Upcoming Friendlies-choose your new players

Hi everyone, and Happy New Year to you all.
With the upcoming friendlies and the Nations League on the horizon, I thought I’d set a task to spark debate about one aspect the incoming manager will have to consider – squad personnel and who should be blooded in. I’ve assumed that we will play five friendlies before the start of the Nations League and that we will not use the Nations League as a vehicle for looking at new options, as we should be using it as a chance to win a World Cup play-off spot.

I’ve assembled a list of potential call-ups below – the criteria I’ve set for inclusion are fairly simple – fewer than ten caps, currently playing at a club that could be considered Championship level or above (Championship, Big Five Leagues, big teams in Scotland, Netherlands, Portugal etc), and some first-team football at that level.

There will be 4950 minutes of playing time available over the five games. Your task is to pick ten players and assign 1500 minutes to them in the following format: five players who you definitely believe will be important in the upcoming campaign and should get four caps, with an average of 60 minutes per cap; five players who you think might be worthwhile options to have around and you’d like them to have a couple of run-outs under their belts before the Nations League starts (or they already have some caps but you think they could do with a couple more).
If you don’t want to stick to this 5+5 formula strictly, you can assign the 1500 minutes in a different manner. Here is the list:

Goalkeepers
Mark Travers, Max O’Leary, Jack Bonham

Defenders
Tayo Adaramola, Alex Murphy, Andrew Omobamidele, Mark McGuinness, James Furlong, Sean McLoughlin, Darragh Lenihan, Danny McNamara, Jimmy Dunne, Luke McNally, Liam Scales, Jake O’Brien, Festy Ebosele

Midfielders
Conor Coventry, Joe Hodge, Sammie Szmodics, Andrew Moran, Zak Gilsenan, Tom Bloxham, Mark Sykes, Harry Vaughan, Marcus Harness, Jack Taylor, Kasey McAteer, Tony Springett, Finn Azaz, Will Smallbone, Rocco Vata

Forwards
Nathan Fraser, Aaron Connolly, Tom Cannon, Alex Gilbert, Calum Kavanagh, Aidomo Emakhu, Tyreik Wright, Will Keane, Sinclair Armstrong, Georgie Kelly, Mikey Johnston

Not sure I'd give any of them 4 starts. Maybe Scales, Festy, Connolly (if he stays fit and in form), Smallbone and Johnston if I had to pick 5.

I think it highlights the fact the central midfield area is still chronically weak and lacks outstanding options. The ones that are maybe putting their hands up most are sadly defenders where we already have plenty of options.

It would be worth giving minutes to O'Brien, Murphy, McNamara, Azaz and one of Taylor/Coventry/Hodge to see if they can have an impact in the middle.

Omobamidele and Johnson need game time - and Azaz deserves to play. Szmodics and Cannon should be the first for a call-up if they want to play. Jake O'Brien has also played his way into contention and Scales should get more time to see where he is at. I would also give Armstrong time - because I think he could be very good.

After that - most of them still need to show that they are capable of making the next step.

However - the friendlies should be more about the new manager getting to know the squad and figuring out how to maximise what is available - rather than promoting underage players who have yet to prove they can play at a high level.

Goalkeeper: I don't see anyone other than Bazunu or Kelleher challenging for the jersey any time soon. Even within that Bazunu looks unpressured until such time as Kelleher final starts playing regularly and we can finally assess him in full. However I would like to see Max O'Leary capped as he has turned up on quite a few occasions now to fill a squad role and deserves a friendly cap for his efforts.

Defence: I would like to see Jake O'Brien and Mark McGuinness integrated into the squad during the upcoming friendlies. McGuinness looks a step up on many of our other emerging options and what O'Brien has achieved at Lyon can't be ignored - player of the month for them last month. With Duffy on the downslope and Egan having injury and form issues we do need to look at other centre back options beyond just Collins, O'Shea and Scales (who I suspect might be overachieving this season relative to his potential long term prospects). Especially as O'Shea may be asked to play left back in a four. McNally is another that could come into the equation at centre back.

Of the other defenders listed Festy Ebosele would be the one I'd most like to see more of, but not necessarily as a defender. One player not listed is Anselmo Garcia, who might be worth a friendly outing at left back based on his Eredivisie appearances. Similarly Josh Key if he gets back fit and playing regularly in the Championship.

