Greece V Republic of Ireland - Friday, 16th June 2023 - Euro 2024 Qualifier

[JR89]

Mods can edit to change the title to something more suitable.

Dan McDonnell posted today that Sean McLoughlin is a strong contender for a call up to next week's training camp in England. Says it's a training camp for League One and Championship players so probably be a few new faces and the squad for the training camp in Turkey meets up June 5th.

Squad is named later this week and presume they're waiting for the play off semi finals to finish first. One of McNally and Lenihan are guaranteed to be involved in the championship play off final, and being 4-0 up Peterborough should be involved in League One. It's only 1-1 between Barnsley and Bolton in the other game.

[JR89]

Squad for the UK training has been named. Hendrick and Browne are still recovering from injury but should be in contention for the qualifiers. Omobamidele, Robinson, and Coleman are ruled out through injury for June and both Lenihan and Taylor were involved in the play offs so not named.

Only a training squad for a few days but disappointing not to see Azaz and Coventry named. Two midfielders we should definitely be looking at closer in these training sessions and hoping they breakthrough next season. Interesting also that Lenihan and Taylor were name checked but not McNally whose had a great few months with Coventry.

Ireland Squad - Bristol Training Camp

Squad: Max O'Leary (Bristol City), James Talbot (Bohemians), Brian Maher (Derry City); Danny McNamara (Millwall), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Ryan Manning (Swansea City), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Sean McLaughlin (Hull City); Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Josh Cullen (Burnley), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), Neil Farrugia (Shamrock Rovers), Jason Knight (Derby County); Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Tom Cannon (Everton), Troy Parrott (Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic).

[tetsujin1979]

Coventry is gone back to West Ham, if they're prioritising the Europa Conference, and they really, really, should be, then he might be involved in their last Premier League games
Mind you, that hasn't stopped Cannon from being called up, and Everton need goals.

[JR89]

Coventry is gone back to West Ham, if they're prioritising the Europa Conference, and they really, really, should be, then he might be involved in their last Premier League games
Mind you, that hasn't stopped Cannon from being called up, and Everton need goals.

Don't think he can play for West Ham as he's still technically a Rotherham player until the end of May or June.

[Eirambler]

Yes I don't think those loan players are permitted to play for their parent clubs again this season. I think I read somewhere that Cannon wasn't even going to join Everton for training as there was just no point when he couldn't play first team games.

[elatedscum]

I remember Sergi Canos getting his only ever league appearance for Liverpool in the same circumstances. So don’t think the issue would be him still being a Rotherham player. Unless the rule has changed.

Saying that, players born in 2000 need to be included in a team’s premier league squad (as opposed to 2001 and later which is still u21) - which presumably he wasn’t?

[eitoof]

Wonder what's the position with Szmodics? There was something a while back about his eligibility being confirmed.

[elatedscum]

Only a training squad for a few days but disappointing not to see Azaz and Coventry named. Two midfielders we should definitely be looking at closer in these training sessions and hoping they breakthrough next season. Interesting also that Lenihan and Taylor were name checked but not McNally whose had a great few months with Coventry.
.

I’d think there were also decent arguments to include some of Bonham, Lyons, Dunne, McGuinness, Szmodzics, Hogan

[eitoof]

I’d think there were also decent arguments to include some of Bonham, Lyons, Dunne, McGuinness, Szmodzics, Hogan
Possibly Mandriou too.

[JR89]

Yeah surprised Bonham wasn't called in to train and both lads from the LOI were. Whatever about Maher as he's young but would probably have been better to call Bonham in over Talbot just to see him in training even if it's just lads called in to make up the numbers.

McNamara the only RWB named so surprised not to see Lyons named. Similar with one of the other CBs. Fair enough Lenihan was name checked, you've got Duffy even if he's not played and hopefully McNally who could be in the PL next year if Coventry get promoted that can come in. But it's a training squad so surely would have been wise to name another CB or two especially with O'Shea just back from injury.

Wouldn't include Hogan as there's six forwards already named and you've got Ferguson to come in. Szmodics is a surprise but he's currently on a golfing holiday and wonder if some lads not making it could be down to already having holidays booked.

[pineapple stu]

Doherty, Johnston, Ebosele, Scales and McGrath also not considered as their domestic season is ongoing.

So I guess a cross between a senior squad and a B team. Nice for some of the guys to be involved with - Cannon the obvious one that jumps out.

[elatedscum]

Doherty, Johnston, Ebosele, Scales and McGrath also not considered as their domestic season is ongoing.

So I guess a cross between a senior squad and a B team. Nice for some of the guys to be involved with - Cannon the obvious one that jumps out.

interesting that LOI players were included despite their on-going season. probably overall sufficiently beneficial for their development and profile

[pineapple stu]

Yeah - I guess the teams can get a postponement as well, which helps too. (I think one senior call-up is enough?)

[JR89]

Can they postponements, thought that was only for international call ups. This is technically just a training session outside of the international window. Probably run from Monday to Thursday so doesn't interfere with any actual games bar lads missing training with their clubs. Plus I think it's two players that is needed for a postponement.

