Clark has had two poor games. Doesn’t really deserve to keep his place when Keogh and Duffy are available.
McCarthy wasn’t dreadful in the first game, and started well yesterday but then collapsed badly. Must be under threat but no great replacements and we may need another change too.
Hoolahan was poor yesterday. Ineffective and tired early. Three games in 9 days would be a lot for him. Half the country would go mad if he was dropped but he was poor against Belgium and if he’s not fit enough to contribute he quickly becomes a liability.
Brady in midfield didn’t work at all. A chance he’d be switched back to the back but Ward did fine and unless Walters is back there aren’t many better options.
Long hasn’t had much of a tournament so far. His cluelessness has really come to the fore. I thought he was ok in the first half against Belgium, though frustrating, but he’s really struggling to play as a lone striker. Not the brightest player and he’s just as unpredictable for Ireland as he is for them.
The big obstacles to changes are the quality of replacements. The two centre backs available should see Clark losing out. Otherwise it’s the likes of Quinn, McClean, McGeady and Murphy who are competing to start. Getting Walters back would be huge, otherwise it’s hard to see much of an improvement.
I doubt we’ll see much change for this one. Some Eire players will run around like headlines chickens and hoofing it 50 yards into touch, other Eire players won’t bother their arses.
The Eire fans will sing the fields of athenry for the last 20 minutes and for an hour afterwards.
I think Walters will play irrespective of whether or not he is fit to be honest. Would bring in Duffy for Clark and possible Keogh for O’Shea. McCarthy will be dropped I think and I reckon Christie could come in with Coleman moving in to midfield.
It is dumb but it’s something O’Neill regularly does. Anyway it’s all speculation about Walters, hard to know the true extent of the injury and whether the risks are pain or aggravation or just ineffectiveness.
