Portugal V Republic of Ireland - Wednesday, 1st Sep 2021 - 2022 World Cup Qualifier

[mark12345]

Hendrick and Hourihane should not be near the squad. That's been our downfall for years - persisting with players who cannot perform. If we're moving on from Randolph (and apparently Mccarthy too) then why not this pair?

[Demesne Lad]

I'm sorry to see Clark excluded; more Premier League goals (15) than any of the squad's forwards other than Long. Former captain of England U-18s, U-19s and U-20s, he opted for Ireland and I think he has always done his best for us. Sentiment aside, can we do without his experience against Portugal?

[John83]

I don't see who plays right wing in a front three in that squad. Connolly and Curtis are more comfortable on the left. I'm not sure about Horgan - can he play either wing?

So maybe we're looking at a front 2, as one or two posters have suggested above.

[liamoo11]

I don't see who plays right wing in a front three in that squad. Connolly and Curtis are more comfortable on the left. I'm not sure about Horgan - can he play either wing?

So maybe we're looking at a front 2, as one or two posters have suggested above.

Please God we are playing a front 2. Just no quality to play 2 wide players. Connolly does not even want to play as a wide player. Horgan just not good enough might be an option as a right wing back if everyone else was injured. Curtis is just not good enough out wide . Terrible we are this far into kennys reign and we don't know what formation we want to play. In no way are we a good enough side that we can chop and change formations .

[Fixer82]

Is Randolph injured?
McCarthy didn’t make Celtic bench tonight so maybe can’t complain.
But Arter, Hendrick and Hourihane hardly setting the world alight either.

Surprised at Long’s inclusion but happy to see him there.

Surprised at Clark’s omission.

It really is a shallow pool Kenny has to choose from

[brine3]

Ah the Hendrick hate continues

[Fixer82]

Hendrick was brilliant in Euro 2016.
And has done very little since.
He’s a frustrating player

[DCWA]

The fustration being voiced toward Hendrick and Hourihane’s continued inclusion is understandable and I share the opinion that they have offered next to nothingz

I am just not sure Kenny had many if any alternatives?

Knight out injured, McCarthy a few minutes for Celtic but just getting there fitness wise. Jack Byrne hasn’t played in a long time. McEneff is a
sub at Hearts. Robbie Brady has no club.

What other credible options even is there in midfield ? Doyle - Hayes? I am sure I am forgetting players but I can’t see reasonable options other than Hourihane and Hendrick atm.

[Colbert Report]

I'm no fan of Kenny, but you can hardly fault him for the poor midfield options available to choose from. We could end up losing all three matches.

[pineapple stu]

The fustration being voiced toward Hendrick and Hourihane’s continued inclusion is understandable and I share the opinion that they have offered next to nothingz

I am just not sure Kenny had many if any alternatives?

Agree with this. Silk purse and sow's ear come to mind

[ColourfulPeanut]

The fustration being voiced toward Hendrick and Hourihane’s continued inclusion is understandable and I share the opinion that they have offered next to nothingz

I am just not sure Kenny had many if any alternatives?

Is there a spare traffic cone knocking about? If there is then that is a better alternative than Jeff Hendrick as the ball might take a lucky bounce off it in our favour.

There were times at Newcastle last year where playing with 10 men would have been more useful than having Hendrick on, he was that bad. Doesn't create anything, doesn't press, doesn't break play up, doesn't have an engine and doesn't pick out a pass. He's everything you don't want in a midfield player.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Hendrick is one of the worst irish midfielders i have watched. Being the case of James McCarthy one of the best being poorly coached by Trapattoni saying he was like Platini but with a shy personality

[Diggs246]

can anyone guess Stephen Kenny's starting 11 V Portugal

[Bielsa´s irish]

Kelleher as keeper I guess

Coleman and doherty. Duffy egan o shea at the back 3

3 midfielders. Hendrick one of them

Parrot and conolly up front

[John83]

Kelleher as keeper I guess

Coleman and doherty. Duffy egan o shea at the back 3

3 midfielders. Hendrick one of them

Parrot and conolly up front
He might be loyal to Bazunu.

