Sammie Szmodics M Blackburn Rovers b.1995

[Diggs246]

The "captain" is obviously the manager as well

It's sounds like good news...I think

[SkStu]

I think he has turned them down and they are a bit salty about it to be honest.

[JR89]

Good chance that his Hungarian grandfather was one of the many that fled the country when the Soviets invaded back in the 50s. Possibility that he's unable to sort any official paperwork especially if said grandfather is died.

[tetsujin1979]

could be that they've been asked about the article in the Examiner over the weekend and had to put out a statement to put a stop the speculation
Knocks back the claim from Fallon that he'd been offered a place in the squad

[Eirambler]

Aldridge qualified through his grandmother, who was from Athlone
https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2017/02/03/aldo-speaks-about-athlone-roots/

This was commonly quoted as being the case, but is incorrect, as explained by Philip Quinn here:

https://m.independent.ie/sport/fais-tale-of-three-passports/26108028.html

Aldridge had already played for Ireland when FIFA formalised the grandparent rule in the mid to late 1980s (previously the player just needed to have a heritage link to the country in order to represent them), so again the FAI were fine in picking Aldo when they did.

[Fixer82]

I still don't understand how McAteer got a passport with grandparents from the 6 counties.
I understand he could get one now but how did he get one then?

Didn't Alan Kernaghan get a passport cos one of his grandparents were born in the South?

[culloty82]

I still don't understand how McAteer got a passport with grandparents from the 6 counties.
I understand he could get one now but how did he get one then?

Didn't Alan Kernaghan get a passport cos one of his grandparents were born in the South?

It seems that anyone from the North could claim citizenship after a 1956 law in the Republic, and the GFA just saw the UK recognise that right:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_nationality_law#Subsequent_reforms_as_a_repu blic

[Fixer82]

Weird as I distinctly remember the Kernaghan story about his Granny being born in the south making him eligible.
It even says it on his wiki page

[Jolly Red Giant]

I still don't understand how McAteer got a passport with grandparents from the 6 counties.
I understand he could get one now but how did he get one then?

Didn't Alan Kernaghan get a passport cos one of his grandparents were born in the South?
McAteer's grandfather was born in Co. Down - but held an Irish passport - resulting in McAteer being able to secure the passport.

Kernaghan's situation is different. Neither he nor his parents weren't born in the North - but he grew up in Bangor. The IFA could have selected him - he did play underage for the North and in all likelihood he would have played for the North at senior level - but the IFA had their own policy the time of not picking players who weren't born in the North and whose parents weren't born in the North.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Tony Cascarino qualified based on the fact that his grandfather was Irish born - but later claimed that because his mother was adopted he had no qualification rights to play for Ireland. Technically its true because his mother never held an Irish passport - but adopted children were entitled to an Irish passport under the 1956 Act. Cascarino in reality was using it to whip up interest in his book.

[seanfhear]

Tony Cascarino qualified based on the fact that his grandfather was Irish born - but later claimed that because his mother was adopted he had no qualification rights to play for Ireland. Technically its true because his mother never held an Irish passport - but adopted children were entitled to an Irish passport under the 1956 Act. Cascarino in reality was using it to whip up interest in his book.Cynical enough by Cascarino but there was money to be made I suppose ~ Business is Business.

[SkStu]

A first half brace for Sammie against Wrexham. Two fine goals, second a very calm finish after a great run and the first looked good too but it might have taken a deflection. Only Wrexham but he’s done well in general play too, some great short and long passing. Moran doing alright too. McClean should’ve had a goal.

[Eirambler]

Actually it struck me watching the game how ineffective Moran was in a team that were completely dominant against lower league opposition. Obviously he has time on his side but right now he looks a long way away for me.

[Razors left peg]

Actually it struck me watching the game how ineffective Moran was in a team that were completely dominant against lower league opposition. Obviously he has time on his side but right now he looks a long way away for me.

Seriously? He was at the heart of everything for them. Even the commentary on ESPN were talking about how good he was

Edit: even browsing through different score apps ratings for him generally in the 8s

[elatedscum]

Actually it struck me watching the game how ineffective Moran was in a team that were completely dominant against lower league opposition. Obviously he has time on his side but right now he looks a long way away for me.

