Out of the frying pan, into the fire

LAST WEEK, Bobby Robson raised a few eyebrows when, citing Ireland’s run of seven points from three games, he suggested that the team were now “on a roll”.

Bearing in mind six of those points had come against San Marino — and three of those by the narrowest of margins imaginable — it’s understandable that few were convinced by the great man’s attempt at positive spin.

After Saturday’s welcome but uninspiring win against Wales at Croke Park, the growing points tally looks even more respectable, but no-one is making bold statements to suggest that Ireland must now be on a jumbo roll — not with a much more severe test against Slovakia just two days away.