Chris Sutton played under Martin O’Neill for four years.
The English striker was at Celtic between 2000 and 2004 when O’Neill was the manager and he claims that, contrary to the most common criticism of the current Republic of Ireland manager, he was always well informed on his role going into any game.
With the form of the Republic of Ireland team taking a drastic turn for the worse over the last few months, the vultures have circled around Martin O’Neill.
When everything is gone to pot, somebody has to get to blame and unfortunately for Martin O’Neill, the buck always stops with the manager.
And the most frequent critique levelled in his direction has been that he doesn’t provide players with enough information on their roles going into a game, that they aren’t well enough prepared when it comes to training and that the game-plan just isn’t drilled into them.
Chris Sutton doesn’t agree with that.
“I take issue with the point that players aren’t coached,” he said on Virgin Media sport.
“I played under Martin O’Neill for 4 years, and I never stepped across the white line and didn’t know what my role was in the team…It’s a team low on confidence.”
"I played under Martin for 4 years, and I never stepped across the white line and didn't know what my role was."
– @chris_sutton73 hits back at claims players 'aren't coached' under Martin O'Neill. #NationsLeague #VMSport pic.twitter.com/BIoXNyNrAQ
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 16, 2018
And the former England striker leapt to O’Neill’s defence by going along with the ‘he doesn’t have the players’ brigade.
“I look at the two sides tonight and I think, how many of those Irish lads would get into the Welsh team? I see creativity with Wales and I don’t see it with the Irish team.
“They don’t have creativity and that’s the biggest worry. It’s not like ten years ago when you’d Duff and Keane who could nick you a goal…”
“Ireland don’t have players of this ilk (Ampadu, Bale Ramsay)…This is the worst Irish side I can remember..Absolutely,” he said.
Brian Kerr had a different reading of the whole Ireland set-up. The former Republic of Ireland manager sees confusion and disarray amongst the players.
“I think there’s confusion about the positions they’re supposed to be in and the roles they’re supposed to perform.”
“I accept that technically, the players aren’t gifted, but I think they’re better than what we’re seeing.”
"I accept that technically, the players aren't gifted, but I think they're better than what we're seeing!"
Brian Kerr on Martin O'Neill's claims the Ireland players are not good enough technically. #NationsLeague #VMSport pic.twitter.com/sl5pg0VThX
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) October 16, 2018
After Ireland turned in yet another drab performance against Wales in the Aviva on Tuesday night, it certainly looks like Kerr has a more accurate view of the situation.
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