AND so the debate rages On. TO go with 3-5-2 or return to 4-4-2? To pass it or to play it long? To risk further setbacks in the phoney war of friendlies or end the worst losing run in a decade by whatever means necessary? If nothing else, the debate is interesting.

Had the faint of heart or the blindly loyal had their way and the Charlton reign continued, it's doubtful whether it would be taking place. It's certainly unlikely that the Republic of Ireland's strategic horizons would have been broadened to such an extent, even less likely that an ailing Irish team would have been given such an infusion of youth and had its more established players revitalised.

Yet, it is worth recalling that even Charlton saw the writing on the wall. Good old 4-4-2 and the long-ball game, allied to the put-them-under-pressure philosophy in the new era of non-contact football has had its day. He knew it, and with their every utterance it is apparent that the players knew it.

Had the Republic carried on in the same vein, and perhaps stifled the Czechs (if not the superior Russians) in a scoreless stalemate, what would it have told us? Similarly, as Andy Townsend observed when saying that you learn more in defeat, what would a 6-0 win against some minnow have achieved?

Returning to this theme yesterday at Heathrow airport, McCarthy said: "If I played 4-5-1 and said I was going to defend like hell and we ground out three 0-0 draws, we'll not learn anything from it. I don't think that's the way to go about it."

McCarthy is even beginning to warm to the masochistic friendly sequence. "We could have played Luxembourg and Malta, or Moldovia or somebody, in two easier fixtures and beaten them but not learnt as much out of it. We could have three victories at home and then come away to somebody like Czechoslovakia, thinking we're doing alright, and get our asses spanked."

With one eye on World Cup qualifying opponents, Romania, these past two games must have been beneficial. In any event, the pool of players has been expanded by the blooding of four newcomers. One could even say this total is six, given the performances of Ray Houghton, who to all intents and purposes had been discarded under the old regime, and Paul McGrath, whose worth to the team was underlined for the 82nd time on Wednesday night.

Nor have all the old strengths been completely forsaken. Niall

Quinn's aerial prowess still caused consternation to the Czech rearguard, as it invariably does against continental and especially east European defences. As Quinn pointed out on Wednesday night, the quality of the service from the by-lines resulting from a more varied build-up was discernibly better.

The Prague encounter reinforced the old longing for a Chris Armstrong or Dean Holdsworth to feed off the Republic's attacking totem. The search goes on, with Watford's 5'8" whippet Dave Connolly (seven goals in his first four games) likely to be drafted into the squad next month.

"I would have brought him this time but for club commitments," said McCarthy of the Wilsden-born, 18-year-old whose parents are both Irish.

Meanwhile, it is clear that McCarthy will persevere with Mark Kennedy in the attacking mid-field role. McCarthy is understandably sweet on his old Millwall protege, even if he also appreciates the 19-year-old is "a baby" at international level. Kennedy's education will continue with perhaps another four or five caps before the Liechtenstein qualifier on August 31st.

Otherwise, until such time as the attack is imbued with more pace, detractors of the new system will maintain that McCarthy doesn't have the requisite players at his disposal. Of course, Charlton's ways maximised some of the team's strengths and hid some of its weaknesses.

Charlton's methods went against convention, ruffling the most aristocratic of continental feathers and propelling the Republic gloriously to a World Cup quarter-final and a world ranking of ninth. His achievements may never be emulated by another Irish manager.

It's going to be a long road back from 37th in the rankings, but who is to say it's negotiable under anyone? For now, it is surely best to utilise these friendlies by exploring alternative methods. At least McCarthy and the Irish players seem to know where they are going.

Can the same be said of Terry Venables' England. Incredibly, after 18 months and eight games in charge, this recent convert to all things Ajax implemented a replica 3-4-3 formation against Croatia on Wednesday. Is he for real?

One presumes McCarthy's embryonic Irish team will not be subjected to such sudden jolts. Indeed, in some respects the debate about the Republic's new system is irrelevant. McCarthy will carry on regardless.

I don't think the system has caused us a problem - defensively or attacking. I think we've had more chances in the two games than I've seen us create in quite a while.

My record might say after the Holland game, played five-lost five. It might not, but it could do and that will go down" on my CV as an international manager. But irrespective of the results I said to them last night I think you played well, and that's the way I'm looking at it and I think they're all positive about it."

Indeed, the players appear to share their manager's nerve. Quinn spoke for them when saying: "There were times against the Czechs when things looked very good. Obviously the person who picked all these games needs shooting, but having said that we'll take them as they come and just hope that people stick with us while we find our feet."

And if the defeats continue? "It's up to us as a unit to block that out. I hope that the people back home will help us out in that because it is about rebuilding.

Looking ahead, there is next month's spate of four games in 10 days beginning with McCarthy's own testimonial against Celtic on May 26th, followed by Portugal, (home), Croatia (home) and Holland (away). A squad of 26 players, to be based at the Nuremore Hotel in Monaghan, will assemble on May 20th.

A squad of 20 will then travel on to America from Holland for the three-match tournament on the east coast. McCarthy speculated that Townsend, who clearly benefited from a summer rest this season, Denis Irwin, "who needs a break", Steve Staunton, "having his wisdom teeth out", and "perhaps big Paul (McGrath)" will be among those granted a respite. "There's some lads I don't need to watch. I think it would be more beneficial to take some youngsters and have a look at them."

Onwards and, hopefully, upwards then.

Germany are the new favourites, at 9 to 2 - for Euro `96 as official bookmakers Ladbrokes reckon Scotland and the Czech Republic have little hope. The Scots have gone out from 50 to 80 to 1 alongside the Czechs

Italy are second-favourites at 5 to 1, Holland, following their 1-0 defeat by Germany on Wednesday night, are now 11 to 2 and England are rated fourth best at 6 to 1 with the betting after that: 7/1 Spain; 8/1 France; 10/1 Portugal; 12/1 Croatia; 16/1 Bulgaria, Romania and Russia: 25/1 Denmark; 50/1 Turkey and Switzerland.

Surprisingly, Scotland are only 10 to 1 to win their group which includes Holland, England and Switzerland.