QuoteDisappointed with that, he'd been named as a sub a few times recently for Ipswich
Szmodics getting surgery on the ankle. Injuries starting to mount:
Coleman, Omobamidele, McGrath, Ebosele, Szmodics, Ogbene, McAteer
Interested to see what the squad will be, you'd imagine a larger squad considering that Molumby and Scales are suspended for Game 1:
Goalkeeper: Kelleher, Travers and either O'Leary or Bazunu
Right back: Doherty. No real depth in the position with Coleman, Ebosele, McNamara. Josh Key and Jon Gallagher are probably the best actual right-backs, but likely we pick an extra centre-half I guess.
Centre-back: Collins, O'Shea and O'Brien shoo-ins. Scales only at risk because of the suspension for Game 1. Omobamidele injured (McNally and Clarke-Salter too). So you need 1-2 more. Beyond that, not sure: Shane Duffy was recalled recently and seems to be playing well for Norwich. Luton are bottom of the league, which doesn't do McGuinness any favours. John Egan has been in and out of Hull. Cashin has yet to play for Brighton. Garcia-McNulty and Jimmy Dunne might be outside chances.
Left-back: Robbie Brady + one of Manning, O'Dowda or Honohan
Deep midfielders: Cullen, Smallbone, Knight and Taylor (you could argue that Cullen is the only true deep midfielder). Molumby when he returns from suspension. Lawal hasn't done enough or played enough unfortunately. I'd like Connell at some point to see a squad but this probably isn't the time.
Attacking midfielders: Azaz gets in. McGrath injured. Moran a contender, thought he did well when he came on against England. John Joe Patrick Finn would give you something different. Connor Ronan (happy birthday Connor!) is in a similar boat to Luca Connell. Alan Browne just back from a leg break. Mark Sykes, Tyler Goodrham also names worth mentioning.
Wingers: All injuries here - Ogbene, Ebosele, McAteer. Mikey Johnston the only first choice winger available. You'd imagine Vata and Callum Robinson probably gets call-ups in the circumstances. Beyond that not much obvious. Sinclair Armstrong could do a job on the right wing if you want a replacement for the power and pace that Ogbene and Ebosele provide. Connolly in and out of Millwall's side, Harness is maybe another option, along with Farrugia.
Strikers: No idea who starts but has to be Parrott, Ferguson, Idah and Cannon in the squad.
Vata might be in with a good shout of call up. No u21s squad this time so he might get a look
Its really not that complicated!!!
U21s are playing but he's justified a call up to the seniors. Even without all the injuries I think he's shown enough to get a call up.Originally Posted by Razors left peg
Are they? I didn't see anything listed until September.
Hes on the fringess I'd say, wouldn't be controversial if he was in or out. I'd like to see him in, but he's still a sub plenty at Watford
Its really not that complicated!!!
He's dropped away a little bit since those explosive first couple of goals - hasn't started the last three games, and only one league goal (and no assists) this year. December alone was two goals and three assists
But with injuries as they are (as elated notes), Albania interested, and he's showing plenty of promise at a decent level, I think you have to call him up
Last edited by pineapple stu; 07/03/2025 at 9:53 AM.
Yeah I'd rather have him over Callum Robinson even though I know Robinson is having a better season. If it came down to Vata or Moran I'd go with Moran
Its really not that complicated!!!
The U21's have friendlies against Scotland & Hungary in Spain.
https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...965452766.html
The injuries to wingers have come at a good time in a sense, as it gives Vata a clear path to a cap that will tie him for three years, and the only way he'd switch after that is if his career tails off and he doesn't even get to four Ireland caps - which seems unlikely right now. But it would be madness not to call him up and cap him given the injuries and his multiple eligibility situation.
I see Kenny is on the long list. I think that's a bit of a compensation call from HH after how badly his LoI comments went down (obviously he's not currently in Ireland but he's certainly not being shortlisted based on his Celtic form). Honohan I get as genuinely meriting consideration, but Kenny looked out of his depth with the 21s, let alone the seniors.
Sounds like Abankwah might sneak in as well, maybe ahead of Jimmy Dunne with a few injuries at the back. Big step up for him in a short space of time, he only became a regular starter for the Under 21s in the autumn.
Last edited by Eirambler; 08/03/2025 at 12:04 PM.
Where are you seeing the long list ?
Honohan mentioned too, but where is it.
Just media reports. Sneyd reporting on Kenny being on it. The long list itself is never published.
What are peoples thoughts on strength/depth/form of the squad Vs last year?
I feel like things are on a bit of an upswing at club level, and there are decent options in decent form in most positions, central midfield is the never ending black hole, and left back ofc, some talk Honohan from Rovers might actually make it in to the squad, him and Matt Doherty in the best form he's been in for years are people who can hypothetically play LB/LWB and defend/go forward to varying extents. We have a shiny new Right back option, maybe it's not his best position, but O' Brien's doing a fine job at Everton. We have some strikers and attacking midfielders scoring some goals, Evan is about as fit as he's been in a year. On the other hand Ogbene is still a huge loss and Festy seemed to be coming good but hasn't played any football, Scales has also had a tough period.