Midfield remains a disaster zone but we need to work with what we have. So that means more opportunities for Smallbone and a few runs out for Azaz. Moran might get another look too but recent club form suggests he may be better served staying with the Under 21s for now.

Up top I like the idea of trying Ebosele and Ogbene as wingers/support forwards to Ferguson in a 4-3-3/4-5-1 setup. Szmodics should also get a chance (assuming he wants to play) and Connolly should get another chance. Their club form shouldn't be ignored. McAteer should get a debut on the wing also to see what he could potentially offer. I'd also bring in Cannon as a potential back up number 9 to Ferguson if he wants to commit. I don't think Idah is a good enough backup at this point in time.

No magic bullets there but a lot of options to try out and integrate I think.

I'm not generally in favour of capping League 1 players but our midfield options are dire and Connell has been outstanding in that division. I think there is something of the Wes about him - a technically gifted player who "appears" to lack the physicality to play at the highest level, but confounded people when given the opportunity. He's so different to anyone else we have, he may well be worth looking at. If Wes had been capped at a younger age it might have helped his club career development as well. Sometimes, as a small nation, we need to take risks in developing talent and potential rather than waiting for English club managers to do it for us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by third policeman

I'm not generally in favour of capping League 1 players but our midfield options are dire and Connell has been outstanding in that division. I think there is something of the Wes about him - a technically gifted player who "appears" to lack the physicality to play at the highest level, but confounded people when given the opportunity. He's so different to anyone else we have, he may well be worth looking at. If Wes had been capped at a younger age it might have helped his club career development as well. Sometimes, as a small nation, we need to take risks in developing talent and potential rather than waiting for English club managers to do it for us.

---

Well he's club mate at Barnsley, Callum Styles, has 18 caps for Hungary and started 12 of those games in midfield for them. They're a better team than us and have a League One player as a starter.

Wouldn't mind seeing Luca in a the squad for our friendlies, especially the summer games which likely be a longer training camp. Offers us something different than other midfielders looking to break through.

I assume the new manager will have one of them 40man training camps to see who he likes...

Garcia McNulty would be the big one from the original list there that would stand out to me as missing. I'd be getting him involved soon as possible really.

Azaz and Moran the big ones in midfield, as they offer something different than what we have

Not sure Bonham/O'Leary really add anything in nets, so would leave things as they are there with the usual trio.

Wouldn't have many changes at centre-back other than that Omobamidele needs to sort his club situation out before he's involved again, and Duffy's use depends on who the new manager is - he could be key or disposable. There's a few solid options here though - O'Brien, McGuinness, McNally, Dunne, Lenihan - and I think any 2/3 of them should get games. A pity for us they're all in the same position...

I think wing-back/full-back remains huge issues for us whoever gets picked. I wouldn't be surprised if Coleman has played his last competitive game for us tbh. I don't like seeing Browne or O'Dowda at wing-back. But with McClean retired and Stevens/Brady struggling with injury, the options are thin on the ground. I guess maybe Murphy, MacNulty and McNamara to get call-ups alongside Doherty and Coleman? That's assuming Ebosele is too attacking to play there of course.

Midfield is another disaster zone. I'm looking for an enforcer to root you up the hole and ask questions later, but I'm not seeing him. I'm not opposed to the idea of playing Collins in centre-mid and adding another centre-back to the squad. Cullen and Molumby have been dropped of late, but I'm not seeing anything in Coventry/Hodge/Bloxham/Gilsenan/Springett/Vata to make them worth the call-up now. Azaz, Smallbone, Knight and Browne I guess.

Up front is where it's most interesting I think. To pick 7 (based on 4-3-3), I'd go with Ferguson, Ogbene, Johnston, Szmodics, Connolly, Parrott and one other. Ebosele if he can play wide of the three probably the most likely? Or Sykes, though he's not done a huge amount in his (brief) cameos. Means leaving out Idah, Obafemi, Keane and Robinson altogether, but I'm fine with that. We seem to have a lot of wide players all of a sudden - Ogbene, Ebosele, McAteer, Sykes, McGrath, Johnston, Wright. Cannon I presume won't commit quite yet.

