Pre-Season 2021-22

[Demesne Lad]

Daryl Horgan scored for Wycombe as they defeated Leicester 1-0

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12366887/wycombe-1-0-leicester-highlights (All of 38 seconds!)

[tetsujin1979]

Conor Noss came on at half time for Borussia Moenchengladbach against Bayern Munich yesterday, with Borussia winning 2-0.
Highlights below, but Noss doesn't really feature much
I0_hX2pcKW8

[Diggs246]

Ryan and Noss. Are they worth promoting to the senior squad. Get them involved with training and let Kenny have a good look at them.

[CraftyToePoke]

Ryan and Noss. Are they worth promoting to the senior squad. Get them involved with training and let Kenny have a good look at them.

Noss is considering his options I thought ?

[samhaydenjr]

Ryan and Noss. Are they worth promoting to the senior squad. Get them involved with training and let Kenny have a good look at them.

Simple answer... no. Neither has played a senior competitive game yet - at this point it's too close for anybody to really break in for the World Cup qualifiers, unless they start pulling up trees immediately. So it should really be the main squad as it stands - primarily the experienced players with a few of the youngsters who have already broken through - there will be plenty of time for blooding young players in before the 2024 qualifiers - summer friendlies (probably, unfortunately) and a Nations League campaign. So let's wait to see who proves themselves over the next season.

Besides, there's a bunch of U21 qualifiers to be won

[Eminence Grise]

Another way of looking at it is to ask whether stepping up to the Irish squad is as big a challenge as becoming club first team players. Right now, I'd say it's not, and they wouldn't be our first internationals not to have played a club game (though not for quite a long time). Realistically, I think they're probably a season or so shy of being genuine cap contenders. Always room for optimism, though.

[Olé Olé]

Would Wales cap them? Dylan Levitt of Manchester United was called up first in May 19. He made his debut on 3 Sept 2020. He went on loan to Charlton on 8 September 2020. There are plenty other examples. See also Matthew Smith of Man City. Rabbi Matondo of Man City. I don't think this three had any experience at their clubs before being called up to the Welsh senior squad. Ethan Ampadu had a few games at Exeter City in League Two.

I think we should be aggressive here. Particularly with Noss who could have options.

[seanfhear]

Would Wales cap them? Dylan Levitt of Manchester United was called up first in May 19. He made his debut on 3 Sept 2020. He went on loan to Charlton on 8 September 2020. There are plenty other examples. See also Matthew Smith of Man City. Rabbi Matondo of Man City. I don't think this three had any experience at their clubs before being called up to the Welsh senior squad. Ethan Ampadu had a few games at Exeter City in League Two.

I think we should be aggressive here. Particularly with Noss who could have options.
Wales seem to have this down to a tee. I don’t know if its the attraction of playing with Bale and Ramsey but they have done very well recently in attracting and keeping young players to play for Wales. i suppose their success in 2016 would also have been a big help.

[Diggs246]

Conor Noss is suggesting holding out for Germany is he?

[Diggs246]

Another way of looking at it is to ask whether stepping up to the Irish squad is as big a challenge as becoming club first team players. Right now, I'd say it's not, and they wouldn't be our first internationals not to have played a club game (though not for quite a long time). Realistically, I think they're probably a season or so shy of being genuine cap contenders. Always room for optimism, though.

Unfortunately your right, we are also desperate!

[CSAD]

Wales seem to have this down to a tee. I don’t know if its the attraction of playing with Bale and Ramsey but they have done very well recently in attracting and keeping young players to play for Wales. i suppose their success in 2016 would also have been a big help.

I don’t know how they do it but no matter who the player is they step in and look up to it, even someone like Levitt who had only played a EL game for United in what was a u23 team versus Astana yet none of our even premiership players look up to it when they step in.

It just feels looking in that there’s a real family feel to it and it feels like a very organic environment whereas with Ireland it just looks like a very toxic place, it’s no wonder so many players get “injured” prior to internationals.

When you look at our toxic environment it’s no wonder so many jump ship, even someone like Brooks who isn’t having the best spell in his career at the moment but let’s not forget between 2017-2019 he became a regular in the championship and became one of the best youngsters in the premier league and despite this he still turned down England. We have players like Odubeko turning his head…someone raised in Ireland, that’s how toxic it’s become.

