Anastasios Bakasetas’ breakthrough strike in Athens last month came in the 48th minute, with Greece scoring in the first five minutes of the second half in three of the four meetings between the sides across 2023 and 2024. France also scored in that window both home and away during Stephen Kenny’s reign.
Assistant boss O’Shea retained his post under Heimir Hallgrimsson and admits the habit of slipping after the interval is a major worry.
He feels there is a mental aspect to the problem.
Slow starts in the first half have been a slight worry too, with a strong finish in Greece merely increasing frustration around early struggles.
Ireland also fell behind in Finland but bounced back to take all three points, a result that means avoiding defeat in Thursday’s rematch in Dublin will ensure that Ireland avoid Nations League relegation.
“We’re delving into it, in terms of what we need to do, how we need to get that attitude straight from the off, that bravery. That’s something we’re hoping to do, straight away,” said O’Shea.
“Look, it comes down to us getting those ideas across to the players as best we can and obviously the players implementing it and taking that confidence from the instructions to implement it as early as possible in the game.”
The Waterford man was asked if he felt the issue was technical or mental.
“When you see the technical side of the players when they do play and show their confidence and show the ability we know they have and why they’re here, it’s definitely not a technical issue. I think that gives you your answer,” he replied.
“Obviously when you concede early on in the second half, that’s something we have to get away from to give ourselves a chance. The way we played in the second half against Greece, we have to make sure we have that mentality from the start of the games. That will be the key bit.”
The 43-year-old confirmed that Hallgrimsson’s preference going forward will be with a back four although asserted there will be flexibility with or without the ball; this approach was evident last month with Ireland switching within games depending on the situation.
“In general, we have changed to the back four and depending on different stages, the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses and team selections,” he said.
“You need to get consistency going at some stage and the sooner it happens the better.
“Ultimately, having the flexibility and understanding of what best strengths suit the squad is a massive factor.
“The back four is definitely a stronger position for us at the minute.”
Ireland have been forced to shuffle the pack in that department ahead of Thursday’s rematch with Finland, with Séamus Coleman and Shane Duffy ruled out. That has opened the door for recalls for Matt Doherty and Ryan Manning.
With Festy Ebosele also struggling for injury, FIFA’s mandate as regards a 23-man squad means that the cover options could have a strong chance of involvement across a week that concludes with a glamour trip to face England at Wembley.
O’Shea has stressed that the primary focus will be on Finland. “Obviously it’s a great second game to be looking forward to,” he said. “It’s a clear one, we know we’ve a job to do at the Aviva on Thursday night.”