Latest news with #Smallbone
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Will Smallbone reveals historic Ireland trait that is ‘going to get us to the World Cup' after draw against Senegal
WILL SMALLBONE believes Heimir Hallgrimsson is pointing Ireland in the right direction — and towards the World Cup. The Advertisement 2 Will Smallbone in action against Ismaila Sarr Credit: Ben McShane/Sportsfile 2 Ireland were held to a draw by Senegal Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile But Smallbone felt it was a giant step in the right direction — as Hallgrimsson's directions were followed down to a tee. The 'I was only in Heimir's first camp so that was very new for everyone and I missed the next three camps. 'To then come back into it was very similar messages but it all seems very clear and concise. Advertisement Read More on Ireland MNT 'That makes it easier as a player when you know exactly what the manager wants from you and you just have to go out and do your best to deliver it.' And he believes that, even though qualifiers . Smallbone added: 'I think he wants to create a winning habit and you see the way he talks about getting to the World Cup. 'It's obviously the aim for everyone. Advertisement Most read in Football Live Blog Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive 'Winning is the only way we can get there. So it is about coming out on top in games in the past we maybe would have lost by a goal to switch it the other way to win by a goal. 'He put an emphasis on set-pieces and making sure we're a threat whenever we get one. Heimir Hallgrimsson gives first call-up to four Ireland players in squad for friendlies vs Senegal and Luxembourg 'If you look at Irish teams in the past, they've always been built very big on set-pieces and making the Aviva a really tough place to come to. 'So I think that's what we've to get back to. Advertisement 'The more I play football , the more I go into my career and see that winning is what gets remembered. 'It is ultimately what is going to get us to the World Cup. I think if the game is scrappy and it's a one goal game, we need to make sure it's us that gets the goal.' 'DISAPPOINTING' Ireland were not far off that against Senegal — a team ranked 19th in the world who are now on a 21-game unbeaten run. Hallgrimsson's men dominated the first half and looked on course for a win even as they rode their luck in the second half before Advertisement Midfielder Smallbone added: 'The goal for every game is to win, at times performances have been good but winning has not been there. So the main thing is just winning. 'Maybe in the past we've got good performances but we need to make sure we're winning to get to these tournaments. 'So obviously a draw is disappointing but Senegal are a top nation so I think it is a step in the right direction. 'I think it's a good result against a strong team that has been unbeaten for such a long time. Advertisement 'I think we can come away from it with lots of positives but a few things we need to improve on. 'I think these summer camps have been a bit of a struggle sometimes, where we've had a long time off and we've been coming in and been trying to get up to speed. 'I've noticed a real high quality and high intensity throughout the whole week. 'And I think that it was showing in the performance.' Advertisement
The 42
a day ago
- Sport
- The 42
'Stephen brought a lot of the lads through... Heimir has a different sort of tactic'
WILL SMALLBONE has hailed the impact of manager Heimir Hallgrímsson after Ireland drew 1-1 tonight with Senegal — a team 41 places above the Boys in Green in the world rankings and unbeaten in 20 matches heading into the game. Injuries have meant it is only the second time Smallbone has featured in a camp since the Icelandic coach took charge. And while the hosts were disappointed at the concession of an 82nd-minute equaliser, the Southampton star felt the game was 'another step in the right direction' following back-to-back Nations League playoff wins over Bulgaria in March. 'I think sometimes these summer camps have been a bit of a struggle where we've had a long time off and we've been coming in and trying to get up to speed,' Smallbone said. Advertisement 'I've noticed a real high quality and high intensity throughout the whole week, and it's been showing in the performance there.' While he has not had too many opportunities to link up with the squad in the last few months, Smallbone has been impressed with Hallgrímsson as a coach. 'Throughout the week, the manager has made it really clear what he wants from people, and it's just getting back in the swing of things and being in an Irish set-up. I love coming away to play for Ireland, I couldn't wait to get away and see everyone and get back in it and build connections with everyone.' Smallbone played alongside Jason Knight in central midfield and said the position was not 'too different' to what he has been accustomed to recently, despite sometimes being employed in a more attacking role for club and country. 