Stephen Kenny

[ontheotherhand]

The fact that he was called up to the U21’s indicates that he wasn’t in Kenny’s mind for a call-up to the senior squad. That’s worrying. If he’d accepted the call he’d have missed the chance to play for the seniors, by refusing it he gives Kenny the excuse for not calling him up. I’ll be very pleasantly surprised if he is in the squad.This is no way to treat a player who merits selection and provides us with a better striking option than what’s otherwise available.

I'm still unclear as to what happened to be honest but I don't know how you can say he's been treated poorly. Sure the squad hasn't been announced. This lad has only just found a bit of form after a few years of struggles. A game or two with the 21s would have done him no harm but he's opted to force the managers hand. It's risky at best.

Hopefully they can get the agent out of the frame and have a chat about how to get the lad into the seniors. I also want him there if he's the best option. But if the plan was to start him with the 21s and then move him up and he has refused to get on board with that then I'd question his attitude again. We know Kenny wants to have the 21s more integrated and make it a genuine platform. The likes of Ebosele and Smallone had no issue with the call up. As Kingdom mentioned he hasn't exactly lit it up at that level previously. I'd agree he is, on paper, the form striker, but he keeps playing the big time charlie and as much as I like confidence in a player I think he'd be better advised to take any international call up he gets. He's at the start of his career.

Makes the squad announcement a bit spicier anyway!

[zero]

I'm still unclear as to what happened to be honest but I don't know how you can say he's been treated poorly. Sure the squad hasn't been announced. This lad has only just found a bit of form after a few years of struggles. A game or two with the 21s would have done him no harm but he's opted to force the managers hand. It's risky at best.

Hopefully they can get the agent out of the frame and have a chat about how to get the lad into the seniors. I also want him there if he's the best option. But if the plan was to start him with the 21s and then move him up and he has refused to get on board with that then I'd question his attitude again. We know Kenny wants to have the 21s more integrated and make it a genuine platform. The likes of Ebosele and Smallone had no issue with the call up. As Kingdom mentioned he hasn't exactly lit it up at that level previously. I'd agree he is, on paper, the form striker, but he keeps playing the big time charlie and as much as I like confidence in a player I think he'd be better advised to take any international call up he gets. He's at the start of his career.

Makes the squad announcement a bit spicier anyway!

Agree with all this - think he will get the nod through lack of better alternatives but not a fan of the way he's going about it or at least how I perceive how he's going about it based on what I've read.

It just wouldn't make sense to have the likes of Hogan or someone in the LOI in ahead of him at the moment.

[Stuttgart88]

Did you see him with the 21s in his last appearance? "Sh!te" would do a total disservice to previous Sh!te performances.
I did and you're right. And I was never too impressed by him even after he had scored in the PL at Chelsea and United. But what can't be denied is that he has recently found his feet at a level we can't scoff at. Scoring "striker's goals" isn't something many of our guys can do. Does he fit the system or desired way of playing? Debatable, but let's see. I think it'd be mad not to call him up. Idah has a vacated a space. I'd call up Keane too.

[Eirambler]

Did you see him with the 21s in his last appearance? "Sh!te" would do a total disservice to previous Sh!te performances.

I'm not sure we should be picking squads in 2022 based on performances from 2020 though. Especially in terms of younger, developing players. I do think an over-reliance of judgement based on how players played for him at Under 21 level is a potential weakness in Kenny. Players make significant jumps of improvement in relatively short periods of time at that age, others look good but then don't kick on to the next level.

Bringing in Lee O'Connor to the senior squad over McNamara last summer was a blatant example of this, leaving out Obafemi would be another.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm not sure we should be picking squads in 2022 based on performances from 2020 though.
Did he not play in 2021 under Crawford though? I think that's what Kingdom was referring to. I can't remember any more!

[Eirambler]

I believe his last appearance for Ireland was back in 2020.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, November 2020, as a late sub away to Luxembourg.

[tetsujin1979]

Any idea when the squad announcement is? Pretty much always around 1pm on the Thursday… maybe a delay due to Patrick’s day but with another bank holiday Friday, who knows…

It's definitely tomorrow, don't know what time though

[Diggs246]

Kenny is on the late late tonight

[tetsujin1979]

Kenny didn't say much, was interesting to see Yassine en-Neyah in the audience though

[geysir]

Did you see him with the 21s in his last appearance? "Sh!te" would do a total disservice to previous Sh!te performances.

I couldn't believe just how poor he was in both u21 games v Iceland, absolutely no commitment and if he ever did bother to accidentally find himself in a space to receive the ball, his first touch was his only touch.
But he had good form previous and now he's finding good form again, all he needs now is a good first touch.

[ontheotherhand]

I think I can hear people off rustling in the woods looking for new sticks to beat Kenny with.

[SkStu]

I think I can hear people off rustling in the woods looking for new sticks to beat Kenny with.

:D :D

“Go fetch me a switch there lad”

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

I think I can hear people off rustling in the woods looking for new sticks to beat Kenny with.

Kenny's horrendous record as Ireland manager is the only stick Kenny has been beaten with.

