1. Will the increasingly tedious Mark Noble saga finally be definitively put to an end?
WITH A POTENTIALLY crucial European Championships qualifying match with Germany on the horizon, now seems like the perfect time for Mark Noble to definitively decide whether he wants to represent Ireland or not.
The question of whether he should be there in the first place remains a contentious one — in a recent edition of Newstalk’s Off the Ball show, John Giles and Kevin Kilbane debated the issue, with the former adamant that he should be unequivocally accepted into the side, while the latter was more skeptical owing to the midfielder’s continual delaying tactics.
Noble would ostensibly at least be in contention for a place in the team were he to declare, with Glenn Whelan the man most susceptible to losing his place in the side as a consequence, yet sooner rather than later, a firm statement on the matter needs to be made.
2. Are the management team willing to place faith in Andy Reid?
There was a definite sense, during the Giovanni Trapattoni era, that the more often Andy Reid was left out of the team, the better a player he became.
Yet there is no doubt the Nottingham Forest man remains a useful footballer with a penchant for the spectacular, despite the degree to which he can influence proceedings occasionally being exaggerated.
The 32-year-old picked up a groin injury recently, however he is due to return to action next week — well before the Gibraltar and Germany matches.
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Reid’s form at Championship-topping Nottingham Forest since returning there has arguably been the most fruitful and consistent period of the player’s career since his early days as a youngster during a memorable first spell at the club.
The Dubliner featured in O’Neill’s first game in charge against Latvia, yet since then, a series of injuries have rendered him absent from the squad.
O’Neill has of late shown a tendency to have a preference for players who have shown up regularly for international duty during his tenure, so it will be interesting to see if the experienced midfielder figures in the manager’s plans for the upcoming matches.
3. Does Martin O’Neill consider Robbie Keane virtually undroppable?
(Robbie Keane struggled to make an impact in Ireland’s recent qualifier with Georgia)
The importance of the captaincy in football may be overstated, nonetheless Martin O’Neill’s decision to stick with Robbie Keane in the role was by no means insignificant.
In making the move, O’Neill was emphasising that he believes the 34-year-old still has a big role to play in the Ireland set-up.
It would be no surprise if Keane starts against Germany in October, yet it would also be understandable should he be left on the bench.
Not for the first time in his career, the LA Galaxy star largely struggled in the lone frontman role against Georgia, and Keane has indicated in the past that he prefers to play as part of a two-man strike force.
Hence it will be interesting to see if O’Neill gives any hints tomorrow over whether he may prefer the physicality of Shane Long against Germany, with the Tipperary native more suited to holding the ball up and offering the Irish defence some much-needed relief against the world champions.
4. Will Gilbraltar be seen as a chance to experiment?
The tired old cliché that ‘there are no easy matches in international football’ surely does not apply to teams playing at home against Gibraltar.
Anything other than an Irish win would be on a par with the infamous 1995 0-0 draw against Liechtenstein and other similarly humiliating moments in Irish soccer.
With the side travelling to Germany for a match just three days later, it would come as no surprise if Martin O’Neill neglected to pick his strongest XI for the initial game.
Normally, by doing so, the Irish manager would be accused of disrespecting the opposition, but irrespective of the side chosen at the Aviva next month, the Boys in Green should be far too strong for the team that largely comprises of part-timers.
5. Are different goalkeepers going to be given a chance?
Interestingly, for the Georgia qualifier, the Irish management opted to select Shay Given and Rob Elliot in the squad — two goalkeepers who have been playing sporadically at best in recent years for their clubs and are currently out of favour.
Meanwhile, Stephen Henderson and Darron Randolph — players who are competing regularly in the Championship — were overlooked for the final squad last time out.
Given’s inclusion is understandable to a degree, owing to his well-documented leadership qualities, but Elliot’s presence in the squad remains odd.
5 questions ahead of Martin O'Neill's Ireland squad announcement tomorrow
1. Will the increasingly tedious Mark Noble saga finally be definitively put to an end?
WITH A POTENTIALLY crucial European Championships qualifying match with Germany on the horizon, now seems like the perfect time for Mark Noble to definitively decide whether he wants to represent Ireland or not.
