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

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

No Cannon? Balls.

Must be a serious dose of tonsilitis.

Sykes (listed as defender) and Taylor interesting.

Gotta feel for Manning.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Omobamidele the highest-profile absentee?

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Injured

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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?

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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.

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.

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

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Originally Posted by Fixer82

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

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

[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?

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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

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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.

[QUOTE=Demesne Lad;2149472]

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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?

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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.

[QUOTE=Demesne Lad;2149472]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

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?

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

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

[QUOTE=Stuttgart88;2149475]

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Originally Posted by Demesne Lad

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

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

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,

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

First question in the press conference about Cannon, seems he'll be in the U21 squad and on standby for the senior side

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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.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

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.

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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.

Ogbene a big loss

Has Manning thrown a hissy fit?

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Ogbene a big loss

Has Manning thrown a hissy fit?

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"Personal reasons" could be anything

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.

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

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