Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

Looks to have either played CF in a 4-3-3 or in a front two. Given Kenny a selection headache with Obafemi out of form and selection at club level atm, Ogbene showing a bit of poaching instinct, and while Parrott is putting the hard work in his only goal contribution has been one goal in the EFL Cup and no assists so far with Preston as a whole poor in front of goal though.

McClean just told Delaney to mind his own business when passing comment about him more or less.

What Miguel tweeted, though he says that's in response to an article I think and said he'd have supported McClean if he didn't wear one and his comments are being twisted.

What McClean posted on his Instagram story.

https://twitter.com/MiguelDelaney/status/1569378002387214338

Ogbene,Hogan ,Molumpy all on target tonight

I'm actually a bit surprised none of the lower PL teams didn't take a chance on him.

Was humming and hawing on whether Hogan would get a call up earlier this evening but the two goals tonight has probably helped his selection. He wouldn't have been in the 23 I fell would be likely call ups but think it's gonna be a 25 man squad.

Bazunu, Travers, O'Leary.

Doherty, Coleman, Collins, Duffy, Egan, O'Shea, Omobamidele, McClean, Brady.

Cullen, Hendrick, Molumby, Knight, Browne.

Ogbene, O'Dowda, Obafemi, Parrott, Robinson, Keane.

Wasn't sure who the final two would be but Hogan definitely gets added to the list now. The final spot I think might be between Manning, Sykes, or Hourihane.

Manning as another LWB which would allow Kenny to also use Brady further forward. Sykes could be a dark horse call up. Only named five midfielders because I think that should be enough for the two games with someone on stand by but Kenny might want six in the squad. Brady is also someone he'd probably play as an advanced midfielder if he was looking for someone more versatile like Manning or Sykes and only select five midfielders.

I think he should persist with Troy and Michael for the time being. We know Scott and Will give us SFA. I think it's between four at the moment of Troy,Michael, Callum and Chiedozie.

Sometimes poor form doesn't transfer across from Club to International so that's what we need to hope for here.

Has to be Obafemi I think anyway, after the absolute stormer he had in his last game for us especially. And he started this season well enough too, scored that one absolute peach where he rolled it back and completely wrong footed the defender before finishing - he's just out of the team because of the transfer stuff. But his performances were grand, so I'd say he'd be chomping at the bit to get back on the field again.

Parrott and Obafemi have the highest ceilings of all our forwards by a distance, so I'd be inclined to give them time together where possible until/unless their performances for us drop off. They deserve the chance to keep going where they left off in green.

Talk that Aaron Connolly will be included in the U21s squad.

Yeh that was my first thought. We need to start looking at an alternative a LB/LWB. Manning is in that position playing regularly for the last two years in the Championship. McLean won't go on forever and I'm not convinced that he should be starting for us. The same goes for Brady. He might see him as cover for McClean but that is very shortsighted. Horrific to see Hourihane still there despite dropping down to League 1. Our midfield options contain 2 league 1 players. We badly need new blood in that area.

Jack Bonham has played more than O'Leary this season so might have been worth a look at in the squad.

I don't know if Connolly will be guaranteed a start lads. Especially with the system that Crawford plays.

I think Byrne might do alright in the deeper six role if you dropped him into the midfield with Molumby and Knight. Think Mick even passed comment about how Byrne plays to deep and wanted to see him higher up the pitch in and around tye final third making things happen. Rather than coming deep to receive the ball from defenders.

One thing I like about Byrne and it's the reason I wouldn't mind seeing him picked at times is he always wants to be on the ball. If he hasn't got it he's making space to receive the ball and moving forward when he has it.

Senior squad fairly as expected, struggling to think of anyone else who deserves to be included and think most of the squad is deserving of their callup maybe apart from Hourihane. Hard to say who would be a better alternative, maybe Smallbone once the 21s campaign is over. Jack Byrne possibly if he is fully fit and on form but he is neither right now unfortunately.

I'd go with Bazunu; Omobamidele, Collins, Egan; Doherty, Molumby, Cullen, Knight, McClean; Ogbene, Parrott for Scotland. Complete toss up between Obafemi and Ogbene but the latter is in better form. Then you could bring in Duffy, Brady, Browne, Obafemi, Hendrick for the Armenia game if lads needed a rest while still throwing out a fairly good team.

Tony O'Donoghue is a poor journalist. Questioning why Caomhin isnt in the squad. He says hes back training with Liverpool so its strange. Eh no Tony. Hes been injured for the best part of 3 months so its not strange at all. Clueless.

Thought Egan was injured ?

Coleman played in a 3 for Everton last season and did alright, probably suits him better now as he slows down, great leader on field.

New lad for the U21s, Finn Azaz and his three goals so far this season for Plymouth who are third in League One. Finished last season with 7 goals and 7 assists for a mid table Newport County.

Fabulous name.

We really are spoiled for choice at centre back. Ultimately I think the 3 will be Collins, O’Shea and Omobamedele. If only we had similar quality coming through in midfield. Upfront doesn’t look too shabby either, if Parrott, Obafemi, Idah all come through, and there’s Ogbene, who I think is terrific. Can’t understand some of the criticism he gets. He’s generally been pretty effective when he plays, and he can put the ball in the net.

Finn Azaz looks an interesting prospect, seems to have some great feet and technique. Also fair play to Connolly for taking the callup, we know not everyone in a green jersey would be willing to take the step down.

Think for Connolly and even his agent would probably tell him it's a good move because it gets you back around the Irish set up especially playing abroad. Shows the senior management that your comments about turning things around were meaningful. Train hard, Crawford puts in a glowing review about you, and might give Kenny something to think about for Novembers training camp. Would be great for him personally if we qualify because would give him more opportunities like this if he's not picked for future Ireland squads.

No Finn Benoa would now be over age for the U19s. Current U19s would be for lads born in 2004.

Seems Russell Martin isn't happy with comments that Kenny made in his press conference yesterday regarding Obafemi when he said there's three sides to every story when talking about his situation at Swansea.