Chiedozie Ogbene M Sheffield Utd (loan from Ipswich) b.1997

What's the best scenario from an Irish perspective in terms of the relegation battle this year? It seems like pretty much every team down there has an Irish player involved.

Assuming Sheffield United and Burnley are as good as gone who would be want in the last relegation position? Everton because Coleman probably won't be kept on in the Premier League anyway, but might be kept if they get relegated (would be sad on a personal level for Coleman to see Everton finally relegated though)? Luton because we'd maybe fancy Ogbene to get a move if they go down? Presumably not Forest (Omobamidele) or Brentford (Collins). Don't think Bournemouth will be dragged into it unfortunately, though they're not going well.

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Better than last season.
So far this season, 14 players have made a total of 145 appearances, completing 9171 minutes, or 63.2 minutes per appearance, scoring 12 goals - the most since the 2020/21 season(21 goals)
Last season, 13 players made a total of 141 appearances, completing 9323 minutes, or 66 minutes per appearance, scoring eight goals

So, we're already ahead of the total appearances from last year, have scored more goals, and should pass the minutes total before the end of the month
(all numbers from https://www.premierleague.com/stats/ )

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Passed last season's total minutes played earlier today

Ok, I'm not a mathematician, but...:)

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Ok, I'm not a mathematician, but...:)

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sorry, it was 9,323 in last season's competition. Fixed it up
Hate it when that happens

A nice finish at full stretch to put Luton up 2-0 against Bournemouth. Ogbene is our best player this season, and by a wide margin. Forget him trying to get a contract with another struggling team if Luton go down, I don't think he'd look out of place playing for a top half team. He's great to watch on the right wing for Luton.

Can see Brentford making a move for him as he suits how they switch between 433 and 352.

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Originally Posted by Colbert Report

A nice finish at full stretch to put Luton up 2-0 against Bournemouth. Ogbene is our best player this season, and by a wide margin. Forget him trying to get a contract with another struggling team if Luton go down, I don't think he'd look out of place playing for a top half team. He's great to watch on the right wing for Luton.

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Chiedozie Ogbene on target but Bournemouth mount extraordinary comeback [rte.ie]

Luton are one flakey team !

Will miss the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

I'd say his club are loving that international window right about now...

Back on the bench. Is this his first game back?

Luton are up 1-0 to West Ham. A draw would keep them in with a shot at staying up. A loss in the context of their goal difference would mean they are probably gone.

Assume they win and Forest are beaten by Chelsea (no foregone conclusion) then there's a big shoot off between the sides but with Forest playing Burnley (who could be already relegated if they don't win at Spurs today) and Luton playing Fulham. Most points would win but same points would relegated Luton.

They have a shout but they need to beat West Ham and Fulham and hope for Forest slip ups.

Yep - hasn't played since the St Patrick's weekend.

Luton 2-1 down now, which means they're two points behind Forest with one game to go, and a worse goal difference.

Not sure he's done enough to get a move to another Premier League side next season - Luton are really only in with a chance of safety because of Forest's points deduction - but he's done bloody well all things considered. Moved up two divisions in two seasons, and maybe a year with a decent Championship side (ie that can win a few games) might be good for him.

Three points down on Forest unfortunately, they're all but down after today.

The three promoted teams are going back down and in truth, once you take away the points deductions, all three have been well off the standard needed.

In fairness O'Shea and Ogbene have had good seasons despite the relegations.

Ah - must have seen a live table at the brief moment Luton were level.

Yeah, O'Shea and Ogbene have certainly been far from the main reason their teams have gone down. But as you say, the teams have been a long way off the standard. Used to be 40 points was the target to stay up. Luton could be 18th on 26 points. The previous record low for 18th place was 30 points.

Yep, that's the two of them done for I suppose. Disappointing given how well they have done. And given Ogbene's injury, he has been out of the spotlight so a move back to the Premiership is less likely than it would have been had he continued as he was.

Both players proved (O'Shea for sure, I would argue Ogbene too) that they are capable Premiership players but the gap between lower Premiership and upper Championship is incredibly narrow so a move back up is a hope rather than an expectation.

Quite a collection of Irish relegations unfortunately, six of the 17 Irish players in the Premier League this season have been relegated. A second career relegation for O'Shea also.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

In fairness O'Shea and Ogbene have had good seasons despite the relegations.

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Would be great to see both remain in the league but not sure they will unless either club gets an offer they can't refuse. Burnley have a bloated squad and will need to sell along with lads who'll want out after relegation. Can't see O'Shea pushing for a move so think he'll stay unless they get a decent offer.

Not sure what Luton's finances are like but always said they brought Chiedozie in with a view around possible relegation and having him when they return to the championship. So money wise if the year in the PL plus parachute payments lets them keep their squad together I can't see him getting a move unless a team throws money at them. Do think Brentford would have interest in him as a squad player given his flexibility to suit their 3-5-2 or 4-3-3.

Brentford is an interesting one because he's already been there of course. Not like them to let go of a player with his level of potential, but he has obviously kicked on a fair bit since then. Would they sign him a second time when it would mean having to pay a sizeable fee for a player they will have let go for next to nothing?

Ogbene the latest Irish player to be linked to Ipswich. They're almost becoming like Sundireland were at one point some years ago with all the Irish signings. £8m the fee being suggested for Chiedozie. Not bad business for Luton who picked him up for nothing a year ago. And a smart signing for Ipswich if they can pull it off.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Ogbene the latest Irish player to be linked to Ipswich. They're almost becoming like Sundireland were at one point some years ago with all the Irish signings. £8m the fee being suggested for Chiedozie. Not bad business for Luton who picked him up for nothing a year ago. And a smart signing for Ipswich if they can pull it off.

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Ipswich are making some very astute signings.

Promoted teams need pace on the pitch to have a chance of surviving - and Ogbene has pace.