Irish involvement in the Football League playoffs

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Originally Posted by SkStu

Goal for Egan today. Equalizer in a 1-1 draw away to Rochdale.

"visitors levelled when Egan headed in Jermaine McGlashan's right-wing delivery to stay in the top six on goal difference over Barnsley."

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It's looking like Brighton/Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday and Hull v Derby in the Championship semi finals. A bit of Irish involvement with all five clubs at least, although I'm not sure playing for Premier League clubs would be much benefit to Towell, Ward or Meyler at this stage as they'd probably have a better chance of regular football in the Championship.

As Stu mentioned about, Hourihane's Barnsley are only outside of the playoffs on GD in League 1. O'Dowda and Oxford are just about hanging on to the final automatic spot in League 2.

spinning this out into its own thread for this year's play offs.

Rory Gaffney with Bristol Rovers will be in the play-offs in League Two anyway, a point off automatic places with three to play.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

It's looking like Brighton/Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday and Hull v Derby in the Championship semi finals. A bit of Irish involvement with all five clubs at least, although I'm not sure playing for Premier League clubs would be much benefit to Towell, Ward or Meyler at this stage as they'd probably have a better chance of regular football in the Championship.

As Stu mentioned about, Hourihane's Barnsley are only outside of the playoffs on GD in League 1. O'Dowda and Oxford are just about hanging on to the final automatic spot in League 2.

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Not beyond the bounds of possibility that it might be Cardiff instead of Wednesday. Cardiff play Bolton this w/e while Weds are away to Derby. I expect the gap to be 3 points at the end of those games. Next up then: Owls vs Cardiff.

So Pilkington and Eoin Doyle (on loan at Preston) not out of it yet.

Could have done with those extra two points last night alright but lucky Cardiff were beaten.

Ward & Meyler shouldn't have a problem getting football in the Premier League.

Towell doesn't have a chance of getting a look in. Thought it was a strange move from the start TBH.

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Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks

Ward & Meyler shouldn't have a problem getting football in the Premier League.

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Hard to know I think. Meyler doesn't seem to be a nailed on starter anymore, promotion could mean further investment and competition. Ward is having a good run at the moment for sure, but it's not too long ago that he wasn't getting a kick.

Important game coming up tonight for Burnley v Preston with Stephen Ward the main Irish interest from a play off perspective with them hovering between automatic promotion and a play off spot.
Greg Cunningham, Alan Browne and Eoin Doyle all with PNE who cant reach get a playoff spot.

Interestingly, while looking through the Burnley squads I noticed a player for their development squad called Khius Metz who is noted as Irish. A little bit more sleuthing and it appears he is a striker who has been capped for us at U17 and U19 level (Sept 2015). Anyone know anything about him as a prospect outside of that and the connection to Ireland? Maybe ill also post this to the other thread...

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Originally Posted by SkStu

Interestingly, while looking through the Burnley squads I noticed a player for their development squad called Khius Metz who is noted as Irish. A little bit more sleuthing and it appears he is a striker who has been capped for us at U17 and U19 level (Sept 2015). Anyone know anything about him as a prospect outside of that and the connection to Ireland? Maybe ill also post this to the other thread...

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Is he one of the Metz of Ballaghaderreen ?

As for TOWK's comments on Meyler, he didn't even make the bench for the recent game against Brentford. Is he injured?

Carrying a hamstring strain: http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/a...s-3082274.aspx

I like Chris Hughton.......but not that much. A future Irish manager I suspect. Towell won't get a look in so that will be the only Irish connection although there are 4 Irish in the development squad. McGeady may just about get on the bench for Wednesday while Westwood will start.

Meyler I assume is still injured for Hull and with Jonathan Douglas breaking Derby midfielder Thorne's leg over the weekend, it might open the way for Hendrick to play for Derby, although I am not sure if they play the same position to be honest. Keogh of course will be battling for Derby although he was subbed at half time. Not sure why.

Not a huge Irish interest but enough to fret about injuries for some and the results for other(s).

Should Sheff Wed or Millwall make their respective finals which are smack bang in the middle of our 2 friendlies, how much of an effect will it have on Westwood/Fordes chances of going to France.
And McGeadys? (colours to the mast, I don't want him to go.)

And if they are both in their finals, the 3 keepers in our friendly squad will be Randolph, Given and who? Lawlor?