I'd guess Cullen is a nailed on starter too. Third mid is a bit of a toss-up: sadly, looking for least worst option rather than anything more positive.

Idah might be in the mix up front too.

[elatedscum]

I’d guess

Bazunu

Coleman Egan Duffy O’Shea Doherty

Molumby Cullen Hendrick

Idah Connolly

-

Not the team I’d play but that’d fit previous teams. McClean could start at left wing back, Doherty shifts to the right, Coleman to the right central slot and O’Shea comes out.

Similarly 4-3-3 would have O’Shea dropping out, replaced by Parrott or Horgan out wide

I’d pick Kelleher over Bazunu personally but he selected Bazunu previously

[pineapple stu]

Is there anything to be said for going with a lone striker up front to pack the defence and mid that bit more?

Idah and Connolly are going to see **** all of the ball against Portugal away; not sure if there's much to be said for playing both of them.

[mark12345]

Is there a spare traffic cone knocking about? If there is then that is a better alternative than Jeff Hendrick as the ball might take a lucky bounce off it in our favour.

There were times at Newcastle last year where playing with 10 men would have been more useful than having Hendrick on, he was that bad. Doesn't create anything, doesn't press, doesn't break play up, doesn't have an engine and doesn't pick out a pass. He's everything you don't want in a midfield player.

Everything you say CP is true. And yet we persist with Hendrick. People say Kenny doesn't have many options. True for the most part, but we cannot keep rewarding pathetic performances / performers. Alternatives - Graham Carey, Kilkenny and any Dundalk midfielder come to mind

[SkStu]

He'd be crucified if he picked Carey, Kilkenny or a LOI player.

He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't around here. Clark omission aside, he's picked the best fit and available squad. Kilkenny v. Arter is marginal, he went with experience.

I don't see what more he can do.

[Eirambler]

Is there anything to be said for going with a lone striker up front to pack the defence and mid that bit more?

Idah and Connolly are going to see **** all of the ball against Portugal away; not sure if there's much to be said for playing both of them.

Personally I'd pick Parrott as one of the two up front but drop him a bit deeper behind whoever is up top. So more of a 5-3-1-1 than two out and out strikers.

[John83]

He'd be crucified if he picked Carey, Kilkenny or a LOI player.

He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't around here. Clark omission aside, he's picked the best fit and available squad. Kilkenny v. Arter is marginal, he went with experience.

I don't see what more he can do.
I think people who think an experienced Premiership midfielder is worse than some lad playing for Dundalk are trolling or stupid. The best team in the League of Ireland just lost to a team from Estonia. I'm sure a player from a less successful team would do just awesome against Portugal. What planet are these people on? Did Hendrick kill a relative of their's, perhaps?

[zero]

I can't recall a time when morale has been lower heading into an international window.

[John83]

I can't recall a time when morale has been lower heading into an international window.
When Andorra scored against us, most of my friend who watch football basically shrugged and said something like, "That figures". The optimists said "At least Kenny may be sacked now". But yeah, we're **** and we know it.

[Diggs246]

You can have poor players, if you have a good manager, but you cant have both.

Sept 1st to Sept 7th. will be a long week guys. I fear I will be feeling very sorry for kenny by the end of it

[tetsujin1979]

He'd be crucified if he picked Carey, Kilkenny or a LOI player.

He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't around here. Clark omission aside, he's picked the best fit and available squad. Kilkenny v. Arter is marginal, he went with experience.

I don't see what more he can do.
I doubt that. Picking Carey - who moved to mainland Europe, has won a domestic trophy, played and scored in European competition - would at least show that Kenny is looking outside the UK to populate the squad. What does it say to players who might in a similar situation to, for example, Elbouzedi, who was playing in the lower divisions in England before moving to Sweden, why bother with a move like that when you've a better chance of getting into the squad at Forest's reserves?

Same with Kilkenny, finally getting his chance in a team many expect to challenge for promotion from the Championship, but players with minimal (if any) first team experience this season are included ahead of him?

