The Republic of Ireland fell to a 2-0 loss against France tonight on what was, by in large, a wet and disappointing evening.
Martin O'Neill's side spent the vast majority of the game without the ball and although Martin O'Neill did hand debuts to players like Derrick Williams, Shaun Williams and Graham Burke there was an overwhelming sense of disillusionment with the continued style of play this team utilises.
I’ve a terrible fear that Shane Duffy is going to be our top scorer for the next 3 campaigns. #FRAIRL
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) May 28, 2018
Pity Ireland couldn’t make much of a splash tonight but it wasn’t exactly a shock result. #FRAIRL #COYBIG
— Jim Beglin (@jimbeglin) May 28, 2018
Really think we should have appointed a new manager instead of sticking with MON. Someone who will create a positive way of playing. This fresh young squad could have been buying into a new structure over past few weeks instead of probably finding out team just before KO. #IREFRA
— Stephen Elliott (@SleevesElliott) May 28, 2018
Hard to judge this game but what's the point of bleeding in a load of young players when the mentality is utter dross. Find it hard to believe we haven't been able to string two passes together since 2006... @FAIreland #FRAIRL #COYBIG
— Phil Slattery (@philipslattery) May 28, 2018
Speaking on RTE tonight, former Irish international Damien Duff bemoaned Ireland's uninspiring style:
Going forward, you'd just love to see us keep the ball a bit better. A bit more composure. If we are told to hit it long then I think midfielders - Liam has touched on it in previous games - you stop making angles. If we are always looking on, you know it is bypassing you. Wingers as well, you know it is bypassing you. So, listen, I don't know what we do going forward...
Another uninspired Irish performance has the RTÉ studio panel wonder just where are the goals going to come from. #frairl #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/2Y1Gr70vo1
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) May 28, 2018
As for Ireland, they play USA this weekend in another friendly as Martin O'Neil begins preparations for the Nations League starts later this year.