[elatedscum]

Can they postponements, thought that was only for international call ups. This is technically just a training session outside of the international window. Probably run from Monday to Thursday so doesn't interfere with any actual games bar lads missing training with their clubs. Plus I think it's two players that is needed for a postponement.

Two players or one goalkeeper.

[seanfhear]

Two players or one goalkeeper.
Goalkeeping Sharia Law.

[ontheotherhand]

Surprised Jack Byrne didn't get an invite but Farrugia did. Farrugia might have a higher ceiling I suppose but Jack is playing at the levels he was when he actually got capped so you'd think he'd be in the frame for a B team training camp. Good to see Manning and McNamara involved but it would have been good to get Lyons in there too. We need to start blooding as many wing backs as possible.

[JR89]

Would assume Lenihan was told he could take time off and that he'd be called up in June if he didn't report for this camp. Obviously it would be different for Taylor who hasn't been in camps before I believe bar maybe once during the COVID games in November 2020 when we had a ball of players pulling out.

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[JR89]

Seems the update on Chiedozie is he didn't take part in the camp because of his hamstring injury and Cannon also wasn't involved because of tonsillitis.

[JR89]

Squad for the Greece and Gibraltar games.

1664234190462767106

[pineapple stu]

Hmm. Full-back and forward options jump out as always.

Scales as wingback ahead of Manning, McNamara and even Ebosele? Ok, he seems to have done well at Aberdeen but that's a step down from the others for me.

Up front looks really bare. No Hogan or Keane, which I can live with. Johnstone seems the kind of guy who could tear Gibraltar a new one, but maybe not Greece? Ferguson is Ferguson of course but the supporting cast looks weak. Cannon's omission jumps out. Is Robinson injured?

McGrath? I worry a bit that Kenny has his favourites and maybe holds on to them too long - albeit McGrath and Scales are likely to be squad players at best (mayn't even make match day)

Interesting to see Taylor but not Connell. I know they might play different roles, but I'm sure there's space for Connell somewhere there. Just from comments here they both seem to have done well at L1 level (which isn't a great level) but Connell has been more consistent? Could be there instead of McGrath maybe?

Omobamidele the highest-profile absentee? Didn't think he was injured, though he had been struggling for form in a position we do have depth in. Has Lenihan passed him in the pecking order? Probably reasonable if so

And as always, I'm not sure those changes would be hugely dramatic anyway

[Stuttgart88]

No Cannon? Balls.

Must be a serious dose of tonsilitis.

Sykes (listed as defender) and Taylor interesting.

Gotta feel for Manning.

[Stuttgart88]

Omobamidele the highest-profile absentee? Injured


Johnstone seems the kind of guy who could tear Gibraltar a new one, but maybe not Greece? Ferguson is Ferguson of course but the supporting cast looks weak. Cannon's omission jumps out. Is Robinson injured?

Why not Greece? I hope you're not overestimating them :)

Robinson is injured too I thiink.

I actually like Scales and he has had a strong second half of the season but I think Manning is more of a specialist wing back.

[Eirambler]

Omobamidele is injured.

But, aside from that, I'm very interested to hear Kenny's justification for some of those calls which, on the face of it are perplexing to put it mildly.

Maybe there are injury/illness/eligibility reasons, or maybe it's just another example of a clueless manager in way over his head. I'll reserve judgement until I hear what he has to say.

[Fixer82]

What’s the deal with Manning? Injured or just Kenny doesn’t like him?

[Stuttgart88]

What’s the deal with Manning? Injured or just Kenny doesn’t like him?

Kenny's Kids on Twitter saying he's unavailable, without specifying a reason.

[Demesne Lad]

[QUOTE=Stuttgart88;2149461]No Cannon? Balls.

Must be a serious dose of tonsilitis.

/QUOTE]

Or an agent, or coach, or someone in the FA telling him not to be hasty?

[Diggs246]

Kenny's Kids on Twitter saying he's unavailable, without specifying a reason.

In fairness to kenny ( which I rarely say) manning might have withdrawn until he signs a professional contract with a club

I would have more concerns re tom Cannon. He's not that sick.

[pineapple stu]

[QUOTE=Stuttgart88;2149461]No Cannon? Balls.

Must be a serious dose of tonsilitis.

/QUOTE]

Or an agent, or coach, or someone in the FA telling him not to be hasty?
That'll certainly be the speculation, won't it?

There's a 21s squad out shortly too I think, isn't there? Interesting to see who makes that.

[Stuttgart88]

[QUOTE=Stuttgart88;2149461]No Cannon? Balls.

Must be a serious dose of tonsilitis.

/QUOTE]

Or an agent, or coach, or someone in the FA telling him not to be hasty?

Yes, I think you missed the deep sarcasm intended in my comment!

[tetsujin1979]

Press conference starting on YouTube at 1:45
Going by previous press conferences, it'll be ten minutes of people adjusting microphones, about five minutes of questioning, and then a blackout for the papers
UeypqgEUbRI

[Demesne Lad]

[QUOTE=Demesne Lad;2149472]

Yes, I think you missed the deep sarcasm intended in my comment!

