Festy Ebosele D Istanbul Basaksehir b.2002

**tommy_c12000** · 09/02/2022, 2:03 AM

Just watched the game. Festy was excellent, best I�ve seen him. He has improved so much every month. He has to be embraced and introduced in March. He has leapfrogged Ogbene and co in my book. He is producing it at championship level and has a ridiculously high ceiling. His athleticism and pace are incredible. Of course, a lot of things to improve upon which international football will help him further refine. He will be moving on in the summer to a higher level. Start him in March please and blood him in. Thanks

**tetsujin1979** · 09/02/2022, 7:56 AM

Do you think he'd be better off with the U21s?
They're playing Sweden away at the end of March
Maybe he'll be in the squad v Belgium, and the link up with them in Stockholm?

**elatedscum** · 09/02/2022, 9:12 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Do you think he'd be better off with the U21s?
They're playing Sweden away at the end of March
Maybe he'll be in the squad v Belgium, and the link up with them in Stockholm?

Interesting that he couldn�t break the match day squad for the 21s in November against Sweden. Smallbone played the first half on the right wing, Tierney in the centre and they switched in the second half, Ferry replaced Tierney on the right wing. Over on the left, Wright started and was replaced by Ollie O�Neill. Meanwhile, Ebosele, Okoflex and Kerrigan were left out of the match day squad�

**third policeman** · 09/02/2022, 9:17 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Do you think he'd be better off with the U21s?
They're playing Sweden away at the end of March
Maybe he'll be in the squad v Belgium, and the link up with them in Stockholm?

I think he already merits a place in the senior squad. It�s early days, but he looks like an outstanding talent, and we don�t have enough of that available.

**Exgrad** · 09/02/2022, 9:19 AM

Originally Posted by elatedscum

Interesting that he couldn’t break the match day squad for the 21s in November against Sweden. Smallbone played the first half on the right wing, Tierney in the centre and they switched in the second half, Ferry replaced Tierney on the right wing. Over on the left, Wright started and was replaced by Ollie O’Neill. Meanwhile, Ebosele, Okoflex and Kerrigan were left out of the match day squad…

Really shows how quickly things can move on...i don't see any issue with him building up some international expereince at u21 level and being dropped into the senior squad. Ogbene is performing to a high level at top of L1 as well. Can't see how Horgan makes the next squad.

**ifk101** · 09/02/2022, 9:37 AM

I'd keep him in the U21 (for now). There are exciting aspects to his play but his positional reading of the game is a bit off, I don't think he is technically great, and there's sloppy elements defensively (see the Hull goal last night).

**Stuttgart88** · 09/02/2022, 12:05 PM

I'd call him up. The sheer disruption he can introduce to games would be a real asset to us.

**ColourfulPeanut** · 09/02/2022, 12:27 PM

I'd call him up too. We don't need him to start and play right back for 90mins. He should be used as an impact sub who will cause mayhem with his pace.

Pace kills at every level and he could literally be the quickest player we've ever had. His acceleration from a standing still position to beat the defender on the assist last night was insane.

**DeLorean** · 09/02/2022, 12:41 PM

No brainer to call him up (and play him) imo. He's more than ready physically and what better way to help iron out some sloppy elements than to give him experience at a high level, when the results are not paramount.

**backstothewall** · 09/02/2022, 1:13 PM

I'd definitely call him up. My attitude on this is that Robbie Keane was old enough at 17 years old and 9 stone dripping wet. Get him in and get him involved. We may need him sooner rather than later. Seamus Colman will be 34 by the end of the year and Doherty may be needed at left back. Having a replacement with some international experience can only be a good thing by the time Euro qualification comes around this time next year.

**SkStu** · 09/02/2022, 1:27 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

I'd keep him in the U21 (for now). There are exciting aspects to his play but his positional reading of the game is a bit off, I don't think he is technically great, and there's sloppy elements defensively (see the Hull goal last night).

All of this is true from what i have seen of him over the last few months. But i would still call him up to our senior set up! He is a difference maker.

Originally Posted by ColourfulPeanut

His acceleration from a standing still position to beat the defender on the assist last night was insane.

One of the things i have noticed is how he almost always receives the ball from a standing still position. It drives me insane but then he just batters his way down the pitch

**Ol� Ol�** · 09/02/2022, 1:52 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

I'd keep him in the U21 (for now). There are exciting aspects to his play but his positional reading of the game is a bit off, I don't think he is technically great, and there's sloppy elements defensively (see the Hull goal last night).

I dunno. Like what's he going to learn from under 21 football that he won't from all the Championship games he is playing?

**pineapple stu** · 09/02/2022, 2:06 PM

I think he's worth a look given that wing-back is a position we're going to need replacements soon. We've five very solid players there (Doherty, Coleman, Stevens, Brady, McClean), but they're all the wrong side of 30. Having a look at a new option in the March games mightn't be any harm.

He may be a bit raw, but he's a regular starter for a decent team in the second tier, and there's plenty of players in the squad we can't say that about.

**JR89** · 09/02/2022, 2:11 PM

Originally Posted by ColourfulPeanut

I'd call him up too. We don't need him to start and play right back for 90mins. He should be used as an impact sub who will cause mayhem with his pace.

Pace kills at every level and he could literally be the quickest player we've ever had. His acceleration from a standing still position to beat the defender on the assist last night was insane.

Would like to see him as back up to Ogbene. Think he'd be more effective for us playing in the final third rather than at RWB.

**ifk101** · 09/02/2022, 2:16 PM

Originally Posted by Ol� Ol�

I dunno. Like what's he going to learn from under 21 football that he won't from all the Championship games he is playing?

I'm not against his call-up to the seniors, even if I have some reservations. But beat Sweden and we have a real chance of winning our U21 qualification group. Shouldn't we give priority to a key U21 qualification game above a senior friendly international?

**JR89** · 09/02/2022, 3:09 PM

Anyone new called into the squad in March, and there probably will only be a few, will be done so with a few to the Nations League games in the summer. So more than just a friendly game it's a chance for the coaches to look at you closer within the squad and how you get on.

**Exgrad** · 09/02/2022, 3:09 PM

He played with a full back behind him yesterday btw, and think his most effective performances have been when positioned further up the pitch and with less defensive duties. Effectively he will be a right winger for us, initially at least.

**Ol� Ol�** · 09/02/2022, 3:17 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

I'm not against his call-up to the seniors, even if I have some reservations. But beat Sweden and we have a real chance of winning our U21 qualification group. Shouldn't we give priority to a key U21 qualification game above a senior friendly international?

But what if his off positional reading, technical inadequacies and sloppy elements of his defence cost our under 21 side qualification?