Adam Idah F. Celtic b.2001

[tricky_colour]

It is impressive however you look at it, a hat-trick against a decent championship team chasing a play-off spot, and only 18!!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5NX6G9uKro

He looks quality, He is Norwich's youngest ever hat-trick scorer, certainly one to watch, hope he start Norwich's next Premiership game, be
hard/foolish to leave him out surely? (next match is man u!).

I'd not been following him at all but I note some seem to have been unimpressed with him but remember how young he is, only 18, still
developing.

The sky is the limit.

Just gonna watch on MOTD day and see what they have to say about him!

[Paddy Garcia]

MOTD - claim that Mick said he would now have to cap him to keep him. Why even suggest there is a risk of him defecting?

[tricky_colour]

Can't see him joining Nigeria somehow, at least I hope not!

[Fizzer]

Watched MOTD there, he was fantastic.Gabby Logan said that Mick McCarthy said he’d have to cap him to ‘make sure Ireland keep hold of him’. I’m not sure what that means, the kid was born in Cork and has a Cork accent.There’s a clip of McCarthy at another match (sorry I’m not sure how to post links) where he’s singing Idah’s praises and talks about capping him.He doesn’t mention anything about doing it to ‘keep hold of him’. I don’t know if he said that at another stage today.If MOTD have misquoted him, then they’re bang out of order, if they’ve quoted him correctly, Mick would need to explain what he means.

[greendeiseboy]

Born in Cork to an Irish mother and a Nigerian father, inspired by his grand dad Kevin Hayes. This lad is going nowhere

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/amp.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/irish-youngster-adam-idah-inspired-by-memory-of-granddad-kevin-470520.html

[Fizzer]

But it’s the suggestion from MOTD that’s disturbing. To be blunt, if he was white, they wouldn’t have said it.

[greendeiseboy]

But it’s the suggestion from MOTD that’s disturbing. To be blunt, if he was white, they wouldn’t have said it.

Yes, note in the Southampton game Smallbone was referred to as the Irish teenager, even though he’s English born, not once in the Idah report or post match analysis was he referred to as being Irish, other than that he played in the Toulon tournament and that Mick has to cap him to keep hold of him, poor journalism

[ColourfulPeanut]

Yeah this won't be an issue with Idah. He's Cork born and bred with a Cork mother.

It's ignorance by the British media. I'd just ignore them.

[Olé Olé]

Wow. That's incredibly shoddy stuff from MOTD. I don't think this notion that he would defect to Nigeria was even on the radar of any Irish supporters. This is an example of what Brexit has caused. Or has this example been the cause of Brexit? Chicken and egg stuff.

[Fizzer]

I’ve suggested to the BBC that it’s basically racism and invited them to correct the record

[samhaydenjr]

So, basically, this is going to be what's on every Irish football site's comment board for the next eight weeks or so: "Mick should include Lee O'Connor, Dara O'Shea, Nathan Collins, Dan Crowley, Jayson Molumby, Jason Knight, Michael Obafemi, Aaron Connolly, Troy Parrott, Adam Idah, Mark Travers and Caoimhin Kelleher in his starting eleven against Slovakia - but he won't because he's a dinosaur"

Seriously, though, what an achievement for Idah - I've said it before about him here... whatever level he plays at, he just scores. At this point he just needs to move up one more level to be where we want him to be... and he's still only 18. It's beginning to look like the youngsters are trying to one-up each other again - there was a point a little while back where three or four of them scored hat-tricks in quick succession at under-age levels and now they seem to be trying to outdo each other again. And it's great to see.

[Olé Olé]

Good point regarding the healthy competition and it was made on Off The Ball yesterday. If you're Parrott then, whilst you're younger, your competitive instinct must surely be kicking in and resulting in a bit of hunger. Likewise for Afolabi who has seemingly spent 6 months stagnating on the back of a brilliant under 19 tournament (even if reports that he has impressed Lennon at Celtic are to be believed). Connolly, Obafemi and Idah are hopefully now viable options at their clubs (Connolly and Obafemi are established options, yet to be seen if Idah has served to commence this establishment process).

Similar situation now for Coventry when he looks at Molumby and Knight and their impact at Championship level.

Masterson must also be wondering when he will make his senior now with O'Shea and Collins having done so at younger ages.

I would also imagine that advantage will pass to the first of Travers and Kelliher to forge out a successful loan move.