[SkStu]

"FFS, he doesnt even know his best 22 at this stage. Chopping and changing."
"How good is that Bulgarian league anyway, pub league stuff."
"He's 32 for christ sake when we need to focus on bringing players through"
"Elbouzedi - sure he coudnt hack it in the scottish and irish pub leagues"

I can hear it all now Tets. Don't kid yourself.

As i said, Kilkenny in the squad was a marginal call and a case to be made for why he should have been in there. At a minimum, here's hoping he's got plans to bring him in if he can keep performing well over a longer stretch than 3 games. Picking and playing him against Portugal with no caps would be a mistake no matter how well he is playing for Bournemouth and he'd be crucified if it backfired. Arter brings squad seniority and experience of SK's gameplans and his strengths/limitations are more known to Kenny. For those reasons alone i can see why he picked him even if he's been on the fringes for Forest for the last few games.

[liamoo11]

YeH I agree with this , that front man then really has to work his socks off and have the pace to worry defenders a bit so I'd go idah for that but I wouldn't be surprised if we get Collins. There is a decent midfield 3 to be had maybe Cullen hendrick and molumby? I don't think manning as a defensive midfielder might be unrealistic either in the circumstances ( I.e. very few quality midfielder s). Hoping for kelleher in goals but what a great option bazunu is also

[liamoo11]

I think people who think an experienced Premiership midfielder is worse than some lad playing for Dundalk are trolling or stupid. The best team in the League of Ireland just lost to a team from Estonia. I'm sure a player from a less successful team would do just awesome against Portugal. What planet are these people on? Did Hendrick kill a relative of their's, perhaps?

The playoff against the dutch for the 96 euros now that was bleak times ( it seemed like all we had were fullbacks) it was the most one sided 2 nil defeat I've ever seen, purely outclassed

[pineapple stu]

Yep. And yet look at the team -

Alan Kelly
Gary Kelly
Paul McGrath
Phil Babb
Denis Irwin
Jeff Kenna
Andy Townsend (Jason McAteer 51)
John Sheridan
Terry Phelan
John Aldridge (Alan Kernaghan 72)
Tony Cascarino

There isn't a single player in the current squad who would get into that team. If them were bleak times (and I know where you're coming from), what have we now?

[mark12345]

I think people who think an experienced Premiership midfielder is worse than some lad playing for Dundalk are trolling or stupid. The best team in the League of Ireland just lost to a team from Estonia. I'm sure a player from a less successful team would do just awesome against Portugal. What planet are these people on? Did Hendrick kill a relative of their's, perhaps?

Depends on your definition of stupidity? What is it they say about trying the same thing over and over and expecting a different result ( insert the names of Hendrick and Hourihane here with all of their PL experience). No one in whatever line of work they're in are given limitless opportunities to try and keep failing

[pineapple stu]

Picking a Newcastle player over a Dundalk player isn't stupidity. And Duffy instead of Hendrick wouldn't remotely mean that the match outcome wouldn't be the same, if not worse.

[Diggs246]

We are in a difficult situation. But hourihane isnt even good enough for the u21. I mean that. I would have Noss, Ryan J and kilkenny ahead of him. If we are comfortable throwing Gavin B into the lions den and that's in goals why not one of those lads? Because Gavin has 3 caps?

[pineapple stu]

We have no-one else to play in nets. If we had a Premier Division starter, he would be playing.

I agree Hourihane frustrates the bejaysus out of me. But those other options are nobodies at the moment.

[liamoo11]

Yep. And yet look at the team -

Alan Kelly
Gary Kelly
Paul McGrath
Phil Babb
Denis Irwin
Jeff Kenna
Andy Townsend (Jason McAteer 51)
John Sheridan
Terry Phelan
John Aldridge (Alan Kernaghan 72)
Tony Cascarino

There isn't a single player in the current squad who would get into that team. If them were bleak times (and I know where you're coming from), what have we now?

