Mark Rodden

One of few positives of current situation is getting around to things that life got in the way of. So here's a look back on last year's Euro U17 in Ireland - with a particular focus on Belgian and Dutch approach at youth level alwaysbeclosing.sport.blog/2020/03/14/u17…

@browser_things Still young but that's tough on him considering how many games he'd played before leaving

@MRodden Sam Curtis has started 38 games in 3 years since leaving ireland

Luck and injuries play a part but a huge problem with the Irish men's football team is too many players spending far too long in the second tier of English football. More need to follow Troy Parrott's lead.

Israeli strikes in south Lebanon just this morning have killed seven paramedics and wounded seven more. Three journalists covering the attacks have also been killed.

@BrianMcDonaldIE Madness, when you put it like that!

@MRodden 100%. We used 17 players last night. 12 of them play in the English championship. It’s a terrible league. With a 50+ game season (including cups) sandwiched into 34 weeks. And it’s about to enter its final month. Go figure, sadly.

@browneindo Injuries a constant fear and can happen any time and in any league (though attritional and physical nature of Champ etc could lead to more). Not about making fans happy but think a lot of players would have better careers if they didn't get stuck in second tier.

@MRodden Maybe he will, maybe he won't One injury could end a career. Players have to consider a lot more than making fans happy 4-5 times a year

@browser_things Yeah it's huge. Comes a point when you really have to get regular football. Really noticeable at u21 level. Belgians or Germans more or less on a par at 17 are miles ahead with 50 or even 100 games in top flight by 21.

@MRodden Good indeed. My main issue with Irish players is how little they play, lots of them seem to be at clubs that they are not good enough to start at. Eg Adam Idah has only started 62 games in a 9 year career. And there are lots of players like that. My main advice would be go play

@dubdec @LeagueofIreland @ShamrockRovers @stpatsfc @premierleague Not all of them 😁 Plenty have come back from England too. Route for young players whatever way they go. But I'm more thinking guys who just get stock in second or third tier for years on end...

@MRodden @LeagueofIreland @ShamrockRovers @stpatsfc @premierleague They have and indeed returned as well it must be said.

@ThisDrinkinLife 😬😂

@MRodden Probably go to celtic. 😆

@ThisDrinkinLife I think his next move won't necessarily be to PL. Dutch league strikers are a mixed bag when they move on but think he'd have an advantage over some others in that position because of previous experience. He's giving himself every chance of succeeding anyway 🤞

@MRodden True, yes he has developed both physically and mentally. Was a brave move for him that worked out. But I do wonder about him stepping back into a much harder league especially as a striker. I hope he does get his big move.

@dubdec @LeagueofIreland @ShamrockRovers @stpatsfc @premierleague It will. But others have gone further afield too...

@MRodden They may need to do but if you look at 2 big transfers for young Irish prospects from @LeagueofIreland over last number of months one each @ShamrockRovers and @stpatsfc both will have ended up @premierleague clubs in London. England remains as it will the preferred option.

@McAuleyGer Definitely tough but depends on the club and city too

@MRodden Much more difficult for lad of 16 to go France or Spain than UK

@stanleyknives He was still very young then. Played a fair bit but also had a bad enough injury too. Cheers for the feedback!

@MRodden I agree with the sentiment but if we’re being honest, Parrott couldn’t hack the Championship which informed his move abroad

@ejwhaley78 Cheers! I think it's a good discussion to be having. Champ definitely better financially in short term (and maybe long term!)

@MRodden Excellent points here. Hopefully agents and players are taking note. A lot to be said for getting out of comfort zone and having to adapt to something new. The likely problem is tye championship probably offers better money up front. But moving abroad opens up more possibilities

@ThisDrinkinLife Money wise definitely but think Troy has added a lot to his game from different coaching/style/European matches. Doesn't always work but he'll walk back to PL on big wage if he wants because he was patient

@MRodden Second tier is probably at a higher level than Dutch first....tsk. money wise anyway.

@McAuleyGer It did but we should have had our own house in order anyway. Some funding now but will take time. But lots of European scouts looking to get our best players in at 16 now too. Still a challenging route...

@MRodden Not much said about Brexit fecking up youth development. They cant go to UK now if under 18 to develop with better clubs by which time the ship has already sailed for many. FAI should work out something with FA/UK gov but of course that'd go against the politics du jour

@PeteFarrell14 We'll agree to disagree there. Probably the most competitive though - and definitely exciting to be involved in too

@MRodden Championship is prob the 5th best league in world football

@DangerKidsBooks Fair point... think that's going to become (slightly) more common as league and facilities improve

Or pick players from our domestic league.

@newpeteV1 That type of exposure definitely helps

@MRodden 7 of the Czech starting 11 played European club competitions this season. All played in the top division of whatever country they are in. They are playing in German, English, French, Dutch and Turkish top divisions as well as the top Czech clubs.

@quinner12344 It's definitely helped for and delighted he stayed an extra year. Agree CK has higher ceiling but he's definitely improving playing every week at high level

@MRodden AZ has done wonders for Parrott. When he was in the championship he didn't get a game and no development. Going over to the Netherlands changed his career for the better. More should follow suit. Kelleher should also try to do better then Brentford

@Kazoochka Slavia and Sparta have both gone deep in CL/EL/ECL in last few seasons. Exposure at that level definitely helps. Plenty to debate anyway!

@MRodden Doubt the czech domestic league is any stronger

@dubsoulrebel Cheers! Lots to discuss anyway!

@MRodden Spot on thread, Mark