If a person was honest and could go back in time one would not say no to Keane, Rice or Grealish.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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
But wouldn't they be English born? Certainly a flight risk!
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.But wouldn't they be English born? Certainly a flight risk!
Repeated conversations about Declan Rice and Jack Grealish and 'what could have been'.
I'd say dinner in Nigel-Harps house can be a nervous affair when you're in a bad mood.
Yep, was going to asy something similar. It's only conversation Nigel! Recording mustn't have gone well today
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...
... although FWIW, I think this is a very good analysis of that hypothetical situation - thanks ES
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.
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