Okay. This is it. Don’t get scared now.
Talk of Ireland not needing to win this game is bloody annoying. There are six bloody fixtures remaining in their World Cup qualifying group – that’s a majority of the way to go – and it’s not like Martin O’Neill can just start stumbling across the line now hoping that a few more points will get them there.
If the Irish beat Wales in Dublin on Friday night, they will have gone a long way towards taking complete control over their own destiny and over the entire group and Chris Coleman’s outfit are there to be beaten.
They’ve won just one of their four fixtures to date on the road to Russia but the Republic are light a few bodies.
The two centre half figures of Ciaran Clark and Shane Duffy aren’t as big of a void as is being made out. Keogh and O’Shea are more than apt replacements whilst Wes Hoolahan is always a loss but, let’s be honest, he hasn’t been starting in this campaign.
Robbie Brady’s suspension and Harry Arter’s injury are the biggest blows to the management team but, apart from that, the Republic are boasting a strong line-up and here’s the 11 named to take on the Welsh at Lansdowne Road.
It looks like a very solid 4-4-2 that Coleman’s men will struggle to break down.
BREAKING: Here it is! The Ireland team to face Wales has been named. #COYBIG #IRLWAL pic.twitter.com/cbxE1liaxz
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 24, 2017
Here is the Welsh 11, and yes, he is fit and starting… (Joe Allen, we mean).
Wales Team: Hennessey (GK), Gunter, Taylor, Davies, Chester, Williams (C), Allen, Robson-Kanu, Ramsey, Bale, Ledley. #IRLWAL pic.twitter.com/eOj9hbTRRo
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 24, 2017
