U23 players 2019/20

[tetsujin1979]

Ayodeji Sotona on the bench for United U21 side against Tranmere tonight, think that's his first involvement at this level

[liamoo11]

Ayodeji Sotona on the bench for United U21 side against Tranmere tonight, think that's his first involvement at this level

Got sent off 17 mins into injury time! Be nice to see him involved with us after Christmas to build for next years 19s

[Closed Account]

Ayodeji Sotona on the bench for United U21 side against Tranmere tonight, think that's his first involvement at this levelfor a while it'll be his only involvement.....
Red card

[tommy_c12000]

3 goals for Bowden (2 penalty kicks) as spurs 23s cruise past Caomhin’s Liverpool 23s. No Parrott, as he played 18s already this week, or home game vs Burnley is the perfect introduction prior to Bayern start?

It is frightening for Caomhin to think that this Liverpool side minus Elliott will be playing Villa in League Cup. He’s on a hiding to nothing and could hurt his chances of getting a high quality loan in option. Don’t know why Jurgen didn’t at least leave a few of the more experiences who won’t be seeing game time in Qatar

[tetsujin1979]

Thought Kelleher had a chance if playing in the champions league, but if Liverpool don't win on Tuesday, there's a chance they could go out, so it'll almost definitely be Alisson

[tommy_c12000]

Yeah, it was a disappointing they didn’t beat Napoli. Kelleher then would have Salzburg and Villa to showcase his talent ahead of a jan loan move. Liverpool cannot take chances now in last game. So Kelleher is now left with a weakened Liverpool U23s b team vs Villa. Klopp is even taking Harvey Elliott with him to Qatar. Had hoped a few of the experienced players would have played in the league cup

[tetsujin1979]

Southampton U23 v Man City U23 is streaming on YouTube at the moment
Aaron O'Driscoll and Kameron Ledwidge
are starting for the Saints, with Sean Brennan in the bench
Gavin Bazunu and Tyreke Wilson both started for City
https://youtu.be/dOm5eiCjWP8

[kennedmc]

Yeah, it was a disappointing they didn’t beat Napoli. Kelleher then would have Salzburg and Villa to showcase his talent ahead of a jan loan move. Liverpool cannot take chances now in last game. So Kelleher is now left with a weakened Liverpool U23s b team vs Villa. Klopp is even taking Harvey Elliott with him to Qatar. Had hoped a few of the experienced players would have played in the league cup

The likes of Elliot, Brewster, Cutis Jones etc while named in the squad for Qatar are actually flying over a couple of days later, so will play against Villa.

[Olé Olé]

Telegraph report is behind a paywall but the following link refers to the Telegraph article which states that English clubs and England are tracking Okoflex:https://tbrfootball.com/report-celtics-armstrong-okoflex-wanted-by-english-clubs/amp/

Considering he ditched English club and English international football quite recently, it would be interesting (and, for the latter, disappointing) if he turned back.

[tetsujin1979]

He's overage for the under 17s, and having already played for the Irish under 19 team in a competitive game, is ineligible for their under 19s until next September. They could call him to the under 21s, but that's assuming he even is eligible to play for England in the first place

[ColourfulPeanut]

I highly doubt Oko-Flex is even eligible for them and he no longer lives there so residency is gone. He only has one more switch after playing competitively for us at 19s too.

The lad doesn't seem that bothered about Ireland though. I'd be more worried about Nigeria nicking him. It's a weird one because he was born and raised here until he left for Arsenal.

[Eirambler]

Oko-Flex will technically qualify to play for England as Fifa don't differentiate between the various UK countries, so in their eyes they are not real countries (which they're not) and anyone who qualifies for England also qualifies for Scotland and Wales and vice versa etc. However the various 'home nations' usually agree to implement the rules as though they are each sovereign nations and England would likely have to break this unwritten rule to call up Okoflex.

However he has done five years in the UK now (split between England and Scotland) so he will technically be qualified to play for all the 'home nations' as well as Nigeria and ourselves.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Oko-Flex will technically qualify to play for England as Fifa don't differentiate between the various UK countries, so in their eyes they are not real countries (which they're not) and anyone who qualifies for England also qualifies for Scotland and Wales and vice versa etc. However the various 'home nations' usually agree to implement the rules as though they are each sovereign nations and England would likely have to break this unwritten rule to call up Okoflex.