Your absolutely right. I suppose it was falling from the heights of 18 months before to that nightmarish finish to that campaign and then the comparison with that dutch side on the night who were so vibrant so talented seemed so young . The way the dutch played that night just seemed so out of reach to what we had to offer., just seemed like we would never get to that level and obviously we never did.

Times are bleak now. I'm not convinced the talent coming through can lift us back to where the talent that came through after 96 got us to by 2002. There is certainly no robbie keane or duff level player is there? Is there a richard dunne( playing for Everton as a wing back at 17)? There certainly is no roy keane. God I'm not sure there's even a player as talented as Mark Kennedy ( remember signed by Liverpool as a teenager) or Stephen mcphail(champion league at 20) .. christ now that I'm depressed I can't even see a new Richie partridge on the horizon!

[seanfhear]

Your absolutely right. I suppose it was falling from the heights of 18 months before to that nightmarish finish to that campaign and then the comparison with that dutch side on the night who were so vibrant so talented seemed so young . The way the dutch played that night just seemed so out of reach to what we had to offer., just seemed like we would never get to that level and obviously we never did.

Times are bleak now. I'm not convinced the talent coming through can lift us back to where the talent that came through after 96 got us to by 2002. There is certainly no robbie keane or duff level player is there? Is there a richard dunne( playing for Everton as a wing back at 17)? There certainly is no roy keane. God I'm not sure there's even a player as talented as Mark Kennedy ( remember signed by Liverpool as a teenager) or Stephen mcphail(champion league at 20) .. christ now that I'm depressed I can't even see a new Richie partridge on the horizon!Its like being on a bare tree at the moment.

[brine3]

Hendrick was brilliant in Euro 2016.
And has done very little since.
He’s a frustrating player

Was one of our best players in the 2018 qualifiers as well.

Since then, everyone's been ****.

People just take it out on Hendrick because they remember him being good.

[brine3]

Yep. And yet look at the team -

Alan Kelly
Gary Kelly
Paul McGrath
Phil Babb
Denis Irwin
Jeff Kenna
Andy Townsend (Jason McAteer 51)
John Sheridan
Terry Phelan
John Aldridge (Alan Kernaghan 72)
Tony Cascarino

There isn't a single player in the current squad who would get into that team. If them were bleak times (and I know where you're coming from), what have we now?

I'd have Seamus Coleman over Gary Kelly and Matt Doherty over Jeff Kenna.

[tetsujin1979]

We have no-one else to play in nets. If we had a Premier Division starter, he would be playing.

I agree Hourihane frustrates the bejaysus out of me. But those other options are nobodies at the moment.

Sean McDermott is playing regularly for Kristiansund, fifth in the table at the moment

[DCWA]

We are in a difficult situation. But hourihane isnt even good enough for the u21. I mean that. I would have Noss, Ryan J and kilkenny ahead of him. If we are comfortable throwing Gavin B into the lions den and that's in goals why not one of those lads? Because Gavin has 3 caps?

The fact you are even naming those players shows we have no viable alternative.

[samhaydenjr]

Your absolutely right. I suppose it was falling from the heights of 18 months before to that nightmarish finish to that campaign and then the comparison with that dutch side on the night who were so vibrant so talented seemed so young . The way the dutch played that night just seemed so out of reach to what we had to offer., just seemed like we would never get to that level and obviously we never did.

Times are bleak now. I'm not convinced the talent coming through can lift us back to where the talent that came through after 96 got us to by 2002. There is certainly no robbie keane or duff level player is there? Is there a richard dunne( playing for Everton as a wing back at 17)? There certainly is no roy keane. God I'm not sure there's even a player as talented as Mark Kennedy ( remember signed by Liverpool as a teenager) or Stephen mcphail(champion league at 20) .. christ now that I'm depressed I can't even see a new Richie partridge on the horizon!

