There is some cause for positivity for Ireland after their latest UEFA Nations League double-header yielded a win and a defeat that puts them third in their group.
A famous win away to Finland marked their first in the competition since its inception and the nature of Robbie Brady’s late winner brought a much-needed lift for Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side.
The Boys In Green could not make it consecutive wins on the road, falling to another 2-0 defeat to leage leaders Greece.
A positive second-half performance was overshadowed by the concession of two poor goals as the hosts held on for their 2-0 victory.
It looked as though a result could be there for Ireland but the otherwise impressive Caoimhin Kelleher produced a calamitous error to gift Greece their second goal on the night.
The hosts had plenty of other chances, finding space in and around Ireland’s defence with Kelleher making an impressive string of saves to keep his side in the fight.
It was the second time in three days that an Irish player had gifted the opposition a goal, after Nathan Collins’ calamity in Helsinki.
Richard Dunne identifies lack of leadership in Ireland defence
The spotlight was on the Irish defence after the game with old issues rearing their head – including the concession of yet another goal from outside the box.
Richard Dunne was on punditry duty for Virgin Media when he noted the lack of leadership in Ireland’s current defensive selection.
“I don’t think they are the most mobile of centre backs
“Now you’ll start to find weaknesses in the individuals within the group we have”
The lads in studio on Irelands current defenders
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“You don’t need to be lightning quick but you need leadership,” Dunne said.
“Not once did we catch them offside we just allowed them to run and tracked them all the way back as far as they want.
“The centre-half has to dictate the defensive line but too often the centre-forwards dictate when our centre-halfs are.
“We just drop off and that creates the space.”
Ireland have no shortage of central defenders but there is not yet a key presence at the back as seen during Dunne’s playing days.
Collins captained the side in Seamus Coleman’s absence but is yet to find his Premier League form in the green jersey.