Molumby: Back to an Irish performance but that's the bare minimum

Jayson Molumby says Ireland must be as good again without the ball against Armenia, and better with it.

Republic of Ireland's Jayson Molumby reacts during the World Cup qualifier with Portugal at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, Lisbon. Picture: Zed Jameson/PA Wire.

“Gutted, flat, devastated,” were the first three words Jayson Molumby used to describe how he felt following the Republic of Ireland’s narrow loss to Portugal.

Rúben Neves’ injury-time header from substitute Francisco Trincão’s precise cross denied Ireland what could have been a crucial point in their bid to reach the World Cup in North America next summer.

It was a point Molumby feels they deserved for their efforts, but in the end it wasn’t to be and the Irish squad must now pick themselves up for the visit of Armenia on Tuesday night where only a win will surely be enough to keep their hopes of reaching the tournament alive.

“I think we deserved at least a point there,” continued the West Brom midfielder.

“We don't manage the game for one moment where we get a throw-in in their half and we take it quick, or we're not quite set up and then they go on the counter.

“To be fair to the back line, it's probably the first cross where… I haven't seen it back… but someone's got a nick on it, or someone's went and passed a header or whatever but it’s gutting, gutting.

“I think we got back to an Irish performance. It's the minimum to run, fight, work hard, give everything.

“We lacked that in the last few games or whatever, it's just the bare minimum.

“On another day I think we deserved a point at least but obviously we didn't get it.

“You can take comfort, yeah, but it's the minimum. It's just about the bare minimum; you're playing for Ireland. I'm obviously really proud to play for Ireland and it's been tough.

“We need to be the exact same (against Armenia), with and without the ball, maybe a bit better on the ball, but out of possession, you can't go away from the basics of football and that's running, fighting hard.

“It doesn't matter who you're playing, you can't slack off whatsoever, so we need to raise it again even on Tuesday against Armenia.

“Tonight's done, it's another loss. It is what it is, we need to answer on Tuesday and go and beat Armenia.

“I don't really care how I play; I just want to play for Ireland and achieve something with Ireland.

“I don't care if I play well or play bad, I want to be involved and try and achieve something with my country.”