There's no room for any slip-ups in the two games which will determine Ireland's destiny next summer. words Tony Cascarino
After his heroics against Charlton, you have to wonder which Robbie Keane will turn up against Cyprus and Switzerland. I think we’ll see the enthusiastic one: he’s bound to get chances against what’s clearly an inferior team. I think he’ll have a real spring in his step. It’s an opportunity for him to break his own record and I think he’ll do that.
Martin Jol seems to have it in his head that Robbie’s better as an impact substitute, and I know what he’s going through cause I had the same problem for years under Big Jack. He used to keep using me from the bench and I didn’t particularly like it; no-one wants a ‘supersub’ reputation. At international level he doesn’t have any competition, so in the Irish context, that won’t be a problem. My only concern would be that his fitness levels will suffer without ninety minutes’ action every week. That takes its toll, and I think we saw against France that he was off the boil, as hard as he worked. He’ll get more time and space against Cyprus, and hopefully with an early goal, he should have a comfortable game.
Clinton Morrison being absent, I’d go for Damien Duff to start up front. We need a foil for Robbie, and they’ve played together effectively in the past. David Connolly would be close, but I’m not sure he’s Brian Kerr’s favourite player. Damien was quiet on the left against France, so the wise move would be to switch Kevin Kilbane to the left and let Damien and Robbie wreak havoc on the Cyprus back four.
Kilbane was found wanting in central midfield against the French: he just isn’t technically good enough to be a central midfielder. When he’s on the wing, he can knock it past people and just run, using his big long legs. We can use his heading ability from diagonal balls, and he can whip in crosses first time. We don’t have a whole lot of options with Roy absent, so it’s got to be Graham Kavanagh and Mattie Holland in the middle. Graham isn’t outstanding, but he’s efficient. Mattie’s played there before, so I don’t see a problem.
Cyprus could be a banana skin the way Macedonia and Liechtenstein have been in the past, but if we can’t beat them, we don’t deserve to go to the World Cup. We’ve had our banana skins with the two Israeli games, and you don’t get a third. I’m sure we’ll beat Cyprus: there might be tricky moments against Switzerland, but again, if we can’t beat them we don’t deserve to qualify. I thought Switzerland were the worst team in Euro 2004. They’re mediocre at best: we’re in Dublin, there’s no excuse. We owe them one. I think, cautiously, that we’ll get the two results we need. I expect France to win in Switzerland, so top spot is probably out of the question.
Moving onto the Premiership, Chelsea were terrifyingly powerful against Liverpool. They’ve won the title; it’s not even an argument. I was delighted for Didier Drogba who I’ve been sticking up for in arguments; he absolutely murdered Sami Hyypia. This team is so efficient, if you go a goal behind against them you’re dead.
The only team I can see threatening them in the Champions’ League would be Barcelona, who have so much talent going forward. I think they’d give Chelsea a serious run for their money, and wouldn’t be afraid of them: they scared the life out of their back four last time out. It’d be a mouth-watering final, if they both get there.
Having watched Rio Ferdinand gift Fulham two goals at the weekend, I think there’s now an overwhelming case for Sven replacing him with Sol Campbell who’s fit again. John Terry is clearly the best defender in England, and Sol alongside him would bring pace and power in abundance. I think Rio ball-watches, he can get caught underneath the ball and there’s question marks about his workrate. He looks like he’s in the comfort zone, he’s just going through the motions. I’m not sure that Rio’s head has been right since the contract talks and the Chelsea affair. He’s always been a guy that, defensively, you feel you’re going to get a chance against, and it seems to be getting worse as time goes on. He’s turning into Laurent Blanc!
