Yesterday morning, speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, David Connolly predicted Ireland’s 4-4-2 shape would lead to Austria having excess space to exploit in the middle of the park, with David Alaba a serious danger to the Irish side.
It was a prediction that proved to be far more prophetic than Irish fans would have liked.
Austria overran the Irish midfield in the final half hour and their equalising goal – a long range shot from David Alaba – was gifted as the Bayern Munich man found himself without any Irish attention as he received the ball 24 yards from goal in stoppage time.
Connolly was on the show again this morning, speaking with Oisin Langan, and he ran through his reading of last night’s game and how he sees Ireland advancing from here.
Connolly believes “he should have kept Shane (Long) on.”
“We should have had another man in midfield.
“He should have changed it, just to get a foothold in the match.”
Oisin Langan spoke to Connolly about the potential use of Wes Hoolahan & Kevin Doyle, the performance of Conor Sammon and why he believes that this result is not the end of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying hopes.
Listen to David Connolly’s full tactical analysis of last night’s performance via the player below
Image: Republic of Ireland's Jonathan Walters with David Alaba of Austria
©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