'I was only in Heimir's first camp so that was very new for everyone so I missed the next three camps, so to then come back in, it was very similar messages. But it all seems very clear and concise — that makes it easier as a player when you know exactly what the manager wants from you and you just have to go out and do your best to deliver it. 'The lads have done really well over the last few camps, it's good to see us winning games. Performances have been really nice, and maybe in the past we've got good performances, but we need to make sure we're winning to get to these tournaments. 'I think he wants to create a winning habit, and you see the way he talks about getting to the World Cup, it's obviously the aim for everyone. Winning is the only way we can get there. So it is about coming out on top in games in the past we maybe would have lost by a goal to switch it the other way to win by a goal and put an emphasis on set-pieces and making sure we're a threat whenever we get one.' Smallbone also admitted it felt 'different' to the reign of Stephen Kenny, who gave the midfielder his senior debut in 2023. 'Stephen brought a lot of the lads through from 21s, and Heimir has a different sort of tactic if you like. I think if you look at Irish teams in the past, they've always been built very big on set-pieces and making the Aviva a really tough place to come to, so I think that's what we've to get back to. 'The goal for every game is to win, at times performances were… I don't want to say performances have been good, but winning has not been there. So the main thing is just winning. 'The more I play football, the more I go into my career and see that winning is what gets remembered, it's what ultimately is going to get us to the World Cup. I think if the game is scrappy and it's a one-goal game, we need to make sure it's us that gets the goal, and as long as we're in games with however long left, we'll always feel we'll get an opportunity to get a goal from set-pieces.'
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'Ireland teams were always been built big on set-pieces' - Smallbone lauds Hallgrímsson's emphasis
Will Smallbone won't be apologising if Ireland's bid to regain former glories relies on set-pieces. They came within eight minutes of scalping the 19th best team in the world until substitute rescued a 1-1 draw for Senegal in Friday's friendly. Ireland's goal came from a recycled corner finished by Kasey McAteer on the first start of his five games. Smallbone isn't a newcomer but hasn't been around since starting both games in Heimir Hallgrímsson's opening games at the helm. They were a pair of 2-0 defeats to England and Greece, whereas they've now gone on a run of three wins and this draw. One more friendly awaits in Luxembourg before the World Cup qualification group with Portugal, Hungary and Armenia consumes the calendar between September and November. 'I think the manager wants to create a winning habit and you see the way he talks about getting to the World Cup, it's obviously the aim for everyone,' said Southampton midfielder Smallbone. 'Winning is the only way we can get there. 'So it is about coming out on top in the games we maybe would have lost in the past by a goal; switching it the other way to win by a goal and put an emphasis on set-pieces. We've to ensure we're a threat whenever we get one.' Smallbone admits the regime differs to the one he made his breakthrough in under Stephen Kenny. He said: 'It's been different. Stephen brought a lot of the lads through from 21s and Heimir has a different sort of tactic if you like. 'I think if you look at Irish teams in the past, they've always been built very big on set-pieces and making the Aviva a really tough place to come to so I think that's what we've got to get back to. 'I was only in Heimir's first camp so that was very new for everyone so I missed the next three camps so to then come back in it was very similar messages but it all seems very clear and concise. 'That makes it easier as a player when you know exactly what the manager wants from you and you just have to go out and do your best to deliver it.' The 25-year-old is certain Ireland are on track to mount a competitive bid to reach next year's World Cup. 'The lads have done really well over the last few camps, it's good to see us winning games,' he noted. 'Performances have been really nice and maybe in the past we've got good performances but we need to make sure we're winning to get to these tournaments. 'A draw is disappointing but a top nation in Senegal so I think it is a step in the right direction. 'It's been tough for me. I've been out for a while and missed a lot of camps. It was frustrating looking on and watching so it's good to get a good chunk of minutes. 'I want to do everything I can to be involved in the squad in September and do my best to play as much as I can.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Smallbone gives 'step in right direction' verdict as Ireland draw with Senegal
