Criticism is one thing. Pity is another issue entirely.
Cyrus Christie looked like a fish out of water in the first half of the Republic of Ireland’s Uefa Nations League clash against Denmark on Monday night because, quite simply, Cyrus Christie is not a midfielder.
Christie was deployed in midfield yet again for the match at Ceres Park and looked lost against the likes of Christian Eriksen, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and Lasse Schoene in the Danish ranks.
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill seems determined to utilise the Fulham full-back in midfield because of his energy and athleticism but the fact that Christie hadn’t played in that position for 12 years before this Nations League campaign got underway told on the night.
Cyrus Christie decision reportedly didn’t go down well with other Ireland midfielders
Harry Arter, Conor Hourihane, David Meyler, Shaun Williams and James Dunne could only watch on as Christie struggled and gave away possession on numerous occasions.
When he was dragged back to help out his captain, Seamus Coleman, Christie looked in his element and few were critical of the 26-year-old’s overall quality as a player.
Instead, there was an overwhelming feeling of sympathy towards Christie, who wasn’t the only one in green and white to struggle, for being forced to play out of his comfort zone.
Actually feel sorry for Christie in midfield. Talk about hanging him out to dry.
— Irish Football Fan TV (@irishfantv) November 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/Hail_the_steel/status/1064607932241842180
It's like Martin O'Neil wants to get sacked since he's persisting with Cyrus Christie in a midfield role. Madness
— Johnny Cooper (@JohnnyCooper91) November 19, 2018
Have to feel sorry for Christie.. Madness he's made play there 😑
— Eoin Horgan (@EoinHorgan26) November 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/DoireannMcG/status/1064607677999980546
Jeff Hendrick as a holding midfielder in this 3-5-1-1, up against Christian Eriksen, is going to be an absolute disaster of epic proportions. Unless Martin's thrown Cyrus Christie in there to help "young Jeff" out? 🙄 #COYBIG #DENIRL
— Alan O'Brien (@alanob2112) November 19, 2018
https://twitter.com/landybarry/status/1064608114224349187
https://twitter.com/Karl_Marx91/status/1064608026278195200
If Christie plays poorly tonight it’s really not on him. I’m pretty sure he hasn’t played midfield since he played underage. Such a bizarre decision.
— Rudi Kinsella (@RudiKinsella) November 19, 2018
It’s actually unfair what O’Neill is doing to Christie, have to feel for him #DENIRL
— BenCarpo16 (@BenCarpo) November 19, 2018
