Unrealistic expectations.
That’s what’s been levelled at the Irish fans in the wake of Martin O’Neill’s tenure as national manager coming to an end.
It’s been said that the supporters on Lansdowne Road, those at home and those who spare themselves the 90 minutes are deluded for thinking they could have better than what they’ve seen. O’Neill qualified for the Euros, provided a historic night in Lille and almost got the country to the World Cup.
James McClean listed out his achievements but thinking it was time for change isn’t taking anything away from those and, actually, far from unrealistic expectations, very few people believe that Ireland possess a squad full of world-beaters. No-one’s expecting to do any better in the Euros and no-one is demanding World Cup qualification either. But surely, surely they’re allowed to expect a little better than what they’ve seen.
Better isn’t a leap to suddenly winning trophies and beating all around but it’s just… better.
Like playing one of the good and experienced central midfielders who are left out in the cold instead of Cyrus Christie at central midfield.
Better is seeing anyone less than 50 yards away from the striker at any stage.
Better is direction and an efficient use of the resources we do have – both of which seemed to be severely lacking.
Better would be a plan to get the ball back instead of piling everyone behind it and better would be a better plan to score than whatever it was throughout 2018.
Still, O’Neill has his fans and Chris Sutton, one of his former players, suggests that he did the best with a bad bunch.
Sad to see Martin O Neill and Roy Keane leave Ireland… the truth is they had very little to work with…
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 21, 2018
It’s not dissimilar to what the Derry man would’ve said himself when he alluded to the team missing some technical qualities but never being short of spirit.
But, again, it really comes down to the question of whether or not there could be better than what there was. And, for a lot of people, there must be better than overlooking the ability, seeing no coherent style of play and all those results in the last year and a half.
Horseshit.He talked down irish players at every opportunity. style of play was non existant over past 18 months+results were shite. MON gave us unbelievable nights and results between 2015-2017 so the 'we don't have the players' arguement is lazy.
— Shane Browne (@skepticfella) November 21, 2018
No-one’s saying that Ireland are a top 10 team but could they not have improved with a different style of play?
https://twitter.com/barrymcentee/status/1065202996269715458
The less said about the assistant manager…
The truth is his tactics and approach to the game is still in the late 90's and he hasn't adapted to the way football has gone. He was great with Leicester and Celtic but Ireland have been painful to watch under him. Less said about Keane the better
— robert flood (@robbieflood81) November 21, 2018
And so on…
What a ridiculous, ill informed statement.
— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) November 21, 2018
We were absolutely atrocious against Northern Ireland , who have even less to work with but at least looked like a team which had been coached
— paul dolan (@pauldn1) November 21, 2018
Disagree. O Neill a dinosaur football wise these days.. games moved on tactically & he hasn’t
— Steven Donegan (@Dono1983) November 21, 2018
Come on Chris, you could say that about other countries yet they managed to get more out of there players
— Dave Gormley (@davegormes) November 21, 2018
Some people saved themselves the energy, rather than arguing with Sutton’s basic point that actually misses the real point.
Thanks for the input Chris but you can keep it to yourself
— Gary Reynolds (@Gazpat87) November 21, 2018
Perhaps if he was backed in the transfer market, things would’ve changed.
Board never gave him any money Chris . Never backed him
— Sean Fitzsimmons (@Sean7fitz) November 21, 2018
