Originally Posted by 4tothefloor
QuoteAgree entirely when it comes to calling up the very average Barrett. Has done nothing to warrant a call up this season.
Although I have always argued against EL players in the national side was dissapointed not too see any in the squad. In such a huge squad and 3 games in a short period of time it is a perfect opportunity to put the arguement to bed and let some EL players prove their worth. I don't think anyone on this forum is against the EL improving but to put players who are not up to International standard in the squad just because they play in Ireland would be detrimental to the national team. Our domestic league simply is good enough yet. Seeing as improving the league is to the end of improving the national team this is hard to justify. Brian Kerr knows more of the EL than anyone. Football fans generally aren't interested in long term goals in less they have to be. As Lopez said it's the old chicken and the egg thing. We are a very small nation with soccer the 3rd choice sport(this being especially true outside the greater Dublin area and Cork). Denmark and Norway don't suffer this problem, nor do they have a huge European domestic league like England's scouting their schoolboy talent. Even then all their league's real stars go to England, Germany, etc as soon as they're spotted. Would love to see a truly powerful EL but perhaps we have unrealistic aims. 3rd choice sport in a country of 4 million vs first choice sport in a country of 60 Million.
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