OK, I'll try to cheer you up, Liamoo!! But before I start, I'm going to say that, like many Irish fans, I have written off this campaign. But the next qualifying campaign doesn't start for another eighteen months, which is plenty time for many young players we've been talking about to establish themselves and even for a couple we're not even thinking about to emerge. I also want to note that during the mid-to-late 1990s, it was easier to break into a Premier League club as the full effect of the Bosman ruling hadn't been felt yet and there were only a handful of South American and African players at that level. So with that said, let's analyze our young prospects to see where we could be for the next campaign:
Goalkeepers - Three highly talented young shot stoppers:
Kelleher - Champions League winner and back-up to one of the best keepers in the world
Travers - First teenage goalkeeper to start a Premier League game since Joe Hart in 2006, scored a wonder-goal on his professional debut and now looks like he's first-choice, for now anyway
Bazunu - Professional debut aged 16, international debut aged 19, starting to look the part at Portsmouth
We also have some talented keepers in their mid-20s at Championship clubs (Pym, O'Leary and Bonham) - remember, Randolph didn't establish himself as a championship regular until his mid-20s
Defenders
Dara O'Shea is now established as a Premier league quality and international player, still only 22
Nathan Collins - Championship Debut aged 17, will likely be an established EPL player by the time he's 21 after a transfer that probably had an eight-figure price tag
Andrew Omobamidele - Championship debut aged 18, likely EPL regular before turning 20
There's also McGuinness, Dunne, Masterson, O'Hora, McNamara and Kioso in The Championship and League One, with Garcia-McNulty, Furlong, McEntee and O'Brien within sight of their respective first teams
Midfield
Picture isn't quite as clear but there is still the possibility of a serious wave of talent being available by the time the Euro 24 qualifiers roll around with the following list on the horizon:
Will Smallbone - injury has stopped us fully knowing how good he is but he scored on his professional debut and was only 20 when he made his EPL bow.
Conor Coventry - looks ready to make a breakthrough at West Ham
Finn-Benoa - La Liga debut aged 17, Getafe's youngest player
Jason Knight - Championship debut aged 18, now fully established, seven caps, one international goal, still only 20
Jayson Molumby - mixed success so far but a good season at West Brom would put him right back on track
Gavin Kilkenny - took a bit of time but gaining plaudits for his performances this season
Andrew Moran - senior debut for Bray aged 15, Brighton senior debut aged 17 after a mere 123 minutes of U23 action
Conor Noss - seems close to a Bundesliga breakthrough
Ryan Johansson - sounds like a serious talent - we'll see how his Eredivisie season goes
Festy Ebosele - showed a lot of promise in his recent games for Derby
Louie Watson - I know it was only a League Cup game against Salford, but he ripped their defence apart on several occasions - if that's what he's about, we have a serious talent on our hands

Forwards
As I've said before, this is our most exciting area, when it comes to young talent coming through, starting with the quartet who have already broken through
Aaron Connolly - EPL brace aged 19 against Spurs, could do with a good season this year, though
Adam Idah - hat-trick on his senior debut aged 18, scored 3 Championship goals last season in spite of playing mostly garbage minutes
Michael Obafemi - Southampton's second-youngest EPL debutant and youngest scorer, stunner of a goal against Chelsea, if he takes that move to Blackburn, could be a chance to really establish himself
Troy Parrott - EPL debut aged 17, has gained valuable experience since then even if he hasn't set the world alight - if his recent form is a guide could well be ready to fulfil his potential very soon - still only 19 and has two international goals
And the trio who might be even better (subject to two of them committing their futures to us)
Mipo Odubeko - better U23 stats than any of the above, senior debut for West Ham aged 18
Evan Ferguson - Senior debut for Bohs aged 14, senior debut for Brighton aged 16
Armstrong Okoflex - a couple of questionable club choices but his recent hat-trick for West Ham U23s is hopefully a sign of his potential
And there's even more talent on the striker front who could come through either just before or during the next Euro campaign; Scully, particularly, but also Varian, Kayode and Afolabi

I only expect a few international retirements after this campaign so by March 2023 it's entirely possible we will have a very strong squad with a mix of youth and experience.

[elatedscum]

I admire the optimism Sam.

Surely Duffy or Egan or O’Shea or Clark are ahead of Phil Babb. Never saw him at Coventry but the lad playing for Liverpool was a calamity for club and country. Decent skin but a player who never came good or reached near his potential.

