BRIAN KERR SOCCER ANALYST:The decision to all but name the Irish team well in advance of the kick-off gives Georgia an advantage
GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI'S decision to all but name the Irish team well in advance of this evening's game gives an immediate advantage to the Georgians and especially their wily new coach Hector Cuper.
With Stephen Hunt confirmed as Damien Duff's replacement and Andy Reid's glum face confined to the periphery of training this week, the team virtually picks itself, leaving no element of surprise. This is unlike the methodology adopted by previous Irish managers, myself included, who used to keep their cards close to their chest until as late as possible.
My view is this: a national team with resources as limited as ours needs to maintain any possible advantage over opponents, particularly considering the competitive nature of the campaign we embark upon today. If the last few years are anything to go by, the demands of the FAI, the media and some sections of our support will only be satisfied by qualification for South Africa 2010.
Allowing Cuper to hatch a specific plan to counteract our selection is conceding an unnecessary advantage. As a manager the pre-guessing of the opposition line-up is always a main element of preparation. I was always relieved on the rare occasions my counterpart disclosed his hand before the last round of betting was complete.
One obvious plus is the starting XI are left in no doubt where they are playing and their specific duties, but there is an immediate downside. Remember, we are dealing with professional footballers here. Many of these players, especially those on the fringe, would view this week as sacrificing time off from club duties. Now, many are more than happy for the opportunity to represent their country but I always sensed a happier squad when 15 or 16 players felt they were in with a shout right up to the last few days. It means there are no high-profile players walking around the team hotel with sour-puss faces.
It also ensures the tempo of training is maintained all week and lads with no chance of playing aren't minding themselves ahead of a return to club action. What benefit is it to dispatch a player of Andy Reid's stature and potential importance to the fringes so early in the week? You could see it in his body language. Add another few players to that mix and it damages morale.
Granted, the starting line-up was fairly predictable, outside Reid's exclusion, once Damien Duff withdrew and Stephen Ireland remained on strike but the point remains; any little advantage is important entering into two away games where four points is the minimum requirement. The decision to go with Stephen Hunt and Aiden McGeady ahead of Reid can hardly be justified by Trapattoni's personal assessment given he has yet to go see any of his players at club level. Sure, Liam Brady and Marco Tardelli have been at games but final judgement cannot be passed upon a player until seeing him in the flesh.
Maybe he is unaware that Reid is just as effective out wide as he is in central midfield. We know Andy will not skin a fullback like Hunt and McGeady can but his football intelligence and penetrative passing ensures he will always influence proceedings. His intuitive understanding with Robbie Keane and contributions at set-pieces are invaluable assets that should not be dispensed with.
I have no doubt some strong words of protest were relayed from Wigan Athletic regarding the continued selection of Kevin Kilbane now they have got him a face guard. Nevertheless, the back four has a certain solidity to it even if John O'Shea was prone to a couple of defensive lapses in Oslo. Despite the return of Paul McShane, O'Shea looks set to be Richard Dunne's primary centre back partner.
Glenn Whelan's emergence and survival in Trapattoni's thoughts has been one of the surprises of the new regime. But, having capped him at all underage levels, I'm well aware of his qualities. Considering Trapattoni intends to maintain a 4-4-2 system, selecting a holding player like Whelan makes sense but after only a few friendly matches this week will pose a huge challenge to his mobility and passing range, which appear some way short of world class. Stoke are yet to pick him in the Premier League.
Whelan is a solid, decent tackler and industrious player but maintaining the pace of international football is another matter entirely. He will perform the basics well but whether he can control play and see the less obvious pass, we shall see.
Lee Carsley has been left out of Republic of Ireland squads before and it has proved to be an error. Do we really have the strength in depth to do without his proven ability as a holding midfielder? It's great to have Steven Reid back alongside Whelan after a ridiculously injury-plagued career that has only seen him capped 28 times since 2001. His quality can never be questioned but now is the time for him to deliver on a consistent basis for Ireland.
Up front, more can now be expected of the Robbie Keane-Kevin Doyle combination considering their club futures have been sorted out. The partnership's ability to pressure and punish defences is the key to success during this qualifying campaign.
To date, we have seen little change in style or formation since the Italian revolution but we can note the improved organisation, more resilience under pressure and a sense of purpose to our play. One of Trapattoni's earliest pronouncements was the result is more important than playing well. I would go along with that. Let's just hope we get off to the required start and all the hype is justified. Four points is the minimum requirement so let's get three stored away first.
