Ireland vs. Poland - Review

A 2-0 win was a flattering reward for Ireland's efforts at Lansdowne Road last night, after an oft-times calamitous first half, littered with non-existent ball retention and clumsy individual performances from certain players. While victory represents a morale boost, particularly for a significantly understrength team, there are some nagging concerns about tactics, formations, selections and injuries ahead of the campaign-defining double-header in March.

Poland took the initiative in the first half, holding possession in midfield and taking advantage of Irish sloppiness on the ball. During those opening forty-five minutes, Ireland completed only 63% of their passes, which is a dreadful record at this level. The back four were among the chief culprits, though they were abetted in their wastefulness by the continued non-presence of available midfielders, as Obraniak dropped deep to help the Poles outnumber their counterparts in the centre. Greg Cunningham often needed McClean's assistance on the left, where Glik and Blaszczykowski combined with aggression and directness. Ireland resorted to long balls up to the debutant Conor Sammon, who lacked the control or savvy to bring those around him into the game. Though Poland created few out-and-out chances, some wayward kicking from Forde gifted a couple of chances to Lewandowski and Obraniak, which should have given Poland the lead before Clark's opener, a result of Brady's excellent dead-ball delivery.

Ireland improved in the second half, and rarely looked threatened, though credit for this can be mitigated by the laconic pace of the game and lack of real urgency from the Polish. Hoolahan's introduction - as it did against Greece - gave Ireland an extra dimension in midfield, and his expertly-taken goal was a fitting reward. Hendrick's cameo, and prominent role in the second goal, suggests a level of technical composure and vision which could be a huge asset to Ireland in the future, if his talent can be nurtured.

In the end, a 2-0 win is a curious result, given that Ireland performed and passed much better against Greece, but lost 1-0. The manager's faith in the formation will be vindicated by this win, and the team to start in Stockholm will closely resemble that which huffed and puffed in Kazakhstan and the Faroes. That will not be enough to win, or even get a point, in Stockholm, and may also be punished against an improving Austrian side. Trapattoni's faith in limited players like McShane, Ward, Green, Whelan, Keogh, Cox and now Sammon could be harshly punished if Ireland succumb to more injuries between now and D-Day at the end of March. Returns for Coleman, Wilson and McGeady may improve matters within this limited formation, but Hoolahan, and his probable non-selection, is the elephant in the room - made even more stark by his contribution last night.

Player Ratings:

Forde - 6. Made a good save from Obraniak, and a few necessary ventures from his area to thwart Lewandowski, but his kicking brings to mind the travails of Wayne Henderson. Poland were almost gifted two goals by Forde's howlers in the first half.

McShane - 5. Aimless balls, clumsiness, and poor decision-making in possession. Stark contrast to what Coleman has brought to the position in recent games, which is demanded of an international full-back in the modern game.

Cunningham - 7. Up against a difficult opponent in Dortmund's Blaszczykowski, but did a decent job in defence, despite losing his footing on a few occasions. Positionally much better than Ward, and a higher ceiling for improvement. Some wasteful balls.

O'Shea - 6. Did little wrong defensively against  Lewandowski, but his lack of composure on the ball led to Polish possession time and again.

Clark - 7. Did well. Assertive in the tackle, no real mistakes, and a well-taken goal. Positioning was impressive in dealing with the deep-lying Obraniak. Should be in contention to start in Stockholm.

McCarthy - 7. Did little wrong, showed for the ball more often than Whelan, and kept it moving, but needs to be more assertive. Would shine alongside more technical midfield players.

Whelan - 5. Another poor display. Passing is not up to the required standard for this level. Shows no ceiling for improvement.

McClean - 5. Hugely disappointing. Hard-running, but brainless and devoid of subtlety in possession.

Brady - 7. Quiet enough, but his set-piece delivery is excellent, and seems like a good, technical player. Needs to play at a higher club level to really improve.

Sammon - 4. It was like watching an alcoholic who had won a competition to play for Ireland. A comically clumsy touch not seen in the Irish forward line since the days of Gary Doherty, with no evidence of using his robust frame to compete in the air, and no ability to link with Long or the midfield. Genuinely appalling.

Long - 6. Was isolated for much of the game, could not really make an impact.

Substitutes:

Green (Whelan, 46) - 7. Probably his best game for Ireland. One surprisingly adroit ball to McClean, and generally tidy.

Hoolahan (Long, 62) - 8. Again, showed an ability to take up intelligent positions in the final third, and would have benefited from linking with a more mobile and technical striker than the hapless Sammon. Took his goal with aplomb.

Hendrick (McCarthy, 71) - 7. Superb ball for Hoolahan to make it 2-0. Tidy, certainly one for the future.

Walters (Brady, 71) - 5. Unfair rating, as he is certainly not a winger, and did as much as he could under the circumstances.

Cox (McClean, 81), R. Keogh (Clark, 84) - not on long enough to be rated.