FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying Group A: Serbia v Republic of Ireland (tonight, Rajko Mitic Stadium, Belgrade, 7.45pm)
WHEN Paddy McLaughlin played under Stephen Kenny for a season at Derry City, he was amazed at the manager’s attention to detail.
McLaughlin said Kenny would spend roughly 30 or 40 minutes on a simple throw in drill. Every base was covered and every box ticked.
When Derry City played a junior team in a cup game, Kenny had profiled every single player of the opposition.
There were few surprises when the Derry City players went onto the field.
Since his remarkable climb up to the top of the coaching ladder, Kenny’s greatest enemy as senior international manager has been time - time to prepare.
Ahead of tonight’s 2022 World Cup qualifying opener against Serbia in Belgrade, the Dubliner and his new-look backroom team have had a couple of training sessions and meetings to prepare.
Throw in a flight to Belgrade and all the inconvenient protocols that accompany COVID and everything feels slightly microwaved.
Of course, it’s the same for Serbia’s new coach and former Red Star Belgrade great Dragan Stojkovic.
Speaking to reporters from the Serbian capital via zoom yesterday morning, Kenny admitted he’s “made mistakes” since taking the reins but has “learned quickly” in trying to adapt to the ruthless lack of preparation time.
“With the U21 team you might come in on a Sunday and the match might be the following Friday and then the Tuesday,” Kenny said.
"So you could plan your training week and cover everything.
“I'm not saying that I have not made mistakes… You need to learn quickly and adapt quickly.
"I've learned a lot in the short time. Not only me but the players have learned a lot and have adapted, so the windows that we have had have been good learning experiences for us."
He added: "I feel really equipped to prepare the team in the short space of time.”
With John Egan, Conor Hourihane, James McCarthy, Kevin Long, Callum O’Dowda, Darren Randolph and Caoimhín Kelleher all out injured for tonight’s showdown with the Serbs, a share of the spoils would be a brilliant result for Kenny who is still waiting on his first win as senior manager after eight previous attempts.
Even allowing for the raft of COVID-related absentees earlier in the season, the team’s scoring rate has been particularly grim, scoring just one goal – a set-piece header from Shane Duffy in Kenny’s first game in charge against Bulgaria on September 3.
The manager acknowledged that it’s a conversation he wants to be able to stop having in his press conferences.
“Even late on against Bulgaria, Robbie Brady's shot comes back off the underside of the crossbar and comes out.
"I think that there have been extenuating circumstances but I don't want to be making excuses. I think it will be something that we will address soon enough.
"We need to address it quickly and we've got the game against Serbia. We have created a lot of chances in games. Serbia will make it difficult for you to create chances for they are a very formidable team.
"We will have to work hard to create chances - but we believe that we can do that."
