As the full-time whistle sounded in Tbilisi, deflation earmarked a poor Ireland performance in a 0-0 draw against Georgia.
For the RTE panel, there was a discussion over whether the result was one point gained or two points dropped.
The manner of the performance was a sticking point for Damien Duff. The former Ireland winger mentioned the side's inability to control a game, especially against a team with a world ranking of 91. Duff also talked about the side's courage, which shouldn't be used as an excuse for not controlling a game.
There's different ways to show bravery. It's not going around kicking people or running around crazy. It's controlling a game and showcasing your quality.
The argument that Denmark had also drawn away to Georgia didn't hold weight with Duff. He again cited the manner of Ireland's performance as the reason why the two results are false equivalences.
It was 0-0 against Denmark but Denmark controlled the game for large spells... Denmark deserved to win. The manner of the Ireland performance, I think we were really bad. So, from that point of view, it's a point gained. It was scrappy, it was ugly to watch from start to finish.
Duff mentioned his previous visits as an Ireland player to Tbilisi, agreeing that it's a tough place to play football but a good Ireland side should be winning without issue.
A good Irish team, with 7/8 of out 10 performances all over the pitch goes to Georgia and wins. From my point of view, it could come back to bite us... There's been articles this week talking about how many Premier League players we have... We still have good players that can control a game over there.
'It was a tough afternoon. I don't know what I'm feeling' - Shane Duffy speaks to @CorkTOD straight after the goalless draw in Georgia #GEOIRE pic.twitter.com/Rrc0ZQTTKQ
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) October 12, 2019
The ex-Chelsea star was adamant that the players wouldn't see the game as a point gained, regardless of what Mick McCarthy may say publicly.
Shane Duffy looks gutted, that answers the question of whether it's two points dropped or one point gained... I think the players will be flat in the dressing room. The lads will be going home flat as pancakes thinking that it's two points dropped.
We feel flat too, lads. We feel flat too.
