“It’s not gonna be easy for us but it’s not gonna be easy for them either.”
- Jack Charlton
It feels like yesterday that I witnessed history unfold in the Aviva before traveling to Warsaw to experience a setback that featured my scarf stolen. The playoffs are upon us, Ireland face Bosnia over two legs. 180 minutes separate us from another major tournament.
We’ve been here before. Indeed Ireland don’t have the best of records in playoffs. Something I decided to compile as part of promo ahead of our last playoff encounter.
Thankfully there was no more heartache in the Estonia
encounter. In fact, that was only the 2nd Ireland I had ever
attended. I subsequently travelled to the Euros the following summer and the rest
they say is history!
Will there be another historic occasion this weekend? I certainly hope so! I’m approaching these two games with no great fear or over reliance on my reserves of belief. A lot of this has to do with that memorable result against Germany. Some people might forget that the starting line-up that night was missing key players due to injury and suspension. O’Neill called upon Cyrus Christie and Stephen Ward (who had only played one league game) at both full back slots. Darren Randolph was introduced just before half-time. Despite this reshuffle, the starting eleven and the subs that came in produced an unbelievable performance to win that night. It was exactly that kind of self-belief and ability to perform to a heroic level we saw that night everyone believed Martin O’Neill could bring to the Irish team. Anything less than that and we’ll be playing at a disadvantage.
Of course, it is not going to come down to who believes more, who wants it more. What I see lining up in this playoff are two sides with not a whole lot separating them. Bosnia & Herzegovina are slight favourites according to Paddy Power, and much of the focus, or what I’d like call it, premonition, is focusing on Edin Dzeko and Mirko Pjanic. Two extremely talented players, no doubt about it. Throw in a dependable Asmir Begovic in goal, and Bosnia are rightly considered a strong team with a healthy mix of youth and experience in their ranks. Most frustratingly from an Irish fans point of view, they have decided to host the game in Zenica in a stadium that holds a mere 15’600 fans. The reason for this is because Bosnia have an excellent record in this ground, opposed to playing in Sarajevo.
For a side who reached the World Cup in Brazil, they made extremely hard work of qualifying for a playoff spot. Going into the last round of games, only two points separated Bosnia, Israel and Cyprus. Bosnia held the edge, taking advantage of a Wales side who more or less had already qualified, in their previous match. They went to Cyprus on the last day and came away with a decisive 3-2 win, securing their passage. Their turnaround is down to manager Mehmed Baždarević, who took over after 4 games in the group had been played. They took 15 points from their remaining six games under his leadership, and now await us.
In saying all of that, the reason bookmakers are struggling to separate these sides is because Bosnia and their key players are far from an imperious force. Pjanic, in devastating form for Roma at the moment, has only scored once in his last 17 games for Bosnia. Creatively, he’ll be the go to man for Bosnia and a serious set-piece threat. However, Ireland will go a long way to securing their passage to France if they can nullify his presence and not give away frees in dangerous positions. In this regard, you would be looking at either Glenn Whelan or James McCarthy to carry out this task in a 3 man midfield. Dzeko is an altogether different prospect in Bosnia shirt. While he won’t cause Ireland as much problems as Lewandowksi did for Poland last month, he is certainly someone O’Neill will be looking at, especially given the absence of John O’Shea. Yet O’Neill can boast about Irelands strong defensive record in the group stage.
Speaking of our own team, there is a number of injury worries and suspensions we have to contend with. At goalkeeper, we were faced with an interesting dilemma. Shay Given was ruled out through aggravating the injury he picked up against Germany. And there was increasing focus on Newcastle United’s Rob Elliot, who has been installed as the starting goalkeeper as a result to a season ending injury to Tim Krul. Last weekend, he produced a stellar performance against Bournemouth in the Premier League that critics and fans alike are raving about. Unfortunately for Elliot, he has also been ruled out with a thigh injury. This leaves Darren Randolph free, barring a surprise recall for David Forde, free to continue in goal. It would be very surprising to see Keiran Westwood start Friday as well.
