O’NEILL:DON’T LACK ATTACK
REP IRELAND v WALES
MARTIN O’NEILL has put his back-up strikers on red alert tonight as he looks to address Ireland’s poor goalscoring conundrum.
The Boys in Green have registered just 14 shots on target in eight games since the World Cup play-off first leg in Copenhagen almost a year ago.
They’ve scored a measly five goals in that time but need a return against a depleted Wales side missing leading lights Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu.
Callum Robinson, Scott Hogan, Aiden O’Brien and Sean Maguire are all under consideration in attack.
Shane Long has not scored an international goal in two years and is nursing knocks from the draw with Denmark but has not been ruled out.
O’Neill is desperate for a win to get Ireland’s Nations League push back on track.
And he hinted he may gamble in the hope of avenging last month’s 4-1 pasting in Cardiff. The Irish gaffer said: “We have to do better as they outplayed us in the game. Adjustments we have to make in the course of the match will be vital.
“We’re playing at home so have to try get on the front foot as quickly as possible. We have to be more creative and use the ball better in the final third.”
O’Neill will decide whether to risk Long from the start or turn to Robinson, Hogan, O’Brien or Maguire for answers.