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Episode 129 - International Break Review
20 Plays4 days ago
Rob & Tom look back at how Ipswich's 11 internationals have fared while away with their countries. There was a goal a piece for the England U21 lads, players getting closer to World Cup qualification and Nations League playoff involvement.
The Daily Ipswich Podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, is the home of all your ITFC. Join us every weekday for the latest news, build-up and reaction in the club's first season back in the Premier League.
Host: Rob Binns
Guests: Tom Crack
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Transcript
Introduction to the Daily Ipswich Podcast
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Ipswich, brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network, the only place to get daily content from every Premier League club, women's football and Premier League wrap-ups in multiple languages.
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
On today's
Ipswich Players' International Break Review
00:00:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
episode is an international break review. We've done a preview.
00:00:28
Tom Crack
Thank
00:00:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
We said who was going out and then we're gonna find out how those 11 players who went out with the national teams have fared over the international break. and Joining
Young Players' Performance Discussion
00:00:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
me, Rob Binns, to have a look at all of that is Tom Crack.
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
are doing, mate?
00:00:41
Tom Crack
Yeah, very good, Rob. You know, a few days removed from the quiz, which was quite a tense affair. Really close call by end of it, wasn't it? Yeah, but interested to look back at the international games. You know, international break can be bit of a drama affair, and I think this one was can be pointed at that. But few town players made an impact for their countries, which is what you want to see. So, yeah, let's see who did the job.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so we had 11 go out in total. Let's start
Liam Dallap's England U21 Highlights
00:01:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
with the England on 21 boys because they all featured in both games. They had and that's fairly sizable contributions, all three of them. so they're for and so Their first game saw Liam Dallap start.
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amari Kev was on the bench and Philogene, who I think he started both games, I think.
00:01:27
Tom Crack
Started as well. He did? Yeah. Yeah.
00:01:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was on the bench a second game, sorry, yeah, but to that one So, Dillap got a goal. Obviously, we we spoke about in the preview, he'd been training with the England first team. think that was just for one day in the end. But that's his third goal he's got for the 21s. That's 5-3. They beat France in that game.
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Philogene getting a start, Dillap getting a start, and then a goal for him as well. and
Significance of U21 Performances for Senior Prospects
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nice to see him hit the back of the net while he was away.
00:01:59
Tom Crack
Yeah, absolutely. And, you know, yeah under the under-21s, you know, there's always an argument of like, you know, especially, you know, you see young players getting into the scene, see them at an early age in their career and you look like Spellingham and Foden, for example.
00:02:11
Tom Crack
So sometimes the under-21s can seem like a nail in the coffin of not ever getting into that that squad.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:02:16
Tom Crack
I think strikers is a rare exception. this day and age with, you look at the ages of the strikers who were in Tuchel's first squad and, you know, Kane made an impact in both of those games. But we've talked many times how, you know, he's 30 plus now, you know, not going to say his best year is behind him because he's still bang for Bayern this season and two for England as well. But, you know, this is a, Liam De Lappe in terms of what was on offer, it's on offer to him during this international break in terms of getting down the 21 call up and then playing those games.
00:02:47
Tom Crack
He And then also, like you said, training of the senior team. I think as international breaks go, this is as good as it could have gone for Leanderlap having not gotten in the senior squad. And he's like carried himself really well and put another great performance. And hopefully, you know this is last international break before the season, so he may not be a talent player.
00:03:04
Tom Crack
Come the next international break, fingers crossed he still is, but... I'm fairly certain he's going to have a really good crack now getting into that spot, especially with the under-21s Euros coming up this summer. i'm I'm fairly certain he will be in that squad and trying to get another title for England there as well.
England U21 Matches and Player Adjustments
00:03:19
Tom Crack
Because I think they won that last time was at the World Cup. they It's hard keep cracking on the 21s.
00:03:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they did. Yeah, James Trafford saved a penalty like in the 94th minute or something, and they won 1-0.
00:03:29
Tom Crack
Yes. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, absolutely.
00:03:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it was a free kick.
00:03:31
Tom Crack
It's a good... Go on, sorry.
00:03:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
can't remember who took the free kick or who it hit, but they smacked the free kick and it hit somebody else in the back and i flipped the wrong way past the keeper. They won 1-0 because of that.
00:03:45
Tom Crack
We had a... Yeah, I mean, you look at some of the players in that squad. If you look back to that, it was... When was it when they when they won that? I'm trying to try to think. It was a year or so ago, i think. i can Here we go, Spain. So the players in that squad a few years ago, you look at likes of Gibbs White, Gordon, Cole Palmer, Curtis Jones. You know, that was...
