U23 Players 2020-21

[Olé Olé]

Did well according to their local rag. Joint top rating along with Windass upfront, which bodes well:

Ciaran Brennan 8

The debutant excelled on the right hand side of Wednesday's three-man backline. He was solid defensively and repeatedly carried the ball forward to launch attacks from the back. Did not look out of place.
Cheers for that. I see Brennan is 20 and has yet to get a look in for the under 21s. Interesting few weeks ahead after that performance.

[DeLorean]

Jason Knight scored tonight against Preston in the EFL Cup. How far away from the senior squad is he?

Wouldn't surprise me to see him included once the playoffs are out of the way. His goal return is really impressive for a guy who's known for such a high work rate, it's often one or the other! Have any other Championship teenagers scored as many goals in the last twelve months or so? (Disclaimer: list might be as long as my arm).

[elatedscum]

Neither Conor Coventry nor Mipo Odubeko are included in West Ham's U23 side against Chelsea in their PL2 game this afternoon. Their senior side is playing Charlton tomorrow in the League Cup, wonder if either will be included in the squad?

FYI Mipo injured for a few weeks

[tetsujin1979]

Thanks. Coventry did come on last night for a few minutes

[Razors left peg]

Jason Knight scored tonight against Preston in the EFL Cup. How far away from the senior squad is he?

I still dont know what he is. Seen very small bit of this game the other day and he seemed to play left wing, other times hes been on right or central. Hes not overly quick or skillful, doesn't really seem like a playmaker but he gets goals.

Seems almost like Hendrick?

[samhaydenjr]

Quick update on PL2 - unfortunately there's no reports on the premier League site so I have to go to individual clubs' sites, but here goes:

Ali Reghba opened the scoring for Leicester in their 2-0 win over Man Utd. Shane Flynn also played while Darragh O'Connor was an unused sub: https://www.lcfc.com/news/1830089/citys-development-squad-up--running-in-pl2

It was Andrew Omobamidele's turn to score for Norwich's U23s against Reading. Giurgi and Hondermarck also featured, with Giurgi going close with a header of his own: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2020/september/match-report-for-norwich-city-under-23s-v-reading-fc-14-09-20/

We may want Kelleher to be playing first-team football, but he apparently made some excellent saves while keeping a clean sheet against Everton: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/academy/408475-liverpool-u23s-everton-match-report

George Nunn was a late sub for Chelsea against West Ham: https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/09/14/pl2-report--chelsea-west-ham?cardIndex=0-0

Ethon Varian has made the step up to U23s, coming on as a second-half sub for Stoke in their 4-0 win over Leeds. Ryan Corrigan also played: https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2020/september/U23s-off-to-a-flyer-with-emphatic-win/

[tetsujin1979]

Corrigan was born in Liverpool, but has Irish citizenship - was he ever called into a squad?

[liamoo11]

Corrigan was born in Liverpool, but has Irish citizenship - was he ever called into a squad?

I dont think he has ever been involved not even in training camps that squad lists were released for. He seems to have been spoken about for a few years as been eligible but i haven't seen any interview with him that discusses that, has anyone else?

[liamoo11]

Quick update on PL2 - unfortunately there's no reports on the premier League site so I have to go to individual clubs' sites, but here goes:

Ali Reghba opened the scoring for Leicester in their 2-0 win over Man Utd. Shane Flynn also played while Darragh O'Connor was an unused sub: https://www.lcfc.com/news/1830089/citys-development-squad-up--running-in-pl2

It was Andrew Omobamidele's turn to score for Norwich's U23s against Reading. Giurgi and Hondermarck also featured, with Giurgi going close with a header of his own: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2020/september/match-report-for-norwich-city-under-23s-v-reading-fc-14-09-20/

We may want Kelleher to be playing first-team football, but he apparently made some excellent saves while keeping a clean sheet against Everton: https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/academy/408475-liverpool-u23s-everton-match-report

George Nunn was a late sub for Chelsea against West Ham: https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2020/09/14/pl2-report--chelsea-west-ham?cardIndex=0-0

Ethon Varian has made the step up to U23s, coming on as a second-half sub for Stoke in their 4-0 win over Leeds. Ryan Corrigan also played: https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2020/september/U23s-off-to-a-flyer-with-emphatic-win/

Thank you. Nice to see louie Watson still at west ham I thought he was released end of season but obviously not. Seems to have had lots of injuries. Read a interview where he said his Ireland debut has been the highlight of his career.

