Man of the match Hoolahan acquitted himself admirably and was arguably the best player on the pitch during the Ireland-Sweden encounter until O’Neill substituted him on 72 minutes.
In the absence of the Norwich man, however, as if often the case with Ireland, their attack just didn’t have the same rhythm or threat without the ex-Shelbourne player pulling the strings.
It’s consequently incredible that a footballer who was effectively discarded by previous boss Giovanni Trapattoni has become such a key figure for O’Neill, and the coach deserves credit for recognising Hoolahan’s talent rather than focusing on what he doesn’t have, as has been the case with so many people in the past.
Nevertheless, there remain some doubts surrounding Hoolahan’s fitness. His ability to play two matches in quick succession has continually been questioned. After the Sweden game, the star admitted in an RTÉ interview that he had been struggling with a calf problem prior to his substitution.
Given the Dubliner’s performance in the opener, consigning him to the bench would be a deeply unpopular decision, but that hasn’t stopped O’Neill before — the 34-year-old started just six of Ireland’s 10 group qualifiers, and though Hoolahan began both Bosnia play-off games over a short space of time, he played just 114 of a possible 180 minutes over the two legs.
Clearly, O’Neill feels the talented midfielder needs to be managed carefully, and that could mean he is sacrificed tomorrow and saved for next week’s similarly pivotal encounter with Italy.
2. Can Ireland avoid another ‘lull’?
Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, second left, celebrates after his cross was turned in for an own goal during the Euro 2016 Group E match between Ireland and Sweden at the Stade de France. Francois Mori
Francois Mori
DURING THE IRELAND press conference on Friday, one line in particular stood out.
“We have to be mentally tuned in, we have to be physically as strong as we possibly can be and we can’t afford 15, 20-minute periods where we fall into a lull.”
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O’Neill was seemingly referring to the Sweden game, where after going ahead, Ireland took their foot off the pedal, adopting an overly negative approach and allowing the Swedes back into the game in the process.
Suddenly, Erik Hamrén’s side were able to expose Ireland’s vulnerabilities, with Emil Forsberg and Martin Olsson capitalising on the wealth of space down their left flank owing to Ireland’s all-too-narrow set-up.
Clearly, O’Neill knows Ireland’s performance after going ahead was not good enough, as Sweden dominated for a 24-minute period and the pressure eventually told in the form of Ciaran Clark’s unfortunate own goal.
It’s reassuring to know that O’Neill recognises that it was a big problem with the performance. Whether the players can set about rectifying it, however, is another matter.
3. Belgian actions will speak louder than words
Kevin De Bruyne pictured training with the Belgium squad at the Stade de Bordeaux on Friday. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
There has also been speculation that Kevin De Bruyne was unhappy at being denied the chance to play in the number 10 position against Italy, with the man Manchester City signed for £55 million last summer shunted out to the wing to facilitate United midfielder Marouane Fellaini’s place in the team.
Moreover, Wilmots, in general, has been under pressure for quite some time. The perception by many is that he struggles to get the best out of the talented coterie of players at his disposal, despite managing a so-called ‘golden generation’ of players.
But as the 47-year-old coach alluded to yesterday, Belgium have lost just seven times since Wilmots took charge in 2012, and only three of those games were competitive fixtures — the 2014 World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina, the Euro 2016 qualifying defeat by Wales and Monday’s disappointment against the Italians.
It was no surprise, therefore, that Courtois and Wilmots put up a unified front on Friday, as Belgium look to overcome their problems and defeat an Irish side that seems to be the antithesis of the Red Devils in every sense, with their lack of stars and impressive cohesion the Boys in Green’s most noticeable characteristics.
And while both Wilmots and Courtois were insistent that any disagreements within the camp had been grossly exaggerated, these words will ring hollow should Belgium fail again in Bordeaux.
4. What formation is O’Neill going to choose?
Manager Martin O'Neill with assistant manager Roy Keane during squad training at the Stade de Bordeaux. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Martin O’Neill opted for a diamond formation against Sweden.
