Ireland will have to produce an incredible performance at the Aviva tomorrow night if they are to get anything from the game against France.
Didier Deschamps' side arrive in Dublin on the back of a convincing 4-0 win over the Dutch on Friday night, a showing that would have inspired little confidence in Irish fans ahead of this fixture.
Some big contributions from the forward players will be needed if they are to break down a rock solid French defence. Many would expect Evan Ferguson to be the man to cause them the most trouble.
The 18-year old Brighton striker has been in stellar form since his promotion to senior football, scoring his first international goal in the win over Latvia on Wednesday night.
However, not all are convinced that Stephen Kenny will keep him in the starting XI for the upcoming fixture.
Brian Kerr has interesting Evan Ferguson France theory
Evan Ferguson may be the most in-form Irish striker at the moment, and while Brian Kerr says he will probably start against France, he also wouldn't be surprised to see him on the bench.
Speaking on Virgin Media this afternoon, the 70-year old said that Stephen Kenny could be hesitant to play him in this fixture due to having little success with other young strikers during his time in charge of Ireland.
"That's just not true."
Brian Kerr on Stephen Kenny saying Ireland are as comfortable on the ball as any team in Europe.
Kerr also says he's not convinced Evan Ferguson will start against France.#IRLFRA #COYBIG #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/Vh2WyJNjg5— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 26, 2023
What's the best of our team at the moment?
You could say it's being a bit solid with the centre backs. It's not necessarily the creativity in the middle of the pitch, it's the danger and pace we have in the front positions, whoever plays there. It's going to be a two, I presume with Ferguson.
I'm not convinced that he's going to play Ferguson.
Stephen has been reserved when he has been asked about him, he hasn't been over-complimentary towards him. I think he's trying to hold back a bit on him.
He might not completely trust hum because of playing Idah, Connolly, Parrott, and other young players in the front positions who didn't help him to win matches. He overemphasised playing the young players early on and they lost games.
We have pace in the front positions, and if you have pace, give them the ball early to use that pace.
You'd imagine that Evan Ferguson is going to start tomorrow night, although this is an interesting theory from Kerr.
Regardless of who does pay up front, they will have to put in a huge performance if Ireland are to come away with a positive result.
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