However he has done five years in the UK now (split between England and Scotland) so he will technically be qualified to play for all the 'home nations' as well as Nigeria and ourselves.
There's no way they'll break the home nations agreement for Oko-Flex. That'll open an absolute ****storm that nobody wants. He's not eligible for any of the home nations as far as I can tell.

I wouldn't worry about England at all here especially after he accepted a call-up for our 19s.

[tetsujin1979]

This is the original article - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2019/12/08/mike-mcgraths-transfer-notebook-villa-offer-marginalised-pedro/ - but it's behind their paywall

[elatedscum]

Smallbone and Ferry made their returns from injury for Southampton last night alongside O’Driscoll and Sean Brennan who scored off the bench. Ledwidge was also on the bench.

Meanwhile their opponents Derby had Festy Ebosele starting and Eiran Cashin and Jaden Charles on the bench...

[Eirambler]

The one young Irish player in the Celtic European Squad, Barry Coffey, hasn't made the bench for the dead rubber match tonight against Cluj.

[tetsujin1979]

U19 defender Lewis Richards named on the bench for wolves tonight

[samhaydenjr]

U19 defender Lewis Richards named on the bench for wolves tonight

And Mick hasn't called him up yet???!!! Seriously, that's great news.

[samhaydenjr]

Couple of items of note from tonight:
Yassine En-Neyah got a late equalizer for Nottingham Forest against Sheffield Wednesday: https://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/2019/december/match-report-sheffield-wednesday-undeer-23s-3-3-nottingham-forest-under-23s/ - his name seems to pop up regularly in their games - anyone know if he's a decent prospect?

Ryan Cassidy got an assist in Watford's game against Millwall: https://www.watfordfc.com/teams/under-23s/under-23-watford-1-1-millwall

[tommy_c12000]

Idah finally scored his first goal of season in PL2 D2 today in Norwich’s 3-1 win over Sunderland. No speculation of a loan yet in January which is badly needed. Bazunu with a clean sheet for City in a 2-0 win.

[liamoo11]

Idah finally scored his first goal of season in PL2 D2 today in Norwich’s 3-1 win over Sunderland. No speculation of a loan yet in January which is badly needed. Bazunu with a clean sheet for City in a 2-0 win.

Man city have been fantastic to bazuna he has played so many games for them this season which seemed like it might be unlikely given they signed him with the 2 England keepers and the Scottish keeper from his age group already there

[Eirambler]

Elbouzedi signs for Lincoln City in League 1. Decent move for him.

[samhaydenjr]

Bunch of Irish scorers tonight:

Olamide Shodipo got a penalty for QPR against Cardiff: https://www.qpr.co.uk/news/club-news/gallery-u23s-beat-cardiff-at-harlington/

Barry Cotter scored the winner for Ipswich against Palace: https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2019/december/ipswich-u23s-beat-crystal-palace/

Tyreik Wright grabbed the opener in Villa's 1-1 draw with Swansea: https://www.premierleague.com/match/50545/premier-league-2/2019-20/aston-villa-v-swansea

Anthony Scully opened the scoring in West Ham's 4-0 win over Newcastle: https://www.premierleague.com/match/50549/premier-league-2/2019-20/west-ham-v-newcastle

Also Charlie McCann got moved up to Man United's squad for their game against Reading: https://www.premierleague.com/match/50546/premier-league-2/2019-20/reading-v-man-utd

[tommy_c12000]

Fantastic to see Knight starting his 3rd game in a row for Derby, they really need a result vs reading. Molumby continues to start for Millwall, while O’Shea returns to the bench for west brom.

[tommy_c12000]

Dara O’Shea on to make his league debut, fantastic to see!

[tommy_c12000]

Knight was derby’s best player despite them losing 3-0. Let’s hope Cocu can stay in the job and turn things around.

[liamoo11]

Knight was derby’s best player despite them losing 3-0. Let’s hope Cocu can stay in the job and turn things around.

