Troy Parrott F AZ Alkmaar b.2002

[Kingdom]

Troy missed another penalty! 2nd miss in two games, and it was an absolute gash penalty too. It'll be interesting to see if he's on one next game :-)
It didn't affect them as they won 0-1 at Sparta to consolidate third and really keep them in the early title race (behind PSV & Feyenoord): they've beaten Ajax in the Dam, drawn with Feyenoord in Alkmaar and now they face Philips Sports Club in Alkmaar on Sunday.

Penalty aside, the chances he had were self-made, one great snap shot on the spin which the keeper made a fine, if expected, save; second an improvised back-heel effort from a rebound which the keeper rightly saved.
He didn't have a specific role in the goal - no assist to be clear - but his run was really really smart: started deliberately offside and then running back into traffic on the arc (something I've coached previously) to drag the covering centreback far away from his partner to create a big gap in the centre which the scorer ultimately exploits.

Two things to watch in this game:
- Their captain (didn't think he was their captain usually) Mijnans is a really smart player who is able to manipulate a football wonderfully - wouldn't be surprised to see him elsewhere after Christmas.
- The referee's involvement in a penalty area set-piece scuffle. Something that I haven't seen before and something that will surely be punished by the authorities


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_rSEYZ3aVM

[Kingdom]

Genuinely delighted for and proud of Troy Parrott.
I've followed his career for a long time since seeing him play for Belvo (spits) a long time ago, and, without going truly down that road, I feel like last night is vindication to some degree or another - which is kind of ridiculous.

[SkStu]

I'll always give you credit for your take on Troy going back years. You "called it", as they say in the business.

[Eirambler]

Feels like he's been around forever, his initial breakthrough at Tottenham seems so long ago now in that pre-season tournament that Ryan Johansson played for Bayern in. It has taken him until now to really come of age at this level. Yet he's still only 23.

[Fixer82]

Seems like an age ago when Mourinho gave him the ball and then ignored him for the rest of his Tottenham career

[Insidetherock]

Feels like he's been around forever, his initial breakthrough at Tottenham seems so long ago now in that pre-season tournament that Ryan Johansson played for Bayern in. It has taken him until now to really come of age at this level. Yet he's still only 23.

Yep.. been listening to people writing Parrot off for years, because he couldn't get into Spurs team at 17/18...

Maybe we "over hype" players who get a run out early in the Premier League.. (Ferguson, Obafemi, Connolly), but getting games that young is the exception.. not the rule

Ferguson is another half the country has written off at 20 ffs

Parrott is benefitting from regular game and goals.. and long may it continue.. he's probably still 3/4 years from his prime

[Fixer82]

Ferguson is another half the country has written off at 20 ffs


I just hope Ferguson can get on top of his injury issues. That's his focus now I hope

[Eirambler]

Yep, with Ferguson it's all about injuries. If he gets over those I'd absolutely still back him to have a good career. But if he doesn't he'll come in way below expectations unfortunately.

[tetsujin1979]

Time to rig an election, vote Parrott for player of the round
https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/video/player-of-the-round/

[Neish]

Delighted for Troy, the last few days have been a whirlwind(in a good way).

After much hype about him in his teens he seemed to fade away probably not being properly utilized at Spurs and the other UK clubs he was loaned out to, but the move to the Dutch league have seen him come on massively think its something like 30 goals in 65 or 66 games since moving there (initialing on loan to Excelsior than permanent to AZ).

He seems fairly down to earth and grounded lad too

[pineapple stu]

I think it's too easy to blame the clubs - we seem to do that a lot.

He was 17 making his Premier League debut for Spurs, and just gone 21 when finishing his Preston loan spell. Even for Ireland he wasn't prolific at the same time (he's just doubled his Ireland tally this week for example).

Far more likely he was just learning the ropes at senior level. I've said before that in an ideal world, we wouldn't have capped him until the goals started coming at Excelsior. The international setup isn't for developing young players and hoping they come good.

