Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Can't see Long moving far from the Southampton area. It's probably why he agreed to the Bournemouth loan at the time as it's only down the road.

It's gonna be hard to temp him to a new club I'd say. Has been getting paid an arm and leg to sit on the bench the last few years. Might just want out of football at this stage.

Yeah Norwich fans are giving him some praise for that much improved performance and some recognising him as the best player for them last night.

One thing noticeable amongst the praise is fans not happy with Sargent who missed tonight as his wife had a baby, and will probably walk back into the team at the weekend.

Fabiański pulled off a top class save to deny Idah just before he came off. One swallow doesn't make a summer, but hopefully Norwich keep Pukki and Idah as their front two and he gets more game time like that before next season. Last night he showed he could be an effective player for them next season.

Signs until the end of the seasons today.

Not overly important for us how Christie goes tbh. He's well behind Coleman and Doherty. With the new lad from WBA perhaps coming onboard and Jonjo Kennys eligibility he might not feature to much for us going forward. He's never let us down but hasn't improved things either.

Hopefully Lee O'Connor can keep impressing and get a season at League 1 and see where that takes him.

On Shane Long, at 50k a week why the hell would he go anywhere. At his age it's all about maximizing his income. You feel that he could still do a job for us coming off the bench with the game stretched but that doesn't seem to be the direction that Kenny wants to go in which is fair enough. Is there really enough room in the squad for Keane (League 1), Collins and Idah who are pretty similar. Surely we'd be better of having something a little different in Long but there you go.

Why would long move? The reason for long moving would be to play games. His totally acceptable choice was to earn while already very rich. However It was a choice rather than a no brainer.

Derby County are under a transfer embargo and the grapevine suggests that any of their players are free to leave if they want. Two players have already left, let's hope that Knight can push for a move away. Don't think it'd be unreasonable for Ebosele to find a Championship club who might want to punt on him as well.

Unless Derby have no say about players being sold and someone has to be sold to raise money then I can't see lads leaving. The transfer embergo was because they couldn't prove they'd have the funds to finish the season without a takeover. Aren't allowed to renew contracts either which is why Phil Jagielka hasn't renewed his contract. Think they're only allowed use certain U23s players so couldn't even replace players leaving with youth team players.

Norwich fans happy to see Idah starting again and that Sargent didn't start ahead of him. Hopefully Norwich keep the same formation and Idah can improve on his performance from the West Ham game.

Reading aren't great so a good team for Connolly to be making his debut against and hopefully gets himself off to good start.

Idah has scored against Everton. Took it well.

IDAH!!!

Hogan scores a nice glancing header from a cross.

Festy Ebosele with an assist in Derby's win over Sheffield United. According to LiveScore he played the match at left back rather than his usual right hand side. Knight also played the 90 minutes. No Louie Watson but Erin Cashin, a centre back, came on for the last 7 minutes.

Troy Parrott also came on for the last 7 minutes for MK Dons. That's so disappointing to see where he's at now in his young career.

Lenihan will a clean sheet again for Blackburn. Made all the more impressive that they played the last 15 minutes with 10 men. Surely he's done enough for a recall to the Irish team in the next round of fixtures.

Connolly started for Boro but was hauled off just after the hour mark. Still good to see him starting games again.

Connolly hauled off and they go on to score twice.

Parrott looks to be in a bit of trouble if we're honest. Where he goes after this is anyones guess. Could struggle to stay in League one at this rate.

Jimmy Dunne with another solid 90 for qpr and clean sheet. We're good for CBs anyway.

Had a very good game today going by the stats. Most chances created (3), won the most tackles (3), won the most duels (13). Would like to see him bypass the U21s as Crawford will probably still with O'Connor at RB. Though McNamara being name checked by Kenny might make his debut in March.

Delighted for Idah. Didn't see the game but seems like two solid performances in a row for him and he has scored the winner which is huge for Norwich. Our best bet at a good centre forward IMO.

Hard to know what will happen with Parrott, if he was let go for free by Spurs what kind of club would take a chance on him?

Shearer was full of praise for Idah's performance on MOTD. He was the only part of the Norwich post game punditry bit.

Oh yeah I know he wouldn't be short of offers, but I meant I wonder at what level they would be at. Would a Premier League club still see the potential in him? Based on his current ability you would think he needs to play around this level again next season.

Some Premier League clubs would still look at him. Brentford often pick up young free agents or cheap players they feel could come good but you'll be going into their B team or sent out on loan.

Definitely should be staying in League One again next season. Wouldn't be surprised to see him back at MK Dons. They're going to lose a few players in the summer.

If rooney goes to Everton maybe he will take Knight with him!

I think Knight playing another season in the Championship would be a sideways step. He really needs to get into the PL while still young enough. If he's good enough he will be fine. On Troy Parrott he needs to score goals at League One level. All a PL club would do with him is loan him out to a club at that level. He should be looking at getting settled somewhere for a few years and see if he can kick on. A stint back in the 21's wouldn't be the worst either maybe. Ebosele is an exciting one. A player that can play either LWB or RWB comfortably would be a massive addition for us. We're lacking on the left big time. Stevens isn't getting younger and we need competition there. Manning needs a bit more exposure too.

Next big thing in 3-4 years. Manning has played 150 games or so in the Championship. Tayo Adaramola won't be in our senior squad for a while yet.