

Parrott with a tasty finish in that friendly you refer to: https://twitter.com/ballsdotie/status/1299720529134465025?s=19

[tommy_c12000]

Who’s the first choice keeper?

For me, it’s Bazunu. Watched him yesterday, not really tested in first half, but made a couple of solid saves in second half. Good with ball at feet. He starts off as number one for a League One team.

Kelleher way too comfortable at Liverpool. Missed an opportunity in January to get some game time experience and stayed instead for one meaningless cup game. No word of a loan yet and season starting next week. Pretty surprising. He needs a full season of first team experience this season

[elatedscum]

Who’s the first choice keeper?

For me, it’s Bazunu. Watched him yesterday, not really tested in first half, but made a couple of solid saves in second half. Good with ball at feet. He starts off as number one for a League One team.

Kelleher way too comfortable at Liverpool. Missed an opportunity in January to get some game time experience and stayed instead for one meaningless cup game. No word of a loan yet and season starting next week. Pretty surprising. He needs a full season of first team experience this season

I’d be very surprised if Kelleher was dropped. He’s been good for 21s. I imagine a loan will happen before the October deadline for English transfers. Currently Liverpool have Karius and Grabara back from loan I think. Grabara might do a season as third choice and Kelleher on loan, probably league 1, although they rate Kelleher higher than Grabara and he was in the championship last season

[Olé Olé]

Are you sure they rate Kelleher higher than Grabara?

[elatedscum]

Are you sure they rate Kelleher higher than Grabara?

Pretty sure. Klopp has made some statements which back that up over the past year and a half and when they were both at the club, over a longer period of time, Kelleher has been given slight preferential treatment regarding use in pre-season, training with the seniors and game time for the reserves...

[elatedscum]

Bazunu comes across very well here: https://youtu.be/6-HiMGbq7WM

He does kinda say something contradictory about goalkeeper development (first team football vs training with world class keepers at city), but he seems a very intelligent and clued in 18 year old. Also seems like a nice lad...

Meanwhile, in trying to find the quotes about the two Liverpool keepers, stumbled on this from Klopp: https://youtu.be/gDQhXFKZLlk

[Eirambler]

O'Shea out of the training camp obviously with the senior call up, might open up a spot for Conor McCarthy, Nico Jones or Warren O'Hora.

Still a ridiculous amount of competition for under 21 places even with five under 21s gone to the senior squad, can't remember anything like it, any of those three centre backs would have easily made most of our previous under 21 squads down the years.

O'Hora the one to get the call up out of those three. Was probably close between him and McCarthy.

[Razors left peg]

When is this get together happening?

[elatedscum]

Right now I think. One of the players was posting from Stormount Hotel this morning

[Razors left peg]

So do we know if Obafemi traveled? I would assume so since I so don't see anything saying otherwise

[tetsujin1979]

FAI pushed this video from training earlier. Can't say I noticed him in it
1300516205111975937

[Eirambler]

Some talk that Smallbone and Obafemi didn't travel - possibly because they weren't released from Southampton pre-season training.

[Diggs246]

Was any England u21 players "not released". One wonders...

[Diggs246]

Canx that Southampton dont have any England under 21 players. !!

[irishfan86]

If it is the case that Obafemi and Smallbone didn’t travel, it’s unfortunate given the “flight risk” concerns that seem to surround both of them. That said, you could argue that preseason training (and matches) has more value for their development and first team chances than coming for a U-21 camp.

[ColourfulPeanut]

If it is the case that Obafemi and Smallbone didn’t travel, it’s unfortunate given the “flight risk” concerns that seem to surround both of them. That said, you could argue that preseason training (and matches) has more value for their development and first team chances than coming for a U-21 camp.
I wouldn't be too worried about missing this. They're first team players and there's no match, Southampton were under no obligation to release them. If they get picked and don't show for the Italy match then we can start worrying!

[Diggs246]

I wouldn't be too worried about missing this. They're first team players and there's no match, Southampton were under no obligation to release them. If they get picked and don't show for the Italy match then we can start worrying!
Will ferry made it. Is he not in a d out of the first team? Maybe not

[livehead1]

If it is the case that Obafemi and Smallbone didn’t travel, it’s unfortunate given the “flight risk” concerns that seem to surround both of them. That said, you could argue that preseason training (and matches) has more value for their development and first team chances than coming for a U-21 camp.

So Obafemi can still switch to another country despite the Nations League appearance? Is this part of the 'rule change'?

[Eirambler]

Yes, if he doesn't play again for Ireland he can switch in November 2021 if the new rules are passed (three years from his last senior cap, which was gained before his 21st birthday).

[tetsujin1979]

Stephen Mallon confirms he's switching allegiances to Northern Ireland: https://www.derryjournal.com/sport/football/northern-ireland/derry-citys-stephen-mallon-switches-international-allegiance-northern-ireland-2957667