I wonder is there a bit of an issue with him not getting along with some of the other players too? Someone dragged up this "what am I seeing" quote from Connolly when Obafemi was first in the senior squad https://twitter.com/EamonnDonohoe/st...91365297233920
Kenny has worked with Parrot, Idah and Obafemi, three completely different players. Kenny has spoken about picking the squad with a particular system in mind, so they wouldn't be directly competing with each other. Parrot is a 10, Idah is a true centre forward (although effective wide too), Obafemi is more a wide forward, where there's arguably more competition with established senior players (Robinson, McClean, Connolly). Parrot seems to be in for McGoldrick, O'Dowda possibly seen as the other option in that role. Idah presumably competing with Long from the central role. Obafemi doesn't have the physicality of Long or Idah, although he could be a central forward too, just for a different system.
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Tallaght Stadium Regular
There is a thing that people often overlook in group dynamic.
Some players may just not mix well with the group or bring as much to the group off the pitch as others.
Of course, in this case it's harder to know as it's Kenny's first squad.
I'd have thought Obafemi was a shoe-in but not happy with his attitude online.
Having said that, footballers being petulant is nothing new and I wouldn't hold it against him for too long.
At least it shows he's eager.
Folding my way into the big money!!!
Its about as progressive a squad as we could have hoped for really in the circumstances and there's something for everyone in there. Its not all roses but its a fine squad.
Defenders - about as expected but a little light on defenders here. Its difficult to know what the thinking behind that is and theres no one in midfield, say, that you could even identify could cover our centre back positions if we were in a bind.
Midfield - its good to see Molumby in there and hes there on merit. McCarthy back too is great to see. Arter coming back is interesting but we probably knew it was coming. Not sure if McCarthy and Arter in there ahead of Cullen is a good long term play but no real complaints.
Forwrds - I thought Obafemi would be a shoo-in to be honest. While SK says hes not married to any system, its a real horses for courses selection up front with a 1 and 2 for each forward position. Oba would have given something a little different and allowed SK to change the system if it wasnt working in a particular game. I'd have had him there ahead of Parrott. I like Callum O'Dowda but he is really fortunate to have made the cut and i think Robinson's versatility stands to him too in terms of this selection.
SK explains his rationale:
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-39473362.html
Bulgaria announced their squad for the game against us, and Wales: https://bfunion.bg/news/47008/0
The Bulgarian FA's wiki page has been updated with this squad, and the relevant information for each player - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgar...l_team#PlayersGoalkeepers: Nikolay Mihailov (Levski), Georgi Georgiev (Black Sea), Martin Lukov (Lokomotiv Plovdiv);
Defenders: Petar Zanev (CSKA-Sofia), Strahil Popov (Hatayspor), Vasil Bozhikov (Slovan Bratislava), Anton Nedyalkov (Ludogorets), Christian Dimitrov (Hajduk Split), Ivan Goranov (Charloroa), Cicinho (Ludogorets), Viktor Popov ( Black Sea), Stanislav Rabotov (Botev Plovdiv);
Midfielders: Georgi Kostadinov (Arsenal Tula), Todor Nedelev (Botev Plovdiv), Kristian Malinov (Leuven), Alexander Tsvetkov (Beroe), Galin Ivanov (CSKA 1948), Yanis Karabelov (Slavia), Birsent Karagaren (Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Svetoslav (Arda), Filip Krastev (Slavia);
Forwards: Dimitar Iliev (Lokomotiv Plovdiv), Bozhidar Kraev (Midtjylland), Spas Delev (Arda), Ismail Isa (Black Sea).
I dont agree with all the squad but the debate about so many different players making it or not shows that there is genuine competition for places, and that will only get more fierce in next few years the way the younger players are coming through.
I think we are a bit thin at the back. Kevin Long should be added or that other kid Dara O'shea from WBA. This means Doherty will be a defender
In midfield I would have added Cullen and Manning
up front we have options.
Yes I thought the same. But Obafemi will get a chance next roundOriginally Posted by Olé Olé
Where were you all day Bielsa ? Your thread, your squad, your moment and no sign of you.
Or Sheridan
Siesta time I suppose, was it ?
Kevin Long and Jack Byrne on stand by list. Ciaran Clark injured.
hahaha no nap at all.
I was doing zoom classroom with my students at the university. Sheridan for Idah, could have been better, Idah is too young, weve got Parrott and Connolly. Parrott is not a 10, he is a goalscorer.
Manning as well. Manning is someone I really rate but as a midfielder, maybe its between him and O'Dowda, hope Odowda take this chance.
It was a flip coin between Cullen or Molumby.
Maybe Sean McDermott but he is listed injured
Mostly homebased players in the Bulgarian squad and they have no players attached to any club in the big leagues.
With us, I don't know what to make of the squad Kenny picked, it's all about how he sets the team up to play.
But could we be making a return to the revolutionary retro christmas tree formation of Mick's mid 1990's Ireland?
Why aren't you shouting O'Dowda's name?
Folding my way into the big money!!!
sorry its my journalist's approach
didnt mean to bug you.
no caps no bold nor italics. Ok
lets cut to the chase.... i mean football talk
thank you! my thistle!
Ar aghaidh leat a mhac! Scaoil amach an bobailín!
Folding my way into the big money!!!
I'm of the belief we will beat both Bulgaria and Finland.. but I've an awful feeling Slovakia will do us. Which is really the only game that we need to win
anyone know what the story is with 3? Wasn't the deal supposed to come to an end in July of 2020?
When Hassenhuttl chided him for being unprofessional, I think this may have been the type of thing he was referring to, because he made a point of saying that Obafemi works hard at the same time and it was just after he had complained publicly about not getting enough game time.
Agree fully with this, though - Obafemi is ready to go - has done as well as Connolly this season plus his pace is a serious weapon. I feel Idah is on the verge of a big breakthrough but I'd like to see it happen before making him the focal point of some serious games - this applies even more to Parrott
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