Progress likely despite our lack of ambition

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND V CYPRUS:Cyprus have improved steadily but will hardly have enough to defy the odds under the atmospheric lights of Croke Park, writes Brian Kerr

OUR ITALIANS' pleasure at the result in Bulgaria over the weekend would suggest they have already accepted their national team will win the group and that we are destined to scrap for a play-off. This is a little disappointing.

The goalless draw in Sofia showed both Bulgaria and Italy are a grade above our opponents so far, yet neither nation is in particularly good fettle at present, so our ambitions to top the group should be maintained and expressed.

The last time the Cypriots were coming to Croke Park the prospect of a one-nil victory was deemed unacceptable. But recent history with tonight's visitors and a voluble media contingent exaggerating their ability, all allied to Giovanni Trapattoni's innate cautiousness, have ensured any sort of a win tonight will be acceptable and even applauded.

What a sea change from the previous two campaigns when Cyprus came to Dublin as fodder! Yes, they have improved since our fortunate away win back in 2005, when their current coach, Angelos Anastasiadis, was under pressure from a notoriously critical and sceptical football public.

Since 2004 Cyprus have been largely unchanged, developing a familiar core group of experienced internationals such as Okkas, Charalampides, Aloneftis and Constantinou. They have put together a fairly consistent line-up in recent years that has troubled France, Germany and Italy at home.

But apart from the galling draw at Croke Park in the European Cup qualifiers, they have posted precious few commendable results on the road.

Under Trapattoni's regime, the detailed preparation for games has brought a noticeable improvement in the balance of the Irish team and clarity of role for each player. There is an insistence on maintaining shape.

Hence, we are not likely to see much adventure tonight, nor should we witness the gung-ho attitude of the midfield selections that crumbled in the 5-2 defeat and one-all draw in the last qualifying campaign against Cyprus.

During the hammering in Nicosia, the Stephen Ireland and Kevin Kilbane combination was overrun when they failed to defend adequately. More recently at Croke Park, Joey O'Brien and Andy Reid were not sufficiently assisted by the wide men Andy Keogh and Stephen Hunt.

With the industry now demanded of Trapattoni wingers and Glenn Whelan in a holding role there is little danger of Ireland being exposed, as formerly, to a counterattacking threat.

Whelan and Darron Gibson are a surprise pairing in the midfield, particularly when one considers their lack of game time at Stoke City and Manchester United.

Parachuting Gibson in here is strange, as Trapattoni has yet to have a good look at him, apart from the near-farcical fixture against Nottingham Forrest last week.

That Whelan has managed only one start in the Premier League for Stoke is also a serious concern. At least both players should be fresh for this evening's duties! Actually, I still believe they possess enough guile between them to dominate this opposition.

Paul McShane's return to the starting XI alongside Richard Dunne is, I believe, a mistake as it interrupts Dunne's growing relationship with John O'Shea.

O'Shea's switch to fullback should, however, give better quality moving up the flanks and McShane's rehabilitation at Hull has been going well so he deserves the opportunity.

On this premise, I presume Trapattoni will release the fullbacks from the tight leash that restrained them in away games, allowing them to support the wingers.

Once again, much will be asked of the wide men tonight both in defence and attack, but Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady would be better used primarily as attacking tools.

Hard work is imperative at this level, but too much concentration on defence can lead to a reduction in this team's offensive qualities, as we have seen in the opening two qualifiers.

A fit Duff was a certainty to start, leaving Trapattoni a straight choice between Hunt and McGeady. He picked McGeady, presumably on the logical basis Hunt has been more effective coming into games late on.

Up front, while the partnership of Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane has not been prolific to date it is still a valuable part of this team and should click given a decent supply line.

Despite Keane's recent lack of goals for Liverpool his general play and touch have been excellent, while Doyle has been scoring regularly for Reading.

Besides McGeady's delivery for Doyle's goal against Georgia we have seen little progress here, but I'm confident that will come.

Undoubtedly, the consistency of selection and pattern of play have improved understanding and confidence among those selected, although those on the fringes can be less happy.

Trapattoni's insistence that four offensive players are sufficient to justify the lack of interest in Andy Reid is hardly fair given Andy can play, and has played, in all four midfield roles as well as up front to brilliant effect.

Basically, the manager's call is that six or more players are currently better than Andy across the midfield. He is entitled to that opinion, as he is to leave a fit and well Lee Carsley out of the 26-man squad.

Surely, Carsley's industry would suit Trapattoni's mindset, particularly with Stephen Reid potentially heading into another long-term absence; his experience should have been utilised.

Anyway, we continue to move forward. The basic qualities of high industry and solid defensive organisation have been established but our use of and defending of the set-piece remains problematic. Goals conceded in Oslo and Mainz are proof in point.

Tonight's opposition are at a push the fourth-best team in the group. I expect Cyprus to create some chances but we should have too much for them under the atmospheric lights of Croke Park.