Wigan Athletic players called up for another international break 🌎 | Preview
For the second time this season, the international break is upon us and five Wigan Athletic players will represent their countries again.
League One football has been paused until October 19th, with the international break now upon us. As a result of the call-ups, our home tie against Northampton Town this weekend has been postponed.
Five Wigan Athletic players have been called up to represent their nations, three of which are academy graduates.
Luke Chambers was called up to England Elite Squad (U20s), but his withdrawal was confirmed on Monday 7th October by England. Shaun Maloney has stated that the left back has been dealing with a shoulder injury recently, and he was worried about Chambers going away with England because of some of the knocks he has sustained over the last few weeks.
Let’s take a look at who will be going on international duty 👇🏼
Academy graduate and Wigan Athletic’s number 1 goalkeeper, Sam Tickle, has been called up to represent England U21s in their final Euro U21 Group F qualifiers against the leaders, Ukraine, and bottom-placed Azerbaijan.
England vs Ukraine | Friday 11th October | 19:45 kickoff
England vs Azerbaijan | Tuesday 15th October | 19:30 kickoff
On September 1st 2023, Tickle earned his first England U21s call-up to join Lee Carsley’s side in preparation for their first Euro U21 Group F qualifier against Luxembourg. Despite not featuring in this game, and not being called up for the October fixtures against Serbia and Ukraine, Carsley selected Tickle to join them for the November fixtures against Serbia and Northern Ireland.
Tickle was made to wait for his first cap but earned yet another call-up in March for fixtures against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg. James Trafford took the gloves in the first game but was promoted to the senior team when Sam Johnstone withdrew due to injury. Against Luxembourg, Tickle was selected to start for his Young Lions debut 🦁
England U21s won 7-0 under the lights of the Toughsheet Stadium, securing Tickle’s second clean sheet in Bolton that season following Latics emphatic 4-0 victory against the locals.
Tickle was called up to represent the Young Lions during the last international break in September but had to return to the club before the first match due to sustaining a minor back injury.
Ben Futcher, England U21 interim head coach, has now selected Sam Tickle, James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday on loan from Brighton), and James Trafford (Burnley) as his goalkeeping options for the final games. England could finish top of the table if they beat Ukraine and Azerbaijan, and Ukraine fail to beat Serbia.
If Ukraine win one of their two games, Futcher’s side would need to hope they finish as one of the top three runners-up to qualify automatically, or else they will take part in the Play-Offs where the remaining six runners-up will compete for the final three places through one home and away tie against a drawn opponent.
Academy graduate midfielder, Baba Adeeko, has been called up to represent the Republic of Ireland U21s in their final Euro U21 Group A qualifying games, against Norway and Italy.
Ireland v Norway | Friday 11th October | 19:00 kickoff
Italy v Ireland | Tuesday 15th October | 17:30 kickoff
Adeeko was named on the bench in their opening September fixture against Turkey, but entered the field in the 68th minute with the game locked at 0-0. With 6 minutes to go, Sam Curtis (Peterborough United) netted the only goal of the game with an assist from Joe Hodge (Huddersfield Town).
Back on home soil, Adeeko was an unused substitute against Latvia as Jim Crawford’s side secured a disappointing draw in the 2-2 encounter. Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City) scored the opening goal before Sean Roughan (Lincoln City) had to rescue a point after Latvia took the lead shortly after the hour mark. A win would have put them two points off Italy, who only have one game left while Ireland have two. The draw felt like a huge missed opportunity.
If Ireland can beat Norway and Italy, they will finish top of the group. If Norway beat Ireland they will need to beat Italy and hope Norway lose their final game against Turkey to finish second.
A draw against Norway would leave them three points and 11 goals down off Italy’s goal difference, meaning if Ireland beat Italy they would need to rely on becoming one of three ‘best runners up’ to automatically qualify for the European Championships next summer, or else they will be entered into the Play-Offs.
As you can see, there are plenty of outcomes that could occur from these final fixtures meaning they will be an exciting watch.
