Serbia V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 24th March 2021 - World Cup 2022 Qualifier

[Razors left peg]

Westwood hasnt played more than 20 games in a season for Wednesday since the 2016 season. Is that solely down to injuries or was he dropped for periods?

[pineapple stu]

Yes, this is where we're miles apart, which is fine of course, but I just don't think we can loosely decide that Kelleher is roughly around the same standard as Karius/Mignolet just because he's occupying the same role as they once had. But we can agree to disagree because John83 is right, we are just going around in circles!
No problems agreeing to disagree - although I can't agree it's "bizarre" that I'd view the Liverpool backup keeper as closer to Westwood (taking into account he's possibly past his peak at 36) than to Bazunu (one of 32 Man City academy players out on loan, a stage which Kelleher has progressed past).


Westwood hasnt played more than 20 games in a season for Wednesday since the 2016 season. Is that solely down to injuries or was he dropped for periods?
Seems Garry Monk didn't see him as number 1 - so that was a fair bit of 19/20 and into this season gone. Monk then got sacked and the new manager has Westwood back in.

[Razors left peg]

Seems Garry Monk didn't see him as number 1 - so that was a fair bit of 19/20 and into this season gone. Monk then got sacked and the new manager has Westwood back in.

I guess my point then would be that is a guy who has often been a back up keeper in the Championship recently should not be seen as the safer option to Kelleher just because he is older.

[DeLorean]

No problems agreeing to disagree - although I can't agree it's "bizarre" that I'd view the Liverpool backup keeper as closer to Westwood (taking into account he's possibly past his peak at 36) than to Bazunu (one of 32 Man City academy players out on loan, a stage which Kelleher has progressed past).

You don't need to - that's the whole point of agreeing to disagree. :)

[pineapple stu]

I guess my point then would be that is a guy who has often been a back up keeper in the Championship recently should not be seen as the safer option to Kelleher just because he is older.
I think it's certainly true that we don't have any really good options at the moment. It's hard to know whether Monk was right in dropping Westwood - he did get the sack in 18 months after all, but then who doesn't these days - but certainly Westwood isn't a nailed-on Championship starter and that's not ideal. In his defence, he is still playing more often than Kelleher and has proven his ability down the years.

[seanfhear]

Westwood should definitely be in the squad if he accepts the call up = You would think he would from what he said recently.

If whoever else is available is completely outdoes Westwood in training then Kenny has a decision to make. Even working and training with Westwood should be a good experience for our younger goalkeepers. He has been around for a long time and surely has learned a lot in that time. Depends if he is the type of fella to hand on his knowledge and experience.

[lofty9]

I guess my point then would be that is a guy who has often been a back up keeper in the Championship recently should not be seen as the safer option to Kelleher just because he is older.

Just for clarity on Westwood - alongside Sam Hutchinson for Weds were ‘sent to Coventry’ so to speak by two managers for some reason not football related (rumours of fear of bonus payments to them), Monk and Lukhaky. The caretakers, Pulis and Moore have all had him first choice.

[Razors left peg]

John Fallon writing in the Examiner today thinks that Connolly will be in the squad
https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40244120.html

My team would be

Kelleher
Coleman O'Shea Clarke Stephens
Cullen Hendrick
O'Dowda Brady Connolly
Parrott

Its not perfect but I think its got enough passing ability to do what Kenny wants and some pace on the wings. I've gone for Parrott up top because I think theres more upside long term when its basically a toss up call who you pick there.

[Colbert Report]

Troy Parrott over Shane Long? What's the deal with Shane Long, he's doing great in the Championship but the manager and posters on here seem to think he's finished.

[elatedscum]

Am I the only person who hasn’t seen much of Westwood in the past three years? I think I’ve watched one game that he played since wednesday played the playoffs in 2017. Hard really to judge how much the level has dropped over the years and if there’s been a Shay-like decline. He certainly was thereabouts the best keeper in the championship about 6 or 7 years ago.

I’d be pretty confident that Kelleher would handle the occasion, as he hasn’t shown any nerves playing big games for Liverpool. Hopefully they are both in the squad along with one of Travers, O’Leary, Bazunu and McDermott.

As for the the rest of the squad, I think with the injuries, the defence and midfield pick themselves more or less, the attacking players is so hard to work out with uncertainty over Idah, Connolly and McClean. Callum Robinson is probably the only sure thing. And then a few of Horgan, O’Dowda, Long, Collins, Curtis, Maguire, Hogan, Parrott...

[CraftyToePoke]

I’d be pretty confident that Kelleher would handle the occasion, as he hasn’t shown any nerves playing big games for Liverpool. Hopefully they are both in the squad along with one of Travers, O’Leary, Bazunu and McDermott

Bazunu will be in the squad according to the LOI News & Banter FB page tonight. Whether that's a credible ITK page and likely to be correct or not, I've no idea. You ?