Conor Bradley moving up to 23s football at liverpool having just turned 17 is impressive. Saw him in the victory shield 2 seasons ago playing as a box to box midfielder . That night he was noticeably uncomfortable during God save the queen along with 3 or 4 others one of which is a lad at Everton McAllister and Donnelly at forest both of whom also played their football with dungannon

[tetsujin1979]

Jamie Bowden out with an injury for a few months. According to this, he might have been going out on loan before this occurred
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[Eirambler]

No sign of Kian Flanagan or Jake Doyle Hayes finding a club for the coming season. Flanagan's career is in trouble I think, he could easily fall away now which is a shame as he was once rated as Crystal Palace's best youth prospect. He's not Irish born but could be one for a LoI club to consider all the same.

Doyle-Hayes has a successful season in League 2 behind him though, I thought he would find a club down the divisions no problem.

[Olé Olé]

I wonder if clubs that would normally sign players like that pair are holding tight in the hope they'll get a player on loan from a Premiership side and have to pay little or no wages.

[Olé Olé]

JJ Kayode has popped up with a goal for Carlisle today.

[tommy_c12000]

Begovic back as league starter for Bournemouth. Appears he suffered a dead leg last week which in part explains Travers starting, also of note, Begovic has the number 1 jersey, although manager hasn’t declared a number one yet. Travers missed a season last season pulling a Kelleher on it. He can’t spend another season playing a couple of frivolous league cup games. He was a bag of nerves last weekend, something that can be addressed with experience

[tommy_c12000]

Poor Lee O’Connor, his team 3-0 at home to Cheltenham at HT. Hope this is not going to be a Partick Thistle part II experience for him. Tranmere do seem in a bit of disarray on (and off) the pitch, hopefully things settle

[Razors left peg]

Poor Lee O’Connor, his team 3-0 at home to Cheltenham at HT. Hope this is not going to be a Partick Thistle part II experience for him. Tranmere do seem in a bit of disarray on (and off) the pitch, hopefully things settle

For what its worth he actually had the highest rating of his team mates on the Fotmob app at 6.8

[tommy_c12000]

From the Tranmere fans forum: “Booooo!! Load of crap. Not a single player can come out of that “performance” with a single shred of dignity. Completely unacceptable”

Must be his loyal Waterford contingent propping up the numbers on Fotmob! Hopefully, Tranmere get things together. Young inexperienced players usually the first to be discarded once **** hits the fan

[tommy_c12000]

Connolly starts, no Molumby in the match day squad.

[tommy_c12000]

No Propper or Stephens in the squad either, both of whom are ahead of Molumby. I’d prefer for Molumby to get out on loan for another season and start regularly. He still has a lot of developing to do

[Olé Olé]

Kian Flanagan scored after coming on as a sub for Palace 23s. Thought he had left but must be hanging around to stay fit.

[Trequartista20]

I believe he's there on a non-contact basis.

[elatedscum]

Former Ireland U17 Roland Idowu has signed a pro deal with Cardiff, having left Southampton...

[Stuttgart88]

I believe he's there on a non-contact basis.Is that because of COVID restrictions, or is he just a bit delicate?

[Trequartista20]

:D Just not the tactile sort.

[Eirambler]

A really good loan move for Mark McGuiness to Ipswich at 19. Not such good news for Corrie Ndaba who is a year older and will probably now be behind McGuiness in terms of getting game time.

Some amount of Irish centre backs coming through the youth system these days.

[youngirish]

A really good loan move for Mark McGuiness to Ipswich at 19. Not such good news for Corrie Ndaba who is a year older and will probably now be behind McGuiness in terms of getting game time.

