On the back of Saturday’s display against Portugal, Heimir Hallgrimsson will be keen for Ireland to continue the momentum gained in Lisbon when Armenia come to Dublin on Tuesday night.
A win in that fixture is a must if Ireland are to keep their hopes of reaching next summer’s World Cup alive. Anything other than three points and you get the sense that the current manager will be sitting on the hot seat.
With that in mind, here is the team we would select for that fixture.
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The Ireland Team We Want To See To Ensure Heimir’s Men Get Armenia Revenge
GK: CaoimhÃn Kelleher
An easy decision, CaoimhÃn Kelleher was in supreme form in Lisbon once again.
You’d hope that he would not have quite such a busy night on Tuesday, although Armenia showed in Yerevan that they certainly carry a threat.
RB: Jake O’Brien
Seamus Coleman deserves a start in this game after his display against Portugal. However, two starts on the bounce for a 37-year old who has barely played this season is a huge ask.
With Hallgrimsson likely to revert to a back four for this game, that should mean another start for Jake O’Brien. He deserves it too after a strong display last night.
CB: Nathan Collins
Nathan Collins looked more like his usual self against Portugal, bouncing back from what had been a questionable run of form at both club and international level.
He will look to carry that momentum into Tuesday’s game.
CB: Dara O’Shea
Dara O’Shea is all but certain to continue his centre back partnership with Collins in this fixture, with the pair hoping to produce a more assured performance than they managed in Yerevan last month.
LB: Ryan Manning
Ryan Manning should offer a key creative outlet for Ireland in this fixture, with the Galway man currently in the midst of his best run of form in a green jersey.
He will be a willing runner down the left flank and is capable of producing some dangerous crosses into the opposition penalty area.
RM: Festy Ebosele
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Festy Ebosele was excellent in Lisbon, with it being hoped that he will be available for Tuesday after coming off with 25 minutes still to play.
Ebosele should offer the type of attacking threat that the team was lacking in Yerevan.
CM: Jayson Molumby
Having come back into the squad after being left out in September, Jayson Molumby more than justified his inclusion with an excellent performance against Portugal.
He will continue in the team for this game, with Josh Cullen’s absence due to suspension adding to his importance in the middle third.
CM: Will Smallbone
Will Smallbone is the most likely candidate to come into the side to replace Cullen, with his ability on the ball a plus in a fixture where Ireland should have the majority of possession.
He would also compliment Ryan Manning as a right-footed set-piece option.
LM: Mikey Johnston
Chiedozie Ogbene was well short of his best last night, meaning it would be no surprise to see him come out of the team for this game.
Mikey Johnston struggled to make an impact after his introduction, something that was understandable considering the flow of the game. You would think that his ability to go by opposition defenders would be a big plus in a fixture such as this one.
CF: Evan Ferguson
Finn Azaz performed very poorly in the September window, with Heimir Hallgrimsson likely to consider the possibility of starting two natural strikers against Armenia.
Even Ferguson is certain to be one of them, although it remains to be seen who will play alongside him at the Aviva Stadium.
ST: Adam Idah
Troy Parrott likely won’t be considered from the start due to his recent injury issues. As a result, it would make sense to play Adam Idah alongside Ferguson.
Ireland have lacked a goal threat for much of this campaign, something Idah could help with. He was excellent in his cameo against Hungary and has shown that he has an eye for foal at international level.
The Team In Full
It is likely that Heimir Hallgrimsson will revert to a back four for this game, meaning one of the defensive players who started in Lisbon is likely to miss out.
It will be interesting to see what options he goes with out wide, while Evan Ferguson’s partner in attack is also up for debate.
In any case, it will be a must win game for Ireland on Tuesday night.
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