Given the Republic of Ireland's history in the playoffs for major tournaments and our latest playoff adventure kicking off tonight on Friday the 13th you'd be forgiven in the thinking that we deserve some good fortune this time round.
The playoffs are a lottery and maybe an unfair way to qualify or miss out on a major tournament given the lengthy process involved in a qualifying campaign. However fact remains beat Bosnia and Herzegovina over two legs and the Republic of Ireland will be heading to France next year, joining our neighbours Northern Ireland, England and Wales at the European Championships hoping to do better than our showing in 2012.
Having drawn Bosnia and Herzegovina in the playoff draw and missing out on tougher opponents Martin O'Neill's side must be confident going into the away leg in Zenica in the belief that Ireland might not have the quality other teams possess but they have a passion and belief installed in them that makes them a tricky opposition for any side, as the World Champions, Germany found out recently. Coming out of the playoff draw both Bosnia and Ireland would have been relatively happy given what might have been but still be wary of a dogfight that lies in wait. It's basically a shootout for the ultimate prize that only one can achieve.
Martin O'Neill won't want to leave Zenica tonight without an away goal, history shows it's an advantage playing the first leg away from home. However it's only an advantage if you get that crucial away goal.
Injury and suspension robs us of John O'Shea, Jon Walters and Shane Long, These players will be missed and highlights our lack of depth in the squad in terms of players that can make a difference.
Injury and suspension robs us of John O'Shea, Jon Walters and Shane Long, These players will be missed and highlights our lack of depth in the squad in terms of players that can make a difference.
One man who can make that difference is Wes Hoolahan. O'Neill has got to place his trust in this man at last and unleash him on the Bosnian's tonight. It's a crying shame that Hoolahan is not a regular in this side. At the age of 33 he should have at least 50 caps, he barley has half that. Without the desire of Walters and Long tonight we lack creativity up front. Ask any striker, they would love a Hoolahan playing behind them playing balls most players could only hope to do on FIFA 16. Tonight O'Neill has to take that step, unlock the chains and let Hoolahan free to create and open up play. Hoolahan is the man that can be the difference in Ireland qualifying or not for the European Championships in France, I just hope Martin O'Neill realises this before it's too late and we miss out on another tournament, which by then Hoolahan will be 37 when his chance will be gone and possibly Martin O'Neill's too.
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