Today has been an absolute farce. The lad should have been left alone to make up his mind over the summer. Trying to force his hand has made us look like right mugs.
What was the goal here in trying to pidgeon hole him into a green jersey against England and Scotland? It was never a proposition he could never, as a player plying his trade in England and the subject of such intense scrutiny by the English media, have accepted.
And who the f*ck leaked the news? Amateur hour again from folks within the Irish set-up (I am not blaming the management team).
Anyway, it is pretty clear that we should be kissing Grealish goodbye as one of ours. The kid is clearly not placing us first.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
I don't know why this has been brought up again today. It shouldn't be an issue. He's on an international break and said he hopes to be back in September. I thought that agreement was being respected? If he goes back on his word then, OK, make an issue of it then, but it shouldn't be an issue now. Now he's being accused of "turning his back on us". Nonsense. He was placed in an unreasonable situation that was in breach of what was agreed previously. If we were going to try and bring him in now, it should never have been made known to the media/public. Now we look like we've been trying to pressure him, contrary to what was agreed, and he's won enemies up and down the country for having done absolutely nothing wrong and simply having stuck to his word. What were we expecting?
It's difficult to know what way to handle it. I would say MON and Keane are doing about as well as could be expected in that regard.
It's pretty aggravating having to be dealing with this carry on at this juncture of a qualifying campaign.
Coming up on 8 months and there is still no decision on what country he is going to declare for. The closest we have come to getting any clarity on the issue is that he hinted at playing for the U-21 national team again in September, so he can prolong the issue further.
I know there is no loyalty or sentimentality in this sport, so I am not going to whinge about him showing no reciprocation for the loyalty and time invested in him all through the underage levels, but he needs to start showing a bit of maturity and respect, and clarify the issue in a few months time.
Either go forward with England, or stick with Ireland, and everyone will respect the decision.
If he starts playing for the U-21's again while continuing to snub the senior team, it is only going to - rightly - wind people up.
It really is a sad state of affairs that this has to be a contentious point when we are fighting tooth and nail for Euro Qualification. A decision could have been made at the awards, but we had to settle for a bit less ambiguity.
I'm getting sick of the indulgence of them and having our country's football team taking a back seat to this melodrama TBH.
Last edited by TheOneWhoKnocks; 12/05/2015 at 3:23 PM.
http://www.independent.ie/videos/spo...-31216321.html
The "expert" view from McDonnell and Hyland.
I think the media are making a mountain out of a mole hill. We called him up and he turned us down. That's the long and the short of it. In fairness I kind of see the lads point of view. He probably chose us as an easier option of playing international football but now things change. Now he has a chance to play for England and let's be honest, England have a higher profile and a better chance of playing in major tournaments. Imagine if it was club football and we were Norwich and England were Spurs. You would forgive a player for wanted to weigh up his options. This isn't any different from players from Northern Ireland deciding to play for the Republic of Ireland.
IMO I think he is holding out for England and that's the frustrating part. Most people just wish he'd give an answer. It's the waiting we can't stand. I think it's best if we move on and forget about it. If he decides in September it's us they well and good, if not, we'll move on.
Is it fair to suggest that IF England called him up today , that Jack would have given them the same answer that he gave MON?
Interesting that Hyland says in TOWKs video above that if Jack commits there is a good chance Patrick Bamford will also. So it looks like we either get zero or two.
"We lost because we didn't win"- Ronaldo
if we don't beat scotland now at least we won't have people saying 'if only o'neill had called up grealish' for the match.
which will be of little comfort!
Whether that be the case or not - Grealish clearly stated to all concerned that he wouldnt be returning to INTL football until september - so he should have been left well enough alone until then
It looks like we are trying to pressure him into choosing by trying to call him up now - he should be left alone until september
I don't really see the big deal as far as MO'N and his management is concerned. O'Neil will call up the best players available to him and Grealish currently fits that bill. Up to him whether he accepts it or not. I personally still think he will play for Ireland.
The British media are running with this. BBC already have the headline 'O'Neil disappointed with Grealish', erm, that's not what he said...
You've got no fans.
Right. It's done. He's going with England. I give him my blessing in the gloating knowledge that consequently, he's consigned himself to Adam Johnson's career now.... (Less the, erm, "unpleasantness".)...
I find all these goings on both pathetic and disrespectful.
Can't believe some of the posters on here making excuses as to why he hasn't declared, show some pride for your country and stop pandering to someone who is clearly using us as his second choice.
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