Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

While Kellegher is good with his feet I wouldn't say he is better than Bazunu.

In terms of actual shot-stopping it's one of the things I've been least impressed with Kellegher any time I've seen him.

He looks every bit the outfielder who took up goalkeeping at a later age.

There's also a concern around his fitness. He's picked up a few injuries in the last three years and only for injuries he'd likely be Ireland number one.

Bazunu was playing for Rochdale when he became Irelands number one. If Kelleher wasn't injured for the start of the WC qualifying campaign he'd have been Irelands number one because he was Kenny's first choice at the time out of the younger lads and his U21s goalkeeper.

I wouldn't say 'clouded' - it's not false information or something - I'd just say Liverpool followers have simply seen more of him... He's made a lot more appearances for Liverpool than for Ireland, so there's just more games to base him on, rather than only his appearances in green. If someone reckons they've seen a gap in his game (shot stopping) in his few ireland appearances when thrown into usually-mixed teams, then it's valuable to know that in other high level competition with his club his shot stopping has been quite good. It's a thing we know he can do, cause people have seen him do it.

I've no problem with Bazunu being number 1 though, he's not done anything to deserve losing it. But it's nice to know there's a high quality replacement there should his international form drop.

Ah yeah, I wouldn't count underage performances really (he's made an awful lot more of those for Liverpool too!), since the leap from underage to senior is just so big for both club and country.

Oh yeah, of course plenty of non pool fans will have watched - I was just addressing the point that "He hasn't really shown anything for Ireland", and that "Liverpool fans are clouded by Kelleher's performances". I don't think international performances are the only performances worth paying attention to - sure most international players earn their places through club form, so I think his Liverpool first team performances are informative rather than clouding.

Ah right, yeah, I wouldn't agree with that viewpoint at all either anyway. I can't say i've seen that expressed as a common opinion in my own experience though... and certainly not commonly by Liverpool fans on here. (as far as social media goes, there's not really any point of view you won't see stated numerous times - it's packed full of every type of opinion you could ever think of, from the cleverest to the most moronic).

Of course it's better for his career to go out and play now at this stage. He's obviously benefitted hugely from having top level coaches and players around him, but now's the time to go do it for himself.

(The 'clouded' comment I was referring to was Brock Turnpikes though, not yours - they referred to people being clouded by his Liverpool performances, with the poster placing higher value on his Ireland performances - I kinda just think both sets of performances are of fairly equal value.)

Perhaps... though he really had to earn that support. It's only a few years since there was a lot of doubt and negativity about him amongst Liverpool fans. He was part of some awful defensive performances in his cup appearances early on - including famously conceding 5 in back to back games against Arsenal and Villa in the League Cup in 19/20. So how he's developed and been viewed since then, with a very visible and rapid improvement, has been a major turnaround.

Doesn't deserve to usurp Bazunu until/unless Gav puts in some poor displays for us, but I think he's shown enough - and enough future potential - to be worthy of a spot if that time comes.

..

tonsillitis hmmm...

Even after a bad season with Southampton there really is no call for Kelleher to take the Irish no.1 spot.

All 5 goals his fault?

How the Championship's left back of year and one of the highest assist providers is overlooked for Liam Scales is absurd.

Tom Cannon has done more in 3 months at Preston than what Obafemi, Idah and Parrott have done all season. Combined in all competitions those players have 12 goals. Cannon has 8.

Think he also said that Cannon is on standby and that Ryan Manning is missing because of personal reasons. Was in the squad only for personal reasons.

I'd say at this moment he's possibly prioritizing sorting out his club future over a call up. He's 27 in two weeks and this is likely his last chance to get himself a good move with a decent contract.

His agent will sort out the contract. If players pulled out everytime they were changing club it would be ridiculous. He’s 26 aswell. Not sure that means he’s on his last decent contract unless he intends to put his feet up once he signs it.

Think it’s fair to say it’s likely this contract will be higher value than a contract that will cover time entirely in his 30s. Mid to late 20s is peak. Once you’re in your 30s factors like a lack of resale value and a far greater likelihood of a consistent decline in performances are going to play a major part in contract talks.

It shouldn’t be his last decent contract. It may be his most lucrative contract. But if he does well at this next club it probably won’t be that either

I would judge any player who can’t make it to an international call up, especially a competitive one, because he might get injured and that would affect his bargaining position. o dowda might get injured (like he did on the last call up) and then manning is in with a chance of playing.

a bit exasperated by the lack of commitment you are prepared to tolerate if you are correct in the reasons put forward for his wish to be non selected.

Whatever about the pre-existing relationship, I also don't think the contract situation is a basis to refuse a call up.

No Tom Cannon but 9 new players receive their first U21s call up with 5 from this season's U19s being called up. Rocco Vata and Sam Curtis still eligible for next season's U19s.