'Any mid-to-lower-ranked team who comes to Dublin must now know that if they play with a low block, they have a relatively strong chance of success.'
Ireland's Josh Cullen, John Egan, Chiedozie Ogbene and Jeff Hendrick dejected after the game. Image: Tom Maher/INPHO Updated 1 hour ago
Any mid-to-lower-ranked team who comes to Dublin must now know that if they play with a low block, they have a relatively strong chance of success. The manager has overseen just four home wins since taking charge — 4-0 v Qatar, 1-0 v Lithuania, 3-0 v Scotland and 3-2 v Armenia. Of that quartet, only the Qatar and Scotland victories could be described as convincing.
The 2-2 draw with Belgium last March was similarly encouraging, but since then, Ireland appear to have largely reverted to old, unwanted habits.The fortuitous 1-0 win over Lithuania was followed by back-to-back 1-0 defeats against Armenia and Ukraine. Norway were hardly much better but did manage to create a single clear-cut chance, which Leo Ostigard expertly headed home.
So it is no secret that Ireland’s big problem is breaking teams down — the players themselves frequently allude to this matter. Alongside the likes of Dara O’Shea, Jayson Molumby and Troy Parrott, the Wolves youngster was a key player for Kenny at U21 level.
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