As well as Marcello and the Tank, Josh Pritchard and George Williams have been called up. Both for the Wales U21 side to play England. George will also train with the main Wales squad. Good lad.
Jack Grimmer has also been called up - for Scotland U21s. Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26325601 Port Vale are still waiting to get results from a scan on Jack's leg after he was stretchered off at the weekend. Definitely out for their next game against Wolves.
A number U21 squads announced today, so here's a list of all of our lads called-up so far: Muamer Tankovic Sweden Alex Kacaniklic Sweden Pajtim Kasami Switzeland U21s (v Lichtenstein) Jesse Joronen Finland U21s (v San Marino) Lasse VigenChristensen Denmark U21s (v Estonia) Chris David Holland U21s (v Israel) Marcello Trotta Italy U21s (v Northern Ireland) George Williams Wales U21s (v England) Josh Pritchard Wales U21s (v England) Jack Grimmer Scotland U21s Liam Donnelly Northern ireland U21s Noa Baba Republic of Ireland U19s Cameron Burgess Scotland U19s Moussa Dembele France U18s Marek Rodak Slovakia U18s Pat Roberts is with England U17s in 'The Algarve Tournament' [He helped England to a 2-0 win against Holland in their first game] Shane Ellworthy Republic of Ireland U17s
Any idea why Williams will be training with the main squad? Is he being pruned for the senior squad in the near future does anyone know?
Only guessing FI. While George has played for Wales at various youth levels, he could still opt to play for Wales or England at the senior level. So maybe Chris Coleman is simply adding encouragement to get him to stay on side.
Had a sneaking suspicion that this could be the case because I know he's from Milton Keynes. Whatever the reasoning, it can only help the lad to be training with the seniors. Sky have a story on it too. Doesn't say much though: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11681/9187384/international-fulham-youngster-george-williams-invited-to-train-with-wales-squad
Kara has been called up for the Greece squad. As has Mitroglou!!! "Greece coach Fernando Santos on Friday named a 20-man squad for next Wednesday's home friendly against South Korea in preparation for the 2014 World Cup. The match will be played at the Karaiskaki Stadium, the home venue for Greek champions Olympiakos. Goalkeepers: Panagiotis Glykos (PAOK), Alexandros Tzorvas (Apollon Smyrni) Defenders: Vasilis Torosidis (Roma/ITA), Loukas Vyntra (Levante/ESP), Sokratis Papastathopoulos (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Kostas Manolas, Jose Holebas (both Olympiakos), Giorgos Tzavellas (PAOK) Midfielders: Alexandros Tziolis (Kayserispor/TUR), Panagiotis Kone (Bologna/ITA), Giannis Maniatis, Andreas Samaris (both Olympiakos), Giorgos Karagounis (Fulham/ENG), Kostas Katsouranis (PAOK) Forwards: Kostas Mitroglou (Fulham/ENG), Lazaros Christodoulopoulos (Bologna/ITA), Dimitris Salpingidis (PAOK), Giannis Fetfatzidis (Genoa/ITA), Giorgos Samaras (Celtic/SCO), Dimitris Papadopoulos (Atromitos)." Source: http://www.supersport.com/football/...28/Greece_name_squad_for_South_Korea_friendly Really don't know what to say about the inclusion of Kostas. Or about the prospect of him even travelling to the game three days before we play Cardiff.
Almost a pointless signing. We'll be lucky if he turns out half a dozen times for us and then probably won't hang around if we get relegated. Bit like Jari Litmaanen.
Mainly an update on Brede following his bang on the head yesterday, but to question, for the second time, why an injured player is in the frame for International duty this week. please log in to view this image "Following the injury picked up by Brede Hangeland in the first half of the clash with Chelsea, the Club can provide the following update. Brede was given the all-clear to return home from hospital on Saturday evening. He will be reviewed and monitored before a decision is made as to whether or not he meets up with the Norway national team in the coming week."
I don't believe it, I really don't believe it - "Mitroglou, who was in Athens on Sunday night for the derby between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, is an integral part of the Greece team and coach Fernando Santos will use the South Korea friendly to continue his preparations for the World Cup. Mitroglou is likely to return from international duty on Thursday and will then be assessed by Magath and the club’s medical staff before the trip to Wales."
WTF? No wonder we are where we are!!! Mickey mouse running of affairs. Instead of keeping him here to train with team!
I'm not wild about the travelling, but if the problem is that he's short of match fitness. maybe this will help remedy that. I know, I'm clutching at straws again.
It appears to me that iwe need new blood in our club hierarchy.apart from our junior coaching and administration staff the club has decended to micky mouse level.
And he says he's retiring from International football after the World Cup - "Speaking to Greek journalists at Nike's presentation of their World Cup kit, Karagounis said: “After Brazil I’m stopping from the national team.” Overhearing the comments was Celtic striker Giorgos Samaras who intervened, a little optimistically placing a wager that that his teammate would stay on for two more years: “There’s no way. We’re going to Euro 2016 together, I’m telling you. He won’t stop, I’ll bet you.” Karagounis laughed off Samaras' comments and adamantly replied, “After Brazil that’s it. This will be the last Greece shirt I’ll wear.” It remains to be seen who will win the bet but in the meantime, Karagounis will lead his side out in Piraeus on Wednesday as the Greeks continue their preparation ahead of the World Cup with a friendly against South Korea" Source: http://www.footballdirectnews.com/p...lham-midfielder-to-retire-after-world-cup.php Message to Felix: Please, please make sure he gets plenty of game time and soon. We need his enthusiasm just as much as Greece.
Looking again at the impressive list of U21s called up reminded me of the Hodgson era when 10 to 14 first team regulars would be on International duty. What have we today? The two Greeks, the two Swedes, Kvist, Zverotic, and Bryan - none of whom are currently playing. Then Brede and Ashkhan - who are. Says it all really.
Marcello Trotta scored Italy's second in their U21s 2-0 win over Northern Ireland. Match report: http://www.football-italia.net/46049/u21-italy-win-northern-ireland
Pajtim Kasami scored one and had an assist as Switzerland U21s beat Lichtenstein 5-1. Lasse Vigen Christensen went one better, scoring twicw and getting one assist in Holland U21s 8-0 win over Estonia. Footnote: Not really of much interest anymore, apart from the bizarre timing of the game, but Clint Dempsey played for the USA as they went down 2-0 to Ukraine in a friendly played in Cyprus.