I did wonder, but then I thought 'Sarcasm, on Foot.ie, from a veteran -- surely not!'

[tetsujin1979]

First question in the press conference about Cannon, seems he'll be in the U21 squad and on standby for the senior side
Manning was initially selected for the squad, but is unavailable for personal reasons,

[pineapple stu]

First question in the press conference about Cannon, seems he'll be in the U21 squad and on standby for the senior side
I mean, that's good in one way.

But our forward options are Ferguson (good), Obafemi (200 minutes of league action since early November), Parrott (outperformed by Cannon at club level), Idah (one goal this year) and Johnstone (a winger). Keane and Ogbene are missing from the last squad so it's not as if there isn't room in the senior squad.

Preaching to the converted I know, but don't understand that call at all.

[JR89]

I mean, that's good in one way.

But our forward options are Ferguson (good), Obafemi (200 minutes of league action since early November), Parrott (outperformed by Cannon at club level), Idah (one goal this year) and Johnstone (a winger). Keane and Ogbene are missing from the last squad so it's not as if there isn't room in the senior squad.

Preaching to the converted I know, but don't understand that call at all.

Plus you easily could have taken 26 to include Cannon in the squad. Probably would have only gotten game time against Gibraltar if any time at all. That's over two weeks away to train with the squad.

[Stuttgart88]

Ogbene a big loss

Has Manning thrown a hissy fit?

[tetsujin1979]

Ogbene a big loss

Has Manning thrown a hissy fit?
"Personal reasons" could be anything

[JR89]

I'd say Manning is staying at home to sort out his next move. He's 27 in two weeks and possibly his last chance to get himself a good move.

[Fixer82]

Personal could mean he personally has a problem with SK.
But hopefully it’s cos he wants to sort out his new club.
Shame. You’d think he could do both

[tetsujin1979]

There's always a chance he could be injured during the two games, which would scupper a move.

[Diggs246]

There's always a chance he could be injured during the two games, which would scupper a move.

I think thats the point, he knows himslef and his agent more then knows it

So they are wrapping him in cotton wool

[John83]

A call up is definitely a bit double edged for a player out of contract. It could be a shop window, but a bad injury could be a huge setback. I don't see any need to read more into it than that at the moment.

[Diggs246]

I mean, that's good in one way.

But our forward options are Ferguson (good), Obafemi (200 minutes of league action since early November), Parrott (outperformed by Cannon at club level), Idah (one goal this year) and Johnstone (a winger). Keane and Ogbene are missing from the last squad so it's not as if there isn't room in the senior squad.

Preaching to the converted I know, but don't understand that call at all.

Correct. Makes zero sense, he’s obviously good enough for the seniors and he is obviously not sick anymore.

[Eirambler]

It also means two weeks traveling across to eastern Europe and back for a game he knows full well at this point that Kenny won't pick him in anyway. He'll start O'Dowda, if there's anything wrong with O'Dowda he'll start McClean and if there's anything wrong with McClean he'll move Doherty across. I'd say that's it now for Manning until there's a different manager in charge.

[Snapshot]

A bizarre squad, Manning or no Manning. Keane (12) Cannon (8), Szmodics (7) - 27 Championship goals ignored for Parrott and Idah's combined 7. How does that make any sense? Omobamidele dropped but Scales and McGrath selected.

It goes some way to explaining why every game seems a referendum on Stephen Kenny.

[Trequartista20]

I think thats the point, he knows himslef and his agent more then knows it

So they are wrapping him in cotton wool

Lots of footballers across Europe will be out of contract for games played at this time of year and are nevertheless still called up by their countries. Without really checking, I'm sure there are players within the current Ireland squad named today that meet this description, such as Doherty and McClean.

I've never seen this cited as a credible reason for a player to be left out of an Ireland squad before.

[Diggs246]

Lots of footballers across Europe will be out of contract for games played at this time of year and are nevertheless still called up by their countries. Without really checking, I'm sure there are players within the current Ireland squad named today that meet this description, such as Doherty and McClean.

I've never seen this cited as a credible reason for a player to be left out of an Ireland squad before.

I hear u It's not credible. I would make myself available no question

But the two Irish players you have pointed out Doherty and McLean are both millionaires. Manning needs this contract for financial security

[JR89]

A bizarre squad, Manning or no Manning. Keane (12) Cannon (8), Szmodics (7) - 27 Championship goals ignored for Parrott and Idah's combined 7. How does that make any sense? Omobamidele dropped but Scales and McGrath selected.

It goes some way to explaining why every game seems a referendum on Stephen Kenny.

Omobamidele is injured

[CraftyToePoke]

But the two Irish players you have pointed out Doherty and McLean are both millionaires. Manning needs this contract for financial security

Taylor is no millionaire, he's a non league punt who came good & won't be financially secure after a couple of years at Peterborough United, and he is also about to make a key transfer in his career at almost 25, this summer. Yet here he is, turned up to the camp and is now in the frame. So it suggests something else may be the answer here re Manning.

[Stuttgart88]

You're all more trusting than me