[Razors left peg]

Troy Parrott over Shane Long? What's the deal with Shane Long, he's doing great in the Championship but the manager and posters on here seem to think he's finished.
Long has been on bench a few times recently for Bournemouth so no he hasn't been doing great in Championship. Long has never been the answer for us up front and while he's a good pro he's not a good striker

[DeLorean]

Long has been on bench a few times recently for Bournemouth so no he hasn't been doing great in Championship. Long has never been the answer for us up front and while he's a good pro he's not a good striker

He's certainly no Ruud van Nistelrooy if that's what you mean by 'never been the answer'. In general our history has been littered with centre forwards who were more of a handful than a prolific goal threat. Even those who'd have been seen as high level (e.g. Stapleton, Aldridge) had pretty modest goal returns for us. In terms of being a handful I don't think we've had many better than Long. Whether he should start or not at this stage is another story, but I'd still select him ahead of the likes of Hogan or Collins, who definitely haven't looked like the answer.

[seanfhear]

Tis kinda funny how no international manager ever fell in love with Long ~ ~ Since the retirement of Robbie Keane he is probably the highest level forward that we have and still no manager ever fell in love with Shane Long. Sometimes a bit of love is all it takes.

[tetsujin1979]

Couldn't understand why Kenny didn't bring him on for the last few minutes away to Finland. We were 1-0 down, Connolly was on a yellow, and we'd used four of the available five substitutes, so why not try Long for the last few minutes against a tired Finnish defence?

[backstothewall]

He works very hard for the team. He stretches defences and makes good runs into channels and makes himself an outlet for the team. All he lacks in goals.

I get the feeling Big Jack would have loved to have him.

[Diggs246]

IMO his youth coaches should have developed him as a right winger

[seanfhear]

He works very hard for the team. He stretches defences and makes good runs into channels and makes himself an outlet for the team. All he lacks in goals.

I get the feeling Big Jack would have loved to have him.
Big Jack would have found plenty of work for him alright. Tommy Coyne with running power and better.

[Stuttgart88]

I honestly haven't a clue who SK will pick and nor do I have a clue who I'd pick.

I'd be cautious and go with Westwood in goals. I'd be excited and petrified in equal measure by either of Kelleher or Bazunu. I'd pick Coleman over Doherty but would like to find room for both. Probably Clark and O'Shea CBs. Stevens LB.

I'd definitely start Cullen, would like to find room for Knight and then probably Browne. Up front I'd bring Long back and take punt on Parrott. Last place then probably Robinson. 4312 Parrott as the one. But i've never had such low conviction on my picks.

[Razors left peg]

Tommy Coyne is a decent comparison for Long. No Irish manager has never really fallen in love with him because hes never really been very good. He works hard and there is a place for that at times but its not enough for a striker.

[seanfhear]

Tommy Coyne is a decent comparison for Long. No Irish manager has never really fallen in love with him because hes never really been very good. He works hard and there is a place for that at times but its not enough for a striker.
Tommy was a good finisher that lacked a bit of pace for the higher levels. Long has the pace and athleticism but is just not a good finisher at the higher levels.

[DeLorean]

Tommy was a good finisher that lacked a bit of pace for the higher levels. Long has the pace and athleticism but is just not a good finisher at the higher levels.

So how are they alike exactly? :D

[Razors left peg]

So how are they alike exactly? :D

Yeah he kinda shot my comparison point to bits there ... but at least he was nice about it LOL

[sbgawa]

So how are they alike exactly? :D

Neither scored enough goals

[seanfhear]

So how are they alike exactly? :D
That the higher levels were a bit beyond them but I still have a soft spot for Shane Long !

[Razors left peg]

Long on bench tonight again. More worringly is that Molumby started on bench for Preston too. These U21s really are not making the step up to senior football as well as we had hoped

[CraftyToePoke]

Hard to fathom Molumby, he had a great time at Millwall, similar half an eye on the playoffs club to Preston, even recommended the move to Parrott. But no, its definitely not going well for our golden crop of future saviours.

[DCWA]

Peaks and troughs to be expected at this early stage of their careers really, coincidental that we have a few struggling at the same time but then we have spells when a few are simultaneously flying. Whether it means Molumbuy missing out on this squad is another thing.

[geysir]

Afaiu the reports coming out from England, as of yet there's no exemption for players traveling outside the UEFA controlled zones (eg Hungary) to escape the 10 day compulsory 10 day quarantine on return to English soil. UEFA state that clubs have the right to refuse players permission to travel should the quarantine on return be greater than 5 days.

Has there been any discussion about this possible serious impediment to Irish preparations for these upcoming games?

[pineapple stu]

Kevin Malget played for Dudelange when they lost to UCD in the Europa League in 2015. Only one of their players left in the squad (another just got given a suspended jail sentence for massive fraud, so I'd say he's been "retired" from international duty)

Edit - actually, Malget was an unused sub.

[CraftyToePoke]

What time is the squad announced tomorrow ?

[geysir]

German Manager Lowe has decided (or had no option but) to plan 3 WC qual games without all the 5 English based players because of the UK requirement that all returning players from Germany would be required to quarantine for 10 days.
Have the FAI requested the Serbia game to be played in a 'safe neutral zone'? In any case, Serbia can refuse to comply, unless compelled to. Uk clubs are not likely to release first team players for intl duty.