On loan Liverpool right-back, Calvin Ramsay, has been called up to represent Scotland U21s in their final Euro U21 Group B qualifiers against Belgium and Kazakhstan.
Scotland vs Belgium | Friday 11th October | 19:00 kickoff
Kazakhstan vs Scotland | Tuesday 15th October | 17:00s kickoff
Ramsay started on the right wing in Scotland’s home fixture against Spain, before making way for Jack Milne (Aberdeen) in the 56th minute with the top-of-the-table clash locked at 0-0. Moments later, Spain took the lead before Adedire Mebude (KVC Westerlo - Belgium Pro League) re-levelled the game in the 62nd minute. The leaders restored their lead in the 69th minute through Mateo Joseph (Leeds United) to win the game 2-1 and most likely put Scotland’s hopes of finishing top to bed.
Scot Gemmill benched Ramsay for the next game against Malta, but subbed in the right back in the 75th minute with the game 4-0 in favour of Scotland. Lewis Neilson (St Johnstone) added another in the 82nd minute to cap off a five-star display.
Scotland’s first game against Belgium is a huge chance for Gemmill’s side to all but confirm their second-place finish, where another victory over Kazakhstan would put them up to 22 points and in with a chance of finishing in the top three runners-up group, avoiding the Play-Offs.
A draw against Belgium would mean Scotland have to beat Kazakhstan in their final game too secure second place, with Belgium taking on Hungary in their remaining fixture.
A loss against Belgium could see Scotland fail to achieve a Play-Off spot and bow out of the competition should the Belgians avoid a loss against Hungary.
Academy graduate attacking midfielder, Thelo Aasgaard, has been called up again to represent Norway U21s in their final Euro U21 Group A qualifiers against Adeeko’s Ireland and Turkey.
Ireland vs Norway | Friday 11th October | 19:00 kickoff
Norway vs Turkey | Tuesday 15th October | 17:30 kickoff
Aasgaard started in the first September game away at Latvia, featuring for 74 minutes as Norway secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a penalty from Kristian Arnstad (AGF - Denmark Superliga).
Jan Peder Jalland benched Aasgaard for their huge game against Italy but subbed on the attacking midfielder at halftime with Norway 1-0 down. Tommaso Baldanzi (Roma - Italy Serie A) added two more goals in the second half to secure his hat trick, meaning Norway have plenty of work to do if they are to progress to the next stage of the tournament.
A victory over Ireland and Turkey will put them on 21 points, which could put them top of the group if Ireland beat Italy and Norway can make up the -10 goal difference.
A victory over Ireland would give them the advantage going into the final game, but Norway could still be knocked out if Ireland beat Italy and Turkey earned at least a point.
A draw against Ireland will still give Norway hope, but they would need to secure full points against Turkey and hope Italy win their remaining game to make the Play-Offs. A loss against Ireland would see Norway fail to progress.
Nottingham Forest loanee forward, Dale Taylor, has been called up to represent Northern Ireland U21s for their upcoming Euro U21 Group F qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
Northern Ireland vs Azerbaijan | Saturday 12th October | 15:00 kickoff
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland | Tuesday 15th October | 19:30 kickoff
Taylor captained his nation as they hosted England U21s in Ballymena, featuring for 79 minutes before being replaced by Charlie Allen (Linfield FC - Northern Ireland Premiership). Northern Ireland battled incredibly well against a richly talented England side and secured a point from the 0-0 draw.
Ukraine visited the Ballymena Showgrounds next, with Taylor starting again and captaining his side for 73 minutes. Ukraine took the lead after 10 minutes, before extending it on the half-hour mark, and despite a late Charlie Allen penalty, the hosts took maximum points.
Northern Ireland are unable to progress through to the next stage and will not be going to the European U21 Championships in Slovakia next summer.
I will be posting updates throughout the international break on X (x.com/CentralWigan) with a full round-up of the remaining qualifying games coming to Substack on Wednesday 16th October, so make sure to subscribe! 🫡
Up the Tics 🔵⚪️
🙌 Thank you for reading!
✍🏼 Charlie Keegan / Central Wigan
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