I do feel Kenny is in the process of changing things (sadly players being “injured” hasn’t helped) he hasn’t had a somewhat fit team to pick since Slovakia (A) and it shows in every game we played. The toxicity in Irish football isn’t down to Kenny, it’s down to all the **** that’s gone down before him.

[seanfhear]

I don’t know how they do it but no matter who the player is they step in and look up to it, even someone like Levitt who had only played a EL game for United in what was a u23 team versus Astana yet none of our even premiership players look up to it when they step in.

It just feels looking in that there’s a real family feel to it and it feels like a very organic environment whereas with Ireland it just looks like a very toxic place, it’s no wonder so many players get “injured” prior to internationals.

When you look at our toxic environment it’s no wonder so many jump ship, even someone like Brooks who isn’t having the best spell in his career at the moment but let’s not forget between 2017-2019 he became a regular in the championship and became one of the best youngsters in the premier league and despite this he still turned down England. We have players like Odubeko turning his head…someone raised in Ireland, that’s how toxic it’s become.

I do feel Kenny is in the process of changing things (sadly players being “injured” hasn’t helped) he hasn’t had a somewhat fit team to pick since Slovakia (A) and it shows in every game we played. The toxicity in Irish football isn’t down to Kenny, it’s down to all the **** that’s gone down before him.
And the thing is we had this once. Ok, back a long time ago. But I suppose it is when you have success that it sustains for a long time like Euro 88, Italy 90 and USA 94 = = That was a lot of success in a short period.

[Olé Olé]

Conor Noss is suggesting holding out for Germany is he?

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/7355808/ireland-underage-midfielder-conor-noss-borussia-monchengladbach/

The Sun are the only outlet carrying these quotes. Did he speak in English? Were the quotes translated? He isn't saying definitively that he is considering his options. The sentences are quite open.

He might well consider a Germany call up if he got one in the morning. But I'm sure he would consider an Ireland one if it came too. It's quite clear that he is a dual national.

[ifk101]

Didn't think Conor Noss showed much in the recent U21 matches, maybe that's down to how the team as a whole played not suiting him and it being end of season, but the ball bounced off him more than not and he looked physically weak/ lightweight. Not a player meriting fast-tracking to the seniors imo. If he's holding out for Germany, good luck to him.

[CSAD]

And the thing is we had this once. Ok, back a long time ago. But I suppose it is when you have success that it sustains for a long time like Euro 88, Italy 90 and USA 94 = = That was a lot of success in a short period.

And even in recent years with the likes of Iceland , Northern Ireland, and Sweden at the 2018 WC and Qs. You don’t need to be gifted with top players to be successful, maybe to win a tournament you do but to get to a L16/QF you don’t, whats most important is to be well organized and have genuine tactics, that’s what Iceland for instance had, great defensivly but when they went forward you could see the work they did on the training ground coming to fruition, with Ireland under O’Neill for instance you had players throwing throw-ins out of play…it’s no wonder we went nowhere.

Kenny though is the kind of manager who will do this though, it may take time for it to start baring fruit though.

[CSAD]

Didn't think Conor Noss showed much in the recent U21 matches, maybe that's down to how the team as a whole played not suiting him and it being end of season, but the ball bounced off him more than not and he looked physically weak/ lightweight. Not a player meriting fast-tracking to the seniors imo. If he's holding out for Germany, good luck to him.

Honestly part of me feels it could be media talk to push for a call up.

[elatedscum]

just the sun being the sun. he did an interview in german media where he was asked:

Fohlen-Hautnah: Du hast sowohl die deutsche, als auch die irische Staatsbürgerschaft. Aktuell trägst Du das Trikot von Irland. Wenn Du in Bezug auf das A-Team wählen könntest – für wen würdest Du dich entscheiden? (you're a dual german and irish citizen but you're currently wearing an irish jersey. if you could choose a senior team to play for, which would you pick?)


