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7th June 2016
04:55pm BST

David Meyler wasn't making the Hull team regularly enough to feature in a form team (based on the last three games) whilst Jeff Hendrick's injury from March the whole way to the playoff semi-finals meant he didn't appear for the end of season results either.
The management have been championing a diamond formation since the Scotland home match last June with Walters (who turns it into a midfield five at times in defence) and another striker up top. If they were to stick with that in France like they presumably will, this is the midfield four on current statistical form that O'Neill should go for.
Of course, that isn't a natural position for James McClean, taking up that Jeff Hendrick role.
He was played there in the narrower formation away in Poland for the final group game and Hendrick pushed up in the absence of Hoolahan. It didn't quite work out for the Derry man who thrives off the space and freedom he's given in a wider position.
When McClean comes on - he is and should be the first sub of the team anyway - the side usually changes shape and deploys a flatter midfield or five across the middle. Stephen Quinn would come into a midfield five in that case - according to the stats.
Or Jon Walters.
That last formation, incidentally, boasts the same five midfielders that made the weekly power rankings more than anyone else.
With Hendrick keeping his place throughout the whole qualification campaign, the Derby man is crucial for the diamond formation.
That means McClean would have to miss out and Walters would push back forward.Explore more on these topics: