Forgive me folks. I'm totally out of the loop with the international game.
When is the squad announced, and who all are unavailable for these games?
Forgive me folks. I'm totally out of the loop with the international game.
When is the squad announced, and who all are unavailable for these games?
Not announced yet, someone else Im sure will remember what date its announced. Right now, Randolph and Byrne definitely outQuote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
Kelleher a doubt too. Keeper is a major problem all of a sudden.
What should we do if they're both out? Give Travers the shot as next in line? Recall Westwood? Throw Bazunu into the deep end?
I personally don't rate Travers and it looks like he's nervous every time he plays.
Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
Squad announcement info above but its currently 18 / 3.Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
Westwood hasn't played since 20 / 2 and the news from the interim Wednesday manager was to see how the next week or two went at that stage.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Luxembourg have to be fancying their chances all of a sudden. They're on the up a bit, we're on the down and potentially three keepers injured will tax a lot of countries
Not looking forward to these games
Rochdale have conceded 63 goals in the third tier this season so far.Quote:
Originally Posted by ColourfulPeanut
Bazunu's not remotely ready for Serbia away.
That's not to say he won't play, but he's not ready.
Is this list still remotely accurate? And is it possible to get MLS players in from the States for this shindig?Quote:
Originally Posted by elatedscum
On the goalkeeper situationm, has Rob Elliott formally packed in international football? Seems to be making the bench for Watford every week, and has always been a solid keeper.
Was Shay Given ready when he was thrown in at a similar age?Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Shay Given wasn't shipping 60+ goals at the foot of the third tier.
In fact, I think he was on a run of clean sheets for Sunderland at the top of the second. Quite a big difference
Shay wasn't exactly thrown in was he? Dean Kiely was around so also Alan Kelly.
Our problem was who to pick as nr 1
I think we should play 3 goalkeepers in these 3 games.
Randy isn't getting any younger, and with covid potentially an issue for god knows how long, this is likely to be an issue we face again.
We need more goalkeepers who have both been in or around squads, and on the field.
With the number of withdrawals we've been experiencing since the restart i think we should go back to O'Neill style 40 man squads. I'd initially name 5 goalkeepers and see who was still available after withdrawals.
Kelleher may be inexperiened, but he has played between the sticks for the Premier League champions in the Champions League. Arguably, the only reason he hasn't had a Given-Sunderland style loan at the top of the Championship, is because Liverpool can't afford to lose him with the problems they have been having in goal.
I don't think Bazunu is at that Given/Sunderland level yet, but for me Kelleher is. If available he should start in the absense of Randolph.
After that we should call up 4 others.
3 of those are Jack Bonham, Danny Rogers & Mark Travers. They've all played some kind of football this season, which means they've cleared a very low bar.
After that I'd get on the phone to Rob Elliott and Stephen Henderson to see how agreeable either of them would be to making an unlikely international comeback, on the understanding that covid/injuries allowing, the 3 keepers finally named in the squad will all start a game.
Currently injured:Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
RANDOLPH
Kelleher
Westwood
Coleman
EGAN
D WILLIAMS
MCCARTHY
Arter
BYRNE
SMALLBONE
MCCLEAN
O’Dowda
Maguire
OBAFEMI
Capitalised those that are almost certain to miss out
Brady was back playing 30 mins last weekend from an ankle injury, so he should be ok.
I’d guess we’d be able to get MLS players here and play. The US isn’t a designated high risk country here, so shouldn’t be any different from the England really. Not really sure who that’d be though, Gallagher is probably the only one possible or am I missing someone? Haven’t heard of Ryan Meara in a few years, Williams is injured and Mulraney isn’t better than Shodipo, Curtis, Harness etc
If Kelleher is fit, I'd give him the two qualifiers and maybe give two other keepers a half each against Qatar.Quote:
Originally Posted by backstothewall
We have no keepers and no forwards; that Luxembourg game worries me and it's not one for messing about in. Kenny needs a win and a goal.
Maguire is available for the Preston NE v Wycombe Wanderers game, according to the Preston website today.
Kelleher is due to return to training this weekend, following his stomach muscle injury, and is expected to return to the Liverpool bench at the beginning of April (Empire of the Kop, today). I doubt if Watford gave Elliot a contract for sentimental reasons - given his experience of big games he should be in the squad v Serbia. On Tuesday (9th) O'Dowda played 65 minutes at right wing-back for the Bristol City U-23s.
Randolph and all that experience is obviously a big miss. In terms of who's available to step in, I don't think it makes a big difference, all pretty much as risky as each other at this point, Kelleher included. It was something we were going to have to deal with soon anyway, relying on a 34 year old bench warmer wasn't a good place to be.