Also Terry Phelan doesn’t make a team for me either... Alan Kelly didn’t rate him either. I was very very young when I made these judgements but I stand by them ;)

[Fixer82]

I admire the optimism Sam.

Surely Duffy or Egan or O’Shea or Clark are ahead of Phil Babb. Never saw him at Coventry but the lad playing for Liverpool was a calamity for club and country. Decent skin but a player who never came good or reached near his potential.

Also Terry Phelan doesn’t make a team for me either... Alan Kelly didn’t rate him either. I was very very young when I made these judgements but I stand by them ;)

Alan Kelly doesn’t rate Phelan? Where did you read that?

[elatedscum]

Sorry. I meant: “Alan Kelly, I didn’t rate him either”

[Diggs246]

OK, I'll try to cheer you up, Liamoo!! But before I start, I'm going to say that, like many Irish fans, I have written off this campaign. But the next qualifying campaign doesn't start for another eighteen months, which is plenty time for many young players we've been talking about to establish themselves and even for a couple we're not even thinking about to emerge. I also want to note that during the mid-to-late 1990s, it was easier to break into a Premier League club as the full effect of the Bosman ruling hadn't been felt yet and there were only a handful of South American and African players at that level. So with that said, let's analyze our young prospects to see where we could be for the next campaign:
Goalkeepers - Three highly talented young shot stoppers:
Kelleher - Champions League winner and back-up to one of the best keepers in the world
Travers - First teenage goalkeeper to start a Premier League game since Joe Hart in 2006, scored a wonder-goal on his professional debut and now looks like he's first-choice, for now anyway
Bazunu - Professional debut aged 16, international debut aged 19, starting to look the part at Portsmouth
We also have some talented keepers in their mid-20s at Championship clubs (Pym, O'Leary and Bonham) - remember, Randolph didn't establish himself as a championship regular until his mid-20s
Defenders
Dara O'Shea is now established as a Premier league quality and international player, still only 22
Nathan Collins - Championship Debut aged 17, will likely be an established EPL player by the time he's 21 after a transfer that probably had an eight-figure price tag
Andrew Omobamidele - Championship debut aged 18, likely EPL regular before turning 20
There's also McGuinness, Dunne, Masterson, O'Hora, McNamara and Kioso in The Championship and League One, with Garcia-McNulty, Furlong, McEntee and O'Brien within sight of their respective first teams
Midfield
Picture isn't quite as clear but there is still the possibility of a serious wave of talent being available by the time the Euro 24 qualifiers roll around with the following list on the horizon:
Will Smallbone - injury has stopped us fully knowing how good he is but he scored on his professional debut and was only 20 when he made his EPL bow.
Conor Coventry - looks ready to make a breakthrough at West Ham
Finn-Benoa - La Liga debut aged 17, Getafe's youngest player
Jason Knight - Championship debut aged 18, now fully established, seven caps, one international goal, still only 20
Jayson Molumby - mixed success so far but a good season at West Brom would put him right back on track
Gavin Kilkenny - took a bit of time but gaining plaudits for his performances this season
Andrew Moran - senior debut for Bray aged 15, Brighton senior debut aged 17 after a mere 123 minutes of U23 action
Conor Noss - seems close to a Bundesliga breakthrough
Ryan Johansson - sounds like a serious talent - we'll see how his Eredivisie season goes
Festy Ebosele - showed a lot of promise in his recent games for Derby
Louie Watson - I know it was only a League Cup game against Salford, but he ripped their defence apart on several occasions - if that's what he's about, we have a serious talent on our hands