Now he is coming good though, he's a huge hope for the future. We mightn't even embarrass ourselves at our own Euros!

[tetsujin1979]

1990171708095902097

[brine3]

Also first ever Irish hat trick away from home.

[elatedscum]

Troy and Evan both probably on pace to become Ireland’s second top scorer.

Troy’s currently on 10 goals. At his age, Robbie had 20. Behind him, Shane Long and Don Givens had 5, Adam Idah had 4, Niall Quinn and Frank Stapleton had 3, Tony Cas and Aldo had yet to score.

Evan is 1 ahead of Robbie at the same age (8 v 7). Robbie’s pace picked up at age 21 with the 4 extra games and 3 extra goals the World Cup provided, totally 6 in the year. Any chance Evan will also have a World Cup age 21 to look forward to?

[rebelmusic]

Only now realizing that Troy got a yellow card for excessive celebration at the end of the game....for taking his shirt off? If you can't excessively celebrate in a moment like that then what the absolute ****

Can yellow cards be appealed? Having him suspended for the second playoff would be a disaster

Edit: Apparently they can't

Edit 2: it's a non issue thank jasus

Receiving two yellow cards in two different qualifying group stage matches (yellow card suspensions are carried forward to the play-off semi-finals, but not the play-off finals, World Cup final tournament or any other future international matches)

[Eirambler]

It's a clear yellow under the rules, so no prospect of a successful appeal even if it had mattered. I actually thought the refs were pretty good in both games this week, especially compared to some of what he have had to put up with in previous games against Portugal.

[Kingdom]

I actually thought the refs were pretty good in both games this week, especially compared to some of what he have had to put up with in previous games against Portugal.

100% this.

The referee yesterday deserves huge credit across the board.

[Fixer82]

Only now realizing that Troy got a yellow card for excessive celebration at the end of the game....for taking his shirt off? If you can't excessively celebrate in a moment like that then what the absolute ****

Can yellow cards be appealed? Having him suspended for the second playoff would be a disaster

Edit: Apparently they can't

Edit 2: it's a non issue thank jasus

Receiving two yellow cards in two different qualifying group stage matches (yellow card suspensions are carried forward to the play-off semi-finals, but not the play-off finals, World Cup final tournament or any other future international matches)

Does this mean if Parrott gets a yellow in the next game he is not suspended for the play-off final, should we win?

And also, does it mean Ronaldo won't miss any WC games?

[pineapple stu]

Ronaldo got a straight red which I think does carry through

[Fixer82]

Ronaldo got a straight red which I think does carry through

Please God. Can't stand him.

Do we have anyone suspended for the next game?
I think Azaz got a yellow didn't he? But not sure he got one before

Scales got a card. He would be missed.

[pineapple stu]

Wiki is saying Scales and Festy are both suspended for the first game (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_%E2%80%93_UEFA_s econd_round#Discipline).

Scales played really well the last two games (and I'm obviously biased towards him) but he's in a position where we have lots of cover. And Festy did not play really well in the last two games, so I don't think either suspension is a particular concern for us.

[rebelmusic]

Does this mean if Parrott gets a yellow in the next game he is not suspended for the play-off final, should we win?

And also, does it mean Ronaldo won't miss any WC games?

So it doesn't matter if a player gets a yellow in the semi-final. It won't carry through to the final.

Scales got two yellows over both matches so he's out for the semi. We might even have Robbie Brady back by then though. Manning is always an option for us....and of course there's Kevin O'Toole :D

We'll no doubt have a few heads suddenly declaring for us as well and despite my aversion to fairweather declarers, I'd take a descendant of the black and tans at left back at this point

[Eirambler]

I'd say the late declarers will only come in if we qualify for the finals. They'll be all over us like a rash if that happens, including players we never even knew were eligible. As happened with the women's team a few years ago - Sinead Farrelly declaring for us in her 30s and literally only playing for Ireland in 2023, the year of the World Cup.