The back four will be without John O’Shea, originally suspended for the first leg and in a race to be fit and healthy for the 2nd leg in Dublin. Paul McShane was ruled out today. The most likely partnership will see Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark in central defence. Clark has recently returned to Aston Villa line up and put in a solid performance against Man City at the weekend. His Ireland career has stalled somewhat, after a disastrous mistake against Austria in March 2013. Friday night will represent a great opportunity for him to make a serious statement. The same goes for Seamus Coleman. Coleman has at times struggled to replicate his club form at International level but he has spoken this week of the importance to him personally of qualifying for a major tournament in his Ireland career. A strong performance at right back is needed from Coleman this weekend.
It’s expected O’Neill will opt for a three man midfield in Zenica and it is one area he has plenty of options in. Whelan, James McCarthy, Wes Hoolahan, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler, Darron Gibson and Harry Arter are all at the managers disposal. The debate continues about Whelan’s merit in the Irish side but his experience and what he brings to the team will be needed on Friday night especially. I would also make a strong claim for Hoolahan’s inclusion in the first leg. Questions are being asked of his fitness and questions about those questions at that. I think especially away from home, his control of the ball will be crucial and ball retention could be the key to dictating how this first leg goes. Hendrick will be the unfortunate to miss out but both he and Meyler will provide valuable depth from the bench. I don’t think Gibson will feature over the two legs, given he has only just returned to
There is no denying that losing Jon Walters for the first leg is the biggest blow to the Irish side. Arguably Irelands best player in this campaign, his suspension has ruled him out of the first leg and he will be sorely missed. Aiden McGeady is his most likely replacement. Despite starting the group with a crucial brace of goals in Georgia, McGeady has struggled with not only injury but making an impact at club level. However, he came on late against Poland in Warsaw and created Irelands best chance of the night, beating his man and provided a great cross that Keogh failed to convert. Rarely praised is his ability to track back and help his fellow full back. I watched McGeady bail Stephen Ward out time after time against Russia 4 years ago but receive no praise for it. You cannot doubt his work ethic and commitment to the Irish jersey and I would look to start him this Friday. James McClean will look forward to giving a much better performance if selected this weekend. Robbie Brady is also another option but is dependent on whether he is utilised at left back first. Alan Judge is also another option, having just been crowned Championship Player of the Month for October at Brentford.
Daryl Murphy seems to have become a favourite of Martin O’Neill in this campaign, despite not having scored a single goal in 18 caps for Ireland. And until this weekend, he hadn’t even scored a goal for Ipswich Town. He returned to the club form he displayed last season in firing a hat-trick past Rotherham United, giving himself a much needed boost in confidence ahead of the biggest games he could play for Ireland. With Shane Longs fitness in doubt and questions over the impact Robbie Keane can provide leading the line on his own, Murphy seems nailed on to start Friday. And there would be no better time to get his first goal for Ireland doing so. It would evoke memories of John Aldridge breaking his duck in firing two goals past Malta that saw Ireland qualify for Italia 90. Long, if not fully match fit, would be an excellent option to spring from the bench, as demonstrated against Germany. I would much rather he would come on than start the game. While Keane is in the twilight of his international career, it would be foolish not to consider including him at any stage given his goal-scoring record.
Myself? I’m flying out from Dublin on Thursday morning, and should arrive Sarajevo at 8pm (via Tuzla and 2 airports in Frankfurt). I have yet to pack (want to finish this first) and will have an enjoyable trip home with three flights and four different airports to go through on Sunday. Questions will be raised of my match fitness on Monday but one way or another I will declare myself fit. On Tuesday morning, I hope to wake up………………
…………..with a merciless hangover but with the solacing cure of knowledge that I have to do it all over in France next summer.
How we approach the first leg will dictate our hopes of qualifying. O’Neill doesn’t seem like a manager who will go for it in a two legged situation We had a free shot in Warsaw and adopted a cagey approach that reaped nothing. I have nothing against keeping it tight in Zenica, there is no need to lose everything before a 2nd leg to come. Discipline is key, but so is our set-up. We cannot invite Bosnia onto us, backed to a hilt with their home crowd behind them. I just feel it is asking for trouble. We do have lads capable of playing some good football and we should instill the belief in them to play it. While we lived on the edge at time against Germany, the performance and game-plan that night was superb in equal measure.
