Wembley clash makes sense as Kenny needs seed and logistics luck

“We’ll see if it makes sense after.”

WITH a smile, Ireland assistant manager Keith Andrews concluded a brief Virgin Media Sport chat about the announcement of a friendly with England by diplomatically hedging his bets.

At another time, the confirmation of a Wembley showdown would have prompted an overwhelmingly positive response, but this is a 2020 solution to a 2020 problem.

There is no jackpot for the FAI here. The only financial benefit is that it will be cheaper than the proposed jaunt to Sarajevo; the English FA are helping with aspects of identifying a base too.

Logistical motivations primarily lie behind the decision, although Stephen Kenny has stressed the team and staff will relish the football challenge.

England had a free night after New Zealand decided fulfilling their scheduled visit was unwise, while the prospect of a trip to Bosnia really didn’t appeal to the FAI off the back of the travel issues they suffered in the October window. Bosnia also favoured a meeting with Iran.

With Ireland’s November window consisting of an away date in Wales followed by the visit of Bulgaria to Dublin, the appeal of removing the need for a long-haul flight and allowing a team primarily based in the UK to stay there until coming home for Bulgaria is obvious.

Instead, there is a football risk attached to it with December’s World Cup draw in mind.

As it stands, Kenny’s side are just about clinging on to secondseed status, but the outcomes of their November triple-header will determine if they stay there.

The FIFA ranking system is a complicated beast with the weighting of points affected by the importance of the game and the quality of the opponents.

It’s trickier for nations to manipulate it now that the centralised European TV deal stipulates a certain number of friendly encounters to go with UEFA Nations League dates. The England match is replacing the Bosnia game in the FAI’s contractual commitments.

Ireland are ranked 20th in Europe at the moment, just ahead of Slovakia, Iceland and Northern Ireland, with Norway and Romania in punching distance too.

Their respective endeavours in November will shape the ranking picture, but the system takes into consideration that Ireland would be anticipated to lose to a top-tier side such as England.

Indeed, losing to Bosnia could be more damaging, and the FAI were fearful that clubs would be opposed to releasing players for that trip. The squad would also have a faced a trip back through the night a few days before Cardiff.

Balance

On balance, it just about makes sense, given the FAI were only in a position to be flexible because England were at a loose end.

For a manager seeking momentum, it’s a serious test. Kenny is in need of a win and a goal, and an on-song England have the ability to make life very difficult.

Granted, the Dubliner doesn’t approach things with a glass-halfempty mindset and the possible presence of Jack Grealish and Declan Rice may add spice, although a closed-doors game will be diluted.

A stirring Wembley show could galvanise people too, but the bottom line is that the Wales and Bulgaria clashes will likely have a greater say in World Cup seeding.

The hope is that England functions as helpful preparation – not a demoralising distraction.