Under-21 Squad

[tetsujin1979]

Sweden have announced their U21 squad for two friendlies against Ireland in Marbella

[tetsujin1979]

The U21 squad has been named
Some interesting names

[Eirambler]

Even allowing for the two year age change that squad is an enormous step down from the last group, and indeed from all three of the last Under 21 groups, going right back to Kenny's squad with Kelleher, O'Shea, Molumby etc. it's not as though loads are missing because they have already progressed to the seniors either - just Ferguson missing for that reason.

I suppose things had to regress back to the mean at some point, though it's notable that this is also the first post-Brexit deal Under 21 squad, these are the first group that couldn't go to England at 16 or 17.

[ifk101]

Good to see Zefi included. Thought he was gone?

[Joxerbrowne]

Even allowing for the two year age change that squad is an enormous step down from the last group, and indeed from all three of the last Under 21 groups, going right back to Kenny's squad with Kelleher, O'Shea, Molumby etc. it's not as though loads are missing because they have already progressed to the seniors either - just Ferguson missing for that reason.

I suppose things had to regress back to the mean at some point, though it's notable that this is also the first post-Brexit deal Under 21 squad, these are the first group that couldn't go to England at 16 or 17.

Loads missing from this squad who are eligible. All the current u19s squad are not included, many of which will feature including likes of Melia, Moloney, Akachukwu and Kone-Doherty etc, they will have another year's experience under there belt by the time qualifying comes around also.

[Eirambler]

To be involved again for another campaign, I'm over the moon.

Well, that makes one of us.

[tetsujin1979]

Lineup for the U21s v Sweden, kick off is at 2

[passinginterest]

Based on the highlights could have won by a lot more than 3-2. Created lots of chances. Will be very disappointed that they conceded twice from basic set pieces.

[OMTY]

https://www.fai.ie/latest/fai-agree-...-jim-crawford/

Crawford signs extension to take team through 2027 qualifiers.

[Eirambler]

Rewarding failure - sadly this was inevitable. Having already blown three qualification opportunities with standout Under 21 teams it will be interesting to see how he gets on with what appears to be a more average crop this time around.

I predict...excuses.

[rebelmusic]

I had a similar reaction when I saw it. The only thing I can see that has 'improved' is we're not hearing stories of losing players because they had a bad relationship with the U21 manager like we used to.

I know Don Givens is a really low bar for comparison but I do think our underage systems has dramatically improved over the last few years

[Eirambler]

I heard Kenny had to call up Festy to the seniors at one point to keep him on board, as he had supposedly fallen out with Crawford. Not 100% sure if that is correct or not though.

[tetsujin1979]

Zefi starting for Roma's U20s against Torino in the Primavera at the moment. Interestingly Senan Mullen, formerly of Dundalk, is lining out for Torino

[tetsujin1979]

Scotland U21 squad named to face Ireland in a friendly

[elatedscum]

I'd like to see:

Wogan, Walsh and Maguire as the keepers

Curtis and O'Brien as the right backs
Grehan, Okagbue, Heffernan and Otegbayo as centre halves (assuming Abankwah's call-up is true)
Murphy and Slater as left backs

Centre midfield is tough: Moorhouse, Mullins and O'Brien-Whitmarsh should make it. Then it's two, three or four of Nzingo, Vaughan, Ferizaj, Lipsiuc, McJannett and Coleman (think I'm excluding Coleman and maybe Nzingo or Lipsiuc?).

Wingers: Umeh, Zefi and Moore. Assuming Vata is a senior, let's make Thibaut the fourth winger (even though Zefi's non-call up has been leaked)

Strikers: Mark O'Mahony leads the line with Nathan Fraser as the alternate if he's fit and wants it. Eoin Kenny the other option for me.

Very curious how different the squad will be...

[Eirambler]

That's such a weak squad compared to the last three campaigns. Expect it will have to be padded out with Under 19s and even younger players from very early on in the qualifying campaign.

[pateen]

When is the squad announced?

[Razors left peg]

Jack Moorhouse in the squad. Delighted to see that

[tetsujin1979]

Feels like a step down in overall quality from the previous U21 squad

[Razors left peg]

Feels like a step down in overall quality from the previous U21 squad

If you get 2 or 3 full international out of the u21s it's a success. We've been lucky in recent years to have quite a bit more than that. There is good potential in this squad, but maybe some of the names are not as well known. Moorhouse and Slater were on bench in Premiership just in the last week