Let’s face it, we’re giving opportunities to people playing at a lower level. I’d be happy to take a look at him, but maybe it’s just too late as we look to Euro 2024 campaign.
Perhaps at 32 he just doesn’t fall into the rebuild.
I think that's a really bad reason - sorry you'll be too old in two years, so we're not going to play you against Azerbaijan or Qatar in three weeks
We need wins now and he's playing at a higher level than at least half of the midfielders named in the last squad - https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/skip...through-injury
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick(Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa - on loan at Sheffield United), Harry Arter(Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath(St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby(Brighton and Hove Albion - on loan at West Brom), Alan Browne(Preston North End)
It just depends who he’s getting in ahead of. If we’re picking Carey over Arter, that doesn’t bother me at all. If a guy like McGrath loses out on minutes I just think that’s really shortsighted given this campaign is a write off.
Cap the gallagher lad in the US
Travel restrictions mean this is unlikely in the immediate future
Is he playing at a higher level? The Bulgarian league is ranked 24th in Europe, Scotland is ranked 9th for comparison.
If the Championship and L1 were standalone leagues, the Championship would certainly rank higher than the Bulgarian league (look at the finances), and arguably L1 would also rank higher.
Probably. But you could counter all this by saying he ripped up League One and produced against a Serie A side. We were also dreadful against a Bulgarian side containing a lot of home based players whilst we had a PL and Championship laden team.
Not pushing for Carey. Haven't seen him play. And he's 32. You'd wonder if he had chosen his move after Plymouth a little differently would he have been called in. I see Poland had an MLS striker beside Lewandowski the other night. Slovakia have an MLS winger. Guys that produce well and consistently there (Gallagher is hardly consistent there yet is he?) Do get picked in Europe. It's all hard to compare.
But did he rip up L1 and produce against a Serie A side? He scored against Roma last night, a game CSKA lost 5-1 - score line alone suggests a class difference, hard to argue a player on the losing side produced for 90mins. Too many posts here are about lads scoring the night before and demanding inclusion in the squads. A goal catches headlines, but says little about their actual game and capability/ suitability for international football.
I haven't said you personally are demanding inclusion. You did write in your initial post "I'm not pushing for his inclusion". My initial post was a counter to the statement that Carey is playing at a higher level than half the squad (midfielders) recently selected - which is questionable at best. This statement was made on the back of the goal headline from the previous night. But as you said, you have not seen Carey play and that's basically the point being made here. Demands for callups are being made on headlines.
He's scoring goals which is important and as Tets said, yesterday's was quality. I suspect his ship has sailed though. I'm more excited by Scully tbh. Yes, he's doing well "only" in League One but his eye for goal is proven and let's face it, if Idah and Connolly were parachuted down to that level right now would either be doing as well? Scully is probably doing better than Parrott at the same level - and maybe a worse team? - and Parrott is starting for us.
In general, I just don't think we have the luxury of looking down our noses at the Bulgarian league or League One these days. He'd probably already have 7 or 8 goals for NI at this stage if he was one of theirs.
Sure, judge the player on individual merits rather than the club address.
Carey played 1217mins domestically (league) for CSKA last season, averaging 50mins per appearance over 25 league appearances. 1 goal scored, sub’ed in 11 times, sub’ed out 6 times, unused sub 4 times.
In contrast, and using Jamie McGrath’s name as it was in bold in the initial post and they are in the same position, McGrath played 2840 league mins for St Mirren, 35 appearances with an average time of pitch of 81 minutes. Ten goals to his name, sub’ed in just once/ sub’ed out 10 times. Used in every game when available.
Scotland is a higher ranked league than Bulgaria, and the stats above show McGrath is a key player for St Mirren while Carey is more a squad player (goal against Roma aside).
And yes, Anthony Scully can be something with time. Just looking for more reasoning as to why player X should be called up than “he scored last night”.
Best of luck to Graham Carey and everything, but honestly is isn't (or at least shouldn't be) within a mile of the Ireland squad, especially given his age.
has anyone here seen Carey play much?
True, he would not be part of the rebuild at this stage. But I just wish he'd been given a chance before now. I've followed his career since he was at Plymouth. Looked like a really decent player but typical of us (as was the case with Wes) we wait until it's too late.
Wouldn't bother me if he was playing in the Leinster Senior League. If he has the tools for the job then give him a shot. Under normal circumstances, Jack Byrne, as a LOI player should be nowhere near the national team, but he is because of our utter lack of creativity in that department. So why not Carey?
Bookmarks