Delighted with his side's encouraging display against hosts Scotland in their opening match, the Republic of Ireland youth team manager Brian Kerr knows that goals will be needed when the Republic continue their UEFA Under-16 Championship adventure against Finland at Stirling tonight.
Ireland dominated a nervous Scotland, whose goalkeeper kept them in the match, in Sunday's opening game which ended in a frustrating 0-0 draw, but goals will have to register if Kerr's side is to be one of the two from Group C to make the quarter-finals.
Finland lost their opening game 1-0 to Spain and need something from this match to avoid an early flight home after the group stage.
"It's important for us to win the match tonight," said Kerr. "But a score draw will still keep us very much in contention going into the last game with Spain. Obviously, though, in that scenario we could be looking at other results.
"We've done our homework and have a detailed report on Finland from their game with Spain. They were competitive and strong, but they didn't release too many people forward and seemed content to knock the ball long to a lone striker who held the ball up well."
Kerr will change tactics from the Scotland match, though not because he was unhappy with how his team played. "I like to change the team from match to match in these tournaments," Kerr said. "A few fresh legs around the pitch helps in places. It's hard going when you're playing every two days and some players need rests from match to match. I also don't like getting too settled on a best XI because it keeps everyone on their toes if they all know they have a chance of getting a game."
With that in mind, the Irish formation against the Finns will alter from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 with Kevin Grogan being left out and Arsenal's Graham Barrett coming in to play up front with David McMahon.
Kerr may also bring in Ian Rossiter of Galway United at right-back in place of John Thompson, but won't decide on that until nearer kick-off.
Another consideration for Kerr would be to use Des Byrne in a wing-back role on the left of his four-man midfield with Brendan McGill, Ireland's best player against the Scots, the lone winger on the right.
Jim Goodwin, who received a knock to the head against Scotland, has been passed fit by the team's medical officer.
Republic Of Ireland (Probable): Murphy (Tranmere Rovers); Rossiter (Galway United) or Thompson (Home Farm), O'Shea (Waterford Bohemians), Goodwin (Celtic), Foy (Nottingham Forest); McGill (Rivervalley Rangers), Miller (Celtic), S Byrne (West Ham United), Reid (Nottingham Forest); Barrett (Arsenal), McMahon (Newcastle United).
