Andorra V Republic of Ireland - Thursday, 3rd June 2021 - Friendly

[CraftyToePoke]

A team from Foot.ie would beat Andorra.

Pick your eleven and bench there :) and formation. Line us up. Paul O'Shea on data analytics with an etch a sketch and a box of Crayolas.

[tetsujin1979]

Coleman, Doherty, Clark, Stevens, Egan, Brady, McCarthy etc don't deserve the drudgery of this silly friendly. I see no sense in picking players with over, say, five caps. If Stephen Kenny selects them it's primarily to save his own bacon. A team from Foot.ie would beat Andorra.

Their U21s have had some creditable results recently, drawing with Albania and England, and beating Turkey.

[Snapshot]

I concede the Foot.ie International Selection might struggle against their U21s. Try stay on topic please.

[paul_oshea]

Pick your eleven and bench there :) and formation. Line us up. Paul O'Shea on data analytics with an etch a sketch and a box of Crayolas.

There seems to be a need from you to try and mock other(s) post(ers) for lack of ability to form an opinion for oneself, or at least the know-how to offer anything close to an informed one, biding time to wade in behind someone who puts a long winded post together. :D Its been long noted, and noticed crafty, not called that for nathin :P

[Trequartista20]

As well as O'Dowda, Kevin Long, and, likely, Brady being out, Clark, Hendrick, Stevens and Browne have been struggling with injuries for a while and require rest...

Stephen Kenny’s summer camp plans hit hard by spate of injuries:

https://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/stephen-kennys-summer-camp-plans-hit-hard-by-spate-of-injuries-40447730.html

I'd imagine Jack Taylor and Jason Knight are in need of rest too, and Duffy might not make it. We might be missing quite a few for this one.

Still, it gives some of the younger lads a chance. The likes of Omobamidele, Richards, McGuiness, McGrath, Coventry, Odubeko and Scully might be in line for call-ups.

[Exgrad]

Taylor and Knight have all summer to rest. Unless they're injured they would be mad to miss it, Taylor in particular.

[Eirambler]

I'd say that will only be the start of the dropouts for this. Most of the older generation of players will find reasons to be elsewhere I'd imagine.

I'd expect it to be something like the Staunton 07 US tour - a footnote of the ill-fated Kenny era. Ryan Johansson or someone else equally obscure might have a cap by the time it's over.

https://www.balls.ie/football/the-squad-from-the-infamous-us-tour-of-2007-where-are-they-now-430064

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, and to a large extent that'd defeat the point of the exercise for me.

Also let's be honest here, we do need to win one of these games and the more players that are missing, the more something unthinkable might happen... Andorra have never rolled over lightly for us in the past - took the lead in Lansdowne in 2002 World Cup qualifying and we made heavy weather of things on our last trip in 2010 for example. We've not exactly strengthened since then either.

[tetsujin1979]

Plus this goal from the win in 2010 (on 1:43)
ZPIY1DAokEI

[Razors left peg]

Any player that pulls out of this squad for anything other than a legitimate injury should be ignored for the rest of the campaign. I remember in Traps early days he had a similar camp and Liam Miller and Paul Green became mainstays of his team because they were in that early camp and he trusted them.

Kenny being under so much pressure needs the players to buy in to what hes trying to do and if they blow off this squad because they are tired then I'd leave them out of future squads. If we were going to the Euros this summer you wouldnt hear any nonsense about tiredness, players would be fighting to get in the squad.

[Trequartista20]

I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the injuries.

And, provided they're fit, I'm sure Taylor and Knight will turn up if called upon. I was simply pointing out that both looked extremely fatigued towards the end of the season.

Training games such as these, particularly at the end of an arduous season, are not wanted, needed, or, given COVID, particularly responsible.

Hungary will lack commitment in the tackle and Andorra are a team of part-timers.

In the end, I suspect the most to be gained from this exercise is the avoidance of further embarrassment.