Conor Noß: Das kann ich so gar nicht sagen. Die Spiele bei der irischen U21-Nationalmannschaft habe ich sehr genossen und mir hat es großen Spaß gemacht. Das ganze Trainerteam ist super und ich habe mich dort sehr wohl gefühlt. Über diese Konstellation habe ich mir aber noch nicht viele Gedanken gemacht und bin aktuell bei der irischen Nationalmannschaft sehr glücklich. (i can't really answer that. i've loved the games with the 21s and the whole backroom team are super and i feel good/sure there. i haven't really thought about this situation much and i'm very happy being with the irish national team)

[samhaydenjr]

So, getting close to the start of the new season, with The Championship kicking off next weekend - this is the point where we really see if players are serious candidates to make a breakthrough:

On that note, Conor Coventry played the full 90 for West Ham against Brentford. Randolph and Okoflex were unused subs, Odubeko not in the squad: https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/july/31-july/said-benrahma-scores-his-brentford-return-secure-west-ham-united

Aaron Connolly showed he can still score, nabbing the opener for Brighton against Luton: https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2203070/albion-claim-first-win-of-pre-season-at-luton?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Nathan Collins was an unused sub for burnley against Tranmere: https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/report-tranmere-rovers-1-burnley-2?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Shane Long played the first hour for Southampton against Swansea, Michael Obafemi came on for the last half-hour: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-07-31/match-report-swansea-vs-southampton-pre-season-31-july-2021?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Louie Watson was a second-half sub for Derby against Real Betis recently, Ebosele and Cashin remained on the bench: https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2021/07/derby-county-vs-real-betis-match-report-28th-july-2021

Mark Mcguinness played the last thirty for Cardiff against Newport: https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/pre-season-match-report-cardiff-city-2-0-newport-county

Anthony Scully returned from injury and scored a spot-kick against Salford: https://www.weareimps.com/news/2021/july/match-report-salford-city-imps/

[elatedscum]

Danny Grant has been with the Huddersfield U23s while he “adapts to professional training”.

Real shame. He’s a lad who has had injury issues and Bohs worked out how to maximise what his body can do. Then he started getting injuries after he moved with a totally different level of rest given, so they moved him down to the 23s without ever giving him an opportunity to play.

Didn’t feature in a squad for a single pre-season game. Looks a bit of a disaster move for a guy with such potential.

Huddersfield are currently playing against Wednesday in the league cup. No Grant. Mide Shodipo started for Wednesday but came off injured after 30 mins

[Razors left peg]

Eiran Cashin played and scored today for Derby in friendly. Not a player I've heard about before. Anyone know much about him?

[CraftyToePoke]

Eiran Cashin played and scored today for Derby in friendly. Not a player I've heard about before. Anyone know much about him?

A dual lad, think he lost a chunk of time to an injury last season but open to correction there. No idea how strong his link to us is, the name is encouraging but then Fionn Mooney says he feels more English than Irish so who knows anymore. Defender, CB I think.

[CraftyToePoke]

Jack Taylor came off in Peterboroughs pre season game with five minutes left today v Portsmouth feeling a hamstring, Ferguson hoping its not serious.
Szmodics / Pym also played.
For Pompey, Raggett / Williams / Harness & Curtis (who scored)

[tommy_c12000]

I don’t know a lot about him other than being English born, Irish underage international, prominent with the successful Derby youth team, and predominantly a defender (centre back). If he continues to do well and establishes himself in the Derby team, then they will be looking to cashin on him…given Derby’s ongoing financial plight

[elatedscum]

Eiran Cashin played and scored today for Derby in friendly. Not a player I've heard about before. Anyone know much about him?

isn't he the guy that did the rocky video during lockdown? think it was for that toilet paper challenge thing. my memory is captain of the u18s. centre half, decent prospect. one of those guys who could be the real deal or often you see a guy in 18s and 23s football, the hunger, desire, stick your head in the way of everything and early physical development allows them to compensate for deficiencies that get found out later as they move up and they end up way down the ladder. Joe Kennedy who captained a good Liverpool side to win the FA Youth Cup in 2009 is a classic example of that. He was a great dominant commanding centre half at U18s. He moved to Wigan to play reserve football (then Premier League) and ended up in the welsh league. More than every other position, there are a certain mould of centre halves, who look very good at underage level but plenty don't have the skillset to really make it. Some certainly do - think Richie Dunne, John Terry, Jamie Carragher. The 3-6 games I saw of him were in that fashion.

[samhaydenjr]

On the Continent, Ryan Johansson held his squad place at Sevilla for another prestigious friendly, this time against Roma, and came on as an injury-time sub: https://sevillafc.es/actualidad/noticias/cronica-sevilla-roma-amistoso-julio-2021

[CraftyToePoke]

The way Derby are shaping up, we might find out soon enough how his skill set transfers to the fully growns.

