Going in search of that elusive cutting edge

As he reflects on what might have been against Serbia and what has to be in Ireland’s remaining two World Cup qualifiers, Martin O’Neill chooses his words as if composing a small ad for the ‘Wanted’ section.

“Before we even think about Wales we have to beat Moldova,” he says. “But if we apply the same sort of pressure as we did the other night, maybe somebody will come up with that moment, that decisive moment, of getting us a goal. Just somebody… a goalscorer.”

Ireland’s three points from a possible 12 in 2017 — in stark contrast to 10 from 12 the previous year — might be the most damning statistical illustration of the extent of the sharp downturn in their World Cup qualification fortunes. But not far behind is their goals for record: Two in the last four games as against seven in the first four.