Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Delighted for Collins going to Wolves, bit of history of Wolves developing our players - Robbie Keane, Doherty and now hopefully Collins. Good move all round.

Aaron Connolly linked to Venezia in Italy

Definitely a disappointing past 2 years in his career. Still, worse places in the world to be paid to play football all in all!

Hard to point the finger at a anyone else bar Connolly for his downfall.

The problem with the Championship is that generally the lower down you go, the worse the quality of the football. I don't think he'd even suit a lower half Championship team like Reading, Hull, Birmingham, or Rotherham. Those clubs are looking for generally looking for strikers with a bit of physical presence who can hold and link up play. Putting Connolly in that sort of role would be a disaster, he simply doesn't have the physicality to do it.

I think this purposed move to Serie B would suit him better. He'd be better playing in a strong team in a weak league than the other way around. The only thing is that I've noticed that Venezia's only decent striker is about to walk out the door. Italy isn't a high scoring league and if he's going to move there as a main striker, he's going to be under a lot of pressure to come up with the goods.

Could see Potter not wanting to leave him go and keep him as back up. One year left on his contract and he loves Brighton so might fancy seeing out his last year there before leaving. If he leaves Brighton would probably be on loan and they'd have to cover some of his wages for the year so couldn't see wages being an issue in him leaving or not.

He might have a great relationship with potter (he might not either, it might be just PR) but potter didn’t pick him even after Burn leaving so they’re of no use to each other.

That's a bit of an odd shout... Duffy started 13 of their first 15 league games last season. It was only getting injured that stopped him being a fairly nailed on starter for them over the rest of the season. Was out with covid in December, then a string of ankle and thigh problems from the start of January. Even after he came back from the ankle problem first, they were easing him back in by starting him in every second game around February/March - then he did his thigh in April and that killed the rest of his season.

Whatever way you look at it, starting half their league games - and the majority of the ones he was fully fit for - shows he is at least valued as a regular squad/rotation option.

Duffy's ability on the ball in this Brighton team is really poor.

Don't get me wrong. Duffy is a great defender, and an aerial threat in the opposition box, especially from set-pieces. But unfortunately, out of all our defenders, he is the worst ball player out of any of their options, let alone ours.

Potter is a good coach. I've never heard him run down a single player under him. I think he's pragmatic enough to know when he has a player, he has to get the best out of him, and that is what he did when he had Duffy last year. Whenever Duffy played, he always set Brighton up to play to Duffy's strengths defensively, but to the rest of the players when on the ball.

Its about the level we could have expected to see Cullen at I think. Players usually find their level at this stage. Our best option perhaps but he isnt PL quality.

Collins to Wolves is good for the lad. Im still finding it strange that none of the bigger clubs wanted to buy him at that price. Perhaps they want to see him getting more game time at this level letting him develop even more. He would still probably be signed for 40-50 million in a year or two. Again thats a bargain when you look at what the likes of Ben White or Maguire move for.

Aaron Connolly just isnt that good lads. I dont even think its attitude at this stage. He played a lot for boro last season and seemed to have his head down. Just doesnt have what it takes maybe.

Wouldn't be surprised if Wolves tried keeping him around this season unless the lad is adamant about wanting to play week in week out and pushes for another move. Though some talk they're willing to sell him if bids come in.

Their depth at CM isn't great with U23s Luke Cundle being their fourth choice CM for the seniors last season while also starting for the U23s. If the only offers coming in are loans could see them try talk him into staying with the seniors to replace Cundle as fourth choice CM and send Cundle out on loan.

Ronan is no spring chicken and will turn 25 next season so don't think he can afford to be sitting on the bench next season if he has aspirations of breaking into the national team.

Coming into the last year of his contract and they've been in talks the last few months about a contract.

Would be a decent move for him I think. Even with Kompany being unknown within English football as a coach West Brom got worse when Bruce was appointed and plays rotten football.

It's also a good move for Burnley because with Collins gone they're left with inexperienced defenders and Kevin Long who Kompany mightn't fancy long term with him 32 and out of contract next summer.

Disagree as Hearts are guaranteed group stage football in Europe this season.

Hopefully this move can be the turning point in his career. Needs to do some maturing off the field.

Seems he has the same agent as Scottish duo Aaron Hickey who was with Bologna, and Josh Doig whose just joined Serie A side Hellas Verona from Hibs. Agency must have contacts in Italy and see it as a better move for him than someone like a Reading or similar at the bottom half of the Championship.

Also will be playing at the same level as Liam Kerrigan and possibly Adam O'Reilly whose on loan at St Pats from Preston but also linked with a move to Como 1907.

If the penny doesn't drop and this move doesn't turn out the way he and his agent hoped it's hard to see where he goes to next summer with one year left on his Brighton contract. Scotland, somewhere else on the continent, or drop to League One and hope he can do a Scott Twine by scoring for fun in hopes a move materialises to a top Championship side.

How many games at a high level would he get at hearts compared to the championshiop? I think he needs to be in championship.

Enjoyed that. Cheers.

This part stood out:

“It’s something we all believe we can do, because the feeling is that if you are playing at a good level and doing things properly in your career you will get the chance. I’ve worked with Stephen [Kenny] at the U-21s and I know I have his belief, that he rates me.

“When I went into one of the first camps and the seniors were there, I had barely played any senior game, I was thinking they would not have a clue who I am. What was I doing there!? But Seamus Coleman was the first one to come over straight away, talking to me like best mates, discussing injuries I’d had, the loans I’d been on and the last U-23s game I’d played [for West Ham].

“The way he spoke to me, I never experienced anything like that after. I just felt so calm and at home, like I belonged. We’ve played some practice games with the seniors and it feels like one big team, it doesn’t feel separate. Everyone is so together.”

---

You can see that how the seniors have been playing FOR Kenny. Love reading about our first generation players. Never let it be said they are any less Irish than anyone who by the grace of God who got to grow up in Ballyfermot, Moycullen, Dungannon or Tralee.

Exactly... we hear so much stuff about Maguire being captain of Utd, and how his performances don't warrant it etc etc - but this stuff off-the-field from Coleman, this is what's actually important in a captain. Leaders will be leaders on the pitch regardless if they have an armband or not, but a captain has to do all this extra stuff away from the game, making new players feel welcome, being an outlet for the experienced lads who are annoyed about game time etc, dealing with all the sponsorship stuff, and visits to hospitals, schools etc. Character and attitude and emotional intelligence are what matters, and he's worth his role as captain even when he's out of the team.

Absolutely. I love him. Epitome of what you want in a captain.

Could do a Omobamidele and end up bypassing the U21s with odd couple of appearances. Only has the one appearance so far and don't think Bagan will be dropped for the play offs. Could feature again in friendlies next March if the 21s don't make it to the euros and if he impresses on loan could well be around the senior panel next summer.

Kid has pace in abundance which is something none of our other WBs, nevermind LWBs have. Think it will come down how each player copes defensively this season between Adaramola and Bagan. Adaramola has the pace but Bagan has a knack of getting into good positions in the attacking third and offering support to the forwards like Doherty but defensively he can be hit and miss.

Oxford United are the team he's supposedly signing with. They've been scouting here quite a bit with McNally, supposedly having interest in Devoy, and now McGinty. They also brought Sykes in from the NI league. Also Bohs youngster Promise Omochere linked with Fleetwood.

The Totally Football pod were saying Denis Wise is the Chairman of Como where Kerrigan signed to.