A fair few on that list I wouldn't be considering at all tbh - Adaramola, Furlong, Coventry, Hodge, Gilsenan, Bloxham, Vaughan, Springett, Vata, Gibert, Kavanagh, Emakhu, Armstrong and Kelly

Wouldn't go mad with the changes either - important for a new manager to get ideas across to the full team rather than be blooding players for the sake of it. But there's definitely some players who have moved ahead of others in the pecking order, especially up front.

Yes we definitely don't have a midfield enforcer coming through at this point. While I like Knight as mentioned on the other thread, I don't really think that's what he is. He's box to box, but not an enforcer in the Keane/Vieira mould. I suppose there aren't too many of them around in general any more. Molumby would be the closest in the Irish setup, it's just a shame that he's not a bit better as an all round footballer.

Slightly getting away from the question being asked, but would there be any merit in trying something like the team below in a friendly to see how it gets on. I accept it's a lot of changes in personnel, as well as a formation change from what we've been doing. But then again, what we've been doing hasn't been working and friendlies are meant to be opportunities to try out different options.

-------------------Bazunu
Collins Egan McGuinness O'Shea
---------------Cullen Knight
----------Ebosele Azaz Ogbene
------------------Ferguson

Basically the Idea here is that you get around our issues at full back by essentially not picking any and using centre backs instead. You accept that they won't give you as much going forward, but you hope that picking four attacking players as well as Knight as a box to box makes up for that. Out of possession you keep two midfielders sitting in front of the back four to take the burden off Cullen a bit and restrict the space for the persistent long shots that everyone now knows to try against us. Festy can tuck in as well to help out and once you win back possession you have three or four good running options to bring the ball forward on the counter (Ebosele, Ogbene, Knight and Azaz) as well as the creativity of Azaz to create a few opportunities for Ferguson up front. Just an idea, I really think we need to try and shake it up a bit this year.

While I like the idea of shaking things up a bit, having Egan in center defense hardly does that, and I think I'd be looking at Jake O'Brien ahead of McGuinness.

I also think long term Ogbene needs to be used as an impact sub. He's a good lad, but he's not a great footballer and I don't think we should be relying on him starting.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Eirambler

Slightly getting away from the question being asked, but would there be any merit in trying something like the team below in a friendly to see how it gets on. I accept it's a lot of changes in personnel, as well as a formation change from what we've been doing. But then again, what we've been doing hasn't been working and friendlies are meant to be opportunities to try out different options.

-------------------Bazunu
Collins Egan McGuinness O'Shea
---------------Cullen Knight
----------Ebosele Azaz Ogbene
------------------Ferguson

Basically the Idea here is that you get around our issues at full back by essentially not picking any and using centre backs instead. You accept that they won't give you as much going forward, but you hope that picking four attacking players as well as Knight as a box to box makes up for that. Out of possession you keep two midfielders sitting in front of the back four to take the burden off Cullen a bit and restrict the space for the persistent long shots that everyone now knows to try against us. Festy can tuck in as well to help out and once you win back possession you have three or four good running options to bring the ball forward on the counter (Ebosele, Ogbene, Knight and Azaz) as well as the creativity of Azaz to create a few opportunities for Ferguson up front. Just an idea, I really think we need to try and shake it up a bit this year.

---

I like this. I'd be looking at getting one or both of Scales and O'Brien into that defence too for a look. It also demonstrates that we a shy of midfield options and Azaz will need to balance up with Knight a little. Aaron Connolly also provides an alternative to Ogbene for more of a goal threat and less of a defensive work rate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

While I like the idea of shaking things up a bit, having Egan in center defense hardly does that, and I think I'd be looking at Jake O'Brien ahead of McGuinness.

I also think long term Ogbene needs to be used as an impact sub. He's a good lad, but he's not a great footballer and I don't think we should be relying on him starting.

---

While I'm all for shaking things up I felt there realistically needed to be one older head in there. Obviously I could have gone with O'Brien or Omobamidele in that position, but that's why I kept Egan in.

