Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118624467#Comment_118624467

Making a case to be no1 at this rate. One of the most in form keepers in england.

Francie Barrett

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118625748#Comment_118625748

Cullen is the least replaceable person in the team now. No one is close to him in terms of the level he's at and consistency. McCarthy has the ability, but he's only worn a green shirt twice since 2016, will he even play for us again? Kilkenny has done very well at Bournemouth, but he's still quite young and I am not sure he has the physical presence to be the holding midfielder Kenny will want. Doyle Hayes plays every game and has physical presence from what I've seen, but is playing for Hibs good enough? Coventry is finally getting starts and is doing well specifically in the holding role, but he's only doing so after being forced to drop down a league.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118625808#Comment_118625808

It's Bazunu's jersey to lose really but Travers' form should really see him as next in line if Bazunu's form drops for us. If he's playing in the PL next season, and Bazunu moves up to Championship then Kelleher needs to be playing games.

Though Kenny might show bias towards Kelleher given he was his keeper at U21 level. Interesting that Travers bypassed U21s when Mick and Kenny were managers with Kelleher and Bazunu being Kenny's keepers at U21 level. Though I'd say the new bumper contract he'll be getting this summer will soften any blow if he's still viewed as third choice next season.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118627273#Comment_118627273

Haven't seen much of Doyle Hayes but didn't help his mistake cost them the game when Kenny went to Hibs v St Mirren. Ronan was the one that robbed him of the ball before scoring.

Good thing about Kilkenny is he was impressing as the holding midfielder in a 4-3-3. Something we lacked when Kenny was trying to implement his 4-3-3 with McCarthy only suited to a double pivot. What he might lack in physical presence his ball playing skills would probably outweigh his weakness against certain team. Needs to get out playing weekly next season.

Coventry seems to be getting rave reviews since his move to MK Dons, and from what the fans say his style of play is very similar to Cullen's style of play. Last season was a wasted year for him being stuck with the U23s and then joining Peterborough at the last minute this season probably didn't help his cause. Thankfully he's found a team that suits the way he wants to play and like Cullen gets out of West Ham at the end of next season or the season after when his contract is up.

Francie Barrett

https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1493695706988789764

Goal for Bagan!

Cake Man

Liam Delap (son of Rory, famous long throw in specialist at Stoke) just came on for the last 5mins for City. I take it it's unlikely he would declare for Ireland given he's been with England underage?

johnnyryan89

Delighted for Bagan. Last season when Bennett suffered a season ending injury Bagan had his chance to get a good run of games in a Cardiff side that had improved in form under but unfortunately dislocated his shoulder the next game ending his season.

Started this season as first choice with Cardiff having to cut cost and struggled in a poor Cardiff team. So good to see him doing well with goals in back to back games.

Gusser09

Joe Bagan and Mark McGuinness on fire last night. Both should be in our next squad on merit.

Bagan is someone we need to tie down. Previously played underage for Scotland.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118628970#Comment_118628970

I think it's a close race between Bazaunu and Travers at this point. If Travers is in the PL next season and in good form then he'll have to be considered. A good problem to have to be fair. Kelleher won't be going anywhere by the looks of it next season so he will be out of the race in the short term.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118638909#Comment_118638909

Bagan is going nowhere. He already switched to us from Scotland because he wasn't going to be getting his game at LB for Scotland who have two of the best left backs playing in England.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639222#Comment_118639222

Once bitten twice shy and all of that.

yourdeadwright

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639134#Comment_118639134

It's kind of a crazy situation the keeper seen as third choice has played Premier league & champions league football & will have started a leauge Cup final buy the end of the month ,

While the first choice has not even played Championship football,

Im not saying its wrong its just a bit odd,

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639419#Comment_118639419

Kelleher is second choice under Kenny.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118639488#Comment_118639488

Hard to know. With Travers being one of the most in form keepers in England this year and playing at the highest level of any of the 3 it's hard to look past him. Kelleher is still somewhat of an unknown at the moment. He's looked really good in what we have seen but I think until we see him playing 40 or so games in a season it's hard to judge where he will go.

