UK clubs 2020/21 preseason

[tetsujin1979]

Live stream here for Tranmere Rovers v Preston, with Joe Murphy and Lee O'Connor starting for Tranmere, and Joe Rafferty starting for Preston, with Alan Browne, Sean Maguire and Adam O'Reilly on the bench
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[ColourfulPeanut]

The looks of what?
Stripped his social media of all Irish references, follows the FA but not the FAI and will qualify for England via residency soon if he doesn't already. He hasn't featured at all since appearing in a friendly at U17 level. Was inconspicuously left out of the squad for the Euros too. All just conjecture I know, but I don't see it happening. Hope I'm wrong.

[samhaydenjr]

Two assists for Coventry, Odubeko came on for the last ten minutes; Drinan played the full 90 for Ipswich, Ndaba and Judge were subs: https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/august/25-august/sebastien-haller-hat-trick-secures-west-ham-win-ipswich-town

Stephen Henderson was between the sticks for Palace's game against Oxford. Liam Kelly played the second half: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/crystal-palace-v-oxford-united-202021-pre-season-match-report/

Ciaran Clark back in action, playing the first half for Newcastle against Crewe: https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2020-21/crewe-alexandra-v-newcastle-united/?tab=lineup

Third pre-season appearance for Lee O'Connor: https://www.pnefc.net/matches/fixtures/first-team/202021/august2/tranmere-rovers-vs-preston-north-end-on-25-aug-20/

Zack Elbouzedi on target for Lincoln against Scunthorpe: https://www.weareimps.com/news/2020/august/200825-impsscunthorpe/

That is all

[CraftyToePoke]

Mark McGuinness with a headed goal for Arsenal v MK Dons in a 4.1 win.

[Razors left peg]

Troy Parrott scored for Millwall in 5-1 win vs Bromley. Cant find video to link, but seen interview with manager who said it was great finish

[youngirish]

Two assists for Coventry, Odubeko came on for the last ten minutes;
Odubeko looks like a serious talent and could easily make the breakthrough to the first team before the end of the season. Is there any reason why people think he does not want to represent Ireland other than he doesn't follow the FAI on twitter?

[ColourfulPeanut]

Odubeko looks like a serious talent and could easily make the breakthrough to the first team before the end of the season. Is there any reason why people think he does not want to represent Ireland other than he doesn't follow the FAI on twitter?
I said it before. He wiped every picture of him or reference to Ireland from his social media right after he left Man United and hasn't played for us since a friendly pre-U17 Euros. He was obviously good enough to be picked. It's just guessing from me but if he's not selected in our U19 squad at a minimum then I'd be getting concerned.

He's the same age group as Parrott so there's no reason he shouldn't be in the U21s if he's keen.

[youngirish]

I said it before. He wiped every picture of him or reference to Ireland from his social media right after he left Man United and hasn't played for us since a friendly pre-U17 Euros. He was obviously good enough to be picked. It's just guessing from me but if he's not selected in our U19 squad at a minimum then I'd be getting concerned.

He's the same age group as Parrott so there's no reason he shouldn't be in the U21s if he's keen.

Who would he be planning to switch to? England? He could do that anyway once he qualifies after playing a few more U19 or U21 games for us and if he was performing well his stock would have risen substantially which should give him a greater chance of breaking into their underage teams.

If he was planning to switch to Nigeria he could have done so already.

I'm not saying there is no truth in what you say, I just don't see why he would choose not to play for us at the moment unless possibly he doesn't fancy the underage setup and would rather concentrate on his club career.

[Diggs246]

Who would he be planning to switch to? England? He could do that anyway once he qualifies after playing a few more U19 or U21 games for us and if he was performing well his stock would have risen substantially which should give him a greater chance of breaking into their underage teams.

If he was planning to switch to Nigeria he could have done so already.

I'm not saying there is no truth in what you say, I just don't see why he would choose not to play for us at the moment unless possibly he doesn't fancy the underage setup and would rather concentrate on his club career.

There is no smoke without fire, why delete your Irish stuff on twitter.

[ColourfulPeanut]

Who would he be planning to switch to? England? He could do that anyway once he qualifies after playing a few more U19 or U21 games for us and if he was performing well his stock would have risen substantially which should give him a greater chance of breaking into their underage teams.

If he was planning to switch to Nigeria he could have done so already.

I'm not saying there is no truth in what you say, I just don't see why he would choose not to play for us at the moment unless possibly he doesn't fancy the underage setup and would rather concentrate on his club career.
My theory is that he's angling for England. I don't know when he moved over there but I'd guess he'll be eligible for them soon and we'll see. Playing for Nigeria would be a lot of travel and hassle for these lads. If you play a competitive game underage prior to getting a British passport then he'd be ineligible like Johansson. Maybe he's keeping his options open by not playing for us.

