The manager

Nobody can question Miroslav Blazevic's abilities as a manager, but what I would say is that it takes at least a year to adapt from European football to the game here in Asia and I'm not sure that he has completed the process.

I think he has also looked a little nervous during some of the side's recent games. Football is hugely popular in Iran and there must have been immense pressure on Blazevic's shoulders.

But then, what Blazevic achieved in France with Croatia proves what a good coach he is. I don't think he has Iran playing to their full potential yet, but if they do qualify he will have another six months to improve them and I think by the summer they may be a much more formidable side.

Already, though, there are definite signs of improvement and set-pieces is one area in which the Iranians are very good. Apart from having several players - the likes of Ali Daei and Mehrdad Minavand capable of striking direct frees well - he is very creative in the corners and indirect frees he devises.

I saw one where they took a corner with two players on the ball, drew two defenders, chipped them, after which another Iranian pushed the ball with his first touch to a team-mate who scored at the far post. It was wonderful to watch and typical of what they are capable of after much hard work on the training ground.

These are sure to be the biggest threat to the Irish goal in Dublin, but if they are defended well and the Irish make the most of the various weaknesses through the Iranian side, I feel Mick McCarthy's side will be too strong. Failure to win at home could certainly prove costly for the Irish, but a good start there and I think the tendency to collapse, common to so many Asian sides, should mean that there will be further chances to score, even in Tehran.

The goalkeeper

Of their two goalkeepers, Ebrahim Mirzapour and Davoud Fanaee, it is Mirzapour who is almost certain to play in both games against Ireland. Under high balls he is quite good and while he is sometimes a little slow to get into the game, he can be a good shot-stopper, particularly when the ball is coming at him well off the ground.

Where he has problems is with low balls. He is often slow getting down, while he sometimes lacks authority when his area is packed. Both were costly shortcomings when Iran played Bahrain. Another concern is Mirzapour's reluctance to come out and clear balls with his feet when his defence gets into trouble.

The defence

They play with a libero and two stoppers, but they are a very mixed bunch. Yahya Golmohammadi is the free player, but he is not great at the role, nothing like what you would expect at a leading European club. Rahman Rezaei is generally the best of the three - he is quicker than his team-mates and strong, both physically and mentally. The dependable one.

What may be more important over the two games is the performance of Mohammed Peyravani. He is slow on the turn and poor in one-on-one situations. I put my best striker on him and it worked well. Most of our chances to score came from his inability to cope.

The midfield

They have some good players in midfield, the best known of whom is surely Karim Bagheri. While not so young anymore, Bagheri remains a key figure within the Iranian side. He uses the ball well and is a positive influence on those around him, organising and motivating the rest of the team. Under pressure, though, he has a tendency to lose possession and when he does he can leave the whole team wide open. It could be an important weakness for the Irish, who have the sort of central midfielders who can deprive him of the time he likes.

Mehdi Mahdavikia is an excellent right-sided player, who should come back in as an attacking wing back after being out through suspension. He has a wonderful understanding with Ali Daei and a fierce shot of his own, even from 30 metres out. He must be closed down. He should displace Mojahed Khaziravi who, though good, is not on the same level although the Esteghlal player may be given a place in the centre.

Hamed Kavianpour is good enough, I think, to attract interest from European clubs after these games because he has speed, power and the ability to pass well, but he is not on a par with Ali Karimi, the team's star who can play anywhere from defence to attack and whose technical skills are the best in the side. If Karimi was a good finisher then he would probably have everything.

Javad Nekoonam attempts to control the midfield for his team, but his lack of aggression could prove an important factor in games like these.

Finally, Mehrdad Minavand is a strong player who provides his manager with lots of options. Inside or out wide he brings quality and is one of the few who can be depended on to perform for 90 minutes. Good if he gets the chance to have a go at goal too.

The attack

Ali Daei is the obvious one to mention and the 32-year-old has to be watched closely. A constant threat from set-pieces and around the box generally, he is good in the air and possesses a particularly good right-footed shot. Not so quick anymore, though, and while he holds the ball up well he shouldn't pose too many difficulties on the break himself.

Ali Samereh lacks Daei's experience but he shares many of the veteran's other attributes and is probably a better player with the ball at his feet, as well as having more pace. More likely to partner the top scorer is Alireza Vahedi Nikbakht who is tall, tends to attack from the left side, and works well with Daei.

Sirious Dinmohammadi is another option and he is also a clever player who could cause defenders problems, usually from the right of the attack where he prefers to play, but he is another of the older ones and his lack of pace may mean that he only appears from the bench.

In an interview with Emmet Malone