Player Ratings: September Internationals
We give our player ratings after Ireland’s mixed September international window as Stephen Kenny’s side lost 2–1 after a terrific performance in Glasgow and beat Armenia 3–2 following a frantic game in Dublin.
These rating are just our opinions but we would love to hear yours. Let us know your player ratings by commenting on on our socials!
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Gavin Bazunu: 6
Bazunu is playing superbly for Southampton and although he had no catastrophic moments in international duty last week, it was not his finest window. His distribution against Scotland left a lot to be desired and he will be dissapinted with the two goals conceded at home to Armenia. Other than that, commanded his box well as always.
Matt Doherty: 5
One of the most talented players in the squad but Matt Doherty showed the importance of match sharpness. A laboured performance in Glasgow which saw Ryan Christie glide past his meek, flamboyant challenge, Doherty also struggles in Dublin.
Seamus Coleman: 5
Really not enough time in his Glasgow cameo to rate but it seems he hasn’t long left in an Irish shirt. Will be hoping to get some game time at Everton with Nathan Patterson injured but even at that, can do little about the yards of pace he has sadly lost after a decade of Premier League and international football.
Nathan Collins: 7
Four goals conceded but really did very little wrong over the two games. The Wolves man has a comfort on the ball that perhaps surpasses the Irish midfield and was often found sitting in the Armenia half in Dublin as an orthodox holding midfielder. The first player in many years to really look ‘elite’ and will no doubt be catching the eye of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
John Egan: 7
Like Collins, did little wrong apart from perhaps being partly responsible for not picking up Jack Hendry for the Scottish equaliser. Having scored in both games as captain, Egan showed a calmness in the middle of the back three. In a position where Ireland are well stocked, Egan offers that perfect balance of quality and experience to compliment some of the young heads.
Dara O’Shea: 7
Seems such a reliable head and you would get the impression he would put in a shift anywhere on the pitch. Looks at ease on the left of the back-three and his assist for Michael Obafemi’s goal showed his ability to carry the ball forward and pick out passes. Will most likely retain his place next month with Colins and Egan.
James McClean: 8
Can really only go off his one appearance but the Derry native was superb in Glasgow, keeping things simple and demonstrating just how underrated his delivery is. Will be disappointed not to have featured in Dublin as he closes in on 100 caps but that day will most certainly come. Arguably he is the most improved player under Kenny.
Robbie Brady: 6
It is so good to have Robbie Brady back give his undoubted quality, experience and current form domestically. Scored the winner from the spot against Armenia which symbolised the importance of his return. Was wasteful in position in Dublin but it’s hard not to feel that when he eases back into the squad, he will be one of the first names on the team sheet.
Josh Cullen: 8
Probably one of the unsung heroes in Glasgow, Josh Cullen kept Ireland ticking over and showed a level of maturity as the midfield anchor. He was missed against Armenia with Ireland evidently more sloppy and with lack of depth in defend in defensive midfield showing just how important the 26 year-old is.
Jayson Molumby: 7
Superb in Glasgow and the perfect player for such a high-pressure game. Although he demonstrated good mobility holding the midfield in place of Josh Cullen, he showed that he doesn’t have the temperament or discipline to play there and really should have been sent off in the second half. Overall, applied himself well and is improving with every game. One of the, if not THE player of the window.
Jason Knight: 6
Technically excellent again but faded in both games, often getting isolated or outmuscled. It’s a shame he is being played out of position at Derby and an even bigger shame he is playing in League 1 as it is clear to see his snippets of quality in what was a quiet window for the 21 year-old.
Alan Browne: 4
Browne has shown an excellent ability to get into goal scoring positions which makes him a valuable asset to the squad but his overall game is not up to the standards needed for an international midfielder with even basic passes a struggle for the Preston captain. His decision to drive hands first towards the ball (after a touch from his own player!) in the box late on in Scotland was completely reckless and embarrassing.
Jeff Hendrick: 4
Despite his form for Reading, Jeff Hendrick’s performed against Armenia was laboured and frustrating. Kenny seems to have moved on from the Newcastle loaner and the reality is that he is next in line if any of the starting midfield trio are unavailable. Will be disappointed with his outing but will hope to regain confidence at club level before November.
Conor Hourihane: 3
The running tend with the ratings is that Ireland midfield reserve is evidently poor and more worrying, very experienced. Conor Hourihane has a wand of a left foot and has an eye for a long range screamer but his lack of mobility is simply not suited to the international game. His misplaced pass to allow the Armenian equaliser was unforgivable and Stephen Kenny really needs to consider if the 31 year-old can be relied on when the pressure is on.
Troy Parrott: 6
This international window will all be about that miss in Glasagow which will haunt him until his next goal. Has the ability to drift wide and drop deep making him a decent complimentary partner for Michael Obafemi and we need to remember that he is still only 20 and has a lot of great days to come.
Michael Obafemi: 9
Didn’t really put a foot wrong despite not finishing either game and looks a level above the rest of his teammates bar maybe Bazunu and Collins. Can create chances and can put them away too, Obafemi is now our key player and has that bit of quality up front that has been missing for far too long now. Player of the window for us.
Callum Robinson: 7
Can really only be rated off his two cameo appearances totalling 40 minutes but Callum Robinson looked spritely off the bench as an inverted left-winger. Has probably been overtaken by Obafemi as fan favourite and biggest goal scoring threat but despite his club woes, Robinson is still a key player for Kenny, even if it’s now from off the bench.
Chiedoze Ogbene: 6
Many will wonder how Ireland’a in-form forward didn’t start either game and didn’t even feature against Armenia. Ireland did actually look more structured without the Rotherham man in both games against Scotland but like Robinson, showed the impact he can have off the bench against tired legs.
Scott Hogan: 5
In terrific goal scoring form for Birmingham City but his sharpness didn’t transpire as he missed a late chance to put Armenia away in Dublin. Certainly offers Ireland something with his pace and finishing but really needs to start demonstrating this in an Irish jersey.
Stephen Kenny: 6
A fluid performance in Glasgow followed by a disjointed one in Dublin. On Saturday, many felt that results were all that mattered and on Tuesday, many fans were claiming it was the performance that mattered which is a difficult place to be for Stephen Kenny. Two common denominators shaped his international window.
The first was his in game management with questionable substitutions and the second which was out of his control was the evidential lack of depth in midfield. Kenny’s lifeless demeanour when Ireland conceded the second to Armenia was concerning and uninspiring but you’d like to think with a fully available squad, he will keep things ticking over nicely.
The Green Machíne Team
