Sorry, didn't realise it was that much of a gap, I thought the move came soon after his debut
Concerning. He's showing these sort of leanings in picking Brady in the friendlies, calling up Stevens and Duffy, not playing O'Brien in the friendlies.
Why would an interim manager do that? I know McClean was retired by Kenny to an extent (and partly by his decision to drop to the fourth tier) rather than chose to retire, but if McClean is to come back, that's surely a matter for the incoming manager, not an interim?
(Unless of course O'Shea is getting vibes he's going to get the gig full time...)
I'm usually resistant to the age hysteria here (which often puts me in mind of Logan's Run) but this is just deeply uninspiring. McClean's whole schtick is running himself ragged. That doesn't age well, and if he went down an extra division for largely financial reasons, he's still maybe a league 1 winger these days. The squad isn't lacking in experience to the degree it was, and I don't really see the point of this.
We seem to be sleepwalking into replacing a bad manager with his green assistant. I fear a lucky result or a spirited defeat in the friendlies is going to be pretext for the search committee just giving up and taking the path of least resistance.
Honestly, I think this is just a slow news day story.
O’Shea playing it perfectly. He’s not insulting his former teammate by dismissing him but also he’s not calling him up.
There’s nothing to this.
Hungary squad for the euros was named a few weeks ago. Four players(Martin Ádám, Dániel Gazdag, Bendeguz Bolla and Callum Styles) have not joined the squad yet, so will not face Ireland
https://en.mlsz.hu/hir/experience-an...uro-2024-squad
Brady (and 35-year-old Coleman) were among the best players in the last window. He's also one of the few players in the squad who can put a decent ball into the box, something that has been a weakness in recent years. It might just be that the older players are still the best players available.Originally Posted by Olé Olé
I would doubt McClean will return. He called it a day on his own terms and even got a send-off game (even if he complained about it!)
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
Lawal replaces Omobamidele who picked up an injury in training
Had noticed Omobamidele was missing from the combined MNT and WNT photo all right.
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
Wonder would Omobamidele been "injured" if there was a Euros coming up for Ireland...again commitment levels are showing.
There's been a lot of comments here that Lawal is a centre-mid and really not a centre-back, and criticism of Crawford for playing him there at 21s. I haven't seen him play so I don't really know - though his ratings in the weekly ratings thread did improve markedly when I think he was moved to centre-mid at club level - but is it a bit concerning he's being called up to replace a centre-back? Or is that reading too much into things as it seems he was going to be called up for the second half of the week anyway?
Last edited by pineapple stu; 03/06/2024 at 12:04 PM.
In the context of the debate around integrating younger players into the squad/starting XI, an interesting exercise is to compare the current senior and U21 squads. Who would win if they played a match? Are there any players who would be good enough to displace an existing senior player, based on form, level they are at and so on?
Senior MNT
GKs: C. Kelleher, M. Travers, M. O'Leary, D. Harrington
DFs: S. Coleman, S. Duffy. R. Brady, M. Doherty, E. Stevens, D. O'Shea, L. Scales, J. O'Brien, B. Lawal
MFs: J. Cullen, C. O'Dowda, J. Knight, J. McGrath, M. Johnston, W. Smallbone, M. Sykes, F. Azaz
FWs: A. Idah, T. Parrott, M. Obafemi, S. Szmodics, T. Cannon
U21 MNT
GKs: T. Brooks, K. Cahill, J. Keeley
DFs: J. Abankwah, S. Curtis, A. Garcia MacNulty, A. Murphy, C. O'Brien, C. O'Riordain, S. Roughan
MFs: B. Adeeko, M. Healy, J. Hodge, A. Moran, C. Noonan, R. Vata
FWs: S. Armstrong, A. Emakhu, C. Kavanagh, J. Kenny, M. O'Mahony, O. O'Neill, A. Oko-Flex, T. Springett
End Apartheid Now! One Team in Ireland!
O'Shea wants clarity
Asked if he expected clarity over the managerial situation after this window, O’Shea replied, “Yeah, let’s hope so. I think everyone, including myself, the staff, the players, everyone would like clarity on it.
The balls on Canham
Marc [Canham, FAI director of football] was in and around it [camp] for a couple of days,”
----------------
Etc : https://m.independent.ie/sport/socce...461992768.html
Stephen Kenny Saviour, Leader, Winner, An Autobiography - In All Good Bookstores Now
Had a similar thinking at first when it was announced he's replacing Omobamidele. But it's only for the Hungary match and then he goes back to the U21s. Probably just out of convenience that he was picked as he's already with the squad.
If nobody replaces him in the senior squad for the Portugal game you wonder what was the point in even announcing he's replacing Omobamidele. He was already with the squad until the Hungary game. I'm sure it's great to officially get his first call up but just means he'll join up with the U21s on Wednesday rather than tomorrow.
Doubt we'll see him make the match day squad and Coleman will cover CB to give him five CBs. I'd say there's more chance of Enda Stevens playing CB than Lawal.
He looks excellent at League 1 in both positions. I think it’s kind of like a young Paul McGrath or a young Declan Rice, not that I’m comparing him ability wise to either, just that he looks excellent playing both but not the finished article in either position. Probably reckon that long term, he’ll end up being a midfielder, just because he has the ability to drive past players with ease and the footballing brain and range of passing are good enough to make it there - but it could easily go the other way, he has all the attributes to be a top centre half too.
Once again, not comparing, but Virgil Van Dijk could have been an excellent midfielder, his calmness on the ball, his pace, aerial prowess, his passing range, ability to go past players, out muscle them, his awareness of his surroundings. In another world, he’s Yaya Toure or whatever - but instead he’s the best centre half in the world. Equally Yaya Toure was a centre back for Barcelona (winning the champions league final) before becoming a world class midfielder.
There’s a certain class of player that just has everything to play both positions without any obvious weaknesses to their game
Ignoring Harrington... I would say only Moran for McGrath. Possibly Garcia-MacNulty for Stevens. I recognize both squads are missing a few of the usual suspects but it does show up a lack of depth if you ask me. Really hoping Murphy and O'Riordan push on next season at club level.
If that's ever close, we should be competing to win an U21 continental or world title. It's literally men against boys.
Not even seen him for our U21s? Hes played 5 times. Also 5 U19s games.
Its really not that complicated!!!
When you seen Lawal on the pitch even for Fleetwood he stands out a mile for his sheer size. I have massive hopes that he could be the player we've been crying out for in midfield. As you said, his ability to carry the ball forward from midfield is something we really dont have. Good passer of the ball too.
Delighted to see him get called up. Wouldnt be one to start just yet, but it wont be long if he starts next season well. Good complication video below for those who havent seen much of him...
Its really not that complicated!!!
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