We doubt there are many Ireland fans looking forward to this match.
But, for what it’s worth, we’ve compiled an Ireland XI ahead of Tuesday’s game against Wales.
While it’s not a world class side, it does at least contain footballers playing in their actual positions. There are no full-backs or wingers playing in central midfield.
The only one playing out of position – McClean – has at least played in that role before for Ireland.
Ireland don't play "primitive" football – they don't play any football at all | @RobRedmond10 https://t.co/b8C1JvppWd
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 15, 2018
This tie could decide the team’s fate in the new Uefa Nations League tournament.
If Martin O’Neill’s side fail to beat Wales, they will most likely finish bottom of the group. That means they will be seeded third in qualification for Euro 2020.
So, in two year’s time, if O’Neill complains that Ireland missed out on the tournament because they were third seeds in qualifying, just remember the team had the power to change that seeding by winning their Nations League matches.
Here’s the XI we would pick for Tuesday’s match.
Ireland are now happy to be mediocre and it looks like we better get used to it | @RobRedmond10 https://t.co/tKo4KYwn2g
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 13, 2018
In goal, Darren Randolph starts. The Bray-native is in good form for Middlesbrough and has kept eight clean sheets already this season. He made some smart saves against Denmark and is a calm presence behind Ireland’s defence.
This team features a back-three with wing-backs. We’ve opted for Kevin Long, Shane Duffy and Ciaran Clark – meaning Richard Keogh drops out of the team from the draw with Denmark.
Keogh played well in the match, but it could be argued that Ireland would benefit from having a left-footed player – Clark – on the left side of the back three.
Long started there on Saturday and was forced to cut back inside onto his stronger right foot before making a pass.
However, O’Neill probably won’t change a defence that just kept a clean sheet and that would be perfectly understandable.
In the wing-back positions, Matt Doherty and Enda Stevens start.
Doherty was rarely involved against Denmark, but he could be a valuable attacking outlet if used correctly. Wolves channel the majority of their attacks down his side and Doherty has been one of the best players in his position in the Premier League this season.
Stevens grew into the match when he came off the bench at half-time on Saturday. The Sheffield United full-back was defensively solid and helped set-up Ireland’s only effort on goal.
In midfield, Shaun Williams, Conor Hourihane and Jeff Hendrick start. There’s no place for Cyrus Christie because he’s a full-back, not a midfielder.
Williams scored against Wales in September and then impressed at the base of midfield against Poland in a friendly.
The Millwall midfielder was calm on the ball and precise with his passing. Ireland will need to do more than lump the ball away if they are to have any chance of beating Wales. Williams may not be a household name, but he is the type of player that could help the team get a grip on midfield. If not Williams, then David Meyler should start in that position.
Hourihane and Hendrick should start in the other midfield positions.
Hourihane has registered four assists already this season for Aston Villa and is a dead-ball specialist. Hendrick is at his best working as a box-to-box midfielder, rather than as a number 10 or sitting deep – the two roles he had to perform against Denmark.
Harry Arter is also an option, but the Cardiff City midfielder isn’t particularly suited to a holding midfield role, the position he played in on Saturday night.
He seeks to press the opposition, and that can often leave space behind him. So, if Arter plays, it shouldn’t be at the base of midfield.
Up front, we’ve opted for James McClean and Shane Long or Callum Robinson.
McClean was used as a wing-back and in central midfield against Denmark. The Derry-native arguably isn’t really suited to either position, but Ireland could use his energy and aggression higher up the pitch if they are to try to press the Welsh backline.
O’Neill said on Monday that Long is a doubt for the match. The Southampton forward performed admirably against the Danes and was starved of service. If he is fit to play, he should start against Wales.
Although Ireland don’t create any goal scoring chances, and he isn’t a prolific goal scorer, Long’s pace can unsettle opposition defences and he can help the team win free-kicks.
If Long doesn’t make it, Robinson could get the nod. The Preston forward played quite well when he came on as a substitute against Denmark. He was tidy in possession and dropped deep trying to link-up play.
Unfortunately, the game may have come too soon for Sean Maguire. The former Cork forward only recently returned to action following a lengthy spell on the sidelines. But he may be an option from the bench in the second-half.
Here’s the full XI:
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