No longer should we have to fear anyone. If we set up properly and stick to an effective game plan, I see no reason why we can’t take back an away goal. That would be a huge boost to bring back to Dublin. And as we all know now, the Lansdowne Roar is back.
Go Green on November 16 for the Republic. We Are Going to France next summer!
Just Believe!
COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN
Will there be another historic occasion this weekend? I certainly hope so! I’m approaching these two games with no great fear or over reliance on my reserves of belief. A lot of this has to do with that memorable result against Germany. Some people might forget that the starting line-up that night was missing key players due to injury and suspension. O’Neill called upon Cyrus Christie and Stephen Ward (who had only played one league game) at both full back slots. Darren Randolph was introduced just before half-time. Despite this reshuffle, the starting eleven and the subs that came in produced an unbelievable performance to win that night. It was exactly that kind of self-belief and ability to perform to a heroic level we saw that night everyone believed Martin O’Neill could bring to the Irish team. Anything less than that and we’ll be playing at a disadvantage.
Of course, it is not going to come down to who believes more, who wants it more. What I see lining up in this playoff are two sides with not a whole lot separating them. Bosnia & Herzegovina are slight favourites according to Paddy Power, and much of the focus, or what I’d like call it, premonition, is focusing on Edin Dzeko and Mirko Pjanic. Two extremely talented players, no doubt about it. Throw in a dependable Asmir Begovic in goal, and Bosnia are rightly considered a strong team with a healthy mix of youth and experience in their ranks. Most frustratingly from an Irish fans point of view, they have decided to host the game in Zenica in a stadium that holds a mere 15’600 fans. The reason for this is because Bosnia have an excellent record in this ground, opposed to playing in Sarajevo.
For a side who reached the World Cup in Brazil, they made extremely hard work of qualifying for a playoff spot. Going into the last round of games, only two points separated Bosnia, Israel and Cyprus. Bosnia held the edge, taking advantage of a Wales side who more or less had already qualified, in their previous match. They went to Cyprus on the last day and came away with a decisive 3-2 win, securing their passage. Their turnaround is down to manager Mehmed Baždarević, who took over after 4 games in the group had been played. They took 15 points from their remaining six games under his leadership, and now await us.
In saying all of that, the reason bookmakers are struggling to separate these sides is because Bosnia and their key players are far from an imperious force. Pjanic, in devastating form for Roma at the moment, has only scored once in his last 17 games for Bosnia. Creatively, he’ll be the go to man for Bosnia and a serious set-piece threat. However, Ireland will go a long way to securing their passage to France if they can nullify his presence and not give away frees in dangerous positions. In this regard, you would be looking at either Glenn Whelan or James McCarthy to carry out this task in a 3 man midfield. Dzeko is an altogether different prospect in Bosnia shirt. While he won’t cause Ireland as much problems as Lewandowksi did for Poland last month, he is certainly someone O’Neill will be looking at, especially given the absence of John O’Shea. Yet O’Neill can boast about Irelands strong defensive record in the group stage.
Speaking of our own team, there is a number of injury worries and suspensions we have to contend with. At goalkeeper, we were faced with an interesting dilemma. Shay Given was ruled out through aggravating the injury he picked up against Germany. And there was increasing focus on Newcastle United’s Rob Elliot, who has been installed as the starting goalkeeper as a result to a season ending injury to Tim Krul. Last weekend, he produced a stellar performance against Bournemouth in the Premier League that critics and fans alike are raving about. Unfortunately for Elliot, he has also been ruled out with a thigh injury. This leaves Darren Randolph free, barring a surprise recall for David Forde, free to continue in goal. It would be very surprising to see Keiran Westwood start Friday as well.
The back four will be without John O’Shea, originally suspended for the first leg and in a race to be fit and healthy for the 2nd leg in Dublin. Paul McShane was ruled out today. The most likely partnership will see Richard Keogh and Ciaran Clark in central defence. Clark has recently returned to Aston Villa line up and put in a solid performance against Man City at the weekend. His Ireland career has stalled somewhat, after a disastrous mistake against Austria in March 2013. Friday night will represent a great opportunity for him to make a serious statement. The same goes for Seamus Coleman. Coleman has at times struggled to replicate his club form at International level but he has spoken this week of the importance to him personally of qualifying for a major tournament in his Ireland career. A strong performance at right back is needed from Coleman this weekend.
