Kenny said the rice / grealish situation wouldn't have happened if managed better. Let's see it in practice then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMykYSQaG_c" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMykYSQaG_c

It's good that Stephen Kenny is out in Armenia and is even overseeing the training sessions. He's probably in the ear of all the young players and telling them they have a potential future in his team

https://amp.mancity.com/news/eds-academy/joe-hodge-man-city-scholar-of-the-year-1920-63731781?__twitter_impression=true" rel="nofollow - https://amp.mancity.com/news/eds-academy/joe-hodge-man-city-scholar-of-the-year-1920-63731781?__twitter_impression=true

I'd say he will benefit from Kenny's attitude where he said the young talents would be fast-tracked thru' the age groups as they see fit so every chance he's an U21 player sooner rather than later, even though he's only 18.

What are his links to Ireland is he likely to have his head turned 

Dublin Grandmother.

So tenuous!

He's played for Ireland and England underage, altho' only as a bit-player for England.  From listening to him talk, he seems to very much enjoy the Irish setup but we have to respect he is English born, to English parents and has lived there his whole life so there are no guarantees.

He is still a child at 17 and should not be getting asked about allegiance. Let him enjoy the game and when the time comes, he is free to choose as he likes.

But I think this is where Kenny could excel - a good connection with the youth players and joined-up thinking between the age groups where players see a pathway to the senior side. Hodge turns 18 in September and will still be very young, but I wonder how long it is until he is playing senior football somewhere.  Not long I'd say based on his unquestionable quality. I hope he makes the step up to senior level and plays for us there, but can't begrudge him if he doesn't.

PS, I see I contradicted myself on his age....apologies...he turns 18 in Sept.

move to the ROTW section 

 

How do you know?

I'd argue that being in the England U17 squad 5 times but only starting once, and getting 4 sub appearances qualifies as bit-part.

Compare that to Ireland U17 where he was in the squad 9 times and started every match.

I didn't know your other comments and they are encouraging.

All going right for him I would honestly say 2 years. If Kenny does what he says I think gets an early cap in that timeframe

I guess not if you are good enough and I think this guy is.  He's 8 months younger than Parrott so I'm thinking it's far from impossible he gets senior games this season.

So if he did manage to get some games this upcoming season then who knows, could be a call-up within a year.

This is highly optimistic thinking on my part but sure why not 

I was thinking he won't go on loan til he is 18 at leastwhich is September. 18 is the perfect age imo. I think he will play 21's this year. and maybe get a call up the year after. Id love all these lads going to the Euros with the squad if we got there like. The Knights, Smallbones and Hodges of the world. Won't happen but like, may aswell have a young squad there and think of the the future. Great experience and we are not going to win the thing anyway.

That's it tho. 

You see lots of underage lade who are top of their category because they developed faster etc. Time catches up on them. 

Hodge is the opposite - a small player who is still able to stand out while playing against lads two or three years his senior.

If anything, he'll be better again as he catches up on them development-wise. 

Even Kenny is already talking him up almost with one eye on trying to sweeten up and get him thinking in our direction almost. 😂 Haven’t seen much of him but he looked exceptional in the U19s semi final against Portugal at 16. Hard to break through at City though tbf. Himself and Bazunu two outstanding prospects. 

He sounds like a cowboy.

Sounds very English to me 

The link with us is very small. He would be one that I would look to fast track, however controversial it may be to some!

O'Connor got the 21s and Afolabi got 19s. 

Would agree with this, cap Hodge and Smallbone early in much the same way we did Obafemi. For one it removes any doubt to how committed they are, worst case they say they don't want to be capped and we can move on straight away.

and secondly, we don't go through any 6 month period where the player is thinking about his options.

Should have been capped in these games. Need to think of the future and avoid another rice situation.

If anything that sort of tactic will deter them from joining us.

The highest level he has played at are U19 international and Club U18.

He turns 18 this month and may go on loan this season.

If he does and impresses, then he should be on the radar but even so, would be a huge step up.

Let's see how he gets on at U21 level in the 3 remaining games but all going well, by this time next year he may have a higher profile after some men's football and look somewhat ready for a call-up but a long way to go.

I'm not ignoring the Rice-factor here.

But the fact remains the lad is still a child and has yet to play men's football anywhere.

As we've seen, these NL games are not easy.

He needs to get playing games for a club somewhere and I am hoping he goes out on loan when he turns 18.

If he does, and does well, then he moves up in the pecking order.

Why does he need to play games for a club somewhere? Any club he plays for will likely be better than us so why does he have to play for a better team to play for us? 

NL games aren’t easy and we sit tied for last. Funnily though Wales are in first and what players have they used? Oh right they just started Dylan Levitt who only has one first team appearance at club level. And he’s just to go along with the several others who made their Wales debut before club. Don’t give some sh*t about the NL games aren’t easy when the team winning our group is doing the very thing your against. 