Forwards
As I've said before, this is our most exciting area, when it comes to young talent coming through, starting with the quartet who have already broken through
Aaron Connolly - EPL brace aged 19 against Spurs, could do with a good season this year, though
Adam Idah - hat-trick on his senior debut aged 18, scored 3 Championship goals last season in spite of playing mostly garbage minutes
Michael Obafemi - Southampton's second-youngest EPL debutant and youngest scorer, stunner of a goal against Chelsea, if he takes that move to Blackburn, could be a chance to really establish himself
Troy Parrott - EPL debut aged 17, has gained valuable experience since then even if he hasn't set the world alight - if his recent form is a guide could well be ready to fulfil his potential very soon - still only 19 and has two international goals
And the trio who might be even better (subject to two of them committing their futures to us)
Mipo Odubeko - better U23 stats than any of the above, senior debut for West Ham aged 18
Evan Ferguson - Senior debut for Bohs aged 14, senior debut for Brighton aged 16
Armstrong Okoflex - a couple of questionable club choices but his recent hat-trick for West Ham U23s is hopefully a sign of his potential
And there's even more talent on the striker front who could come through either just before or during the next Euro campaign; Scully, particularly, but also Varian, Kayode and Afolabi

I only expect a few international retirements after this campaign so by March 2023 it's entirely possible we will have a very strong squad with a mix of youth and experience.

Great post. I think we have a real shot for the euros. Its 2 automatic places and a 3rd place playoff. I think we need a new manager to come in with a few games left in this campaign, so they have time to get ready. Like all teams we need a bit of luck. Whether that's a good draw and or a star player coming out of our potential players.

[Diggs246]

The fact you are even naming those players shows we have no viable alternative.

They are alternatives. Kilkenny might not have much experience. But he is playing well and in the same league as hourihane. And if Ryan J. Plays and plays well in the dutch league this weekend why not have him in? Likewise Noss in the Bundesliga

[Eirambler]

An interesting summary of where we are with the developing talent from Sam there - probably a bit on the optimistic side, but I do still think we're heading in the right direction and the team will look a lot better in two years. Inevitably there will be some fall off and some players who don't push on, I would still be concerned that we could look light in midfield and we don't have as many full backs coming through compared to other positions, but there's hope there.

Worth remembering though that the playoffs for the 2024 Euros are based on the Nations League positions - and the Nations League starts at the end of the current season. So it's not really 18 months until the next campaign starts, it's nine months and it's going to come at us quite quickly.

We need to hit the ground running in the Nations League because, with 16 teams in League A and 16 teams in League B, qualification for the playoffs isn't anything like the guarantee it was last time around - we will need to do well, probably with a new manager and a fresh start from this coming June. It's likely that a top 2 finish will be needed in our Nations League group to make the playoffs, with a small chance that we might sneak in with third place, but potentially not. But performances like our last two Nations League campaigns (incredibly we haven't won a game in the competition yet) will see us miss the playoffs again and put extra pressure on for a top two finish in what could be a very tough group as our seeding will have collapsed during Kenny's time in charge.

[pineapple stu]

Sean McDermott is playing regularly for Kristiansund, fifth in the table at the moment
So you agree we don't have a Premier League starter in nets to use as an equivalent for Hourihane?


I'd have Seamus Coleman over Gary Kelly and Matt Doherty over Jeff Kenna.
Matt Doherty has done nothing for us lately. Gary Kelly was a seriously good player with a cracking (if unsustainable) Leeds team who reached the CL semifinals.

You could maybe make a case for Coleman over Kenna alright, though even then Kenna's the one with a Premier League winner's medal.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Kenna really underated. Cracking player at Southampton should have gone to wc Usa

[Olé Olé]