[Yard of Pace]

Danny Grant has been with the Huddersfield U23s while he “adapts to professional training”. Real shame. He’s a lad who has had injury issues and Bohs worked out how to maximise what his body can do. Then he started getting injuries after he moved with a totally different level of rest given, so they moved him down to the 23s without ever giving him an opportunity to play.Didn’t feature in a squad for a single pre-season game. Looks a bit of a disaster move for a guy with such potential.Huddersfield are currently playing against Wednesday in the league cup. No Grant. Mide Shodipo started for Wednesday but came off injured after 30 minsThink he's had Covid plus lots of injuries. No fans writing him off yet and a lot of the knowledgable ones have high hopes for him once he finally gets a clear run. Certainly no problems with his attitude or the club's attitude towards him, just a complete absence of luck.

[samhaydenjr]

A brace for Idah against Gillingham - don't know what else he has to do to get significant playing time from the start of the season - if he is only getting garbage time, then it might be time to ask for a loan move. Omobamidele played the full 90: https://www.canaries.co.uk/first-team/Fixtures/first-team/202122/august/-vs-norwich-city-on-03-aug-21/#report?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=linkhttps://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/july/gillingham-pre-season-friendly/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

[Kingdom]

Idah's second was a peach of a finish, albeit against Gillingham.

As for starts this season, hard to see him getting much. Pukki will probably start alone up front, with the Kosovar, the new French lad and maybe the Polish fella behind him. They've Gilmour as well on loan, so he's definitely going to be starting.
Who knows, maybe Pukki plays the withdrawn role that he sort of plays with Finland, and Idah starts.

[Razors left peg]

Idah's second was a peach of a finish, albeit against Gillingham.

As for starts this season, hard to see him getting much. Pukki will probably start alone up front, with the Kosovar, the new French lad and maybe the Polish fella behind him. They've Gilmour as well on loan, so he's definitely going to be starting.
Who knows, maybe Pukki plays the withdrawn role that he sort of plays with Finland, and Idah starts.

Pukki was great in the 1st half of the season the last time Norwich were in Premiership a couple of years ago but was fairly average in the 2nd half if my memory serves me correct. Hes a decent striker but hes not exactly Levandowski, if Idah continues to improve and score goals Pukki wont be untouchable in that team.

[Diggs246]

Your a patriot, but a crazy one! Pukki is a far better player

[Razors left peg]

Your a patriot, but a crazy one! Pukki is a far better player

Of course right now Pukki is a better player, but hes not a top 5 striker in the Premiership, hes pretty average overall. He was horrific at Celtic. If Norwich were willing to sell him I doubt there would be many top end teams that would look at him.

Idah at 20 has the attributes to be excellent if he develops. To say that Pukki isnt untouchable isnt a stretch.

[samhaydenjr]

Probably one of the last updates with the new season around the corner:

Nathan Collins played the full game for Burnley against Newcastle: https://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/content/friendly-burnley-1-newcastle-utd-0?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Matt Doherty played all but the last ten minutes in Spurs' glamour friendly against Chelsea: https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/08/04/match-report--chelsea-v-tottenham?cardIndex=0-0

So have there been major breakthroughs in this pre-season? Probably not - I don't think any young players have really made the case for inclusion in the Autumn qualifiers above those who are already squad members, although Nathan Collins' progress at the start of the season should probably be monitored. In goal, Kelleher is obviously well-liked at Liverpool, but as long as Allisson is fit, he'll be second fiddle, at best. Travers seems to have made progress while Bazunu still seems to need time, which is fine. The ascent of Pym and Bonham to The Championship opens up the option of having Randolph, one youngster and one more experienced keeper in our squads.

In defence, the aforementioned Collins does look well-placed to become an international soon, as does Omobamidele, with McGuinness seeming to be settled at Cardiff. This does give us some good depth for the qualifiers. In midfield, we're looking to the continent, with Johansson, Noss and Patrick getting good minutes. And upfront, James Collins and Adam Idah have made the case to lead the line with four goals each.

[Kingdom]

Of course right now Pukki is a better player, but hes not a top 5 striker in the Premiership, hes pretty average overall. He was horrific at Celtic. If Norwich were willing to sell him I doubt there would be many top end teams that would look at him.