Sky Bet Championship Final 28 May
13/5 + 16/5 Sheff Wed V Brighton
Sheff Wed: Westwood (should start), McGeady(likely sub)
Brighton: Towell (unlikely)
14/5 + 17/5 Derby V Hull
Derby: Christie (should start), Keogh (should start), Hendrick (50/50)
Hull: Meyler (doubtful), Lenihan (unlikely)

Sky Bet League One Final 29 May
14/5 + 19/5 Barnsley V Walsall
Barnsley: Hourihane (should start), White (likely sub)
Walsall: Forde (should start), Kinsella (likely sub)
15/5 + 20/5 Bradford V Millwall
Bradford: Clarke (should start), Cullen (50/50)
Millwall: O'Brien (should start), Williams (50/50), Forde (likely sub)

Sky Bet League Two Final 30 May
12/5 + 15/5 Portsmouth V Plymouth
Portsmouth: Murphy (should start), Stevens (should start), Doyle (should start), Barton (likely sub), Wilkinson (unlikely)
Plymouth: McHugh (should start), Carey (should start)
14/5 + 18/5 Wimbledon V Accrington
Wimbledon: Smith (likely sub), Murphy (likely sub)
Accrington: Conneely (should start)

Hows the knee JoeD ?

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Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

Hows the knee JoeD ?

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Can walk on it, bend it, light jogging. Physio later this week to see if any ligament/tendon damage but from multiple knee injury experience, I think I've been lucky. Could actually work out for the best as I have a lump in my quad that I've put off getting looked at and now's a good chance. Doctor reckons 1, possibly 2 of the 4 quad muscles have torn, couldn't believe I had continued to play on it for last 8 months....

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Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Meyler I assume is still injured for Hull and with Jonathan Douglas breaking Derby midfielder Thorne's leg over the weekend, it might open the way for Hendrick to play for Derby, although I am not sure if they play the same position to be honest. Keogh of course will be battling for Derby although he was subbed at half time. Not sure why.

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Thorne would be a more deep lying midfielder and Hendrick more advanced or box to box. They don't have a real like for like replacement for Thorne though so they might drop Will Hughes a little deeper which would create a vacancy further forward. It would probably be between Butterfield and Hendrick to start then but Bradley Johnson has just returned from injury too. I'm not sure how they can slot him in without upsetting the balance though, I think they'd need to (unfairly) drop Ince or Russell to accommodate him so, for me, it's between Hendrick and Butterfield.

Keogh got a yellow card just before half time, I presume another one would have put him out of the playoff first leg?

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Originally Posted by SkStu

Interestingly, while looking through the Burnley squads I noticed a player for their development squad called Khius Metz who is noted as Irish. A little bit more sleuthing and it appears he is a striker who has been capped for us at U17 and U19 level (Sept 2015). Anyone know anything about him as a prospect outside of that and the connection to Ireland? Maybe ill also post this to the other thread...

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Apparently, he's really, REALLY fast. According to Burnley's website he "smashed Darren Campbell’s 20-year school record in the 200 metre sprint! His pace has helped the forward chip in with goals for the youth team, even notching twice for the Development Squad." It also says that he's been offered new terms for 2016/17.

NEWS: Grant, Baird, Johnson, Hendrick, Weimann, Bent, Camara & Blackman are all playing in a friendly Vs Barnsley today.

Update: Hendrick and Johnson have been substituted at half-time, suggests he'll have some part to play on Saturday.

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Originally Posted by samhaydenjr

Apparently, he's really, REALLY fast. According to Burnley's website he "smashed Darren Campbell’s 20-year school record in the 200 metre sprint! His pace has helped the forward chip in with goals for the youth team, even notching twice for the Development Squad." It also says that he's been offered new terms for 2016/17.

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Yeah, I saw that alright. Good sign. Theres also another player Aiden O'Neill that was offered a new contract. He was born in Oz but, with that name, surely someone for the FAI to look into?

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Originally Posted by samhaydenjr

Apparently, he's really, REALLY fast. According to Burnley's website he "smashed Darren Campbell’s 20-year school record in the 200 metre sprint! His pace has helped the forward chip in with goals for the youth team, even notching twice for the Development Squad." It also says that he's been offered new terms for 2016/17.

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I remember we also had a super speed king in Alan O'Brien who played for Newcastle back in the day. The trouble is he seldom had the ball with him. Fingers crossed for the latest Usain Bolt :)

Dale Stephens given 3 game ban, promoting Sidwell to the starting XI for Brighton and Richie Towell favourite to make the bench. Only 1 injury away....

