1. Lack of creativity hampers Ireland
FOR A TEAM that needed to score this evening, Ireland’s starting XI didn’t exactly scream ‘goals’.
James McClean, Glenn Whelan, Jeff Hendrick and James McCarthy are all hard workers, but none have the necessary creativity to dictate play or unlock a defence.
Ireland brought on Wes Hoolahan, Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane in the latter stages, but it was desperate times at that stage, and the visitors were more concerned with launching balls into the box than getting their more technical players into the game.
Whether Hoolahan was actually fit enough to start is uncertain, but without him and other influential attacking players, Ireland looked short of ideas and goal threat all too often.
2. Irish temperament not right
A nervousness seemed to afflict the team on this high-pressure occasion.
Robbie Brady’s supposedly excellent set-piece ability was nowhere to be seen on the night, while even more experienced players like John O’Shea and Jon Walters gave away needless free-kicks and generally lacked the composure they regularly showed at the Aviva on Thursday evening.
Tonight’s match most resembled Ireland’s 1-0 loss to Scotland at Celtic Park last November, with a lack of discipline and attacking cohesion costing the team ultimately.
Ireland simply did not look mentally right on the night, and now must prepare for a potentially tricky playoff in November as a result of this inept showing.
3. Walters and O’Shea will be big losses
Playoffs are never easy, but without two of the teams most experienced players in Jon Walters and John O’Shea in the first leg, Ireland’s task next month is beginning to look even more difficult.
Walters picked up a silly booking for a needless foul on Lewandowski, while O’Shea was sent off for similar ill-discipline.
While the duo weren’t on top form tonight, against Germany on Thursday, they were magnificent and so will probably be missed in Ireland’s next competitive match.
That said, the last few days have proven that less experienced individuals are capable of stepping up on the big occasion — Darren Randolph, Richard Keogh and Cyrus Christie are among those to have enhanced their reputation of late.
Consequently, the losses of O’Shea and Walters will be a good opportunity for someone else to make a positive impression on proceedings.
