NO POINT WAILING OVER WALES
JEFF HENDRICK has struggled to erase the memories of last month’s crushing defeat in Wales.
But he feels Ireland will launch a retaliation strike in Tuesday’s Nations League grudge match at the Aviva Stadium.
In what was Ryan Giggs’ first competitive game in charge since replacing Chris Coleman, the Dragons slayed the Boys in Green.
Martin O’neill’s men were smashed 4-1 and Ireland’s 1-0 victory in the winner-takes-all World Cup qualifier at the same venue the year before felt like a distant memory. Real Madrid star Gareth Bale looks certain to miss Tuesday’s game because of the groin injury that forced him out of Thursday’s friendly efeat to Spain.
Quizzed on what went wrong in Cardiff last month, Hendrick (right) said: “I try not to think about it too much. It was a bad night.
“To get beat how we did that night was hard to take. Our friends, our families, everybody gets to hear about it. Not much went right for us.
“Wales were very good. Whether we helped them look that good? They had a game-plan at it worked. It’s done now. We have the chance to try put a few things right. We have to make sure they don’t have it easy the next time.”
Hendrick says the biggest mistake Ireland can make ahead of the game is to think Bale’s absence is a game changer.
“It helps to have Gareth Bale in your team as he’s one of the best in the world when he’s on form,” added the Burnley midfielder.
“But looking through their team, they’ve a lot of good players playing at top teams.
“Ramsey at Arsenal, Davies at Tottenham – these are good players as well. Bale takes the headlines but you can’t overlook these players.”
Hendrick’s own club form has tapered off of late as he has lost his place in Burnley’s starting team.
And he admits he has struggled to deal with it.
“I started the season off well and started every game. When we got back after the international matches, (Sean Dyche) changed the formation,” he said.
“I found myself out of the team. For the first few days I took it hard. I was walking around with an angry head on me and I’ve had to get over that.”