“Alien to him”.
Keith Andrews has played enough times in central midfield for Ireland to know a fish out of water.
Heck, he spent most of his international caps alongside Glenn Whelan – he’s familiar with an uncomfortable midfielder.
But Martin O’Neill’s set-up for the Denmark game on Saturday night surprised everyone.
When the team news dropped before the Nations League game, it seemed that Ireland were going for the 3-5-2 formation they had been trialling in friendlies with relative success.
In the absence of Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady, Matt Doherty was finally drafted into the starting 11 but so too was Cyrus Christie – so it was thought that Christie would take up the left flank.
It didn’t work out that way though.
Cyrus Christie appears to be playing in central midfield. #IREDEN
— Robert Redmond (@RobRedmond10) October 13, 2018
The 3-5-2 turned into what was a 3-6-1, sometimes a 5-4-1. As the shape altered and Ireland held onto a bit more control and territory than normal, what was always constant was that Shane Long was once again stranded up front all on his own.
That meant it was James McClean – thought to be in the running for a place in the forward line – who stood at left wing back.
And that… well that meant that Cyrus Christie played in midfield.
Ireland team
Darren Randolph
Richard Keogh
Shane Duffy
Kevin Long
Matt Doherty
James McClean
Cyrus Christie
Harry Arter
Jeff Hendrick
Callum O’Dowda
Shane Long
Where Ireland were ripped apart through the middle back in November when Denmark toyed with them and hit them for five goals, O’Neill completely clogged the area this time with three central defenders and four men working through the central midfield channel too.
Christie’s first half was unsurprisingly devoid of domination and it wasn’t like he was setting the tempo either but he did alright as a worker, closing down men, nicking in for loose ball and keeping things tidy.
Still, Cyrus Christie playing in centre midfield was never going to go unnoticed.
Lack of a central midfield was a problem last time v Denmark, so fortunately we've picked Cyrus Christie in there tonight to shore things up
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) October 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/R_O_Donovan/status/1051187566538608640
Martin and Roy chatting. “So we’re going with an extra midfielder. Williams great the last 2 games, aye. But Meyler never has never let us down. True. Hourihane is solid. He is. So Cyrus Christie it is then. Brilliant.” #COYBIG
— Eric Ryan (@ericpryan) October 13, 2018
Martin O’Neill should be sacked for no other reason (well loads) than playing Cyrus Christie in centre of midfield @FAIreland @offtheball
— Pase Hospelitario (@PasOspideal) October 13, 2018
Hard to tell if this is a bad endorsement of the decision or his performance.
Don’t quite know where Cyrus Christie is actually playing tbh
— 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞 🇮🇹🇳🇱 (@veloceleclerc) October 13, 2018
