McCarthy stays with tried and trusted
As a result John O'Shea's impressive start to the season will not be rewarded with his first competitive cap.
O'Shea was named in yesterday's squad but McCarthy swiftly extinguished any hope that the Old Trafford youngster may receive a starting place, stressing that he was sticking by Gary Breen and Kenny Cunningham.
That means the Waterford-born centre-half, who has played 13 games for Manchester United this season, will have to watch from the bench next week. His chance to convince McCarthy probably won't come until the friendly against Greece on November 20.
"It is my decision, based on what I see when I watch players and games," said McCarthy, who hasn't been to Old Trafford yet this season to assess the rising star of United's team for himself. "But, he has done great this season, he's in the squad not bad for someone who was in the reserves last year."
Victory over Switzerland is crucial if Ireland are to remain in the hunt for qualification. Although Irish chances received a boost on Sunday with the news the Swiss will be without Stepaine Henchoz, they still knocked four goals past Georgia and created a glut of chances. With a re-surgent Stéphane Chapuisat back in the Swiss fold and Hakan Yakin proving a menancing presence for Basel in the Champions League, Ireland can afford none of the defensive slips that gifted Russia three of their four goals.
Gary Breen has looked a shell of his World Cup self since arriving at Upton Park, his culpability for Stern John's first goal on Saturday exemplified his early season form.
Breen's shaky start at West Ham is in stark contrast to the way John O'Shea has performed at Old Trafford. Following a man-of-the-match award for frustrating Jimmy Floyd Hassellbank at Stamford Bridge, O'Shea has grown in stature with each game this season. He gave another solid display against Everton on Monday.
But McCarthy is standing by his men: "Kenny Cunningham and Gary Breen have been outstanding for me and are still my first choice. They have been absolutely outstanding, we didn't perform as a back four in Moscow, but I don't think that justifies the lads being axed.
"But John O'Shea has done very well, he is doing very well at Manchester United and the lads know they are pushed and that means they know they have to improve."
Included in the squad alongside O'Shea is Andy O'Brien, who didn't travel to Moscow because of shin splints, although the Newcastle defender remains a doubt. "I talked to Bobby Robson yesterday and there is slight concern over Andy's hamstring. We will have to wait and see if it sorts itself out," McCarthy said.
Yesterday was a good day for Jeff Kenna, though. While he may be on the wrong side of 30, he is back in the fold after three years in the international wilderness. Some decent displays for Premiership new boys Birmingham City, and injuries to Steve Carr and Steve Finnan, has earned his return.
Kenna last played for Ireland on that dismal night in Bursa when Irish qualification hopes for Euro 2000 were ended by a goalless draw. Injuries and a loss of form had seen the Premiership-winning full-back endure loan spells at Wigan and Tranmere, before Steve Bruce brought him to St Andrews.
McCarthy said: "He had some problems with Achilles injuries, but I'm delighted to have him back. In my early days as manager, Jeff did a great job for Ireland and was a mainstay in the squad. I am sure he is pleased after being out of the frame for so long. I watched him on Saturday and he is an experienced player to call upon."
Aside from defence, there are other problems for McCarthy. His right flank has been decimated, with Jason McAteer, Steven Reid and Mark Kennedy all injured. Gary Kelly has played on the wing for McCarthy before but the injuries to Finnan and Carr has left options severely limited.
This means Damien Duff may finally return to the wing for Ireland, albeit on his wrong side.
If Duff is played where he is most comfortable, that will facilitate a starting berth for Clinton Morrison. Although Stern John has been hogging the headlines of late at St Andrews, Steve Bruce has singled out Morrison for praise after a number of games.
"Damien could play on the right, certainly," McCarthy agreed. "Switzerland play a diamond formation, they put plenty of players in midfield so it's an option. Damien can certainly play on that side." McCarthy flies to Albania on Saturday morning to watch the Swiss in action, with Ian Evans travelling to Tblisi to watch Georgia take on Russia. And although a number of frailties were exposed in Moscow, not lest the gaping hole left by Roy Keane, McCarthy is looking ahead to next week's game with confidence.
"Looking at the Russia game, we got off to an awful start. But having had that awful start, we had the best chances in the first 15 minutes. Their first goal was given away as much as well taken and I could say the same about the second.
"Maybe we overloaded midfield at times but as I said, I'd sooner have a go and lose 4-2 than not and lose 2-0. It was a bad day at the office. I really don't think the game should be highlighted above the others."
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