Republic of Ireland manager Carla Ward has reaffirmed her confidence in midfielder Ruesha Littlejohn, selecting her for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against France and the Netherlands despite a recent lack of consistent playing time at the club level. The decision has drawn attention given Littlejohn’s recent five-match ban and ongoing Achilles issue.

Experience a Key Factor in Ward’s Selection

Shelbourne’s Rachel Graham supports Ward’s choice, emphasizing the value of Littlejohn’s experience. Sometimes you need players in there who have been there and done it, Graham stated on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

Littlejohn has seen limited minutes for Crystal Palace in recent months, stemming from a suspension related to an incident in November where she grabbed Leicester City’s Hannah Cain by the neck and threw her to the ground. Despite this and a need to manage a long-standing Achilles issue, Ward recognizes the impact Littlejohn brings to the team.

Focus on Immediate Results

Graham explained Ward’s current priorities. That’s what Carla weighs up, she needs results now, she’s not building for long term in this camp, Graham said. Littlejohn started both legs of the Nations League play-off against Belgium, suggesting her continued importance to the squad.

Balancing Form and Experience

The situation highlights a challenge for Ireland, as Ward acknowledges the need for players who can deliver results even if they aren’t consistently playing 60-70 minutes a week for their clubs. Jessie Stapleton and Jamie Finn likewise face similar situations regarding recent game time.

Graham believes Littlejohn’s role could be strategic. It could be the case if she’s not 90 minutes fit it’s the last 20 minutes to arrive on, calm everyone down, observe a game out. That could be the role for her that she’s planning. She added, It would have been very hard to leave her out given the experience she has, how big she’s been the last few years.

Squad Composition and Future Planning

Ireland’s squad includes eleven players aged 30 or older, raising questions about long-term succession planning. However, Graham isn’t overly concerned, noting that many players are still in peak condition. She highlighted the emergence of younger talents like Abbie Larkin and Jessie Stapleton, as well as promising domestic players such as Madison McGuane and Aoibhe Brennan.

FAQ

• Why was Ruesha Littlejohn suspended? She received a five-match ban for an incident involving Leicester City’s Hannah Cain in November.
• What is Carla Ward’s reasoning for calling up Littlejohn? Ward values Littlejohn’s experience and believes she can contribute to immediate results.
• Are there concerns about the age of the Ireland squad? While many players are over 30, You’ll see emerging younger talents coming through.