Will Smallbone insists Ireland's draw with Senegal was another step in the right direction under Heimir Hallgrimsson. The Boys in Green let a Kasey McAteer lead slip with the concession of an equaliser eight minutes from time at Aviva Stadium. But Ireland remain unbeaten this year, going into Tuesday's season-ending friendly in Luxembourg and the all-important World Cup campaign in September. Smallbone was making his return to the squad after a luckless time with injury, and this was only his second camp under Hallgrimsson. But the Southampton man played well in a deeper-lying midfield role and feels there were more positives than negatives on the night. Smallbone said: 'It's another step in the right direction I think against a strong team that has been unbeaten for such a long time. 'It's a different challenge for us playing against Senegal but an enjoyable one. I think we can come away from it with lots of positives but a few things we need to improve on. 'It's all about building momentum for us and going into September in the best form. Performances are nice but ultimately winning is what is going to get us to the World Cup. 'It's frustrating to concede the way we did in the end but I think all in all, it was a positive performance against a top nation.' Smallbone had a chance to put Ireland further ahead but his shot from inside the penalty area was saved. But he was just happy to be back in a green shirt and said: 'The manager wants to create a winning habi. You see the way he talks about getting to the World Cup. It's obviously the aim for everyone. Winning is the only way we can get there. So it's about coming out on top in games.' Smallbone, quizzed on the differences between Hallgrimsson and his predecessor Stephen Kenny, said: 'It's been different. Obviously Stephen brought a lot of the lads through from 21s and Heimir has a different sort of tactic if you like. 'If you look at Irish teams in the past, they've always been built very big on set-pieces and making the Aviva a really tough place to come to. I think that's what we've to get back to.'
Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Ireland player ratings as Caoimhin Kelleher shows his quality in Senegal draw
CAOIMHIN KELLEHER: He could have had a nap during the first-half as Senegal failed to register a shot on target, but he showed his class with a wonderful stop in a busier second 45. 8 MATT DOHERTY: An inadvertent contribution to Ireland's opener and plenty of attacking play from the Wolves man, who made way in the 66th minute. 6 NATHAN COLLINS: His header teed up McAteer for Ireland's opener, but not a lot to do at the other end in the first-half. He defended well in the second as Senegal pushed forward. 8 DARA O'SHEA: O'Shea was solid, aside from two lucky escapes when he almost put the ball past his own goalkeeper. 7 ROBBIE BRADY: Came forward at every opportunity and was strong in defence against a team that had hoped to exploit spaces in the wide attacking areas. 6 KASEY McATEER: Was bright from the very first minute, eager to get on the ball and run at defenders, who were clearly terrified of the Leicester man, who marked his first Ireland start with his first goal. 7 JASON KNIGHT: Another solid display by the Bristol City man, who nipped at the ankles of his opponents and was effective once again in his distribution. 7 WILL SMALLBONE: A surprisingly deep role for the Southampton man, but he did a fine job breaking up attacks and throwing his weight around at the other end. Should have scored early in the second-half. 7 RYAN MANNING: Provided a delightful ball back into the box for Ireland's opener and came close to scoring himself during a productive 66 minutes on the pitch. 7 JACK TAYLOR: A shock choice for the advanced role that most expected Smallbone to play, but he made a nuisance of himself. Had chances with a mistimed header and a blocked shot. 6 ADAM IDAH: An often frustrating evening for the Celtic man. At times he could be seen throwing his arms in the air when his runs weren't spotted. 6 SUBS: Evan Ferguson (for Taylor 58): Tried to freshen up the attack. 6 Killian Phillips (for Doherty 66): Conceded a late free in a dangerous position. 6 Jake O'Brien (for Manning 66): Was involved in a busy spell for the Irish defence. 6 Festy Ebosele (for McAteer 80): Not on long enough to rate Andrew Moran (for Smallbone 80): Not on long enough to rate Liam Scales (for Brady 85): Not on long enough to rate SENEGAL: Yehvann Diouf 7; Antoine Mendy 7, Abdoulaye Seck 6, Abdou Diallo 7, Ismail Jakobs 6 (El Hadji Malick Diouf 85); Habib Diarra 7, Mamadou Camara 6 (Cheikh Sabaly 77), Krepin Diatta 7 (Lamine Camara 63); Abdallah Sima 6 (Ismaila Sarr 63, 8), Boylaye Dia 7 (Cherif Ndiaye 77), Iliman Ndiaye 6.
