Ireland U21s - 2025 Campaign

Maccatacca wrote: Howdo wrote: Fozz wrote: Howdo wrote: No Vata? He was out for a while (missed last window) so curious to see if he goes back to the 19's. It's a good sign if he does - it's better to have more movement between the squads as and when needed. His Mam just confirmed on FB, he's with the U19's Load of Albanian lads on Twitter saying his dad with in the papers over there saying that Vata would switch to Albania. Hopefully nothing in it.

Well, his mam is responding on the FAI Facebook squad announcement- you could always ask her?

Fozz wrote: Howdo wrote: Maccatacca wrote: Howdo wrote: Fozz wrote: Howdo wrote: No Vata? He was out for a while (missed last window) so curious to see if he goes back to the 19's. It's a good sign if he does - it's better to have more movement between the squads as and when needed. His Mam just confirmed on FB, he's with the U19's Load of Albanian lads on Twitter saying his dad with in the papers over there saying that Vata would switch to Albania. Hopefully nothing in it.  Well, his mam is responding on the FAI Facebook squad announcement- you could always ask her? This has been asked and answered many times....he shows up every time he is called and puts in a shift. He'll be dropping back to the 19's next week so fair play to him.

Which is what she said

Knock on effect of Moran's promotion sees Adam Murphy moved up from the U19s.

SC92 wrote: Should of promoted Vata. Murphy was very poor in the game he started a few months back. He's likely guaranteed minutes with Crawfords LOI agenda though.

Howdo wrote: SC92 wrote: Should of promoted Vata. Murphy was very poor in the game he started a few months back. He's likely guaranteed minutes with Crawfords LOI agenda though. I'm probably stirring it a bit with this one, but I wonder if the fact that we're playing Albania, is the reason Vata is being kept with the U19's.... that's my conspiracy theorist mind playing up lol

Crawford will likely play 5-4-1 in both games. Probably more to do with someone like Vata not seeing many minutes. With Okoflex and Gilsenan in the squad it was probably best letting Vata start and be the main player for the U19s.

Feel it was similar thinking with Moran. Likely not gonna play minutes against the Dutch so stay with the U21s for Norway at a minimum. Though that's changed now with a few senior players possible doubts.

Tricky game ahead. 

With no Moran it will be interesting to see what he does. Springett has played himself into a starting position and it was hard to see how Crawford would have fitted both him and Moran into a starting XI while also using three CBs.

J89 wrote: With no Moran it will be interesting to see what he does. Springett has played himself into a starting position and it was hard to see how Crawford would have fitted both him and Moran into a starting XI while also using three CBs.

Edited by Fozz - 17 Nov 2023 at 12:48pm

Fozz wrote: J89 wrote: With no Moran it will be interesting to see what he does. Springett has played himself into a starting position and it was hard to see how Crawford would have fitted both him and Moran into a starting XI while also using three CBs. We played both last day and didn't use 3 CBs as we haven't done yet this campaign, as best as I recall. Used a 4-3-3 with Moran as the most advanced midfielder, with Hodge and Healy behind. Springett and Okoflex the wingers both sides of Armstrong. I'd say he'll go the same bar Gilsenan, Philipps or Leavy instead of Moran. The latter two will give the middle more graft. Leavy would be my guess.

We played five at the back at home to Turkey. Stephen Kenny getting a new contract would shock me less than Crawford going to Norway and playing four at the back.