Tony Cascarino on a bleak future, going direct, a curveball boss, and Mick v Roy

Even with an uneasy ceasefire in our long culture war about playing style, Cascarino feels we may still be slipping between two stools.

Republic of Ireland's Tony Cascarino in action against Winston Bogarde (5) and Clarence Seedorf (4) in the Euro 1996 Play-off at Anfield in 1995. Pic: David Maher, Sportsfile

Tony Cascarino looks fresh and fit, though agitated by Irish football’s miserable week. Almost energised by dismay. If you could fix everything by loading one ball into the mixer, you wouldn’t bet against him levering himself up on those elbows and powering it in at the back stick.

But press him for more practical solutions to Ireland’s interminable wait to reach another World Cup and he’s coming up pretty shy.