LAST UPDATE | 16 Nov 2024
FORMER IRISH U21 captain Conor Coventry has been drafted into the senior international squad for Sunday’s Nations League game against England, with Jason Knight suspended.
Knight picked up a yellow card in the early stages of Thursday’s win at home to Finland, which ruled him out of tomorrow’s clash at Wembley. Heimir Hallgrimsson has thus turned to uncapped Coventry, who has been among senior squads in the past without being capped.
Coventry flew from London to Dublin to train with his Irish team-mates this morning, and flew with the team back to London ahead of tomorrow’s game. Having come through West Ham’s academy, Coventry made 10 senior appearances for the club, the bulk of them in the Conference League and League Cup. He played once in the Premier League.
Coventry had a series of loan spells during his time at West Ham, and completed a permanent move to League One’s Charlton Athletic at the start of the year, and has been a fixture of their midfield since.
“He has been playing really well in League One, and he is ready to play at a higher stage”, said Hallgrimsson of his new call-up. “A really consistent performer, really good on the ball, maybe a little bit more defensive compared to Jason [Knight].”
Ireland have an otherwise fully-fit squad from which to choose.
Ireland can finish no higher or lower than third in their group, with England needing to win to guarantee top spot and automatic promotion to League A.
“We go to this game like all others, to try to win”, said Hallgrimsson. “But it is of course a little relief knowing we are not playing for a position. The pressure is on England, they have to win to win the group. They do not belong in League B as one of the top national teams in Europe, so of course they should be in League A.
“We know what kind of threat England gives us, if we are not ready from the first minute they will punish us.
“If we give them a chance they will take it, they have their weaknesses as well, and we will try to exploit them.”
Though Ireland have nothing material to play for, Hallgrimsson says the game can serve as preparation for the clashes against higher-ranked opponents that await Ireland in World Cup qualifying next year.
“If you think about what the media are saying, the federation are saying: we want to qualify for the World Cup finals, England have hired a new coach, and want to win it. That’s the difference [between] where we are at the moment. If we want to qualify, we know we will [play] two nations above us in the Fifa rankings. We need points against the big nations, home or away. That is a good dress rehearsal for us.”
England interim boss Lee Carsley has meanwhile confirmed Harry Kane will be restored to the starting line-up for Sunday’s game, having been rested against Greece in Athens on Thursday.
Updated at 19.53 with details from press conference
We’re going backwards in midfield which is a shame because we’re improving improving otherwise. Bosun Lawal just coming to wins of his injury at Stoke.
I reckon qualifying for the WC heavily depends on he and/or Hodge realizing their potential trial and asking this season strongly. Lawal particularly seems to have the strengths we lack.
@Louis Jacob: He has strength and athleticism but again his passing ability is very poor. He needs to improve this area, otherwise you can’t play him in a two and therefore have to have three in the midfield a la Same problem with Molumby. Hopefully Hodge can progress but he hasn’t shown at his loans that that potential will be realised yet. Basically midfield is in a bad state and we badly need some box to box and sitting midfielder who can pass and dictate play.
@John Clifford: I can’t understand why Azaz isn’t looked at more. He only got 10 mins the other night but EVERYTHING he did was positive. Neat passes, burst forward, athletic, strong and is playing exceptionally well for Carrick. Playing a central midfield of 3 foot Cullen and 4 foot knight is madness. No wonder Finland could drive 4 buses and a mini forklift through us. We are wide open in CM.
@Sean O’Maolain: He is being looked at but the main concern in this team is that we have no decent defensive midfielders. Cullen, Molumby and Smallbone aren’t great but they are the best we’ve got. I still think Smallbone will be decent.
@Louis Jacob:
@John Clifford:
Dylan Watts of Shamrock Rovers has to be mentioned, great player going forward and gets stuck in defensively however he does get the odd booking every now and then but is really good and is experienced. A good leader too and with his performances in Europe lately has to be in the squad better off having him than an extra striker or centre back.
Another mistake!! Coventry could be Josh Cullen’ brother. They play the very same. They give molasses a bad name. Lawal is a Rolls Royce, when he wants to be. Seeing as nobody is going after Goodhram what about Luca Connell at Barnsley? Barnsley are in the top six of League one, mostly due to Connell. If he had not gone to Celtic (like Lawal) he would be in the Championship, at least, by now. He is a Scouser with a bit of bite, a great engine and a sweet left foot. Word is he is no mean left back either!!
@Lenny Breau: he even looks like Josh Cullen
I think you are being harsh on Coventry. He is a good number 6. Yes he is like Cullen. Maybe that is the type of player that West Ham are developing in their academy.
I think he can be a good player. I know he no world beater but he is not as bad as he is being made out to be here.
League 1 players shouldn’t be playing for us
Yeah it’s not a good thing this Coventry getting in to have a look. I am thinking have a look at someone from the league of Ireland out of either the Shels or Rovers team just to make up the numbers. Our midfield options are that poor now.