I know Wayne Rooney and David Beckham have kissed and made up, but I’m sure they’ll rekindle their love-hate relationship the next time England have a bad result. It could spill over again: there’s very clearly no love lost between them, you can tell from the body language. The 4-3-3 experiment against Northern Ireland was a disaster, and I’m sure you’ll see Beckham restored to his rightful position on the right. Sven, for me, is too indecisive and doesn’t seem to inspire the team: managers are paid to make the big decisions, and he seems to shy away from them. There’s no doubt they’re going to qualify, though: the opposition is too weak and they’ve far too much talent not to.b
They're one of the tastiest sides in the UK, but Arsenal's relatively low standing in the league shows there's little use in stringing fancy passes together if you can't mix it up when the going gets rough.
Read More Richard Dunne put in a towering performance during Ireland's victory over Cyprus, but greater challenges lie ahead, particularly the formidable Azzurri.
Read More After being humiliated twice by Cyprus during Steve Staunton's reign of error, Ireland have a score to settle...
Read More Why Chelsea look a great bet to wrest control of the title from Man United.
Read More European champions Spain's adventurous, attacking play shows it is possible to win major tournaments without going negative. But there's no reason why, with the right management, Ireland shouldn't be able to hold their own against the Continent's top sides.
Read More Phil Scolari is exactly the sort of no-nonsense operator that Chelsea needs.
Read More Although drawn in a tough group at Euro 2008, Italy are in with an excellent chance of winning their second major tournment in a row.
Read More After a couple of months in the job, Giovanni Trapattoni is fast realising the challenge ahead of him. The bottom line: we need a few of those who retired back for the World Cup.
Read More As the world holds its breath, Cazza evaluates the relative strengths of the key Manchester United and Chelsea performers.
Read More There's still lots to play for in the Premiership. But for some managers, it may just be the end of the line...
Read More Following a run of disappointing results, there's a very real danger that Gordon Strachan's Glasgow Celtic could finish the season without a trophy to their name.
Read More With Ronaldo and Torres the toast of the Premier League, what better time to run the rule over some of the overseas stars who could soon be lighting up English soccer?
Read More If Avram Grant wants to stay at the Chelsea helm he needs to bring home some silverware this season. But are the Londoners really capable of winning the Premiership or Champions' League?
Read More
Giovanni Trapattoni's wealth of experience is exactly what Ireland need.
Read More While professional soccer is far from squeaky clean when it comes to recreational drugs, the problem of substance abuse isn’t any more prevalent than in the rest of society. Performance-enhancing drugs, however, are a different matter.
Read More Newcastle’s failure to play a more attractive style of football under Sam Allardyce was a big factor in the manager’s departure.
Read More So Ireland’s Euro 2008 campaign has ended in failure. If it’s any consolation, England flopped badly as well. Blame poor organisation and silly tactics.
Read More Alex Ferguson is forever claiming his latest Man U line-up is the best he’s ever assembled. But this time he might just be right.
Read More Now that Ireland boss Steve Staunton has finally been put out his misery, the FAI must start searching for a successor.
Read More There isn’t the slightest possibility that Avram Grant will get the best out of the players at his disposal at Chelsea. In fact, he’ll be gone by Christmas.
Read More Having made wrong decisions in Bratislava and Prague, Steve Staunton has three games to save his job.
Read More The trips to Bratislava and Prague will make or break Ireland’s Euro 2008 campaign.
Read More The early season form-book may have been turned on its head, but normal service will soon be resumed.
Read More There may be trouble ahead for Roy Keane’s much-vaunted Sunderland revolution.
Read More 30th Anniversary Retrospective: An Irish team had never qualified for the finals of a major tournament in 1977. It took another 11 years for that dream to be realised – and there’s been a few memorable campaigns since. Tony Cascarino fills us in.
Read More The season may be over, but the next couple of months are going to be busy ones for managers as they try and do business during the transfer window. We get the lowdown from Tony Cascarino.
Read More Despite Chelsea’s failure to retain the Premiership title this season, Jose Mourinho still deserves the full backing of the club’s board.
