One month out from the Republic of Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Serbia, three members of Team OTB picked their respective Ireland XI that should start in Belgrade.
The first game of a new qualifying campaign for Stephen Kenny, there will be an expectation on Ireland to earn something from this tough fixture if there is any real hope of World Cup qualification.
No mean feat, Nathan Murphy, Phil Egan and Stephen Doyle of OTB Sports joined Wednesday's OTB AM to share with us the starting Ireland XI they would pick against Serbia.
Beyond some agreement - with no shortage of surprises, nevertheless - in their defensive selections, each of this trio put forward compelling cases for who can solve Ireland's attacking woes.
IRELAND XI vs Serbia
With all three of the lads settling on a 4-2-3-1 formation, things began to differ once they got to the midfield positions that Kenny must decide upon.
Stephen Doyle:
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Although you can watch the full debate back in full here, one decision that had the three lads in agreement was that of the goalkeeper.
While Darren Randolph cannot be said to have done anything sufficient for him to lose the #1 jersey, it was felt that Liverpool's Caoimhín Kelleher would fit more naturally into Kenny's plans.
"It is a little bit unfair, perhaps, on Randolph," allowed Stephen Doyle, "but I just feel that Kelleher has played for Liverpool in some really big games this season... and if Jurgen Klopp trusts him I think Stephen Kenny should trust him as well.
When it was put to the OTB AM viewers on Wednesday morning, the up-and-coming Liverpool 'keeper was similarly favoured over Randolph to start against Serbia.
With a fairly convincing 56% of the vote, the Cork native got the nod in an OTB poll.
🚨 #OTBAM flash poll 🚨
Who should be Ireland’s starting goalkeeper?
Vote for one of our two options, or comment with another ✅— #OTBAM (@OffTheBallAM) February 23, 2021
For more coverage of the Republic of Ireland football team in the build-up to next month's crucial World Cup qualifier against Serbia, be sure to tune into OTB AM every morning from 7.30am.
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