It’s expected O’Neill will opt for a three man midfield in Zenica and it is one area he has plenty of options in. Whelan, James McCarthy, Wes Hoolahan, Jeff Hendrick, David Meyler, Darron Gibson and Harry Arter are all at the managers disposal. The debate continues about Whelan’s merit in the Irish side but his experience and what he brings to the team will be needed on Friday night especially. I would also make a strong claim for Hoolahan’s inclusion in the first leg. Questions are being asked of his fitness and questions about those questions at that. I think especially away from home, his control of the ball will be crucial and ball retention could be the key to dictating how this first leg goes. Hendrick will be the unfortunate to miss out but both he and Meyler will provide valuable depth from the bench. I don’t think Gibson will feature over the two legs, given he has only just returned to
There is no denying that losing Jon Walters for the first leg is the biggest blow to the Irish side. Arguably Irelands best player in this campaign, his suspension has ruled him out of the first leg and he will be sorely missed. Aiden McGeady is his most likely replacement. Despite starting the group with a crucial brace of goals in Georgia, McGeady has struggled with not only injury but making an impact at club level. However, he came on late against Poland in Warsaw and created Irelands best chance of the night, beating his man and provided a great cross that Keogh failed to convert. Rarely praised is his ability to track back and help his fellow full back. I watched McGeady bail Stephen Ward out time after time against Russia 4 years ago but receive no praise for it. You cannot doubt his work ethic and commitment to the Irish jersey and I would look to start him this Friday. James McClean will look forward to giving a much better performance if selected this weekend. Robbie Brady is also another option but is dependent on whether he is utilised at left back first. Alan Judge is also another option, having just been crowned Championship Player of the Month for October at Brentford.
Daryl Murphy seems to have become a favourite of Martin O’Neill in this campaign, despite not having scored a single goal in 18 caps for Ireland. And until this weekend, he hadn’t even scored a goal for Ipswich Town. He returned to the club form he displayed last season in firing a hat-trick past Rotherham United, giving himself a much needed boost in confidence ahead of the biggest games he could play for Ireland. With Shane Longs fitness in doubt and questions over the impact Robbie Keane can provide leading the line on his own, Murphy seems nailed on to start Friday. And there would be no better time to get his first goal for Ireland doing so. It would evoke memories of John Aldridge breaking his duck in firing two goals past Malta that saw Ireland qualify for Italia 90. Long, if not fully match fit, would be an excellent option to spring from the bench, as demonstrated against Germany. I would much rather he would come on than start the game. While Keane is in the twilight of his international career, it would be foolish not to consider including him at any stage given his goal-scoring record.
Myself? I’m flying out from Dublin on Thursday morning, and should arrive Sarajevo at 8pm (via Tuzla and 2 airports in Frankfurt). I have yet to pack (want to finish this first) and will have an enjoyable trip home with three flights and four different airports to go through on Sunday. Questions will be raised of my match fitness on Monday but one way or another I will declare myself fit. On Tuesday morning, I hope to wake up………………
…………..with a merciless hangover but with the solacing cure of knowledge that I have to do it all over in France next summer.
How we approach the first leg will dictate our hopes of qualifying. O’Neill doesn’t seem like a manager who will go for it in a two legged situation We had a free shot in Warsaw and adopted a cagey approach that reaped nothing. I have nothing against keeping it tight in Zenica, there is no need to lose everything before a 2nd leg to come. Discipline is key, but so is our set-up. We cannot invite Bosnia onto us, backed to a hilt with their home crowd behind them. I just feel it is asking for trouble. We do have lads capable of playing some good football and we should instill the belief in them to play it. While we lived on the edge at time against Germany, the performance and game-plan that night was superb in equal measure.
No longer should we have to fear anyone. If we set up properly and stick to an effective game plan, I see no reason why we can’t take back an away goal. That would be a huge boost to bring back to Dublin. And as we all know now, the Lansdowne Roar is back.
Go Green on November 16 for the Republic. We Are Going to France next summer!
Just Believe!
COME ON YOU BOYS IN GREEN
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