[Fixer82]

So it doesn't matter if a player gets a yellow in the semi-final. It won't carry through to the final.

Scales got two yellows over both matches so he's out for the semi. We might even have Robbie Brady back by then though. Manning is always an option for us....and of course there's Kevin O'Toole :D

We'll no doubt have a few heads suddenly declaring for us as well and despite my aversion to fairweather declarers, I'd take a descendant of the black and tans at left back at this point

How is Billy Thatcher-Cromwell playing these days. Could be a good option for us

[Nesta99]

Scales really does deserve a mention in the Parrott thread for his 2 assists. His effort and headers gave the striker a good chance and were real assists rather than the often giving them to the last other person who touched the ball. Ive been buoyed by the last to games to such an extent that Im not grumbling by this Americanism in Soccer any more:confused:

Being a small nation can really make you properly appreciate international sport and times like last night. My very uninterested parents were talking about how emotional Parrott was in the post match interviews, showing authenticity to something they see as overhyped and superficial. Imagine being a big footballing nation that's expected to win all games, win WCs and European Championships and havent done it, its continuous ultimate under performance - Spain at one time, the Dutch and Belgain (golden generartion) maybe, England still, maybe its not the worst to have the bar relatively low and throw in the drama of grandstand finishes. At least thats how im rationalising the national euphoria at finishing 2nd in a group with 2 more games before it counts for much!

[Drummerboy2]

So glad for Troy. A few on here were writing him off. I wouldnt be writing Ferguson off either

[~YTM~]

Sinead Farrelly declaring for us in her 30s and literally only playing for Ireland in 2023, the year of the World Cup.

She was forced to retire from football in 2024. She also only played her first professional game since her first retirement in 2016 a week before her Ireland call up. Most likely the FAI learned she was returning to football and approached her. She was a cracking player so a disappointment to see her career end the way it did given what she went through before her first retirement.

[tetsujin1979]

Farrellyq was a really good player too, there was a dot in the team's performance when she went off

[Eirambler]

But I guess that's kind of the point. If we qualified from the playoffs in March and someone like, say, Jacob Murphy at Newcastle who would improve the men's team suddenly "discovered" their Irishness next April or May, aged 31, how would people feel about him being in a finals squad?

[Paddy Garcia]

Have Leeds really signed him?

[rebelmusic]

Can't remember which of the podcasts spoke about this but apparently his team have a plan that keeps him away from England for another 2-3 years. That could have just been theorizing but apparently they'd be looking at a Valencia level team in Europe next to keep up his development.

I really pray he stays on the continent as a relegation battle and the British media is the last thing he needs at the moment.

With all that said, if his stock keeps rising and he heads towards that 70/80 mill price tag, he may not have much choice in the matter

[Razors left peg]

Can't remember which of the podcasts spoke about this but apparently his team have a plan that keeps him away from England for another 2-3 years. That could have just been theorizing but apparently they'd be looking at a Valencia level team in Europe next to keep up his development.

I really pray he stays on the continent as a relegation battle and the British media is the last thing he needs at the moment.

With all that said, if his stock keeps rising and he heads towards that 70/80 mill price tag, he may not have much choice in the matter

Off the Ball talked about that this morning. One of the lads on there was saying he should just stay at AZ and never move, that he wouldnt get into a good team in Spain. It annoyed me tbh.

Id love to see him go to Sporting Lisbon, but that my own bias. I would hope the next move is definitely on the Continent for sure, I would hate to see him somewhere like West Ham

[tetsujin1979]

Was it this article on the42?
https://www.the42.ie/troy-parrott-ireland-8-6874677-Nov2025/

[rebelmusic]

Is the Portuguese league similar to the Eiridivise (or however it's spelled)?

A move to a top 5 that isn't England would be good. There's an ambassadorial aspect as well that might get the continental leagues scouting more in Ireland.

