Bring back Stephen Kenny!
Ireland U-21s losing 2-0 to Italy U-21s? jeeeeeeez!
Folding my way into the big money!!!
Bring back Stephen Kenny!
Tallaght Stadium Regular
Usually if you get 2 or 3 players from u21s that step up to seniors its a good return. We've had 9 from this group I believe if Kelliher is included. Some still won't kick on but I'm not sure we will get too many more from the team that played here today, but thats ok. The 21s is only a development squad and it's done its job even if we don't qualify
Italy saw it out comfortably enough. The chance at the start of the second half was probably the key, Collins almost on the end of the free kick and then the defender lucky not to put it in his own net. Other than that, didn't see to create a lot and Italy took the second goal well, old school beat the defender and cut it back along the six yard box.
Tallaght Stadium Regular
Tight group. 2 wins needed now for 2nd and hoping Sweden don’t beat Italy.
Scrap that. 2 wins does it.
To add insult to injury, one of the guys who scored was called Patrick
Some strength in depth in and around that Italian age group when factoring in lads already playing for the seniors, those not available and today’s squad. Patrick Cutrone would be an incredible addition to our senior squad. Fabrotta has played in Juve’s last few league games, Tonali just signed for Milan who paid serious money just to loan him for the year.
If the day ever comes that we can expect us to beat the Italy u21S or too a group containing them you would think it would have to be our greatest ever batch of u21s.
I think people need to calm down a little after this result.
For 53 minutes or so it was very even and then Italy got their 2nd goal and I think the Irish heads went down and Italy grew more into the game, no matter how strong an Italy team is they are the masters of closing out matches and once they went 2 up they closed it out.
It was just one of those days and it would be foolish to read too much into it, over the 90 we were just too naive and Italy were much more streetwise and that was the difference.
In fairness, a team that had Connolly, Idah, Parrott, Molumby, Knight, O’Shea and Travers/Kelleher might
Exactly this. The top players from this group are the best prospects we've had since Kerrs underage winning teams, and possibly better. They have all moved on even though most of them are young enough to play at this level for another 2 or 3 years.Originally Posted by elatedscum
If we had the team lined out that we had earlier in the group we could definitely have expected to win today
Wasn’t the worst performance. Thought Elbouzedi was good. Few players justified their selection though. Bazunu didn’t do much wrong I guess. Maybe it’s the lack of Kenny, dunno.
L O’Connor and Leahy, it was probably their worst game for the 21s. They weren’t terrible but they weren’t very good either.
Masterson was at fault for the first goal, Collins at fault in other moments.
Coventry was poor in possession, and never really did much to dictate. his worst games for the 21s.
Taylor struggled more than I’d expect.
Ronan was good at times but also poor on occasion
Smallbone largely anonymous. Maybe he’d have done better in the centre.
Obafemi’s touch was dreadful.
Feel like it was all 5/10 and 6/10 except for Zack...
Sweden go goal crazy against Armenia
https://www.uefa.com/under21/match/2026688/
I think the irish team that beat the Swedes both games would have beaten Italy or at worst draw.
It's a tight group and with a postponed game awaiting an outcome from UEFA.
Will that irish team beat a tight Icelandic outfit? I wouldn't count on it. And Sweden presumably after beating Armenia in November will be highly motivated and fancy themselves to beat Italy.
I think it’s more likely than less likely some players will be back. We have 35 players called up + Parrott, who was ahead of others called up prior to injury. Not impossible but highly unlikely we’ll need as many players...
One thing I just don't understand. Kenny said he didn't call up Obafemi because he couldn't play the lone striker role and he hadn't enough experience of playing right side of a three man forward line. So then we go and pick him as the 9 for the 21s, so he still doesn't get the experience on the right? I'm far from convinced that Obafemi is the top level player some think he is, but regardless that selection at 9 made no sense at all. He needed to play on the right with one of Ronan and Smallbone at 10 and the other not starting.
Keane O'Shea Given Best Smallbone
Not sure Obafemi is suited to the right side either - lacks that guile/ trickery needed. Probably needs to play off somebody in a front 2 to get the best out of him.
Won’t the first 4 be in the senior squad in the next intl. window?
They should really consider letting them play for the U21s next window. We're so close to qualifying for the first time ever and the experience for the lads at a proper summer finals tournament could be invaluable.
I would play our absolute best hand in the Iceland game.
And call Obafemi up for the seniors. Keep him happy and keep him as far away as possible from the U21s
Yeah the senior team should be the U21 B team, good plan.
(I know the Obafemi comment was a joke btw, but definitely seem to be a call to prioritise the U21 over the Senior team and i don't get it).
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