[Charlie Darwin]

Any player that pulls out of this squad for anything other than a legitimate injury should be ignored for the rest of the campaign. I remember in Traps early days he had a similar camp and Liam Miller and Paul Green became mainstays of his team because they were in that early camp and he trusted them.
Do you mean Whelan? Miller's last game for Ireland was in Trap's first competitive double-header and Green didn't come in until a year or so later.

[BonnieShels]

I can't see that. Andorra are a whole other type of awful than Luxembourg. We'll win 2-0/3-0 which won't move anybody from their current stance in the "Kenny deserves at least 25 years to get this right/Kenny deserves to be loaded into a catapult and hurled into the Irish Sea immediately" opinions.

It's been such a whirlwind few months over here that I had completely blanked that out of my mind.

Eugh.

Oh, here come the Toni Polster memories... Lee Carsley in Bursa... you've opened up a veritable box of hell... Thanks SLK.

[Snapshot]

Any player that pulls out of this squad for anything other than a legitimate injury should be ignored for the rest of the campaign . . . .

Such a rule would have stuffed occasional patriot Keano.

[seanfhear]

Such a rule would have stuffed occasional patriot Keano.
Good Post.

[paul_oshea]

I have no reason to doubt the veracity of the injuries.

And, provided they're fit, I'm sure Taylor and Knight will turn up if called upon. I was simply pointing out that both looked extremely fatigued towards the end of the season.

Training games such as these, particularly at the end of an arduous season, are not wanted, needed, or, given COVID, particularly responsible.

Hungary will lack commitment in the tackle and Andorra are a team of part-timers.

In the end, I suspect the most to be gained from this exercise is the avoidance of further embarrassment.

Under current conditions I am inclined to agree, but I feel that Kenny needs to be given this time and exercise, if for nothing else to (dis)prove he is capable and getting through to all players involved. There can't be anymore excuses or apologists.

[tetsujin1979]

Squad due to be announced today, can't find a time online but it's usually around 12 or 1

[Fixer82]

Some left field selections for sure in this squad.
Danny Mandroui, Ogbene

[Olé Olé]

Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph (West Ham United), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Gavin Bazunu (Rochdale, on loan from Manchester City)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Lee O’Connor (Tranmere Rovers, on loan from Celtic), James McClean (Stoke City), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), Dara O’Shea (West Bromwich Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Conor Hourihane (Swansea City, on loan from Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jason Knight (Derby County), Jayson Molumby (Preston North End, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Daniel Mandroiu (Shamrock Rovers).
Forwards: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), James Collins (Luton Town), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Ronan Curtis (Portsmouth), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers).

[Olé Olé]

Mandroiu, Omobamidele, McGrath and Ogbene the new call-ups. Lee O'Connor in there too.

I'm surprised Lee O'Connor has made his way in there. How does he merit a place ahead of Danny McNamara? Ogbene ahead of Scully is strange too, as far as I can see.

[Fixer82]

I’m assuming Browne is injured?

[tetsujin1979]

I can get behind Omobamidele, Mandroiu, and McGrath's callups. But Arter(told he can leave Forest - hasn't played since January) and Horgan(1 goal all season)? Ogbene just got relegated with Rotherham.
No Shodipo, after scoring 13 goals with Oxford, or Anthony Scully.

[Fixer82]

Horgan has been one of our best (least worst) players under Kenny. Can’t blame him for not dropping him

[Diggs246]

This has 0-0 written all over it

[seanfhear]

I can get behind Omobamidele, Mandroiu, and McGrath's callups. But Arter(told he can leave Forest - hasn't played since January) and Horgan(1 goal all season)? Ogbene just got relegated with Rotherham.
No Shodipo, after scoring 13 goals with Oxford, or Anthony Scully.
Might be trying to help these lads get a move.

[seanfhear]

This has 0-0 written all over it
Nah = Goal Fest.

[Diggs246]

Nah = Goal Fest.

