Armenia V Republic of Ireland - Saturday, 4th June 2022 - 2022/23 UEFA Nations League

Squad named

Obafemi the obvious one that jumps out there.

Is Doherty injured?

Originally Posted by JR89

Well the U21s play two games the Fri and Mon of the June weekend. Good chance their campaign could be over before they even get to play Italy and we've only played the one game in June. You'd think then lads would be moved up to train with the seniors once qualification for the U21s is gone.

that's a really pessimistic view. it's also a pretty hard to imagine. unless sweden beat italy, we'd only need 1 point (if italy win) or 2 points if italy and sweden draw to still be in contention from those first 2 games at home. i think we're more likely to be qualified for the playoffs already and unable to catch italy than knocked out altogether (2 wins for us and italy winning against sweden and luxembourg).

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Obafemi the obvious one that jumps out there.

Is Doherty injured?

Yep. Doherty missed the last few months of the season with a knee injury. Omobamidele and Idah also injured.

Missed Ebosele in the squad actually. But he's not a forward is he?

Hamilton with a first call-up as flagged before

You wonder will more call-ups be needed? It's a normal-sized squad for an abnormally big window

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Missed Ebosele in the squad actually. But he's not a forward is he?

Hamilton with a first call-up as flagged before

You wonder will more call-ups be needed? It's a normal-sized squad for an abnormally big window

kenny has mentioned before he sees him as a forward but hes easily used as a wb too. obafemi is a lovely addition, nice bit of variety in attack. pity about the cm options, really need 2 more i think. phase hourihane out and replace him + another (whoever that'll be) . never heard of this hamilton guy, kenny fancies him more than scully it seems.

Hamilton declared a while back. English-born, strong Irish roots. Speed merchant apparently. Good to see Obafemi and Festy called up. Hopefully no more fuss now. Connolly's absence is totally fair too.

Some serious pace available to us now.

There were one or two others I'd like to have seen but maybe U21s was a consideration.

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Missed Ebosele in the squad actually. But he's not a forward is he?

Hamilton with a first call-up as flagged before

You wonder will more call-ups be needed? It's a normal-sized squad for an abnormally big window

Well he's technically a winger so would be lumped in with the forwards. Would class Ebosele as more a forward than a defender Think McClean has been named in different categories for a couple of squads. Think when Kenny named his U21s squad they often separated forwards as Strikers and Wingers into their own category.

Midfield looks the lightest, and if the U21s name a bigger than normal squad then Kenny could see the lads in the U21s as cover for midfield incase of injuries. Taylor and Doyle Hayes are probably the only other senior players I can think of you could have included.

Sykes injured?

Atleast Connolly can now focus on going on the p!ss for the summer, clearly has his priorities in order.

Originally Posted by Jd2793

kenny has mentioned before he sees him as a forward but hes easily used as a wb too.

Yeah, wing-back is what I'd have thought alright.

Conor Ronan drops out, maybe not surprisingly given he didn't make the bench in March. Along with Doherty and the two keepers (Talbot/O'Leary), Jimmy Dunne is the only other player to drop out of the squad from the last time I think. Hard to have any real complaints about that squad really, though I suspect one or two may be added to it over the month.

Squad stats.
Very little between this squad and Scotland's IMO

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Sykes injured?

Possibly. Wasn't included in the oxford squad on the final day of the season back at the end of april - but he was leaving on a free and they were no longer in contention for a playoff spot, so it's probably more likely he was left out cause of that.

he obviously recently passed a medical to sign for bristol city

Was thinking that the call to bring up Festy was a really good one. If there was an issue with Crawford and Festy, it’s better to nip it straight away, rather than allow a potential issue to develop which is damaging to us and the player

He’s too talented and too close to have any problems. He’s just posted it as a “dream come true”. Good man management from Stephen

I’m happy with squad. Overall, small signs of increasing quality.

I’d have Dunne ahead of Lenihan, purely due to his younger age and higher potential ceiling. Midfield is still very weak, hopefully Hourihane and Hendrick will transition out with higher quality players coming in over the next few months. Great to have Obafemi back and Ebosele in. Ronan a bit unlucky, certainly I’d have considered him ahead of Hamilton. Hopefully we will have stronger forwards to include shortly so Hogan, Keane and Robinson (who has been v poor for WBA this season) will transition out.

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

I’m happy with squad. Overall, small signs of increasing quality.

I’d have Dunne ahead of Lenihan, purely due to his younger age and higher potential ceiling. Midfield is still very weak, hopefully Hourihane and Hendrick will transition out with higher quality players coming in over the next few months. Great to have Obafemi back and Ebosele in. Ronan a bit unlucky, certainly I’d have considered him ahead of Hamilton. Hopefully we will have stronger forwards to include shortly so Hogan, Keane and Robinson (who has been v poor for WBA this season) will transition out.

by sounds of things hamilton is a rapid winger, ronan isnt that infairness. more of a tidy central player. hendrick has been good for kenny IMO didnt expect it mind you, kenny is pretty loyal id expect to see him continue to make squads for the next 2 years. really need a hourihane replacement though , hes been poor.

I just think we’ve enough pace in the wings, and lack a creative attacking midfielder. Hourihane is in his twilight. But I guess Hamilton will be left sided winger? Ebosele can play on both sides as he has done so for derby.

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

Ronan a bit unlucky, certainly I’d have considered him ahead of Hamilton. Hopefully we will have stronger forwards to include shortly so Hogan, Keane and Robinson (who has been v poor for WBA this season) will transition out.

Ronan played 90 minutes for St Mirren on April 30th. He's listed injured in each game after that to seasons end.

So before criticising his omission, was he fit & available even ?

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

Ronan played 90 minutes for St Mirren on April 30th. He's listed injured in each game after that to seasons end.

So before criticising his omission, was he fit & available even ?

Shoot first. Ask questions later.