Idah at 20 has the attributes to be excellent if he develops. To say that Pukki isnt untouchable isnt a stretch.

I'm glad it happens to someone else as well as me sometimes. Seems Idah is on the way out to Blackburn, either as part of a deal seeing Adam Armstrong going to East Anglia, or a straight cash purchase following Armstrong's transfer. It's unclear how keen Blackburn are, as it seems Norwich are doing the offering - and with other interest (Southampton and Watford) there's no guarantee Armstrong goes to Carrow Road.

In other news, Norwich's social media account this morning very clear on which player has played the most minutes in preseason - Obamamaldini - only joking Tets, Omobamidele. That appears good for him on the surface - a starting PL CB at 19 having made his pro debut only 4 months ago sounds crazy - but reading the local media just now, it seems they are looking for additions in the centre.

[livehead1]

I'm glad it happens to someone else as well as me sometimes. Seems Idah is on the way out to Blackburn, either as part of a deal seeing Adam Armstrong going to East Anglia, or a straight cash purchase following Armstrong's transfer. It's unclear how keen Blackburn are, as it seems Norwich are doing the offering - and with other interest (Southampton and Watford) there's no guarantee Armstrong goes to Carrow Road.

In other news, Norwich's social media account this morning very clear on which player has played the most minutes in preseason - Obamamaldini - only joking Tets, Omobamidele. That appears good for him on the surface - a starting PL CB at 19 having made his pro debut only 4 months ago sounds crazy - but reading the local media just now, it seems they are looking for additions in the centre.

Cannot see Idah being used as a makeweight.

[Olé Olé]

That Idah makeweight rumour was published on Twitter by Alan Nixon before somehow becoming interpreted as fact on YBIG. Norwich fans on their forum are not impressed with the idea and he seems to be highly rated on there. Southampton are also in for Armstrong and they have a greater need and greater kitty after Danny Ings' move.

Norwich surely wouldn't let Idah go. There are very few centre forward prospects around the Premiership at his age. I'm not saying he is the next Lukaku but his ceiling feels high.

[livehead1]

That Idah makeweight rumour was published on Twitter by Alan Nixon before somehow becoming interpreted as fact on YBIG. Norwich fans on their forum are not impressed with the idea and he seems to be highly rated on there. Southampton are also in for Armstrong and they have a greater need and greater kitty after Danny Ings' move.

Norwich surely wouldn't let Idah go. There are very few centre forward prospects around the Premiership at his age. I'm not saying he is the next Lukaku but his ceiling feels high.

Reported here as a loan move: https://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/norwich-submit-major-offfer-for-blackburn-striker-armstrong-4380832

That would make far more sense, be very happy to see him as a regular in the Championship rather than a bit part player in a team that's very likely to struggle in the EPL.

[Razors left peg]

I'm glad it happens to someone else as well as me sometimes. Seems Idah is on the way out to Blackburn, either as part of a deal seeing Adam Armstrong going to East Anglia, or a straight cash purchase following Armstrong's transfer. It's unclear how keen Blackburn are, as it seems Norwich are doing the offering - and with other interest (Southampton and Watford) there's no guarantee Armstrong goes to Carrow Road.

In other news, Norwich's social media account this morning very clear on which player has played the most minutes in preseason - Obamamaldini - only joking Tets, Omobamidele. That appears good for him on the surface - a starting PL CB at 19 having made his pro debut only 4 months ago sounds crazy - but reading the local media just now, it seems they are looking for additions in the centre.


LOL, well I was half right... Pukki not untouchable if they want to sign Armstrong!!

I'd be shocked if they sold Idah, a loan move would make much more sense.