After Derbys treatment of keogh I'm delighted to see the. Having a woeful season

[tetsujin1979]

U19 striker Conor Noss signed a new contract at Borussia Monchengladbach: https://www.borussia.de/de/aktuelles-termine/news/borussia-news/news-detailansicht.html?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=48627&cHash=1055891c1848c2d37182188e2c4b2f38

[Olé Olé]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/03/west-ham-conor-coventry-new-deal-football

New deal at West Ham for Conor Coventry with a loan move on the horizon. League One referenced as being his most likely destination due to potential game time at that level.

Interesting to note the article specifically calls out interest from abroad. This probably doesn't come as a surprise as he has been very good for the our under 21s.

[tommy_c12000]

Nathan Collins gets a chance today for Stoke. There’s a big chance to establish himself there, as existing options have been unimpressive (Batth, Lindsay, C-V, Indi Martins) and Shawcross struggling to come back after injury. He needs game time now, he should push for a loan until end of season if he doesn’t break in by end of January. No dedicated thread for him as well, about time to create one

[liamoo11]

Watford have a few youngsters on the bench I wonder if Cassidy was close to been involved pr have things stalled a bit for him with injuries not many goals this season

[Olé Olé]

What a day. Smallbone has scored.

[Eirambler]

The injury has been a disaster for Cassidy, he was easily the stand out youth player at Watford as recently as last season but has fallen back a bit. Needs a strong second half of the season for the Under 23s to get things back on track.

[Olé Olé]

Knocked across this interview with Gavin Bazunu from a couple of days ago. He strikes me as a very intelligent young man, with some fascinating insights into developing as a footballer from both a technical and mental perspective. He has such an amount of time on his side too.

https://www.the42.ie/gavin-bazunu-manchester-city-interview-4951264-Jan2020/?utm_source=twitter_short

[Olé Olé]

Dara O'Shea starts for WBA. En Neyah on the bench for Nottingham. Knight on the bench for Derby. Parrott on the bench for Spurs. Masterson starts for QPR with Shodipo on their bench.

[liamoo11]

Dara O'Shea starts for WBA. En Neyah on the bench for Nottingham. Knight on the bench for Derby. Parrott on the bench for Spurs. Masterson starts for QPR with Shodipo on their bench.

Great for Masterson really love his passing ability. En neath never really involved for us much great he is getting a chance. Interest to see mark Yates at fylde he was very promising at spurs very technical playmaker

[tommy_c12000]

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/jan/03/west-ham-conor-coventry-new-deal-football

New deal at West Ham for Conor Coventry with a loan move on the horizon. League One referenced as being his most likely destination due to potential game time at that level.

Interesting to note the article specifically calls out interest from abroad. This probably doesn't come as a surprise as he has been very good for the our under 21s.

https://www.hammers.news/club-news/west-ham-fans-react-to-conor-coventry-signing-new-contract/amp/ (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hammers.news/club-news/west-ham-fans-react-to-conor-coventry-signing-new-contract/amp/) Interesting Celtic appear to be continuing their tactic of offering any young irish player available for free with a contract. Thankfully Conor had the wherewithal to reject it, no doubt inspired by observing the fate of our Celtic 3.

[liamoo11]

https://www.hammers.news/club-news/west-ham-fans-react-to-conor-coventry-signing-new-contract/amp/ (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hammers.news/club-news/west-ham-fans-react-to-conor-coventry-signing-new-contract/amp/) Interesting Celtic appear to be continuing their tactic of offering any young irish player available for free with a contract. Thankfully Conor had the wherewithal to reject it, no doubt inspired by observing the fate of our Celtic 3.

Hopefully he plays tonight up against o connor in midfield for gillingham

[tommy_c12000]

Just watched our under 21 centre half pairings streaming side by side. O’Shea played right back, very tidy on the ball. His versatility certainly a plus as he looks for game time going forward. Gave away a dangerous free kick at the end with a sloppy challenge but other than that did well. West Brom through with 1-0 win, hopefully O’Shea will play again in 4th round in a few weeks.

