In retreat and in denial
Caveman tactics are all we have to show for O’Neill’s tinkering
ACHILL north-easterly wind was blowing off the Kattegat into Aarhus bay last night, carrying the first of winter’s icy fingers. In some ways, it could be a metaphor for Martin O’Neill’s tenure as Irish manager.
A year ago, in Copenhagen, O’Neill oversaw a credible scoreless draw in the first leg of the World Cup play-offs. What he didn’t know then, and no one else suspected either, was that events on the pock-marked Parken Stadium pitch would mark a turning point in his status.
From being in a position where his record as manager was being compared favourably to that of Jack Charlton as Ireland’s most successful, he has found himself in retreat, and, at times, in denial.
The 5-1 loss to the Danes in the Dublin return continues to hang like the Sword of Damocles over him. Just as Steve Staunton was stalked by the 5-2 embarrassment in Cyprus and Giovanni Trapattoni by the 6-1 hammering against Germany, so O’Neill suffers too.
For all that he can point to a playoff hangover, the retirement of key players, Declan Rice’s dithering and injuries, his team has stalled badly. This is his watch as manager and he must take responsibility.
While he has acknowledged as much, he hasn’t come up with anything that suggests there may be light at the end of the tunnel. He has fiddled with systems and selections to no discernible benefit and dismissed the ability of many of his players.
Now, Ireland are in a deep hole, devoid of spark and goals. Soon, hope may abandon this team. The collective effort against Northern Ireland in Dublin on Thursday was shocking. Ireland were not far off full strength yet didn’t manage one shot on target from general play, relying on Robbie Brady to deliver free-kicks and corners as the big men came up from the back. It was caveman stuff.
Brady was back on the beat for the first time in a year. While he didn’t set Aviva Stadium on fire, he surely didn’t deserve the severe dressing down he reportedly got from a member of the coaching staff after the game.
‘I kept him in (the team). At the end of the day we were still trying to get a goal and Robbie might have been able to provide that for us,’ said O’Neill of Brady’s input.
If they are not getting the message across to the players, perhaps O’Neill and his staff should have to look at themselves. There is a growing belief that change is needed.
In the past, one win in 10 games over a 12-month span would have had John Delaney, the FAI chief executive, readying the guillotine.
So far, the latter, in public at least, is four-square behind the O’NeillKeane axis but should the Danes add further angst in Aarhus tomorrow night, even the FAI CEO may consider the implications, from both a football and a financial perspective.
Perhaps O’Neill can find a way out, to redeem the reputation of his team and ward off his interrogators.
A win here tomorrow would help and would clear the way for him to attend the Euro 2020 qualifying draw in relative comfort.
The Danes have won Group B4 to secure promotion to the League A and coach Age Hareide, who is without the suspended midfielder Thomas Delaney, may rest more front-liners. That could work to Ireland’s advantage. Momentum is always relevant in sport and Ireland could do with dollop of it now, as they appear to be in reverse after a grisly 12 months.
O’Neill is ‘not disputing’ that Ireland are not where they were a year ago but believes things can get better. ‘We’ll have to gain momentum, get up and go again.’
‘I recall losing friendly matches before the start of the season with a really decent club (Nottingham Forest), not being able to win a game and the next thing you know we won the first five matches of the new season.
‘You have three months (to the start of the Euros) at this minute so lots of things could change,’ he said. Asked if he was fearful of this fixture in the light of where Ireland are right now, he replied, ‘No, I’m not at all. It’s a tough game for us but I’m not fearful. You’re in this game not to be fearful of things but to take on the challenge.’ On that score, he called on Jeff Hendrick to recapture the form which peaked at the finals of Euro 2016.
Hendrick has not grabbed a game for Ireland by the scruff of the neck for some time and has lost his place at Burnley of late.
‘I still think Jeff can and should do better for us in the middle of the field which I feel is his proper position.
‘He plays in the hole for Burnley but when you play in that hole, at times you’ve got to be able to create, you’ve got to be able to score
O’Neill is not disputing that Ireland are not where they were a year ago
a few goals. I think there’s more to offer from Jeff and I think he’s shown that in the past for us, particularly at the Euros.
‘Overall, I think players have to question themselves occasionally, particularly the ones who are not playing regularly for their clubs,’ he added.
O’Neill will shake things up tomorrow as he is without three of the XI which started against the North (Glenn Whelan, James McClean and John Egan), which could see starts for Richard Keogh, who leads by example, Harry Arter and Shaun Williams. Rookie striker Michael Obafemi, whose introduction at Lansdowne Road on Thursday night would have provided a much-needed spark, should also be involved.
Ahead of battle in Jutland, the manager will also be without one of his loyal lieutenants, Steve Walford, who is recovering from knee surgery. A decision on whether he returns will be made in the New Year but it leaves the Derry native without a key ally.
And, right now, he needs all the friends he can get.