1. How many strikers will O’Neill bring to the Euros?
THIS QUESTION WILL be key to the hopes of both Kevin Doyle and David McGoldrick in their bid to make Ireland’s 23-man squad.
It is presumed that, barring injury, Shane Long, Robbie Keane, Daryl Murphy and Jon Walters will all be on the plane to France. That leaves, at best, one more place available.
Following last night’s match, O’Neill reserved words of praise for McGoldrick, who started yesterday’s game against the Netherlands, and showed some nice touches, linking up the play expertly at times.
However, the Ireland manager also pointed to the Ipswich striker’s record with injuries, so it’s difficult to read too much into his thinking when it comes to McGoldrick.
Moreover, when asked last night about Tuesday’s clash against Belarus, O’Neill cited Robbie Keane and Daryl Murphy as two players he was eager to give game time to — but perhaps tellingly, he neglected to mention Doyle.
The Colarado Rapids star has been very much on the periphery of the Irish squad since moving to the MLS — while Robbie Keane is a special case, O’Neill seems less willing to indulge others intent on spending the majority of their time in US.
Consequently, the 32-year-old forward looks the most likely man to miss out in the Ireland forward line, while McGoldrick’s status also remains uncertain.
2. Which of the midfield hopefuls will miss out?
Following the recent removal of Paul McShane and Alex Pearce, coupled with Marc Wilson’s season-ending injury, it seems unlikely that any more defenders will be cut from the Ireland squad.
Consequently, a number of midfielders are set to be excluded at the last minute.
Barring a huge shock, 21-year-old Oxford winger Callum O’Dowda will not make it onto the plane, as stepping up from League Two to tournament football at such a young age is surely too much to ask of a player who has yet to even be capped at international level.
There will likely be either seven or eight midfielders travelling, depending om whether O’Neill brings four or five strikers.
The certainties are as follows: Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick, Wes Hoolahan, Aiden McGeady and James McClean.
That leaves at best two out of David Meyler, Darron Gibson, Stephen Quinn, Harry Arter and Eunan O’Kane to join the aforementioned players.
On the evidence of last night, man-of-the-match Harry Arter appears to be in pole position to claim a spot, despite his relative lack of international experience, while the outlook appears significantly less promising for Eunan O’Kane and Darron Gibson, both of whom were restricted to cameo roles against the Dutch.
If there is room for one more, it’s likely to be between former clubmates at Hull, David Meyler and Stephen Quinn. The latter’s stock has fallen significantly since the beginning of the campaign, when he made the starting XI for trips to both Georgia and Germany. Moreover, Meyler’s ability to slot in as an emergency full-back if needed might just give him the edge in this personal duel.
3. What to make of the problematic goalkeeping situation?
After starring roles in the competitive matches since coming off the bench in the Germany game last October, there has been a presumption that Darren Randolph is now the automatic choice for the number one jersey.
However, the Bray native, having impressed towards the end of the qualifying campaign, has looked a little shaky in recent weeks.
Randolph was badly at fault for one of the goals in West Ham’s penultimate Premier League game of the season, as they overcame Man United 3-2, while last night, he also looked less than assured on one or two occasions.
Martin O’Neill criticised the 29-year-old goalkeeper’s decision-making for the Dutch goal, and he avoided one potentially embarrassing moment, as the Hammers stopper mis-kicked a ball straight at a Dutch player, though fortunately for the Irish net-minder, the ball rebounded favourably for him.
There are also concerns with the back-up goalkeepers, as David Forde and Shay Given have both had very little first-team football this season.
Although Keiren Westwood, who is in play-off final action today, has been in excellent form throughout the campaign for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, Martin O’Neill has appeared reluctant to pick him ahead of the aforementioned trio in the past, and it seems unlikely that he will perform a dramatic u-turn at the last minute.
Accordingly, Ireland are likely to travel with three goalkeepers who have all struggled for first-team football this season, with two of them close to retirement age.
Predicted squad as it stands
Goalkeepers: Darren Randolph, Shay Given, David Forde.
Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Cyrus Christie, Richard Keogh, Shane Duffy, Stephen Ward, Robbie Brady, Ciaran Clark, John O’Shea.
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan, James McCarthy, Harry Arter, Jeff Hendrick, Wes Hoolahan, Aiden McGeady, James McClean, David Meyler.
Strikers: Daryl Murphy, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Jon Walters.
