Finn Azaz M Middlesborough b.2000

**pineapple stu** · 15/09/2022, 1:28 PM

Called up for the 21s today. Don't think I've ever heard the name or seen him mentioned on here, though could be wrong.

Deserves his own thread though if he's in the 21s. 100 senior appearances in England so far, though League 2 before this season.

English-born, but I think Irish mother and Israeli father, so lots of options.

**SkStu** · 15/09/2022, 2:09 PM

Yeah, he was definitely off the radar of any of the ITKs. Was on the League 2 Team of the Year and won YPOTY too. Seems like a real coup.

**JR89** · 15/09/2022, 5:08 PM

His goals so far this season and looks a big lad too.

**Razors left peg** · 15/09/2022, 5:29 PM

Amazing how under the radar it went that he was going to be named. Usually these sort of things leak months in advance that they may be a switch.

Never heard of him before today. Looks like a super get for us

**Eirambler** · 15/09/2022, 9:01 PM

Have seen his name mentioned on a few of the tracker sites previously, but nothing recently to suggest he was about to be called up.

It's a shame he is only coming in now as, at 22, he won't get long with our underage setup (2 games if we lose the playoff). Would have a good bit to go to make a senior squad but you never know down the line if he kicks on.

**Insidetherock** · 15/09/2022, 10:35 PM

He looks like a big unit all right

**elatedscum** · 16/09/2022, 3:36 AM

last guys i can remember who were that under the radar till their first call up were Jack Taylor and then Danny McNamara in 2019. i think that's probably a decent shout for the level of talent we're talking about with Azaz (saying that without having seen him play)

**pineapple stu** · 16/09/2022, 6:07 AM

Szmodmics, no?

**tetsujin1979** · 16/09/2022, 8:38 AM

Harness as well?

**SkStu** · 16/09/2022, 1:24 PM

Szmodics for sure - and CJ Hamilton, i think.

**elatedscum** · 16/09/2022, 3:44 PM

Sorry about that 😛

Definitely Szmodzics. Harness made public himself the summer before his first call up and someone mentioned CJ was irish when he was playing for Mansfield ages ago (I think on here)

**MancIrishWolf** · 15/10/2022, 5:26 PM

Another two goals today away to MK Dons. 80% of the vote for MOTM on the local forum. Looks to be becoming the creative spark we?ve been crying out for. Better to blood him and Hodge early, rather than any more wasted time with Hourihane and the dross of the lost generation.

**ontheotherhand** · 15/10/2022, 5:44 PM

He was the best player on the pitch when he came on for the 21s against Israel. That's all I've seen of him but he certainly looked physically capable of stepping up.

**tommy_c12000** · 15/10/2022, 6:30 PM

Can wait until he is playing at a higher level for me, unless it?s a matter of azaz or hourihane then it?s azaz all day long

**elatedscum** · 15/10/2022, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

Can wait until he is playing at a higher level for me, unless it?s a matter of azaz or hourihane then it?s azaz all day long

We're a midfielder short, ideally one who can play as part of a pair. Long list of options include:

Conor Coventry
Conor Hourihane
James McCarthy
Jamie McGrath
Mark Sykes
Connor Ronan
Will Smallbone
Jack Taylor
Jack Byrne
Danny Mandriou
Gavin Kilkenny
Luca Connell
Daniel Crowley
Liam Kelly
Gary O'Neill
Liam Kinsella
Harry Arter
Conor Noss
Finn Azaz
Aaron McEneff
Joe Hodge

It's a pretty barren list. Either guys who

a) are finished (Arter, Hourihane, McCarthy)
b) aren't good enough yet (Connell, Hodge, Noss)
c) aren't playing at all (Coventry, Kilkenny etc)
d) are playing at too low a level (Byrne, Kinsella, Kelly, Forrester, O'Neill)
e) are probably too attacking and are competing with Knight and Browne (McGrath, Taylor, Smallbone, Sykes etc.)

Anyway, hopefully one player emerges from that ridiculously unlikely list...

**third policeman** · 16/10/2022, 12:15 PM

We're more that one midfielder short. The fact that you are factoring in Browne as a given is enough to establish that we need more that a single replacement to step up. It's an area that needs major reconstructive surgery if we are to ever be competitive playing the Kenny brand of football. Smallbone and Hodge are already suggesting more promise than Hourihane, Browne and Hendrick. Azaz is also looking like someone who could become a decent option. Knight, Molumby, Cullen are fixtures for the next campaign. One of Hendrick or Brady if they are playing regularly might be worth keeping in the mix if you want an experienced player in there, but the search for 2 or 3 additions needs to start now or we are simply not progressing.