Those suffering from insomnia were likely the only ones glad to have been in attendance at the Aviva on Tuesday night. Bar the odd encouraging cameo, mainly from Daryl Horgan and Eunan O'Kane, it was a game bereft of any real moments of interest - a sedative for the football masses.
Speaking on Radio One's Morning Ireland, Brian Kerr gave a withering assessment of the game. The former Ireland manager said fans had been 'swizzed out' of what they paid for due to the lack of first team regulars on the pitch for both teams. Kerr also spoke negatively about Ireland's style of play.
It wasn't very good at all. The 37,000 people - if there was that there - if they paid in they'd be within their rights to go to the consumer association and look for their money back. They were swizzed out of an international match.
We had only two players that you'd consider regulars: Robbie Brady and James McClean. Iceland had three.
The match was pitched as an international between a team that had got to the quarter-finals of the Euros in the summer and the Republic of Ireland, but really it was the Ireland second string, and in some cases third string, against Iceland with most of their best players not present; gone back to their clubs or not selected.
The game itself was poor. It was low tempo. There was very little pattern to it on our side. We're a bit like a mongrel dog with no nice patches on it. We're neither a direct long-ball team nor are we a passing team that does some nice things.
Along with Brady and McClean, Jeff Hendrick was another to have started the game who would be considered a first choice Ireland player. Kerr thought the Burnley midfielder failed to take a grasp on the game.
We looked like a team that was thrown together at the last minute without any work being done or practice being done on the old 4-4-2 system. Whereas Iceland had a clear style about them. They mixed it up some long ball, a lot of crosses and competition. Then played it around a bit as well. Martin mentioned that in the second half, Daryl Horgan had a real impact. Three great crosses into the box but no one getting on the end of them.
We've now had three home games recently - Georgia, Wales and last night - we've hardly created a clear-cut chance in those three games. I could have played in goal for Wales the other night. Last night, Kristinsson was hardly bothered either, apart from a few crosses.
We were poor in the middle of the field again. Jeff Hendrick has to be the main culprit last night because he's the experienced player at this stage.
We didn't get on the ball, didn't create anything. It appears that if Wesley Hoolahan doesn't play, we don't create any chances.
Picture credit: Sportsfile
