SQUAD - LATVIA/FRANCE 22nd/27th MARCH 2023

GK - Baz/Kelleher nailed on. Is there a case for naming O'Leary ahead of Travers as the 3rd keeper given that if anything happened to Baz, he would be our only keeper playing regularly come March/June?

RWB - Doherty/Coleman nailed on. If Matt is still struggling for game time, we can give him 45/60 mins vs Latvia. Ogbene/Sykes/Browne can all provide further cover here. I'd leave Ebosele with the U21s until at least the September games.

LWB - Mc Clean is nailed on for a squad spot at least, given his form this season. Brady has barely been sighted for PNE since the WC and a 10 minutes red card at the weekend wont help his cause. Manning is the player in form, while O'Dowda continues to stay fit and perform well for Cardiff

CB - Collins/Egan/O'Shea are the likely starters vs France. Collins may need a run out vs Latvia if he continues otb for Wolves. Omobamidele, Duffy, Lenihan are likely the next 3 in line. Dunne/Scales/McGuinness/Cashin likely to miss out.

CDM - Cullen nailed on starter for France and unlikely to need game time vs Latvia. Is it a chance to give Coventry a spin vs Latvia. May not be a popular opinion but like Ebosele, I'd leave Hodge with the U21s (and name him captain) as he looks unlikely to get any further game time at Wolves this season.

CM - Molumby/Knight the likely starters vs France. Think they'll stick with Hendrick and Browne in the squad. Mc Grath's spot has to be in danger given his (and Dundee Uniteds) form. Surely Smallbone is worth a 1st cap vs Latvia. Time to dispense with Hourihane? Azaz a decent outside bet?

ST - Ferguson/Obafemi look the most dangerous pairing, but we need to be mindful of their game time between now and then, either/both may benefit from a 45/60 min run out vs Latvia in advance. Robinson is out and Connolly will struggle to get back in time (if he does, he's worthy of consideration imo). The fit again Idah, Parrott and Ogbene's lack of goals remain a concern, but neither Keane or Hogan are pulling up trees. Maybe it's time to dispense with the old guard. Like Ebosele and Hodge, I'd leave Cannon with the U21s for now.

Overall, I think he should name a big enough squad (28 to 30) and only field players vs Latvia who either need game time in advance of the French game (potentially Doherty/Collins/Ferguson/Obafemi)

or whom he doesnt expect to feature in the French game, so the Latvia game could be a good opportunity to have a look at the likes of Coventry/Sykes/Smallbone, maybe Azaz, maybe Manning.

McNally, not McGrath 

Jay McGrath has gone from Coventry on loan to St Pats. Plays CB too

Regarding midfield, I'd say he'll go with Hendrick and Molumby v France, what with Knight playing away in L1.

Hourihane and McGrath should not be in the squad, and I'm also happy to leave Hodge with the 21's.

Azaz is worth a look in a position we are very light in and the Latvia match is a good chance for a few, including Coventry and Smallbone.  I'd put Manning in for that one too with an eye to a start v France.

Up top I'd be happy to see Ferguson and Obafemi start both matches...get some form up v Latvia for a spin at France.  Nobody else is really putting their hand up to displace either.

Dress sense, sh*t tattoos and developed a weird accent seemly 

The squad as I see it right now:

Players in [] have been previously called up but not capped.

Players in () I think are near a call up.

                     Parrott                  Obafemi                     
                     Robinson               Ferguson                          
                     Idah                      Ogbene
                     Keane                    Connolly

                                                  (Cannon)

                                  McGrath         
                                  Browne
                                  Knight
                                  [Ronan]                
    Manning                  (Azaz)                       Doherty
    Brady                                 Molumby        Coleman
    O'Dowda     Cullen              Hendrick         Sykes
    McClean     [Coventry]       [Smallbone]    [Ebosele]
                      (Hodge)                                 (McNamara)              
              
                    O'Shea      Egan     Collins                         
                    Lenihan     Duffy     Omobamidele
                   [Scales]    [Dunne]  (McNally)

                                  Kelleher
                                  Bazunu
                                  Travers
                                 [O'Leary]

-Coventry & Smallbone need to be blooded, both playing regularly & well in the Championship now.

-Would also cap Hodge & Ebosele.

-Ronan and/or Azaz also need to be tried, the lack of creative-mids is holding us back.

-There's a conversation to be had about Cannon.

Players that played in 2022 that I don't think we'll see in green again:
Hourihane, Stevens, Christie, Hogan, Hamilton