'We’re too derogatory towards these Ireland players' - O'Shea pleads for backing amid slump

PLAYERS BACKING: Assistant Manager John O'Shea insists players should be supported for their efforts to lift the side out of their current malaise. Picture: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

John O’Shea insists Ireland’s players should be better supported in their efforts to lift the team from its current malaise.

Ireland lost both of last month’s home opening Nations League fixtures 2-0 against England and Greece – whom they meet in the rematch on Sunday – placing them in danger of relegation to League C.

First up in Helsinki this Thursday is Finland, a team that’s also lost their pair of openers, and O’Shea cited it as an opportunity to break the habit of losing games.

O’Shea’s boss Heimir Hallgrimsson last week highlighted the need to “stop the bleeding”, overhauling his squad with six changes between windows in a bid to chase that elusive win.

That entailed seasoned campaigners Matt Doherty, Alan Browne and Callum Robinson – along with rising star Jake O’Brien – being overlooked, with Mark McGuinness receiving a first call-up, along with uncapped Jack Taylor.

Outside of Gibraltar, Ireland have lost their last eight competitive matches.

“We need to get away from almost that negative aspect of positions in the team and the squad, and players,” said the man who took caretaker charge for the four games earlier this year before the Icelander was appointed in July.

“The dedication and the sacrifice that every player, and the levels these players are playing at, is sometimes forgotten about.

“They are really good players, playing at a really good level, and I think it's a bit of, not a nonsense but we are too derogatory towards these players, they are really good players playing at a really good level, and they are showing dedication, they want to come and play for Ireland, we should be getting behind them a bit more.”

In search of portents for optimism, O’Shea pinpointed the opening 45 minutes against the Greeks when the game remained scoreless and hoped the cull motivated players to up their game at club level.

“It’s about breaking the habit by getting wins on the board,” added the former Ireland centurion, now assistant boss.

“If you take care of the performance level for the entire, results look after itself.

“We want to build on the first half performance against Greece, re-emphasise those new ideas to newer lads in group.

“We’re trying new combinations and understandings because next year might not be able to do that.

“Every player, Matt in particular, is definitely in our plans. Hopefully it’s a positive reaction from everybody and we’ve a tough selection to make.” 

Ireland will discover their group for next year's World Cup qualifiers when the draw is made in December.