Republic of Ireland Team 2023/24 [old thread]

On BBC Five Live last night, they said Idah signed up to 2028 at Norwich, but the buyout would only be £5m.

Always thought it was decent move for him. Don't think he's at premiership or even championship level but the SPL is a perfect fit for him. Delighted it went well for him

Interesting to see if Undav returns to Brighton again. Played himself into Germany's Euro squad. His last spell with them wasn't great but he is a player.

End of the first half, Smallbone's Southampton much better. West Brom woeful - though Mikey Johnston looks the only bright spark there, the only one making things happen. Johnston had probably the best moment of the half, dribbling through 3 players, and playing a lovely perfectly weighted ball over the opposite flank in the final third to two WB players - who each assumed the other would go for it, and both just stood there as it rolled past them. Really embarrassing looking stuff.

Whoever gets through of this round, would expect Leeds to beat them handy enough.

Neil Lennon takes over at Rapid Bucaresti!

I wasn't making a joke - or commenting in any way - about the current Ireland appointment… that had nothing at all to do with my post.

It just amused me that such a far flung club as Rapid Bucaresti were interviewing two local men with such a massive amount in common - that it looked, as i said, like they had a 'type'. 🤷‍♂️

He just needs time to implement his ideas.

Where have I heard that before??

Kind of related to the national team but former FAI CEO Fran Rooney has died.

He was only 67.

I recall when he became FAI CEO in 2003 that there was the hope that he would "sort out" the organization, because at the time and as there always is with the FAI there was lots of concern around governance, finances etc.

He lasted just about a year, I don't know or recall whether he left himself or was pushed.

Kompany is about Bayerns 50th choice. They’ve made a mess of appointing their next manager on a scale similar to the FAI.

Burnley have a great chance at bouncing back up. No point in fleeing the club to stay in the Championship.

Worded badly more meant he's looking like the guy now that they're pushing for as the next manager and he's open to moving.

Think O'Shea can get a move back to the PL. Not saying the lads should be forcing their way out of Burnley but should be asking their agents to see what options are out there..

Think there's a possibility that things could get messy at Burnley this summer. They've spent a **** ton of money since VK came in and looks like VK was the one calling the shots on transfers. Would like to see Burnley bring in someone like Corberan if the lads stay. Might also try sign Mikey Johnston after his loan spell.

🤣🤣🤣

Elsewhere, I see Aaron Connolly has been released by Hull. Pretty disappointing… had looked like he was finally starting to get a bit settled after 18 months there. Back to the drawing board again for him.

They sacked the manager, Liam Rosenior, as well so maybe if he can get a gig somewhere else in the championship he might bring Connolly along - though he'd dropped him over the last few months of the season, so who knows.

Cyrus Christie was released by Hull too. That concussion and shoulder injury when Agnus Gunn tried to decapitate Connolly really killed his momentum.

While he technically only missed two games and played the next game Rosenior talked about him still having some after affects from the injury.

But I think he said come April his training performances weren't good enough to justify a place in the squad for someone that wasn't being kept on next season.

I know he comes off as cocky and arrogant at times but I'd say he's also someone that if he gets a setback it sets him back mentally. Given Blackburn's money issues wouldn't be surprised to see them try and sign him.

Wow, that's a surprising one. Had he dropped out of the running for Irish underage squads? Hearing him talk (with his big Irish head on him) about how proud he was playing for Ireland, it's a bit of a shock to hear him switch, unless he reckons he's not getting called up by the U21s or something?

seems to be on a few Albanian football twitter accounts. Who knows how legit that is… i'd guess we'll see over the course of the day..

Yeah they're overage for the U19s now and isn't in the running for an U21s call up. Wouldn't be surprised if the switch is something to do with that because he feels he's being overlooked as others have gotten called up before him.

There's no doubting the kids got talent but there's also a vibe of this lad thinks he's much better than what he is. Was always more impressed with Vata when both played for Ireland.

While it's never nice if a player switches there's other younger players which also look as talented as he did at underage. Also Calum Kavanagh (a few months older) has had a good start to 2024 at League 2 level and Ollie O'Neill (whose a year older) has had a good start to 2024 at League One level.

Tyler Goodrham whose also only a few months older than Zefi played 40games for Oxford as they won promotion to the Championship via the playoffs. For the last ten games also he switched from being a winger to playing more centrally.

If Zefi had switched a few years ago I'd be more worried, but now days you've Mason Melia, Jadon Umeh, Ike Orazi, Trent Kone Doherty, and Naj Razi who are younger and coming through the underage.

Even at the 2005 age group Mark O'Mahony and Franco Umeh are closer at making the break through at senior level and even Rocco Vata. Plus you've got some 2003 lads making an impact at senior club level.

Agree, would much rather he stays abroad instead of trying to come back to make it work in the championship.

Pity that Excelsior are also in the relegation playoffs because if they make it to the finals the second leg is June 2nd and we play Hungary June 4th. They beat ADO 2-1 in the first leg of the semis and play again tomorrow night at home in the return leg.

Not sure what involvement he might have in the squad if he's only joining up with the squad the day before we play Hungary. Might depend on who shows up or pulls out.

Don't think there's a thing Ireland can do because the June 3rd to 11th window isn't an official UEFA window because of Euro 2024.

On the FIFA website for match calendar says this window is for all confederations except UEFA. Think before the 2022 WC that wasn't an official window either. Teams didn't have to release players to us if they didn't want. Think City only allowed Haaland play in one game that window.