00:04:03
Tom Crack
Just under two years ago. And now those guys are nailed on starters for England. So it's a good leapfrog, to be fair. And I think De Lapp is very much one of those players you would expect to see in a senior squad coming up. But yeah, great great performance from him. And yeah, like you said, other town players in the N21 squad got a few goals as well, didn't they?
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so Dilap and Filagene were both involved in another goal in that game as well. they Well, only I think Filagene got the assist, but Dilap was involved in the build-up for, I think it was the first goal, which McAtee scored, if I'm not mistaken.
00:04:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
but So they both had their impact there.
00:04:33
Tom Crack
Yep.
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, and then the second game, Dilap got his goal in that game. The second game, a friendly against Portugal, saw the other two lads get a goal. Amari actually got manned the match as well in that game, which say which I didn't think he was going to be able to play in.
00:04:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it turns out it was a friendly, so he was, because he got sent off, with something we haven't mentioned, that he came off the bench and got sent off after seven minutes in that first game.
00:04:54
Tom Crack
He did.
00:04:59
Tom Crack
did.
00:04:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
But the next game was a friendly, so his red card didn't car hasn't come into play yet.
00:05:04
Tom Crack
Thank you.
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he ended up he putting a man in the match performance and he got himself a goal as well. So good going there. And i think something be good for his confidence, wouldn't
00:05:15
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah, definitely. know i think Hutchinson's been such a topic of debate for us this season as to have know have we got the best out of him and has he, you know, got the... but has he Does he think he's got the best of himself this season? I'd argue probably not.
00:05:28
Tom Crack
But, you know, these moments, putting on your country shirt, under-21s or seniors, they're far and few between for a player, even the quality of Hutchinson. So I'm sure he'll be chuffed to bits of getting that goal. You know, mean, you just really hope that sort of form can progress to...
00:05:42
Tom Crack
the senior squad as well. I mean, Hutchinson's goal was kind of a sort of a knocked in header from a tap in header from a corner. Well, well, well worked to get into a position to get in the goal, you know, it wasn't like a world beating effort, but getting the ball in the back of net always does a player confidence. So hopefully we can have that as we head into Bournemouth next week.
Player Roles and Strategy Considerations
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, it was interesting about that game as well. as He actually played as a false nine in that game, Amari.
00:06:04
Tom Crack
Hmm.
00:06:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
that Something we've never looked at. But the striker position has been for a lot of conversation this week. Because McKenna has been asked directly by the local press whether he will look at playing Hurst and DeLapp together.
00:06:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
so and we've An idea we've mentioned a few times over the course of the season. Something we like to see. That then now we've had up we know in see so and
00:06:25
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
has been a false nine at Brighton before that I do wonder if maybe, maybe there is going to be a little bit of a mix up there in these nine games we've got left. I don't know, but so we've now suddenly thrown in Hutchinson at false nine as an option because they he's played there. I don't know if he's ever played there before, but he's been, he's been trusted in there by Lee cars and then he's got a man the match performance and a goal for himself. So who knows, maybe, maybe there's a chance there, but did he see his red card tackle in the game before?
00:06:54
Tom Crack
I didn't, mate. Run me through it. I apologize.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
<unk> say In fairness to him, he's trying to pull out the tackle. He's not gone in with any malicious intent with the, they like I said, about five minutes after coming off the bench. But he's just sort of gone in. His foot's very high off the ground. He's sort of trying and trying to pull out the tackle, but still catches him like just like halfway up the leg.
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's still a red card challenge, but so he's at his actively trying to but lessen the contact from what it would have been if he just committed to the challenge. So... little bit unlucky in that sense, but like i said, doesn't really matter anyway because the next game is a friendly, so he won't serve as suspension for six months anyway or whenever the next international break is.
00:07:33
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:07:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
So he won't have to worry about that for a while now. So let's say and he bounced back in that friendly. He got his chance at the Hawthorns and done a good
Ipswich Players in Scotland's Squad
00:07:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
job.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Philogene got a goal off the bench as well. Again, someone it often one of the main names to impress with the twenty ones and so I remember when he was at Hull last year, keep seeing videos pop up up or felt like every international break about some outrageous piece of skill he pulled off for a goal he scored for England and the little curler he scored.
00:08:03
Tom Crack
Big
00:08:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
so but Again, hopefully, say he's got a couple of goals to his name and they're pretty much... mean One was a cross, let's be honest, and the other one yeah everyone was and going in for an own goal where he's got the finishing tap.
00:08:15
Tom Crack
old mistake. Hmm.