OK, I'll try to cheer you up, Liamoo!! But before I start, I'm going to say that, like many Irish fans, I have written off this campaign. But the next qualifying campaign doesn't start for another eighteen months, which is plenty time for many young players we've been talking about to establish themselves and even for a couple we're not even thinking about to emerge. I also want to note that during the mid-to-late 1990s, it was easier to break into a Premier League club as the full effect of the Bosman ruling hadn't been felt yet and there were only a handful of South American and African players at that level. So with that said, let's analyze our young prospects to see where we could be for the next campaign:
Goalkeepers - Three highly talented young shot stoppers:
Kelleher - Champions League winner and back-up to one of the best keepers in the world
Travers - First teenage goalkeeper to start a Premier League game since Joe Hart in 2006, scored a wonder-goal on his professional debut and now looks like he's first-choice, for now anyway
Bazunu - Professional debut aged 16, international debut aged 19, starting to look the part at Portsmouth
We also have some talented keepers in their mid-20s at Championship clubs (Pym, O'Leary and Bonham) - remember, Randolph didn't establish himself as a championship regular until his mid-20s
Defenders
Dara O'Shea is now established as a Premier league quality and international player, still only 22
Nathan Collins - Championship Debut aged 17, will likely be an established EPL player by the time he's 21 after a transfer that probably had an eight-figure price tag
Andrew Omobamidele - Championship debut aged 18, likely EPL regular before turning 20
There's also McGuinness, Dunne, Masterson, O'Hora, McNamara and Kioso in The Championship and League One, with Garcia-McNulty, Furlong, McEntee and O'Brien within sight of their respective first teams
Midfield
Picture isn't quite as clear but there is still the possibility of a serious wave of talent being available by the time the Euro 24 qualifiers roll around with the following list on the horizon:
Will Smallbone - injury has stopped us fully knowing how good he is but he scored on his professional debut and was only 20 when he made his EPL bow.
Conor Coventry - looks ready to make a breakthrough at West Ham
Finn-Benoa - La Liga debut aged 17, Getafe's youngest player
Jason Knight - Championship debut aged 18, now fully established, seven caps, one international goal, still only 20
Jayson Molumby - mixed success so far but a good season at West Brom would put him right back on track
Gavin Kilkenny - took a bit of time but gaining plaudits for his performances this season
Andrew Moran - senior debut for Bray aged 15, Brighton senior debut aged 17 after a mere 123 minutes of U23 action
Conor Noss - seems close to a Bundesliga breakthrough
Ryan Johansson - sounds like a serious talent - we'll see how his Eredivisie season goes
Festy Ebosele - showed a lot of promise in his recent games for Derby
Louie Watson - I know it was only a League Cup game against Salford, but he ripped their defence apart on several occasions - if that's what he's about, we have a serious talent on our hands

Forwards
As I've said before, this is our most exciting area, when it comes to young talent coming through, starting with the quartet who have already broken through
Aaron Connolly - EPL brace aged 19 against Spurs, could do with a good season this year, though
Adam Idah - hat-trick on his senior debut aged 18, scored 3 Championship goals last season in spite of playing mostly garbage minutes
Michael Obafemi - Southampton's second-youngest EPL debutant and youngest scorer, stunner of a goal against Chelsea, if he takes that move to Blackburn, could be a chance to really establish himself
Troy Parrott - EPL debut aged 17, has gained valuable experience since then even if he hasn't set the world alight - if his recent form is a guide could well be ready to fulfil his potential very soon - still only 19 and has two international goals
And the trio who might be even better (subject to two of them committing their futures to us)
Mipo Odubeko - better U23 stats than any of the above, senior debut for West Ham aged 18
Evan Ferguson - Senior debut for Bohs aged 14, senior debut for Brighton aged 16
Armstrong Okoflex - a couple of questionable club choices but his recent hat-trick for West Ham U23s is hopefully a sign of his potential
And there's even more talent on the striker front who could come through either just before or during the next Euro campaign; Scully, particularly, but also Varian, Kayode and Afolabi

I only expect a few international retirements after this campaign so by March 2023 it's entirely possible we will have a very strong squad with a mix of youth and experience.

Not sure if I prefer your name, your infectious optimism or your deep knowledge of young Irish footballers. Great post and would be made greater if this all comes to fruition.

It does feel like we are on the edge of something. It hasn't felt like that in a long time. Regardless of how competitive or not our 21s can be, the squad is littered with such young quality and we speak mostly about young quality omitted. Makes such a change from having a squad of 22 year olds with an Irish grandparent playing in the Conference. I'm asking myself, for example, if Reece Grego Cox, Rhys Murphy and Joe Quigley ever started together for us under Noel King. That's grim.

[pineapple stu]

Ronaldo signing for Manchester United subject to a medical. Any chance of that distracting him ahead of Wednesday?