I wonder is there a particular reason for leaving Josh Barrett out, based on club appearances he's miles ahead of Power.
Power from Ross county called up. Dont tink he has been involved much there. Surprised barrett not in he has been involved fairly consistently on the bench or playing for reading. I thought Farrugia was back fit with rovers but maybe not.
I wonder is there a particular reason for leaving Josh Barrett out, based on club appearances he's miles ahead of Power.
Yes, Power not inspiring much confidence. Did have a hamstring injury initially I think. But not getting a look in at a club like Ross County isn’t promising. Didn’t make match day squad at weekend. He has pace, but obviously hasn’t impressed with his other aspects of his game
Farrugia has been on the bench for Rovers in the last couple of weeks but hasn't gotten on the pitch. Understandable that he wouldn't be called up, as much as I like the boy and as well as he did against Luxembourg, he hasn't played since probably June.
Haven't seen anything from Power or Mallon yet that would make me believe in them. Barrett is the obvious option. I wonder has there been a falling out. He's playing well and regularly enough at a level very few of his squad are, maybe only Molumby.
Apart from him, Kian Flanagan is someone who I certainly would like to work with Kenny. Whenever i've seen him play, he's been excellent. Scully also seems to have good form. Personally, I've never seen Scully play but he was obviously a serious prospect a few years back and he's been nominated for the PL2's player of the month, so good for Kenny to work with him for a week and see what the kid is like...
I think in general, they've done that well, giving guys like Kearns, Cotter, Wilson, Carroll, McNamara, Ndaba, Lennon, Drinnan etc etc a chance for Kenny to see them and work with them, while still keeping a core group of about 16 lads throughout.
O'Dowda is an established player for us. He is a far better player than Aaron Connolly, like it or not. Do I think that Aaron has a promising future? Absoulutely I do and hopefully he will be a fixture in a green shirt for the next ten years. But Callum O'Dowda has far more experience than Aaron Connolly - he had played at a much higher level than Aaron for at least two years. By default he deserves a start ahead of Aaron Connolly in either of our upcoming games. Hogan - he was a prolific striker for Brentford but has had very poor fortunes over the last year and a half. He gets a goal every four or five games, if that. Perhaps Connolly has a 50/50 chance against Hogan but Hogan, like it or not, has way more experience than 19 year old Aaron.
Established at what, exactly? Being an average creative midfielder at Championship level? I like O’Dowda and want him to kick on but I haven’t really seen enough from him to suggest he could make it in one of Europe’s top leagues.
We don’t know if Connolly is a flash in the pan or the real deal. But I’d rather take a chance with a potential difference maker like Connolly over a guaranteed “make up the numbers” guy like O’Dowda.
I am a bit more open minded about Hogan vs. Connolly because I think there is genuine quality there if Hogan can get on a bit of a run (I realize this is a controversial view), and there’s something to be said about experience in a hostile away environment.
Harsh comments about O'Dowda :-) And unfair really.
O'Dowda is becoming our version of Jessie Lingard. Still being talked about as an up and coming young player, hes in his mid 20s and still not putting in consistent good performances.
My team for Thursday:
Kelleher, O’Connor, Collins, O’Shea, Ledwidge, Coventry, Molumby, Ronan, Afolabi (left), Obafemi (right), Parrott
Kenny will go for something similar apart from Masterson for Collins, and probably Kilkenny on the right, not sure who he’ll replace though. Connollys promotion is great, opens up vital space for others to develop. Thoughts?
Wouldn't be surprised if he tried to fit Idah in with Parrott playing off him and then spring either Obafemi or Afolabi from the bench in the second half.
Would be interesting if he didn't pick Collins if he's fit - the other two centre backs have established a decent partnership but he is moving ahead of them at club level despite being a couple of years younger.
He'll have a strong team out no matter which of them he picks, will be interesting to see how they get on against one of the top teams in Europe.
i see the sold out womens match tonight is only actually half full. if the same happens thurs there will be a lot of very annoyed fans who couldnt get their hands on a ticket
Trevor Clarke unlucky with timing,
Back from injury tonight, goal, assist and won a peno.
Only came in at halftime....
Speaking of Trev, was thinking, the lads might take some heart from this game two years back
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdfLiCVF3gg
If you ignore a certain dominant centre half, it's a good watch. Conor Levingston (no.6) looks a hell of a player in it.
Kelleher, Masterson, Mandriou, Molumby and Elbouzedi of our current squad all started.
The italians will have Del Favero, Gabbia, Frattesi, Adjapong, Cutrone from their starting 11 and Plizzari, Pelllegrini, Maggiore, Pinamonti from their bench in their squad on thursday.
Zaniolo meanwhile has been called up to the senior side, so won’t play against Ireland.
I have a season ticket and received an email from the FAI saying that I had until Monday, 30th September to download my ticket for the Italy U21 game. I tried downloading it on the previous Friday (27th) and it just brought me to the Ticketmaster site which said there are no tickets available.
I emailed the FAI and they told me the tickets for the game are now sold out. When I questioned it a little further, pointing out that the email told me I had until the 30th September to download 'my' ticket, they just replied saying that the link to season ticket holders had been open for three weeks and were distributed on a first come, first served basis.
Doesn't bother me really as I can't go anyway, but a poor enough arrangement by them I thought. Why not just point out on the original email that they'll be distributed on a first come, first serve basis and that'd have been fine. I suspect they didn't expect the demand to be so high.
Last edited by DeLorean; 09/10/2019 at 12:29 PM.
I had problems downloading tickets so couldn't get mine
Any 'real fans' going to attend the game v Iceland? The Iceland u21 squad was named for the upcoming games v Sweden and Ireland, 14 of the squad are home based. Eidur Gudjonsson™ is the assistant coach, his eldest son - an easy spot, should be there or thereabouts in the starting line up. As most of the locals in this team are barely semi amateur, no doubt this star studded Irish team should make short shrift of them.
Afolabi out injured for both games. Maybe they'll call up a home based player (O'Connor, McAuley, Hale) considering the timescale.
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