You have to feel for the lad.
Ben Davies made hay for Wales in their Nations League opener against Ireland. The left-back was up against Cyrus Christie, in Cardiff, who was playing in the unusual position of right midfield.
Christie has won most of his Ireland caps at right-back but was deployed further up the pitch after injuries to the likes of James McClean and Alan Browne. Behind him on the right was Ireland captain Seamus Coleman and he did all he could to talk him through a tricky first half.
Going forward, Christie did okay without offering much cut or thrust. He was poor in keeping track of Davies, cutting out attacking threats and in getting back to help out Coleman.
With Ireland already 1-0 down, Christie allowed Davies the freedom of Cardiff to glide up the pitch and pick out Gareth Bale with a diagonal ball. The Real Madrid star did the rest, cutting inside and rollicking a shot past Darren Randolph.
25 minutes into the match and Christie had the opportunity to get Ireland back in the game. He strode forward and left two Welsh players in his wake but his attempted through ball for Jon Walters, which would have put him one-on-one with Wayne Hennessey, was cut off after being poorly played.
34 minutes in and Davies had acres of space to pick out Conor Roberts with a cross that should have had Ireland 3-0 down. Roberts headed over but the frequency of Ireland getting raided down the left was worrying. still, no changes were made by the Irish management.
There was a resounding reaction to Christie’s performance in the opening half, and to Martin O’Neill throwing him in there ahead of the likes of Daryl Horgan, David Meyler and Shaun Williams on the bench.
Cyrus Christie is playing RM. O’Neill has fully lost it. Madness.
— KH 🏴 (@kyle_hancox) September 6, 2018
Ireland 😬😬 where are we going with 34 yr old Jon Walters, 33 yr old Stephen Ward & Cyrus Christie #WALIRL
— Eric Hickey (@TheEricHickey) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/oli_gorn/status/1037778804989734914
https://twitter.com/GabaM00NEY/status/1037780284408770560
@FAIreland lads, I understand were riddled with injuries & players wanting “take time out” – but were brutal & MON/Keane do nothing to help the situation. The f*ck is Cyrus Christie player right wing? Cmon John, change the coaches. Earn your stupid salary #WALIRE #NationsLeague
— damo halpin (@DamoHalpin) September 6, 2018
Cyrus Christie right wing for lreland Jesus Christ Horgan sitting on bench a prober winger 🧐🧐
— gavin lennon (@Mininesta1) September 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/Beeno_Official/status/1037777159786582016
Cyrus Christie is like a budget Antonio Valencia
— Jayfuz (🗣️Rufus, but Jay) 🏴 (@Jayfuz) September 6, 2018
2-0 was always going to become 3-0 and so it depressingly became reality when Aaron Ramsey rifled home after 37 minutes.
