Martin O’Neill will get ratty with anyone looking past Moldova.
He’ll tell us it’s going to be a tough clash, that three points are not easily won against any team in this group. He’ll almost make out that you’re a fool for disrespecting the like of Moldova and that the country is severely handicapped with the absence of James McClean and Robbie Brady for that clash at the Aviva on Friday night.
But if Ireland don’t do the job at home against the bottom-placed side in Group D and do it easily… Christ.
It’s a must-win. Both of these games are really.
Even if Wales didn't beat Georgia, Ireland look like they'll still need a win to have any chance of a playoff https://t.co/bMEYC8uZsx
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 3, 2017
So the big one is Wales in Cardiff on Monday night. News that Gareth Bale will miss out is a glorious lifeline but it still leaves Ireland having to do something they don’t do too well: Needing to win a game of note.
They can do it though, if they actually want to. And, with the right team, they can put the Welsh under serious pressure.
Here’s the side that should line out at the Millennium Stadium.
Darren Randolph: Only because he’s been playing since October 2015 and Rob Elliot, whether he’s at a higher standard right now or not, is a bigger risk bringing him in for such an important clash, not knowing the backline as well as Randolph does.
Cyrus Christie: He’s playing really well.
Shane Duffy: He’s a monster.
Ciaran Clark: These two are now ahead of Keogh and O’Shea.
Stephen Ward: The most underrated player in the squad. Hasn’t made a mistake in a long time, he’s sharp, he’s smart, he’s steady.
David Meyler: We don’t need to get into this again.
Robbie Brady: Better to have him further forward than at full back.
Jeff Hendrick: He’s back with a bang. Confident with such a tidy goal at Everton. Unleash him.
Wes Hoolahan: Obviously.
James McClean: Better in this role than he is in that narrow midfield. He’s played there before and really excelled. He offers energy, stretches backlines, fights for shit balls and can make it a midfield five when defending. He’s the best replacement for Walters.
Shane Long: Would somebody ever play this man a pass that might set up a chance for him?