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, say hope for say good for him to get a goal that wasn't handed on a plate by an opposition that hopefully he can push on from there. But so it's nice to see there those three lads go away. They were the main ones we had. We were all eyeing up because obviously they're sort players they are.
00:08:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so we would be in England as well. We have a lot of we a lot of players that have gone off, particularly some home nation players. So we'll get into in a little while how they all got on. But it's nice to see the England young lads come through because I'm hoping that, obviously we're hoping they'll maybe be able work their way into senior squads at some point over the years.
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And hopefully, probably not in the Lapp's case, admittedly, but hopefully they'll work their way into a senior squad while they've still got the, they still wear the Ipswich shirt for the majority of the time as well.
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But as I say, it's nice to see from them, they've all got, them they've got a decent amount of caps between them now as well. So the three of them combined have got, I think, 25 caps now at 21 levels.
00:09:11
Tom Crack
Give
00:09:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
So they're well, they're getting well experienced at the,
00:09:16
Tom Crack
give or take, yeah.
00:09:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
a level So maybe the the step up obviously may well be pending. well we'll see how We'll see how Thomas Tuchel goes with seeing the performances for the under-21s because there's a few names being thrown about in there.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So it'll be interesting. Maybe we'll maybe they'll have a chance at some point over the course of next season. You never know. we're going to a quick break now. We're going to hear from one of our sponsors. Then when come back, we'll find out how the other players from the home nations got on.
00:10:05
Tom Crack
Thank you.
00:10:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back for the second part of your international review on the Daily Ipswich. So we we mentioned the England
Historical Scottish Caps at Ipswich
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
boys or the England under-21 boys, I should say.
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the other home nations, obviously, let's start with Scotland. We had two players in that squad, one of which Kieran Slicker, who didn't get any minutes in the end, but it was his second chance to be up with the Scotland senior cap. He's yet to make an actual appearance in that time, but good for him as a young player, obviously, to He's played lot of times for the Scotland 21. So to be involved with a senior camp again, it'll be a good experience for him.
00:11:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And obviously the bigger talking point there is George Hurst, who, as we mentioned on our preview episode, has changed nation. he is he's got He's got all his forms approved and everything. He was able it was a late addition to Steve Clarke's squad and he made his debut. He got his substitute appearances in both legs against Greece that probably be happier about the first one over the more than the second one based on the context of the result that way around. But he becomes the fifth Ipswich player to earn a Scotland cap while playing for the club. Can you think of any any of the other four off the top of your head?
00:11:38
Tom Crack
I knew you were going to ask
George Hurst's Role in Scotland's National Team
00:11:38
Tom Crack
me this before we started recording today. So just, I've had even more time to prepare for an answer, which I can't give you, I'm afraid. I'm trying to think, Formal 1, what sort of error are we talking if for a clue for a second?
00:11:51
Tom Crack
If there's one I'm more likely to get, give me give me a clue now. You're quizzing me now. Two's on the other foot here.
00:11:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. so There's a few from back in the day. One of the one of the more iconic squads of Ipswich's history. There was a couple of those couple of members from that.
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
What you would have said was the best 11 of that era.
00:12:11
Tom Crack
Yeah. That's the air I'm trying to think of.
00:12:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I admit, I mean, i I looked this up, obviously, because so I could ask you this and I got i got one of the th four.
00:12:19
Tom Crack
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
One I forgot about completely and two I actually thought were English. I've got one at least.
00:12:25
Tom Crack
So are there some of a some from the early sort of promotion lot? Is there few in there? imagine there's one or two of them.
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
day
00:12:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, there wasn't actually. ahm
00:12:37
Tom Crack
Really? Okay.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
one one One debut was in May 1980.
00:12:38
Tom Crack
Okay.
00:12:42
Tom Crack
okay
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then two of them actually made their debut in the same game in 1979. Yep. Yep.
00:12:48
Tom Crack
still Was George Burley one? yeah know he He played for us. Must have got called up.
00:12:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yep Yeah, George Burley is one of the two.
00:12:53
Tom Crack
There you go. I'm glad I got that one. That'd embarrassing not getting that. but
00:12:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so you've got George Burley and he made his debut in the same game as somebody else from the Town 11 at the time. Then someone else a year later and the other more modern era, was part of the part of the Championship playoff squad under Mick McCarthy.
00:13:06
Tom Crack
Yeah, being that two minutes.
00:13:16
Tom Crack
Well, I don't think he played for Town at this point, but right Ryan Fraser's played for Scotland, but he's not necessarily Ipswich player. And that's pretty much who was on your list there because he wasn't really the sort player we're going to become.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
no No, he never got you never got a cap while he was at the club.
00:13:30
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah. I'm not sure who... You have out a misery here, I'm afraid. like The one with Burley's going annoy... It's going to be like, when I hear I'll like, for God's sake, but the rest on the bit.
00:13:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the other one. So that game against Wales in the home championships in 1979, you had George Burley starting off at right back and in the midfield was John Walk.
00:13:45
Tom Crack
Oh, big game.
00:13:50
Tom Crack
Oh, right. Yeah, yeah. God's sake.
00:13:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, interesting in the same game.
00:13:54
Tom Crack
Who else is there?
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
He got 29 caps in total, John Walk, 26 of them while he was at Ipswich, the other three while was at Liverpool. And then a year later, Alan Brazil as a was part of the
00:14:08
Tom Crack
Oh, I keep forgetting he's Scottish. That's ridiculous to say.
00:14:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
of the... Yeah, that's the one I thought was English when I was going through the list.
00:14:15
Tom Crack
Yeah. I can't even get John Walkman.
00:14:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then...
00:14:17
Tom Crack
That's embarrassing.
00:14:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, say, of the fourth one, there's a big jump. That was 1979, 1980, when they made their first appearance.
00:14:27
Tom Crack
yeah
00:14:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
as it while playing for Ipswich. Big jump forward to the 2010s. Big centre-half from Mick McCarthy era.
00:14:35
Tom Crack
Oh. ha
00:14:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Had him at Wolves as well.
00:14:38
Tom Crack
No, you know, was trying to think of a setback from the era, but McCauley's from Northern Ireland. wouldn't have been him. i
00:14:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Christophe Berra.
00:14:46
Tom Crack
Oh, yeah. Yeah. well I wouldn't have put him on my sort upper echelon of McCarthy players, but I guess he was around for a decent time, wasn't he?
00:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so and say most most memorable for the handball that lost us the playoffs that year.
00:14:55
Tom Crack
Because Delaney can play for Ireland.
00:15:01
Tom Crack
Yeah. Yeah, exactly.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:15:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was actually quite a solid player throughout his time. But unfortunately, when you when do something like that in a big game, that's always goingnna be the first thing you're remembered for, unfortunately.
00:15:04
Tom Crack
That's why I forgot about him.
00:15:09
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:15:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, so George Ellis on that list now.
00:15:15
Tom Crack
I think there's people screaming at me. I think people will be screaming at me for the John Walk one, Richard especially. He's going to come back the next pod and be how did you not know that one? But there you go. I'll use youth as an excuse. Yeah, George Harris. Sorry, Rob. Continue.
00:15:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he's the fifth man on that list and it'll be good for him. and We certainly said all this on the preview, but there's a good opportunity for him there because as as as highly as we all rate him, he's not going to be pushing that the England squad at any point.
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Whereas Scotland, like I say, he's got he's gone straight in.
00:15:42
Tom Crack
No.
00:15:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
there's There's an element there. I know Scotland fans, after the game, particularly after so the 3-0 defeat, the there's been a lot of complaints from Scotland fans about their attacking options.
00:15:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
particularly wing and so the wingers is was the main area, but also they saw a few complaints about lacking a number nine. So maybe there's an opportunity there for Hurst to go and fill that gap down the line. But couple sub appearances, it's not a bad starting point considering, like say, he missed the first day or two of the camp because he wasn't wasn't able to be called up yet.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, they had to wait for all his paperwork to be confirmed. But say it hopefully be a bit of a mainstay for him in that Scotland squad to justify his decision to swap over.
00:16:27
Tom Crack
Yeah,
Ireland's Nations League and Ipswich Players
00:16:27
Tom Crack
definitely. i mean, you look at the Scotland side, I know obviously no there's an argument for quality with them for a long time, but their midfield, especially these days, I mean, as a striker, you'd be quite excited to see the sort of players you have behind, you know,
00:16:38
Tom Crack
McTominay's really found his feet at Napoli. McGinn's a fantastic player. Billy Gilmore on his day can be a really quality player as well. Christie as well when he wants to. There's some good quality there that striker would enjoy having behind them.
00:16:51
Tom Crack
Sheridan obviously went over to, i think it's Torino now, and you know he's he's banking a few goals this year. But that's not a position, I think, in comparison to the midfield where it's kind of nailed on. McTominay's always going for Scotland. But the striker role is really... a position in the field. And you and you can see how, like George Hurst, like the fact that, you know, this is his first camp with the side after declaring to play for them.
00:17:12
Tom Crack
And he's made two, albeit sub appearance from straight away without ever putting on Scotland shirt before. So the quality that that he has there is obviously clear to see. I think next season, depending on where we are and in terms of table and leagues and all that sort of stuff and whether the laps there, are we bringing new striker or not?