Masterson had a good first half, 2 clearances from corner kicks, in addition to a couple of other clearances. As always, his comfort on the ball and distribution was good. He had one excellent cross field ball in first half. He didn’t have a lot to do in second half, qpr ran out comfortable winners. Certainly didn’t do himself any harm. He looks a bit stronger than he did 6 months ago. You would think the current vogue of footballing centre halves would play into his favour. Just needs some luck and game time. Didn’t do anything dramatic enough to command a starting berth for qpr, but helped his chances of securing a good league one loan for 5 months. Wycombe is the rumour, although I would prefer him to aim for a mid tier league one team to guarantee playing time.

[tommy_c12000]

Hopefully he plays tonight up against o connor in midfield for gillingham

Would love it, but can’t see it. Moyes will want to secure another win to build momentum. I expect Rice to start, probably Sanchez alongside him. Wilshire continues to have a vague injury I think, and Noble didn’t train this week after getting stamped on last game, and is touch and go. So chance Coventry makes the bench, a nice reward for signing the contract. Minimal minutes if any, hope I’m wrong

[Olé Olé]

Dara O'Shea starts for WBA. En Neyah on the bench for Nottingham. Knight on the bench for Derby. Parrott on the bench for Spurs. Masterson starts for QPR with Shodipo on their bench.

Of the subs, En Neyah and Shodipo appeared but Parrott and Knight remained put which is more disappointing for the former than the latter.

[tommy_c12000]

Oh well, Coventry not even on bench. Snodgrass starts, Sanchez on bench. Both Wilshere and Noble injured. The next 3 weeks are crucial in Coventry’s career. Needs to be strong enough (like Molumby) to push for a loan move. West Ham pressured him to staying at the club to captain their under 23s, very selfish from clubs standpoint. This is where a good agent/advisor is crucial

[Eirambler]

https://www.hammers.news/club-news/west-ham-fans-react-to-conor-coventry-signing-new-contract/amp/ (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.hammers.news/club-news/west-ham-fans-react-to-conor-coventry-signing-new-contract/amp/) Interesting Celtic appear to be continuing their tactic of offering any young irish player available for free with a contract. Thankfully Conor had the wherewithal to reject it, no doubt inspired by observing the fate of our Celtic 3.

Celtic expected to bring in at least one, possibly two strikers this window (with Griffiths possibly going out on loan, but he wasn't playing much anyway) so Afolabi likely to be pushed further down the pecking order for the rest of the season. The cup is actually taken seriously in Scotland so little chance of game time there either.

[Eirambler]

Jack Taylor signs for League 1 Peterborough for an initial £500k plus add ons. Good work from Barnet to get a decent fee for him, although he was clearly way above National League level.

He has impressed me the few times I've seen him play, has the potential to be a very decent Championship or League 1 player at least, still only 21. Peterborough having a decent season so he could be in the Championship next year.

[Olé Olé]

Very interesting observation from Dan McDonnell by comparing the Elbouzedi transfer to this Taylor move: https://twitter.com/McDonnellDan/status/1214471621148368896?s=19

I wonder if Elbouzedi's previous dalliances in Scotland and England would increase his risk profile for an English side, though. Although, in that case you'd wonder why he doesn't look for a move further afield.

[Eirambler]

I like Dan but the two players' contract situations were completely different, so it's not really a fair comparison. The issue is that Irish clubs aren't able to offer long term contracts rather than that they're specifically being taken for a ride by English teams.

[elatedscum]

Josh Barrett signed for League 1 side Bristol Rovers. Regular football key for the young lad at this stage in his career...

[tommy_c12000]

Hopefully Conor Coventry will be moving on loan in next couple of days, been linked with Elbouzedi’s Lincoln City, apparently some other clubs interested as well

https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/west-hams-under-23-youngsters-17532758.amp (https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/west-hams-under-23-youngsters-17532758.amp)

[nigel-harps1954]

Tyreke Wilson is supposed to be signing for Waterford this week.

I know people won't open pages from the Sun, but Neil O'Riordan is usually spot on with LOI stuff.

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/4964529/waterford-sign-tyreke-wilson-robbie-mccourt-loi/

[Stuttgart88]

Neil is a seriously top writer. I follow him on Twitter. He deserves better than The Sun.