[ontheotherhand]

Kenny's horrendous record as Ireland manager is the only stick Kenny has been beaten with.

Sure it is. We didn't just have days of people moaning about his exclusion of a player from a squad that hadn't been picked yet that the player subsequently made himself unavailable for.

But good to know where you stand at least. I'd been missing my daily reminder.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Sure it is. We didn't just have days of people moaning about his exclusion of a player from a squad that hadn't been picked yet that the player subsequently made himself unavailable for.

But good to know where you stand at least. I'd been missing my daily reminder.

You were drawing up excuses for Kenny for days despite not knowing what was going on. 😂 Pot, kettle etc.

[SkStu]

Sure it is. We didn't just have days of people moaning about his exclusion of a player from a squad that hadn't been picked yet that the player subsequently made himself unavailable for.

But good to know where you stand at least. I'd been missing my daily reminder.

It gets better. This fraud thinks that if Obafemi doesn't want to play for Kenny, then Kenny should be sacked over it. The same Obafemi that nobody was all that bothered about until the last couple of weeks...

Go bhfoire dia orainn.

[ontheotherhand]

You think calling out nonsense is in itself nonsense? Ok I'll take that on board and adjust my posting to only respond to posts that aren't nonse....**** I've already broken my promise. Must do better.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

The Kenny mafia out in force. He has a fair few positioned throughout many media outlets. I think that went a long way to securing him a new contract. Like, the actual facts tell us that he's up there with the worst managers we've ever had. You wouldn't believe that reading many media publications or hardcore Kenny fanatic musings.

[ontheotherhand]

Yeah you're basically fighting the Deep State here.

[nigel-harps1954]

Why is this guy still allowed to post on foot.ie? We all have our moments, but adding nothing of value other than constantly slating the national team manager is gone beyond tiresome.

[tetsujin1979]

See my post in the March friendlies thread
Let's all take a breath

[sadloserkid]

I'm absolutely unconvinced by Kenny but I don't see what else he could have done with Obafemi. He wanted to call him up, player isn't available (and the people writing off Obafemi entirely forever are just as bad as Boom Quixote) and Kenny has been far more diplomatic than he was when he last questioning Obafemi's use as an Ireland prospect which I (a touch optimistically I'll grant you) am taking as a sign of improved media and people management.

I would have liked him to be more enthusiatic about Ebosele's move to Udinese, "I have no problems with players moving to Italy as long as they're playing regularly" doesn't sound overly encouraging but that's a very minor observation in the overall scheme of things.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Criticism of Kenny is valid. His record speaks for itself. We all want him to do well but we have to look at the actual facts of his performance as manager and not romanticised version of some zealots. Players deciding not to join up with the squad is not a good sign, despite the spin.

[Jd2793]

Criticism of Kenny is valid. His record speaks for itself. We all want him to do well but we have to look at the actual facts of his performance as manager and not romanticised version of some zealots. Players deciding not to join up with the squad is not a good sign, despite the spin.

are you for real?

[Snapshot]

Criticism of Kenny is valid. His record speaks for itself. We all want him to do well but we have to look at the actual facts of his performance as manager and not romanticised version of some zealots. Players deciding not to join up with the squad is not a good sign, despite the spin.


are you for real?
So criticism of SK is not valid. His record doesn't speak for itself. Unconvinced fans want him to fail. Statistics, facts and a revolving-door backroom mean nothing. No criticism or scepticism - back him or back off.

Sounds 88% familiar.

[Jd2793]

So criticism of SK is not valid. His record doesn't speak for itself. Unconvinced fans want him to fail. Statistics, facts and a revolving-door backroom mean nothing. No criticism or scepticism - back him or back off.

Sounds 88% familiar.

players refusing to join up with the squad is utter nonsense.

[ontheotherhand]

There's valid criticism and then there's jumping to players (plural!) not wanting to join the squad based off a young striker with a bit of history and also possibly a completely valid reason counting himself out.

I'm a Rovers fan. There's plenty I'd criticize about Kenny. But there's plenty of over the top stuff that should be called out for what it is and the furore around Obafemi has been beyond ridiculous. Knives were out before the squad was even announced. Then we get our reason and it's spun against Kenny anyway? Absolute drivel.

[John83]

I didn't see much wrong with Kenny's last squad selection and the Obafeme thing seems to have been handled okay. I remain somewhat concerned that the public story there may be spin, but it's be hard to tell for now and my doubts on this are about the player and not the manager.

Kenny's overall record is ****e, but his results have been decent recently. With the new contract, I see little point in assessing his future for a few competitive games. Not that we'll stop arguing on here, of course.

[Razors left peg]

I'm absolutely unconvinced by Kenny but I don't see what else he could have done with Obafemi. He wanted to call him up, player isn't available (and the people writing off Obafemi entirely forever are just as bad as Boom Quixote) and Kenny has been far more diplomatic than he was when he last questioning Obafemi's use as an Ireland prospect which I (a touch optimistically I'll grant you) am taking as a sign of improved media and people management.