Read More Dennis Wise may be facing the sack, but Leeds’ problems are mainly down to Peter Ridsdale and David O’Leary. Plus: Sam Allardyce’s departure from Bolton and candid views on Gary Lineker and Eamon Dunphy.
Read More Roy Keane’s successful tenure at the Stadium of Light has possibly positioned the club as the new Celtic.
Read More Falling our with your leading players is a sure-fire recipe for disaster for any manager. Just look at West Ham, a club now in terminal free-fall.
Read More When San Marino played in Ireland, they were the worst team he’d ever seen. So there's no point in trying to dress-up a 2-1 win over them as a decent result.
Read More The death of an Italian policeman after the Catania v Palermo match was tragic but not surprising.
Read More Does Chelsea’s spanking at the hands of Liverpool point to a crisis at Stamford Bridge?
Read More As Premiership survival becomes the ultimate goal for many teams, English soccer’s romantic attachment to the FA Cup may well be at an end words.
Read More Annual article: The votes are in, the golden envelopes have been delivered, the nominees are sweating in their tuxedos. Yes, it’s time for HotPress’ annual Casa Awards
Read More Andy Reid needs to lose at least half-a-stone if he’s not to join the list of footballing also-rans.
Read More Tony Cascarino likes what he’s seen this season of the 18-year-old Dubliner.
Read More Sam Allardyce’s criticism of Wayne Rooney bit him on the nose last Saturday.
Read More The fact that we were lucky to keep it to five conceded in Cyprus says it all about Ireland’s woeful display
Read More Ireland need pace and passion if they’re to kick-start their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Read More The English Premiership is hotting up with Manchester United among the early pace-setters. But can the team maintain its momentum?
Read More We may have lost 1-0, but Ireland’s performance against Germany showed genuine promise.
Read More Eamon Dunphy’s call for Steve Staunton’s sacking is both ill-judged and ill-timed.
Read More Ronaldo is a marvellous talent but needs to show more application if Brazil are to hang on to the World Cup.
Read More Scuppered by Wayne Rooney's post-injury fitness problems and dodgy management, England's World Cup prospects look dim.
Read More Defeat to Chile was a set-back but ultimately this was a meaningless friendly – there’s no need to panic quite yet
Read More The F.A. Cup Final proved that some footballers give value for their pay packets.
Read More The F.A. were mad to even consider Phil Scolari for the England job.
Read More Telling Cardiff fans to “fuck off” may have been the height of stupidity, but Lee Trundle still deserves an Ireland call-up.
Read More The Aston Villa manager is in danger of joining Mick McCarthy in the P45-waving manager's club.
Read More Kevin Doyle, Damien Duff and Robbie Keane all impressed as Steve Staunton’s reign as Ireland manager got off to the perfect start. Tony Cascarino examines how Euro 2008 qualification could be a little trickier though…
Read More Thanks to medical advances, horrendous injuries, such as the one suffered by Mancester United's Alan Smith, need no longer spell the end of a footballer's career.
Read More Sol Campbell has been one of the Gunner's best performers, but that doesn't excuse his recent disappearing act. Meanwhile, things could finally be looking up for Ireland fans. The Republic have every chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.
Read More The new Ireland boss acquitted himself well at his first press conference. But performances on the pitch are what really matter.
Read More Mild mannered or not, Steve Staunton won't take any nonsense if he's appointed Ireland manager.
Read More
George Best is regarded as one of the greatest footballers to ever spring from this island, but how does he rate against the international competition?
Read More Tensions between the media and the manager had an adverse effect on our approach to the Swiss game.
Read More Tensions between the media and the manager had an adverse effect on our approach to the Swiss game.
Read More More firepower is required if Ireland are to qualify for the World Cup, and Tony Cascarino knows who can provide it.
Read More The signing of Michael Owen represents a significant coup for The Toon, but the real problem at St. James' Park is Graeme Souness.
Read More If we marshall France's returning hero properly, we can help ourselves to all three points, says Tony Cascarino.