In terms of O'Brien v McGuinness, while O'Brien's progress is impressive this season and he's at a higher profile club, McGuinness has come on leaps and bounds away from the cameras at Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff. I'd be fairly certain he'll move to the Premier League in the next 12 to 18 months as he seems to be a fairly complete centre back and from what I have seen is less prone to mistakes than O'Brien is currently.

I'd add Jon Gallagher, from Austin FC. Last sesaon, he had the joint most appearances(40) with goalkeeper Brad Stuver, and Ethan Finlay. Fourth top scorer, with five, and the most assists - eight - and all that from defence.
And he made the MLS All Star team that played Arsenal in July
Austin didn't have a great season, finishing 12th of 14 teams in the Western Conference, but he still played well.

We need to look at areas of the team in which we are weak and start to integrate new players, players who may not even be regulars at their club, a bit like when Mick first took over.

It's often a good international career/performance leads to a good club move/career.

Left back, central midfield and attacking midfield are areas we really need to find solutions.

At left full, we've tried Brady, McClean, Stevens, Manning, O'Dowda and Doherty. Potential players to parachute straight into the full international setup are Tayo Adaramola, Alex Murphy Sean Roughan and Anselmo Garcia McNulty (appreciate he is mainly a CB, but can operate on left of a 3 man defence).

In midfield, we need mobility physical presence in a midfielder who will sit in front of our defence. The likes of Cullen and Knight have played this role, they are reasonably neat and tidy but we need an athlete in here, who can run all day and put his foot in. We all thought Jayson Molumby would develop into this player but it hasn't been the case unfortunately.

Lads such as Jeff Hendrick, Alan Browne and Jamie McGrath (along with Cullen and Knight) have been favoured by Kenny but with the exception of Browne, Cullen and Knight, I don't see the others as having international futures.

Up front it has been a scattergun approach, lots of caps handed out but still nothing that looks like approaching a settled front line.

We have decent centre backs and prospects who are more comfy as wingbacks rather than as conventional full backs. I'd also include CBs who are comfortable at full back just for versatility and ability to change formation.

Ebosele and McNamara are my choices for RWB. Adaramola and Roughan at LWB. Tayo had a disappointing year, his loan at Coventry was hampered by injury but he has huge potential, especially in this system. Personally I've seen enough of Doherty, Coleman (legend), Brady, Stevens, Manning and Cunningham to know we need to be looking forward. O'Dowda is a difficult one, he still offers something but not sure he's a wingback.

At CB, I'm picking lads again who suits the system and have potential to be developed, Omobamidele will be there despite his lack of first team football. Massive potential, quick, versatile in playing as conventional CB, right of a 3 and even at RB in a pinch. Likewise Dara O'Shea. Scales and Garcia-McNulty (and O'Shea) provide options for left of the 3. In the middle I'm going with Nathan Collins, Mark McGuinness and Eiran Cashin who I expect to be operating at a higher level in next 18 months. I've seen enough of John Egan, Shane Duffy and Darragh Lenihan.

In midfield, along with Cullen and Knight, I wanted to include lads we can build around. Joe Hodge and Luca Connell are included as they offer something we don't have. Press resistant lads with calm heads. The next one will probably have people thinking I'm crazy but I like Killian Phillips. Mobile, physical and currently smoothing out his rough edges at Wycombe where he is doing very well. Again, he offers something we don't have, a real physical presence and combative midfielder, either sitting or box to box.

In attacking midfield positions I'd include Azaz, Smodzics (if interested), Andy Moran and Kasey McAteer as newish faces.

The only new face in attack would be Tom Cannon (again if interested).

Here is the squad in full (I'd be choosing from this pool of players, along with any of our underage lads who become hard to ignore and any granny rule lads who declare interest and are worth exploring).

Bazunu, Kelleher, Travers

Ebosele, McNamara, Adaramola, Roughan, Omobamidele, O'Shea, Collins, Cash in, McGuinness, Garcia-McNulty, Scales,

Cullen, Knight, Hodge, Phillips, Browne, Connell, Smallbone, Azaz, Smodzics, Moran, McAteer

Ferguson, Cannon, Connolly, Ogbene, Obafemi, Parrot, Johnston

3-5-2 variation (Connolly supporting Ferguson)

----------------------------Bazunu
---Omobamidele---Collins-----Scales
Ebosele----------------------------------------Adaramola
-------------------Hodge---------Phillips
------------Moran------------------------Connolly
---------------------------Ferguson

Or

4-3-3

-------------------------------Bazunu
Omobamidele--Collins-----O'Shea---------Scales

---------------Azaz---------Hodge-----Phillips

--------------Smodzics--Ferguson--Connolly

I think the most obvious weakness in the player pools mentioned is the absence/ lack of experienced (50+ caps) and older (i.e. aged 25+) players.

