Evan and Hell: Ferguson leads the positives but he needs help around him

Ireland threw away a two goal lead to lowly Latvia before Chiedozie Ogbene netted the winner in the second half.

GOALSCORER: Evan Ferguson of Republic of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Latvia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Stephen Kenny’s Republic of Ireland team has been nothing if not consistent in its ability to follow one leap forward with a lurch back. It’s a side that seems to be stuck in a statis, unable to break the loop as the games and even the years slip by.

Wednesday night was of that same piece. Two-nil up against one of European football’s poor relations with 17 minutes gone, level before half-time and then all too happy to sign for the 3-2 win at the end of another evening of twisted emotions.