I like how both McCarthy and Howe emphasise Travers' character and attitude. It bodes well.
Training camp squad set to be named tomorrow, but Crowley will not be included: https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/scou...as-no-surprise
McCarthy will name his provisional squad on Tuesday, May 7 for the training camp in Portugal and the UEFA EURO 2020 qualifiers against Denmark, in Copenhagen on June 7, and Gibraltar at Aviva Stadium on June 10.
I like how both McCarthy and Howe emphasise Travers' character and attitude. It bodes well.
It's likely Crowley isn't eligible to play yet, still he should have been called up so McCarthy could watch him in practice.
I agree. Call him up and let him get in and around the squad. We have no one who could be described as a playmaker in midfield (Shaun Williams aside perhaps) and we really cannot afford to pass up on this player.
If Mick McCarthy can go to see Jack Byrne - and fair play to him for doing so - then a player who has helped his team to the Dutch Cup Final is not worth taking to the training squad??? Just doesn't make sense.
I would say to Mick: When Switzerland and Denmark come to the Aviva and we spend three-quarters of the game chasing the ball, remember this decision not to bring him to Portugal. Exactly what is there to lose?
Now, it is quite possible that his paperwork is not in order yet - but for Heaven's sake come out and say that instead of keeping us all in suspense.
And if his paperwork is in order, and he is eligible to come and play for us, then it reflects very poorly on Mick.
Last edited by Closed Account; 07/05/2019 at 10:21 AM.
Even if Kenny was keen, Crowley is overage and I'd say Kenny is only concerned with the current u21 squad.
Surprising omissions of Westwood, Christie, Clark, McCarthy. Westwood was excellent this season. Can only assume he asked for the summer off, which isn't too bad news unless Randolph picks up a knock.
On a personal level, I'd like to see the likes of Sean McDermott, Michael Duffy and Dan Crowley included in the group. The management group have only worked with 23 lads so far. No harm casting your eyes on a few more lads in a training camp.
This may have nothing to do with it but I think there are Europa league playoffs involving the 5th to 8th placed teams and willem are currently 8th . They are 2 legged semis and then a 2 legged final with the winner of the final getting a Europa spot. The semis are down for the 18th and 21st and the final for 24th and 28th. But if this was the reason he could have just been picked anyway and released if they made the playoffs which hopefully they will hold their place with 2 games to go
I don't think the play offs came into it. Mick appears to have some chip on his shoulder about Crowley, made out that this was a huge wasted effort on his part deep into foreign lands and could only talk effusively about Ajax.
Has he ever expressed any positive comment on Crowley? Would it be too much of a stretch to expect a very well paid manager to do his job and check out a few match recordings of Willem? I'd expect the manager of an amateur team to be more diligent about checking up on a free up and coming prospect?
"There was a car waiting for me and I didn’t particularly want to get caught up with the Ajax and Willem II fans after the game. I saw him for 10 or 15 minutes, not that I saw too much of him as Ajax were 2-0 up and scored another two"
I'm a little bit p*ssed off with this, its lazy and slightly ignorant
I made a similar point to Geysir a few weeks ago which also met some resistance.
In fairness, I think Mick was probably very frustrated that he went to decent lengths to watch him and it was pretty much a wasted trip when he didn't start. Maybe some of that annoyance is coming out in his other comments. He should be watching videos of Willem II matches though, that's the least I'd expect.
Let's praise Mick for finally agreeing to undertake an all expenses paid trip to Holland to do his job while on a reputed salary of Eur 1.2m. No doubt he missed out on his his sunday roast, a lunchtime pint or two and probably peed off his missus by claiming he didn't have time to mow the lawn.
After all that, the gist of McCarthy's whole report was about the quality Ajax's 2nd goal. This is insulting.
Probably he's more comfortable with begging Bamford, who really is not the type of troublemaker that Crowley is rumored to be.
I think it's bad form to be honest. I don't understand why he waited for the Cup final either.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
Not too impressed leaving early alright. Given Crowley's prominence in Willem II's success I don't think it was unreasonable for Mick to choose this match to check him out -- high pressure match vs top class opposition.
I can understand the upset at making the trip and not seeing him start though.
He deserves credit for going, but any manager hoping to see any prospective player play in the flesh, runs the risk of him being injured or dropped. I had hoped that Mick would take Crowley's whole season into account and that would have been enough to get him to the training camp in Portugal. Apparently, that is not the case. At this stage we as fans have to give Mick the benefit of the doubt as far as team selection goes. Maybe he has a method of playing in mind for the upcoming campaign which will be effective and get us qualified. But from where I'm standing I just cannot see us doing anything other than handing massive amounts of possession and opportunities to Denmark and Switzerland both home and away, during the coming campaign.
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