For this reason, I don't think there is any urgency in capping new players as the squad is relatively new as is. Therefore, I'd prioritise what served Kenny and giving the 2023 new caps - i.e., Ebosele, Scales and Smallbone, more playing time to bed into international football.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ifk101

I think the most obvious weakness in the player pools mentioned is the absence/ lack of experienced (50+ caps) and older (i.e. aged 25+) players.

For this reason, I don't think there is any urgency in capping new players as the squad is relatively new as is. Therefore, I'd prioritise what served Kenny and giving the 2023 new caps - i.e., Ebosele, Scales and Smallbone, more playing time to bed into international football.

---

Agreed overall. I think I would be fairly conservative too. I'd been thinking how best to respond to this post because the new manager is going to want to get results but will also have a few friendlies which, if it was a normal situation, would be used to test out new players. The new manager will very likely want to test out the current crop of players and get them used to a system or two. If I was going to take a look at viable options in the risk areas as a new manager, I would be prioritizing taking a look at Murphy, Adaramola, Azaz and Cannon, if he is interested.

At full/wing back, i would keep Coleman and Doherty starting as long as possible while using Ebosele (looking closer) and Manning as appropriate. I'd prioiritize a look at Murphy and Adaramola as part of an expanded training camp.

In midfield, I think we are stuck with the current midfield crop and hoping that a combination of Cullen/Knight/Molumby and some decent coaching can improve us incrementally until we have some real prospects there. Maybe he looks at Collins in the holding midfield role. I do not think that Hodge, Coventry, Connell (yet) or Phillips (yet) are the answer - in that they are clearly a better choice to the three we have. Azaz is, in my opinion, better than McGrath and should take his spot ahead of Moran who needs another year I think.

Up front, we're actually fairly good. Obafemi, Keane and Parrott probably ripe for the chop. Its probably Cannon or Szmodics to come in and I'd definitely continue the rehabilitation of Connolly.

@strongbow & @SkStu ; any reason Jack Taylor hasn't surfaced in your midfield options trawl ?

Regular minutes & several recent starts at Ipswich, tough side to get in this season, absolutely flying in an automatic promotion spot & has x4 goals as well think. Division up from Connell & Phillips. 6ft+ & can play various roles.

No - great shout. I just didnt remember/think of him. Maybe a very viable alternative for Molumby? I havent seen much of him this season at all. Has he been impressing?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

@strongbow & @SkStu ; any reason Jack Taylor hasn't surfaced in your midfield options trawl ?

Regular minutes & several recent starts at Ipswich, tough side to get in this season, absolutely flying in an automatic promotion spot & has x4 goals as well think. Division up from Connell & Phillips. 6ft+ & can play various roles.

---

Similar Murphy and Tayo get mentioned more than Garcia McNulty whose playing LB regularly at a decent level and even Roughan whose a starter at League Oine level and only a few months older than Tayo.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SkStu

No - great shout. I just didnt remember/think of him. Maybe a very viable alternative for Molumby? I havent seen much of him this season at all. Has he been impressing?

---

Had to wait for his chance, but has been gathering minutes since he got that chance, initially in cups but did enough to become involved in league matches. He isn't central to Ipswich but he has several recent starts, he doesn't ( or as yet hasn't ) stayed in the side. But he is non league to L1, promoted from that, got the Championship move and is currently balls deep in an EPL promotion run. I often said on here he isn't consistently A game week on week, at Peterborough that was ok, at Ipswich that sees someone else come in. But Molumby and Cullen aren't always starters either this season. Definitely worth a look I would say.

What he does offer is goal threat outside the box, none of our lads offer that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JR89

Similar Murphy and Tayo get mentioned more than Garcia McNulty whose playing LB regularly at a decent level and even Roughan whose a starter at League Oine level and only a few months older than Tayo.