I would have liked him to be more enthusiatic about Ebosele's move to Udinese, "I have no problems with players moving to Italy as long as they're playing regularly" doesn't sound overly encouraging but that's a very minor observation in the overall scheme of things.
Mate of mine, who generally knows his stuff told me that Udinese have a habit of stockpiling players and not playing them. I don't watch enough Italian football to know if that's true, but if it is, it might explain why Kenny didn't seem overly enthusiastic

[lofty9]

Mate of mine, who generally knows his stuff told me that Udinese have a habit of stockpiling players and not playing them. I don't watch enough Italian football to know if that's true, but if it is, it might explain why Kenny didn't seem overly enthusiastic


He'll likely end up in Watford with their links.

[JR89]

He'll likely end up in Watford with their links.

It's gonna be Watford's way of getting around having to pay compensation to Derby, and similar with Abankwah Derby reckon. Their way of getting around FFP if relegated by having him move to Udinese first and then Watford on loan they think.

[sadloserkid]

Mate of mine, who generally knows his stuff told me that Udinese have a habit of stockpiling players and not playing them. I don't watch enough Italian football to know if that's true, but if it is, it might explain why Kenny didn't seem overly enthusiastic

That's very fair actually.

[ColourfulPeanut]

It's gonna be Watford's way of getting around having to pay compensation to Derby, and similar with Abankwah Derby reckon. Their way of getting around FFP if relegated by having him move to Udinese first and then Watford on loan they think.
Why would they need to do it for Abankwah? They paid a fee and he's 18 already?

I get it with Festy and they tried to pull it with Matty Longstaff a few years back too.

[JR89]

Why would they need to do it for Abankwah? They paid a fee and he's 18 already?

I get it with Festy and they tried to pull it with Matty Longstaff a few years back too.

Derby fans reckon to possibly get around financial fair play issues incase they're relegated this season.

[elatedscum]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0321/1287579-qprs-eustace-appointed-as-ireland-assistant-manager/

[Supreme feet]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0321/1287579-qprs-eustace-appointed-as-ireland-assistant-manager/

John Eustace in as assistant. Has a reputation for progressive, technical football; seems highly thought-of (https://thebootroom.thefa.com/resources/interviews/john-eustace/the-small-details).

[JR89]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0321/1287579-qprs-eustace-appointed-as-ireland-assistant-manager/

John Eustace in as assistant. Has a reputation for progressive, technical football; seems highly thought-of (https://thebootroom.thefa.com/resources/interviews/john-eustace/the-small-details).

Was on the same Pro License course as Anthony Barry. Possibly Barry recommended him to Kenny. Also was teammates with Hendrick for two seasons before being forced to retire. Turned down the Swansea job last July.

[TonyD]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2022/0321/1287579-qprs-eustace-appointed-as-ireland-assistant-manager/

John Eustace in as assistant. Has a reputation for progressive, technical football; seems highly thought-of (https://thebootroom.thefa.com/resources/interviews/john-eustace/the-small-details).

Great. Someone to take the credit if the team continues to improve. What a relief.

[pineapple stu]

From his wikipedia page -


On 21 April 2016, he was named manager of National League side Kidderminster Harriers, signing a one-year contract until the end of the 2016–17 season. While at the club, Eustace transformed the side's style of play, with the Harriers being dubbed the "non-league Barcelona".
There's worse endorsements anyway.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Appointed in time to take the training sessions before the friendlies? Hopefully anyway, it will give Kenny time to work on his motivational team talks.

[ontheotherhand]

So now you have an issue with a potentially good appointment being made in time to do the job we are hiring him for? That's about as reasonable as your claim that Kenny has plants in the media who got him his new contract.

It's weird that people don't seem as upset about Keane, who we pay to do nothing at all as they are about the coaches we bring in to actually do the job.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

So now you have an issue with a potentially good appointment being made in time to do the job we are hiring him for? That's about as reasonable as your claim that Kenny has plants in the media who got him his new contract.

It's weird that people don't seem as upset about Keane, who we pay to do nothing at all as they are about the coaches we bring in to actually do the job.

I didn't say any of that you posted in your first paragraph. Not sure why you just made it up.

[third policeman]

Is Keane still being paid? That’s truly shocking.

[ontheotherhand]

I didn't say any of that you posted in your first paragraph. Not sure why you just made it up.

Ah my mistake. Glad to see you support the decision and timing. Kudos to Kenny it is!

[ontheotherhand]

Is Keane still being paid? That’s truly shocking.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/robbie-keane-fai-contract-expires-this-summer-despite-leaving-staff-in-2020-1.4823785

Yep.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Ah my mistake. Glad to see you support the decision and timing. Kudos to Kenny it is!

Apology accepted.

[paul_oshea]

I thought Kenny was alright in interviews but that on just now was strange

[Bielsa´s irish]

Argentina is looking for an adversary similar to Poland, some JOURNALISTS AT TYC sports here on tv said today that Ireland Republic is the likely team that AFA is trying to get involved as a valid option, as that team. Is there any news over FAI? We have cancelled the friendly vs Mexico, and it is gonna be Panama or Honduras instead

[Bielsa´s irish]

best regards to all of you, I hope you cheer for us in November friends , we are always fond of the irish down here near Patagonia austral