It'd be quite cool if the bargain LOI buy won them the £100mm prize.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It'd be quite cool if the bargain LOI buy won them the £100mm prize.

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No it wouldn't :)

I hate this £100 million tag much flaunted by Sky as well ("the richest game in football"). Tell Bolton, Blackpool and a host of others about it. Most clubs when they go up spend a fortune to try and stay there and when the trap door opens, they find themselves deep in debt despite the "parachute" payments.

True.

McGeady's fitness being managed again.

Towell on the bench.

Westwood with an assist with his wrong foot! (Just ruled out)

My good will has just swung from Sheff Wed to Brighton in the blink of an eye.

Towell On!

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Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Dale Stephens given 3 game ban, promoting Sidwell to the starting XI for Brighton and Richie Towell favourite to make the bench. Only 1 injury away....

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What'd I tell ye

Get out of the showers lads and get the Towell on!

Richie is a class above this dross.

Hughton was already more concerned with managing a 1 goal deficit than getting an equaliser, now down to 10 men.
Is Richie in at centre half?

Any Championship watchers got a view on whether Towell's likely to start in the second leg? Tonight was a tough gig but would be great to see him in the home leg with a licence to attack.

Sidwell went off injured and Stephens is banned for the next two games, so you'd imagine he's next in line given he came on today.

He didn't cover himself in glory last night. Looked a little over eager. Overrunning play trying to get involved.

Difficult situation to impress. Unfortunately for a lot of casual supporters, they'll remember one air shot he had from a cleared corner, was fairly embarrassing.

He did well to recover the ball that time actually. It could have been a really bad night for him had Marriner bought that penalty appeal which was a complete dive. He did look so eager to get involved and control the middle, making himself available and barking instructions. We certainly don't have to worry about him coming out of his shell anyway. James McCarthy with Towell's attitude/confidence would be some player. It was a nice pinged pass by Towell over the top that was just too long also, which resulted in Knockaert injuring himself. A bad night for everything to go wrong from a Brighton point of view. There's no away goal rule though I think so maybe not over yet.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

They don't have a real like for like replacement for Thorne though so they might drop Will Hughes a little deeper which would create a vacancy further forward. It would probably be between Butterfield and Hendrick to start then but Bradley Johnson has just returned from injury too. I'm not sure how they can slot him in without upsetting the balance though, I think they'd need to (unfairly) drop Ince or Russell to accommodate him so, for me, it's between Hendrick and Butterfield.

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It's Johnson that got the nod. He's seems to be playing deeper as Ince and Russell have kept their places too. Hendick on the bench.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

He did well to recover the ball that time actually. It could have been a really bad night for him had Marriner bought that penalty appeal which was a complete dive. He did look so eager to get involved and control the middle, making himself available and barking instructions. We certainly don't have to worry about him coming out of his shell anyway. James McCarthy with Towell's attitude/confidence would be some player. It was a nice pinged pass by Towell over the top that was just too long also, which resulted in Knockaert injuring himself. A bad night for everything to go wrong from a Brighton point of view. There's no away goal rule though I think so maybe not over yet.

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Towell doesn't lack confidence and authority.
He just needs competitive games in order to settle in fully, he has more than enough skill levels for that championship standard and would have little problem with reaching required fitness levels.

He'll surely get opportunities next season so, if they don't go up in particular. Not making squads isn't a great sign but things can change quickly in football.

Spineless stuff from Derby. They were slightly unfortunate to find themselves 2-0 down but their reaction was appalling. You could almost see them wallowing in self pity. It's been said here pretty often but that left back Robertson really is a fine full back. Lovely on the ball and can defend, he deserved his goal.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

He'll surely get opportunities next season so, if they don't go up in particular. Not making squads isn't a great sign but things can change quickly in football.

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I don't fully trust Hughton, when it comes to decision time he leaves all his excellent coaching at the bottom of the clipboard and resorts to his default health and safety risk assessment mode.

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Spineless stuff from Derby. They were slightly unfortunate to find themselves 2-0 down but their reaction was appalling. You could almost see them wallowing in self pity. It's been said here pretty often but that left back Robertson really is a fine full back. Lovely on the ball and can defend, he deserved his goal.

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Terminal with a capital T for Derby now :)

Conor Hourihane's Barnsley leads Anthony Forde's Walsall 1-0 at halftime.