Of hearing a good an excuse for a poor result
ered the storm. And when you look at the players they have — superstars like Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake and Cody Gakpo — we have to stop thinking about last-chance saloons and find a way to surprise the Dutch.
As recent results have demonstrated, we know they are a decent side but they are not unbeatable.
You have to start this discussion with the goalkeeper.
Blame
You cannot blame Gavin Bazunu for the defeat in Paris but I thought he looked wobbly at times and despite the fact we have great options in Caoimhin Kelleher and Mark Travers, it would be crazy to change that position.
The Dutch will line up in a 3-4-3 formation, and that is why I would opt for a 3-5-2 system, to give us that extra body in the middle of the park.
It is in midfield where this Kenny team, despite the honesty of Josh Cullen, Jason Knight and Jayson Moloumby, has not always clicked.
In international football you need a balanced midfield who can create, defend, and score — just look at what Aurelien Tchouameni offers France.
For Ireland, tomorrow is about being brave but not stupid.
I would bring Dara O’Shea back into the back three, give Shane Duffy the job of taking care of Wout Weghorst, with Captain Fantastic John Egan completing the back three.
Festy Ebosele is a big talent. And while he is not a regular yet at Udinese, the 21-year-old has got some power and a really driven mentality.
Relish
In his last match at the Udinese Arena last Saturday, he came on as a sub at right wing-back in a 3-5-2 system.
It might not be ideal to have a player from League Two in your team but James McClean has been there and done it.
He would relish a battle against the Dutch. I would play him at left wing-back, although Ryan Manning is a big option in there, too.
And in the middle, I would play
Nathan Collins as the holding midfielder. He is so comfortable on the ball, and how many games have we seen those penetrating runs from deep?
He would anchor the midfield with a physicality that we need.
I would play Alan Browne, a real two-way midfield player, and bring in the creativity of the talented Will Smallbone.
At the top of the pitch I would play Adam Idah and Chiedozie Ogbene and hope that those wide areas which are often open when you come up against teams who have a back three, can be exploited.
I just want to see something different, and picking this team gives us a balance of experience, technical skill, physicality and pace.
And I also think it would give us a great chance.
It is time for Kenny to ignore the critics and to come up with something new, fresh and something that works.
ARABIAN KNIGHT: Power