SQUAD - November Friendlies

Smallbone for Hourihane should just be a given. I'm not saying Smallbone is the answer to all our problems but could play that bench role that Hourihane fails miserably at to make any kind of difference and is detrimental when he starts.

I agree about not just throwing in u21s who have played little senior minutes but we badly need options is some positions.

It's not even just age. Brady, Doherty and Coleman are usually either not playing or get their fair share of injuries. Both Sykes and Manning can play in other positions too so aren't bad options for the squad in any case.

I'm going to watch our lads - Don't really care who lines up against them!

Squad should be announced in 3 weeks, not a whole lot will change between now and then in terms of players gametime/form.

With Parrott & Idah out, & possibly Ogbene & Connolly too, there's a couple of spots up for grabs there.

Keane will probably come back in as a like-for-like for Parrott.

1 or 2 of Armstrong, Odubeko, Ferguson & Kelly could be fighting it out for the last spot(s).

If I had to pick 2 of those I'd probably go with Keane & Armstrong.

Hodge, I think, is making himself hard to ignore. Get him in as Cullens understudy, it's badly needed.

Coventry should also come in there, I know he's not playing now but he will be come January. Both can play as a 6 or an 8, too. It's good depth to start developing.

Smallbone is obvious at this point, name checked by Kenny too.

I've seen shouts for Azaz, perhaps. No harm in getting him and having a look in training.

I'd like to see McGrath & Manning back in. McGrath is playing regularly again, & Manning is having an excellent season so far.

If I see Hourihane called up again I might actually scream.

EDIT:

Somehow forgot Festy!

Trying not to name loads of players as Kenny said he won't experiment "greatly", but there's giant holes in the squad.

I think it's probably too late in the process for that many changes tbh - these are the last two games in advance of the Qualifiers and Kenny has already indicated that changes will be minor. I can't see how he could name eight or nine newcomers without naming a 30plus man squad and one would assume he wants to go with close to his likely starting XI for France against the Norwegians, so I don't see how he would give enough of them game time.

As you say, Smallbone, namechecked by Kenny and on the scoresheet since will almost certainly be one. I think Manning assuming he is fit will get another chance as the 5th wingback in the squad. I'd agree re Keane also, he's producing now in the Championship and there's a spot there with Parrott and others out. 

I wouldn't be surprised if that was the extent of it, bar Hodge and/or Connolly actually getting starts between now and then or one of the Championship strikers e.g., Kelly banging in a heap of goals. It's likely too soon for the likes of Ferguson, Armstrong, Odubeko who all remain U21 eligible and Ebosele and Coventry just dont look like getting enough, if any, game time before then. Azaz is a dark horse but is certainly making a case for himself. Mc Grath hasn't done enough to force his way back in imo.

Agreed Hourihane should be gone!

Smallbone is ahead of Azaz on merit, both are the same age, Smallbone has played multiple times for the U21s, Azaz has played 40 minutes, Smallbone has played PL football and is a regular starter in the Championship now, a level above Azaz. I like the look of Azaz btw, but this is a case of the brand-new shiny thing!

As for Hodge vs Coventry- Hodge definitely looks like a lad with a higher ceiling than Coventry. Fwiw I dont think either of the two will be called up unless Hodge actually establishes himself in the first team squad under the new manager whomever that might be, and the timeframe looks too tight. If he is good enough to merit consideration for a senior spot vs France should Cullen be injured, he should have been absolutely standing out vs Israel in the two U21 games, he didnt - yes he was neat, tidy and combative but no more than that. IMO people are getting overly carried away with a few sub apps under an interim manager.

Coventry is a possible only on account of his long-standing captaincy of the U21s imo, rather than on any merit-based assessment.

Doesn't mean anyone else has to miss out, the Irish rugby squad do similar regularly, I see no downside for doing it for the upcoming international window

QPR/Blackburn/Burnley/Norwich/Sheffield Utd all represented. Even Millwall Swansea other teams there or there abouts have Irish players.

Could see Burnley ending up with Obafemi in January too.  Think Burnley are strong contenders to go up. Will only get better as the season goes.

Would expect more Irish players to be in the PL next year at least. Even if Bazunu and Collins both go down (very unlikely) every chance they get transfers back up again anyways!!

Swansea really should have just let him go in the summer with the money they threw at them! Obafemi has had a stop start time of it since,Swansea will likely lose him for a fraction of that in Jan/nothing next summer.

No benefitted from it bar maybe Burnleys owners pocket. 

I did find it funny plenty lads were saying "Obafemis attitude again" when he treid to push for the move. nothing wrong with players wanting to kick on when they get momentum to a higher standard of club. Same guys would be tearing their hair out at Jason Knight for not kicking on and showing ambition!