00:17:30
Tom Crack
it's a big chance for him. you know A fully fit George Hearse, in my opinion, is is a really, really top player. And you know the brief cameo as we've seen of him starting or off the bench for season, he's always made a slight impact, whether it's attacking or defensively or just up a small moment. you know So he's always a top player in there. So yeah, I think it's just a natural progression for him start playing international football, getting that confidence and playing on a bigger stage. you know yeah The results against Greece, obviously the first one was great, but then the home tie was not very good for them. but Experience is experience. And, you know, it's, you know, he's hitting that stride in his career in our way. He's going want to play week in, week out. And this will make him more determined to do that, having got a taste of international football this week. So, really, really chuffed for him. Similar to that, you know, this international break couldn't have gone better for him in terms of being your first camp. And don't think he would have expected to start, but to get those two spots off the bench would have been really good for him. So, kick on from there, I think.
00:18:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, definitely. i i And so we'll see where it goes from here now, because there's a few calling for Steve Clarke's head after this performance in the Nations League.
00:18:26
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:18:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll see how maybe he will be, if somebody new comes in, maybe he'll straight away be cemented as their number one pick. You never know. But
00:18:35
Tom Crack
it Who would their next manager be? Let's see who's on the odds for that these days.
00:18:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not sure.
00:18:40
Tom Crack
I know we're not
00:18:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think so so i think Steve Clarke will keep his job, but there's a few that want him to go from what I've seen.
00:18:46
Tom Crack
Yeah, have me too.
00:18:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's said to me.
00:18:59
Tom Crack
but That's Rangers. Sorry, I apologise. I was looking at that.
00:19:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:19:02
Tom Crack
That doesn't make sense. People are saying David Moyes. He just went back Everton. That's not going to happen. I think Steve Clarke... People turn their heads at Tuchel because he's not English, which I disagree of with that narrative.
00:19:15
Tom Crack
But there's a narrative behind Scotland having the same sort of mindset towards that as a manager. And maybe there's a point to it. And he's's i in terms of Scottish managers, he's one of the best going. And he's for wherever he should be. you know he's He's put them in good spots.
00:19:28
Tom Crack
So I think as long as the players are there, going to start playing well again.
00:19:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and i we'll see how it plays out.
00:19:34
Tom Crack
Anyway.
00:19:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we had a couple other lads off with the home nations, didn't we? Did the Irish boys first, O'Shea and Taylor. Dara O'Shea started their first game. They want they beat Bulgaria 2-1 in both legs.
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
4-2 aggregate win in the Nations League to keep hold of their status in Group B. Not Group B, what's it called?
00:19:56
Tom Crack
What does that
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
League
Welsh Players and Squad Rotation Strategy
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
B? Well, agree with words.
00:19:56
Tom Crack
mean Renatius League?
00:19:58
Tom Crack
I apologise. What does that mean? Because I get but the Group A ones go to like a, like France or Portugal go to like a semi or a final or whatever.
00:20:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it's just
00:20:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, those...
00:20:07
Tom Crack
But do you go to a semi-final of Group B?
00:20:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it's playoffs. So they finished...
00:20:14
Tom Crack
Right.
00:20:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
you get this like So they are a finished bottom of a group in B, so they were drawn against a team who came second in C. First go automatically up. And then, like, England came first in B this time round, so they automatically go A for the next time round, but
00:20:30
Tom Crack
and A, yes, okay, I see you now.
00:20:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you finish second in that group of three or four, you then do a playoff. So Bulgaria finished second in and C tier, Ireland finished bottom in B tier, and they were drawing against each other.
00:20:41
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:20:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
If Bulgaria won, they would go to group B instead of Ireland. But Ireland won, so they they both stayed where they were.
00:20:49
Tom Crack
It's an aspect of wanting to add competitive football, isn't it, in between tournaments, and actually that's what it's there for, but I think it just adds an aspect of confusion more than anything, to be honest.
00:20:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:57
Tom Crack
You know, we've got to the final few years ago, didn't we?
00:20:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so that's what Scotland's game was as well. Yeah.
00:21:00
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So scotland Scotland's one was...
00:21:01
Tom Crack
remember we got the Pens lift the first year.
00:21:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah, so Scotland were relegated from A because... they and So Greece will be promoted to A for the next round of the Nations League. The next time it cycles back round next year at some point just to fill gaps instead of friendlies.
00:21:15
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, so O'Shea got a full 90 minutes in the first game, I think.
