Quoteif i was crawford, i'd have tried to get the funding to play Toulon this summer. this benefits for this new group would be excellent
They originally left the away game against San Marino off the list which is March 22nd so only the one game in both October and March so assume friendlies will be organised as well as a training camp in June 2024.
if i was crawford, i'd have tried to get the funding to play Toulon this summer. this benefits for this new group would be excellent
Baba Adeeko called up as a replacement for the injured Alex Murphy. Assume that's Lawal likely to remain at CB if Adeeko is being called up rather than another defender for Murphy.
Surprised they didn't just go for the straight switch and bring Negru in.
Keane O'Shea Given Best Smallbone
If Lawal is his preferred first choice CB makes sense alright. Negru probably should have been in the squad in the first place alright. As much as Murphy is getting hyped at Newcastle didn't see the point of having Roughan, Furlong, and Murphy in the one squad.Originally Posted by Eirambler
Also points to the fact that Adeeko should have been in the squad from day one too. Especially if he starts against Turkey. The only other defensive midfielder in the squad if Lawal starts CB is Ed McJannet.
Was there not some rank that negru might get senior call up from Moldova?
Doubt it really. He was talking about wanting to break into the Irish set up back in January when he joined Oxford. If anything was mentioned about a senior call up for Moldova was probably someone putting 2+2 together just cause he wasn't called up.
Might end up with Moldova but can't see that being for another few years once he's overage for the U21s and his chance with Ireland doesn't materialise. Which could easily happen when you consider O'Shea, Collins, and Omobamidele are so young and other youngsters who've yet to be capped.
Carty (ill) and Goodrham (hip injury) have been ruled out of tomorrows game.
Jesus - awful
Turkey have a lot of pace - and Crawford might be afraid of it.
Kenny sent clean through and couldn't even get a shot off after bothing the chance by over dribbling it.
A minute later we give away a pen. Not a great moment at both ends after we started well.
Italy drawing at home vs Latvia means top spot is completely open too which would make a loss here even harder to take.
Ireland much the better early on. Kenny missed a great one v one. Penalty for turkey was sloppy and since scoring they have improved. Roughan looks a good option on the left, decent set piece delivery too.
I’d have sympathy for Crawford. After the Iceland game I’d have said the ideal starting team would be:
Brooks (injured)
Abankwah (bench)
McNulty
Lawal
Alex Murphy (injured)
Phillips (bench)
Hodge (injured)
Moran
Armstrong (seniors)
Cannon (unavailable)
Ebosele (seniors)
Saying that, he’s picked the most stupid defensive team. No need to play 5 at the back - but he’s gone with three centre backs, a versatile centre back at LWB, a right back at RWB. If you’re gonna play that against Italy, I’ll accept it - but the selection just cedes possession the entire time, like we did against Israel and Sweden needlessly. Making a very very ordinary Turkey team look like world beaters.
Can’t see how he didn’t start Emakhu and one of Springett or Gilsenen. No real attacking threat except for capitalising on Turkish mistakes. Kenny needed to score his chance. Roughan also missed a sitter but that’s why you have Emakhu playing left wing instead of Roughan at left wing back.
I’d also seriously question the decision to play it in Cork. Not sure how they can sell out a friendly against Iceland and the stadium looks a quarter full on a beautiful 26C day when the campaign starts against Turkey. Stadium is absolutely dead. And the pitch is much much worse than a Tallaght would be.
An unforgivable waste of the talent at his disposal.
Maybe John O'Shea should be given a crack at the job.
Some strike from Moran. And a second disallowed shortly after. Will hopefully go on and win it now.
I accept Crawford should have been banished after last campaign. Disappointing to see him stay on.
But where is this unforgivable waste of talent at his disposal. We have a serious problem with looking through everything with green tinted glasses. The only regular starters for their clubs are league 1 or worse players, and Armstrong at championship level. Moran has finally dipped his toes in real football. McNulty has played once in the Eredivisie. Emakhu has been an impact sub. While the others are more or less still playing underage club football. I just don’t see this amazing reservoir of talent
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