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If a person was honest and could go back in time one would not say no to Keane, Rice or Grealish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
Thems the breaks and in the end the players have to make the decision they are happy with. Playing full Internationals (all be it friendlies may be pushing it though ).
Anyone any reason to think Smallbone could be a flight risk other than he was born in England? From my understanding his mother is Irish born and bred whilst Rice and Grealish had far more tenuous links through a grandparent or 2.
If his mother is anything like me with my English born sons she will have fed him Guinness from his bottle, constantly blared the Wolf Tones around the house, forced him to eat Curly Kane for dinner twice a week and beat him for not standing with his hand on his chest when Amhran Na Bhfiann came on the telly. If she did all that then there's no chance he will jump ship.
If she didn't do it then she's not really Irish herself.
Its my only principle in the world! don't take it away from me.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
I've threatened my son with knee capping, while buying him the new Irish jersey every time one comes out. Carrot & stick approach. It's working so far. I actually had to calm him down when Mandzukic scored against England in Russia, telling him it's tactically better (in relation to his English mother) to appear less partisan.Quote:
Originally Posted by youngirish
I think with Grealish we would have qualified for World Cup 2018 and with him and Rice we would have qualified for Euro 2020. To be honest, Grealish is a player that would probably totally change the way we could play. You only had to look at Declan’s 3 caps to also see the difference he made to us.Quote:
Originally Posted by samhaydenjr
Michael Keane would have been a regular I imagine. He’s definitely ahead of Keogh and Long in the reckoning, both of whom have played some important games. Up until this season, he probably would have been ahead of John Egan as well. But I don’t think the difference between Keane and say Clark is anything like the difference between what Grealish would give you and Jeff Hendrick or between Declan and Hourihane or Browne
Thought Smallbone played well again tonight for Southampton. Lovely crisp, accurate passer of the ball, always looking to move the ball forward wherever possible as well.
Played right midfield tonight but for me, if and when Kenny does want an out and out 10 in the team, he looks like the best man for the job at the moment.
Kenny has stated emphatically he will only come calling once and if there's a hesitation or even a mild stutter he'll put down the phone.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
i think we can rest assured though with the allegiance of McClean's children.
Kenny has been pretty clear on that, he also said that he is 100% confident about anyone that was in his U21 set up. Not sure Smallbone can be put in that bracket but Id say a lot of questions were asked behind the scenes after Kenny took over to make sure we didnt have another Rice.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
But wouldn't they be English born? Certainly a flight risk!:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
I don't know how Southampton only drew that game. They are a pretty slick footballing side when they're in the mood.
Some of the nonsense here...
We would have won the world cup if Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney declared for us.
What in particular do you think is nonsense?
Seeing they are McClean's kids, the risk could be more them forced to seek asylum somewhere else.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
Repeated conversations about Declan Rice and Jack Grealish and 'what could have been'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
I'd say dinner in Nigel-Harps house can be a nervous affair when you're in a bad mood.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Yep, was going to asy something similar. It's only conversation Nigel! Recording mustn't have gone well today :)
Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Mea Culpa there Nigel - I was recently considering the decisions of Rice, Grealish and Keane from the angle of whether it had been a good move purely from the point of view of advancing their respective international careers - for Rice, fine, clearly it worked out on that level but for Grealish it hasn't to date and may never do, with some of the talent England have coming through, while Keane has had very limited opportunities. And then I started thinking what would happen if they realized at the time that playing for Ireland would be better for their international careers and decided to throw those thoughts on here (I know, there's no indication of Smallbone moving, but I thought it might be interesting for the likes of him and Coventry to bear this in mind if they ever have the FA show up on their doorsteps with promises of glory). You're right, though, we have plenty to look forward to and should move past Grealish, Rice and Keane...Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
... although FWIW, I think this is a very good analysis of that hypothetical situation - thanks ESQuote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
Credited with an assist for Southampton's first goal today, nicking the ball into Che Adams' path
Yes, watched the second half, after watching our strikers perform. Looks much better in the centre, has been out right mostly. Still a bit lightweight for me, but such a delightful passer. If he works on his strength and defensive side, he could be a very good player. He’s got an excellent coach who believes in him. Now, just need to give him a cheap cap to secure him....