I didn't see more than 5 mins of the game. But my take on Andy in general is that he's incredibly inconsistent. There are games where he's up for it and he's excellent and there are others where he goes totally missing. I'd hope he grows out of it with age - and i think he probably will.

[SkStu]

He was good but not stellar. He made some good passes and kept the ball ticking over. He made one run towards the end that showed his class and general smarts/maturity. If he’s inconsistent, I somewhat blame Tomasson. I’m at a loss what role Moran plays and I’ve felt that way before when watching him this season. Even though he pops up in these parts of the pitch, he’s neither a winger nor a true attacking midfielder in Tomasson’s system, whatever it is.

[Eirambler]

Seriously? He was at the heart of everything for them. Even the commentary on ESPN were talking about how good he was

Edit: even browsing through different score apps ratings for him generally in the 8s

Yes, seriously. I'm not saying he wasn't tidy on the ball, he was and he kept it moving fairly well and that will probably keep his ratings scores decent. But that's the minimum you'd expect when the team he was playing in was dominant to that extent. I thought, out of all of Blackburn's attacking players, he was about the least effective. I'm also pretty sure it was him that carelessly gave the ball away in the centre circle at one point giving Wrexham a free hit at lobbing the keeper that almost went in.

I think he's a good bit behind Azaz currently (I'm aware he's a few years younger than him).

[JR89]

Was Moran playing RWB, transfermarkt have him down as playing RWB?

[tetsujin1979]

Sky Sports have him as playing beside Szmodics, behind Gallagher

[DeLorean]

I just want to clear up how Moran actually performed last night.

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[SkStu]

that is funny - the shamrock tinted glasses are real, i think!! He was good/decent but by no means was he Blackburns best player.

[Eirambler]

That's absolutely mental that someone thought he was Blackburn's best player! Ridiculously green tinted. Two things here - firstly he's Irish, and in particular an Irish attacking midfielder, a position we're short in, so there will be a tendancy for Irish supporters to over egg everything he does.

Secondly he's a loan player, not a Blackburn owned player. I always find supporters are a bit harder on loan players because they know they won't be there long term. So that might partly explain why a lot of Blackburn supporters would happily see him go back to Brighton this week.

The reality is probably somewhere in-between, but personally I thought he was no more than ok last night.

[Razors left peg]

He wasnt Blackburns best player last night but he was generally in the middle of everything good they did. He wasnt necessarily creating chances but he was the pass before the chance was created (if that makes sense).

He definitely has been more inconsistent of late, but too often hes put out wide when he is much more effective when playing through the middle. Over all its still been a good 1st season in mens football for a lad who will still need to bulk up a bit, he often looks like a boy playing with men.

[JR89]

He wasnt Blackburns best player last night but he was generally in the middle of everything good they did. He wasnt necessarily creating chances but he was the pass before the chance was created (if that makes sense).

He definitely has been more inconsistent of late, but too often hes put out wide when he is much more effective when playing through the middle. Over all its still been a good 1st season in mens football for a lad who will still need to bulk up a bit, he often looks like a boy playing with men.

Well according to Sky Sports match commentary he directly created 6 chances, which put him first for chance created last night I believe.

https://www.skysports.com/football/blackburn-rovers-vs-wrexham/live/502447

[pineapple stu]

That ties in with Whoscored.com (https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1795071/LiveStatistics/England-FA-Cup-2023-2024-Blackburn-Wrexham) (or indeed it may be the same source) which credits him with 6 key passes, way more than anyone else. Yet he was still rated behind Tronstad, Szmodics and Gallagher, who chipped in with four goals and three assists between them.

Though on RLP's point on inconsistency, he had three goals and eight assists by November, but only one assist since then and a string of fairly poor ratings. So definitely going through a sticky patch it seems.

[tetsujin1979]

That's what I posted in the post match summary
https://mastodon.ie/@irish_abroad/111841352351982722

[Razors left peg]

Well according to Sky Sports match commentary he directly created 6 chances, which put him first for chance created last night I believe.

https://www.skysports.com/football/blackburn-rovers-vs-wrexham/live/502447

I dont remember seeing 6 direct chances, but sometimes if a shot hits the corner flag its regarded as a chance I suppose. My main point was really that he was very heavily involved last night and I was surprised with the "Ineffective" comment.

[irishfan86]

I don’t think I’ve had a serious look at this guy play — but these very different assessments of this same player in this same match have me pretty curious!

