Ireland are not mathematically ruled out of a Playoff spot but already there is a sense that the campaign is over and that the search for a new manager may need to get underway.
Last night Joe spoke to former internationals Ray Houghton and Kevin Kilbane ahead of tonight's clash in Vienna.
One of the first areas for discussion was Giovanni Trapattoni's decision to start Paul Green against Austria in place of the injured Glenn Whelan.
Kilbane is doubtful that Green is the right man for the job.
"I think it's the fact that he's playing Paul Green in the middle of the park. Over a period of time, you've had a much more consistent Jeff Hendrick and David Meyler. Perhaps it would have been best putting one of those two in the central area simply because of what they've achieved over the last 18 months. Green has started the season reasonably well at Leeds but whether he's good enough to play ahead of those two, I don't know."
But Kilbane backed Trap's decision to start Anthony Pilkington and Houghton admitted his disappointment with James McClean display against Sweden.
"I was at the game and I didn't really see him as a threat. I was a bit disappointed with James, particularly with his final ball into the box. That's what you look at with wide players and I don't think him, Walters or Cox did that. But I've got sympathy for those two because they're not wingers. James didn't put an awful lot in. I was surprised that Robbie Brady didn't start because he's supremely confident and looks to do something positive. I just think too many of our midfield players didn't do the basics."
He also felt that Ireland's wingers were a liability defensively - although they track back, they often fail to track the opposing full-back. He also felt James McCarthy could have tailored his movement in order to show for the ball more often.
And he was under no illusion about the task at hand tonight, "nothing short of a win" is necessary.
But if all goes wrong, who can Ireland turn to? Kilbane feels names like Chris Hughton, Martin O'Neill and Mick McCarthy should be in the mix. But he also acknowledged that Irish football's problems go beyond Trap and more needs to be done to create a larger pool of players.
©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Dan McDonnell also spoke to Joe live from Vienna as preparations continued ahead of tonight. Joe sensed a certain level of tetchiness emanating from some of Giovanni Trapattoni's comments but Dan McDonnell focused on Trap's willingness to remian in charge beyond this campaign:
"The nature of international football, it's the kind of level where you need to refresh every couple of campaigns. If he wants two more years, that would mean eight years in charge. That's highly unusual at international level unless you're having unprecedented success."
Main Image: Republic of Ireland Training, Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria 9/9/2013 Paul Green and James McClean ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