Some amount of Irish centre backs coming through the youth system these days.
There seems to be quality coming through all through the center of the park. Not so much in the wide positions as I've stated before which is unfortunate.

[tetsujin1979]

Anselmo Garcia Macnulty playing for Wolfsburg's U23 side today
1309795555481133056

[samhaydenjr]

A couple of Irish scorers at U23 level:

Charlie McCann scored for Man Utd in their 5-3 defeat by Liverpool:https://www.google.com/search?q=premier+league+2&oq=&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l5.25276870j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11l4nlyrh2;2;/g/11d_729802;ln;fp;1;;

Conor Coventry netted from the spot in West Ham's 2-2 draw with Southampton. Thomas O'Connor was playing for The Saints but no Odubeko... what could that mean: https://www.google.com/search?q=premier+league+2&oq=&aqs=chrome.0.69i59l5.25276870j0j15&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#sie=m;/g/11l4nlzdr7;2;/g/11d_729802;dt;fp;1;;

[tetsujin1979]

Odubeko's injured, he'll be out for a few weeks
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[Olé Olé]

Idah and Travers both on the bench for Bournemouth v Norwich.

[Eirambler]

Tom O'Connor gone back to Gillingham for another year on loan.

Portsmouth, Hull, Blackpool, Doncaster and MK Dons reportedly after Jake Doyle-Hayes. However Portsmouth have already come out to deny interest so it might all just be agent spin.

[samhaydenjr]

From tonight's EFL Trophy:

Conor Coventry kept his recent goalscoring run going for West Ham in their 1-0 win over Colchester: https://www.skysports.com/football/colchester-vs-west-ham-united-u21/428759

Charlie McCann played for Man Utd against Rochdale and scored his penalty in their shoot-out win: https://www.skysports.com/football/rochdale-vs-manchester-united-u21/live/428774

Mark McGuinness not quite ready to start for Ipswich, as he played against them for Arsenal U21s. Jordan McEneff played the first 45 minutes and Mazeed Ogungbo was on the bench, while Corrie Ndaba lined out for the Trotters: https://www.skysports.com/football/ipswich-vs-arsenal-u21/teams/428733

Will Ferry played for Southampton U21s against Stevenage, while Thomas O'Connor came on as a sub: https://www.skysports.com/football/stevenage-vs-southampton-u21/teams/428749

George Nunn played for Chelsea U21s against Walsall: https://www.skysports.com/football/walsall-vs-chelsea-u21/teams/428783

[Stuttgart88]

Coventry's goal was a belter.

[DeLorean]

Coventry's goal was a belter.

1311237760288788480

[liamoo11]

Sotona signed for nice https://www.the42.ie/ayodeji-sotona-to-nice-5219211-Sep2020/ .he seemed to do really well when moved to centre forward for utd 18s last season . be interesting to see if he stays centre forward or goes back wide . Best of luck to him would have been easy to take the deal at utd and stay put

[Eirambler]

Still quite a few players that I'd like to see go out on loan before the window closes -

Josh Cullen and Conor Coventry - still not getting a sniff at West Ham, Cullen just needs a permanent transfer to be honest

Mark Travers and Gavin Kilkenny - neither look like they will be first choice at Bournemouth, Kilkenny in particular is struggling for game time there and Bournemouth have just signed another attacking midfielder

Will Ferry - no longer in the Southampton first team squad it seems

Luca Connell - will be set for a year and a half without any first team football if he doesn't get a loan move from Celtic. Barry Coffey also needs to move to play first team football if he's to have any chance of developing

Joe Hodge - would be good to see him get some first team football down the leagues, he has turned 18 now

Adam O'Reilly - had a good non league loan last year, needs to play at a higher standard now but not getting much of a chance at Preston

Caoimhin Kelleher - looks like he won't get a loan as Liverpool are down to three senior keepers. He's 22 next month, sooner or later you have to get out of your comfort zone and go and play some football.

Hopefully most of those 10 can get something sorted out in the next few days.