00:21:18
Tom Crack
Hmm.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then Taylor came off the bench in both for his second and third cap. So he's making himself... involved in in and around those squads now. So he's tripled his tally of caps in one international break.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's gone from one to three. So good and good news for him as well. And O'Shea, he got a rest in the second game, which for the Ipswich side of things is good because he's one of the few players who is fairly nailed on to start every single game.
00:21:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
So him not
Global Performances and Challenges for Ipswich Players
00:21:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
playing two games is a little benefit for us.
00:21:51
Tom Crack
yeah
00:21:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then on the Wales side of things, obviously Broadhead went I know was our first thing. He also had a rest for their first game against Kazakhstan. Wasn't involved at all, but then he was in from the start against North Macedonia.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And a again, good opportunity for him. He's, think Bellamy, Craig Bellamy rotating his squad around. I think he's made quite a few changes between their two games, but obviously Broadhead gets some minutes as well. So three more players get, get some minutes for one of the home nations and,
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
continuing their international careers.
00:22:29
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah, definitely. yeah I think, you know, Broadhead especially, getting that full, that not a full run out because he'd got to get subbed off against North Macedonia. Decent side on Macedonia. Obviously, it was a last-minute equaliser for Wales yesterday, I think 96th minute.
00:22:43
Tom Crack
After conceding a 91st-minute goal to the level of going to lose, they came back there. They very much, after getting a taste of the World Cup years ago, wanted to get back there. you Obviously, you know, Bale's gone now. So that error has come to an end. But, you know, they've got a taste of it. I'm sure they want to get back to it.
00:22:57
Tom Crack
And then the the Irish lads, yeah, I think O'Shea's a nail on starter for his country and his club, isn't he? So good performance there for him. And Taylor just, I think, with him, it's just the the fairy tale sort of career just keeps going and maybe not what he expected in terms of where he would be. maybe Maybe he has that self-belief to think he would have got to these sort of points his career, being international and also playing in the Premier League. But from where he was a few years ago compared to where he is now, like,
00:23:22
Tom Crack
it's I've said many times this season how he kind of embodies what our journey's been like and also the the quick rise and we may not have expected to be where we are right now. You know, being an international and then also a Premier League player, I don't think he would expected that three or four years ago.
00:23:36
Tom Crack
So the fact that he's doing it and handling himself very well is a testament to him, to be fair, and he's fully deserving of his international call-ups recently.
00:23:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and like say, it's a later step on his rise, isn't it? Which is nice to see.
00:23:51
Tom Crack
Yeah.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and so I feel like he's one who maybe could have a decent role to play next year if we end up dropping down to the Championship, which I'm still hoping that somehow that won't be the case.
00:24:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's looking increasingly likely at this point onwards.
00:24:04
Tom Crack
you never know
00:24:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
But that that covers all our whole all our boys off in the home nations. So going have another break to hear from another one of our sponsors. And then we'll be dealing... Going a bit further afield to the rest of Europe and even South America, which is the first time in a while on that front.
00:24:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
And back for the final part of today's show. Like said, we're going to go further afield. We've got a big split between this last the last three players we haven't mentioned yet. We're off there all over the world, which is a testament to the journey the club's been on recently that we've got and international call-ups in this many places. But we'll stick in Europe quickly.
00:25:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll tick this one off. Aramuric out of Kosovo, they got promoted into League B for the first time. in the Nations League. He was in goal for the first leg.
00:25:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
They Iceland 2-1. He made a fair few saves, actually, in that game to help them get over the line. and then yeah But he also got himself injured, so he missed the second leg.
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
but They got it done in the end. but say if If one of our players was going to get injured on international duty, Murek was probably top of the list, wasn't he? Because he's not going to play anyway.
00:25:41
Tom Crack
That's horrible to say, Rob.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:43
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah.
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, if if you had, if someone was going to get there.
00:25:44
Tom Crack
The fact that you said... going The fact that you said he made a few saves, actually.
00:25:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if someone was going to get injured, weren't they?
00:25:51
Tom Crack
all
00:25:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:52
Tom Crack
Yeah, he made a few saves, like as if that's a surprise for a goalkeeper.
00:25:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, but he actually had a very, actually had quite a good very good game. He made sort of five or six saves, I think, if I remember saying it correctly.
00:26:00
Tom Crack
Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
00:26:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And so they hung on for a 2-1 win and then he missed the second leg.
00:26:02
Tom Crack
Sorry you.
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think, I don't think they've said what his injury was. I think it's just said he had a bit of a knock that wasn't fit to play, but ah ah he He was part of the celebrations as they got promoted so up up to League B for the first time, even though there's only been about three rotations in the Nations League that still are the highest they've ever been over the course of that.
