SOCCER/Republic of Ireland v Switzerland: Reflecting the mood in France where an anxious public wants the home side to avoid defeat at Lansdowne Road tonight, the football federation's president, Jean Pierre Escalettes, revealed that, "this week my heart is Irish".
A blazer's best wishes are all very well but practical assistance in the form of talented reinforcements might have been of more welcome to Brian Kerr as he prepares for a game which, to him more than anyone, is simply make or break.
The manager was upbeat yesterday, insisting that the win needed to sustain the Reublic of Ireland's interest in this World Cup is an achievable target. There would be no panic, he said, in the wake of Saturday's hapless display in Nicosia although there would be changes.
Specifics were, as usual, in short supply but there were vague suggestions in the run-out that preceded the press conference that the Dubliner, already without Roy Keane and Damien Duff, will make four changes to the side that scraped to victory over the Cypriots.
The squad almost got through that final practice session of the week without serious incident yesterday. Then, with a few minutes remaining of the knockabout game that traditionally wraps up the session Richard Dunne injured himself during a rash and poorly-executed challenge on Stephen Elliott.
"He got a knock on the shin and a bang to the thigh in the one go," sighed Kerr with mock disbelief, "but it's not too serious, I think he'll be okay."
The manager subsequently confirmed the Manchester City defender will start the game if the problem does not prove more serious than originally thought.
In other areas, though, the changes look set to be significant. The return to action of both Clinton Morrison and Andy Reid after suspension is expected even if there will some sympathy for Stephen Elliott after the quality of his performance on Saturday.
Robbie Keane's lack of form in recent internationals has prompted calls for his replacement but it is unthinkable really that Kerr would replace the team's most experienced and prolific striker at a time like this. How the manager could do with having his faith repaid.
If, as seems likely, Ian Harte starts at left back it will complete a remarkable comeback for the Levante defender. The threat he poses from set-pieces would appear to give him the edge over John O'Shea who could be used instead to shore up central midfield later in the evening depending on how the team is faring.
With Duff gone, Kevin Kilbane is likely to remain out on the left, the position he finished up in on Saturday while Matt Holland should beat off the challenge of Steven Reid for a starting place. The Charlton midfielder's prospects of getting through the 90 minutes are, by his own admission, uncertain but he should prove a positive influence early on as the Irish attempt to find their rhythm and take a grip on the game.
Patience, it has been stressed over and over again this week, may be necessary as will far more effective defending in the event of yet another early goal. The Swiss arrive confident, perhaps too confident, of getting the win they need to top the group but they are not without their flaws.
Heading the list, perhaps, is the vulnerability of their goalkeeper Pascal Zuberbuhler whose errors in recent times have proven costly to both the national team and FC Basel who might well have been in the group stages of the Champions League but for a mistake he made at 0-0 in the second leg of the qualifying round away to Werder Bremen.
At right back, young Philipp Degen's devotion to pressing forward, often at the expense of his defensive duties, could be a problem for the visitors while the recent poor form of Johan Vonlanthen might have prompted a change but for the fact that, as in the goalkeeping department, there is no remotely experienced alternative available just now.
The Swiss have their strengths too, however, with Philippe Senderos, Johann Vogel and Ricardo Cabanas all players of very considerable ability. Cabanas will operate behind the front two, the position from which Hakan Yakin has previously caused Ireland so many problems while Sebastien Frei looked impressive on Saturday even if his league form in France has been poor so far this season.
Another concern will be the running out wide of Tranquillo Barnetta who caused William Gallas persistent problems at the weekend and could, with his ingenuity, pace and close control, do a good deal more damage to Harte this evening.
On balance, there are worryingly few good reasons to believe Ireland will win this evening. Neither Saturday's performance nor our recent record against the Swiss would inspire any confidence. Our ongoing inability to beat decent opposition in a competitive game under Kerr combined with the fact that the Swiss go into the game unbeaten in 12 games all tends to suggest too that the majority of the 35,000 strong crowd are in for an evening of frustration followed, ultimately, by heartbreak.
For all that, there is the lingering hope Kerr can inspire a winning performance and that the home side's better players can remind us of their true worth.
Win, lose or draw, the supporters deserve that much on a night when pride, passion and, of course, three points could still secure the Republic a coveted fourth trip to a World Cup finals.
PROBABLE TEAMS
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Given (Newcastle United); Carr (Newcastle United), Cunningham (Birmingham City), Dunne (Manchester City), Harte (Levante); Reid (Tottenham), Kavanagh (Wigan), Holland (Charlton Athletic) Kilbane (Everton); Keane (Tottenham), Morrison (Crystal Palace).
SWITZERLAND: Zuberbuhler; Degen, Magnin, Muller, Senderos; Barnetta, Cabanas, Vogel, Wicky; Frei, Vonlanthen.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany).
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