Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Oh I agree 100%.

but just reading comments over past year and some of stuff they predict because a kid ain’t working out at one club does not mean it’s game over.

It's probably too early to be writing Connolly off, but the signs aren't looking good. The Championship is a league where successful strikers tend to be tall, powerful, and aggressive. Connolly doesn't tick any of those boxes, and I am not convinced his natural ability as a striker is so good that he can compensate for these shortcomings.

What worries me most from these recent performances is just how he's struggled to compete against opposition defenders. I had hoped that stepping down a level would mean he'd be able to find a bit more space and time on the ball and have more of an impact, but that hasn't materialized. Maybe he's not up to the speed of things, maybe it's his confidence, but it's very concerning that his game hasn't picked up after dropping down. The worry is that if this loan doesn't go well, what happens with him next season?

I'm not convinced on Connolly at all, but I do find the criticism of Parrott over the top. I've watched more of Parrott than most, and I have to say he's shown a marked improvement over where he was this time last year. MK Dons are a proper footballing team and he doesn't look one bit out of place there. The goals may have dried up, but his performances have been good anytime I've watched. I read his manager came out the other day and singled him out for some kudos. Probably wants to acknowledge that he has been playing well, even if his finishing at times has been poor so to give him a bit of a boost. The thing about Parrott is that his work rate and professionalism has been outstanding, I am definitely backing him as one who can improve further from this spell at MK Dons.

Kilkenny being linked with a loan move to Blackpool. Would be a good move for him, hopefully it happens. Surprised that Parker didn't give him more game time as he has looked impressive in the highlights I have seen of him.

Jimmy Dunne flying it at QPR after a slow start earlier in the season. I'm sure Kenny will be taking a closer look soon.

Another for Hogan, terrible Derby defending. Ebosele came on early for Derby and has looked really lively on right wing. Knight as struggled on the other flank.

Jack Taylor missed yesterday's game and Ferguson has said he's pulled his hamstring again.

Also Will Keane limped off in yesterday's game after taking a shot and going down going holding his hamstring.

Graeme bailey who is usually reliable saying Hendrick is close to agreeing a move to Middlesbrough.

I have to say I have always felt Connolly is not a striker but rather his best position would be as a winger.

Turned on the Derby game today by chance and seen Festy. He looks like a player alright. Seems very like Adama in pace and strength but seems to have some end product. Hopefully he kicks on as a winger is needed

Scott Hogan is an interesting one. 10 goals in the championship so far. No other Irish player getting close to him in the top two divisions which is a bit depressing really. That will surely merit a place on the bench at least. We'd love to have a player like Daryl Murphy who scored 27 in 2014/2015.

Jury is still out on Idah (only recently got a goal for Norwich despite a terrible first touch he still got the goal) - Norwich getting relegated might actually suit his chances of boosting his confidence and giving him much more gametime. At the moment IMO he seems to play the way a learner driver drives - reacts a second or two too late no anticipation or urgency.

I know the lads mentioned are all still young/youngish. But Connolly seems to be finding his level. Obafemi the same. They are just not that good of footballers.

Connolly seems to at least try and has energy - but you could not really call him a goalscorer. Obafemi is a bit of headless chicken let's be honest - relies on his pace rather than his football brain.

Parrott was hyped up to the last, because Irish fans were desperate for the next young thing to break through. Has not materialised.

There seems to be an assumption among fans that because a player is given a chance young they will become great players. That is not how it works. The likes of Robbie Keane and Duff are very rare. Particularly for Irish football.

Ogbene had zero hype - unlike Parrott, Idah, Obafemi. Yet he is one of the few new Irish attackers who have stood up and made people take notice. But Ogbene is 24 and playing for Rotterham in League ONE - albeit they are looking good for promotion.

If you had to have one rather pick the one whose showing a bit of form but really wouldn't be picking any of them for squads. Don't think either offer enough around the pitch and when it comes time to throw the kitchen sink we've a fine sink in Duffy that's been very effective at it.

Jeff Hendrick supposedly in talks with QPR about a move, and Ciaran Clark has turned down a move to Middlesbrough even though there's a good chance he won't be registered to play for Newcastle for the rest of the season.

Wigan are trying to sign Mark Sykes whose been playing well this season with Oxford, and he's out of contract in the summer.

I would have thought McGrath would be going to championship at least

Unless Wigan go on a really bad run of form they'll be in the championship next season. Currently second and 2pts ahead of Sunderland and have four games in hand over the teams in the play offs.

Think it's a decent move for him because Wigan were a team that were in for him last summer and had a bid turned down. Could have went to Birmingham but they only became interested when they thought they could get him on the cheap. Knows he's going to a manager that has interest in him plus Richardson is someone who'll be moving onto bigger and better things in a couple of years so there's the possibility of moving with him if it happens. Also the money is better than whatever Hibs even offered.

Thomas O'Connor is following the money this week too. Jumps from League One with Burton to sign with Wrexham in the national league. Either he's getting paid well or a massive fan of Deadpool or Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

Hendrick to QPR apparently done.

Another League 1 player to bolster our squad. He wont be a straight starter either at that id assume.

pA lot of that has to do with Jim Goodwin though. St Mirren had their best league finish since 1989 last year and Jim's been credited with getting them there thanks to some astute dealings in the transfer market and playing some decent football. They would be punching above their weight despite having a wage budget that is well behind even Hearts and Hibs, never mind Celtic or Rangers. Goodwin himself said that realistic transfer targets for the club come from League 2/National League and released players lists. Given the League 2 budget they operate under, I'd say Goodwin has taken them about as far as they can realistically go. The same would hold true for McGrath. He's hit a glass ceiling at St Mirren, so it makes sense for him to go to Wigan where he can earn a multiple of his current wages and have a good chance of playing in the Championship next year.

Again seriously alarming that in our squad 7 players are currently plying their trade in League 1.

For the record also I wouldn't say that Collins has too much more to show from his game time for Ireland than Hogan.

Collins - 14 Caps 2 Goals.

Hogan - 8 Caps 0 Goals.

Neither or them are the answer to our problems but better options than Will Keane who has a grand total of 9 goals at Championship level at 29 years of age.

The situation for Irish football hasn't been grimmer in my lifetime and I am a grandfather. We have so few players in the Premier League now, and even fewer of them who you would consider automatic starters. Hendrick and Connolly have both dropped down, and I can't see either coming back. Clark doesn't look like he'll make the 25 man squad, so you'd imagine his time his up. Long is in the final few months of his contract and won't be playing PL football again. Coleman is a regular starter for now, but will be winding down over the next year. Doherty and Duffy will likely get a reprieve for the rest of the season, but who knows after that. There's a few lads at Burnley/Norwich who look likely to be relegated.

A couple of games in Europe is meaningless unless you're playing in the group stages. Had he stayed at Dundalk he would have actually played in the Europa League group stages but the move to St Mirren was a step up overall. Same way the move to Wigan is a step up from St Mirren.

That is the reality of the FAI for decades out sourcing and not at all setting up any pathway to prepare our best young 12-17 years for a future as a professional footballer. Once the money poured into the league set up in England our players already technically behind by the time they left at 16 were pushed further and further down the ladder as much more prepared youngsters started arriving into premier league academies from all over. It took 20 odd years for the talent we did have to filter its way out and retire but now we are left with what we have reaped and that is not much and certainly the worst Irish squad from a talent standpoint since the 60's early 70's.