Denmark V Republic of Ireland - Copenhagen - 7th June 2019 - Euro 2020 Qualifier

[tetsujin1979]

Training camp squad set to be named tomorrow, but Crowley will not be included: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/scouting-report-travers-debut-came-as-no-surprise

McCarthy will name his provisional squad on Tuesday, May 7 for the training camp in Portugal and the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifiers against Denmark, in Copenhagen on June 7, and Gibraltar at Aviva Stadium on June 10.

[Olé Olé]

I like how both McCarthy and Howe emphasise Travers' character and attitude. It bodes well.

[geysir]

It's likely Crowley isn't eligible to play yet, still he should have been called up so McCarthy could watch him in practice.

[mark12345]

It's likely Crowley isn't eligible to play yet, still he should have been called up so McCarthy could watch him in practice.

I agree. Call him up and let him get in and around the squad. We have no one who could be described as a playmaker in midfield (Shaun Williams aside perhaps) and we really cannot afford to pass up on this player.
If Mick McCarthy can go to see Jack Byrne - and fair play to him for doing so - then a player who has helped his team to the Dutch Cup Final is not worth taking to the training squad??? Just doesn't make sense.

I would say to Mick: When Switzerland and Denmark come to the Aviva and we spend three-quarters of the game chasing the ball, remember this decision not to bring him to Portugal. Exactly what is there to lose?
Now, it is quite possible that his paperwork is not in order yet - but for Heaven's sake come out and say that instead of keeping us all in suspense.

And if his paperwork is in order, and he is eligible to come and play for us, then it reflects very poorly on Mick.

[tetsujin1979]

Is it possible he'll be included in the squad for the Toulon Tournament?

[Razors left peg]

Is it possible he'll be included in the squad for the Toulon Tournament?

I wondered that myself. He seems the type of player Kenny would love too.

[Closed Account]

1125694258508443651







Randolph








Travers








O'Hara





Coleman


Keogh


Duffy

Stevens


Doherty

K Long

Egan

Cunningham











O'Dowda

Browne

Hendrick

Brady



Curtis


Whelan


Hourihane

McClean




Arter

Cullen







Byrne

Judge
















McGoldrick
S Long






Maguire

Hogan






Robinson

O'Brien






Collins







(bold involved in playoffs)

[geysir]

Even if Kenny was keen, Crowley is overage and I'd say Kenny is only concerned with the current u21 squad.

[Diggs246]

1125694258508443651

Half those lads are in the play offs and won't go to Portugal I guess. Is that the end of Westwood?

[elatedscum]

Surprising omissions of Westwood, Christie, Clark, McCarthy. Westwood was excellent this season. Can only assume he asked for the summer off, which isn't too bad news unless Randolph picks up a knock.

On a personal level, I'd like to see the likes of Sean McDermott, Michael Duffy and Dan Crowley included in the group. The management group have only worked with 23 lads so far. No harm casting your eyes on a few more lads in a training camp.

[liamoo11]

It's likely Crowley isn't eligible to play yet, still he should have been called up so McCarthy could watch him in practice.

This may have nothing to do with it but I think there are Europa league playoffs involving the 5th to 8th placed teams and willem are currently 8th . They are 2 legged semis and then a 2 legged final with the winner of the final getting a Europa spot. The semis are down for the 18th and 21st and the final for 24th and 28th. But if this was the reason he could have just been picked anyway and released if they made the playoffs which hopefully they will hold their place with 2 games to go

[geysir]

This may have nothing to do with it but I think there are Europa league playoffs involving the 5th to 8th placed teams and willem are currently 8th . They are 2 legged semis and then a 2 legged final with the winner of the final getting a Europa spot. The semis are down for the 18th and 21st and the final for 24th and 28th. But if this was the reason he could have just been picked anyway and released if they made the playoffs which hopefully they will hold their place with 2 games to go
I don't think the play offs came into it. Mick appears to have some chip on his shoulder about Crowley, made out that this was a huge wasted effort on his part deep into foreign lands and could only talk effusively about Ajax.
Has he ever expressed any positive comment on Crowley? Would it be too much of a stretch to expect a very well paid manager to do his job and check out a few match recordings of Willem? I'd expect the manager of an amateur team to be more diligent about checking up on a free up and coming prospect?

[jbyrne]

I don't think the play offs came into it. Mick appears to have some chip on his shoulder about Crowley, made out that this was a huge wasted effort on his part deep into foreign lands and could only talk effusively about Ajax.
Has he ever expressed any positive comment on Crowley? Would it be too much of a stretch to expect a very well paid manager to do his job and check out a few match recordings of Willem? I'd expect the manager of an amateur team to be more diligent about checking up on a free up and coming prospect?

a bit OTT i think. after all mick did travel to holland at the weekend to watch him. that trip must have been based on at least some research / scouting into his performances this season.