00:26:25
Tom Crack
promotion again. Yeah.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, that was... So for him, again, probably... We talk about confidence in these international
Cameron Burgess and Australia's Travel Challenges
00:26:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
games. That would been that first game would have been a nice little bit of confidence for him, I suppose, with getting back in...
00:26:38
Tom Crack
yeah
00:26:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Making a sizable contribution to a win, which... He's certainly been few and far between his Ipswich career so far, both because we haven't won many games and because a lot of the time his contributions have not been in a positive manner, which would have hurt his confidence, but that's a good one for him, definitely.
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then we'll jump over, we'll go right across to the other side of the world, Cameron Burgess in the Australia squad again, just on his own this time, no Luongo joining him, even though
00:27:06
Tom Crack
Hmm.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't even know whats ski what goes on with Longo anymore. that He's retired about three times and then he and the next break he gets picked again. So I've no idea if he was even eligible for selection at this point.
00:27:18
Tom Crack
Hmm.
00:27:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know what goes on there. But Burgess got 180 minutes over the two games.
00:27:23
Tom Crack
yeah
00:27:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Potential, like I say, that's where I said our preview that it's quite good that we're not in the FA Cup quarterfinal. Well, not good that we're not in the quarterfinal. It's good that we get an extended break for a game because we have got players that and travelling from all over the place. but So he burges 180 minutes and 40-something hours of flights to get to Australia and back in the first place.
00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's pretty long international break for him. So it's quite nice that we get those few extra a days to make sure he gets back and better back in for a few days training properly rather than chucking him in after that. Because certainly the level he's been playing at in recent years, that's going to be a lot to suddenly have that jump to then try and come into Premier League football after doing that.
00:28:09
Tom Crack
Yeah, it's definitely, I think it's one of the reasons why, obviously, the quality from that part of the world is, you it's starting to emerge now, you know, like Sir Chris Wood and a few others like that, but the maybe, know if the reluctance of clubs to buy players from that part of the world, when it comes to international breaks, you've got to turn those into account when they usually still fly over to their of the world to play their games. And there's been the odd occasions when Brazil and Argentina play in Europe because some of their players play in in Europe, so they don't to fly them away to their of the world for the international break, but for the most part, your Australians and Japan, et cetera, we do go back to the home countries for the international break, then to quickly come back.
00:28:43
Tom Crack
Yeah, it can be a tough one. So having that, yeah, unfortunate lack of ethic up football this weekend does help us. But, you know, you look at with some of the top sides who have those players, you can't really think back to many players from that part of the world who've been in top sides, maybe it whether it's a lack of quality there or just a lack of...
00:29:03
Tom Crack
faith in them getting fully fit coming back from that big time jump. You know, not big Aussie players like Tim Cahill and Harry Kuhl. I mean, obviously Harry Kuhl went to Liverpool, I think, years ago. But, you know, that's really the sort of the heights they ever got from that.
00:29:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:29:14
Tom Crack
Maybe it's the reason why they don't play them. But yeah, tangent there. Burgess, great for him, for Australia. They should qualify for the World Cup. They're they always there, aren't they? They've got a tough group of Japan and Saudi Arabia, a few of them there. But I think the majority of those sides will qualify as well.
00:29:29
Tom Crack
So a good run out for him, two wins as well. And yeah, 180 minutes for your country. He's a nailed and starter for his country, which I'm sure he's very, very happy about.
00:29:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so he's he's currently the leading contender for an Ipswich player ipswi representation at the World Cup in 2026. Australia second in the table currently in their group.
00:29:47
Tom Crack
go. Yeah.
00:29:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
The top two qualify. Japan have already qualified. ifve They've taken the the process by storm.
00:29:54
Tom Crack
Yeah, they did during break, didn't they?
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so japan or japan and Japan are already there for one of the two spots, but Australia are in second currently. So next the next a round of games in June, if they... If they can hold on to that second spot, then they will qualify and say that put Spurges is elite as currently the leading contender for Ipswich representation at 2026 World Cup. but Obviously, there's a long way to go there. We probably we might have three or four in the England start on XI by then. You never know, do you? You
Julio Enciso's Impact on Ipswich Strategy
00:30:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
can't rule out at this stage, can you?
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then finally, back again to the other side of the world, off to Paraguay. For the final of our 11 internationals, Julio and Ciso went out there.
00:30:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
He he actually got a goal for himself, his' third his third goal he's got for his country. It was the equaliser in a two-all draw away to Colombia the other night. that was a So for him, I think he's got so something like 25 caps or something now, he you know hes even though he only turned 21 on the day he signed.
00:30:49
Tom Crack
Yep.
00:30:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Let's have time for us.
00:30:58
Tom Crack
Yep.
