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A selection dilemma
 By
David Thorpe
The return to international action of goalkeeper Shay Given has boosted the
Republic of Ireland ahead of their double header of international qualifiers
— but manager Steve Staunton still faces a number of selection dilemmas.
Richard Dunne and Paul McShane are certain to start at centre-half but
the withdrawal through injury of Steve Carr means that Staunton must decide
whether to risk a young full-back like Stephen Kelly on the left or opt
for the experienced but not always reliable John O’Shea alongside
Steve Finnan in the full-back positions.
A debate which has divided Irish fans in pubs and clubs across Britain
in recent months has been whether to deploy the flair and trickery of
Aiden McGeady or the hard-working and effective Stephen Hunt on the right
of midfield.
But the absence through injury of Damien Duff and the excellent performances
of that duo in the friendly win over Denmark mean that McGeady and Hunt
will have the task of patrolling the wings for Ireland.
Central midfield is probably the most open area of the team. Lee Carsley’s
absence from the squad indicates that the Everton player’s international
career may be over.
The deployment of John O’Shea at full-back would take another player
out of the equation for a midfield berth and probably means that Manchester
City winger Stephen Ireland will play in the centre.
Manchester United’s Darron Gibson and Darren Potter of Wolves both
impressed against Denmark but their lack of experience may mitigate against
either of that duo starting the matches so Kevin Kilbane may come in to
win his 83rd cap against
Slovakia.
Interestingly, Kilbane has started every game so far this season for Wigan
at left-back and playing in defence may be an option for one of the more
versatile players in the squad.
That would also allow John O’Shea to take up a berth in the centre
of midfield where he features most regularly for his club Manchester United.
For the first time since the end of the Charlton era Ireland have a pool
of quality strikers but the form pairing picks itself with Robbie Keane
and Kevin Doyle likely to lead the line against a Slovak side who have
looked shaky in defence all season.
Ireland are currently on an eight-match unbeaten run and that should continue
against a poor Slovak side. The tougher questions will be asked of the
Czech Republic. |