Mainly though he should stay where he is until the summer. A January move would be a major gamble. To circle back, Leeds are desperate for a goalscorer so the rumours are only going to get louder on that front but the way things are going for him I doubt they'd be able to meet AZs price

[rebelmusic]

Was it this article on the42?
https://www.the42.ie/troy-parrott-ireland-8-6874677-Nov2025/

I think it was the lad from the 42 on one of the podcasts this morning yeah. Cheers for the link!

[nigel-harps1954]

Would far prefer to see him stay where he is, keep up his good run of form, take it into the play-offs in March and potentially the World Cup next summer.

A move anywhere else would see him need to start again, find his feet early, and settle in and hit form before the playoffs. Too much disruption really in such a big year.

[ontheotherhand]

Yeah I think he should stay put for now. If and when he does move it would be great to see him stay away from England and forge a bit of a new path.

It wasn't that long ago that we were wondering what his best role was. He's found it....turns out it was the one he'd been playing his whole life. Whodathunkit?

[Razors left peg]

Is the Portuguese league similar to the Eiridivise (or however it's spelled)?

A move to a top 5 that isn't England would be good. There's an ambassadorial aspect as well that might get the continental leagues scouting more in Ireland.

Mainly though he should stay where he is until the summer. A January move would be a major gamble. To circle back, Leeds are desperate for a goalscorer so the rumours are only going to get louder on that front but the way things are going for him I doubt they'd be able to meet AZs price

Sporting are a far bigger club than AZ. The Portuguese league over all would be stronger than the Dutch too, but I would agree that he should stay at AZ for rest of this season. In the summer I think he'll get a good move, especially if he keeps up this form

[Kingdom]

Is the Portuguese league similar to the Eiridivise (or however it's spelled)?

A move to a top 5 that isn't England would be good. There's an ambassadorial aspect as well that might get the continental leagues scouting more in Ireland.

Mainly though he should stay where he is until the summer. A January move would be a major gamble. To circle back, Leeds are desperate for a goalscorer so the rumours are only going to get louder on that front but the way things are going for him I doubt they'd be able to meet AZs price

Something I thought interesting was buried away in the entertainment pages was that he's on his own over there. Family and partner still in Dublin flying in and out regularly.

[TVFBLOCKF]

Pretty sure he has spoken publicly about living in Amsterdam with his partner.

[Eirambler]

Was surprised to read that his mum still works in the Mater. I'd imagine once he signs his next contract that will be the end of her needing a day job.

[Kingdom]

Sporting are a far bigger club than AZ. The Portuguese league over all would be stronger than the Dutch too, but I would agree that he should stay at AZ for rest of this season. In the summer I think he'll get a good move, especially if he keeps up this form

While AZ are a big club in relative terms - they are a staple of the Eridivisie, a tier below the Big 3, probably on a par with Twente, Hereenveen, Utrecht and the like - As Razor said, they aren't in the same universe as Sporting in any way, shape or form.

[ifk101]

But does Sporting have a €1bn striker on their books? 😛

[Kingdom]

But does Sporting have a €1bn striker on their books? 😛

They've a €100m striker on their books. So, 'no', is the answer lol!

[Kingdom]

Was surprised to read that his mum still works in the Mater. I'd imagine once he signs his next contract that will be the end of her needing a day job.

His Mutter works in the Matter? Deadly.

[Razors left peg]

Im sure Ive said this on here before, but Troys predecessor at AZ was Pavlidis. He moved to Benfica for a 15 Million fee. Pavlidis scored a lot of goals at AZ so it is a pretty good comparison in terms of possible future moves. Id expect Troys fee to be a lot higher though based on him being a bit younger.

[Eminence Grise]

His Mutter works in the Matter? Deadly.

She dispenses parrotcetamol...

[SkStu]

She dispenses parrotcetamol...

you're some dose..

[tetsujin1979]

A second election needs rigging
https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/video/player-of-the-round/

[Eminence Grise]

you're some dose..

Yeah, most people can take me once every eight hours but shoud seek medical care after five days!;)