At the half-way stage of UEFA World Cup 2018 qualifying group D, Ireland are in a very good position.
A fantastic performance and result in Austria will need to be reproduced for the return fixture, as another win would eliminate one of the favourites and greatly boost our chances of making it.
Keith Andrews rightly pointed out before the Uruguay friendly that the Austrians may be out of the running after one more negative result, but they will still have a big say in who progresses from the group, so if Ireland want a positive result we're going to have to get a lot of things right.
Team selection is going to generate a lot of interest all week in the build-up, as Martin O'Neill has a number of different options in different positions with injuries factored in, but who are the men needed to get the job done?
Let's start with the nailed-on starters.
Cyrus Christie:
Our only right-back, based on his recent performances we're lucky to have him as he has helped soften the blow of losing Seamus Coleman with his exciting attacking play. Needs to stay switched on but has the potential to hurt Austria.
Stephen Ward:
Has nailed down the position after a consistent 18 months helped no end by regular Premier League football with Burnley. Will have help from James McClean going back but hopefully can bomb on a bit too.
Glenn Whelan:
His partnership with Harry Arter against Uruguay looked like the best we've seen for a long time, Martin always backs Glenn and we have no reason not to do the same here. His experience in midfield will be key.
Robbie Brady:
We want to see him at right-wing like he played against Uruguay, as himself and Christie had a really good thing going out there and he will also be needed to double up on defending duty. His set-piece delivery is our best chance of winning the match.
James McClean:
Has grown so much in the green jersey and is arguably our player of the campaign so far. Need the same controlled tenacity we saw in Vienna but we can rely on him to chase down everything and get back to help out. He even played left-back against Mexico.
Jon Walters:
If we forget that one stunning miss ever happened, big Jon's performance against Uruguay was massively encouraging. He's in good form and has delivered in big games at the Aviva before. We also have no other option.
Then let's talk about the guys we hope get the nod.
Shane Duffy:
Our best defender on form ahead of Ciaran Clark, Duffy has a natural leadership and presence when he plays which will be required to deal with the pressure Austria will inevitably put us under. Alongside an experienced defender he will hopefully continue his good form and rise to the occasion.
John O'Shea:
That experienced defender should be John O'Shea. Arguably our worst defender on form, we're relying on the form book going out the window when he pulls on a green jersey as it has done many times before. Richard Dunne said it before the Uruguay friendly, he's a big game player and can organise our defence better than anyone.
Harry Arter:
Before kickoff against Uruguay, Denis Irwin, Gary Breen, and Richard Dunne all said that Harry Arter should not start against Austria because of his temperament and the threat of yellow cards. After full-time, all three insisted Arter must start, as he offers us something we've lacked for a long time. A midfield. The cards are worth the risk.
Jeff Hendrick:
It sort of comes down to Hendrick or Hoolahan, and the Burnley man gets the nod for his ability to get up and support Walters, as much as we love Wes. The prospect of Hoolahan as an impact sub is also exciting, so Jeff gets the vote for covering more ground.
And that leaves the big debate after the Uruguay friendly.
Kieran Westwood:
We've got a lot of time for Darren Randolph, and this is harsh considering the clanger against Uruguay was his first really notable mistake in an Ireland jersey, but if we are going on form, Westwood has to get the nod. If O'Neill believes Randolph is his #1 and picks him regardless, we're absolutely fine with that, but Kieran Westwood has had another superb season for Sheffield Wednesday and looks more confident than ever.
That leaves Wes Hoolahan to come off the bench against tired defenders and either create chances or help us hold onto the ball. Daryl Murphy can relieve Walters if he is run into the ground, and then one of Daryl Horgan, Aiden McGeady, or Johnny Hayes can be turned to if we need a spark, or a time-waster.