---

I did mention Garcia McNulty and Roughan in fairness.

Jack Taylor needs to be indispensable to Ipswich before he's considered too, hes 25/26 so needs to be playing week in week out at this stage.

Mark Sykes is another to be considered.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

What he does offer is goal threat outside the box, none of our lads offer that.

---

Alan Browne does a bit I think - though we keep playing him at wingback, which rather negates that...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

@strongbow & @SkStu ; any reason Jack Taylor hasn't surfaced in your midfield options trawl ?

Regular minutes & several recent starts at Ipswich, tough side to get in this season, absolutely flying in an automatic promotion spot & has x4 goals as well think. Division up from Connell & Phillips. 6ft+ & can play various roles.

---

Ipswich have been slipping a bit lately. I keep an eye out for Ipswich as I have a bit of a soft spot for the Old Tractor Boys. Still in 2nd spot but form has gone down quite a bit lately.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SkStu

Agreed overall. I think I would be fairly conservative too. I'd been thinking how best to respond to this post because the new manager is going to want to get results but will also have a few friendlies which, if it was a normal situation, would be used to test out new players. The new manager will very likely want to test out the current crop of players and get them used to a system or two. If I was going to take a look at viable options in the risk areas as a new manager, I would be prioritizing taking a look at Murphy, Adaramola, Azaz and Cannon, if he is interested.

At full/wing back, i would keep Coleman and Doherty starting as long as possible while using Ebosele (looking closer) and Manning as appropriate. I'd prioiritize a look at Murphy and Adaramola as part of an expanded training camp.

In midfield, I think we are stuck with the current midfield crop and hoping that a combination of Cullen/Knight/Molumby and some decent coaching can improve us incrementally until we have some real prospects there. Maybe he looks at Collins in the holding midfield role. I do not think that Hodge, Coventry, Connell (yet) or Phillips (yet) are the answer - in that they are clearly a better choice to the three we have. Azaz is, in my opinion, better than McGrath and should take his spot ahead of Moran who needs another year I think.

Up front, we're actually fairly good. Obafemi, Keane and Parrott probably ripe for the chop. Its probably Cannon or Szmodics to come in and I'd definitely continue the rehabilitation of Connolly.

---

Id agree here for the most part. Think you're a bit harsh on chopping Parrott, doing ok this season and still only 21, but that also emphasizes your initial point that we are young already. I dont believe we are in massive rebuild mode like when Mick came in, its more a continuation of the rebuild that started in the last few years. Players that have been integrated are still very young and its just a matter of adding to whats there for the most part and then hope and pray that they actually improve with age.

Azaz and Moran are no brainers to come into immediate midfield options for me. Szmodics as midfielder/forward too. Taylor is interesting, he could be one of those late developers that we always seem to have.

O'Brien and McGuinness for sure raising their hand to be called in to defense, I do like Garcia McNulty but he might be a year away yet in comparison to the other 2. Full back is an area of immediate need, Ebosele and Doherty probably have the right back covered, but we might need so outside the box thinking for left back. Murphy based solely on what I seen at Galway United and in preseason for Newcastle might be best option to fast track. Adaramola was on bench today so maybe he could take a step forward too.

Up front theres no one we havent capped, bar Szmodics, that you would say are putting their hand up for selection. We've a young bunch so for me you pick Ferguson and build around him with whoever is in form. Cannon we'll see if he wants to come in, if he does hes automatically in squad ahead of most others Id say.

I do hope that the manager is appointed soon though, starting to get very bored with my own speculation of who it'll be... but the longer it goes the more I fear they are waiting for Hughton to finish African Cup of Nations. I know that would make one poster on here very happy, but I think most would be disappointed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Alan Browne does a bit I think - though we keep playing him at wingback, which rather negates that...

---

I see your Alan Browne and raise you a Jack Taylor thunderblaster reel Pineappler, with a few assists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsJdqkFOKzE

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by seanfhear

Ipswich have been slipping a bit lately. I keep an eye out for Ipswich as I have a bit of a soft spot for the Old Tractor Boys. Still in 2nd spot but form has gone down quite a bit lately.

