Unsurprisingly, Eamon Dunphy wasn’t too pleased with the team Martin O’Neill named to face Austria.
It’s a huge game that could have implications on how the world Cup qualifying group shapes up heading into the home straight. A win for the Republic of Ireland would see them go seven points clear of Austria, but a loss would see Austria go just a point behind the Boys In Green.
For games of this magnitude, you want big game players. With Seamus Coleman unfortunately still sidelined after that horror double leg break against Wales, a new man needed to be given the captain’s armband.
O’Neill bestowed that upon Glenn Whelan for this game, but a notable absentee in the starting XI was one of the Republic of Ireland’s most creative attacking threats – Wes Hoolahan.
Martin O'Neill names Ireland XI to face Austria and Glenn Whelan is captain | SportsJOE.ie https://t.co/WUaU1NJrrr
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) June 11, 2017
Hoolahan’s omission, particularly with Whelan starting, caught Dunphy by surprise. As he explained on RTE’s pre-match coverage, he can’t understand why Whelan got the call to start.
“No Wes Hoolahan. It’s hard to see who’s going to be the playmaker in midfield. when you’re at home, the task of playmaker is so important, you’ve got to open the opposition up.”
“Whelan’s presence is inexplicable, really. When he went off in Vienna against the same opponents and David Meyler came on, we improved enormously. Whelan does nothing, really. He doesn’t do what Arter does, which is be sharp in the tackle. He never really looks for the ball. So I don’t know why he’s in the team.”
Dunphy also had some issues with Kevin Long being chosen to start in the centre of defence, which you can check out in the video embedded below.
Ireland manager Martin O'Neill has gone for an attacking side against Austria, but there's no Wes Hoolahan and Eamon Dunphy isn't happy. pic.twitter.com/7kVLJV1URE
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 11, 2017
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