Sammie Szmodics F Derby (loan from Blackburn Rovers) b.1995

[Demesne Lad]

Loaned to Derby on transfer deadline day. It seems the decision was not based on football. Kieran McKenna has explained that his decision was "made in the best interests of our group dynamic, of our dressing room culture, of the values of our dressing room and of our team."

https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/25830973.sammie-szmodics-ipswich-town-boss-explains-derby-county-loan-switch/

[pineapple stu]

Hm. You wonder if he's going to be capped again?

[Kingdom]

loaned to derby on transfer deadline day. It seems the decision was not based on football. Kieran mckenna has explained that his decision was "made in the best interests of our group dynamic, of our dressing room culture, of the values of our dressing room and of our team."

https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/25830973.sammie-szmodics-ipswich-town-boss-explains-derby-county-loan-switch/

kaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnttttttt alert

[tetsujin1979]

That reads like a PR statement that was regurgitated by ChatGPT and posted on LinkedIn

[Eirambler]

I'd say McKenna found himself in a tricky position there. The Ipswich supporters are clearly concerned about loaning a player to a promotion rival so he has to try to explain why it happened. But he can't just go out and say "it's because Sammie's a dick and nobody likes him here" because that could tank his future transfer value. And also because it's a loan and he might have to be reintegrated in the summer. But that does seem to be what he's saying, just in a more polite tone.

[Exgrad]

A bad egg, been clear enough for a long while.

[backstothewall]

Jaysus. What did he do?

Reads like something equivilent to when Leeds sold Cantona to United for bad money because he had (allegedly) been riding Lee Chapman's missus.

[Eirambler]

The rumour floating about seems to be that he either made a racist comment or told a racist joke to Kasey McAteer, and both McAteer and Dara O'Shea were (understandably) very unhappy about it. So he had to go. No idea whether there is any truth in it or not, but it's probably the end of his international career if it's true.

[pineapple stu]

Would be slightly ironic given the post on the previous page suggesting that criticism of Sammie was driven by racism.

Might have to see what happens in March. It's only a rumour, but it would certainly justify the exact actions taken and the manager's comments. Obviously very disappointing if true

[samhaydenjr]

The rumour floating about seems to be that he either made a racist comment or told a racist joke to Kasey McAteer, and both McAteer and Dara O'Shea were (understandably) very unhappy about it. So he had to go. No idea whether there is any truth in it or not, but it's probably the end of his international career if it's true.

And this sort of behaviour is more acceptable at Derby because...?

[pineapple stu]

I guess if helps then get promoted then...

[Eirambler]

Eustace seems to be able to get a tune out of him. Maybe he's better able to manage him off the field too? There will always be a market somewhere for players who score goals. Mason Greenwood being a prime example.

[Fixer82]

Could be just a rumour. Hope it is

[Eirambler]

Does it matter that much either way from our point of view? Szmodics is 30, has 11 caps for Ireland and hasn't scored a goal. He's a decent-ish option but we have a lot of decent-ish options in that part of the pitch. It's something more than that we're looking for and he just isn't ever going to be it.

[rebelmusic]

Reports that HH has been talking with him about being called up for the playoffs. If the rumour that he racially abused McAteer is true then this should be a non-starter...although I'd like to believe that it couldn't be true if HH is talking to him

[Diggs246]

He told a racist joke to mcAteer
Which is racist of course and shows his level of intelligence as mcAteer is mixed race. I'm not sure that's racially abusing someone tbh . If mcAteer accepts an apology then I think it's ok. But I would think mcAteer would first have to accept said apology

[Fixer82]

Yea sounds more like he was just being stupid than racially abusing someone. If he holds his hands up and the apology is accepted then it’s all good. Lesson learnt. Move on.

[rebelmusic]

Seems odd that he couldn't do the same to stay at Ipswich though? I dunno... I'd take Mcateer and O'Shea over him any day of the week and the last thing we need is discord in the squad. I've Jimmy Carr level dark humour so I don't really care about the incident if it was a joke except that it clearly affected the other players

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, the being shunted out of the club isn't a good sign for sure

He's still really only had that one burst at a decent level in his career - so not a vital player for us. But especially with Ferguson out, we could do with anyone and everyone up front I guess

[Fixer82]

I’m not sure international soccer suits him. I mean, he is tiny.
He’s not vital for us but could be a handy squad member.