[samhaydenjr]

OK, probably the last update before the EPL season starts:

Full games for Idah and Omobamidele but Norwich were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat by Newcastle - Clark played most of the game and Hendrick came on for the last quarter for the Magpies: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/august/match-report-newcastle-norwich-city/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Obafemi and Long both played for Southampton in their defeat to Athletic Club: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-08-07/match-report-southampton-vs-athletic-club-pre-season-friendly-202122?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Connolly started and played 3/4 of Brighton's friendly against Getafe, Duffy was a second-half sub: https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2209917/albion-defeated-by-getafe?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Conor Coventry is still getting minutes for West Ham in glamour friendlies, coming on for the final quarter of their win over Atalanta. Armstrong Okoflex still making the bench (has messing about in meaningless friendlies for Celtic's B team actually prepared him for a Premier League breakthrough?): https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/august/07-august/clinical-west-ham-united-seal-betway-cup-win-over-atalanta?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

[Kingdom]

OK, probably the last update before the EPL season starts:

Full games for Idah and Omobamidele but Norwich were on the receiving end of a 3-0 defeat by Newcastle - Clark played most of the game and Hendrick came on for the last quarter for the Magpies: https://www.canaries.co.uk/News/2021/august/match-report-newcastle-norwich-city/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Obafemi and Long both played for Southampton in their defeat to Athletic Club: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2021-08-07/match-report-southampton-vs-athletic-club-pre-season-friendly-202122?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Connolly started and played 3/4 of Brighton's friendly against Getafe, Duffy was a second-half sub: https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2209917/albion-defeated-by-getafe?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link

Conor Coventry is still getting minutes for West Ham in glamour friendlies, coming on for the final quarter of their win over Atalanta. Armstrong Okoflex still making the bench (has messing about in meaningless friendlies for Celtic's B team actually prepared him for a Premier League breakthrough?): https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2021/august/07-august/clinical-west-ham-united-seal-betway-cup-win-over-atalanta?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link


Thanks Sam, appreciate those updates.
I was looking for Molumby in the Brighton squads, not a single mention of him. No minutes in pre-season, he's not listed on their official website, and has no squad number. Doesn't appear to be injured, and from reading their North Stand Chat forum, it seems like he hasn't even been training with the first team squad. There was expectation that he would be loaned or sold, but even that has gone quiet.
Similar limbo for Duffy. Common consensus is that he's not a starter, they will get reinforcements, but can't be sold or loaned because of his high wages, there are no championship takers.
Lastly on Connolly, either he's got to get a good season-long loan or organised, or he'll be on the fringes of the first-team this season.

[CSAD]

Thanks Sam, appreciate those updates.
I was looking for Molumby in the Brighton squads, not a single mention of him. No minutes in pre-season, he's not listed on their official website, and has no squad number. Doesn't appear to be injured, and from reading their North Stand Chat forum, it seems like he hasn't even been training with the first team squad. There was expectation that he would be loaned or sold, but even that has gone quiet.
Similar limbo for Duffy. Common consensus is that he's not a starter, they will get reinforcements, but can't be sold or loaned because of his high wages, there are no championship takers.
Lastly on Connolly, either he's got to get a good season-long loan or organised, or he'll be on the fringes of the first-team this season.

Why would Connolly go on loan when he’s getting game time at Brighton? His aim should be trying to secure a starting position, loans are for players who are nowhere near the first team, Molumby for example.

[Kingdom]

Why would Connolly go on loan when he’s getting game time at Brighton? His aim should be trying to secure a starting position, loans are for players who are nowhere near the first team, Molumby for example.

Not my opinion, their's. I'm simply recording what their forum has been saying, they expect another forward to come in with the White money, and because of welbeck's injury record.

[CSAD]

Not my opinion, their's. I'm simply recording what their forum has been saying, they expect another forward to come in with the White money, and because of welbeck's injury record.

To be fair I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more to wanting him out than just his football ( mainly his off field stuff)He would need to score a hat trick to get any sort of credit it seems.

[Kingdom]

anyone care to do up a provisional squad as things stand right now?

I'd be really interested to see what footiers think are the runners and riders, and how it might change over the next few weeks. Particularly interested in left-back and left-wing back, given Enda Stevens is injured, James McClean hasn't been training with the Stoke squad, and how we've nobody else basically!

[Colbert Report]

anyone care to do up a provisional squad as things stand right now?

I'd be really interested to see what footiers think are the runners and riders, and how it might change over the next few weeks. Particularly interested in left-back and left-wing back, given Enda Stevens is injured, James McClean hasn't been training with the Stoke squad, and how we've nobody else basically!

Greg Cunningham played the first half for Preston this past weekend as a left wing back. I just can't understand why he can't get into the squads, and if he doesn't get into this one, with Stevens injured and Brady without a club, it won't make much sense.

[SkStu]

Has the Manning experiment failed?