[Diggs246]

"There was a car waiting for me and I didn’t particularly want to get caught up with the Ajax and Willem II fans after the game. I saw him for 10 or 15 minutes, not that I saw too much of him as Ajax were 2-0 up and scored another two"

I'm a little bit p*ssed off with this, its lazy and slightly ignorant

[DeLorean]

I made a similar point to Geysir a few weeks ago which also met some resistance. :)

In fairness, I think Mick was probably very frustrated that he went to decent lengths to watch him and it was pretty much a wasted trip when he didn't start. Maybe some of that annoyance is coming out in his other comments. He should be watching videos of Willem II matches though, that's the least I'd expect.

[Diggs246]

I made a similar point to Geysir a few weeks ago which also met some resistance. :)

In fairness, I think Mick was probably very frustrated that he went to decent lengths to watch him and it was pretty much a wasted trip when he didn't start. Maybe some of that annoyance is coming out in his other comments. He should be watching videos of Willem II matches though, that's the least I'd expect.

Yep, he shouldn't have left after 10 mins of Danny's introduction because his car was waiting! he should have stayed the extra 20 minutes to review the player while he was on the pitch

[geysir]

Let's praise Mick for finally agreeing to undertake an all expenses paid trip to Holland to do his job while on a reputed salary of Eur 1.2m. No doubt he missed out on his his sunday roast, a lunchtime pint or two and probably peed off his missus by claiming he didn't have time to mow the lawn.
After all that, the gist of McCarthy's whole report was about the quality Ajax's 2nd goal. This is insulting.
Probably he's more comfortable with begging Bamford, who really is not the type of troublemaker that Crowley is rumored to be.

[Kingdom]

I think it's bad form to be honest. I don't understand why he waited for the Cup final either.

[irishfan86]

I think it's bad form to be honest. I don't understand why he waited for the Cup final either.

Not too impressed leaving early alright. Given Crowley's prominence in Willem II's success I don't think it was unreasonable for Mick to choose this match to check him out -- high pressure match vs top class opposition.

I can understand the upset at making the trip and not seeing him start though.

[mark12345]

Not too impressed leaving early alright. Given Crowley's prominence in Willem II's success I don't think it was unreasonable for Mick to choose this match to check him out -- high pressure match vs top class opposition.

I can understand the upset at making the trip and not seeing him start though.

He deserves credit for going, but any manager hoping to see any prospective player play in the flesh, runs the risk of him being injured or dropped. I had hoped that Mick would take Crowley's whole season into account and that would have been enough to get him to the training camp in Portugal. Apparently, that is not the case. At this stage we as fans have to give Mick the benefit of the doubt as far as team selection goes. Maybe he has a method of playing in mind for the upcoming campaign which will be effective and get us qualified. But from where I'm standing I just cannot see us doing anything other than handing massive amounts of possession and opportunities to Denmark and Switzerland both home and away, during the coming campaign.

[mark12345]

Not too impressed leaving early alright. Given Crowley's prominence in Willem II's success I don't think it was unreasonable for Mick to choose this match to check him out -- high pressure match vs top class opposition.

I can understand the upset at making the trip and not seeing him start though.

A watershed moment for Martin O'Neill during his tenure, as far as I'm concerned, was his failure to start Wes Hoolahan at home against Austria. Hoolahan was introduced from the bench with 20 minutes left and was instrumental in getting us an equalizer and nearly a winner. It may be a bit premature but this (failure to include Crowley in the squad at the first opportunity) feels awfully like Mick's watershed moment.

[Razors left peg]

After travelling over there you would have thought he would have stayed to meet with the lad after the game and at least have a chat? He wouldnt have have had to worry about the traffic then either!

Trying to be positive about McCarthy but that is bad man management of a lad who is showing eagerness to join us when others are not.

[brine3]

I remember when there were rumours that Gary Breen had an opportunity to move to an Italian team, but Mick told him to stay in England for sake of his Ireland prospects. Says it all, really.

[Diggs246]

I remember when there were rumours that Gary Breen had an opportunity to move to an Italian team, but Mick told him to stay in England for sake of his Ireland prospects. Says it all, really.

He went to inter but failed the medical

[Yard of Pace]

A little bit of gossip....I've a friend volunteering at the U-17 Championships who has gotten friendly with two FAI employees. They love Mick, for starters, and also mentioned that in comparison to some previous managers (no idea who...) he's super easy to deal with and does a lot of his own arrangements and that sort of thing himself.
Just felt it worth mentioning. I know he was doing a lot of travel recently.

Another thing worth mentioning, is that the French FA officials were making a big fuss about Zidane and Deschamps' expected attendance at the French game the other day, wanting all sorts of things, above the usual VIP standard.

Neither showed up.

