Why is the FAI sticking with a failing system?

WISDOM has it that the FAI will make no change to their management team before qualifying for Euro 2020 begins next March.

This prompts a number of questions, the most alarming of which is this: what state will the national team be in by then? Ireland are limited technically, longstanding problems owing to the absence of a reliable goalscorer now complicated by chronic midfield issues. The inability of the team in recent displays to exert consistent control in that sector, let alone muster creative threats to the opposition, thickens the gloom around the side. And there is no prospect of quick improvement.

Michael Obafemi is in Denmark with Martin O’Neill’s team for tomorrow’s match in Aarhus, but he is 18 and has played 25 minutes in the Premier League for Southampton this season. Improvement must come from within existing resources, and this is why the focus should be on the manager. O’Neill (above) has been struggling for a year now, and it didn’t need the Northern Ireland match to encourage the belief that he is out of ideas.

Then why drag this on? Why compromise qualification ambitions for the Euros with a management team that is failing?

The cost of compensation is the popular reply. But what cost hope? Ireland needs inspiration.