Reasons to be cheerful (from) Pot 3
Finally, a decent draw for the Boys in Green! It’s not the easiest of groups, but considering our recent luck with the pot, we’ll take it.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not expecting Heimir Hallgrímsson’s boys to slice through Portugal/Denmark, Hungary or Armenia. I’m optimistic, but I’m staying grounded. However, I am expecting Ireland to be competitive. Surely that isn’t too much to ask. Right?
It’s crazy to think that we haven’t even had a sniff of the wire in a campaign for over FIVE years. Ludicrous really.
For years I have opined from my soapbox that international football is predominately about having your house in order. Talent plays a big part, although when you’re Ireland, pragmatism wins the day.
Let’s get one thing straight, this is far from the worst group of Irish players I have seen in my lifetime. That is a trope handed out by lazy pundits who rarely analyse the players they malign week in and week out. Granted, we haven’t got the talent we once had, however, that doesn’t make the current side bad.
Our current crop has been the victim of poor decisions and bad management with a fair share of bad luck over the years – this needs to be put right.
These are good players and they’re playing at good levels. With the right leadership, they can be cultivated into a decent side. A decent side that can qualify for tournaments regularly. I’m not saying we’ll win the damn thing, but to get there isn’t out of the realms of possibility.
2024 will be a year to forget for the FAI, one of many added to the nightmare column. Here’s hoping for some light in 2025:
Portugal, currently sixth in the world, should be one of the most feared teams on the planet. Unfortunately for them, their manager Roberto Martinez has the backbone of a sponge when it comes to dealing with their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo. If he continues past the Nations League, Ronaldo will be FORTY years of age when he comes face to face with the Boys in Green – if they get past Denmark.
In his day, without question, Ronaldo was one of the greats. In 2024/25 he is merely a schoolyard hatcher waiting for the glory whilst his teammates do all the work. Bad for them, good for us.
Against the Portuguese, the Boys in Green suffered a mauling in Aveiro this year, however, I would put a large part of that down to the tactical naivety of John O’Shea. That will not happen under Heimir. (I hope.)
Denmark, who currently ranked 21st in the world, are no mugs but they’re nothing to be feared either. They reached the last 16 of the Euros and in their Nations League group, finished a whopping EIGHT points behind winners Spain. Also, we owe them one.
Second seed Hungary, currently sitting 30th in the rankings, are a useful side but, again, nothing too special. They bombed at the Euros, having only managed to beat Scotland who continued their awful run at major tournaments (they’ve never made it past the group stage). They had a lacklustre Nations League, finishing three points behind the Dutch in Second and eight behind group winners Germany.
Armenia, the 100th-best side in the world, will face Georgia in their own Nations League Play-Off in March, with a chance of a League B promotion up for grabs. Although, it must be pointed out that they finished NINE points behind North Macedonia as runners-up.
Lest we forget the ridiculous position that the FAI put Heimir Hallgrímsson in last year. Hired in July and thrown into a debut bout against England at home. No camp, no preparation.
As I said, this team is far from the worst team I’ve seen, although that title can certainly be applied to its mental strength. Constant unforced errors and the collapse in England will be alarming for the manager. Psychological errors are hard to stamp out at international level due to their impromptu nature and the fact you just don’t have the time with your players afforded to you at club level.
After the business with Bulgaria is concluded in March, the Ireland boss should hopefully be given time to get into the minds of his players in the shape of a summer camp in June.
On a positive note, throughout each window, we’ve seen a gradual improvement through the manager, and you can see what he’s trying to achieve. Granted his methods, relaxed in his nature, seem to be alien to the Irish fans and media alike, however, his honesty is refreshing.
If the Boys in Green can take six points from their opening games against Hungary at home and Armenia in Yerevan, we shall be riding that crest of a wave not seen on these shores in years – momentum. A draw against Hungary wouldn’t be ideal, but it would be far from catastrophic.
Anything less than four points and we’re done. Again.
David, @LansdowneRD_IE