It’s not about possession and stats.
Yes, it doesn’t look good when Georgia – the fifth seeds in your group – are bossing the ball on your own patch and they’re doing it with confidence and swagger but this anger after that win isn’t because of what the numbers would tell you.
It’s because people are sitting back wondering what the hell are we trying to do.
They’re watching us trying to scrape a win against Georgia in the second game of qualification and they’re thinking what is the bloody point of this.
What is the point of treating Georgia with the same short-term win-at-all-costs attitude that you might a cup semi-final? At some stage, you have to start thinking about the bigger picture.
But that doesn’t seem to be happening. It never does.
All we hear is how every point is vital and, because of that, Ireland will not change. It’s always a case of just keeping it tight, don’t make any mistakes, and try to nick a goal at some stage – any type of goal, it doesn’t matter.
The sort of goal Seamus Coleman scored on Thursday night – what the f**k was that? One of the world’s best full backs beats his man, his cross is blocked, his rebound carries through, Walters’ touch is heavy, the defender tees it up, Coleman walks it over the line. As training ground moves go, this couldn’t have been farther from one.
There’s no real pattern. No constant flow of chances or any real reason why Ireland win. The weak spot isn’t identified and exploited in the opposition and you don’t see it gradually begin to cave. For the most part, it is down to keeping it tight and safe and that’s about it. Then it’s down to luck.
Our objective is only to qualify and, because of that, it’s an endless cycle of just getting results by whatever means necessary but, unfortunately for most people, getting results means not ballsing up.
Playing badly & winning isn't a sign of a good team, it's a sign of a team that's getting lucky writes @dionfanning https://t.co/R5j8cIpviu
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 6, 2016
Harry Arter is just the tip of the iceberg. He is just an urgent necessity that the squad drastically needs because, honestly, the frightening thing is that most people would’ve played exactly that same team that O’Neill did against Georgia.
That formation, that personnel was what we were all raving about in France – granted, they played with more purpose but they played with the same idea.
James McClean has earned his start. He’s consistent in what he brings to Ireland and he’s consistent in what he brings to West Brom.
Shane Long is our best striker even if he hasn’t scored in 1,090 minutes.
The midfield three of Hendrick, McCarthy, Brady? Neither of us would’ve picked any differently and, sadly, Harry Arter is the only real option that can come straight into the team under these short-term working conditions and help to improve it. If he wants to come back.
No-one else would be given the chance because we can’t afford to drop any points and therein lies the question: What is the point of all this?
What is the end game here?
This team isn’t going to win the World Cup – this team at present isn’t even going to qualify for it – so why are we stuttering along desperately trying to hold Georgia at bay when we have two years to work with to actually create a better future and a better culture?
What’s the point of having Alex Pearce on the bench when you already have three other centre halves there?
What’s the point of having Alex Pearce on the bench?
What’s the point in naming 12 substitutes and having only Wes Hoolahan and Jonny Hayes as attacking options?
Ireland Subs: Lawlor (GK), Rogers (GK), O'Shea, Keogh, Whelan, O'Kane, Hoolahan, Christie, Meyler, McShane, Hayes, Pearce. #COYBIG #IREGEO
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) October 6, 2016
What’s the point of giving Conor Hourihane a call-up if he’s not going to be included in the squad anyway?
What’s the point in Callum O’Dowda and all his attacking excitement if we’re not going to start bleeding him in?
What’s the point in any new grassroots development plans if, by the time they all get to senior level, there’s already an established group that they don’t want to tamper with because they don’t want to risk anything? What’s the point of it if there’s a manager there without a long-term contract so, naturally, he wants to look out for what is best in the short-term?
What’s the point in Dundalk rocking European football if their fixture list clashes with the Republic schedule?
What’s the point of Wes Hoolahan staying on if he’s not going to get one minute in a home game against Georgia?
It’s not the ball people want. It’s a plan. A purpose.
Martin O’Neill played direct with Villa and his team hit 71 goals in one Premier League season. Possession isn’t the issue here. The future is.
But, right now, it seems to be the least of anyone’s worries.
We beat Georgia but, God almighty, the only takeaway from that game was what is the bloody point of this?
The GAA Hour pays tribute to the unbeatable Dubs and ask where did it all go wrong for Mayo in the All-Ireland final replay. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
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