---

They have, no doubt have overachieved but are still comfortably ahead of Preston, Bristol and WBA where other lads of ours are.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Strongbow10

Jack Taylor needs to be indispensable to Ipswich before he's considered too, hes 25/26 so needs to be playing week in week out at this stage

---

I take your point, but we have a history of late developers also. And without wanting to over champion him, to be fair I have mentioned his consistency. Molumby, only a year younger, isn't indispensable to WBA. Cullen no longer is to Burnley and we picked Knight while Derby played him RWB while in L1. So lets not let on we are in a position to be choosy here as you trawl the division below for scraps of hope. He is getting on the pitch regularly, and starting more recently, he's worth a peep in a big round up for a friendly window.

The highlights reel I posted above is backed up by McKenna chasing him for three windows to get him to Ipswich. He's not Roy Keane, he's probably not even Graham Kavanagh, but in our midfield predicament he is in the conversation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SkStu

Agreed overall. I think I would be fairly conservative too. I'd been thinking how best to respond to this post because the new manager is going to want to get results but will also have a few friendlies which, if it was a normal situation, would be used to test out new players. The new manager will very likely want to test out the current crop of players and get them used to a system or two. If I was going to take a look at viable options in the risk areas as a new manager, I would be prioritizing taking a look at Murphy, Adaramola, Azaz and Cannon, if he is interested.

At full/wing back, i would keep Coleman and Doherty starting as long as possible while using Ebosele (looking closer) and Manning as appropriate. I'd prioiritize a look at Murphy and Adaramola as part of an expanded training camp.

In midfield, I think we are stuck with the current midfield crop and hoping that a combination of Cullen/Knight/Molumby and some decent coaching can improve us incrementally until we have some real prospects there. Maybe he looks at Collins in the holding midfield role. I do not think that Hodge, Coventry, Connell (yet) or Phillips (yet) are the answer - in that they are clearly a better choice to the three we have. Azaz is, in my opinion, better than McGrath and should take his spot ahead of Moran who needs another year I think.

Up front, we're actually fairly good. Obafemi, Keane and Parrott probably ripe for the chop. Its probably Cannon or Szmodics to come in and I'd definitely continue the rehabilitation of Connolly.

---

We’re on the same wavelength. Need to get structure and stability back into the team rather than further upheaval with new faces, and especially with the level of opposition we are facing in March. Don’t want to start off with two defeats. I know there is a want for change in the midfield but feel the performances in this area with current players will improve dramatically if the whole team becomes more compact. Also from a man management perspective, prudent to give the current squad the opportunity to show their worth. Anyways, there should be a training camp/ summer tour which is more suiting for the new manager to put his stamp on the squad.

But unless the new manager is a 3 CB guru, I’d revert to a flat back four and play a 4-3-3 in possession and 4-5-1 out of possession. Think this gets the most out of our player pool and helps give more protection to our weak areas (LB + midfield) while getting the most out of our strengths (CBs + wing speed + Ferguson). Agree with most of the names mentioned but I haven’t seen enough of Azaz to comment on him, and I’d be more inclined to move on without Connolly. Some of his recent goals admittedly do ooze class, but he’s turning 24 this month and has only “done it” for one manager/ coach so far in his career i.e. Rosenior (can possibly add Kenny here and the U21s). That just tells me he needs full backing and to be the focal to perform – which he is not going to get with us. If Obafemi gets fit and playing again – I’d maybe prefer him before Connolly. Bit on the fence with Parrott despite being a vocal supporter of him as not sure how to fit him in going forward. He has worked best as part of a front two for us – but Ferguson, who we all want on the pitch, works best when flanked by two wide players. Would be open to trying Parrot as the advanced midfielder in a 3, but otherwise he needs to show more versatility and consistently perform at (a higher) club level to motivate his squad inclusion.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I see your Alan Browne and raise you a Jack Taylor thunderblaster reel Pineappler, with a few assists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsJdqkFOKzE

---

Oh not trying to rain on the Taylor parade. He's in the discussion for sure. I'd share Strongbow10's concerns that he's not established himself with a decent Championship team yet. And the counter argument you made about Molumby and Cullen not getting their games and Knight being picked while in L1 are valid too.

We're basically not very good...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

We're basically not very good...

