Originally Posted by
Insidetherock
All you can do is hope with Obafemi.. but no doubt Swansea will be looking after him too as they want a fit and ready Obafemi every week, not just every few months like Ireland do
Way way back long ago, after the WC losses in the first few games, I said that before Ireland would have to play a potential play off for Euro 24, they'd nearly 24-28 games to get it right.
(6 WC, 6 NL's, 8-10 EQ's, and 4-6 friendlies)
I've cheered Kenny on.. and pulled my hair out screaming at him. He's taken forward steps, and backward steps. Things worked, and things went awry.
But if anyone thinks we're not in a better place right now, than we were 3 1/2 yrs ago, they either haven't a clue, or are simply lying to themselves.
There must be very few international teams in Europe, or globally, relying on so many young players. But those players will grow up.
We're potentially looking at 3 PL playing keepers.
Collins should be playing CB this season, and Omobomidele, O Shea, Lenihan, will all be operating (or should be), at the higher levels of the Championship, potentially playing PL next season at relatively young ages.
Doherty, back fully fit, should be back playing regularly in the PL.
Midfield.. we need to strengthen the area at the highest levels.. but there is potential there too. Even beyond the fact Knight could probably play PL, and Cullen high level Championship, maybe its the season for Smallbone to breakthrough. Kilkenny at Bournemouth. Molumby will hopefully be playing regularly at a high level Championship at West Brom, and maybe back playing PL in a season or two.
And up front, Obafemi, Parrott.. along with in a couple of years Ferguson.. could all be playing PL football.
And ok, there's a lot of "wishful thinking" there.. but why not feel optimistic
For years we've been lucky to have one, maybe two Irish players playing regularly in the PL (or other higher European leagues)... maybe now we're beginning to see the start of a small conveyor of talent arising..
Wouldn't it be great
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