Francie Barrett

No reason why we can't give Bazunu the Belgium game, and give Kelleher and Travers 45 minutes each for the Lithuania game. It'd be very harsh not to give Travers any minutes considering how he's come on so much since last year.

theoneeyedman

Had Traverse improved a lot, I haven't seen him

I wasn't over impressed with him when I saw him first a couple of years ago to be honest, but he was very young and it sounds like he's improved.

How is he with the ball at his feet, is he a ball player?

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118640484#Comment_118640484

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118640535#Comment_118640535

Going by oneeyed's question at the end I'd rather see Travers get minutes in the Belgian game. Just look at the Qatar game recently where Kelleher was a complete passenger. Even give him 45mins at the start or in the second half and give Kelleher 45mins against Lithuania with Bazunu playing 45mins in both.

I've only seen a few Bournemouth games but don't think they use Travers to recycle possession the way he'll be asked to do it for Ireland.

Was also the Middlesbrough game where his lack of confidence in finding the FB with a long pass on the touchline lost them possession which they conceded from. Under hit the pass which dropped short whereas Bazunu or Kelleher would fancy themselves to hitting the player with the pass. Fair enough was about two months ago and not sure if similar has happened since.

But he's definitely improved massively since March's games last year. One of the most inform keepers playing in England at the moment and has pulled important saves out of the bag which have been the main factor in Bournemouth winning games.

theoneeyedman

thanks - as i say i haven't seen him in the last couple of years, but that looked like a weakness in his game when he was emerging first. its a particularly strong part of Bazunua and Kellehers game.

deisedude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118641635#Comment_118641635

He is a fantastic shot stopper. Have watched highlights of Bournemouths games on Quest a lot this season and he generally pulls off 1-2 big saves each game.

Hard to tell about distribution though from highlights packages as they generally won't show kick outs

johnnyryan89

It will unfortunately for him be the biggest thing that could keep him third choice while Kenny is the manager. Mick brought Travers into the Ireland squad ahead of Kelleher, though Kelleher still hadn't made his club debut by then but Travers had.

Suspect Travers might have to wait until a manager whose more conservative comes in and by then the other lads could be playing at a similar or higher level.

Fandymo

New season ticket emails have gone out. 3 games, 3 friendlies with Seniors and all U-21s in Tallaght. FAI cup final removed although you get access to pre-sale discounted tickets.

Gusser09

Idah out for the rest of the season. Will more than likely see Scott Hogan in squad now you'd think.

johnnyryan89

Just our luck that when he finally gets a run of games as a starter he suffers a season ending injury. Callum Robinson will more than likely play as the CF now.

Would be our luck too if Omobamidele is out for the season too after his meeting with the consultant.

The_Kew_Tour

He still had lot to prove but just when he was showing form and promise..

Seems be too common

Gusser09

Idah is a big loss. Playing regular PL football. We just don't have enough of players playing at the top level to cope with that you'd feel.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118654135#Comment_118654135

Yeh Connolly would be in the squad anyway. Does Kenny fancy Obafemi is the question I suppose but he should have done enough to earn a recall.

Kiwi_knock

Scott Hogan is out injured until mid-March so unlikely to be in the picture.

~Rebel~

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118654561#Comment_118654561

I 100% expected Obafemi to be included in Kenny's first squad in August 2020 alright - he was coming off a brilliant season that was basically the mirror image of Connolly's own breakthrough (3 goals 2 assists in 21 league appearances, to Connolly's 3 goals 2 assists in 24 league appearances, and a goal each in the EFL cup). Obafemi went on to have a badly injury hit year the next year - but for that first squad was one of the most exciting prospects we could've called upon (remember how excited people were for Connolly at that stage, with the same level of performance?), but he was left out.

Francie Barrett

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118652025#Comment_118652025

More bad news for Brady as well, out for a few more weeks.

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/19935520.brady-cant-stay-fit-amount-time-admits-parker

Francie Barrett

https://twitter.com/AberdeenFC/status/1494654313708371980

Some good news for once, it looks like Jim Goodwin is set to be appointed Aberdeen manager.

This is a fantastic move for him. He'll be going for a team with one of the worst budgets in the SPL to a team with the third best budget (after Celtic/Rangers naturally).

