Éire v Switzerland 05.09.19

Regarding Long, its hard to see him playing V the Swiss, even if he does make the squad/bench. He hasn't actually played a minute in the qualifiers for us so far and hard to see that changing if he isn't playing for Southampton. As poor as his recent goalscoring has been, on 17 goals, he is still far ahead of the next Irish player in the scoring charts, McClean on 10. Brady has 8, and after that yer down to the defenders, Duffy, Clark & Christie have 3 each. 

Looking at a likely starting 11, you will have Duffy's 3 goals, Coleman's single goal, Hendrick's 2 goals, McClean's 10 and possibly Whelan's 2 if he starts. Brady probably won't start even if he overcomes the injury and Long nearly certainly won't- nobody else bar Hourihane (1) has ever scored for us. Its a big ask of Duffy to be our main defender and biggest goalscoring threat, he managed it in Denmark but he can hardly keep doing it in every game. Hourihane, if he plays is obviously a threat from frees, but you wouldn't put more than a fiver on any of the rest to score, even including McClean on recent Ireland form.

McGoldrick has played well for us, but we really need him or Robinson to become a genuine goal threat if we are to go anywhere in this group, I don't see goals coming from midfield and if McGoldrick is the chosen one up top, not as if Maguire or Hogan will likley be much of a factor either, unless they can replicate Long's occasional supersub role. 

Mcclean looks certain to play as hes playing football and I can't think of anyone else in terms of realistic competition.

Whelan seems unlikely as he still hasnt played a minute of football, hearts  next game is vs Celtic (will they throw him on in that game?) And then Hamilton just before we play the swiss. 

Mcgoldrick and robinson look like very likely options with Long very unlikely 

Might be more justification for his inclusion to the ireland squad (not first team) than a lot of others at this point