My own take...I wouldn't go throwing Crowley in in June, no way (I've no idea on his status, btw), and there will be plenty of time to see him when the footballing schedule in general is not so hectic, in the summer. Mick hanging around for however long (I imagine there's all sorts of cup final hullabaloo) to talk to a young lad doesn't seem like much of a crime to me, or any kind of crime, and I'd have gotten in the car too. Seems sensible at his age.
He went to Amsterdam to see him. Enough for me and should give Crowley all the encouragement he needs, if he needs any.

Anyway, after seeing Didsy (I love that that's his nickname, I really do) play against Georgia, I believe in pretty much any decision, especially man-management, by Mick right now!

[OwlsFan]

I assume that the omission of Westwood is injury related. He missed 3 of the last 4 club games due to injury.

[DeLorean]

I assume that the omission of Westwood is injury related. He missed 3 of the last 4 club games due to injury.

Yeah McCarthy confirmed as much.

[mark12345]

A little bit of gossip....I've a friend volunteering at the U-17 Championships who has gotten friendly with two FAI employees. They love Mick, for starters, and also mentioned that in comparison to some previous managers (no idea who...) he's super easy to deal with and does a lot of his own arrangements and that sort of thing himself.
Just felt it worth mentioning. I know he was doing a lot of travel recently.

Another thing worth mentioning, is that the French FA officials were making a big fuss about Zidane and Deschamps' expected attendance at the French game the other day, wanting all sorts of things, above the usual VIP standard.

Neither showed up.

My own take...I wouldn't go throwing Crowley in in June, no way (I've no idea on his status, btw), and there will be plenty of time to see him when the footballing schedule in general is not so hectic, in the summer. Mick hanging around for however long (I imagine there's all sorts of cup final hullabaloo) to talk to a young lad doesn't seem like much of a crime to me, or any kind of crime, and I'd have gotten in the car too. Seems sensible at his age.
He went to Amsterdam to see him. Enough for me and should give Crowley all the encouragement he needs, if he needs any.

Anyway, after seeing Didsy (I love that that's his nickname, I really do) play against Georgia, I believe in pretty much any decision, especially man-management, by Mick right now!

Mick deserves credit for going to Amsterdam to see Crowley play. And in fairness to Mick he must have been ****ed off when the lad didn't start. And ten minutes missed at the end is not of much consequence. But the frustrating thing is that it would be no skin off anyone's nose if Crowley went to Portugal, and yet he's not going. Let's hope there are one or two defections and he eventually makes it

[Diggs246]

A little bit of gossip....I've a friend volunteering at the U-17 Championships who has gotten friendly with two FAI employees. They love Mick, for starters, and also mentioned that in comparison to some previous managers (no idea who...) he's super easy to deal with and does a lot of his own arrangements and that sort of thing himself.
Just felt it worth mentioning. I know he was doing a lot of travel recently.

Another thing worth mentioning, is that the French FA officials were making a big fuss about Zidane and Deschamps' expected attendance at the French game the other day, wanting all sorts of things, above the usual VIP standard.

Neither showed up.

My own take...I wouldn't go throwing Crowley in in June, no way (I've no idea on his status, btw), and there will be plenty of time to see him when the footballing schedule in general is not so hectic, in the summer. Mick hanging around for however long (I imagine there's all sorts of cup final hullabaloo) to talk to a young lad doesn't seem like much of a crime to me, or any kind of crime, and I'd have gotten in the car too. Seems sensible at his age.
He went to Amsterdam to see him. Enough for me and should give Crowley all the encouragement he needs, if he needs any.

Anyway, after seeing Didsy (I love that that's his nickname, I really do) play against Georgia, I believe in pretty much any decision, especially man-management, by Mick right now!

Mick is brilliant. But he should have stayed until the final whistle. That would have been an extra 20 mins reviewing the player he flew over for.

[tetsujin1979]

We don't know what time his return flight was booked for, could be any other reason to leave earthly

[Eminence Grise]

Exactly, and I expect a guy whose entire life has been at or near the very top of the game could see in a few minutes what most of us wouldn't see in a season (me anyway: I'd give my right arm to see just one game the way a top pro does) - positioning, movement, awareness etc. Seeing a player in the flesh for the first time is a bit like interviewing a candidate for a job - you already know what you like or don't on the CV, and they've confirmed what you think within a few minutes.

[Diggs246]

We don't know what time his return flight was booked for, could be any other reason to leave earthly

That's actually not relevant. Don't book a flight that interups a game

[tetsujin1979]

I never said it was, I said it could have been. He said himself he wanted to leave before the traffic.

[geysir]

Shock revelation - Irish Manager actually scouts a player. receives fulsome praise, despite bungling the task and then reports on the wrong team.

[Yard of Pace]

Are people aware that Mick was in Waterford the following day for the U-17s match?