00:31:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know I said that about Jude. but i was and I said the other day that Jude Bellingham had 42 now and he's still 21 by that point for England.
00:31:07
Tom Crack
Hmm.
00:31:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
as say and c so
00:31:08
Tom Crack
just
00:31:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Considering he was yeah only you you pretty much only appeared about two years ago. Something that. And he's already got 25 caps for his country. And a few few goals in there as well. He's got another one that How far have we come, has there, over the last couple of years? We've got players all over the world now. We've stretched as far as Paraguay. I mean, unsurprisingly, he's the first Ipswich player to represent Paraguay.
00:31:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's number one who, he's looked sharp recently. So again, that element of travel coming in again is a benefit to us because I suppose the argument be there for Burgess that would he definitely start away at Bournemouth if that game's on Saturday instead of Wednesday. But in CISO, would.
00:31:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
be I could say that fairly confidently. So I think the fact we basically guarantee him being fit and able to start now, whereas if we were playing on a Saturday at three, i don't think I think he would have been forced onto the bench.
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's a benefit for us there. And like say, he's coming back an international scorer again.
00:32:08
Tom Crack
yeah I agree. Hmm.
00:32:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
he's still waiting for it I'm hoping he can get off the mark. sooner rather than later for town because he's looking really sharp in the games he's playing. So I'm hoping this gives him a bit as well and in front into that game, which ah ah so I'm hoping i say it's all about confidence for these players, isn't it?
00:32:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
That being part of a squad already will give you a boost. It's always a, it must be a fantastic experience to go out represent your country in these games and to score as well, like a few of the lads have done that overall we should be in a fairly good spot in terms of the morale and confidence.
00:32:39
Tom Crack
yeah
00:32:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, I'm sure McKenna's been doing his work with those who've stayed behind as well. and Ultimately, we've got, what, so just under a week of everybody back together again before that Bournemouth game.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we can see where it takes us, can't we?
00:32:55
Tom Crack
me
00:32:58
Tom Crack
Yeah, yeah, definitely. I think, and CISO especially, i think, out of many the top players we have at the club, he's one we're still kind of we've We've seen sprinkles of his quality and it would be great for him to finally show. His goal against Colombia was fantastic as well.
00:33:13
Tom Crack
Really well taken outside the box, which is what he's known for. like He goes for those shots. He's had a few of them already. But yeah, I really hope he can find his feet in the last few weeks last few games of the season.
00:33:23
Tom Crack
Because, you know, albeit a lone sign, he may not be there next season, regardless of what league we're in. But... he could be really key to how he performed the last few games of the season because he's a top player. Like, regardless of his sort of chemistry with the squad, you've seen it the second he stepped through a door that he's been really, really integral.
00:33:39
Tom Crack
So hopefully he can find his feet there and, you know, lap and all the under-21 boys doing really well. But just, you know, he's not guaranteed a starting spot with the club, but obviously coming back with international break, Pep in his step, I'm sure he'll be ready to go no matter what. And yeah, the few other lads who are away international break are ready to go as well. You know, international breaks, it can be a bit of a slog.
00:34:01
Tom Crack
But there's aspects to it like this which can be beneficial for the club, which we are hoping will be the case. And, you know, as you said as well, you know, we talk about, like, the progress we've made on the pitch the past few years. Like...
International Review Summary and Future Matches
00:34:14
Tom Crack
In doing so, there's aspects to this as well, where you know the front three of the under-21s are arguably all Ipswich players and three of their best players, which you know is is a crazy thing to see, but it just shows the trajectory which the club is going. There's been few and far between positives this season, but that is very much one of them.
00:34:32
Tom Crack
And it's really, really good to see like as the window as the season progresses. But yeah, club football's back next week. I'm excited, nervous, all the adjectives really, but looking forward to it, I guess.
00:34:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we said it in the build-up, didn't we? It's going to have been a big couple of weeks, this little period here. We've had the week where people go away. We've now got a week where everybody's back together. And then, like say, we will see in that game away at Bournemouth whether this week whatever this week has been used effectively. And can we kick on, because it's a huge week, Bournemouth, that's a winnable game.
00:35:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then obviously it's the definition of a six-pointer against Wolves on the Saturday.
00:35:14
Tom Crack
Thank you.
00:35:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, It's a big week to come back to. And I would say that club football coming back means a return to normal schedule resumed for us. So this will be your last episode of this week.
00:35:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then next week, we will be back to normal. Obviously, looking ahead to Bournemouth on the Wednesday night and then Wolves on the Saturday. So until then, though, you can keep up to date on our socials at GSB and Ipswich, all platforms.
00:35:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we will see you next week.