Republic of Ireland V Latvia - Wednesday, 22nd March 2023 - Friendly

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eirambler

I'm not sure we can carry that level of dead weight, just to take set pieces. Hourihane has been consistently crap for Ireland and his set pieces have been almost as bad as his general play to be honest. Brady seems to have moved into the "unused substitute at Preston" stage of his career. He'd get eaten alive against France with his lack of pace.

If we really feel we need someone else on the field to take free kicks and corners we should just start Smallbone.

---

Not ideal, sure. And speaking more in terms of squad places than starting. Hourihane's time is probably up, less sure that's the case with Brady - think he still has more to give. And he has played quite a bit for Preston this season, hasn't played this much in a season since his time with Norwich. As is, looking like it is between McClean, Brady and O'Dowda for LWB - not exactly our strongest position so need to squeeze as much as possible out of those options.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Connolly's injured isn't he?

I'm not sure the tweaks - which is generally what Travers/O'Leary or Parrott/Connolly/Idah/Azaz or Brady/Sykes/Connell generally are - are going to address the core problem of how we face weaker teams unfortunately (thinking of the Latvia game here of course). I suppose that's a silly point in a thread about what the squad might be, but I don't see anything in the variations above that'd drastically improve on previous performances v Lithuania/Malta/Luxembourg/Azerbaijan.

---

Yean, he's supposedly out until around the early April timeframe.

I dont think we have the personnel for drastic improvement short term - playing staff or otherwise - more just trying to see if there is a natural reflection point here for Kenny where theres another changing of the guard and, if so, who might the candidates be that have made a case for inclusion (and therefor who has played themselves out of the squad).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SkStu

I dont think we have the personnel for drastic improvement short term - playing staff or otherwise - more just trying to see if there is a natural reflection point here for Kenny where theres another changing of the guard and, if so, who might the candidates be that have made a case for inclusion (and therefor who has played themselves out of the squad).

---

Yeah, that's fair.

I think it still needs to be done with an eye on the best players in the squad, so I'd be wary of any League One players really, certainly for the sake of change. Don't mind Hourihane not featuring. Knight - might be borderline that we drop him for someone like Szmodmics who seems to be doing a job at a higher level, but I'd be inclined to keep him in for now given his contribution to recent squads.

When is the squad announced btw?

I would've thought we're a week away maybe...maybe not though based on the Johnston tweet??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SkStu

I would've thought we're a week away maybe...maybe not though based on the Johnston tweet??

---

Squad won't be announced till next week. Clubs will be informed early of players that could be called up. Though I do think when the official squad is finalized he'll make it

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JR89

Though I do think when the official squad is finalized he'll make it

---

Yeah, it's a lot of build-up to not include him in the squad, isn't it?

From Kenny's own comments you could have assumed he's in if the paperwork is sorted. Plus would make sense to at least bring him in to train. wouldn't be the only player I'd bring in to train.

Think at most he could get minutes off the bench against Latvia if Kenny goes 3-4-3 sometime in the second half to play him LW.

Squad to be announced on Thursday(paywalled)
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-42378811.html

Dan McDonnell has said that Kelleher missed the liverpool game due to a 'minor ailment', so looks like he'll make the squad. also mentioned that duffy missed the last fulham game due to a calf issue.

so i guess connolly and robinson are in the 'almost certain to miss' and kelleher and duffy are in the 'slight doubt' camp.

Pogba out: https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2023...h-with-injury/

Would he have even been called up by France if he was fit?

Ebosele, Cannon and Hodge all named in the U21 squad this month, so we can presume they won't make the senior squad tomorrow.

Ferguson not named in the 21s, though that's hardly a surprise either.

If Ferguson was named in the u21s Id be expecting Kennys resignation by tomorrow morning

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Ebosele, Cannon and Hodge all named in the U21 squad this month, so we can presume they won't make the senior squad tomorrow.

Ferguson not named in the 21s, though that's hardly a surprise either.

---

Funny enough Ferguson is still underage for the 19s team that was named yesterday too.

Shane Duffy out with a calf injury.

French squad to be named later today as well

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

If Ferguson was named in the u21s Id be expecting Kennys resignation by tomorrow morning

---

It would be a price worth paying.

Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).

Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Atletico Madrid), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Wolverhampton Wanderers), John Egan (Sheffield United), Dara O'Shea (West Bromwich Albion), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), James McClean (Wigan Athletic).

Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Jeff Hendrick (Reading), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Jason Knight (Derby County), Will Smallbone (Stoke City, on loan from Southampton), Jamie McGrath (Dundee United), Mark Sykes (Bristol City).

Forwards: Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United), Michael Obafemi (Burnley), Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Preston North End, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Mikey Johnston (Vitoria, on loan from Celtic).

Jeff Hendrick… Jamie McGrath…. Will Keane… madness…. THE BOSS is done.

mcgrath again :confused:

Wow. Have to agree DCWA. Thats really disappointing. Browne still in there too. No Manning (WTF is up there?! We are so light on the left). No Szmodics. Thought Idah would be out injured. McGrath is a head shaker and Johnston has not earned a place in our squad yet.

edit: I said disappointing - I'm going to upgrade that to a "fckn brutal". About as conservative as it could have been. How in gods name is Johnston in our squad now?