---

Our midfield isnt very good and its set up perfectly for Taylor to make himself our main man if he can find a bit of consistency. That highlight reel is better than the rest of the squad put together could muster. Hes also got size which we are badly missing. Hopefully McKenna can get the best out of him, although from our point of view it would be better if they didnt get promoted just yet, he probably wouldnt get much Premiership game time.

His age doesnt bother me too much, at 26 hes played plenty of football but sometimes lads dont develop until a bit later or it may take time to find the right club situation. Townsend, Holland, Kinsella, Wes were all in their mid to late 20s before they became important midfield players for us. And now in a position of real need for us Taylor, along with Azaz and Moran, could give us a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel

A lot of those clips are in League One I think - which we've already generally decided is below the standard we need. I've done up highlights reels for players and I take them with a pinch of salt!

As I say, not dismissing the guy entirely - but it says a bit that a 26-year-old with just five starts all season in his second Championship campaign (the other one ending in sound relegation) is a genuine squad contender. And as you say, there's a couple of other possibilities in that position now.

I think someone to hold the midfield together is a bigger priority at the moment though.

But again, not dismissing Taylor; he's there or thereabouts.

I agree that while he was in L1 he wasnt a realistic contender, even though a lot of those strikes go in no matter what league it is. As CTP also pointed out picking players from L1 hasnt been beneath us of late. Im also not saying hes been unfairly left out of squads to this point either though, but when we survey the landscape of whats out there that could help us improve he is a lad that stands out that has traits that we are missing and hes on an upward trajectory while others like Molumby have stagnated.

Yep - not disagreeing with much of that alright. (At a higher level you don't get the chance to take those shots in the first place remember). Though it does back up my "We're not very good" comment you were replying to earlier I think!

Yep agree that our midfield especially isnt very good. Cullen has fallen off a cliff, Molumby treading water a bit, Browne is Browne (just grand).

But its not all bad either. Smallbone having a decent season in a team that are now pushing for promotion. Knight having a very good, if unspectacular, season at Bristol. Azaz has been excellent and earned a decent move. Moran been inconsistent but shows flashes of brilliance and Taylor getting more minutes as season goes on in a very good Ipswich team.

Cullen starting tonight, and has captained Burnley at times this season.

He remains a very important player for us, and I would suggest it perhaps a little overdramatic to characterise his career as having 'fallen off a cliff'.

Surprised no-one has mentioned Baba Adeeko and Connor Ronan as potential midfield options given their form over recent months. Both generally playing at 6 too, I believe.

Time to look at different options and they must be considered to be in the shakeup.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trequartista20

Cullen starting tonight, and has captained Burnley at times this season.

He remains a very important player for us, and I would suggest it perhaps a little overdramatic to characterise his career as having 'fallen off a cliff'.

Surprised no-one has mentioned Baba Adeeko and Connor Ronan as potential midfield options given their form over recent months. Both generally playing at 6 too, I believe.

Time to look at different options and they must be considered to be in the shakeup.

---

Ronan being in MLS means he is out of sight and mind and there are concerns over the calibre of the league. Test managed to give a mention to Jon Gallagher of the MLS too, though he has beat that drum a few times so I'm wondering if they are related or something...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Ronan being in MLS means he is out of sight and mind and there are concerns over the calibre of the league. Test managed to give a mention to Jon Gallagher of the MLS too, though he has beat that drum a few times so I'm wondering if they are related or something...

---

Is ronan playing as a 6 in mls? If he is it would be interesting to see his tackle rate

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by liamoo11

Is ronan playing as a 6 in mls? If he is it would be interesting to see his tackle rate

---

11 assists so his assist rate is decent at 1 in 3. It does look like he was playing in the 2 of a 4-2-3-1.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trequartista20

Cullen starting tonight, and has captained Burnley at times this season.

He remains a very important player for us, and I would suggest it perhaps a little overdramatic to characterise his career as having 'fallen off a cliff'.

Surprised no-one has mentioned Baba Adeeko and Connor Ronan as potential midfield options given their form over recent months. Both generally playing at 6 too, I believe.

Time to look at different options and they must be considered to be in the shakeup.

---

His performances for us in last year were a lot worse than previously, hence my fallen off a cliff comment