You would think , but the data says different. We've scored 1 goal.
I accept Andorra are hopeless, but I've just seen nothing to indicate a goal fest

[passinginterest]

Get the feeling there's definitely a few lads included there who struggled for game time and are looking for moves and this will help them with fitness and putting themselves in the shop window. Some of the others a bit more speculative. Scully possibly not in due to involvement in play off final? Although Hourihane is in and his final is just the day before.

[tetsujin1979]

Same with Manning

[pineapple stu]

Surely there's better players at Rovers than Mandroiu? OK, he was with the 21s, but I didn't think he was one of Rovers' better players this year so far?

I presume also that the exclusion of Travers and O'Hara means Bazunu is established third choice, and Westwood won't play for us again.

I think I say this every time now, but that must be about the weakest squad we've ever named...

[Exgrad]

I don't know why the Irish manager would base squad selection on putting players in the shop window? Doesn't make sense and i doubt it's the case.

Can't figure out Harry Arter though, a nothing player for us really, and as pointed out hasn't kicked a ball in months. I'm presuming Jack Taylor is injured. If Kenny wants to pin his hopes on an injury prone player in this 30's who can't get in an average Championship squad, good luck to him.

[seanfhear]

I don't know why the Irish manager would base squad selection on putting players in the shop window? Doesn't make sense and i doubt it's the case.

Can't figure out Harry Arter though, a nothing player for us really, and as pointed out hasn't kicked a ball in months. I'm presuming Jack Taylor is injured. If Kenny wants to pin his hopes on an injury prone player in this 30's who can't get in an average Championship squad, good luck to him.
Might encourage other hopefuls to play for us if the auld carrier is given the odd boost when needed. You’d be surprised sometimes that some ( ok may lower level clubs ) like to announce they have signed an international / under 21 international just for the optics like.

[John83]

I presume also that the exclusion of Travers and O'Hara means Bazunu is established third choice, and Westwood won't play for us again.
Probably quite tenuously. Any of them who starts playing every week will instantly be in contention.


I think I say this every time now, but that must be about the weakest squad we've ever named...
Sad to say... still, this is friendlies and development. Hopefully, something good will come out of it, like a win, and someone unexpected really making a case for starting.

[elatedscum]

I'd suspect McCarthy misses out due to being out of contract and a desire not to get an injury before signing a deal with a club, maybe the same for Westwood.

Assuming the likes of Jack Byrne and Nathan Collins are still injured?

[tommy_c12000]

Collins is still injured. We won’t see him until preseason by the sounds of it.

Agree with the general sentiments.

Ogbene, Mandroiu and Arter are strange calls. Disappointing not to see Taylor there. I would have even preferred to see Connell in there. I like the O’Connor call, he’s done well with Tranmere and overcame some challenges there. This could set him up nicely for a shot off Celtic in preseason. Agree, McNamara oozes class and has played at a higher level so objectively he should be in there. But Kenny obviously believes in O’Connor. Love the Omobamidele call and the chance for McGrath to take his career to new heights

[Razors left peg]

Not that I miss him but is Hendrick injured?

Its a horrible squad, Arter being there is baffling.... but the worst part is that I cant think of anyone who I would rather have had instead of him.

[tetsujin1979]

No, Hendrick came off the bench for Newcastle yesterday

[Razors left peg]

No, Hendrick came off the bench for Newcastle yesterday

Was Kenny asked about him in presser? Bit surprising that not more being made about him being left out

[dlhoop]

Aaron McEneff?

[The Fly]

This has 0-0 written all over it

Nah, we'll smash them 1-0.

[zero]

touch of the getting the excuses in early from SK with the 'lets have a bit of fun / how would you define a must win' comments.

i guess he has to answer the questions asked in some fashion.

