This thread is a tricky one. I referenced Darragh Burns who is a winger or wide forward. I was about to reference CJ Hamilton as a new option but I note, for example, Ogbene isn't in here. Are we referring to strikers or anyone who can play across the front 3?
We dismissed Paul Butler after 45 minutes once I remember, and it was hard to argue with the call. Not saying Keane should get the same treatment, I'd keep him around the squad but I'd be waiting to see how he gets on at a higher level next season before I'd throw him in for another Ireland start.Originally Posted by jbyrne
To me it feels like if we're picking Keane to start and not picking Parrott we're doing it the wrong way around.
I said in another thread that as bad as Will Keane was against Lithuania his goals record in the league this season makes him worth another look. We all have bad days at work. Doesnt matter that the opposition was terrible.
I think while we do have good prospects right now, and I'm as excited about some of these players as anyone, but we do not have an embarrassment of riches... yet.
There maybe a time in 3 years when we have fantastic players all playing at a high level and some good players will be left out of squads, kinda like whats starting to happen with our defenders with the likes of Lenihan and Dunne struggling to get in, but we arent there yet.
Keane did alright when he came on against Portugal. I'd keep him in the squad for sure but I think others are ahead of him to start.
No Shane Long? He's the one player appearing in the premier league regularly (since Idah injury). Which puts this embarrasment of riches list in some perspective tbh.
Belgium?
There’s room in the squad for a striker that’s disruptive. I was open to giving Will Keane a go for that reason. And sure, if we are launching balls into and around the 6-yard box, Keane’s goals this year show in these situations he can score goals. But our play has evolved and become more complex than that under Kenny, and Lithuania wasn’t a “bad night on the job” for Keane, but a glaring reveal of his shortcomings to play a modern game at senior international level. I’d move on from Keane and give those limited playing minutes to exploring other options.
You're right. Keane was flummoxed by the complexity of the Lithuania game.
Did he not come on after Pepe was sent off? pushed a guy causing a goal to be (probably rightly) disallowed?
Ref gave a soft free saying he fouled the keeper. Skip to 11.25 https://youtu.be/phFb4siGejM
He did but didn’t think you were judging his performance as alright based on a couple of injury time minutes.
Soft is the word. The game would nearly have to become non contact if that is a free. In any case if he hadn’t got involved the goalkeeper probably would have easily collected the ball and there would have not been the goal. Very little in and the ref probably didn’t want to be responsible for Portugal losing to a late goal.
Yeah roles reversed and I think that goal probably stands more often than not.
Soft but just about correct imho. I'd have been furious if it had stood against us. I thought he was more than injury time? He wasn't on long but looked lively and keen.
I agree with this. We have made the effort to blood the likes of idah and parrott at the expense of say shane long with the aim ofvrrap8ngbthe benefits for the next 2 world Cup campaign s, I really think we should continue with that policy
It might be a little premature, yes, but with the recent form of Idah, Obafemi and Parrott, I think things are starting to take shape. I'm feeling confident that all three of these lads will be Championship level, at least; Connolly is a bit touch and go; Scully could also step up a level. We know what Robinson brings to the table. By the end of next season, I reckon there's a good chance we'll see Ferguson, Odubeko, Kavanagh, Okoflex and maybe Cannon break through. And another forward I didn't mention, Dara Costelloe, has already been in a Premier League matchday squad - so perhaps we're not quite there yet, but we may be quite soon. And I also want to note that the equivalent thread about goalkeeper is built around a back-up keeper with fewer than 20 appearances, a keeper with one decent Championship campaign and another back-up keeper on loan at a middling League One team
With ten goals in his last seventeen games a level up, I think Obafemi could
Fair point - provided his loyalties are established. Keane/Obafemi have scored 36 goals in 91 appearances this season. Parrott/Idah have 10/63. Which duo poses the greater current threat? Planning for future WCs/Euros is fine but it's pie in the sky if it compromises the here and now . . . because we won't qualify. Where does that leave the promising youngsters of today? Nowhere. The most important game is the next one.
Last edited by Snapshot; 27/04/2022 at 5:35 AM. Reason: quote stuff-up.
Parrott. Robinson and obefemi are miles better then idah and Keane. They will probably turn out better then ogbene as well.
The issue we have is knight must surely be accommodated in the front three leaving two spots for the rest
Why must Knight be accommodated as a forward? He's primarily a midfielder. Robinson should be subject to form like everyone else. Obefemi might not commit. Meanwhile Keane is scoring goals for fun - but is miles behind players who aren't!
Because he's shown how effective he can be in that LW position both in attack and defence.
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