Daniel McDonnell: Irish defiance is destroyed by familiar errors and ‘six minutes of madness’
Errors on the pitch are damaging Ireland’s performances at key moments
If there is one constant to Ireland’s progress under Stephen Kenny, it is that for all the new ideas, for all the fresh faces and thrilling moments, the same old mistakes keep rearing their heads at the worst possible times.
Two years into his tenure, Ireland are yet to keep a clean sheet under Kenny, and it is now 18 games since they have managed more than one goal in a match.
Kenny admitted after the 2-2 draw with Ukraine in the Aviva Stadium that “a six-minute spell” cost his team again. Having hauled themselves back into the game through substitutes Callum Robinson and Chiedozie Ogbene, Ukraine scored twice in quick succession just before half-time.
“We have to learn to play to our principles,” Kenny said. “I can’t keep saying it. We have to play to our principles for the full 90.
“We did very well in the second half but the first half was poor. We can’t keep giving away goals like that. It is really damaging. We need to stop that, we can’t be conceding goals like that.”
Kenny will point to the huge turnover of players in his squad - eight debutants have been capped this season - but his side are still making basic errors, giving the ball away too easily and getting caught out by balls in behind.
They have conceded 61 goals in 24 games under Kenny. The total would have been higher but for the saves of Gavin Bazunu.
The Ireland goalkeeper, who turns 21 next month, has kept his place despite a difficult season with Portsmouth in League One and he has certainly kept Ireland in games.
But his heroics cannot disguise the defensive frailties and an inability to protect leads. Ireland have conceded first in 16 of Kenny’s 24 games.
And they have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot at crucial moments. In the Nations League last year, they conceded an injury-time equaliser at home to Ukraine and then lost 1-0 in Poland.
In March, they drew 0-0 in Scotland before losing 1-0 in Dublin. And in June, they lost at home to Armenia after leading 1-0.
It is the same old story - the familiar mistakes are costing Ireland.
“There are times when we don’t defend as a unit,” Kenny said. “We need to defend one on one better. We need to be more aggressive in the air.
“We have worked on it and it is something we have to do. We have to get more clean sheets.”
Ireland need to find a way to win games
Kenny has been in charge for 24 games now and he has won just five of them. He has also drawn seven and lost 12.
His win rate of 20.83% is the worst of any Ireland manager since Eoin Hand.
Kenny has made progress in terms of performances and he has introduced a number of exciting young players into the team.
But he needs to start winning games. Ireland have won just two of their last 12 matches and they have not won a competitive game in over a year.
Kenny is under pressure and he knows it. He needs to start getting results soon or he could be facing the sack.
The future of Irish football
Despite the recent setbacks, there is still hope for the future of Irish football.
Kenny has a talented squad at his disposal and he is slowly but surely getting them to play the way he wants.
There are some exciting young players coming through the ranks and there is a real sense of optimism among the fans.
If Kenny can get his team to play to their potential, then Ireland could have a bright future.