I want to feel positive, but I'm not sure if I should
I think overall it should be fairly positive in terms of a step forward from last year. We have players performing well in European competition and it feels like we have more options through the whole squad.What are peoples thoughts on strength/depth/form of the squad Vs last year?
I feel like things are on a bit of an upswing at club level, and there are decent options in decent form in most positions, central midfield is the never ending black hole, and left back ofc, some talk Honohan from Rovers might actually make it in to the squad, him and Matt Doherty in the best form he's been in for years are people who can hypothetically play LB/LWB and defend/go forward to varying extents. We have a shiny new Right back option, maybe it's not his best position, but O' Brien's doing a fine job at Everton. We have some strikers and attacking midfielders scoring some goals, Evan is about as fit as he's been in a year. On the other hand Ogbene is still a huge loss and Festy seemed to be coming good but hasn't played any football, Scales has also had a tough period.
I want to feel positive, but I'm not sure if I should
It feels like an age since we last played, and considering the disaster the game was after the sending off in Wembley there was no positivity to take forward.
Our goalkeeper situation is kind of weird. Bazunu playing but not playing great by all accounts, and Kelleher who once again isnt playing but looks good when he does. Travers really would be the guy in most other eras for us so theres good depth there.
In defense I think this has been comfortably Collins best season in football so far and I think building around him at the back or even as the hybrid midfielder that he started the England game is the way to go. O'Brien, Doherty and O'Shea all been good and there is even the emergence of Abankwah who has been excellent for Watford. I think Scales has gone backwards and we still dont have a reliable left back which is a big concern, you'd love to see Cirkin being added.
In midfield I think Azaz has been by far the biggest postiive. Moran has been good for Stoke too, and Patrick Finn might give us something physically that we've been missing. Watched a bit of Finn a couple of times and it looks like there is a player in him, but it might be too soon for him just yet though. Cullen has been his usual solid self, as has Knight.
Up front, Parrott I think has been the standout. Hes been very good for AZ all season and even playing well in Europe. For me he'd be 1st name picked. Idah has been great and terrible. Shows flashes at times where you think he could be a really good top level striker, and then frustrates the hell out of you. You'd have to say his performances in Champions league show that he can be a good weapon for us. Ferguson continues to be the biggest frustration. Firmly believe hes our best player, but theres little evidence for it right now with the lack of game time. Cannon has gone backwards since his move to Sheffield, not even in squad today. Armstrong could put his hand up, but I dont think he gets enough goals. Vata is another whos not necessarily banging down the door but worth a look.
I think the options through the whole squad are improving slowing but surely, but until we see that translate to results no one will be too excited.
Its really not that complicated!!!
Depth is improving, definitely. Were it not for a string of injuries in some of our better stocked positions we would likely have needed to leave out some squad regulars this time around. Injuries to Omobamidele, Ebosele, Ogbene and Szmodics among others mean that probably won't be necessary now.
But depth is generally good, we just need a small group of our better players to take the next step at club level that will lead to them becoming our key men. Collins is definitely getting there, hopefully Kelleher next year, and if Ferguson can get going again then we're not in bad shape. We badly need a genuine EPL quality centre midfielder but no sign of one on the horizon unfortunately.
I watch a lot of QPR, Dunne has only played a hand full of games in the last few years at centre back, he's definitely a right back these days. Worth a look considering our options at right back.
Agreed overall, though reports about Abankwah are mixed bag really. He has blown hot and cold - but deserves his call up if he gets it. Looking forward to Vata coming on board (as long as rumours of him possibly accepting a call up to the Albania U21s is untrue) - shows some depth coming through in the wider areas. I think it would also be good to call out Molumby in midfield who is having a great season by all accounts. I just love Azaz, guy oozes class but need to find a system that he can play in for us. O'Brien at Everton has now come good (oh ye of little faith!) and he is now a serviceable RB who offers us something on set pieces too. And Manning has played his way into being a serviceable premier league LB/LWB.
In terms of the strikers, I think i'd still have Ferguson and Parrott in there ahead of Idah. Cannon has gone really quiet since his move.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
I dont think theres anyone that has been out of the squad previous or new guys who are banging down the door for a call up, like Szmodics was previously. Vata, Abankwah and Finn would be nice additions, but also I dont think any of them could have major gripes about not making the cut either. I think just to nip any Albania talk in the bud I'd give the nod to Vata but he has a lot to do to become a guaranteed regular.
I think that theres not a huge amount of lads on outside looking in is a good thing though. It shows that we've already brought the likes of Azaz and Moran into the squad already and the best of the previous u21 in general have already had their look
Its really not that complicated!!!
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