Martin O’Neill spoke on Wednesday about progress.
He said that term was subjective. He pointed to his results against Germany compared to his predecessor’s fortune but he also said that he wouldn’t like to leave the Republic of Ireland post without introducing the new generation of players to take over from the old guard.
When he thinks of progress – and he has been asked to a lot – he isn’t sure exactly what that term encapsulates.
The one thing we can see though is the progression of his team selections over the course of 10 competitive international games since September in 2014.
In 13 months, it is clear how Martin O’Neill’s Ireland team has evolved and how the management – in the their novel campaign – have tried to put their stamp on the side.
1. Robbie Keane as the lone front man
And they said he couldn’t play there.
A conservative approach as O’Neill eased his way into international management.
2. Gibraltar… who really cares?
3. Disciplined in Germany
McGeady replaces Hoolahan in the free midfield role.
4. Robbie Keane’s spiral
5. The end of the 4-4-1-1
6. The introduction of the diamond
7. No messing around for Gibraltar
Another chance to tryout the new formation with a strong team.
8. Must-win against Georgia
The night Jeff Hendrick came of age. Robbie Keane’s sixth start of the campaign.
9. Heroes
James McCarthy taking over from Whelan.
10. Just short
Condemned to the play-offs in Poland, but Ireland stuck with their diamond – even without Hoolahan – away in Warsaw.
The only problem now is that both Walters and Long will miss the first leg of the play-offs against Bosnia. Leaving the only two realistic possibilities to play up top as Keane and Murphy – with Doyle on the bench.
Deploying a diamond might not be O’Neill’s favoured choice anyway in a best-not-lose tie away from home – especially without the personnel to do so, Jon Walters in particular – but he has stuck with that shape for the last five games; he might just pull it out again in Zenica.
