Jack Grealish

[tricky_colour]

Lovely piece that. All shades of Irishness there and, apart from Heighway, a large degree of pride and satisfaction in their decisions. That said, footie has lost its soul over the last 15-20 years and players and their agents control the game and make calculated, self centred decisions. There's an innocence to a lot of those tales that is admirable but sadly lost to us.

Has it crossed anyone's mind Jack may not be too keen on play for either England or Ireland?

Clubs tend to come first these days and a lot of managers would rather their players concentrated on playing for their club

[DannyInvincible]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-31217960.html

Grealish u-turn after Sherwood intervention?

The Irish Independent has learned that the 19-year-old Aston Villa player had agreed to be named in the squad for the June games with England and Scotland only to withdraw early yesterday.

It is believed that Grealish's father Kevin had made the agreement with O'Neill on Monday evening, only to have a change of heart yesterday.

Sources have claimed that the withdrawal followed a late intervention by Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood.

So, had Grealish definitely agreed to be in the squad at one point on Monday night (despite his break) before then changing his mind last-minute (possibly after having had a conversation with Sherwood on Tuesday morning)? His father seemed to suggest that the answer to Martin always had been 'no' and that it always would have been 'no', irrespective of who was asking it. But this can't be true if there was an agreement to join the squad on Monday night and then a U-turn.

[TrapAPony]

So, had Grealish definitely agreed to be in the squad at one point on Monday night (despite his break) before then changing his mind last-minute (possibly after having had a conversation with Sherwood on Tuesday morning)? His father seemed to suggest that the answer to Martin always had been 'no' and that it always would have been 'no', irrespective of who was asking it. But this can't be true if there was an agreement to join the squad on Monday night and then a U-turn.

Ya, heard his father only came out with the statement re always been "no" just to protect Sherwood the man who Jack has a lot of time for due to giving him his big break at Villa. Nobody was meant to know about Sherwood talking Jack into a u-turn. The call from Sherwood was allegedly the reason why Martin O'Neill was 40 or so mins late for the Press conference. It's all ifs, buts & maybes but either Sherwood wants Jack to avoid the media frenzy of a possible call-up v England or he talked him into a u-turn to keep him available for Southgate/Hodgson.

[DannyInvincible]

Tim "Roberto Martinez" Sherwood!

[the doc]

Time we told the little runt and chav Snr where to go!
I'm with Kenny C and BoD on this one.

About time posters on here showed some pride and self respect for their country instead of making painfully embarrassing reasons why the runt isn't declaring.

He's just another James McClean

Do you honestly think he would be accepted by the senior players after the way he's gone about things?

One word "No"

[shakermaker1982]

Didn't you threaten to play for the North Sean?

[DannyInvincible]

Didn't you threaten to play for the North Sean?

Can't understand why there is no place for Preston's Sean St Ledger who is in outstanding form right now.
Strange indeed, spoke to a coach in the game who told me, that Kerr had been keen to get him into the set up when he was in charge and that many in the game rate him as a better player than McShane and Bruce.
Could be a big loss if Ireland don't play him soon as he is also eligible to play for the Northies too

Sean claims he was only saying it as deceptive bait in order to catch the FAI's attention but that he would never seriously have considered playing for NI. How's that for respect for your country?

[shakermaker1982]

All this media nonsense would go away if he just came out with a 'I still want to play for Ireland'. Would kill the speculation dead. Instead people are making up rubbish, blaming MON, blaming Sherwood etc.

If the lad wants to play for us brilliant.

If not we move on.

I was born in England but to two Irish parents. I've only ever supported Ireland. Only attended Ireland games and would only consider playing for Ireland. The success of the two respective nations wouldn't even enter my head - I hope Grealish is thinking the same way. However every individual is different and I respect whatever decision he has gone with - however he must surely know NOW.

He may be still a youngster but he's still a man. He can vote, drink or have kids. He should know where his heart lies and he doesn't need his dad doing all the talking for him. Christ - He's only played a handful of games and his dad is quoted more than Messi and Ronaldo put together!

There was an interview with Southgate a few weeks ago on sky and he said they won't be begging him to play for England. We shouldn't either. We called him up and it appears that he said no. If it's a 'I'm not sure no' then we move on. If it was a 'No, not now but in September I'm up for it' then fair enough call him up then....but the management team shouldn't be going begging. Despite what that idiot Dunphy thinks.

[DannyInvincible]

All this media nonsense would go away if he just came out with a 'I still want to play for Ireland'. Would kill the speculation dead. Instead people are making up rubbish, blaming MON, blaming Sherwood etc.

I dunno. People and the media will always speculate; it's human nature to let our emotional/irrational side run wild sometimes. The media did the same with McCarthy and demands were made of McCarthy on this forum to explain himself and put the rumours of a potential switch to Scotland to bed, in spite of the fact he had done nothing wrong and the media were simply whipping up the paranoia. I can see why players mightn't be too keen on coming out to deny or confirm every item of speculation in the media; it'd be never-ending. Why would they bother engaging with a beast that has little respect for them? It's not Grealish who owes the media an explanation; it's the media who owe him a bit of time and respect. The same applies to us fans. He's told us he hopes to be back in September. Leave him be 'til then.

[Stuttgart88]

Big games coming up, yet another week dominated by a player not playing for us.

I have a hunch he will play for us but that's only a guess.

[DannyInvincible]

Big games coming up, yet another week dominated by a player not playing for us.

I have a hunch he will play for us but that's only a guess.

