With the struggles of the Republic of Ireland national team in recent times, we feel that there should be a time for change for Martin O’Neill’s side and with good young Irish players performing well this season.
Here is a list of five players that should be featuring in Martin O’Neill’s starting 11 in the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Denmark and Wales.
1. Matt Doherty
Fresh from winning last months Premier League player of the month and beating the likes of Eden Hazard of Chelsea. Matt Doherty has been on fire for Wolves this season, and after not being involved with Wolves with his £400,000 move from Bohemians back in 2010. The arrival of now Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo has given Doherty the trust and confidence to play as wing-back in Wolves attacking 3 back formation, and with his attacking treat he should be a starter for Martin O’Neill Irish side.
2. Ronan Curtis
The Donegal man has been heavily in the spotlight recently due to his move to Portsmouth from Derry City and with 6 goals already in League One and helping Portsmouth go to top of the table, the forward received his first call-up for the game against Poland after promising signs for the under 21’s and with his good form he could give the needed boost to the team.
3. Daryl Horgan
The Tricky winger, similar to former Irish international Damien Duff. After being named the PFAI player of the year in 2016, then moving to Preston and recently moving to Edinburgh with Hibernian signing the winger in the summer, also with a decent start to life at Hibernian with 2 goals and with James McClean just back form injury the Galway man might get his chance.
4. Alan Browne
After being a regular for Ireland Under 21’s and currently a regular for Preston since joining from Cork in 2014, he would have a lot of first team experience and with Preston managers Simon Grayson and Alex Neil praising his work ethic and an eye for a goal. With the midfielders energy it would bring life to the heart of Ireland’s play.
5. Alan Judge
The 29 year-old has not had a big part to play to Martin O’Neill’s side yet with only 5 appearances despite his nickname ‘The Irish Messi’ given to him by the Brentford supporters for a similar play style to the Argentinean, a move to the Premier League was on the cards for Judge but he stayed put at Brentford and then midfielder missed the 2017/18 season due to multiple breaks in his left leg. But after two-and-a-half years of recovering he got a goal recently against Arsenal in the EFL Cup, so maybe we haven’t seen the end of ‘The Irish Messi’.
With all these players called up by Martin O’Neill it wouldn’t be surprising if any of them won’t play a huge difference to the starting 11 if chosen.
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