[Olé Olé]

I’ve suggested to the BBC that it’s basically racism and invited them to correct the record
I've noted a similar misstep by someone within the English media. A F365 profile of players at EFL level that could kick on for the PL refers to Eberechi Eze as a "Nigerian forward" even though he was in England's last under 21 squad and there have been no reports of him jumping ship: https://www.football365.com/news/six-efl-stars-ready-for-premier-league-transfers

[Fixer82]

Adam Idah is essentially the same as Katie Taylor. Has a foreign born father.
Has anyone ever questioned Katie Taylor’s Irishness?
Very shoddy work from MOTD

[Paddy Garcia]

I’ve suggested to the BBC that it’s basically racism and invited them to correct the record

Though its not if its an accurate quote from Mick!

[Fizzer]

Correct, If the quote is accurate Mick will have to explain it.

[IsMiseSean]

Though its not if its an accurate quote from Mick!

I was watching BT when Mick commented on Idah.
He didn't imply he needed to cap Idah to keep him with Ireland, it was because he scored a hat-trick in a competitive first team game.

[Olé Olé]

Exactly. There was zero inference or implication in relation to his national identity or his Nigerian father.

Honestly, you would wonder if it's a surprise to England that little old Ireland has immigrants like they do.

[Fizzer]

Thanks Sean, I saw the clip from BT but wasn’t sure if there was any further comments from Mick somewhere (I couldn’t find any). The BBC have said that it’s been forwarded to the producers of MOTD and they’ll reply as soon as possible (they say to expect 10 working days). The wording of what I sent them isn’t excessive but I won’t post it here without mods permission. I’ll let you know when a full response is received.
Anyway, after that brilliant display from Idah I hope the loan move doesn’t happen and he gets game time against Man Utd on Saturday. He looks a fantastic prospect.

[pineapple stu]

I’ve suggested to the BBC that it’s basically racism and invited them to correct the record
The word "racism" is probably the most overused word today.

This is another example of throwing it around at something that's not remotely racist.

Given that capping players to keep hold of them has been a big talking point in Irish football the last while, it's not an entirely unreasonable point to have been made. It may be a bit ignorant of the facts, or it may simply be a misinterpretation of something McCarthy actually did say, but that's not quite the same thing as being racist.

People fall over themselves to get offended these days tbh.

[Olé Olé]

https://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/canaries-daniel-farke-fa-cup-reaction-1-6450971

Farke seems to be changing his mind on a potential loan for Idah. Doncaster must be sickened.

[Fizzer]

The word "racism" is probably the most overused word today.

This is another example of throwing it around at something that's not remotely racist.

Given that capping players to keep hold of them has been a big talking point in Irish football the last while, it's not an entirely unreasonable point to have been made. It may be a bit ignorant of the facts, or it may simply be a misinterpretation of something McCarthy actually did say, but that's not quite the same thing as being racist.

People fall over themselves to get offended these days tbh.

People can do a bit yeah, but I think it was an unreasonable point to have been made. It wasn’t actually a point at all, it was a misquotation of what McCarthy said. It arose, I would suggest, because of Idah’s ethnicity. MOTD would not have misquoted McCarthy if Idah was white. Obafemi had to field similar nonsense for no reason (Mark Hughes to blame primarily there, ably assisted by Martin O’Neill).
The point you make on the capping issue to keep players is a reasonable one, except that it’s only an issue in the context of players born outside Ireland, some of them with links only through one grandparent. I’ve never heard the ‘capping to keep them’ issue raised in the context of a white player born and raised in Ireland. You can call it something other than racism if you prefer but I think it’s wrong to call into question the loyalty of a young fella from Cork to his country and to suggest that he’s flighty on the basis of nothing other than the colour of his skin.
Idah should not now be expected to have to answer questions from the media surrounding his loyalty when he hasn’t done or said anything to the contrary, nor has McCarthy by all accounts.
The story should have been that another exceptional Irish player has broken through in spectacular fashion and might now be capped (which is the actual story if MOTD hadn’t taken liberties) but the insinuation that McCarthy has to now handcuff him to his own country is ugly, unwarranted and wrong.

[pineapple stu]

Problem for me there is you're basing a fairly serious accusation based on little more than your own presumptions. I don't think it's good enough for someone to have an accusation of racism made to their employer because of stuff you're assuming.

