Decisions to be made: O’Reilly

NOEL O’REILLY yesterday suggested that Ireland’s management team had not yet finalised their tactical approach to tomorrow’s Championship tie against Albania – but one wonders.

O'Reilly, a vital member of Ireland's management team with Brian Kerr and Chris Hughton, suggested after yesterday's training session that decisions still had to be made for a match that Ireland must win if they are to realistically hope to muscle their way into one of the two positions that count in the European qualifying campaign.

Ireland worked yesterday at the ground of the Malahide Leinster Senior League club, with the waters of Dublin Bay washing against the perimeter fence.

Was it significant that in the impromptu match that brought the session to a close Damien Duff played in a central role, behind David Connolly and Robbie Keane?

In Ireland's most recent full-blown match Duff had played against Norway between midfield and strikers Connolly and Keane. Question is which role will he play against Albaina ?

O'Reilly, a coach with a hugely impressive CV, reviewed that Norwegian match, when Ireland won 1-0, in these terms:

"The system worked well against Norway. I think it surprised Norway, caused them all sorts of problems. They were hard to play against because they were so big and athletic and it was difficult but I think it worked out okay."

Whether this will be the system employed against Albania remains to be seen.

Fact is, Ireland must look for goals against a team that showed good organisation, excellent technical ability and buckets of spirit under German coach Hans Peter Briegel's dynamic leadership in Tirana in April.

O'Reilly was not prepared to divulge Ireland's selection preference but this much he was prepared to reveal:

"The tempo will be up even before the kick-off, I'm sure of that.

"I don't think the roles will vary that much and I'm not saying there was anything wrong with the attitude in the last match but there will be a different approach to the game on Saturday."