“We’ll go through. Simple as that.”
After a disastrous Uefa Nations League campaign, the Republic of Ireland face a fight to qualify for Euro 2020. But Martin O’Neill is still optimistic.
In the post-match press conference following the 1-0 defeat to Wales on Tuesday night, the Ireland manager was understandably disappointed but also determined to put things right.
He said he was still convinced that the team would qualify for Euro 2020 and that he had seen signs of improvement in the display against Ryan Giggs’ side.
The broadcast and online section of the press conference then ended. O’Neill went into a briefing with daily and Sunday newspaper journalists, with his comments embargoed until Thursday and Sunday.
There he expanded on the reasons why he was confident Ireland would reach the European Championships. The exchange, as reported by Ken Early for The Irish Times, went as follows:
O’Neill: “At the end of the day, we’ll have people ready for the games, and I’ll be ready, and … we’ll go through. Simple as that.”
Reporter: “We’ll go through to the Euros?”
O’Neill: “Yeah.”
Reporter: “You’re saying that now?”
O’Neill: “Absolutely.”
Reporter: “Top two finish?”
O’Neill: “Yeah.”
Reporter: “We’re good enough? You mean go through to the finals?”
O’Neill: “Of course. Yes.”
Reporter: “What gives you that optimism when…”
O’Neill: “Because I’m good.”
So, there you have it, Ireland fans. Rest easy. The team will qualify for Euro 2020 because the manager is “good.”
This is the same manager who has repeatedly decried Ireland’s lack of a “natural goalscorer” and the team’s lack of “technical ability.” He has lamented the loss of players to injury, which is understandable, but something every team has to deal with.
But, he’s “good”, so it’s fine.
Ireland’s defeat to Wales followed a dire goalless draw with Denmark last Saturday night.
On both occasions, Ireland’s opponents were without their best players. Denmark were missing Christian Eriksen. Wales couldn’t call upon Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey. O’Neill’s side also had home advantage for both matches. Yet, they never looked like scoring and mustered just one meaningful effort on goal in each game.
However, that doesn’t matter in the long-run, it’ll all work out well because the manager is “good.”
"The fact Ireland don't have great players isn't a defence of the management team. It's just another argument in favour of replacing them" | @RobRedmond10 https://t.co/XUEaG66zis
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 17, 2018
These poor results came a month after the team were hammered 4-1 by Wales in Cardiff. And almost a year since Denmark beat O’Neill’s side 5-1 in the second-leg of their World Cup play-off.
In their last 11 competitive matches, Ireland have won just twice. They beat Moldova last October and recorded a fortuitous win over Wales in Cardiff. In their last eight home matches, they have scored just five goals.
That latest loss will most likely mean O’Neill’s side will be relegated from the second tier of the Nations League. If that occurs, they will be third seeds in qualification for Euro 2020.
But, again, that doesn’t matter. The manager is “good.”
O’Neill is well within his rights to back his own ability as a manager. He achieved great success with Leicester City and Celtic and helped Ireland reach the last-16 of Euro 2016.
However, like his team selections and tactical decisions, it’s difficult to make sense of his comment.
“Because I’m good” isn’t exactly the most reassuring thing he could have said after such a poor run of form.
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