IRELAND MANAGER MARTIN O’Neill failed to escape criticism from the RTÉ panel this evening, despite an improved second-half performance ensuring all three points against Georgia.
After the match, Eamon Dunphy claimed Ireland must improve if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the World Cup.
“We lacked that bit of poise, that bit of subtlety and guile that you need to sense and sniff out ‘this isn’t working, we need to change what we’re doing’. That’s what we failed to do in the first half,” Dunphy said.
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Kenny has won many admirers for Dundalk's performances in Europe. Niall Carson
Niall Carson
“Whatever was said at half-time, it was a little better when we didn’t have the ball, we pressurised and made it a little more difficult for them. But that’s not where the bar should be.”
Dunphy also cited the recent displays from League of Ireland champions Dundalk in Europe, to compare the differences in outlook between O’Neill and Lilywhites manager Stephen Kenny.
“They (Dundalk) are absolutely superb.They came here, they played Legia Warsaw, they were robbed with a penalty.
“They were great, they passed the ball home and away. They play football, great football. Nobody looks afraid, they look confident on the ball.
“That is induced by having a good coach who encourages players to do what really is the sensible thing,” Dunphy continued.
“Ireland could play like that. They could mix it up. You don’t have to accept this agricultural stuff that is being offered up.
“Maybe we should get Stephen Kenny to manage the Irish team.”
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'Maybe we should get Stephen Kenny to manage the Irish team'
IRELAND MANAGER MARTIN O’Neill failed to escape criticism from the RTÉ panel this evening, despite an improved second-half performance ensuring all three points against Georgia.
After the match, Eamon Dunphy claimed Ireland must improve if they are to stand any chance of qualifying for the World Cup.
“We lacked that bit of poise, that bit of subtlety and guile that you need to sense and sniff out ‘this isn’t working, we need to change what we’re doing’. That’s what we failed to do in the first half,” Dunphy said.
“Whatever was said at half-time, it was a little better when we didn’t have the ball, we pressurised and made it a little more difficult for them. But that’s not where the bar should be.”
Dunphy also cited the recent displays from League of Ireland champions Dundalk in Europe, to compare the differences in outlook between O’Neill and Lilywhites manager Stephen Kenny.
“They (Dundalk) are absolutely superb.They came here, they played Legia Warsaw, they were robbed with a penalty.
“They were great, they passed the ball home and away. They play football, great football. Nobody looks afraid, they look confident on the ball.
“That is induced by having a good coach who encourages players to do what really is the sensible thing,” Dunphy continued.
“Ireland could play like that. They could mix it up. You don’t have to accept this agricultural stuff that is being offered up.
“Maybe we should get Stephen Kenny to manage the Irish team.”
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