The system, at least initially, was a relative success. Ireland looked the better team and Wes Hoolahan, in particular, thrived in the most advanced midfield position, scoring and causing the Swedes plenty of problems in general.
Yet there are a number of issues that may persuade O’Neill to opt for a different formation on Saturday afternoon.
The absence through injury of Jon Walters means the Irish boss will have to change personnel at least, with James McClean many people’s tip to come in in the 32-year-ol Stoke forward’s place.
Secondly, Belgium — on paper — are a far more talented side than Sweden. Martin O’Neill suggested at his press conference on Friday that his tactics could be considerably different to the Group E opener, and Belgium’s abundance of stars to choose from will surely influence his thinking on this matter.
Consequently, don’t be surprised if the former Celtic and Aston Villa boss goes with a more cautious team and a five-man midfield to incorporate McClean in Walters’ absence.
5. Will the pitch hold up?
A steward shelters from the rain at the Stade de Bordeaux, ahead of a training session for the Republic of Ireland. PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
It appeared in less than ideal condition on Friday evening, with several ground staff attending to it rigorously as the Irish team trained down the other end.
What won’t help is the unpredictable weather in Bordeaux, with torrential rainfall coming down on a couple of occasions yesterday.
Of course, it may not necessarily be detrimental to Ireland’s hopes if the playing surface is below par.
Belgium will likely be the team looking to dominate possession — even in the 2-0 defeat by Italy, they had 56% of the ball overall, so this trend will almost certainly continue in the Stade de Bordeaux.
Therefore, any factor that upsets the Belgians’ rhythm and tests their patience will only serve to strengthen Ireland’s chances of pulling off a famous win at Euro 2016. Should they succeed, it would be their first victory in the tournament since the unforgettable 1988 triumph against a talented Bobby Robson-managed England.
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Will Wes Hoolahan start and more Ireland-Belgium talking points
Paul Fennessy reports from Bordeaux
1. Will Hoolahan start?
MARTIN O’NEILL HAS more than one selection dilemma ahead of Saturday’s crunch Euro 2016 clash with Belgium.
We’ve looked already at the potential alternatives to replace the injured Jon Walters, but whether Wes Hoolahan starts is another question.
Man of the match Hoolahan acquitted himself admirably and was arguably the best player on the pitch during the Ireland-Sweden encounter until O’Neill substituted him on 72 minutes.
In the absence of the Norwich man, however, as if often the case with Ireland, their attack just didn’t have the same rhythm or threat without the ex-Shelbourne player pulling the strings.
It’s consequently incredible that a footballer who was effectively discarded by previous boss Giovanni Trapattoni has become such a key figure for O’Neill, and the coach deserves credit for recognising Hoolahan’s talent rather than focusing on what he doesn’t have, as has been the case with so many people in the past.
Nevertheless, there remain some doubts surrounding Hoolahan’s fitness. His ability to play two matches in quick succession has continually been questioned. After the Sweden game, the star admitted in an RTÉ interview that he had been struggling with a calf problem prior to his substitution.
Given the Dubliner’s performance in the opener, consigning him to the bench would be a deeply unpopular decision, but that hasn’t stopped O’Neill before — the 34-year-old started just six of Ireland’s 10 group qualifiers, and though Hoolahan began both Bosnia play-off games over a short space of time, he played just 114 of a possible 180 minutes over the two legs.
Clearly, O’Neill feels the talented midfielder needs to be managed carefully, and that could mean he is sacrificed tomorrow and saved for next week’s similarly pivotal encounter with Italy.
2. Can Ireland avoid another ‘lull’?
DURING THE IRELAND press conference on Friday, one line in particular stood out.
“We have to be mentally tuned in, we have to be physically as strong as we possibly can be and we can’t afford 15, 20-minute periods where we fall into a lull.”
