By Ade O`Connor
June 11 2003

The Republic of Ireland go into Wednesday’s Euro 2004 qualifier against Georgia in the knowledge that a win would put them right back into contention for group 10. After the late winner against Albania, Switzerland and Russia drew 2-2, opening the door for Ireland to control their own fate. With the top three teams in the group all due to play each other in the run up to the end of the qualifying stage, Ireland are now level on points with Russia and trail Switzerland by two points. Meaning three straight victories for the Irish would allow them to qualify automatically.

Before Brian Kerr’s men can think about Russia and Switzerland, they must first conquer the plucky opposition from Georgia. The expectation is of an Irish victory, but as Albania showed, this is not always as easy as might be hoped for.

Another late goal saw Ireland defeat Georgia 2-1 in Tbilisi, coming from a Gary Doherty header after 84 minutes. So the Republic must take the game seriously and not expect their Eastern European counterparts to roll over.

Damien Duff faces a late fitness test over his participation, after limping out of the victory on Saturday with a knee injury. It was not expected that Duff would have any chance of making this game, but Kerr would like to have a key man available such as the Blackburn star.

The Ireland boss has promised to make changes from the side that scraped through against Albania on Saturday, with Gary Doherty expecting to take the place of David Connolly alongside Robbie Keane.

Ian Harte may well find himself back in the side at the expense of Gary Breen, with John O`Shea switching to centre back, his preferred position. Kerr witnessed the effects of missing Harte’s diagonal balls forward on Saturday.

Steven Reid will step into the breach should Duff not be fit for the game, and may even play in midfield instead of Mark Kinsella regardless of Duff’s availability.

Colin Healy could find himself in the side should space become available, Kerr feeling that his passing qualities are too good to leave out in a game of such nature.

It should be an attacking Irish team, reverting back to the 4-4-2 formation that has served us so well over the past years. Kerr may use this game as an opportunity to give exciting young talent a chance at competitive level.

Players such as Gary Breen, Kevin Kilbane and Mark Kinsella may find that they are no longer assured of a regular starting role for Ireland, as the youth rolls into the forefront.

As much as I dislike criticising Irish players, particular those that have been as loyal and good servants to us as the trio mentioned, it is time to make a few changes and bring in fresh faces.

The appointment of Kerr seemed a good chance to do this, having worked with the majority of the Irish youth and having no real previous loyalties to those who may be seen as old heads.

The public feeling is that it is time to bring the new talent through and have some regulars warming the bench.

Ireland’s midfield is a little worrying in it’s absence at times, lacking anyone who can really put their foot on the ball and play it around. Kinsella and Holland are defensive minded and Kilbane no longer fits in.

Steven Reid and Colin Healy must be taken more seriously these days, especially if Healy finds regular first team football somewhere. Granted, the system played against Albania required a lot of defensive work for the midfield three, but this is no new issue.

Andy Reid of Nottingham Forest has recently been putting in stunning performances at club level, he is a player that gets on the ball and does something with it. Maybe I am biased towards my team, but he could really do a job for the seniors.

Since improving his fitness and capitalising on his skill from Christmas, Reid has turned out man of the match performances, or close to them, on a regular basis for Forest. He also featured heavily in the under 21 game on Tuesday, picking up a man of the match award.

Sean Thornton at Sunderland is another one for the future, breaking into the side in the latter part of the season – he was arguably one of the few plus points at the relegated club! He likes to run with the ball and use his physical attributes to get at players. Surely Kerr will have to sit up and take notice sooner rather than later.

Though the Republic will have to make do with what is available from the squad tonight and an early lead, which can hopefully be held for more than 2 minutes would be an ideal start to proceedings.

A victory tonight would make a very interesting finish to the group stage, and leave Ireland with a real chance of qualifying for the tournament in Portugal. Anything other than a win simply does not bare thinking about.