O'Reilly spells out way forward

Republic of Ireland backroom coach Noel O’Reilly has promised to attack from the outset in the vital Euro 2004 qualifier against Albania.

Ireland were held to a tame 0-0 draw in Tirana when the teams last met, but a more positive intent is certain in front of an expectant home crowd at Lansdowne Road.

“We will have a different approach. We will be more up-tempo even before the game if you know what I mean,” O’Reilly said.

“It may not be different players, but we will certainly play a lot differently.

“Over there we didn’t play as well as we could have and some of that could have been because of the trip from Georgia before that.”

Wimbledon striker David Connolly is hoping the positive approach takes the form of playing him alongside Tottenham’s Robbie Keane with Blackburn’s Damien Duff behind the front two, as used in the friendly win over Norway at the end of April.

“It was different because it gives Damien a lot of time on the ball and Robbie also likes to drop deep so I had to keep looking to get in behind the defence,” said Connolly.

“It meant I didn’t get as much of the ball as I would have liked but I think as an exercise it was worthwhile because we won against a defensive team and played well.”

Meanwhile, full-back Stephen Carr is targeting a return to full fitness next season with Tottenham, but admits he may have to leave Spurs to further his ambitions.

Carr missed the entire 2001-02 season with a knee injury but returned this year with some impressive performances culminating in being named in the PFA Premiership team of the year.

But the full-back is not convinced he is back to his best and insisted: “I think I am 30% away from what I was before the injury in terms of fitness, sharpness – everything.

“I just don’t feel as sharp as I was before the injury.”

As for his future, Carr said: “I have two years left on my contract and who knows what could happen.

“I don’t think we can look at qualifying for the Champions League next season, we’re not even in Europe.

“We need to progress and hopefully get the last UEFA Cup spot. There are a lot of clubs scrapping for that place and we will need to be among them.”