To be honest, my hunch is that he will too. If Sherwood got involved last-minute and Grealish performed the U-turn solely on the basis of that, but otherwise was happy to join up, I'd have to think it was to protect his player rather than to maliciously scupper the possibility of him playing for Ireland. Whatever about managers having been pushy on matters like this in the past, it would be completely unprofessional of Sherwood in this day and age to interfere maliciously; he has been very clear about it being completely Jack's decision and spoke of how he had the same experience with Bentaleb, who had a decision to make between France and Algeria, at Spurs. He advised Bentaleb of the same; to go with whatever he personally felt was preferable as it was completely the player's decision. O'Neill was also referring to Sherwood on first-name terms during the press conference, which has me thinking there could be an understanding there. Perhaps I'm reading too much into that. We'll see. I just hope the needless and completely unconstructive abuse won't have soured his fondness for Ireland.

[OwlsFan]

Big games coming up, yet another week dominated by a player not playing for us.

I have a hunch he will play for us but that's only a guess.

How successful are your hunches?

[paul_oshea]

His dad had agreed to have him included, and then spoke with Jack who said "what the fcuk are you doing again, interfering, I never said I would play for the senior team, go back and tell them straight away", sheepishly he found the courage to tell Martin about the "U turn"

Shaker he is old enough for sure, its obvious he is hedging his bets, as he still unsure of an England call, and whether he would definitely want the abuse that follows playing for England.

Bentelab, couldn't have played for England though, and Sherwood is English, I am not sure about the Sherwood thing either though to be honest.

And in your last piece, you miss the point of international football and playing for your country if "he said he will play in september leave him be till then", its a patriotic duty, an honour, not a job or a chore.

[IsMiseSean]

Time we told the little runt and chav Snr where to go!
I'm with Kenny C and BoD on this one.

About time posters on here showed some pride and self respect for their country instead of making painfully embarrassing reasons why the runt isn't declaring.

He's just another James McClean

Is this what foot.ie is coming too?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

A few things....

Hedging his bets by coming back to play for the Under 21's in September, while continuing to dodge senior duty is not an affirmation of anything IMO. Nor is a banality like (paraphrasing) "I hope to be in the green again" when he is picking up an award at a ceremony. "Hope". If he wanted to play for Ireland at any stage over the last 9 months, he could have.

They say they agreed with Noel King all along that the plan was to take a year out, but several things have happened since, that are common knowledge and don't need any elaboration (I will if I have to), to contradict this.

Things have come full circle with the Roy Keane comments, I see. When he made those comments, I detected the sound of frustration with the Grealish's behavior. People responded that Keane's tone when he said it was jocular. Now, it is being used as a stick to beat MON & Keane with. Which is it?

What is happening is not Keane, O'Neill or Sherwood's fault. He is a grown man and needs to make a firm decision one way or other because this entire situation is getting ridiculous.

I don't want to hear any more excuses in September as I suspect will happen, e.g. trying to win a new contract, e.g. trying to win place in the Villa team e.g. trying to keep Villa up.

Make a flipping decision.

He doesn't owe us anything? Maybe he owes a debt of gratitude for taking the place of players who actually wanted to play for their country when he was capped at underage level.

We have several crunch games coming up over the next several months and I just want this circus to end. He's had years to contemplate this, but it all comes across, now, as cynical TBCH. Nobody will begrudge him playing for who he feels comfortable playing with.

Make the decision.

[TrapAPony]

He could easily have played the Northern Ireland match (perfect way to ease him into the senior fold), skip the English match due to potential media frenzy but be available to play against the Scots if he was actually keen on playing for us. This September deadline is ridiculous. Who needs that long to think about things? He should know by now what he wants to do.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He hasn't just had the last 9 months to consider this. He has had his entire career up to now to consider this. The inference is that he will still be considering this well past September if he goes back to the Under-21 team.

Maybe we should play him at his own game and give him an ultimatum. Have him come back with his tail between his legs looking for a call up when he reaches his 26th birthday without an England cap.

[Charlie Darwin]

I rather assumed the 12-month break is so he doesn't have to think about it.

[TrapAPony]

Tim Sherwood speaks about the situation :

Tim Sherwood insists Jack Grealish has not yet ruled out representing the Republic of Ireland despite his decision not to accept a first senior call-up.

The Aston Villa boss confirmed the talented teenager has still not yet decided on his international future with both Ireland and England keen.
Martin O’Neill was ready to include the 19-year-old in his squad this week only to be left ‘disappointed’ when Grealish said no.
“I don’t think Jack didn’t want to play for Ireland, I don’t think he didn’t want to play for England or Brazil either,” said Sherwood.
“In that case was he was always going to decide on his international future at the end of this season.

"He’s got three very important games to take care of for Aston Villa. His concentration is fully on that.
“His international career will be put on hold. Jack hasn’t made his mind up what country he wants to represent. The good news is they all want him.

“It’s a decision only Jack has to make in a cool, calm situation at the end of this season.”
Sherwood confirmed Grealish won’t play any international games next month and admits he will not offer him any guidance on the decision.

“It’s only Jack and his family who can make that,” he said.
“If he wants guidance from me, unfortunately I can’t give it him. Jack has to know who he wants to represent.

“It’s not a slant on Ireland, England or anyone. He will make his decision.
“He’s good enough to play international football but he’s putting that on hold.”

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/spor...a-boss-9257699

[the doc]

Sean claims he was only saying it as deceptive bait in order to catch the FAI's attention but that he would never seriously have considered playing for NI. How's that for respect for your country?

I'd say that's showing a great respect and desire to play for your country.

Shows determination to find a way to get the powers that be to wake up and select you.

Plus at that time Trap was listening too much to DG, hence Alex Bruce's inclusion in the ROI squads.

I could go on Danno, but it would be lost on you.

Why don't you go back to your bedroom and dream of Jacko in a green shirt!

"Who's Bad!"