[John83]

That'd be great. We can just default the game if that happens. We'd have four pros, a couple of Erasmus students, and a badger liberated from some Serbian zoo available to play, and when we couldn't score it'd still argued here how much of it to pin on Kenny. The badger would win man of the match for tenacious play.

[Snapshot]

That'd be great. We can just default the game if that happens. We'd have four pros, a couple of Erasmus students, and a badger liberated from some Serbian zoo available to play, and when we couldn't score it'd still argued here how much of it to pin on Kenny. The badger would win man of the match for tenacious play.
Presumably, tetsujin1979 would demand stats for the badger within 24 hours.

[CraftyToePoke]

That'd be great. We can just default the game if that happens. We'd have four pros, a couple of Erasmus students, and a badger liberated from some Serbian zoo available to play, and when we couldn't score it'd still argued here how much of it to pin on Kenny. The badger would win man of the match for tenacious play.

Can it be a honeybadger ? They're kinda cool. Smart too, they can change tactics, which would probably see the badger appointed manager let's face it.

[seanfhear]

Can it be a honeybadger ? They're kinda cool. Smart too, they can change tactics, which would probably see the badger appointed manager let's face it.
I’m not facing ~ No Honey-Badger.

[tetsujin1979]

Presumably, tetsujin1979 would demand stats for the badger within 24 hours.

Knock it off

[DeLorean]

Knock it off

I asked you a direct question on the eligibility thread, blatantly ignored which isn't new for you. For a man who thrives on giving 24 hour deadlines and the likes you don't exactly set a good example.

[Olé Olé]

Squad named: https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/1372530796200927236/photo/1

Kelleher, Bazunu, Travers, O'Hara
Coleman, Doherty, Duffy, Stevens, Long, Clark, O'Shea, Manning, Christie
Hourihane, Browne, Hendrick, Molumby, Knight, Cullen
Brady, McClean, Horgan, Curtis, O'Dowda, Robinson, Connolly, Long, Collins, Parrott

[pineapple stu]

No Westwood is the one that stands out immediately

[Olé Olé]

Connolly makes it. As does Kelleher. Hopefully both are fit to play as they would need to start I think.

No recalls for Westwood or McGeady- not sure if they were even considered.

Kelleher
Coleman O'Shea Clark Stevens
Cullen Knight Hendrick
Brady Robinson/Long Connolly

That is my side based on the squad. Hourihane, Doherty, Browne, Molumby, McClean, O'Dowda and Duffy will be surely in Kenny's thoughts too.

[DeLorean]

A few positives regarding injuries I guess. Would have liked to have seen McGeady but as expected really.

[Fixer82]

Would’ve liked McGeady and Westwood.

Why are McClean, Brady, Horgan, O’Dowda classed as forwards?

[shakermaker1982]

I would be starting Shane Long.

I’d normally be optimistic before a qualifying campaign. Sometimes fancying our chances of nicking a 1-1 against the top seed and hoping we’d blow them away at home.....

3rd place here we come. It would need a miracle of epic proportions to finish top & 2nd place looks bloody difficult.

I hope I’m wrong.

[DeLorean]

An FAI statement said fitness checks would be needed on both Connolly and Kelleher ahead of preparations beginning on Monday morning.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, I can see a couple of players dropping out with injury yet. May explain why there's 29 in the squad.

McGeady is a player I've a love/hate relationship with, but I'd have him in the squad too for his experience, form, and the fact we've a really poor squad and he probably still has something to offer.

Other than him and Westwood, no real surprises tbh

[pineapple stu]

Question actually. Is Bazunu - playing at the 68th-ranked club in England - the lowest-ranked player we've ever called up? Let's consider English clubs only to avoid comparisons across countries. I can't think of any fourth tier call-ups, though I suspect there may be one somewhere. Don't think Amond ever got called up for example. Or Kinsella/Finnan when playing that low

[sbgawa]

Question actually. Is Bazunu - playing at the 68th-ranked club in England - the lowest-ranked player we've ever called up? Let's consider English clubs only to avoid comparisons across countries. I can't think of any fourth tier call-ups, though I suspect there may be one somewhere. Don't think Amond ever got called up for example. Or Kinsella/Finnan when playing that low

Or Put another way.
Is Bazunu a Manchester City Player currently getting Match practise with Rochdale (and geting rave reviews) a better bet then Kelleher currently out injured from playing for the Liverpool under 23's ?

[pineapple stu]

Well we've had that discussion on another thread :)

I'm interested in my question

[sadloserkid]

Question actually. Is Bazunu - playing at the 68th-ranked club in England - the lowest-ranked player we've ever called up? Let's consider English clubs only to avoid comparisons across countries. I can't think of any fourth tier call-ups, though I suspect there may be one somewhere. Don't think Amond ever got called up for example. Or Kinsella/Finnan when playing that low

Kelham O'Hanlon was third tier when he won his cap in '87 I think? No idea where Rotherham were in the table at the time though.