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Paul McShane ponders the big issues this week. INPHO/Donall Farmer
Trap attack

Five things Ireland need to do to win in Skopje

As the Ireland squad prepare to fly out for their crunch qualifier against Macedonia, we suggest five notes Trap should have in his playbook.

1. Give Aiden McGeady as much ball as possible

The Spartak Moscow winger can be unpredictable at the best of times, often practically skiing past several defenders only to deliver a poor final ball.

Yet McGeady has blossomed of late at club level and will be hoping to bring the kind of form that has seen him linked with several big-name clubs into this Saturday’s qualifier.

There is no doubt the ex-Celtic player has the ability to exploit Macedonian deficiencies, as he did in the teams’ previous encounter – Trapattoni went as far as to describe him as the best player on the field that night.

However, McGeady will only be effective if Ireland can take control the game and providing his level of confidence on the night is not as fragile as it often appears to be.

2. Protect the weakened central defence

Ireland will be missing arguably their best player in the suspended Richard Dunne this weekend, leaving the defence appearing weak. John O’Shea and Darren O’Dea have yet to truly prove they represent an adequate partnership at the back.

O’Shea, when fit, has performed the majority of this season at full-back and so, will not be overly accustomed to the role. O’Dea, meanwhile, has been on loan at Championship outfit Ipswich for the season, where he has performed sporadically at best, having failed to nail down a regular first-team spot at Celtic.

The likes of Glenn Whelan will need to be at their best in order to protect the duo.

3. Keep Pandev quiet

Goran Pandev is the home side’s biggest threat on Saturday. Plying his trade at Inter Milan, he is clearly their most high-profile player and Ireland will need to ensure that he does not have a significant influence on proceedings, as he did in Dublin, when he played an important role in his side’s only goal and often threatened to add to their tally.

However, despite the big man’s formidable reputation (at least by Macedonia’s standards),  the Irish will be encouraged by his recent form. While hardly having the type of nightmare season that the likes of Robbie Keane and Shay Given have experienced, it has not been a vintage year either for Pandev. The frontman only managed two goals in 22 appearances – one less than he scored in his side’s previous campaign. Yet with 28 goals in 53 appearances for his country, his ability should not be dismissed.

4. Attack Macedonia for the full 90 minutes

The recent Nations Cup hammering of Northern Ireland aside, Trap’s side has a tendency to score early, before sitting back and clinging on to their lead for the remainder of the game. Perhaps this approach would be warranted when faced with clearly superior opposition, but against teams such as Macedonia, it is hardly justified. If they adopt this overly defensive approach and allow Macedonia to control the game – as they did for the second half of their Dublin encounter – then this time the Irish may not be so lucky.

5. Get the most out of the underperforming stars.

While Ireland continue to perform reasonably, individual players’ club form is a constant concern. Trapattoni must instil Keane, Given, Kilbane et al with confidence and hope their lack of first-team action does not prove telling. Even some of the less experienced players, such as  Simon Cox, have been an elusive presence in the Premiership this year.

In order for Ireland to have any chance of qualifying, the players must show the kind of spirit for which Irish teams are renowned and not become overly affected by the lack of faith that their club managers have shown in them.

Do you agree with with out five-point plan for Macedonia? | Vote: Should Trap start Long of Cox?