Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Brady not happy at selection
LIAM BRADY believes Stephen Kenny got his team selection wrong for Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier with Serbia.
Ireland lost 3-2 in Belgrade, but were praised for their style of play.
Brady said the performance “wasn’t bad” but disagreed with the team Kenny started.
He told RTE’S Morning Ireland: “For the style of play and composure on the ball, trying to play out from the back, I would be very pleased with that.
“Team selection, I’d be a little bit critical. I think inexperience let us down badly – one with the goalkeeper. I think he had a bit of a bad game.
“Stephen Kenny didn’t have a great deal to select from. But I’m just wondering whether (Gavin) Bazunu would have been the better choice. Young Travers looked nervous right from the start.
(Dusan) Tadic nearly beat him at a corner kick when he was in a bad position.
“And I think the leaving of (Shane) Duffy out of the team had a big bearing on the result. (Ciaran) Clark got done twice on headers. I don’t think Duffy would have lost those and we didn’t have any threat at corner kicks.
“We had six corner kicks and no Duffy in the team. So on the style of play yes, on the team selection I’d be a little bit critical.”
Brady added: “And I think Clark let us down on a couple of occasions that cost us dear. But they’re a good side Serbia. Tadic was outstanding. Vlahovic playing for Fiorentina in Serie A was very, very good and Mitrovic came on, although he’s having a bit of a nightmare for Fulham this year, he scored two very good goals.”
The former Ireland assistant manager also stressed the quality of players the Boys in Green currently have is not the same as it was in the past.
He said: “These are lads who I don’t believe will be playing at the top level of football.
“We need to be realistic.”