France v Ireland...more deep thoughts

So I have had another 24 hours to think about the players Domenech has called up for the upcoming matches versus Ireland, and thought occurred to me - might Domenech be looking to go to a hybrid 4-4-2, maybe even a 4-2-2-2? He does not have a true right winger. Granted Remy could fill that role, but he is more a second striker/offense midfielder, not a true winger (then again are there still true wingers? Great article in a recent World Soccer that discusses the move away from using traditional wingers).

However here is what I envision might happen...Henry is not 100% so he cannot start. Therefore, Domenech decides to go with his usual 4-2-3-1 with the following:

Evra, Abidal, Gallas, Sagna
Toulalan, Lass
Malouda, Gourcuff, Anelka
Gignac

Yet this formation could easily swing to a 4-4-2 with Anelka and Gignac up front, Malouda swung wide left, Gourcuff right, but really with license to roam and Toulalan/Lass holding the midfield line. The formation could easily move to a 4-2-2-2 with Lass and Toulalan as holding midfield, Malouda and Gourcuff offensive midfielders and two traditional strikers. Malouda is as comfortable wide left or sliding a bit more to the center of the park. The question would be can Gourcuff stay true to the right side, enough to keep the Irish honest on that flank, or will his natural tendencies to slot high behind the strikers leave that channel vacant? But if he could work the right side, it would allow the French attack to be more balanced, at least force Ireland to respect that flank.

I am not sure Domenech will allow inexperienced players such as Remy play much of a role in the offense. I do think that his binky Govou will play a part in the games. I just fear that going back to a 1 striker system, against an Irish team that knows how to defend, will make goal scoring that much more difficult. Without Ribery, the offense will lean heavily on the stable of strikers Les Bleus can call on, unfortunately if they are planted on the substitutes bench they do not do you much service.

Much of this also depends on the health of Henry. If Titi is 100%, I am sure Domenech will slot him on the left, Gourcuff in the center and Anelka/Govou on the right and have Gignac at the point. Not terrible since Henry can act as a second striker, but you would have a few offensive players - Henry, Anelka, Gignac and Govou who tend to drift into the middle of the park...again back to the demise of the outright winger. Bottum line, France need to play for the win in Ireland and that can only be done by leveraging the offensive strength of Les Bleus - their strikers. So come on Domenech, get more than 1 on the pitch.