2020 European Qualifying Group D: Switzerland v Republic of Ireland (tonight, Stade de Geneve 7.45pm)
THE Irish camp has spent the last few days trying to quell the dissent from Tbilisi and stress that Euro 2020 qualification is still in their own hands as they prepare to face Group D rivals Switzerland in Geneva tonight.
Enda Stevens, who is hoping to be recalled after missing last Saturday’s scoreless draw with Georgia due to a one-match suspension, insists the Republic of Ireland are still in a “great position” with two games remaining in the group.
The Republic have still two bites of the qualification cherry with one win against either the Swiss in Geneva tonight or at home to Denmark on November 18 securing their place at next summer’s finals.
“The positive thing is it's in our hands and we're well capable of going away and getting a result,” said Stevens.
“We have put ourselves in a great position with two games left.
“We're still unbeaten and we know it's going to be difficult but every game in this group has been difficult. We have done well and got ourselves to where we are and we just need one last push.
“The lads were disappointed after the Georgia game because it was a big opportunity for us but it was important we didn't lose. We didn't really grab the opportunity that was there for us. And we can't get too disappointed as it's a quick turnaround.”
Stevens has been one of the stand-out Irish players since making his international debut against USA in June 2018.
Even when Martin O’Neill’s reign was coming to a stuttering conclusion, the Sheffield United defender was still impressive.
A paragon of calm and a wise user of the ball, Stevens was forced to surrender the left back spot to Matt Doherty in Tbilisi last Saturday after picking up a second yellow card in last month’s 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Dublin.
Doherty, though, is expected to make way for Stevens in Geneva this evening as he gives the side more balance and natural width.
The Swiss are arguably the most physically imposing team in Group D and should really have beaten the Irish in Dublin. But the Republic finished strongly and David McGoldrick headed a late equaliser.
“The Swiss have a way of playing and sometimes we found it difficult in the Aviva but in the second half we played a lot better and got to grips with how they played and hopefully we can carry how we finished that game into this one and really put them under pressure.
“We've always finished games strongly. Don't get me wrong, we still want to get the first goal as early as possible and take the lead but we're always confident. Especially in Denmark, and we did that. We are a threat from set pieces and we have the confidence of the Bulgaria game [last month’s 3-1 friendly win] that we can carry that into this game.”
Many observers believe, including the manager, that Aaron Connolly is edging closer to a starting spot this evening.
David McGoldrick, Stevens’s club-mate, is still injured while the big question is whether James Collins or, for that matter, Callum Robinson are retained in attack after poor displays in Tbilisi.
Collins has the physicality to lead the attack but his lack of mobility in Tbilisi was a problem.
Connolly, though, will need somebody to play off with Scott Hogan being name-checked by McCarthy since Saturday night and is also in good goal-scoring form after grabbing the winner for Stoke City against Swansea nine days ago.
Stevens said: “I think Aaron has put himself in the manager's thoughts and that's what you want. You want players to give the manager a selection headache. He was excellent and showed a few glimpses of what he is about when he came on against Georgia. I'm not the manger and I don't pick the team but he has put himself right in the mix and that's all he can do.”
