“Resentment and bewilderment.”
Martin O’Neill started Cyrus Christie in midfield for both of the Republic of Ireland’s recent games. His decision is said to have caused consternation amongst some other members of the squad.
The Fulham full-back played in central midfield for Ireland’s draw with Denmark last Saturday evening and again in the 1-0 loss to Wales on Tuesday night.
Before those games, Christie last played in the position when he was 14-years-old.
Meanwhile, Ireland midfielders David Meyler, Conor Hourihane, Shaun Williams and Alan Browne didn’t play a minute between them across the two matches.
The other midfielders in the Ireland squad were baffled by Christie’s inclusion in the position, according to a report by Colin Young in The Sunday Independent.
There are also some worrying details about how the team reportedly prepare for matches.
According to the report:
- The decision to select Christie in midfield for two games didn’t go down well with the other midfielders in the squad.
- It is understood to have “created resentment and bewilderment.”
- The starting XI is named “an hour or two” before the match begins.
- There are “no clues given during or after training sessions.”
- O’Neill reportedly believes that training performances should dictate team selection.
- The level of pre-match preparation and analysis with Ireland “might not match” what the average Premier League footballer is used to.
Christie was given the man of the match award against Denmark, probably because he had Ireland’s only effort on target. In general play, he looked lost.
He revealed after the match that he didn’t know that he was due to play in midfield until he arrived at the Aviva Stadium.
Against Wales, he was back in midfield and looked lost once again. He was full of energy and ran around a lot. But it is difficult to remember him making a forward pass and he was dispossessed more times than any other Ireland player.
He also missed the team’s best chance of the match, rushing his shot when one on one with Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
"The fact Ireland don't have great players isn't a defence of the management team. It's just another argument in favour of replacing them" https://t.co/9BfncrAaJt
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 17, 2018
However, Christie was merely doing what was asked of him and he did it to the best of his ability.
It turns out Ireland’s third-best right-back isn’t a particularly great midfielder. But, again, that’s not his fault.
It is difficult to be too harsh on a footballer playing in a role so clearly foreign to them.