Given the lack of striking options we have at U21 after Idah and Parrott moved up there's no reason he wouldn't be picked for that level on merit.

The first generation Irish born immigrants will be a new type of flight risk. They'll qualify for England via residency, might have no real love for Ireland and like the opportunities an England cap brings. Okoflex was the same.

[youngirish]

My theory is that he's angling for England. I don't know when he moved over there but I'd guess he'll be eligible for them soon and we'll see. Playing for Nigeria would be a lot of travel and hassle for these lads. If you play a competitive game underage prior to getting a British passport then he'd be ineligible like Johansson. Maybe he's keeping his options open by not playing for us.


He apparently qualifies now (or within the next 4 months). He moved to United and England in 2015 according to this:

https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/west-ham-sign-former-man-utd-youth-striker-odubeko/1c1bsh85j85pj15xd7s4tbhfb4

[Diggs246]

I think its disgusting, I really do! born and raised in Ireland and he wants to play for England

[youngirish]

I think its disgusting, I really do! born and raised in Ireland and he wants to play for England

Who knows what life he had here? There's plenty of racists where I'm from in North Inner City Dublin that would subject him to abuse growing up. Isn't he from Tallaght? He could easily have been subjected to the same Neanderthal s**e which could turn anyone off from representing a country.

I don't know his reasons but I could never imagine representing anyone other than Ireland. However I'm pasty white and an alcoholic so I always felt Irish wherever I went.

[Diggs246]

Who knows what life he had here? There's plenty of racists where I'm from in North Inner City Dublin that would subject him to abuse growing up. Isn't he from Tallaght? He could easily have been subjected to the same Neanderthal s**e which could turn anyone off from representing a country.

I don't know his reasons but I could never imagine representing anyone other than Ireland. However I'm pasty white and an alcoholic so I always felt Irish wherever I went.

Then represent Nigeria? . I would be of the opinion that he met more decent people in Ireland then not ... including all the coaches that helped him become a professional football player!

[Olé Olé]

A lot of reaching and speculation going on.

[seanfhear]

My theory is that he's angling for England. I don't know when he moved over there but I'd guess he'll be eligible for them soon and we'll see. Playing for Nigeria would be a lot of travel and hassle for these lads. If you play a competitive game underage prior to getting a British passport then he'd be ineligible like Johansson. Maybe he's keeping his options open by not playing for us.

Given the lack of striking options we have at U21 after Idah and Parrott moved up there's no reason he wouldn't be picked for that level on merit.

The first generation Irish born immigrants will be a new type of flight risk. They'll qualify for England via residency, might have no real love for Ireland and like the opportunities an England cap brings. Okoflex was the same.
Not to mention the potential financial opportunities that becoming or even potentially becoming an England International for the Player and the Club he is with = Potentially Big Money = sometimes follow the money ! !

[Diggs246]

A lot of reaching and speculation going on.

Yep that's true, none of this would stand up in court, that's for sure, but its very suspicious you have to admit

[ColourfulPeanut]

It's all 100% speculation so no need to be harsh on the lad. There has to be a reason he isn't involved but we should give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

International identity is complicated and none of us can understand what it's like for a young black lad growing up in Dublin.

[Diggs246]

It's all 100% speculation so no need to be harsh on the lad. There has to be a reason he isn't involved but we should give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

International identity is complicated and none of us can understand what it's like for a young black lad growing up in Dublin.

Haha brilliant. how do you know? Half the people on the board could be black lol

[SkStu]

Haha brilliant. how do you know? Half the people on the board could be black lol

Peanuts are pale and bland. Colourful Peanut would have stood out. I'm sure he faced a myriad of challenges growing up with all the regular peanuts.

[Eminence Grise]

And you can be nuts without being a peanut (which is a legume, tehnically) so, eh, whatever this thread is about I'm .. all for it? Right answer, no?

[samhaydenjr]

Troy Parrott scored for Millwall in 5-1 win vs Bromley. Cant find video to link, but seen interview with manager who said it was great finish

I wasn't even bothering to check Arsenal as we've really heard little about himself and Jordan McAneff, who is also in their underage set-up. Does this mean he's closer to the first team than I would have thought?

In a similar vein, Jamie Bowden came on as a sub in Spurs' game against Ipswich: https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/2020/august/ipswich-beaten-in-pre-season-opener/

[Stuttgart88]

Haha brilliant. how do you know? Half the people on the board could be black lol
Even if they are, how many grew up in Dublin though?

[CraftyToePoke]

Jack Taylor playing today for Peterborough V Coventry who Jordan Shipley is lining out for. Think Taylor has played most of their warm up matches.

