It’s crunch time.
To have any chance of progressing to the last-16 Ireland must do something they have done only three times in history – win a game at a major tournament.
Can Italy in Lille take its place in Irish football folklore alongside England in Stuttgart, Italy in Giants Stadium and Saudi Arabia in Yokohama?
With top spot in the group guaranteed, the Italians are set to make nine changes to their side for Wednesday evening’s clash in Lille.
But how will Martin O’Neill approach a must-win game? There have been plenty of rumours doing the rounds this week, with suggestions that Wes Hoolahan, Shane Long, John O’Shea, James McCarthy and Ciaran Clark could all be dropped.
O’Neill has kept his cards close to his chest (as always) but has suggested that he may need to freshen things up to bring energy to the performance.
So our team in Lille have selected the eleven players they would like to see start Wednesday’s big game.
Dion Fanning
If Jon Walters is fit at all, I’d start him. Otherwise I’d go with an energetic side that might create chances. With a midfield close to the midfield that started against Germany. Would prefer Robbie Brady at left back, but there are no other exciting midfield options. Harry Arter’s injury was a real blow.
Conán Doherty
Ciaran Clark is a head case at times but we knew that coming into the tournament. For the most part, he is worth the risk because, apart from the odd catastrophic wobble, he’s actually quite solid and, physically, our best option. Richard Keogh has been very harshly treated after emerging as the country’s best defender at the end of the qualifying campaign.
Stephen Ward played against Germany. He played out in Bosnia. He played against the Belgians. Each time, he didn’t put a foot wrong. And, each time, we’ve gotten the best out of Robbie Brady.
James McCarthy had a really bad day on Saturday. So what? Glenn Whelan has had a bad few years and, in fact, McCarthy has proven that, in Whelan’s absence, he can shine as the sole midfield anchor. We need a win, we don’t need the two of them there. We don’t need the two of them anyway.
Jon Walters has to play, injured or not. Risk him. Who cares, we’re going home otherwise. He wasn’t at it against Sweden and yet he still managed to set up three chances with his head and played a key part in the goal. Ireland can’t afford to play the long game now. It’s all or nothing. This has been in the making since September 2014.
Mikey Stafford
Screw it, go for broke. Being defensive hasn’t worked thus far and this is no time to expect faint heart to win fair maiden. If Roy Keane wants the players to show balls then he should ask the same of Martin O’Neill.
Get rid of Clark as bad things happen in threes, trust the competent Ward and allow Brady to play on the left of a midfield that has Whelan sitting behind Hoolahan, with Hendrick swapping over to the right.
Give Long a little help up top in the goalless, but large and strong, shape of Murphy and at least ask the question of a potentially disinterested Italy that Belgium were never forced to answer.
