After a highly successful campaign at Molineux last season, which included his Premier League debut and 10 first-team appearances, the midfielder has found playing time limited this season under new manager Gary O’Neil. Hodge, who recently recovered from a hamstring injury, admits he is not satisfied with his current situation and is considering a loan move in the new year if he doesn’t break into the first team.
“It’s always challenging to earn a spot in the team when there is such quality among the squad. I’m not happy with where I am right now. I believe I am capable of contributing more than I currently am,” said Hodge, speaking from Riga ahead of the Ireland U-21s qualifier against Latvia tomorrow (1pm, live on LOITV).
“There are still a few months until January. I will give my best to earn my place in the team, but if nothing changes, I will consider going out on loan to get some playing time because that’s what matters most to me at the moment.”
Although Hodge recognizes the past year has been an improvement compared to previous seasons, he acknowledges that the last six months have not gone according to plan, largely due to circumstances beyond his control.
“I have been working hard and seizing every opportunity I’ve been given. I performed well during pre-season and made the most of my chances. But that’s football, things can change quickly. If the previous manager, Julen Lopetegui, had stayed, my situation may have been different. However, I remain committed and focused on earning my spot in the team.”
As the Ireland U-21s aim for their third consecutive win, Hodge emphasizes the importance of not underestimating Latvia, who managed to draw against top-seeded Italy in their previous match.
“We don’t want to make the same mistakes as the previous campaign, where we dropped points against Luxembourg and Montenegro. We can’t afford to lose points here. The international break is my favorite time of the season, and I love coming here. We have a talented group, and while we are confident, we know not to be overconfident. Our goal is to qualify, and anything less will be a disappointment.”
Assistant coach Alan Reynolds advises the team to remain patient and stick to their game plan against Latvia. Despite Latvia’s likely defensive setup, Reynolds has faith in his team’s ability to break it down and stresses the importance of staying calm.
“Latvia presents a different challenge. They were soundly defeated in their last match against Norway, but they did manage a draw against Italy. We expect them to adopt a low-block strategy and look for counter-attacks. We analyzed Italy’s frustration in dealing with this tactic and learned from it. We need to stay composed, stick to our game plan, and opportunities will arise. While Latvia can be dangerous on the counter, we have prepared all week to handle it.”
With Brighton midfielder Andy Moran on standby for the senior team, Reynolds predicts a successful future for Moran in the national team.
“Andy is not only a talented player but also a great person. I’m confident he will have a successful career with the senior team. However, for now, we need to focus on the players we have. The pathway from the U-21s to the senior team is evident, with many players making the jump. Our players, like Joe Hodge, should aspire to play for the senior team. We hope to provide them with the platform to achieve that goal. Their success with us means they are knocking on the door of the senior team.”
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