[tetsujin1979]

I dont remember seeing 6 direct chances, but sometimes if a shot hits the corner flag its regarded as a chance I suppose. My main point was really that he was very heavily involved last night and I was surprised with the "Ineffective" comment.

If you click on the whoscored link above - https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1795071/LiveStatistics/England-FA-Cup-2023-2024-Blackburn-Wrexham - then select the Chalkboard, under the Matchcentre, then the Passes stat, and then Key passes filter, you can see the six passes by Moran that have been declared as "key" passes

[Eirambler]

I don’t think I’ve had a serious look at this guy play — but these very different assessments of this same player in this same match have me pretty curious!

I think it probably depends on how highly you rate an attacking player who is mostly tidy in possession and keeps the ball moving without contributing much (or anything in last night's case) in terms of goals and assists. Personally, in a team that's that dominant against a lower league team, I was looking for more than just being tidy on the ball from him, but I didn't see it.

[Razors left peg]

Personally, in a team that's that dominant against a lower league team, I was looking for more than just being tidy on the ball from him, but I didn't see it.

I did see that, but it shows how subjective it can be sometimes

[SkStu]

His 22nd goal of the season in his 31st game today against Stoke...

[seanfhear]

His 22nd goal of the season uin his 31st game...I think we might have to offer Sammie, the Irish managers job ! ! !

[Demesne Lad]

ITMA! (For the senior citizens among us)
Scores away v Preston NE.

[Demesne Lad]

Baby Szmodics arrived this morning, according to ITV4.

[mark12345]

Baby Szmodics arrived this morning, according to ITV4.

Right now he is our best striking prospect (and he's still not even confirmed as an Irish player ) and quite a bit ahead of Ferguson.

[SkStu]

Right now he is our best striking prospect (and he's still not even confirmed as an Irish player ) and quite a bit ahead of Ferguson.

He’s barely two days old Mark. It’s a lot of pressure to be placing on him to be fair.

[JR89]

He’s barely two days old Mark. It’s a lot of pressure to be placing on him to be fair.

Also would he even qualify to play for us. It would be his great grandfather that's Irish making him fourth generation.

Though now that baby Szmodics is here and hopefully both mother and baby are healthy that we'll hopefully see Szmodics in a green jersey in a few weeks.

[Eirambler]

He also most likely doesn't qualify to play for us! Though, as Sammie got his citizenship through before he was born, he will be eligible for Irish citizenship if nothing else.

[mark12345]

He’s barely two days old Mark. It’s a lot of pressure to be placing on him to be fair.

I can see the potential in the baby already but it's the Dad I want playing for us

[pineapple stu]

He's 28; past it now really. Untested youth is the way to go!

[Razors left peg]

Szmodics was very good against Newcastle tonight. Looked dangerous all game, scored and really should have had a 2nd in extra time.... and then took a terrible penalty in the shootout.

Moran was actually very good in a 2 man midfield tonight too.

[SkStu]

Szmodics is a “must cap” at this stage. Watched the extended highlights and he was exceptional.

[elatedscum]

Szmodics is a “must cap” at this stage. Watched the extended highlights and he was exceptional.

do you take a call up to go away for 10 days when you have a 22 day old baby - or do you wait till June?

[SkStu]

do you take a call up to go away for 10 days when you have a 22 day old baby - or do you wait till June?

What if they both get called up? :)

[Razors left peg]

do you take a call up to go away for 10 days when you have a 22 day old baby - or do you wait till June?

Not if it's an interim manager you don't. We'll be lucky if we aren't playing with a LOI U15 team with the amount of pull outs we could have

[ColourfulPeanut]

First time watching him for 90mins last night. He's much pacier than I thought and very direct. His movement is great and he's not afraid to run at people. His goal was a well taken finish after he did very well to get into that position.

Negatives: finishing is erratic and can be a bit rushed with the ball at his feet too.

Very tidy player and he definitiely offers us something we don't have already.

[zero]

needs to play up front off Ferguson/Idah. reminded me a bit of jarrod Bowen.

[Jd2793]

need to stop wasting our time thinking about this lad. he has no interest in ireland.

[Razors left peg]

need to stop wasting our time thinking about this lad. he has no interest in ireland.
Oh right... apart from the interviews he did recently saying he does want to play for us and the fact that he went and got Irish citizenship