How will Ireland line up?
The eleven more or less picks itself at this stage. The only personnel issue relates to who will fill the right-wing slot. After a strong performance against Italy, it would seem likely that Stoke's more physical Liam Lawrence will oust Celtic's straw man Aiden McGeady and the pesky Stephen Hunt of Hull. Lawrence's more robust approach, set-piece prowess, and greater consistency make him the stronger candidate.
How will Ireland play?
Conservatively. After ten competitive fixtures under Trappatoni, the approach is more than familiar. No need for the French to dispatch any spies. Ireland will play 4-4-2. Even when in possession of the ball, Ireland will seek to keep five if not six players behind the ball. The full backs will not be encouraged to overlap - leaving dangerous space behind them for opponents to exploit should an attack break down. The screening midfielders - Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews - will rarely be seen ahead of the ball for more or less the same reason. The front four, the two forwards and the wide men will be responsible for almost all offensive duties in open play.
How will Ireland score?
Best hope is via a set-piece. Although Messrs Duff, Keane, Doyle and Lawrence do pose a threat, Ireland's games against Bulgaria and Italy (the only real quality in our qualifying group) suggest that free-kicks and corners will present the most likely route to goal.
Of the five goals Ireland scored against this opposition, four came from set-pieces. Sean St Ledger, Richard Dunne and John O'Shea will pose as much of threat to the French goal as the Irish forwards.
How can Ireland qualify?
Ireland's most impressive results under Trappatoni have been draws - home and away against the Italians and the Bulgarians. Should Ireland some how dump the French on their expensive derrieres, it would not be surprising if it was after two low scoring draws. Trappatoni would be delighted to leave Croke Park on Saturday night with a 0-0 draw in the bag, feeling that a 1-1 draw in Paris would not beyond his charges. The French will certainly feel they can win both legs - but keeping a clean sheet for Ireland is surely a must if Ireland are to progress.
How can we have any hope?
There are two reasons for moderate optimism:
1. Under Trap, Ireland have yet to be pummelled by anyone in a competitive fixture. Hopefully, organisation, obduracy, and a solid dollop of fighting spirit will keep it tight - and then maybe Lady Luck will deflect one in.
2. In their qualifying campaign, the French only kept clean sheets against the group minnows Lithuania and the Faroe Islands. They shipped three in Austria, two away to struggling Romania - whilst conceding at home to both of these sides plus the group winning Serbs. Chances should present themselves - but Ireland simply must not pass up any such opportunities if the dream is to become reality.
Paul Little
Your Comments
howlong_
"Haha foxy I love it man, the Big Three - spent many a pre-game there before some Dublin games, I'll be in Meaghers myself, rounding up the banter as usual. Not sure where your sitting but if in the Hogan stand, see if you can blag yourself to the fourth floor, use one of the lifts saying your pass has to be collected and your in the vip bar, say hello to the Black Pearl, G Ryan etc
Go on you BOYS IN GREEN!"
mgaffney
"foxy, The Big Tree in Drumcondra. Used to drink in there not a bad boozer. "
mack
"C'mon the boys, choke them out in midfield, Given to play supernaturally, Dunne to score off a set piece, France to reply - McGeady off the bench to break his egg for Ireland. France go up one in Paris - dodgy refereeing (Platini up to dirty tricks) Robbie to score in added time, cue wide spread pandemonium across the Celtic world, Domenech will strip down to his unmentionables and smear his girlfriends fecal matter all over himself, and Platini will frown so hard his face will collapse into a black hole. "
trollix
"I can't see us keeping a clean sheet in either game. We managed 3 in 10 games in the group, 2 against Montenegro and one at home to Cyprus and neither of those home clean sheets was very convincing. Right now I'd take a penalty shoot-out on Wednesday. "
alokazo
"I cannot wait for tomorrow night!! I have total faith in the lads. I can see 1-0, Richie Dunne from a corner. Possibly from open play too as I dont think the French centre back pairing is 100% solid. Kick lumps out of their midfield and it won't be long before Anelka and Henry are moaning about their lack of possesion! If we qualify we'll win the World Cup. No doubt about it!!! :D:D:D:D"
IrishBlue
"I don't think it will go to penalties - there will be one goal at least. I'm thinking 0-0 in Croker and 1-0 to Ireland in France. Total backs against the wall performance. Unusual stat: Ireland have never beaten European opposition in a play off. We've lost to Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Holland. Our one win is against Iran. At least that was the last one!!"
dublinvilla89
"Trap would take the hand off you if you offered him 0-0 now. I think as long as we don't concede an away goal we have a chance. If we do, I think we're screwed. Penalties in Paris on Wednesday anyone????"
foxy
"well mcgeady is going to be on the wing for us tomorrow which i think is a good thing. lawrence has a decent shot on him but mcgeady is much more creative. duff and mcgeady down the flanks could be a big part of the game. hopefully duff wont cut inside at every opportunity and will put some decent crosses in the box. jaysus im shaking like a shitting dog just thinking about it!, couple of pints in the big tree beforehand and then up them mountainous steps in croker, biggest game we have had in 7 years, come on ireland!!!!"
bazzo08
"Lads where you not listening to the radio, Keith Barry has predicted that we will win 2-1 at home on Saturday. Although conceeding the away goal would be a disaster. i'm definitely sticking a temmer on that scoreline. If we could get that result it would be unbelievable & we could try & hang on to a 0-0 over there & if we somehow managed to score one there is no way we would conceed two. At the end of the day Platini whinged untill he got the seeding for France & things like that always have a way of biteing you in the A** !! So fingers crossed this will be our time to get one back, we're due a bit of luck, trap has done a fantastic job with a very limited squad, Killer Kilbane will get the first. :) Come on Ireland !!"
IrishBlue
"Ireland have played "anti-football" in all their successful teams other than under Mick McCarthy in the 2002 WC & Qualifying. Under Jack it was dour defensive long ball tactics, it worked and we loved it."
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