“There are no trigger points… Because they are not coached.”
Martin O’Neill was pleased following Saturday’s goalless draw with Denmark in Dublin. He was probably the only one.
For the rest of the 42,000 in attendance at the Aviva Stadium, the Uefa Nations League tie was gruelling. The Republic of Ireland held the Danes in a match almost completely devoid of any quality.
However, it stopped the rot for the Ireland team and the manager.
Ireland are now happy to be mediocre and it looks like we better get used to it | @RobRedmond10 https://t.co/tKo4KYwn2g
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 13, 2018
Before Saturday night, Ireland had shipped nine goals in their previous two competitive matches. The team looked more resolute on Saturday night, as they regularly had 10 players behind the ball.
There were still gaps in midfield and between the lines. But Denmark were without Christian Eriksen, the one Danish player capable of exploiting the space Ireland afford opposition teams.
On Virgin Media Sport, two Ireland legends weren’t particularly impressed with the display.
Gary Breen and Kevin Kilbane ran an analysis piece that highlighted just how disorganised Ireland are without the ball.
While it is not surprising to suggest that Ireland lack organisation, to see examples of this distilled in a short clip was quite telling. As Breen and Kilbane said, everything appeared to be off the cuff.
You can watch Breen and Kilbane here:
Good analysis here from Kevin Kilbane & Gary Breen on:
▪️ Ireland's lack of pressure on Denmark.
▪️ "Lack of understanding."
▪️ "No communication."
▪️ "We're having lesser teams dominate us." pic.twitter.com/iqndJvRgzE— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 13, 2018
Such a claim isn’t surprising.
It can often be difficult to figure out Ireland’s formation. It can be a challenge and the teamsheet beforehand is more of a puzzle than a guide to how the side will set up.
As O’Neill himself has said, he doesn’t name the team until 90 minutes before the match. And when he does, it is full of unorthodox selections.
On Saturday night, O’Neill started Cyrus Christie, a full-back, in central midfield. James McClean, a winger, started at wing-back and then moved into central midfield.
Callum O’Dowda, a winger, started in central midfield. Jeff Hendrick was often up front alongside Shane Long.
Breen appeared dumbfounded by the selection of Christie in midfield. The Fulham full-back admitted after the match that he last played in midfield back when he was 14-years-old.
"If you're David Meyler, Shaun Williams or Hourihane and a wing-back is playing ahead of you, you wouldn't be overly pleased."
Gary Breen on MON selecting Cyrus Christie in the middle of the park tonight.#VMSport #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/IhE0OLVNkN
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 13, 2018
Unless Ireland beat Wales on Tuesday, they will most likely finish bottom of the Nations League group.
That will result in them being third seeds for Euro 2020 qualification.