Joel Bagan another to keep an eye on. Starting LB for Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff this season, it seems. Did well on Saturday according to reports.

[Kingdom]

Has the Manning experiment failed?

Joel Bagan another to keep an eye on. Starting LB for Mick McCarthy’s Cardiff this season, it seems. Did well on Saturday according to reports.

No, I don't think it's failed, it hasn't been tried!
Same with Cunningham, he's never been fit enough for an extended period of time. He's always been on the radar tbf, I completely overlooked him, and I wouldn't mind, I'd actually gone through the chship fixtures on Sat and saw he was selected. Unfortunately their manager seems a bit, eh radical, and hooked him at ht when they were level, changed formation and they went to take a hiding.

Saw the twitter talking about Bagan this morning. starting for Mick no less. At least he'll be proficient at whipping balls into corners. I joke, I joke...

[samhaydenjr]

anyone care to do up a provisional squad as things stand right now?

I'd be really interested to see what footiers think are the runners and riders, and how it might change over the next few weeks. Particularly interested in left-back and left-wing back, given Enda Stevens is injured, James McClean hasn't been training with the Stoke squad, and how we've nobody else basically!

I'll have a crack, although I don't think there will be too many changes from where we were earlier in the year - I'm hoping for a lot of breakthroughs over the next 12-18 months, in time for the next Euros, but don't expect a whole lot of change in time for the make-or-break World Cup qualifiers in September, so here goes:

Goalkeepers - I like the idea of having one experienced 'keeper as back-up so I would go with Randolph, Kelleher and Pym

Right-Backs - Coleman and Doherty

Centre-backs - Still solid, experienced options here available in Clark, Egan and Duffy - then depending on who's in the first team when the EPL starts, either Collins or Omobamidele

Left-back - Without Stevens, this is definitely a problem, but O'Shea has some experience there so I would give him the shot

Midfield - Ooh this has become a car crash with McCarthy, Brady and McClean all in such uncertain situations - you might think this might make them droppable but none of their potential replacements have Premier League experience, some have very little first-team experience. So assuming they get themselves sorted in the next two weeks, they are in the squad, along with Hendrick. Browne is probably next up and Cullen is looking more and more important (I saw ten minutes of Anderlecht's first game of the season and he looked very involved). And then there's Hourihane - he's come in for a lot of stick but he still has that weapon of a left foot. Horgan has done well and has the experience so he would probably be the final choice. However a case could be made for Ogbene and what his speed could bring if we are chasing a result

Forwards - Collins and Idah have four goals each in pre-season and should probably lead the line. Robinson has started the season very well. If Long plays for Southampton in the next few weeks, he should be included. I really think we need to find a place for Obafemi's pace but Connolly's six caps probably allows him to edge it.

Looking forward to the October friendly against Oman, this is where we could get a couple of new lads blooded in - how many depends on whether we are still in with a shot - based on pre-season and first Championship weekend we should be looking out for Coventry, Kilkenny, Szmodics, Ebosele, Johansson, Noss, McGrath, John Joe Patrick Finn and Elbouzedi (yes, we're that frustratingly close to having a deep midfield). And if he isn't in the September squad, definitely Obafemi. And as a wildcard, Okoflex has been in the West Ham pre-season squads right up to the end

[Olé Olé]

If we go with two up top I wonder if Robinson and Idah has good potential as a partnership. You would have Idah as the focal point and Robinson a bit more mobile and both are decent finishers. It would also keep Connolly in reserve either as an impact player or until he can find a bit of form.

The two up top was obviously used against Georgia. I'm not sure if we will ever end up sticking to a formation. We could be back to 4-3-3 next month.

[Snapshot]

Good summary by samhaydenjr. Unfortunately, for me, it emphasises a no-man's-land scenario. We're 7/10 in defence, 3/10 midfield and 2/10 in attack. Brady and McCarthy? Both injury crocks, one with no club and the other now in tier-3 equivalent. Knight I like, Cullen and Browne are ok. Hendrick? No more, thanks. Up front - Robinson the only touch of class. Idah yes, if playing and scoring for Norwich. Collins worthy but limited. Those in your last paragraph - good luck to them, because we very much need 2/3 EPL-standard players to progress.

Oh, you didn't ask but . . . we'll probably need a manager soon.