[samhaydenjr]

"Interesting" - Michael Obafemi

[tetsujin1979]

touch of the getting the excuses in early from SK with the 'lets have a bit of fun / how would you define a must win' comments.

i guess he has to answer the questions asked in some fashion.
Kenny's never been great when speaking to the media, but these are especially bad
"let's have a bit of fun". No, let's start winning games, then we can have some fun
"how would you define a must win game" - really? Surely a "must win" game is pretty self explanatory

[seanfhear]

Kenny's never been great when speaking to the media, but these are especially bad
"let's have a bit of fun". No, let's start winning games, then we can have some fun
"how would you define a must win game" - really? Surely a "must win" game is pretty self explanatory
Winning is fun in sport = The best fun.

[Charlie Darwin]

Surely there's better players at Rovers than Mandroiu?
It's not really a case of there being better players than Mandroiu, just that he is the guy who plays in the position where Kenny needs someone. Gary O'Neill has been Rovers' outstanding midfielder but we have loads of players like him, whereas with Bryne injured we're particularly short of creative players who score goals, and Mandroiu is one of them.

You can absolutely argue that there are other players at other clubs who do that better than Mandroiu, but in terms of Rovers players it's between him and Burke and Mandroiu creates more.

[elatedscum]

Was Kenny asked about him in presser? Bit surprising that not more being made about him being left out

Kenny: “Jeff is not injured on this one. I don't think he's injured. He just has private reasons for not linking up on this one.”

[Eirambler]

Kenny: “Jeff is not injured on this one. I don't think he's injured. He just has private reasons for not linking up on this one.”

i.e. can't be arsed.

Watched some of the press conference. I thought the "how would you define a must win game" comment was one of the worst I have heard. Steve Staunton level stuff.

Aside from the stupidity of the comment itself, the unwillingness to take responsibility if his team can't even beat Andorra grates with me. And it could happen. We might stick 5 past them, but not winning the game at all is a distinct possibility based on what I've seen from Kenny so far.

Would it be worth the embarrassment of not beating Andorra if it meant there was no possibility of him getting a contract past this autumn? Possibly. But if we don't win he will clearly still try to spin it as development and will get backing from certain quarters in the fanbase and media that don't want to be proven wrong it seems.

There's a Jeremy Corbyn feel to the whole thing (for anyone who follows British politics). He's taking us off a cliff but some would rather go over the edge with him that than accept that the whole things a disaster.

[seanfhear]

i.e. can't be arsed.

Watched some of the press conference. I thought the "how would you define a must win game" comment was one of the worst I have heard. Steve Staunton level stuff.

Aside from the stupidity of the comment itself, the unwillingness to take responsibility if his team can't even beat Andorra grates with me. And it could happen. We might stick 5 past them, but not winning the game at all is a distinct possibility based on what I've seen from Kenny so far.

Would it be worth the embarrassment of not beating Andorra if it meant there was no possibility of him getting a contract past this autumn? Possibly. But if we don't win he will clearly still try to spin it as development and will get backing from certain quarters in the fanbase and media that don't want to be proven wrong it seems.

There's a Jeremy Corbyn feel to the whole thing (for anyone who follows British politics). He's taking us off a cliff but some would rather go over the edge with him that than accept that the whole things a disaster.
Are we like cabbages on Jeremy Corbyn’s allotment !

[pineapple stu]

It's not really a case of there being better players than Mandroiu, just that he is the guy who plays in the position where Kenny needs someone. Gary O'Neill has been Rovers' outstanding midfielder but we have loads of players like him, whereas with Bryne injured we're particularly short of creative players who score goals, and Mandroiu is one of them.

You can absolutely argue that there are other players at other clubs who do that better than Mandroiu, but in terms of Rovers players it's between him and Burke and Mandroiu creates more.
Fair point, if slightly worrying as well in that we're now so stuck in some areas that we're calling up players who aren't even the top players in a part-time league. Byrne was an obvious call as he stood out at Rovers.

[Exgrad]

Some comments here from Kenny on Obafemi (as well as Long and Brady):

https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/shane-longs-absence-could-see-24176476