I would say it's entirely possible the presenter didn't know his entire background - he was a fairly unexpected story at short notice, and there's lots of research to be done for a programme like that; it's not all about Idah.

I still think you're overreacting and you should at very least correct your complaint email to give the presenter the benefit of innocent until proven guilty rather than shouting "Racist!" at what could just be a simple mistake

[Diggs246]

People can do a bit yeah, but I think it was an unreasonable point to have been made. It wasn’t actually a point at all, it was a misquotation of what McCarthy said. It arose, I would suggest, because of Idah’s ethnicity. MOTD would not have misquoted McCarthy if Idah was white. Obafemi had to field similar nonsense for no reason (Mark Hughes to blame primarily there, ably assisted by Martin O’Neill).
The point you make on the capping issue to keep players is a reasonable one, except that it’s only an issue in the context of players born outside Ireland, some of them with links only through one grandparent. I’ve never heard the ‘capping to keep them’ issue raised in the context of a white player born and raised in Ireland. You can call it something other than racism if you prefer but I think it’s wrong to call into question the loyalty of a young fella from Cork to his country and to suggest that he’s flighty on the basis of nothing other than the colour of his skin.
Idah should not now be expected to have to answer questions from the media surrounding his loyalty when he hasn’t done or said anything to the contrary, nor has McCarthy by all accounts.
The story should have been that another exceptional Irish player has broken through in spectacular fashion and might now be capped (which is the actual story if MOTD hadn’t taken liberties) but the insinuation that McCarthy has to now handcuff him to his own country is ugly, unwarranted and wrong.

What was her exact quote?

[Eminence Grise]

I’d guess it’s nothing more than another instance of British obliviousness to Ireland and Irish matters generally, coupled with lazy journalism – Idah’d be on the radar of BBC Radio Norfolk’s sports desk, and a quick phone call from an MotD researcher to them or Norwich’s press office would have given them all the background needed.

[pineapple stu]

Far more likely in my view alright.

[Olé Olé]

You could draw some parallels with Declan Rice given that he had as much Irish blood as Idah has Nigerian, albeit perhaps Idah's father was born in Nigerian but Rice's old man was born in England. There were questions asked to Roy about Rice potentially defecting to England.

I would say, however, that Logan or her team would not have even considered assessing if Aaron Connolly, for instance, had any foreign-born parent or grandparent.

I would also query if Logan has ever made a similar statement about one of England's black players. For example, was something similar ever stated regarding capping Abraham or Tomori?

[Olé Olé]

I probably don't feel as strongly about this as others and I'm going too far down the "what if" road with those questions.

[Paddy Garcia]

I was watching BT when Mick commented on Idah.
He didn't imply he needed to cap Idah to keep him with Ireland, it was because he scored a hat-trick in a competitive first team game.

I also saw that interview. And TBF to Logan she has tweeted that it was a quote from Mick.

It may well not have been a comment Mick made to camera, rather in the studio.

I think we are too quick to blame Logan/BBC before exploring the source of the comment.

[Olé Olé]

Are you referring to this Tweet by Gabby? https://twitter.com/GabbyLogan/status/1213777835334209536?s=19
Hardly conclusive.

And how would she know what Mick said in a BT studio (his aired comments were pitchside) when she works for the BBC?

[pineapple stu]

And how would she know what Mick said in a BT studio (his aired comments were pitchside) when she works for the BBC?
By watching the TV?

Or probably more likely someone on the research team behind the scenes heard it and decided to throw it in to the script just as a random discussion point.

There's many easier solutions than to lazily jump to the default notion that she must be a racist, and to make a formal complaint to her employer on that basis.

[Olé Olé]

By watching the TV?

Or probably more likely someone on the research team behind the scenes heard it and decided to throw it in to the script just as a random discussion point.

There's many easier solutions than to lazily jump to the default notion that she must be a racist, and to make a formal complaint to her employer on that basis.

Mick didn't mention that he needed to cap him to avoid him declaring for another nation on air. He referred to the 3 goals that Idah had scored as reason for this.

I'm sure there are many easier solutions. I didn't jump to that notion or make that complaint though.

[pineapple stu]

Mick didn't mention that he needed to cap him to avoid him declaring for another nation on air. He referred to the 3 goals that Idah had scored as reason for this.