[Kingdom]

He told a racist joke to mcAteer
Which is racist of course and shows his level of intelligence as mcAteer is mixed race. I'm not sure that's racially abusing someone tbh . If mcAteer accepts an apology then I think it's ok. But I would think mcAteer would first have to accept said apology

First time I'd heard this, gas stuff.

[Eirambler]

It could be that Ipswich felt that a half season break from the club for Szmodics would be best for all parties, but that he could be reintegrated in pre-season?

I doubt HH would have him involved if there was any risk of it causing damage within the camp. He seems fairly clued in when it comes to managing player relations, compared to some (all?!) of our previous managers.

[rebelmusic]

Yeah that's a fair point. Also agree that he's not someone we desperately need...maybe as the backup for Azaz based on where he's playing for Derby. It must be said that Derby have a had a good run since he joined

[MeathDrog]

I would view Szmodics as somebody who is best placed to slot in to the role that Ogbene plays for us, albeit a downgrade. Ogbene got a few minutes the other night. Hopefully a decent run for him between now and two weeks and no doubt he will start anyway.

[liamoo11]

I would view Szmodics as somebody who is best placed to slot in to the role that Ogbene plays for us, albeit a downgrade. Ogbene got a few minutes the other night. Hopefully a decent run for him between now and two weeks and no doubt he will start anyway.

He has been brutal for us. Playing wide I'm a front 3 completely doesn't suit him. He is a central player who had an unreal gal scoring streak and fair play to him got a massive move. He has no where near tge ability to be some kind of creative force at international level.

Ogbene has just not got to the level for sheff utd, out of squad again today . Will likely start none the less for us.

[rebelmusic]

Really concerns me that Ogbene first really game since the last international would be the playoff. I think he should start with Sykes or someone who's had more game time and bring him on for impact in the 2nd half. Chris Wilders no fool so it's hard to understand why he can't even make the squad

[SkStu]

Goal for Szmodics!


That was all too easy but it is a fine finish to open the scoring.

Derry Murkin swings in a corner which is met by Jacob Brown who directs a defensive header away from the danger zone but Sam Szmodics is a wily old fox in that box.

You can see the Rams forward taking a few steps backwards to open up space and he takes one touch to bring Brown's header down before sending a low half-volley into the bottom corner.

[Trequartista20]

As far as players able to command a regular starting place and score goals at Championship level, in common sense terms, I would suggest Szmodics is ahead of a player who has failed to start a league game in (I think) well over five months.

That being said Ogbene has an international track record, and certainly (fan-based) emotional connection to Ireland that Szmodics lacks. And it wouldn't surprise me if Ogbene breaks all the laws of football physics and starts against the Czechs, and maybe somehow does well anyway.

[rebelmusic]

Ogbene needs to be in the squad, whether or not he starts is the real question.

Although to your point, HH has been the first to drop played who aren't getting game time so who knows

[rebelmusic]

Szmodics goal was very well taken in fairness

[Fixer82]

If Ogbene is a positive energy around the squad I’d imagine he’ll be in and around the group at all costs

[EalingGreen]

He told a racist joke to mcAteer
Which is racist of course and shows his level of intelligence as mcAteer is mixed race. I'm not sure that's racially abusing someone tbh . If mcAteer accepts an apology then I think it's ok. But I would think mcAteer would first have to accept said apologyI was completely unaware of any of this stuff in the previous few pages etc (never opened this thread before)

But by chance I was chatting to a lifelong ITFC fan/STH last night and Szmodics' name came up, with the guy mentioning in passing that he was lent out to Derby for "racially abusing" a teammate. He wasn't making any sort of a point, and it was nothing to do with ROI, but he clearly said it was "abuse", rather than a misplaced "joke" (or somesuch).

Could, of course, be untrue/exagerrated, but make of it what you will.

[Fixer82]

Obviously it’s been smoothed over if he’s on the squad with O’Shea? You’d hope?

[Eirambler]

Notable in that regard that McAteer isn't in the squad? To be honest though, he hasn't been doing much at club level.

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, wasn't expecting McAteer to be in the squad to be honest.