Smallbone in the starting lineup for Southampton on opening day. A really positive sign.
he cant get the ball so far as a right mid
Subbed off around 75th minute. Largely anonymous showing. Been a poor showing for Southampton though, against a well organized Palace team that’s sitting quite deep.
https://www.the42.ie/smallbone-plays...31582-Oct2020/
Seems a happy man with Ireland and is keen on the senior squad.
It makes a huge difference that it is one of his parents as opposed to two of his grandparents. Grealish and Rice obviously felt a connection with Ireland but they were reaching back to grandparents and it makes it a little bit more difficult. Even though Rice's father was probably a proud Irishman, it would be difficult for him to pass the same connection to Ireland onto his son because Declan's grandparents didn't live her. The Smallbone situation is much easier given that he has spent summers here and visited grandparents here. I saw a picture recently with Anselmo Garcia McNulty and his Irish mammy and a couple of his aunts and uncles at an Irish game- that has to make a big difference in these cases.
Wanted to post about his performance yesterday. Smallbone got a rare start, playing well for an hour before being involved in two heavy collisions within a few minutes of each other and leaving the field hurt (looks like he’s waiting to see extent of what appears to be a knee injury).
Hopefully it’s one of those ones that looks/feels worse than initially feared. He looked more assertive both on and off the ball than I’d seen in previous matches at senior level, and also nearly scored with a close range shot.
Has done his ACL. What a sickener; especially after starting and playing well at the weekend. We just can't seem to catch a break at the moment.
https://www.the42.ie/southamptons-pr...28348-Jan2021/
Disaster for him. Will be doing well to get back for the start of next season. Hopefully he can still play some part in the Under 21 campaign.
Brutal. He honestly looked like he was having a breakthrough game when it happened.
Used to be a career ending injury, he'll be out or 6 months or so, not the end of the world.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
It’s a crucial stage in his development. He’s not established. I’m not saying it’s the end of the world but it’s a major setback and could realistically have career implications. He’s done for the season.
Really bad luck for him as he he'd only just comeback from a injury hadn't he?Quote:
Originally Posted by Trequartista20
this is when irish supporters must send him ....letters and messages to cheer him up,
Bright side is this happened when young, he is a bit skinny so that will help him, needs to workout a bit, not much, because he is a midfielder, a 10
Will you be writing to him yourself bielsa ?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish
To cheer him up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
if there is a time and place for a twit is now, dual players doubts no more pal! (traitors scenario no more.... Jacky and Declan had hurt the national team in a savage way, they wouldnt imagine but they did it, they cheapen up the green jersey to the footie world) ,
weve got to do what weve got to do, buddy!! Im gonna give it my slice of chance to it!
Oh very good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish
You do what has to be done man, let us know if you need any pens or paper or stamps.
Maybe write to Declan & Jacky while you're at it
I sent him a twit. Ive got my sarcasm machine for your remarks, I get your streetwise culture. How do you feel about what Jacky and Declan did as an irish supporter? Dont tell me.... it was their agents....etcQuote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
And I think I know the very twit.:rolleyes:
Don't be wasting another minute now arguing with the likes of me here and get your big biro out to Willy Smallbone, its in your hands to stop him crying Bielsa and tell Declan & Jacky hello from us all here as you're at it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bielsa´s irish
Smallbone returned to action today in the EFL Trophy: https://www.southamptonfc.com/news/2...trophy-2021-22
Great to see as he is our only young midfielder coming through with significant Premier League experience
Excellent news. Desperately need quality and options in midfield.
That 21s midfield is pretty stacked:Quote:
Originally Posted by third policeman
1. Knight
2. Smallbone
3. Kilkenny
4. Coventry
5. Connell
6. Johansson
7. Noss
8. Tierney
9. Finn
10. Devoy
11. Watson
12. Hodge
13. Lawal
14. Grant
15. Kavanagh
Should be a few players finally emerging from there...