Greece defeated Ireland 2-0 to make it two defeats from two as Heimir Hallgrimsson’s reign gets off to a disappointing start.
After the poor performance against England, fans were hoping that the team would show signs of improvement against a less decorated side, but the same problems remained.
Fans were not the only people in the Aviva Stadium who felt dejected, as former players who used to put their bodies on the line for their country, were just as disheartened.
Glenn Whelan practically made a career out of caring more than most players, firing himself into tackles, running until the tank was emptied, and doing everything he could to make the Irish fans proud.
Speaking on Virgin Media TV after the game, the former Stoke star delivered a passionate monologue, where he pleaded for changes to be made.
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The disappointing thing for me is once the goal goes in, I’m seeing heads go down and arms go up. There is not a positive thing in this Ireland team at the moment,” Whelan told Virgin Media Sport.
“I definitely think there’s a lack of belief. We need to get back to winning ways. We need to reset.
“I don’t want to hear about performances. I don’t want to hear about shape and how we are playing.
“I want to get back to winning ways. Winning games and being involved in tournaments or being there or thereabouts. We are two games in and we are fighting for last place. It’s not good.
“There are too many players playing for Ireland who are too used to losing games. Something needs to change.
“It’s disappointing. We are two games in, conceded four goals and not scored. This was a game, on paper, that we should have been getting after these. We are at home.
“The fans were very quiet tonight, but we haven’t given them anything to get off their seats.
🗣It’s been disappointing, really bad over the last two games, I’m just worried does it hurt the lads as much as it hurts me
🗣You need to be showing a bit of passion that losing games for Ireland should hurt
Glenn Whelan on current Irish players
Live on Virgin Media Two pic.twitter.com/6FZqamaMKv
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 10, 2024
When you consider that Whelan worked with the Ireland squad last March and June, then this criticism really hits home and the solution, as far as he is concerned is drastic, but simple.
Ireland have been losing games for too long, and there are a group of players in that team who don’t know any different.
The U-21 team however has been enjoying some success, and would bring fresh legs, energy and a new mindset to the set-up.
“For me, it’s a case of looking at the under-21s and bringing those lads in and trying to improve things,” added Whelan.
“There are too many lads that over the last two, three four years who have consistently lost for Ireland and it’s not good.”
At this rate, fans would be willing to try anything because these are the darkest days that Ireland has had to endure on the International stage, in a very long time.