Will Smallbone argues his case to play for new Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson
"Just because I’ve played in passing teams before doesn't mean I’ll play in them forever," said the Southampton midfielder
Will Smallbone insists that he can fit into Heimir Hallgrimsson's Ireland team if the new boss decides to take the Jack Charlton route one approach.
Hallgrimsson has stated his intention to revert to a more pragmatic game plan than the one his predecessor Stephen Kenny tried to implement.
The first test of the new regime comes in the shape of beaten Euro 2024 finalists England in Saturday's Nations League encounter at the Aviva Stadium.
READ MORE: Heimir who? All is calm for the new Ireland boss in his honeymoon period
Smallbone, 24, wants to become an established starter under the former Iceland head coach. Yet, while regarded as the most talented of the small pool of midfielders at Ireland's disposal, he may have to win over Hallgrimsson if the team is asked to play a more direct style.
"Yeah, for sure," responded the Southampton star when asked if he can adapt his game. "I’ll play whatever way a manager wants. I’ll go out there and do my best.
"Just because I’ve played in passing teams before doesn't mean I’ll play in them forever. We weren’t necessarily a massive passing team at Stoke and I still played some of my best football there (on loan). Whatever way the manager wants me to play, I’ll be happy to play."
John O'Shea was sitting beside Smallbone as he spoke and smiled at that comment - O'Shea had been a coach at Stoke during the player's 10 months at the Potters.
The important thing, Smallbone believes, is that Ireland's mentality is right going into this fixture having had so little time with the new manager.
“I think he’s tried to keep it as simple as possible over the short time we’ve had together," he explained, adding that the players have yet to see a more animated, angrier side to Hallgrimsson, who has been a model of calmness since taking over the position.
"We’ve all come from club sides where we’re playing different formations, different styles. And to get everyone on the same line, in the same direction, has been the most important thing. We’ve only got a short amount of time to work together and get our principles and ideas right for the game.
"So our mentality side is very important, that we go into the game with belief that we’ll be in the game for long periods of the game, and that we’ll always have an opportunity and a chance to get something from the game.
"It's a massive game. Since the draw came out everyone's looking forward to the game, a good opportunity for us to put ourselves up against a team that was in the Euros final not so long ago, to put ourselves up against them and see where we are at will be a good test.
"I've played in a few big games in my short career, the last few games in the Premier League have been an eye-opener for us at club level.
"But for myself, to come into a game like Saturday is another big game and a big test and one that I am relishing as a player."
Born in Basingstoke in Hampshire, he qualified for Ireland through his Kilkenny-born mother and has worn the green jersey since playing for the Ireland under-18s in 2017. This is Smallbone's first time facing the country of his birth at senior level, but his thoughts are clear this week.
"Just that I want to win the game," he said. "I’ve been in the Irish set-up for quite some time and my full focus growing up has been always to play for Ireland.
"I take it as a good game against a team that got to the European final recently but, like anybody, I’ll be going in to win the game. I want to put down a marker down personally and for us as a nation to get a big result.
"Like any big game you want to get a good start. Being at home, we’ll have full support of the fans and I think a quick start will be vital for us. Like any other game it will be important for us as players."
A slow start for Southampton on their return to the Premier League - three defeats in their opening three games against Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Brentford was a blow - is out of his mind for now, but Smallbone is hoping that the international break can allow the team to reset.
Russell Martin has told his players to stick to their principles. "It’s only three games, a very short time into a long season," said Smallbone, who was withdrawn at half-time against Brentford last weekend.
"We know ourselves, including myself, that we haven’t been at our level. This break has been a good time to reset. Going back, if we stick to our principles, I’m sure we’ll get a positive result soon."
Smallbone has quizzed his Southampton team-mates Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Adam Lallana on working with England boss Lee Carsley, who has taken charge of the England seniors after his successful stint with the England under-21s that included European Championships success.
Harwood-Bellis lifted the trophy as captain of the team and the 22-year-old centre-half has told Smallbone that Carsley has improved his game - but that is as far as the information flowed.
"Yeah, I have spoken to him a little bit," said Smallbone. "No, he doesn’t give much away! He just saying what a good manager he’s been for himself personally and I’m sure he’ll do well with the seniors."
Lallana, meanwhile, was brought on board with the England under-21s by Carsley last September, before the latter was installed as Gareth Southgate's replacement in the aftermath of Euro 2024.
"Himself and Adam Lallana worked with him very closely at England," said Smallbone. "I spoke to both of them over the last few weeks and they’ve only had good things to say about him, Taylor was his captain when they won the European Championships so he’s obviously got a view on him.
"He said he’s improved his game a lot but he’ll have different ways of playing than he did with Taylor."
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