If he can do a decent job, I reckon he'll be favourite for the next Ireland manager. He's made no secret of his ambition to manage the Irish team and if he goes to Aberdeen, he'll be the most high profile manager at club level.

eire4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118655688#Comment_118655688

Good move for Goodwin and reward for having done such a good job with meagre resources at St Mirren. He is also someone who was happy to bring in quite a few young Irish lads and give them an opportunity so that hopefully continues at Aberdeen. Will be interesting to see how he fares if indeed this does happen as it seems likely to now.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118657226#Comment_118657226

Announced as the new manager and will go straight into the dugout for today's game against Motherwell.

Hopefully Ronan continues to improve whoever St Mirren bring in and possibly joins back up with Goodwin at Aberdeen next season. As you said he's been good to Irish talent and helped McGrath push on to the international and possibly Ronan.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118655688#Comment_118655688

Yeah Goodwin could be a good shout for the next Ireland manager but will depend if he wants to take the job so young in his career. Only turned 40th in November.

Until John Sheridan was appointed manager at Oldham last month Goodwin was the only Irish manager in the Scottish top flight or top four leagues in England.

Faugheen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118655688#Comment_118655688

He did an interview with Off The Ball a while back and it was a fascinating listen. Came out of it wanting him to be the next Ireland boss after Kenny. Aberdeen is a great opportunity for him to prove he can make the next step up. Hope it goes well for him.

johnnyryan89

Nathan Collins with a start. Tarkowski misses out due to covid. With a bit of luck Collins will get a run of games. Kevin Long on the bench.

Duffy starts for Brighton with Dunk suspended. Hopefully shows his earlier season form that he has three games before Dunk is back. Now they play with a back four it's going to harder to get starts. Evan Ferguson on the bench.

Tayo Adaramola with possibly his first PL match day squad for Palace as he's on the bench.

Seamus Coleman starts as usual and hopefully continues his good start under Lampard.

johnnyryan89

Stick him up front with that kind of form.

eire4

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118657437#Comment_118657437

I just saw that now. It did seem that the switch was going to happen but that was quick. It will be very interesting to see how he does although it will likely take until next season before we really see.

ElJaguar

Shane Long scored for Southampton.

johnnyryan89

Evan Ferguson made his PL debut today and becomes Brighton's youngest player. Came on in the 69th minute too though Brighton were 3-0 down.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118659422#Comment_118659422

His first goal in two years. Easily beats Coleman at the back post.

johnnyryan89

https://twitter.com/RepTracker/status/1495082757122363397

https://twitter.com/RepTracker/status/1495080046943510534

Jake Doyle Hayes scored twice for Hibs today.

Gusser09

With Idah out Shane Long could be a useful short term option off the bench for us. Would give us a bit of physicality that the others dont.

Pawwed Rig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118659784#Comment_118659784

What is the point? He will be 37 by the next euros. I would rather the younger lads get a run

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118659861#Comment_118659861

I'd 100 percent agree but with Idah injured we need something different available off the bench.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118660393#Comment_118660393

Yeah would be pointless picking Long when you've got other lads who've been in squads and not played much. Give someone like Keane a run out that Idah is injured. He's played that 9 and 10 role for Wigan this season.

Don't think we'll see Obafemi or Scully in this squad. Don't think we'll see many new faces until Novembers games when one of them is abroad so a possible extended training camp somewhere in Europe.

Pawwed Rig

Is it too early to get Ferguson involved I wonder? EPL player now although ideally I would prefer not to rush him through or pile any pressure on him.

johnnyryan89

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118661968#Comment_118661968

It is but could see him training with the seniors in November. Don't think you'll have any U21s matches in November but he'll also be underage for the U19s. Doubt he'd be allowed drop back down.

Ferris_Bueller

Too early for Ferguson. We need to give him more time to develop, I think the level of hope/expectation placed on Parrott, Connolly, Idah hasn't helped them. Hopefully now that we have more options up front we can allow Ferguson time to improve and call him up when he's ready.

Pawwed Rig

We don't really have the options up front though. Robinson is the only one I would have any confidence in and that is just based on his last few games in green rather than his club form. Other options are bit part championship players and league 1.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118662711#Comment_118662711

Thats my point. We have no short term options. Evan Ferguson needs to be left alone for the time being. It'll likely be Hogan. Not sure where else we can look. At the moment we have hit and miss strikers in league 1 and championship. Alarming like our midfield.