[Razors left peg]

Sotona signed for nice https://www.the42.ie/ayodeji-sotona-to-nice-5219211-Sep2020/ .he seemed to do really well when moved to centre forward for utd 18s last season . be interesting to see if he stays centre forward or goes back wide . Best of luck to him would have been easy to take the deal at utd and stay put

Has Sotona being involved in Irish underage squads recently?

[tetsujin1979]

Not since the u15 squad in 2017: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/donohue-names-ireland-u15-squad-for-dutch-fixtures

[Razors left peg]

Not since the u15 squad in 2017: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/donohue-names-ireland-u15-squad-for-dutch-fixtures

Has there been rumors about him playing for other countries or was there other reasons given for him not being involved?

[tetsujin1979]

none that I'm aware of. a few Nigerian football sites noted that he's Nigerian qualified when they reported on Nice signing him.

[Diggs246]

https://www.balls.ie/football/deji-sotona-nice-449708
Is this guy well known on this forum?
I've never heard of him

[tetsujin1979]

yep, the move was briefly discussed here - https://foot.ie/threads/259632-U23-Players-2020-21?p=2050875&viewfull=1#post2050875

[elatedscum]

https://www.balls.ie/football/deji-sotona-nice-449708
Is this guy well known on this forum?
I've never heard of him

He’s very fast, he’s very raw. He’s got decent potential and he hasn’t represented ireland in a competitive underage fixture...

[seanfhear]

Has he sailed in to the Sunset re; Ireland ?

[Olé Olé]

Has he sailed in to the Sunset re; Ireland ?

What evidence suggests that? Is it because he hasn't been picked in a while?

[seanfhear]

What evidence suggests that? Is it because he hasn't been picked in a while?Possibly.

[Eirambler]

Not the best start to the weekend for Gavin Kilkenny. Left out of the Ireland under 21 squad and then Bournemouth go with 6 subs on the bench rather than including him tonight v Coventry.

I know managers have reasons for picking fewer subs than they are allowed but that must be very frustrating for a player trying to break in to the first team.

[tetsujin1979]

17 year old Kian Leavy from Ardee started for Reading U23 today against West Brom,

[tommy_c12000]

Not the best start to the weekend for Gavin Kilkenny. Left out of the Ireland under 21 squad and then Bournemouth go with 6 subs on the bench rather than including him tonight v Coventry.

Let’s hope against hope, that it’s due to a impending loan move, which has been 14 months overdue

[elatedscum]

Has he sailed in to the Sunset re; Ireland ?


What evidence suggests that? Is it because he hasn't been picked in a while?

Well, he’s never been publicly called up and turned it down. But regarding the U17s that were here, it was very surprising that neither Mipo nor him were named in the squad for that tournament, when there were clearly better than 2-3 of the people who were included who can play similar positions. Couldn’t have been an issue with the club, as McCann was in the squad. Gaxha (eligible for Albania I think) was possibly in the same boat. Okoflex was also documented at the same time. And Mazeed Ogbungo (spelling?) would have been in the same boat but he and Okoflex have subsequently played for the 19s.

It’s logical to think that either a) there were mistakes made in the selection or b) the players indicated they didn’t want to be called up

Some mitigating factors though:

1) that 2002 class were hosts and therefore that was the only competitive squad of the year, instead of 3 competitive squads to make like the previous year would have had.

2) the 2001/02 U19 class were knocked out in the first round, meaning the same thing.

3) the 2002/03 U19 class hasn’t played competitive games due to Covid.

So it basically means there were only two squads which he could have been capped in. I think there’s far more players currently who we have doubts about from that age group because of those factors.

Historically, I don’t think we’ve lost any Nigerian-Irish footballers either from two parent or one parent Nigerian backgrounds, which is probably a positive on a few different levels. But the fact that Mipo, Sotona and Obi (Derby) have never played for us at age groups that matter isn’t ideal.

Obafemi is obviously different because he went out of his way to ensure he was capped and all he’s really done is write one ill advised tweet.