Yes, which is why I suggested earlier on the thread that it was just a simple misinterpretion of what Mick had said, given that capping players to keep them is a very topical issue (not just with us either; look at Wales too)

[osarusan]

I don't see the issue here at all, to be honest, never mind how racism or Brexit come into it.

I was watching MOTD and heard the comments and thought nothing of them. And I did think that they were made within the context of Idah being still 'available' at senior level to Nigeria, should they come sniffing around.

But so what? We've capped enough English-born players (and tried but failed to cap a good few more) to be aware of the possibility of Nigeria putting Idah on their radar, even if we are certain his allegiance is not in doubt.

[tricky_colour]

I’ve suggested to the BBC that it’s basically racism and invited them to correct the record

I would suggest that is complete and utter nonsense.


Did you think it was racist when folk suggested Mick (or who ever) should cap Jack Grealish?

[tricky_colour]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7858381/Norwich-consider-handing-Adam-Idah-Premier-League-debut-Manchester-United.html


Norwich consider handing Adam Idah full Premier League debut at Manchester United after hitting stunning FA Cup hat-trick

Adam Idah hit FA Cup hat-trick for Norwich in third round victory at Preston
The 18-year-old has become youngest player to score a treble for the Canaries
He was set to go on loan in January but may feature against Manchester United

[Fixer82]

. Obafemi had to field similar nonsense for no reason (Mark Hughes to blame primarily there, ably assisted by Martin O’Neill).
.

I don’t think you can compare the two.
Obafemi grew up in England, has an English accent and neither of his parents are Irish.

Idaho has an Irish accent, was born here and has an Irish parent.

It’s perfectly reasonable to assume Obafemi might weigh up his international options more so than Idah.

[tetsujin1979]

Adam Idah has been a star for years at GAA with Douglas and local soccer with College Corinthians: https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/Adam-Idah-has-been-a-star-for-years-at-GAA-with-Douglas-and-local-soccer-with-College-Corinthians-6ae3d10e-c33c-4bde-972c-60f7eace82b9-ds

[nigel-harps1954]

Looks set to start against Man United tomorrow with Teemu Pukki ruled out through injury. Big chance for Adam.

[Closed Account]

Starts today, live on premier sports

[tetsujin1979]

First season since 2005/06 when three teenage Irish players started at least one Premier League game in the same season - Stephen Ireland, Joey O'Brien, and Marcos Painter

[tricky_colour]

He has not seen much of the ball so far.

[Razors left peg]

He has not seen much of the ball so far.
Yeah very isolated but possibly could have held up the ball a little better a couple of times

[Olé Olé]

Norwich are setting up in a manner which is totally isolating Idah in this first half. They have clearly taken the point regarding United struggling to break down teams that sit back and have stuck a bank of 5 and 4 at the edge of their own box. They are unable to work their way out of danger when they do turn the ball over and so anything going to Idah or near him is a poor clearance in hope.

They had a chance there before half time through Cantwell which was saved by De Gea.

[Olé Olé]

Subbed off on 65 minutes. A thankless task he was given.

[Razors left peg]

Not even on bench today. Little bit harsh given that he started away to United when Norwich just set up to put men behind the ball. Will be interesting to see what happens in next few weeks considering he was about to go on loan before the hattrick

[samhaydenjr]

Unused sub in the 3-0 defeat to Wolves. Maybe we should be complaining more about Farke's ongoing omission of Idah than Mourinho's reluctance to promote Parrott. After all, Mourinho is still having some success with his main forwards, even minus Kane, and is still seeking success on three fronts: Champions League, FA Cup and Champions League Qualification. Meanwhile Norwich look doomed to relegation, and with Drmic on 2 goals for the season and even Pukki's goals having dried up (2 in his last 10), surely it's time for Farke to mix it up and go for broke, particularly as Idah has already shown himself capable of scoring at senior level (albeit against a Championship team of fringe players)

[dynamo kerry]

Thought his penalty against spurs was excellent by the way. Mentally very strong

[nigel-harps1954]

All the chat from the game has been about Parrott, but Idah had another assured performance, didn't look a bit out of place, and took his penalty superbly. Easily the best penalty of the lot.

[Demesne Lad]

I watched this lad in the U-21s game v Italy at Tallaght. Both then, and in the FA Cup game v Spurs, he didn't seem very energetic. Of course, if he eventually turns into a regular goal scorer --- all is forgiven!