Good shout. I doubt Halgrimsson would throw him straight into a starting role but is he a better option than Molumby or Taylor? There’s certainly an argument there and at bare minimum should be in the squad if needed off the bench as Taylor in particular seems to run out of gas.
Well, for one thing, he seems to be playing right back these days. But yeah, much as I've never really been impressed when he has started in midfield for us, he has had some good moments as an impact sub. Add in his versatility and he's a useful squad option for sure. A solid Championship performer who is not Premier League quality, but that in itself puts him on a par with plenty of our squad regulars.
He's having a resurgence recently though right? I think we all stopped talking about him because he fell out of favour at Sunderland. Great to see him on a good run and he should definitely be an option considering his experience and being no stranger to internationals
Scored already and having a great game. Definitely putting himself in the window for March
I would 100% have Browne in the squad
Folding my way into the big money!!!
We exist in a polarising world at present, especially when it comes to opinions, which shows no sign of relenting. Football is not immune to the effects of this. Players are either brilliant, or they're ****, or they were brilliant and are now ****. More often than not, the reality is that they were actually neither to begin with.
When it comes to Ireland players, we often hear 'such-and-such' should not be in a squad; not because of the merits of their place in the current pecking order, but because of what is perceived to be needed based on what we expected from the incumbents peers in the past. That's fine and dandy, but we are dealing in the here and now.
I think this possibly applies to Alan Browne. Personally I like him, and I think his place in the squad was justified when he was fit and playing week-in, week-out. He's clearly a leader and is not afraid to step up to the plate.
When I think of him I think of the Serbia away match under Kenny. He had some great moments, some bad moments and kept on going before being subbed off exhausted. He's symbolic of where we are and what we are.
If I question Liam Scales ability to play intl football, refer me to this signature & his peformance at home at lb vs Port on Nov 13 2025.
Signed
Kingdom.
Named championship player of the month by sky. With Lawal and Cullen injured I'd say he's guaranteed a squad place and has a good shot of starting
Yeah, his absence is maybe not as confusing as Manning's extended absence under Kenny, but it's certainly confusing. He's a decent, versatile player. Not a world beater, but has to be one of our best options at the moment. I think he's not even been called up since starting HH's second game?
Solid and dependable. This crop’s David Meyler.
Should be in squad and possibly starting
He has generally been poor when he has started for Ireland. That, combined with mediocre club form until recently, is why he lost his place. But, on current form, he's a useful bench option, particularly for his versatility.
I'd agreed with ER, he was nowhere to be seen there for a while so I don't think HH has been wrong about him. Form should dictate being called up and HH has been pretty consistent on that front
He’s been ok. He was probably poor at times but most of the team were during that Stephen Kenny period.Originally Posted by Eirambler
He played well against Scotland I remember. If you watch that back on YouTube, we were brilliant at time but so frustrating also. It was the era/trend of keepers never kicking the ball out long and we were crap at it. Almost conceded a few times in that game alone.
Looks like he was proabably unlucky with injuries around our international windows:
- HH has had 16 matches across 8 meetups.
- Sep/24 Nations League (2): Started both games
- Oct/24 Nations League (2): Knee injury, only played ~50 mins of club action, Not in squad
- Nov/24 Nations League (2): Broken Leg
- Mar/25 Nations League P/O (2): Only played ~130 mins of club action, Not in squad
- Jun/25 Friendlies (2): Lots of champship players given rest, although he was in playoffs and wasn't specificially omitted.
- Sep/25 WC Qual (2): Had just joined Middlesbrough, squad settled?
- Oct/25 WC Qual (2): Dunno
- Nov/25 WC Qual (2): Next time Alan
Last edited by pixiehead; 16/02/2026 at 12:16 PM.
Another goal today and 90 mins in a 4-0 win at QPR. On a good run of form and can fill a few problem positions for us.
A cert for the squad?
I'd say so, especially with our injury issues. Not sure I'd want to see him starting, but he's certainly a useful option to have on the bench given his versatility. And he has had some good cameos for Ireland as a sub in the past.
Agreed. Shouldn't start but would be good to replace a striker if we're protecting a lead or in general as fresh legs
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