Connolly out now as well. Hard to pick a strong team from what's left at this stage.
Kelleher
Coleman
Stevens
Clark
O'Shea
Cullen
Knight
Browne
Brady
Robinson
Idah
6 or 7 of those could easily be different in the team that ends up being named though. We have almost no definite starters, no established spine to the team, we really are close to starting from scratch here.
I was hopeful enough of a result up to a few weeks ago, but the team is looking pretty threadbare at this stage with injuries. Still nervous about that Luxembourg game too. On the other hand Kenny can't keep getting excused because of selection issues. I dunno.
is connolly definitely out? cracked rib...
yep hes gone.
The starting line up? anyone hazard a guess what kenny will go with ( assuming he sticks to 433)
True, but this is (a) the weakest squad in 40+ years at full strength and (b) not remotely at full strength. It's really hard to judge Kenny accurately while keeping those two factors in mind.Quote:
Originally Posted by NeverFeltBetter
I'd guess he'll go for more experience than that in midfield. I think people here overestimate the readiness of some of the younger guys. Even if Hendrick isn't on great form, I don't see him being behind all three of that lot. I don't rate Hourihane and O'Dowda all that highly, but I think Kenny does for now anyway, so they're in the mix too unless injured.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
I'm curious to see what he does with Coleman and Doherty. There are a few options if he wants to play both, with no obvious winner. I'm inclined to agree with the popular idea on here that they'd fit better in a five man backline, with one of them at the right of the centre halves, but Kenny doesn't seem to like that, and he may be loath to change formation for this game even if he does consider it. One could play at left back, though I think Kenny will probably play Stevens who isn't that much worse than them and it's his natural side. I'd say the most likely possibility if he plays both is one of them at centre half, where Doherty played well when we were stuck in one of the more recent games.
Another big call is who plays at centre half. I think he really should drop Duffy, who didn't fit his style even before his club form fell off a cliff, but will he?
Kelleher would be my choice in goals if he's fit too, but every option carries risk. It'll be a big call, and whoever the new goalkeeping coach is will have to give Kenny input based on how they're all training.
Well I can scrap that team now anyway, looks like Idah's gone too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
Ah here.
I'll dust off my boots I guess...
Shane long at the moment is the better option anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
Just going to name-drop Cillian Sheridan here and watch foot implode :)
Sheridan has played very little recently too but Tricky might finally get his Padraig Amond wish. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
I might be a bit too hard here but with a cracked rib surely you could take a load of pain killers and get on with it?
From experience, even painkillers aren't too helpful with cracked ribs. I couldn't imagine playing a game of football with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
Ive had cracked ribs myself before and its bad alright, but I look at the NFL over here and Drew Brees played last year on multiple broken ribs. I know NFL guys are usually on multiple illegal PEDs but still.Quote:
Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954
Im just frustrated at what seems to be here we go again with the injuries before a camp
Yeah, I wouldn't be keen on going down NFL routes of player care tbh
Idah is out.
Bring back McGeady and pay Didzy €100k to come back too
No, but you do see rugby players playing through some mad things at times too.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Saw one fella play on with a broken hand once! Numpty. If nothing else, it'd surely impact your performance a bit. Plus Norwich would presumably get a veto in this case
I'd even commit to calling him Didzy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
So what's your team with what's currently available?Quote:
Originally Posted by John83
Never going to happen but at this point I’d almost be inclined to just throw Duffy up front, try to play it tight defensively and just bombard the Serbs with long balls.
Go 4-4-2 so Long can play off Duffy, just bypass the midfield and hope for the best.
I wish I was trolling but it really is getting that desperate.
——————-Kelleher————
Doherty—-O’Shea—-Clark—Stevens
Coleman—Cullen—Browne—Brady
————-—-Long—-Duffy——
I see he's after winning their player of the month award for February, voted by their fans. Goals conceded is a pretty crude way of looking at it I think.Quote:
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
That's not to say he is ready or anything, but I'm not sure any of our options can really be considered ready. At least he's actually playing regular football.
I think I'd probably go with Travers myself and just pray he has a game like his debut against Spurs rather than some of his ropier performances since.
Well I'm also looking at it from the point of view of him playing at the foot of the third tier.
They've two points from the last 27 and haven't even scored in seven games; Player of the Month is a bit meaningless in that context. Someone has to win it, but it doesn't mean they're playing well
I'd like to think it means he isn't making bad mistakes every week, at least. Travers was only on loan to the same division, O'Hara a sub in same division. Kelleher the only alternative and has played very little and has basically mixed the somewhat adequate with the bad when he has had a rare opportunity. I guess he gets the nod if available, just not sure it's that clearcut.