[youngirish]

Molumby, Duffy and Connolly on in the second half in Brighton's friendly against Chelsea. You can watch here:

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/live

[youngirish]

I watched the second half of Brighton V Chelsea.

Duffy looked solid but his distribution from the back is as bad as ever. Connolly didn't really do anything other than the one time he got the ball near the box he was fouled by a very clumsy and unnecessary challenge giving Brighton their second penalty.

I was very impressed with Molumby. His range of passing was excellent and he made a number of timely interceptions and clearances. Him and Bissouma looked very good in Brighton's midfield. Hopefully he can establish himself this season for Brighton as I think he's already too good for the Championship.

[youngirish]

Bournemouth played Benfica yesterday in a pre-season friendly in a 2-1 defeat. Kilkenny and Travers came on in the second half. Apparently Kilkenny in particular was very impressive according to the comments on here:

https://bournemouth-forum.vitalfootball.co.uk/threads/benfica-friendly-sunday.12321/page-16

Hopefully he can kick on and become a regular starter this season.

[Charlie Darwin]

Bournemouth played Benfica yesterday in a pre-season friendly in a 2-1 defeat. Kilkenny and Travers came on in the second half. Apparently Kilkenny in particular was very impressive according to the comments on here:

https://bournemouth-forum.vitalfootball.co.uk/threads/benfica-friendly-sunday.12321/page-16

Hopefully he can kick on and become a regular starter this season.
They're not averse to a scrap on that forum, are they?

[samhaydenjr]

Missed this one: first senior goal for Ryan Cassidy, as he nets the only goal of the game against Salford from the spot: https://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/news/2020/august/gallery-salford-0-stanley-1/

Also Joshua Kayode scored for Carlisle against his former team, Gateshead: https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2020/august/match-report-from-the-tuesday-night-friendly/

And to round out what I'm now calling our second tier of youth strikers, Anthony Scully scored for Lincoln against Oldham: https://www.weareimps.com/news/2020/august/200829-oldhamreport/

Nathan Collins played the full 90 for Stoke against Leeds and opened the scoring: https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2020/september/Potters-record-impressive-Leeds-victory/

And the other Collins, James, netted another pre-season goal against Northampton: https://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/2020/august/northampton-report/

Jimmy Dunne played the full game for Burnley against Preston: https://www.pnefc.net/news/2020/september/preston-north-end-vs-burnley-match-report/

Corrie Ndaba has featured regularly for Ipswich in pre-season and played against Cambridge - hopefully a sign that he will make a breakthrough this season: https://www.itfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/cambridge-1-town-0/

[Olé Olé]

thanks for the round up. Cassidy scored in another pre season friendly already?

[CraftyToePoke]

thanks for the round up. Cassidy scored in another pre season friendly already?

Scored in his first game I think.

[elatedscum]

Daryl Horgan just came off the bench and scored on his debut for 10 man Wycombe against Brentford. Well taken goal, powered it with his left first time from close range...

Caribao Cup tie, playing as a central attacking midfielder, kind of, hard to really say with the 10 men

[Stuttgart88]

Corrie Ndaba debut at CB for Ipswich today. Played well by all accounts. Name didn't ring a bell with me until I saw it on twitter.

[Olé Olé]

Corrie Ndaba debut at CB for Ipswich today. Played well by all accounts. Name didn't ring a bell with me until I saw it on twitter.

And Aaron Drinan made his debut yesterday in the EFL cup. I was convinced he would be on his way out there having been sent out on various loans and none have been all that successful, bar maybe Waterford.

However, the Ipswich fans here see promise and apparently he did well. https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/485870/drinan./#20

[Olé Olé]

This chap, going by his Twitter bio, would be a prominent football writer in the Ipswich area I would assume. He was very impressed: https://twitter.com/Stuart_Watson/status/1302268356985323521?s=19

[Olé Olé]

Daryl Horgan just came off the bench and scored on his debut for 10 man Wycombe against Brentford. Well taken goal, powered it with his left first time from close range...

Caribao Cup tie, playing as a central attacking midfielder, kind of, hard to really say with the 10 men
An emphatic finish, as they'd say: https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1302587541833551874?s=09

[irishfan86]

Anyone have more info on Drinan and what type of player he is?

[Charlie Darwin]

Anyone have more info on Drinan and what type of player he is?
He's a tall, well-built striker who has probably been typecast in England as a target man but is more of a foil for a number 9 and a very good finisher. Had a good spell on loan at Waterford last year but seemed to be out of the picture at Ipswich, so glad he seems to have worked his way back in. His younger brother is breaking through with Cobh Ramblers now and seems to be quite promising too.