Last month, the former England under-21 captain suggested he was weighing up his options, yet others are running out of patience, with Martin O’Neill recently implying he needs to make up his mind soon.
The question of whether he should be there in the first place remains a contentious one — in a recent edition of Newstalk’s Off the Ball show, John Giles and Kevin Kilbane debated the issue, with the former adamant that he should be unequivocally accepted into the side, while the latter was more skeptical owing to the midfielder’s continual delaying tactics.
The 27-year-old featured in every league game for West Ham last year, and has been part of every minute of their campaign this season, impressing in the Hammers’ 3-1 defeat of Liverpool at the weekend.
Noble would ostensibly at least be in contention for a place in the team were he to declare, with Glenn Whelan the man most susceptible to losing his place in the side as a consequence, yet sooner rather than later, a firm statement on the matter needs to be made.
2. Are the management team willing to place faith in Andy Reid?
There was a definite sense, during the Giovanni Trapattoni era, that the more often Andy Reid was left out of the team, the better a player he became.
Yet there is no doubt the Nottingham Forest man remains a useful footballer with a penchant for the spectacular, despite the degree to which he can influence proceedings occasionally being exaggerated.
The 32-year-old picked up a groin injury recently, however he is due to return to action next week — well before the Gibraltar and Germany matches.
Reid’s form at Championship-topping Nottingham Forest since returning there has arguably been the most fruitful and consistent period of the player’s career since his early days as a youngster during a memorable first spell at the club.
The Dubliner featured in O’Neill’s first game in charge against Latvia, yet since then, a series of injuries have rendered him absent from the squad.
O’Neill has of late shown a tendency to have a preference for players who have shown up regularly for international duty during his tenure, so it will be interesting to see if the experienced midfielder figures in the manager’s plans for the upcoming matches.
3. Does Martin O’Neill consider Robbie Keane virtually undroppable?
(Robbie Keane struggled to make an impact in Ireland’s recent qualifier with Georgia)
The importance of the captaincy in football may be overstated, nonetheless Martin O’Neill’s decision to stick with Robbie Keane in the role was by no means insignificant.
In making the move, O’Neill was emphasising that he believes the 34-year-old still has a big role to play in the Ireland set-up.
It would be no surprise if Keane starts against Germany in October, yet it would also be understandable should he be left on the bench.
Not for the first time in his career, the LA Galaxy star largely struggled in the lone frontman role against Georgia, and Keane has indicated in the past that he prefers to play as part of a two-man strike force.
Hence it will be interesting to see if O’Neill gives any hints tomorrow over whether he may prefer the physicality of Shane Long against Germany, with the Tipperary native more suited to holding the ball up and offering the Irish defence some much-needed relief against the world champions.
4. Will Gilbraltar be seen as a chance to experiment?
The tired old cliché that ‘there are no easy matches in international football’ surely does not apply to teams playing at home against Gibraltar.
Anything other than an Irish win would be on a par with the infamous 1995 0-0 draw against Liechtenstein and other similarly humiliating moments in Irish soccer.
With the side travelling to Germany for a match just three days later, it would come as no surprise if Martin O’Neill neglected to pick his strongest XI for the initial game.
Normally, by doing so, the Irish manager would be accused of disrespecting the opposition, but irrespective of the side chosen at the Aviva next month, the Boys in Green should be far too strong for the team that largely comprises of part-timers.
5. Are different goalkeepers going to be given a chance?
Interestingly, for the Georgia qualifier, the Irish management opted to select Shay Given and Rob Elliot in the squad — two goalkeepers who have been playing sporadically at best in recent years for their clubs and are currently out of favour.
Meanwhile, Stephen Henderson and Darron Randolph — players who are competing regularly in the Championship — were overlooked for the final squad last time out.
Given’s inclusion is understandable to a degree, owing to his well-documented leadership qualities, but Elliot’s presence in the squad remains odd.
The player did memorably miss his stag party to take part in Ireland’s summer friendlies, so perhaps O’Neill is eager to reward him for such commitment, but surely players must be picked on form first and foremost.
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Andy Reid Euro 2016 FAI looking ahead Mark Noble Qualifiers Robbie Keane Germany Gibraltar Ireland Republic