Wilson: Let’s give it a lash

Almost four years on from Paris, the scene of one of Ireland’s greatest performances, defender Marc Wilson is adamant only a repeat of those heroics tomorrow in Austria will prevent a premature end to the World Cup dream.

The theory that it was Ireland’s players, rather than Giovanni Trapattoni, that initiated the free-flowing style to chase a first-leg deficit against France has never been fully suppressed. Based upon the words and body-language of Stoke man Wilson yesterday, a more liberal approach to the routine long-ball game will be enacted by the players, with or without the coach’s blessing.

Asked if it’s high time to let the handbrake off for the players, the Antrim man was forthright in response.

“Sure. That’s what we’ve got to do,” he said. “We’ve only a small chance of qualifying now after the Sweden defeat so we’ll do whatever it takes to beat Austria.

“It [the long-ball game] doesn’t help. I think we need to play through the middle a bit more and pass the ball to create chances for us to go forward more. I don’t think we [the full-backs] get into enough good positions.”

Consistent with his straight-talking outlook, the nine-times capped left-back didn’t shirk in laying bare the problems players encounter in understanding instructions of their Italian manager.

“That’s a hard one to answer,” said Wilson, “they’re [instructions] coming across as clear as we can make out.”

A matter Wilson is preparing to block out of his earshot tomorrow is the result from the earlier game in Ireland’s group between Sweden and Kazakhstan in Astana.

“Hopefully Kazakhstan can get a result against Sweden which would put us back in contention,” he said. “But I’d rather concentrate on our game and find out Sweden’s result afterwards.

“At this stage, there’s no point going to Austria in any other frame of mind than looking for three points.

“Everyone had doubt in their mind about qualifying after Friday’s game. The lads were absolutely devastated afterwards but we’ve got to hold our hands up and take responsibility for that as players as well.

“We, as a squad, had a chat about it and know what we have to do to improve. There were no excuses for Friday – the performance against Sweden wasn’t good enough.”

Austria themselves are seeking a rescue remedy to their qualification ambitions at the Ernst Happel Stadium, with their quest very much reliant on the contribution of Wilson’s new clubmate, right-winger Marko Arnautovic.

A €2.6 million deadline day purchase by Stoke while Wilson was away from the club starting international duty, they’ve yet to cross paths. That will change tomorrow.

“I haven’t met him yet, so I’m looking forward to playing against him and see what he’s about.”