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Ireland 'Crammed' A Lot About New System Into Days Before Serbia

Ireland 'Crammed' A Lot About New System Into Days Before Serbia
PJ Browne
By PJ Browne
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Josh Cullen was excited from the moment Stephen Kenny told him he'd be starting Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Serbia. It was the Anderlecht midfielder's first competitive start for Ireland, a feat he called "a really proud moment for me and my family".

Cullen played a pivotal midfield role in the unfamiliar 3-5-2 formation played by Kenny which worked well and showed promise. That was despite the team not having much time to work together on the system.

"To be honest, there wasn't a lot of work that we were able to do," said Cullen following the game.

"The squad met up on Sunday. I met up with the squad on Monday. Not days and days, or weeks on the training pitch. There was a lot of information about the system and the way we wanted to go about the game crammed into a couple of days working together.

"I feel like the system worked well and we showed some positive progress. We have another two or three days to work together before Saturday."

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The 24-year-old felt Ireland did several things well in the game.

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"We restricted them to only a few chances," said Cullen.

"They were very clinical. Some of our build-up play from the back was very good. I think we were a threat.

"When we got into good areas with Browney in the 10 [role], and Robbie (Brady) when he came on - there were chances there for us. At times, we were good in possession. By no means are we getting carried away with the performance thinking we're there.

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"It was a tough game against a good side. They've got some very good players. In the main, I think we can take some positives from the game as well as a lot of things we need to work on as a team."

Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile & Shutterstock.com

See Also: Liam Brady Pessimistic About Crop Of Young Irish Players

liam brady ireland team selection serbia

 

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