O’Neill was seemingly referring to the Sweden game, where after going ahead, Ireland took their foot off the pedal, adopting an overly negative approach and allowing the Swedes back into the game in the process.
Suddenly, Erik Hamrén’s side were able to expose Ireland’s vulnerabilities, with Emil Forsberg and Martin Olsson capitalising on the wealth of space down their left flank owing to Ireland’s all-too-narrow set-up.
Clearly, O’Neill knows Ireland’s performance after going ahead was not good enough, as Sweden dominated for a 24-minute period and the pressure eventually told in the form of Ciaran Clark’s unfortunate own goal.
It’s reassuring to know that O’Neill recognises that it was a big problem with the performance. Whether the players can set about rectifying it, however, is another matter.
3. Belgian actions will speak louder than words
Both manager Marc Wilmots and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois sought to play down rumours of a heated bust-up between the pair during yesterday’s press conference.
There has also been speculation that Kevin De Bruyne was unhappy at being denied the chance to play in the number 10 position against Italy, with the man Manchester City signed for £55 million last summer shunted out to the wing to facilitate United midfielder Marouane Fellaini’s place in the team.
Moreover, Wilmots, in general, has been under pressure for quite some time. The perception by many is that he struggles to get the best out of the talented coterie of players at his disposal, despite managing a so-called ‘golden generation’ of players.
But as the 47-year-old coach alluded to yesterday, Belgium have lost just seven times since Wilmots took charge in 2012, and only three of those games were competitive fixtures — the 2014 World Cup quarter-final loss to Argentina, the Euro 2016 qualifying defeat by Wales and Monday’s disappointment against the Italians.
It was no surprise, therefore, that Courtois and Wilmots put up a unified front on Friday, as Belgium look to overcome their problems and defeat an Irish side that seems to be the antithesis of the Red Devils in every sense, with their lack of stars and impressive cohesion the Boys in Green’s most noticeable characteristics.
And while both Wilmots and Courtois were insistent that any disagreements within the camp had been grossly exaggerated, these words will ring hollow should Belgium fail again in Bordeaux.
4. What formation is O’Neill going to choose?
Martin O’Neill opted for a diamond formation against Sweden.
The system, at least initially, was a relative success. Ireland looked the better team and Wes Hoolahan, in particular, thrived in the most advanced midfield position, scoring and causing the Swedes plenty of problems in general.
Yet there are a number of issues that may persuade O’Neill to opt for a different formation on Saturday afternoon.
The absence through injury of Jon Walters means the Irish boss will have to change personnel at least, with James McClean many people’s tip to come in in the 32-year-ol Stoke forward’s place.
Secondly, Belgium — on paper — are a far more talented side than Sweden. Martin O’Neill suggested at his press conference on Friday that his tactics could be considerably different to the Group E opener, and Belgium’s abundance of stars to choose from will surely influence his thinking on this matter.
Consequently, don’t be surprised if the former Celtic and Aston Villa boss goes with a more cautious team and a five-man midfield to incorporate McClean in Walters’ absence.
5. Will the pitch hold up?
Martin O’Neill suggested that the pitch could be an issue for this crucial Euro 2016 game.
It appeared in less than ideal condition on Friday evening, with several ground staff attending to it rigorously as the Irish team trained down the other end.
What won’t help is the unpredictable weather in Bordeaux, with torrential rainfall coming down on a couple of occasions yesterday.
Of course, it may not necessarily be detrimental to Ireland’s hopes if the playing surface is below par.
Belgium will likely be the team looking to dominate possession — even in the 2-0 defeat by Italy, they had 56% of the ball overall, so this trend will almost certainly continue in the Stade de Bordeaux.
Therefore, any factor that upsets the Belgians’ rhythm and tests their patience will only serve to strengthen Ireland’s chances of pulling off a famous win at Euro 2016. Should they succeed, it would be their first victory in the tournament since the unforgettable 1988 triumph against a talented Bobby Robson-managed England.
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