Read More Manchester United will push them hard, but the Premiership title will stay at Stamford Bridge.
Read More Footballers' holidays are no longer the orgies of excess that they used to be. More's the pity says Tony Cascarino.
Read More Despite sub-standard displays against Israel and the Faroes, Tony Cascarino remains confident that the Republic of Ireland will qualify for Germany 2006. Even if Clinton Morrison can't get to grips with the offside rule!
Read More Despite their victory in the Champions League Final, Liverpool will struggle to topple Chelsea next season.
Read More Tony Cascarino: While Manchester United fans protest at Malcolm Glazer's take-over, one of their most celebrated old boys has performed a miracle at West Brom
Read More The fans may not like it, but Malcolm Glazer may be Manchester United’s best hope of catching Chelsea next season, says Tony Cascarino
Read More Now that the GAA are doing their bit, what about a united Ireland team? Words Tony Cascarino
Read More To say that Lee Bowyer is a toerag is an understatement. Plus the day I met the Pope. By Tony Cascarino
Read More With Brian Kerr able to call on an almost fully fit squad, Tony Cascarino is looking forward to three more World Cup qualifying points in Tel Aviv.
Read More Tony Cascarino thinks a few kung-fu kicks would sort out the yob element in football crowds.
Read More With the ugly face of hooliganism back in English football, Tony Cascarino reckons it's time to jail the offenders. He also takes time out to give Richard Dunne some some free advice and expresses his misgivings about Sven's managerial skills.
Read More Tony Cascarino: the tapping up of players is widespread in the English game and isn’t a reason for docking Chelsea points.
Read More Arsene Wenger’s whingeing over Alex Ferguson’s outspoken comments on Arsenal is merely the latest manifestation of a career-long behavioural pattern, which in France has earned him the nickname, The Cry Baby.
Read More Alex Ferguson and David O’Leary both have reason to rue their sides’ dismal cup performance
Read More The gloves are off and the front-teeth out as Tony Cascarino doles out his annual football awards.
Read More Henry, Pires and Reyes are all letting Arsenal down in their quest for domestic and European glory.
Read More Tony Cascarino: Jose Mourinho’s ability to out-psych Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger is one of the reasons why Chelsea will win the Premiership. Another is Thierry Henry’s lack of application in big games.
Read More With Ruud Van Nistelrooy possibly about to leave for Chelsea and Arsenal nine points ahead in the premiership, things are growing increasingly precarious for Alex Ferguson and Man Utd.
Read More With Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea all in Champions League action last week, Tony Cascarino takes a look at how English clubs might fare in Europe this season.
Read More As Ireland and England start out on the potentially rocky road to Germany 2006 Tony Cascarino reads the signs from this week’s first round skirmishes.
Read More This is the season where Chelsea’s Galactico's can finally go all the way.
Read More Who’s hot and who’s not in this year’s transfer merry-go-round: Tony Cascarino
Read More The Greeks were fit but their spoiler tactics sucked. Also, Ray Houghton and Wayne Rooney exercise poor judgement off the pitch words.
Read More Forget the disallowed goal, England have only their bad attitude – and their manager – to blame for crashing out of Euro 2004.
Read More Tony Cascarino, in Portugal for Euro 2004, on England’s extraordinary self-destruction against France
Read More Despite Portugal’s status as hosts and France’s favourites tag, Italy have got what it takes to win Euro 2004.
Read More Be afraid, Chelsea and Man U – record-making Arsenal could be even more formidable next season.
Read More Brian Kerr has not only brought Roy Keane back on side – he may just have helped appoint a future manager of Ireland.
Read More They’ve tackled their hooligan problem and now they’re in an FA cup final – these are good times for my old club Millwall. Words Tony Cascarino
Read More Tony Cascarino explains why Souness lost his cool and offers advice on signings to Fergie
Read MoreFor information including benefits, key facts, figures and rates for advertising with Hot Press, click below
Advertise 
