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Who should start between Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott and Michael Obafemi?

Ireland have four forwards to start and only three starting positions. Will Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott or Michael Obafemi miss out against Scotland? Jason Knight won't.



Will Stephen Kenny start Troy Parrott, Chiedozie Ogbene or Michael Obafemi?

Jason Knight is Derby's right back at the moment.

It's not ideal but Derby trust Knight to do a job because of his versatility. His football acumen and overall quality will allow him to excel for Ireland this week regardless. And of course Stephen Kenny will start him as part of his front three, not at right back or right wing back.

Knight is a certain starter. The question then becomes who starts with him. Troy Parrott and Michael Obafemi were whirlwinds in Ireland's most recent games.

But since then Obafemi has fallen out with his manager and Parrott isn't scoring goals despite playing each week for Preston. Chiedozie Ogbene is starting every game for Rotherham in the Championship. Ogbene has scored five goals in 11 games and is sharp each week.

So Stephen Kenny has a difficult decision to make. Ogbene is probably the lowest pedigree player of the group, but he's undoubtedly in form.

Dan McDonnell explains that Kenny might not have a right or wrong answer for this puzzle.

"Speak to people who are watching Preston a lot and they'll say Parrott is actually playing pretty well," McDonnell said.

"I think Parrott will play. I think Obafemi is the one where it comes back to that question mark...Last season was the first full season of football he's played. And if he's lost a bit of that, do you then go with Ogbene instead?"

If Parrott starts, then it's between Ogbene and Obafemi. The Swansea striker was immaculate in the Championship last season. He scored a spectacular goal against Scotland and is responsible for a large chunk of the excitement around this current Irish team.

But tactically it might make more sense for Ogbene to start. His pace and work rate fits better to the counter-attacking game Ireland will likely play away from home.

"Ogbene..has been very good [this season]. He's scored five goals in 11 games in the Championship. He's now playing upfront for Rotherham. I watched him play against Middlesbrough last week, he was sharp. Is this a game where Ireland are going to be on the front foot as much?

"Or is it a game where they might be under a small bit of pressure at times and Ogbene with that out ball...he might be a nod over Obafemi."

Regardless of who starts, it's a good position to be in. Ireland went from overrelying on Callum Robinson to suddenly having too many forwards to start them all. That's assuming the idea of Ogbene at wing back is still a non-runner.

Trent Alexander-Arnold must look inside to get better.

 

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