He was then traveling to London. I presume to get back to Bromley and re-charge the batteries.

[irishfan86]

Sounds like Mick is doing a hell of a lot more travelling and scouting than his predecessor. I knocked him initially too for leaving early but with that schedule you'd understand why he's trying to be efficient with his time.

[DeLorean]

Are people aware that Mick was in Waterford the following day for the U-17s match?

All the more impressive given those players will be of no use to him, given the nature of his contract.

[mark12345]

All the more impressive given those players will be of no use to him, given the nature of his contract.

Excellent point when you put it like that.

[Olé Olé]

Just watching the Old Firm here. Jonny Hayes playing again. Interesting to note that Cunningham was picked ahead of him to come into this squad. I think he has just 7 appearances in the league for Cardiff this season.

[Yard of Pace]

All the more impressive given those players will be of no use to him, given the nature of his contract.

Didn't Trap just watch DVDs in Italy???

From what I hear, Mick is an excellent person (he'll do his online check-in for flights but the lady at the FAI loves him so much she always wants to do it before he can) and the only thing he cares about is the good of Irish football.

The guff spouted a while ago about his possible lack of motivation because he knows he'll be leaving at a certain date seems 100% to be total rubbish. And insulting.

The criticism about his scouting in Holland was uninformed criticism. Which should be a lesson to us all.

Lord knows I have been guilty of making uninformed, damning comments willy nilly.

Though I stand by every single one on Glenn Whelan.

[liamoo11]

Denmark is a dont lose game so I would see doherty coming back into right side of a 5 in midfield with mcclean left of the midfield and Whelan, hourihane and Hendrick with mcgoldrick up top. Leaves long Brady and Robinson as reasonable attacking options off the bench

[DeLorean]

Didn't Trap just watch DVDs in Italy???

Apparently so. The Godfather Part II being his personal favourite.

[Diggs246]

Denmark is a dont lose game so I would see doherty coming back into right side of a 5 in midfield with mcclean left of the midfield and Whelan, hourihane and Hendrick with mcgoldrick up top. Leaves long Brady and Robinson as reasonable attacking options off the bench

Would you still think Coleman in the advanced role on the right would be a mistake?, if it puts Matt at right back

[liamoo11]

Would you still think Coleman in the advanced role on the right would be a mistake?, if it puts Matt at right back

Is maybe doherty bit more athletic for the wide midfield role? I'm thinking we are sitting in and trying to be compact so I'd say either of them could do that defensive wide midfield job and hopefully use their pace to get forward to support a bit.

[Diggs246]

Is maybe doherty bit more athletic for the wide midfield role? I'm thinking we are sitting in and trying to be compact so I'd say either of them could do that defensive wide midfield job and hopefully use their pace to get forward to support a bit.

Mick said he wouldn't play Matt on the right again as he felt it didn't work against Gibraltar. So if we wanted them both on the pitch it might be the only way

[liamoo11]

Mick said he wouldn't play Matt on the right again as he felt it didn't work against Gibraltar. So if we wanted them both on the pitch it might be the only way

Interesting. Gibraltar was obviously a very different game with them sitting in doherty has absolutely no guile or finesse to create space in a packed defence but against Denmark who will have maybe 70% of the ball he will be well suited athletically to working hard and using his power and stamina to break into the space when hopefully we win the ball back at times hopefully

[third policeman]

Mick said he wouldn't play Matt on the right again as he felt it didn't work against Gibraltar. So if we wanted them both on the pitch it might be the only way

If the Gibraltar performance is going to be the criteria for future selection, then it’s not just a Coleman / Doherty combo that we would be ruling out. McClean would never play again. Mick being dogmatic and inflexible, in other words being Mick. Same with Crowley exclusion.

[Diggs246]

If the Gibraltar performance is going to be the criteria for future selection, then it’s not just a Coleman / Doherty combo that we would be ruling out. McClean would never play again. Mick being dogmatic and inflexible, in other words being Mick. Same with Crowley exclusion.

That's a good point. That game should be struck off the record for everybody

[irishfan86]

My sense is that Doherty will be relegated to a role of acting as Coleman's understudy and coming in as a right sided midfielder sub in situations where we are trying to prevent a goal. Perhaps in away games Mick will change his view and start Doherty -- there was a period in the past when he used Finnan at right midfield and Carr at right fullback if I remember correctly, so there is precedent. Different players of course.

[Fixer82]

My sense is that Doherty will be relegated to a role of acting as Coleman's understudy and coming in as a right sided midfielder sub in situations where we are trying to prevent a goal. Perhaps in away games Mick will change his view and start Doherty -- there was a period in the past when he used Finnan at right midfield and Carr at right fullback if I remember correctly, so there is precedent. Different players of course.

And in World Cup 2002 has Finnan RB and Gary Kelly RM