I feel sorry for the people who went to the game in Limerick two weeks back, fellas probably booked the day off work, had to pay the train fare from Dublin, drove from Donegal or hitched from Clarecastle. Some of them shelled out for hotels, some for vastly over-priced tickets and some got stung for a round of pints. They saw a nice stadium, heard a cracking version of our national anthem and then sat back and watched their team get dismantled by worthy opposition but, lets face it, not by world-beaters. It was pitiful stuff and I have a feeling that the fans might vote with their feet when the Bafana-Bafana come to Limerick on the Tuesday after the Cyprus game. 

One thing that might ensure a decent turnout however is a good result in Nicosia. After the events in Thomond Park you might be forgiven for calling that a very tall order but I reckon it will be done. Firstly our players were playing in their first competitive games in months, apart from McGeady and St. Ledger who had only one game each under their belts. By Saturday we will be fielding a battle hardened team as the Premier league, Championship and SPL are well underway. Secondly if you look at how the Cypriots took us apart that night there were two major factors as to how we lost that game , our inability to deal with a high ball and our managers inability to organise the team.

Four of the Cypriot goals came from failure to clear a cross or to deal with a long ball from deep in Cypriot territory. Poor old Andy O’Brien had a nightmare game and has never played for us since. Looking at our centre back pairing now of Richard Dunne and either St. Ledger or John O’Shea we can see that dealing with the aerial threat is a forte of these particular players and that Kevin Kilbane is also strong in the air. This time we will be bringing Shay Given to Cyprus and that too is cause to believe things will be different. 

So the back line is better than our last trip, in fact the only problem I see there is the fact that Kevin Kilbane is not a defender and he has been caught out a few times recently, we have seen Delaney and then Nolan get a run out in this left back role and it is something Trappattoni better sort out soon or he will become very sick of hearing I told you so.

In midfield Aiden McGeady is  far better player now than he was that day ,Steven Ireland has gone on to do his own thing, Glenn Whelan and the man who always gives 100% Steven Hunt are now on the scene. Damien Duff will be available for selection as will Keith Andrews so on the whole while not our strongest point we are still in better shape in the engine room and on the wings than we were when we went under 5-2.

And up front we have in Kevin Doyle and Robbie Keane two lads who will take advantage of chances that come their way and who are capable of carving out their own chances too. Caleb Folan will be available if plan B is needed and he is a lad who has done very well in his few run-outs in the green.

And lets not forget  this is Giovanni Trappattonis’ first visit to this disputed island as our manager, he will be aware of what happened the last time and judging by his giggles in limerick he was more than aware of what an absurd performance his charges put in that night. The fans have faith in him and if we were to draw like the Montenegro game not having taken our chances to win then it is a completely different animal to the capitulation that took place in October 2006. But let’s not countenance a draw right now, chances will be at a premium but I believe enough of them will be taken to ensure we leave Cyprus with the full compliment of points. We have psychological advantage having won at Croke Park; they are suffering due to suspension. While Cypriot football is on a high, our own game is in pretty good shape as well, we are currently outperforming our seeding in the group and still in with a chance of winning it! It’s a whole different Ballgame. Beir Bua!

by Robert 'RogerMilla' Bashford