Thinking about team selection, there’s plenty of questions at this stage. I’m sure some will resolve themselves but for now:
Keeper: Randolph* or Kelleher*
I’d imagine both will probably be fit by game day, Randolph in particular has played for ireland while managing leg injuries in the past. In general, I wouldn’t like to throw a new keeper into the deep end but I think Kelleher has shown playing for Liverpool that his temperament is excellent.
Right back: Coleman or Doherty
Coleman is certainly the more in form but Doherty has been selected when fit. Obviously you could play one at left back at the expense of Stevens, that’s pretty unlikely, not knocking Enda but honestly, I could easily see Coleman or Doherty having a better game than Stevens there on a given day. They’ve both played well at club level at left back this season.
Centre-halves: Clark, Duffy, O’Shea, Long
Obviously Duffy looked dreadful in possession during the last window but he did make the single most important defensive contribution in our last match with the block on the Dimitrov open goal and he has been the most frequent goalscorer over the last few years. Kevin Long has been dependable for us but you’d imagine Clark and O’Shea would be ahead. Clark hasn’t really featured but he’s now a regular for Newcastle and is performing very well.
Midfielders:
McCarthy*/Hendrick/Brady*/Molumby/Cullen/Knight/Hourihane/Browne/Arter*
Really hard to work this out, even in terms of who will make the squad. Byrne is out and Brady, McCarthy ana Arter are doubtful. McCarthy is probably the preferred holding midfielder. I’d have Cullen replacing him but Kenny hasn’t really used Cullen at all. Hourihane is the in-form player but his performances for ireland since the game at home to Georgia have been underwhelming. Hendrick’s performances have improved under Kenny but he’s still the most frustrating footballer we have right now, in terms of his decision making and needless giving away of the ball, especially because early in his career he showed the ability he had. Then you’ve got Browne, who has been ok and you’ve got the kids: Molumby and Knight - think you’re only gonna start one of those two. I probably feel that if Kenny had everyone available, he’d play McCarthy, Hendrick, Brady with Molumby the next man in.
Attackers:
R: Robinson/Horgan/O’Dowda/Brady
C: Long/Robinson/Connolly/Idah/Collins/Hogan
L: Connolly/Robinson/Curtis
Both Robinson and Connolly are probably best suited to playing wide left in an attacking 3. You could move one of them wide right or up top. Robinson seems the more likely as Connolly has never really played wide right and is more dominant right footed, equally Connolly playing up top is more likely to be physically outmuscled. Imagine you play, Robinson wide right, then you’re choosing from Long, Idah, Collins or Hogan up top. Personally I’d go for Long, as he’s somewhat in form and also the greatest nuisance but Kenny hasn't shown any faith in long. I like Idah and could see him being the regular sooner rather than later but I felt often during the last games that he looked a big overwhelmed and got a bit bullied by defenders. Obviously if you played Robinson or Connolly in the centre, you’d have a slot wide right. So far, I think he’s played Robinson, Brady, O’Dowda and Horgan there. The position probably needs more pace than Brady can offer, O’Dowda had a good first half in one of the games in the first window, Horgan has played well at times but also tired in second halves...
Unusual situation where not a single player of the eleven is a nailed on starter...