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MON always tries to justify his non-selection of Westwood by saying he is injured too much. But is that not a consequence of playing far more games than the other 3 keepers? I’m a big fan of Randolph and can see the logic in bringing Given but if Westwood doesn’t go at least as second choice keeper, challenging Randolph, then I think Ireland are missing out on a very good goalkeeper with plenty of game time too back it up.
You have to think that something has to have happened in the past between westwood and o’neill, surely worthy of at least a squad spot if not pushing for a start, doesn’t look likely though
Ya something did happen, conceding 6 goals against Germany some of which looked eminently saveable, meanwhile Randolph kept us in the game against Germany last year, and Forde won a couple of man of the matches in the last campaign
My starting 11 for Sweden be: Randolph, Coleman, Keogh, O’Shea, Brady, McCarthy, Hendrick, Arter, Walters, Hoolahan, Long. I think McCarthy would play the defensive midfielder role better than Whelan. Bring Whelan on if were trying to hold onto a lead.
Players: Do their best and perform
Supporters: behave and enjoy themselves.
We can’t ask for any more than that.
COYBIG
Id feel extremely aggrieved if I was Westwood and your squad is correct.
Leave Robbie Keane at home. My granny is faster than him these days…and braver.
Aiden McGeady shouldn’t be near the squad
#COYBIG
He is nowhere near the sheffield wednesday squad so how o’neill could even think of including him beggers belief
Ya coz club form should be the only consideration ever, one name for you: Gary Breen
Mcgeadys goals early on in the campaign is a major reason we are in the competition
What about Gary Breens .. You just know that we all dream of a team of gary Breens a team of Gary Breens
Am I the only one who doesn’t rate Mcgoldrick ? I think he’s overrated and yesterday when he could have threaded through pass’s for a quick counter he took too much time and then the chance was lost. One time in particular it would have been 3v2 and a seriously wasted opportunity. He didn’t do the worst but I don’t think he’s better than what we already have to justify a place in the 23.
Robbie Keane is a natural goal scorer..He defiently deserves to be going.harry arter played well last night too and he had a good season with Bournemouth..so he deserves to be on the plane..
Keane should not be going. If he had any integrity, he would not even put his name forward. We can’t afford mascots or lucky charms taking up the squad allocation
Given,mcgeady and Murphy should be nowhere near the squad
Why is Daryl Murphy a certainty? He never has any impact in an Irish shirt.
Also, the age of our squad worries me. Much like the Irish Rugby team at the recent World Cup we have no young players and will likely be the oldest squad at this tournament.
The youth just isn’t there at the moment, plus the likes of Coleman, Duffy, McCarthy and Long etc are hardly exactly old and are prob in their prime
Would like to see Eunan O Kane included
Randolph is a disaster waiting to happen and I’m glad that the journal have finally highlighted this.. Bring Westwood and give him the number one, ta fvck!
I’d pick Westwood over Forde but other than that it’s hard to argue with that squad. Mc Geady gives you something different, so I would have him on the plane. If Gibson hadn’t been content to stay at Everton to pick up his cheque for warming the bench rather than going out on load he’d be in the squad, possibly starting. I don’t save
Don’t know how Glenn Whelan is going. Doesn’t do much to inspire any team he’s played with.
He has played over 240 premier league games for stoke under a few different managers. He does what he does very well and as mentioned above he can do a job if we need to hold onto a lead.
Ah my fat fingers posted that before it was finished but I cba finishing it now. Finish that sentence how you want.
As Ruud Gullit said “goalies are not footballers they are goalies.” Westwood should be automatic as starter with Randolph as number two. Third choice is terrible as both Given & Forde are finished.
Think quinn will get the nod ahead of meyler
Dub1: “Psssst..,.,.c’mere till I tell ya somethin!” Dub2: What’s that mate? Dub1:”Alreet..I’ll tell ya but ya better bleedin’ keep it to yerself..don’t be bleedin’ shoutin it from.the rooftops bro…..alreet!? Dub2:No bother horsebox…whats the fooking big secret..I’m all ears now?? Dub1: “Okay steady yerself horse..here goes.. (Takes deep breath) Y’all Neveeer Beat De Oir-ish….Ya’ll Neveee best the Oir-ish”
Don’t give up the day job Ziggy…
Sorry Ziggy but “y’all neveeer” makes him sound like a confederate Frenchman.
Your like a young Roddy Doyle .keep it up
No, 772 is a child…
Sry for that lads..Im getting carried away with the Euros coming up. Alk joking aside but I can’t wait and genuinely believe that we will do better than last time and give our brilliant fans something to cheer about.
well we cant do any worse