He’s also not going on loan. No top club loans out second year scholars. He’ll be playing u23s this season. 

Whether they are dual players or not, I think there is a case for saying, central midfield and striker are two of our most 'missing' areas of quality in our squad. The older players can fill a gap but why not also have included your most promising centre midfielder (e.g. Hodge) or striker (e.g. Troy) and get them in before they have made the break through at their clubs (its much more difficult to break in at Spurs or City). 

Wales have done this brilliantly. They do have a good crop coming through but they have also propelled them rather than waiting around for them to happen at their clubs. Been saying this for a few years now but I think it's a great example to follow. 

It doesn't have to be total rely on youngers but you could make the case that someone like Hodge takes the place of Alan Browne and Troy takes the place of Maguire.

I for one would like to see more of that.

Add in the dual factor for Hodge and people like Smallbone, getting them capped earlier also helps to avoid a Rice situation or makes them make the call earlier rather stringing us on and eventually going to England

Kenny did that with u21s   He promoted people beyond their which didnt happen with Noel King.   

He will do the same I think with Seniors.  The playoffs are not the time for it but maybe the nations league games in November 

Giles too 

How can you judge someone who hasn't even played at reserve level for his club yet.

I know Kenny's already seen him him at U17 level but the lads barely grown pubes and people are asking him to call him up. Let him develop! 

ROI section has been mad over the weekend but this is making me mald.

We’ve never replaced Roy. In the last 15 years we’ve never found an international standard player who can be the backbone of our midfield. 

I AM NOT saying that Joe Hodge is that player, but we need to do something strategically to ensure that we are filling our midfield pipeline. We need to cast the net and do whatever we can to help our players reach their potential. No option should be off the table.

This is evidence of Kenny's approach and Hodge was called into the 21's camp at 17, so things are changing rapidly.

Joe is a step behind Troy though and has not even ever played above U19 level.

Whoops, couldn't find it. 

https://www.otbsports.com/soccer/joe-hodge-shane-keegan-1082244" rel="nofollow - https://www.otbsports.com/soccer/joe-hodge-shane-keegan-1082244

If a move to the LOI is in the cards, my money would be on a Dublin club or Dundalk 

Agree, don’t get it at all tbh

Could it be Brexit related, perhaps less red tape going to Derry rather than a club in the EU 

Will be playing against the better teams in the league as well, will learn more there than he would at better teams.

Don't see how being in Dublin or Derry is any different to him. 

Playing better football, training with better players and potentially in Europe. Ya can look at it both ways. 

I’d be very surprised if Rovers weren’t chasing him at the minute 

Indeed. Because he's not remotely Irish. 

Can't remember one. Does this mean City think his ceiling is lower than we hoped or do the want the finishing touches of the rough and tumble of senior ball in him already  ?   Hard to know.

He won academy player of the year last year so I’d imagine it’s the latter 

True, but he's training with far, far superior players now than he would be there, so personally wouldn't think of that as a major factor. I reckon it makes more sense than Rovers for him but can see the other side. 

He won scholar of the year, which is as much to do with scholarly endeavors as it is football, but I also think it's the latter. 

Seems he was in the Liverpool academy and returned to Ireland, as opposed to got loaned back.

Fergal Harkin involved with City apparently. 

Thats right, think he has the title "Loans Manager". Good to have a Donegal man close to Joe to guide him in the right direction. Fergal played with Harps and Bohs

Well he’s already made the first poor choice in guiding him to the dog track.

Graham Carey to Bohs?

Article written by the same person who said that Robbie Keane was going to be the next LA Galaxy manager. And the same person who categorically said that Jack Grealish and Declan Rice would not switch allegiances to England.

In other words, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Great stuff.
He'll be more Irish by the day 

https://www.derrycityfc.net/2021/02/man-city-starlet-hodge-joins-on-loan/" rel="nofollow - https://www.derrycityfc.net/2021/02/man-city-starlet-hodge-joins-on-loan/

Fantastic news. Aside from having the kid play in the LOI, it will be great for his development to be regularly starting (hopefully) around experienced players.

You definitely don't come across like somebody from the North of Ireland

Enchanting vessels🤔how was the boarding school?

Obviously it brings a quality player to the LoI, one for whom we have high hopes of making it all the way into our seniors.

But it can also showcase the LoI as a destination for young players.

The league has become more technical and (it seems to me) younger in age-profile.  I doubt ManC would send a talent over to get battered up an down the park (although I suspect Hodge can take care of himself) so it's an endorsement to my eyes.

I'd also like to think Hodge himself had some say in the matter which, if true, is very reassuring for where his future lies.

Pity we didn't get to see him play so let's see where he goes in the new season.

Do people think he can go very far?