It doesn’t get any tougher than this
I say inevitable because this nation always seems to qualify for major tournaments at a relative canter, but in recent years German football has evolved to such an extent that their two biggest sides — Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund — contested the Champions League final in May, with most of the players on show also represented in the national team.
In football terms, Germany have long been admired as workman-like, efficient, even a touch robotic but this latest side has added another dimension to their game which sees them right up there alongside Spain as the finest side in the world.
I should know as I still have nightmares about facing them both! I had the painful experience of seeing this German team at very close quarters last year, when we were subjected to a soul-destroying evening at the Aviva Stadium. At the time we all held our hands up and said we weren’t good enough individually or collectively. But I have to say that, even if we had played well I genuinely believe we still wouldn’t have got anything from that game, such was the level they played at.
We couldn’t contain the movement from their midfield. When their wingers came inside to tempt our full-backs out of position, their full-backs would provide the width with overlapping runs. And while this was happening, one of their central midfielders would make a run in behind our back four to stretch us.
All this movement happened with perfect synchronisation and caused us constant indecision. The upshot was they had the freedom of the park to express the world-class talent.
In the aftermath, all of our players were singing the praises of a player we are getting to see a lot more of these days. Although we had all seen Mesut Ozil play for Real Madrid, I don’t think we actually realised how good he was until that night. Little wonder then that I can see him being a huge success at Arsenal and making a lasting impact in the Premier League.
On a personal note, I am, of course, disappointed not to be involved in tonight’s match. I haven’t featured for 11 months now, mainly due to injury, but I did feel I deserved at least a phone call before the squad was announced to let me know I wasn’t going to be involved. Noel King owes me nothing at all as I’ve never even met him, and I can imagine it’s been a hectic few weeks for him, but I know what I would have done had I been in his shoes. Having said, that, I genuinely wish him well in these two games.
From what I’ve seen and read in the media this week, he seems a very jovial character who is trying his best to be as upbeat as possible. It’s a tough ask for someone of his inexperience to take on these games but, in reality, he has absolutely nothing to lose — certainly not from this match against Germany, at any rate.
On the basis that he has said he is no fan of 4-4-2, I’d be expecting a three-man midfield this evening which will mean Robbie Keane, if passed fit, will lead the line on his own.
In front of David Forde, the absence of Richard Dunne and John O’Shea poses a dilemma. It’s a tough call and a tough ask for players like Ciarán Clarke or Sean St Ledger to come into a game like this having not played a lot of club football of late, but sometimes sheer adrenaline can get you through matches.
Seamus Coleman has made the right back berth his own with some very impressive displays. He will be vital for us as he can drive us forward with his direct running with the ball and transform us from defending into attacking within seconds. Marc Wilson has played a lot at left back for club and country in the past couple of seasons but has been employed as a holding midfielder under Mark Hughes at Stoke during this campaign, so this may alter King’s decision. With a shortage of recognised left backs in the panel, I was amazed by the omission of my club team-mate Stephen Ward from the squad, as he has been playing very well for us here in Brighton.
I think the three-man midfield will comprise Glenn Whelan, Darron Gibson and James McCarthy, with possibly Glenn being the deepest of the three. There are also the options of Andy Reid or Wes Hoolahan for a slightly more advanced role but I feel playing three more orthodox central midfielders for this tough encounter will be the route Noel King goes.
James in particular has the energy levels and pace to join in attack when the opportunity arises.
To get any success tonight, we need to be able to hold onto the ball. The wingers will play a crucial role in this as they will need to drive us up the pitch when they get a chance. Aiden McGeady and Anthony Pilkington are probably favourites for these spots and it will be vital they join in with Robbie to make sure he isn’t an isolated figure trying to conjure up something on his own. It’s also very important that we are brave enough to put our foot on the ball and try to have some decent possession.
There is no doubt that they will have the majority of possession but when we do win it back it’s crucial we try and find those two or three passes to relieve the pressure.
It’s a common cliche used in football but we really do have nothing to lose going into this. The footballing world expects Germany to win and automatically qualify for another World Cup. But with the drubbing we received a year ago still fresh and raw in the players’ heads, it would be a nice party to spoil — or, at least, postpone.
