'They've a very settled team' - Ireland boss Stephen Kenny on Slovakia as Bratislava trip looms on the horizon

Andrew Dempsey reports from FAI HQ, Abbotstown

Ireland boss Stephen Kenny has stressed the challenge that awaits the Boys in Green against Slovakia in October.

Kenny made reference to how settled the Slovakian’s are, and also casted doubts on his Ireland team lining up with a three-man defence against Pavel Hapal's side.

“They've a very, very settled team,” Kenny said on Slovakia. “Their back four, the two centre backs play in the Serie A, and their right back is with Hertha Berlin.

“The midfield players, (Stanislav) Lobotka, €25 million went to Napoli from Celta Vigo, he's a good player.

“(Marek) Hamsik, obviously we know, beat Maradona's record for Napoli, their all-time top scorer.

“(Juraj) Kucka, plays in Serie A also, there's the midfield three, they've played in every match those three.

“They're very possession based and like to control the games which I do as well of course. My ambition as a manager is to control as many games as I can. It's not always possible but that's a definite plan.”

He added: “I did it (three at the back) for my first ever game in management for Longford against Dundalk at Oriel Park, with Jim McLaughlin in the opposing dug-out. It was a long time ago.

“I have switched to three at the back when chasing games. I have an open mind, I won’t close the door on it because you have to be flexible, but I don’t intend being too experimental.

“The back four was our strongest point during the campaign. We struggled to score goals. Pukki qualified Finland with 10 goals and we scored only seven.

“We analysed the eight games. David McGoldrick played up front, Callum Robinson played wide right a good bit and James McClean on the left.

“They didn’t miss a chance. We just didn’t create enough for them, didn’t look like scoring goals.

“On the plus side, our defence were well drilled and set up. We have good options, so there’s no need to be experimental in that regard.

“It’s fair to say there’s too little time and too much at stake to experiment for Slovakia. We come in on the Sunday and travel on Tuesday.

“Some players will have played matches on the Sunday. It’s too radical to experiment with a back three.”

He added: "I wish him (Ian Baraclough) the best of luck, he did good job at Sligo.

"It’s premature for both of us to talk about a game in Belfast because we’ve both have tough semis and have to focus on those first."